Master Naruhito, wearing a warm smile, responded to Ichiro, "I just wanted to see you. Seeing as it's not the right time, I guess I'll see myself out." With that, Ichiro respectfully bowed, bidding farewell to the elderly man who held significance in his life. The timing was indeed inconvenient, and Ichiro had pressing matters to attend to.
As Master Naruhito departed, Hiroshi's complexion grew paler with each passing moment. The unexpected connection between Ichiro and Master Naruhito, who were close family friends, caught him off guard. The two hadn't seen each other since Hiroshi's father had been away.
Ignoring her husband's distress, Tomoko accompanied Master Naruhito to see him off, despite his clear preference for solitude. The courtyard remained tense with an air of uncertainty.
Ayami, ever observant, sensed the brewing difficulties for their family as two influential figures visited Ichiro. Meanwhile, Ryoma, seemingly unfazed by the arrivals, continued to watch the unfolding drama between Ichiro and Akihiko. Akihiko, noticing Ryoma's gaze, taunted, "What? Want some more?"
"Young Master Nakamura, please," Hiroshi pleaded, desperate to salvage the situation and avoid further complications in Lawyer Anko's eyes. The delicate balance in the courtyard remained on the verge of tipping.
Ryoma's departure, wordless and abrupt, left an uneasy silence in the courtyard. Akihiko, seemingly unfazed by his injuries, exchanged a brief exchange with Ichiro. The air was thick with tension, and Akihiko's departure added a layer of discomfort.
As Ryoma departed without uttering a word to his family, Akihiko couldn't help but remark, "Coward." Despite the banter, Ichiro showed concern for Akihiko, recognizing the toll that Ryoma's powerful attacks had taken on him.
Akihiko, though appearing unaffected, admitted, "Please," acknowledging that the injuries were more severe than he let on. He knew he needed medical attention for the damage sustained during the intense battle.
Ichiro urged Akihiko to leave, recognizing the urgency of his injuries. Akihiko, ever nonchalant, agreed, "Ah, see you then," and took his leave, promising to return if needed. With that, he effortlessly lifted himself into the sky, casting a final glance at Ichiro before disappearing from view.
Ichiro sighed, acknowledging the awkward atmosphere lingering among the onlookers. Despite the chaos, he had matters to attend to within his family. Akihiko's departure left a palpable tension in the air, signaling the conclusion of the tumultuous events in the Takahashi courtyard.
As Akihiko vanished into the sky, Ichiro sighed once more, bidding him a farewell with a casual, "Yeah, yeah." The departure left behind an uneasy calm in the courtyard.
With the immediate threat diffused, Lawyer Anko, wearing a gentle smile, suggested, "Since things have settled down, should we talk?"
Yuta took the initiative to extract Ayami from the unfolding situation, grabbing her arm and leading her away. Ayami, though silent, cast glances between her father and Yuta. The arrival of this mysterious figure seemed to have stirred up turmoil within her family, and she sensed that something significant was transpiring.
Remaining in the courtyard, Ichiro faced Lawyer Anko, prepared to engage in a conversation that might unravel the mysteries surrounding his current predicament. The atmosphere hung heavy with tension and anticipation.
"Lawyer…" Hiroshi attempted to say something, but Lawyer Anko shot him a glance, signaling him to keep quiet. Shaken and desperate to find a way to salvage the situation, Hiroshi fell silent.
"Mr. Hiroshi, I expected more from you. If Lady Takahashi knew this is how you took care of her son, she would have killed you with her own hands." Lawyer Anko spoke with a sternness that revealed his disappointment in Hiroshi. Lady Takahashi was known for her ruthless actions, even towards her own family members if they were in the wrong.
"I—You see, I didn't mean…" Hiroshi stumbled over his words, realizing that there was no excuse for the events that had transpired. The actions in the courtyard were clear evidence that he wanted Ichiro gone. The attacks he and his daughter launched against Ichiro were indicative of a sinister intent.
"Save it; I have no time for you." Lawyer Anko's anger was palpable. The state of the courtyard and Ichiro's meager living conditions painted a grim picture of the difficult life he had endured. What frustrated Lawyer Anko the most was the apparent mismanagement of the substantial funds entrusted to Hiroshi's care. Despite the wealth Ichiro had inherited, it seemed he had lived in destitution.
