47. Fist Strikes the Iceberg, Foot Kicks the Green Tea

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Shigeeda Shiki had always believed that love was tender and pure, like the green fruit freshly borne on a branch. After enduring the sweltering summer and soaking up enough sweetness, the fruit would gradually ripen and fall to the ground, marking the moment when lovers would link arms and step into the sacred halls of marriage. Marriage was, after all, a lifetime of love.

Perhaps there would be endless quarrels over a spilled bottle of soy sauce, or disputes about how to raise their children, but from beginning to end, their eyes would hold only each other, leaving no room for anyone else—like leaves tightly pressed together even when the century’s frost bites.

But she realized she had been wrong.

And not just a little wrong.

After struggling repeatedly and deciding to return the money to Tsukasa Harano for breach of contract, she was directly confronted by his official girlfriend, who subjected her to relentless verbal humiliation.

She deserved it.

Having accepted being kept before, she had long anticipated the loss of dignity that would come with it.

Yet, after Mr. Harano—the very one who kept her—returned and pulled his girlfriend away, within less than an hour, events took a turn so bewilderingly complex that even if she tried to wrench her head off, she could hardly comprehend it.

It was even more terrifying than being suddenly struck by a dump truck…

Because…

Sayaka Suzumiya acknowledged her.

Yes, acknowledged.

An hour ago, as Shigeeda Shiki curled up on the apartment sofa, trembling with fear, the door knocked. Bracing herself for a beating, she was utterly shocked when the reality was the exact opposite. Sayaka Suzumiya, who had previously looked at her like an enemy, still wore a stern expression but dropped a sentence that stunned her:

“I won’t interfere if he keeps you from now on.”

Shigeeda’s vision darkened.

The sky seemed to collapse.

She couldn’t understand why Sayaka, who had been so furious and seemed ready to kill her before, would change her stance in such a short time—to not only accept her lover’s infidelity but to openly acknowledge her existence as if it were nothing.

But what they did next left Shigeeda no time to ponder any of this.

“Mr. Shigeeda, we are donors from the Public Welfare Assistance Association. We’re here specifically to visit you.”

In a multi-bed ward of the Japanese Medical University Hospital’s inpatient department, Tsukasa Harano placed a bouquet of fresh flowers on the bedside cabinet of the northernmost bed, greeting the patient in a gentle voice.

On the other side, Sayaka Suzumiya, her cold demeanor restored, stood silently watching.

Though Shigeeda had long grown accustomed to the disinfectant scent of the ward from frequent visits, now she felt suffocated for some inexplicable reason, doubting if she was dreaming or had slept upside down, desperately denying the reality in her heart.

But the sharp pain of her fingertips digging into her palm and the burning ache in her eyes that dared not close told her this scene was real.

Masahiko Shigeeda’s face was pale and deeply lined, his temples gray. His blue-and-white striped hospital gown looked a little large on him, but the withered wrist peeking from the sleeve revealed that his body was not always this frail. He appeared utterly exhausted, looking more like a man in the twilight of his life than the not-yet-fifty-year-old he should be, based on Shiki’s age.

Seeing the well-dressed Tsukasa Harano gently present the flowers, Masahiko was somewhat flattered and hastily forced himself upright to accept them, saying, “Hello, hello… please, have a seat.”

Then he turned to say,

“Shiki, pour some tea quickly…”

At her father’s voice, Shigeeda Shiki’s dull eyes regained some color. She seemed on the verge of speaking but swallowed it back.

“…Yes, Dad.”

Masahiko found his daughter’s mechanical response odd but didn’t dwell on it with guests present. Instead, he looked apologetically at Harano:

“Please forgive me for not being able to stand and thank you properly. Before your visit, Inuko already called. Honestly, I never expected anyone would really help us. We are truly grateful.”

“You’re too kind.”

“No, you’re the kind one…”

After the brief exchange, Masahiko noticed Sayaka Suzumiya standing beside Harano, hesitated after estimating her age, and asked,

“Madam, why don’t you sit?”

Sayaka was momentarily taken aback but then looked down at Harano, who faced away without reaction. Her heart pounded, her lowered hands twisted nervously, and then she sat down nearby.

