Shirakawa Sawahei: "..."
Is that what you call waiting for me? That’s what I call being greedy for my tea leaves! How shameless!
Though he was complaining in his heart, Shirakawa Sawahei didn’t plan to be stingy with his good stuff. He couldn’t really tell the difference, so it would be good use to entertain someone who appreciated tea.
George Slater, being Italian, wasn’t quite accustomed to this type of tea, so Shirakawa Sawahei considerately made him a cup of instant coffee.
"Ahem... uh... Miss Nazuki... I asked your father to bring me here this time mainly to apologize for my previous inappropriate remarks." The maestro didn’t touch the steaming cup of instant coffee in front of him, cleared his throat, and solemnly said, "I’m very sorry that my personal emotions affected your view of the Slatter family."
"I must reiterate that Miss Kaori is the most intelligent girl I have ever met and also has an extraordinary talent for piano."
"I apologize for my previous inappropriate comments."
Asano Fūsei happily translated on the side. Of course, this was mainly for Shirakawa Sawahei, as he was probably the only one present who wasn’t quite proficient in Italian.
Shirakawa Sawahei was dumbfounded by the maestro’s actions.
Shouldn’t a maestro usually be more arrogant? Looking down at people with their noses and saying: Oh, my God, how could you insult my family like that, apologize immediately for your past actions...
Then the Long Aotian Lolita would snort coldly: "Thirty years east, thirty years west, never underestimate a poor girl! Nolan Slat, just you wait, we’ll meet at the Vienna concert in three years!"
This is a clash of western fantasy and eastern mystery.
Since the other party was so sincere, the Black Hearted Lolita didn’t hold on any longer and said with a humbled tone, "I also acted inappropriately, and I apologize for the trouble I’ve caused you, maestro..."
George Slater looked quite satisfied with this sincere exchange—since this matter could be resolved satisfactorily, he was naturally the happiest. After all, at the root of this mess was his momentary excitement and gaffe upon nearly accepting his most satisfactory student.
What? The most satisfying one was Shirakawa Sawahei? Hmph, even maestros can have tempers. Today you ignore me, tomorrow I’ll flaunt my lovely female student to where you can’t even reach.
"So... Miss Nazuki, when could you accompany me to study in Europe?" George Slater rubbed his hands, somewhat excitedly.
"I assure you, you could become the greatest female pianist in history!"
Little lolita Asano Nazuki, hearing this, first instinctively looked at her father, then glanced at Shirakawa Sawahei.
"Do I have to go to Europe?"
Old Man Slater hesitated and said, "If you can’t bear the customs of your hometown... you could study in Neon... but..."
"Could you accompany me on a tour around the world to meet my old friends?" George Slater rubbed his hands a bit embarrassedly: "Ahem... we once made an agreement that whoever found a student must bring them for the other to see..."
Shirakawa Sawahei was speechless; this old man obviously wanted to parade the little lolita around as a trophy, what former agreement could there possibly be, it was all just an excuse for showing off.
"Uh..." Black Hearted Lolita hesitated, Asano Fūsei chimed in at the moment, "Nazuki, if there’s any concern, feel free to speak up, let’s see if we can resolve it."
"Will it take a long time?"
"No, no, after staying at each person’s place for just a day or two, it won’t delay at all!"
"If you want a swift round trip, I can even arrange for a private jet!"
Many human urges to show off are capable of pushing history forward, and this saying is true. Even the world-renowned pianist George Slater lived a long life but couldn’t escape this little vanity.
"The maestro need not fret; the Hayakawa family can afford this." Asano’s tone was casual.
"Eh, Mr. Asano what talk is that? Spending some money on my student, so what—can I take it to the grave with me?"
"Then... let’s go during the summer vacation..." Asano Nazuki hesitated, "But I still hope to return soon..."
The three reached a consensus, and Shirakawa Sawahei, watching from the side, saw that they were preparing to leave and hurriedly said, "Uncle Asano, you’ve been here so long, won’t you stay a bit longer?"
"There are some matters I still need to handle... what’s the matter, young man, want to say something?"
