Approaching noon, the Shinkansen from Tokyo slowly pulled into JR Chiba Station.
"Haa..." Carrying his backpack, Miyahito had managed to catch a quick nap on the train. He stepped off, yawning.
Quickly orienting himself, having lived in Chiba for over a decade, he effortlessly navigated to the station exit.
Outside, he hailed a taxi. A short ride later, he arrived at the Aragaki family estate in Chiba City's central residential district.
Standing at his gate, instead of ringing the bell, he slung his backpack around, dug out his house keys, and let himself in.
Unlike what dramas depicted or people imagined, the Aragaki family didn't live in some traditional old Japanese mansion. Perhaps because his parents were relatively young and more modern-minded, they lived in a two-story detached house with a small courtyard.
Aside from hiring cleaning staff, gardeners, and a chauffeur for his father's commute, only the four of them lived there.
Precisely because of this, both Miyahito and Ayase grew up differently from other elite family kids. Compared to those who had everything handed to them, the Aragaki siblings were far more independent, mature, and self-reliant in both mindset and daily actions.
"I'm home."
Stepping inside and changing his shoes in the genkan, Miyahito called out into the house.
"Mom, Ayase."
"Welcome home, Miyahito."
Hearing her son's voice, Satomi, dressed as usual in a kimono embroidered with the family's subtle crest, smiled and walked out from the living room.
Seeing his mom approach, Miyahito, now in his slippers, quickly walked over on the wooden floor, grinning, and wrapped his arms around her.
"I missed you so much, Mom."
Amused by his endearing clinginess, Satomi hugged him back and joked,
"If you missed me so much, why didn't you come home last weekend?"
"Ah....." Caught off guard, Miyahito blinked, then guiltily looked away. He made a guilty whistle and replied weakly, "Last week... uh, the agency had a new commission, so I stayed to work on it."
Instantly seeing through his excuse, Satomi playfully tapped his forehead.
"Ouch..."
"No lying."
"Yeah...."
Taking the tap, Miyahito didn't dare bluff. He honestly explained that he'd spent the weekend looking into a cram school to start early prep for university exams.
Hearing this, Satomi's expression softened into a mix of heartache and pride. Her fingers gently brushed his slightly messy bangs.
"You don't need to push yourself so hard so early, Miyahito."
"We can start thinking about university properly in your second year."
"Besides, your father has good connections with Professor Ogihara at Keio. We could just get him to write a recommendation letter."
Professor Ogihara? She must mean Professor Ogihara Shuu from the biology department.
Miyahito briefly recalled the man his mother mentioned.
"Professor Ogihara Shuu?"
"Yes." Leading him toward the living room, Satomi nodded. "That's the one."
"Your father and he are on good terms. He was actually planning to visit Professor Ogihara when you hit your second year to discuss your admissions."
"I'll pass." Miyahito shook his head, politely declining.
From the few times he'd met the man as a child, his impression wasn't great.
Academically, Ogihara Shuu was certainly capable.
But his personality was painfully arrogant, convinced of his own unparalleled genius.
He didn't realize that without his wife's help, he might not have even made professor by the time Miyahito graduated college. At best, he'd have topped out as a "research assistant."
If that were all, Miyahito, who had accompanied his father to many social gatherings since childhood, wouldn't have judged him so harshly.
What truly made him think "Ogihara Shuu is a bad person" was his attitude toward his wife, who was also his career benefactor. Instead of gratitude, he showed...
Ah, getting off track.
"I'd rather try taking the entrance exam on my own."
"But it's going to be exhausting for you... Miyahito."
"It's fine!" Miyahito smiled, flexing in a mock bodybuilder pose. "I'm your son, after all. Don't you have faith in your son's excellence?"
"Keio University is a piece of cake. With my talents, it'll be a walk in the park."
"You..." Seeing his overconfident demeanor, Satomi shook her head helplessly but smiled.
"Oh right, Mom. Is Ayase not home?" Looking around the living room, realizing he hadn't seen his sister since arriving, Miyahito asked.
"Maki-san picked her up early this morning." Satomi tapped his forehead, feigning annoyance. "When you're home, you only have eyes for your sister, but you didn't even know she had a photography shoot today."
"If she gets mad, don't expect me to put in a good word for you."
"Mom..." Caught off guard, and remembering he'd forgotten to bring her a cake again, Miyahito stammered, "I... I..."
Realizing he couldn't win this argument, he quickly changed the subject. "When is Ayase coming back? I'll handle lunch."
Seeing right through his deflection, Satomi shot him a look. "Ayase isn't coming home for lunch."
"Also, I'm meeting Mrs. Sasaki later to discuss PTA matters."
Miyahito blinked, confused. "So..."
"Yeah, you're on your own for lunch, Miyahito." Satomi smiled, finishing his sentence for him.
"Eh? No way." His face instantly fell. "I came all the way home, and I still have to feed myself?"
Standing up, Satomi chuckled with a hint of playful schadenfreude. "Isn't it perfect, then?"
"Ayase and your father complained earlier about their work meals being bland. Since you're here..."
"Today, Ayase is shooting at Central City Park. Why don't you make her a lunch bento and deliver it?"
Expecting good news, Miyahito's smile froze. Then he forced a wry smile. "Alright. Guess I can't bear to let my sister go hungry."
"I'll make a bento and bring it over."
Satomi nodded approvingly and added a reminder as he headed toward the kitchen. "Oh, Miyahito. Ayase has gotten pretty close to a schoolmate who's also a magazine model."
"Got it."
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