At that moment, Shigeeda Shiki returned, lowered her head, and walked slowly to Harano without daring to look at the others. Biting her lip, her emotions tumultuous, she handed him a paper cup:

“Mr. Harano, please have some tea.”

“Thank you,” Harano smiled as he took it.

After receiving the tea, Shiki turned slightly and handed the last paper cup toward Sayaka Suzumiya, bowing her head even lower than before in a posture reminiscent of a concubine serving tea to the lady of the house.

“Mrs. Harano, please have some tea as well.”

Hearing this title again, Sayaka blushed and accepted the cup, unusually nodding at her—a gesture as soft and melting as glacier water touched by the spring breeze.

Harano had intended to confirm Shigeeda’s father’s condition himself. Having reviewed the medical records at the nurse’s station and now seeing him in person, he was confident of the situation. He said directly:

“I understand your condition roughly. The purpose of this visit is to personally witness your illness is genuine. After all, you know, nowadays, even when doing good deeds, one must worry about whether their kindness is misplaced.”

“I understand… I understand…”

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Masahiko Shigeeda nodded weakly while half-reclining in bed, then said:

“Mr. Harano, first, my daughter Inuko and I are very grateful for your kindness, but we’re afraid we cannot accept this aid.”

“Why?” Harano raised an eyebrow.

“I know my illness well and probably don’t have long to live. Even with a suitable bone marrow transplant, my body may not improve. Rather than spending this money on a useless person like me, please help those children who deserve it more.”

“Dad!”

Before anyone else could speak, Shigeeda Shiki couldn’t help but lift her head, eyes red, and call out.

“Shiki!” Masahiko sharply whispered, turning back to Harano with an apologetic smile.

“Sorry, Inuko doesn’t understand.”

“I’m sincere; I’m not being polite.”

“Even if I really get a bone marrow transplant, I won’t be able to do any heavy work afterward—I’ll be half a cripple.”

Harano paused for a moment, looking at the man who was reluctant to accept kindness, suddenly understanding why Shiki’s dark wishes manifested so easily—it stemmed from this father’s example. Like father, like daughter.

No one wants to die.

Even the smallest creatures cling to life.

But whether out of selfishness to exploit Shiki’s dark wishes or genuine compassion for the unfortunate, he could not refuse to help.

Moreover…

Perhaps it was just a feeling, but when Harano heard the terminal man speak of death, he saw a trace of relief in his eyes.

As if a great burden had been lifted.

What burden could it be?

Probably the burden of no longer dragging his daughter down.

“Mr. Shigeeda, I understand your feelings, but have you considered that we too are helping a child?”

“Then you and your wife should…”

Harano waved his hand, cutting off Masahiko’s words, turning his gaze to Shiki standing quietly by the bed. With a gentle smile, he said:

“Besides everything else, have you thought about your daughter’s feelings? If we talk about helping a child, she has witnessed her father’s imminent death. No matter how strong she is, she won’t recover quickly in the short term.”

“You… I…” Masahiko opened his mouth.

He instinctively looked at his daughter.

Her tear-streaked face reflected in his eyes, he remembered her innocence.

Though now a helpless man, he had decades of experience. In her difficulties, even if he couldn’t offer help, he at least could be a good listener and comfort her.

But if he were gone too…

Masahiko fell silent, seemingly realizing this terrifying fact was also hard to imagine.

At that moment, Harano’s voice sounded again.

“And the donor has already been chosen; the funds have been transferred to a public account. Even if I wanted to withdraw now, it would be too late.”

“But… I… sigh…”

Masahiko intended to refuse but, seeing Harano’s gentle yet unyielding gaze and feeling his daughter’s eyes fixed on his face, he sighed after a long silence.

“Your actions leave Inuko and me truly at a loss for words to thank you and your wife.”

“If charity has motives, can it still be called charity? Likewise, help without expecting anything in return is noble. My wife and I strive for this and take pride in it.”

“You and your wife have such noble character.”

“Perhaps. Enough talk. My wife and I have other matters to attend to, so we won’t bother you any longer. If you ever need financial assistance, please don’t hesitate.”

