Chapter 74: Keigo Atobe

After packing up, Ryosuke felt a dull ache in his stomach—probably from eating too much barbecue. Holding his belly, he groaned his way to the bathroom.

After a long while, he finally stood up, shaking out his numb legs. The moment he opened the door, he froze.

The room was full of people dressed way too properly, and for a second his brain just didn’t process it.

He had no idea where they’d gotten formalwear from. Some were wearing vests, others full suits. Tendo had even slicked his hair straight back with gel.

And Shirabu was actually wearing a kimono?!

Ryosuke: “?”

…This had to be the wrong way to open a door.

Bang—he slammed it shut and rubbed his temples. Must’ve stood up too fast.

Bang—he opened it again.

Still the same scene. Everyone looked just as absurdly formal.

He couldn’t help blurting out, “What are you guys doing?!”

Ryosuke had truly seen it all. These people… the way they were dressed was really something.

Yamagata gave a dopey grin. “Well, your family’s super high-class, right? We can’t embarrass you.”

Ryosuke covered his face, half laughing, half exasperated. He stepped forward and started tugging at Yamagata’s clothes.
“Enough already. You don’t need to do this. Just dress like you normally do. Coach Washijō is coming too—if he sees this, you’re dead.”

Yamagata thought about it for two seconds. “Alright. I’ll go change.”

The rest of them looked at each other, then at Ryosuke.

Ushijima quietly walked over to the bed to change. Shirabu reluctantly took off his kimono.

Eita Semi stared at Shirabu in disbelief.
“Where did you even pull that kimono from? Are you Doraemon or something?? And what exactly are you disappointed about?”

Faced with Semi’s rapid-fire questions, Shirabu rolled his eyes and stayed silent.

Ryosuke wandered over to Tendo, curious.
“Tendo-senpai, you actually look really cool with your hair slicked back.”

“Really? Really?” Tendo’s eyes lit up as he leaned in.

Ryosuke nodded. “But I think you’d look even better without the hair gel.”

Tendo froze.
“Then forget it. Hair gel is my true love.”

Ryosuke: “……”
One day, I’m throwing all your hair gel away.

After another round of changing clothes and packing, they finally headed out.

Coach Washijō snorted coldly.
“So slow.”

Ryosuke grinned and latched onto his arm, gently steering him forward.
“Alright, alright, let’s go.”

The group made their way out together.

The same car from earlier was waiting at the entrance. Several men in suits got out and loaded the luggage, and everyone climbed in.

Inside the car, Tsutomu Goshiki was still buzzing with excitement, chatting with Yunohama.
“So what’s Ryosuke’s house actually like?”

Yunohama stroked his chin. “A villa?”

Reon added, “A castle?”

“A castle? What kind of nonsense is that?!” Ryosuke sighed helplessly.

“Hey, Ryosuke, what’s with that ‘everyone here is an idiot’ look on your face?!”

Ryosuke laughed it off, dodging the question and talking about his home instead.
“This is actually the first time I’ve brought close friends back with me.”

“Oh! Then we’re super honored!” Tsutomu Goshiki shouted enthusiastically.

Coach Washijō, sitting in the front row, rubbed his ears but didn’t comment.

“My place is on the outskirts of Tokyo. It’ll take a bit to get there, so you should rest,” Ryosuke said, glancing toward the front.

After shopping and barbecuing all afternoon, everyone was already exhausted.

Tsutomu Goshiki, completely unburdened, closed his eyes for a bit and fell fast asleep.

The ride was smooth and steady. Ryosuke watched the scenery rush past outside the window, quiet for a long time.

When they were almost there, Ryosuke woke Tsutomu Goshiki.

The car stopped near a small island on the outskirts of Tokyo. Tsutomu Goshiki pressed his face to the window, staring at the sea.

Kawanishi exclaimed, “There’s an ocean here? It’s beautiful.”

Ryosuke smiled as the car slowly drove into an estate.

Someone came to greet them from afar—it was the woman in a suit they’d seen earlier that afternoon.

The estate was enormous, built in an old-fashioned Japanese tatami style that was rarely seen these days. Rare plants and cherry trees were planted throughout.

Clearly excited, Ryosuke even took everyone to see the hot spring in the backyard.

Eita Semi immediately tried to jump in, but Reon grabbed him by the collar just in time.

Standing by the hot spring, Ryosuke asked, “Do you guys still want dinner tonight?”

They all looked at each other.

“Probably not.”

“I don’t think I’m hungry.”

“How about you?”

“Not really.”

