Kaoru returns to the shop, noticing someone already took off with the next orders.
"What is the meaning of this?" Kaoru storms into the kitchen, asking Kotarou.
"You've worked long enough today. Go home, rest and go to school tomorrow." Kotarou said as he is busy cleaning his utensils.
"So I'm not good at all, that's what you were trying to say huh?" Kaoru said.
"Huh? What are you getting at?" Kotarou said.
"It's nothing. I'll come tomorrow too." Kaoru said.
"Hold on. Give him his pay for today." Kotarou said.
"Until you recognise my abilities, I won't accept any payment from you." Kaoru said and he ran off.
"Kids nowadays... You really can't find anyone earnest like him... Takeshi, screw you for leaving this kid to me. You owe me a big one." Kotarou said before heading back to the shop to close up.
"Boss, don't you think he's really going to quit school?" A concerned worker asked.
"Ah, hopefully he'll change his mind soon. I can't really handle kids." Kotarou said.
"You're just not honest enough! If he knows you're going to help him, he wouldn't even do this you know?" Another worker said.
"Alright, half of your pay is going straight to Kaoru." Kotarou threatens.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop. Just don't cut my pay. I too have a family to take care." The worker said.
"A family huh..." Kotarou thought. Apparently, he is unmarried, devoting his time and energy solely to work in the business he and Takeshi built up from scratch. He is proud of his life's work. Now business is going well thanks to their efforts, Takeshi is now gone, and Kaoru throwing an unnecessary tantrum.
The next day, Kaoru showed up in the shop, preparing himself to deliver any orders.
"What are you doing here? You should be at school now." Kotarou said.
"I'm quitting school so that I can take over the business. I won't let you take everything from me!" Kaoru protests.
"Hah, you sure talk big for a little man. Your father must be laughing from the heavens." Kotarou taunted.
"What if I am?" Kaoru responded.
"My my... Who do we have here?" A man walked into the shop, Kaoru recognises him, he's the principal of his school.
"Good morning, sir." Kaoru greeted.
"Well, you do know well it's morning, and you even quoted it as a good one." The principal said.
"Ugh... This man has a difficult tongue, I can't follow his words at all." Kotarou commented.
"What can a good young man like you not attending school? This is all I seek to understand." The principal asked.
"I'm quitting school. I want to work to support my family." Kaoru replied.
"Oh, is that so? You, the mister behind the counters." The principal looked at Kotarou.
"Yes, what can I do for you?" Kotarou nervously responded.
"Judging by your attire, you must be a worker, or precisely, the owner yes? Is whatever this young man said earlier is true?" The principal asked.
"I would only agree half of it. It's not entirely true." Kotarou responded.
"If so... Please elaborate your statement." The principal asked.
"Kaoru's father is the co-owner of this business alongside with me. Since I never tampered with the accounts, the earnings will still go to his family. This kid just wants to work here no matter how I'm against with his ideas." Kotarou said.
"What?! You mean you're not trying to take over the business yourself?" Kaoru asked.
"You always run off when I want to discuss this with you. Plus, you're still a kid. Just go and school, I can manage this alone myself." Kotarou said.
"I see... I'll head to school then." Kaoru said.
"Alright young man, I'll send you home so you can get changed before you head to school." The principal said as he leads Kaoru to his car. Embarrassed, Kaoru follows him.
"Well, that kid's off to school, guess it's time to work hard." Kotarou said as he tightens his apron.
"Now that the problem solves by having me coming over, I should let you know something. It's Kanade Kujou's idea to invite someone as busy as me to get you back to school. So make sure you make some amends to her properly. It takes guts for someone to talk to me like that, utterly barbaric." The principal said, shaking his head.
"I see..." Kaoru said before the journey remained silent for a while. Kaoru went back home and changed to his uniform before heading back to school.
"My, my... Sure you get embarrassed to get to school like this, no? Think of it as a part of your punishment I guess? Now, enjoy the walk of shame. Shoo shoo." The principal said as they got off from the car.
"Thank you, sir. I wouldn't have learned the truth if you weren't there." Kaoru said.
"Go thank Kujou. She is the one who asked me to be there." The principal said before he walked away.
"Kujou-san... What do I do..." Kaoru walks back to his class thinking hard on how to face Kanade from now on.
"Oh, Kaoru's back!" A student jumped from his seat as soon he saw Kaoru entering the class.
"Hey, quiet down! We're still having class now!" The teacher yelled.
"Hey, it's really him!" Some other students gathered around him. It seems like he's quite popular for his cooking during home economics class.
"Sorry guys, some things happened. But that's settled. I can come to school from now on." Kaoru said.
"Of course you are!" A classmate said.
"Alright, save it during lunchtime, you have exams next week, don't take my lessons lightly. You, Kawasaki especially. You have a lot to catch up. Don't slack off!" The teacher said.
"Sigh... This is what I get for quitting school I guess..." Kaoru thought to himself and sat down on his seat. The moment he opened his bag, he noticed he didn't bring his textbooks for the lesson...
"Kawasaki! It's your first day returning to school, but it doesn't make you any special! Someone share your books with him!" The teacher yelled.
"Hehe, I guess I can't get tired with school yet." Kaoru smiles as the lecture goes on.