Harano added, “Of course, we will regularly contact your daughter to inquire about your condition.”

“I… I really don’t know how to thank you…”

“Your recovery will be our greatest gratitude. After all, it’s not only what you and your daughter want to see, but also what we as a couple hope for.”

The conversation in the ward gradually subsided.

After a long while, they left the hospital.

The donation was thus settled.

Masahiko was convinced that Harano and Sayaka Suzumiya were indeed donors from the Public Welfare Assistance Association.

After all, no money comes from the wind.

Masahiko, a seriously ill patient with nothing to be coveted, couldn’t think of any reason for receiving donations other than being extraordinarily fortunate to be chosen by a public welfare organization.

As for Shigeeda Shiki…

She seemed to have suffered a great emotional shock today, so Harano let her stay at the hospital to care for her father, postponing other matters.

About seven or eight minutes later.

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At the Japanese Medical University Hospital campus.

“Do you believe it now?”

“Yeah… I do…”

Sayaka Suzumiya, who had instinctively wanted to agree, suddenly stopped, looking at Harano’s composed face. Unwilling to give in so easily, she snorted coldly and retorted, “What if it’s all an act?”

“Suit yourself.”

Harano shrugged.

“What do you mean by that?”

Sayaka felt her blood pressure rising higher than any elderly person’s. The number of times she had chest pains from anger recently rivaled the total of the past twenty years. Gritting her teeth, she said, “We haven’t even started dating yet, and you’re already so impatient with me. What happens if we actually do date!?”

In truth, she hadn’t meant to get angry, but seeing Harano so calm made her unhappy.

After all, her restless nights were caused not only by his suspected kind lies about keeping a female college student but also by his disappearing for three days without returning home.

Now, before marriage, he dared vanish for three days—what if after marriage, he dares to vanish for three years?

Who knows where he was off gallivanting?

This issue was even more serious than the first.

Harano paid no heed to her strongest remarks and was already accustomed to her touchy mood. He simply asked, “Have you driven? Want me to take you home?”

“I’m not going home yet.”

“Then what do you want to do?”

“I don’t know!”

Sayaka stood with a dark expression, blocking Harano’s path. Wherever he moved, she followed, as if looking for a fight. Harano found it exasperating—after all, he was human, too, and this constant blocking was wearing on his patience.

Yet, seeing Harano’s slight impatience only fueled Sayaka’s energy more. Beneath her tracksuit jacket, her chest rose and fell provocatively, giving off a challenging air.

The tension between them was palpable.

They remained locked in this standoff all the way to the hospital entrance, drawing curious glances from passing patients and visitors. Harano’s expression darkened, and his mind stirred.

[Dark thoughts toward: Sayaka Suzumiya]

[Dark thought list:]

[1. Want to stomp on Harano (Purple)]

[2. Really want to go on a date (Blue)]

[3. So boring, this guy isn’t as tough as before. If he were still like before, a real man to me, that might be interesting (White)]

These thoughts made Harano’s fists clench.

Not elsewhere, but his fists.

He realized Sayaka had completely lost her usual icy boss demeanor and developed a strange, almost addictive tendency.

Talking nicely wouldn’t work.

He had to be a little tougher with her, huh?

Being even slightly normal only earned disdain.

Punch the iceberg, kick the green tea!

Who in Tokyo doesn’t know me, Tsukasa Harano!

It seemed his plan to let time smooth things over wouldn’t work. Instead of drifting apart, it only tightened their bond. Better to take the initiative, even if the outcome was bad, it couldn’t be worse—and there was more room to maneuver.

Troublesome women were indeed tricky!

But trouble also meant opportunity.

Therefore, Harano looked at the delicate, oval face just twenty centimeters away—close enough to kiss those faintly rosy lips—and made a firm decision.

Who do you think I am?

Put your hand here!

Without hesitation, Harano stepped forward, pressing his body against the icy boss, forcibly grabbed her hand, and ignored Sayaka’s panicked eyes. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered slowly:

“Since you don’t want to go home, then let’s do things you’ve never done before.”