Ryosuke nodded. “Alright then. There’s a private theater in the back. We can watch a movie and then soak in the hot spring.”

Yamagata swirled the water with his hand. “Wow, Ryosuke, this is amazing.”

Ryosuke smiled shyly.

Matsukawa Bones took a phone call and walked over.
“Sir, the eldest master is waiting for you in the front hall.”

Something flickered in Ryosuke’s eyes.
“Got it. You go ahead. I’ll take Grandpa Washijō with me. Please show the guests around.”

With that, Ryosuke left, leaving everyone confused.

Ushijima politely extended a hand. “Thank you for your trouble, Miss Matsukawa.”

The others followed Matsukawa Bones to tour the estate.

Ryosuke, meanwhile, went with Coach Washijō to meet his brother.

Coach Washijō murmured, “Your brother… Keigo Atobe, huh.”

He suddenly recalled the boy, only a little older than Ryosuke, who had stubbornly pushed Ryosuke into his arms at their grandfather’s funeral. Even though he was still a child himself, he’d been afraid his younger brother wouldn’t survive in that ruthless household.

Holding back tears and reluctance, he’d let Washijō take Ryosuke away, staying behind with his mother’s remaining allies to protect Ryosuke’s inheritance. A good kid, truly.

The memory made Washijō sigh softly.

They passed through the guest corridors and dining hall before reaching the front hall.

From a distance, Ryosuke spotted a young man with purple-gray hair standing there, and a look of instinctive reliance surfaced in his eyes.

The tips of his hair curled slightly, glossy and immaculate. His features were striking—fair skin, long lashes, a flawless face. A tear mole beneath his right eye added a hint of mystery and allure.

His gaze was sharp and proud, like an emperor looking down on the world—arrogant, yet irresistibly captivating. With slender fingers brushing lightly at the tear mole, every movement radiated elegance and nobility.

Keigo Atobe spoke slowly, “Ah… so Ryosuke’s back.”

A pleased smile curved his lips, bringing the whole room to life. Without him, the space had felt oddly empty.

“Yeah. I’m back.”

The brothers didn’t need many words. One glance was enough to know how the other had been.

Keigo Atobe looked Ryosuke over—broader shoulders, a body clearly growing stronger—and nodded in satisfaction.

Noticing Coach Washijō beside him, he bent deeply in a respectful bow. Washijō waved it off, found a seat, and patted the chair in front of him.

“Come. Sit. Let’s talk.”

In Washijō’s eyes, no matter how capable Keigo Atobe was—no matter how tightly he controlled the family—he was still just a child. Ryosuke’s brother. His old friend’s grandson.

They talked for a while. With age catching up to him, Coach Washijō soon excused himself. Keigo Atobe waved for someone to escort him back to the guest rooms.

Once only the brothers remained, Ryosuke’s expression shifted completely.

He plunged straight into Keigo Atobe’s arms, his voice overly sweet.
“Brother, I missed you so much.”

.
“How did I end up with such a clingy little brother?”

“Hmph.”

“Like a pig…”

Used to his brother’s way of speaking, Ryosuke thought his brother was perfect in every way—except for his mouth.

After lingering for a while, Ryosuke finally slumped lazily into a chair.

He asked casually, “What about those annoying people? I didn’t see them when I got back.”

He hadn’t really wanted to return, but since his teammates had asked, it was fine. He just hadn’t expected those bothersome flies to be dealt with already.

Keigo Atobe brushed his hair back.
“Ah… you finally came home. How could I let anything ruin your mood? I had them sent away for a while.”

“Where?”

“An island.”

“Oh?” Ryosuke sat up, clearly amused.
“Brother, you’re really merciful. You even spared their lives. Living like that must be awful.”

Keigo Atobe laughed softly. Only his younger brother truly understood him—Matsukawa would’ve just thought he was cruel.

“What about Sakura?” Sakura was also part of the Hanyu family. Even if her parents were awful, Ryosuke thought his little cousin herself was nice.

Keigo Atobe stood.
“She’s been sent to school. The Hanyu children can’t grow up useless. Come on—this lord will graciously go meet your teammates.”

Ryosuke stood as well, stretching lazily.
“Let’s go.”

…

Meanwhile, from Matsukawa’s stories, the Shiratorizawa members learned a very different side of Ryosuke.

They also learned about his older half-brother from the same mother, leaving their emotions complicated.

They’d never imagined Ryosuke’s childhood had been so harsh—losing his parents, then his grandfather, surrounded by relatives fighting over inheritance. Growing up among wolves and tigers like that, it was a miracle Ryosuke hadn’t gone astray.