"Ah, this way, please." Ichiro gestured for the man to follow him inside his humble residence. Meanwhile, Hiroshi was escorted by the servants back to the main residence, where he faced the consequences of the chaotic events.
Lawyer Anko, still in shock, didn't anticipate Ichiro's living space to be so small and empty. The lack of belongings and furniture surprised him, creating an image of stark simplicity.
"I'll get you some tea." Ichiro offered, disappearing briefly to prepare refreshments. "I'm sorry, but I have no snacks to offer you."
"It's fine," Lawyer Anko replied, understanding the circumstances and limitations.
Ichiro returned with the tea, handing a cup to his guest. "Not bad, did you make this?" Lawyer Anko inquired, surprised by the refreshing taste.
"Yes, I gathered the ingredients from the forest," Ichiro explained, sharing details about how he procured the elements for the tea.
"Do tell, how have you been?" Lawyer Anko asked, switching the conversation to Ichiro's well-being.
Ichiro pondered for a moment, realizing that the man in front of him had shown great concern. The fact that he was unaware of Ichiro's condition made him wonder why the lawyer had only come now.
"If you're wondering why I just came now, I was on the battlefield as well," Lawyer Anko explained, taking a sip of the tea Ichiro had prepared. "I am only your mother's personal lawyer; I don't work for anyone else. We were a team back then…"
Ichiro listened intently to the stories, gaining insights into his mother's past. He was intrigued by the connection between the lawyer and his mother, but there was one question burning in his mind, one that no one seemed to be able to answer.
"Do you know my father?" Ichiro asked with a serious expression.
"I'm sorry, even I don't know about your father," Lawyer Anko responded, a tinge of sadness in his eyes. It was clear that he felt disappointed that he couldn't provide answers to Ichiro's question.
"It's fine," Ichiro replied, a sense of acceptance in his tone as he grappled with the mystery of his father's identity. He felt an odd connection with Lawyer Anko, yet even this man couldn't unveil the secret.
"In regards to the court case earlier, you don't have to go through that again; you can leave anytime you want," Lawyer Anko reassured Ichiro. "Also, we still need to confirm your identity, as your uncle has declared you an imposter. I'm sure that was his scheme so that he can get all the money. However, if you are indeed an imposter and the real Ichiro is dead, then Hiroshi, nor anyone from the Takahashi family, will be able to get a single cent from your mother's wealth."
"I have a feeling about that," Ichiro replied, his mind connecting the dots, suspecting a connection to his engagement.
"I see. Then, seeing your reaction, it seems you have something to tell me?" Lawyer Anko inquired.
"They'll get what they want." Ichiro's response hinted at a deeper understanding, revealing that he sensed the motives behind the schemes entangling his life.
Ichiro took a deep breath, contemplating how to unravel the complexities of his engagement. He chose his words carefully, aware of the potential consequences.
"I'm engaged," Ichiro confessed, the weight of the revelation evident in his eyes. "But it's not by choice. They forced this upon me."
Lawyer Anko listened attentively, his gaze steady, giving Ichiro the space to share his story.
Ichiro took a deep breath, as if preparing himself for what he was about to reveal. "The engagement," he began, "it's a tool they're using against me. They're leveraging it to control me, especially in the matter of my inheritance. It's not about family ties or concern for my well-being; it's about getting a hold of my mother's wealth."
Lawyer Anko's brows furrowed, sensing the gravity of the situation. "Explain," he urged.
Ichiro recounted the events leading to his engagement, emphasizing that it was not his choice. "They're pushing me into this marriage to maintain control. They believe that by tying me up, they can manipulate my decisions and, ultimately, secure my mother's wealth."
Lawyer Anko sighed, a hint of sorrow in his expression. "Ichiro, I'm sorry about your situation. However, the matter of marriage within traditional families is a complex one. The decisions often lie heavily with the patriarch, and undoing such arrangements isn't a straightforward legal process. Even if I wish to protect you from these circumstances, there are limits to what I can do."
Ichiro nodded, understanding the intricacies involved. "I just want to live my life on my terms, not dictated by the expectations and manipulations of others."