Shirakawa Sawahei, pretending to be regretful, said, "I see... then we’ll have to wait for the next opportunity to chat and learn from you... wish you and Asano a smooth journey."
As he spoke, he nudged the little lolita towards her dad with a smile, "See you next time."
The Black Hearted Lolita could see through Shirakawa Sawahei’s intention, got furious, and Asano Fūsei said, "Eh? Wasn’t it agreed that Nazuki would stay at your place for a day or two?"
"I thought Kaori had packed clothes for her sister... Did I hear wrong? Is Kaori coming over to stay?"
"She surely won’t be staying over!" Asano Nazuki said anxiously.
Shirakawa Sawahei was baffled by the duo’s antics, "...aren’t you worried that Asano might find it inconvenient here?"
"Why would it be inconvenient? I have great faith in Brother Shirakawa’s character, go ahead, don’t let me down!"
The idea of a cheap father-in-law sounded tempting, yet Shirakawa Sawahei still found it troublesome, "How about... you take her back..."
The Black Hearted Lolita sneakily leaned closer to him, discreetly reached for his waist, and pinched hard.
"Shirakawa, you’re joking, didn’t you say you’d teach me tonight?"
Asano Fūsei looked at the two people with strained expressions for a moment, then smiled knowingly.
"Then we’ll be on our way."
Shirakawa Sawahei watched helplessly as the prospective father-in-law and the triumphant piano maestro chatted sparingly and left his house, boarding the car that gradually disappeared from view, leaving an indescribable sense of regret.
Too bad he couldn’t have taken away the troublemaker Asano Nazuki.
The Black Hearted Lolita noticed the expression on his face and fumed, "Pretty boy! Explain yourself! Why do you want to kick me out? You’re disgusted with me!"
"Is it strange that I’m disgusted with you?" Shirakawa Sawahei retorted, "I’ve been disgusted since you came to my house."
"You! Having a cute girl like me come to your house is an honor!"
Shirakawa Sawahei couldn’t be bothered with her, allowing the little lolita to whine away behind him as he went to get instant food to shut her up.
"It’ll get cold if you don’t eat it soon."
At the dining table, Shirakawa Sawahei couldn’t help but ask the little lolita, "Why do you insist on staying at my place, isn’t going home better?"
"I just told the Black Hearted Woman I wouldn’t go back; how can I show my face if I go back on my words?"
"Don’t you talk with your head up all the time in front of her? Without looking up, nobody can see your face."
Asano Nazuki was so incensed by Shirakawa Sawahei’s words that she couldn’t speak for a long time, then she grudgingly said, "Pretty boy, how do you manage to make every sentence infuriating enough for me to want to die with you?"
"Your tolerance is just too low."
The Black Hearted Lolita huffed coldly and stopped paying attention to Shirakawa Sawahei, this annoying guy with nothing nice to say, burying her head in her dinner instead.
In one of the black private cars of the Hayakawa family, Asano Fūsei chuckled as he saw off George Slater, but as the car door closed, his expression changed instantly.
He hurriedly pulled out his phone and adeptly dialed a number. Once connected, he exaggerated, "Big, big, big...bad news, dear wife! That Shirakawa Sawahei lad is even hooking up with Nazuki! They’re cohabiting tonight!"
The woman on the other end sneered, "Aren’t they getting along well with you?"
"Ahem... well... let’s not bring that up, I was hardly at fault, working twice as hard as any other man, very tough work."
The woman angered, "What kind of punishment are you hoping for tonight?"
"Come on now, we were just discussing our daughter..."
"Discussing business more like? Isn’t this call just to flaunt?" The woman said indifferently, "Have you arranged it all?"
"Rest assured! Though I may have told that kid to relax, saying I trust his character, if he dares lay a hand on Nazuki... heh, he’ll know what it’s like to have his door kicked in late at night."
"Upstairs and downstairs apartments have been bought, as soon as I hear Nazuki crying for help, the boy is finished!"
"If he only pursues Kaori, I’d scarcely steer him with half-truths, but if he schemes against Nazuki... not even just me, her grandpa won’t spare him."
"Even Jesus can’t save him! I’m telling you!"