Chapter 18

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Volume 1: First Performance: A Tragic Love Story Of A Young Lady And Spring Cherry Blossoms

Chapter 18: The Cross-Dressing Boy Reunites With His Father

“――――――Maria-sensei, is that really true?”


Karen walked quickly down the hallway, looking annoyed, while Rena, Maria-sensei and I followed behind her.

Watching her back, Maria-sensei spoke timidly.

“Yes, it’s true. Right now, your older brother, Itsuki Hananomiya and… Kyoichiro Yanagisawa are in the staff room.”

Hearing the names of these two in such an unusual combination, Karen gritted her teeth.

“I can understand why my brother would come to this school. It makes sense since he’s keeping an eye on his rival sister in the succession battle. But what on earth is Kyoichiro Yanagisawa doing here? He’s always had a poor relationship with the Hananomiya family. Yanagisawa-kun, do you know anything about your father?”

“No, sorry, but I only know what your Hananomiya family knows. Five years ago, Kyoichiro Yanagisawa suddenly handed over the custody of us siblings to the Hananomiya family. I haven’t seen that scumbag father of ours since.”

“I see… I have a bad feeling about this…”

“Agreed. Whenever that scumbag shows up, nothing good ever happens.”


…Just as Karen said, Kyoichiro Yanagisawa despises the Hananomiya family.

Even at our mother’s funeral in the past, he had a fierce argument with Aunt Airi.


That’s why it feels so strange that he’s here now, together with Karen’s brother, at this school.

It’s enough to make me suspicious that there’s something going on behind the scenes.

“We’re at the staff room. Yanagisawa-kun, I’m sorry, but could you…”

“I understand. I won’t show myself in front of the old man who might recognize me.”

“Quick on the uptake, thanks. Alright, I’m going in.”

With that, Karen took Reina and Maria-sensei and entered the staff room. 

I hid and watched what was happening inside through the window of the door.

Inside, there was a young handsome man with black hair, red eyes, and a black suit—I guess it’s most likely Karen’s older brother.

Standing next to him was a middle-aged man with black hair and blue eyes, wearing an iron-blue shirt.

With a weary face, he smoked a cigarette in a disheveled manner… there was no mistaking it.


It was none other than mine and Rurika’s biological father, Kyoichiro Yanagisawa.

“…Excuse me, this is a no-smoking area. Could you put out the cigarette?”

Karen’s harsh words made Kyoichiro turn around and look at her.

He took a portable ashtray from his chest pocket and casually flicked the cigarette into it.

“Oh, so you’re Karen Hananomiya. How curious, you resemble both Yuki and Airi. No, perhaps you look more like Airi?”

“…Pleased to meet you, Kyoichiro Yanagisawa. I’ve seen your work on television. So, what brings you to our school today?”


At those words, Kyoichiro let out a tired sigh and glared at Karen’s brother.

“Hey, Itsuki. You didn’t tell her anything. You know I’m not exactly free, right?”

“Hahaha… Sorry, Kyoichiro. I planned this as a surprise gift for my younger sister, so I decided to keep it a secret until the last moment.”

 
With that, the young man, called Itsuki, stepped in front of Karen and smiled eerily.

 “Karen. I heard a rumor. The number of students enrolling in your school, Hananomiya Girls’ Academy, has been declining year after year. Even though the businesses grandfather entrusted us with were random, it seems you’ve drawn quite the losing lottery, managing a school that’s struggling.”


“There’s no need to worry. I have plans in place to turn this school around, so there’s no need for you to be concerned, brother.”

“And that’s why! Karen! Your brother, out of pity for you, has brought someone brilliant to save this school! That someone is none other than… Kyoichiro Yanagisawa!!”

“Te-Teacher…?”

“That’s right! I intend for Professor Kyoichiro Yanagisawa to be teaching for the acting department starting this year! With a famous actor like him teaching, enrollment will surely skyrocket next year! Hahaha!”

 “W-Wait a minute!! What do you mean by deciding this on your own!?”

“Karen. In this succession battle, I believe everyone should compete on equal terms. The Hananomiya family is an illustrious, long-standing financial dynasty. The head of such a family must be someone with exceptional abilities. It would be a disgrace to let an incompetent person lead and close off the future of the Hananomiya family! That’s why I, as the eldest brother, have decided that this battle should begin on equal footing!!”


With that, Itsuki looked around the staff room and spoke again.

“Surely, the teachers also want to see this school move in a better direction? It must be hard to just stand by and watch the numbers decline without doing anything. As someone who leads, it’s also the duty of a manager to guide those below them. Therefore, as Karen Hananomiya’s brother and a board member of this school, I advise hiring Kyoichiro Yanagisawa as a teacher at this school!!”

At those words, Karen bit her lip in frustration.

I see… That man came here to flaunt his power in this school.

As a young and newly appointed board member, Karen naturally doesn’t have much trust from the teachers.

So Itsuki aimed to capitalize on that weakness—by lending his help, he’s trying to earn the trust of the staff here.

He’s surrounding the school and pulling the opposing faction over to his side. This is clearly a calculated move.

He talks about everyone fighting fairly and squarely, but he’s using underhanded tactics.

Bringing Kyoichiro Yanagisawa along was probably just a coincidence, but it’s a significant blow for Karen, who has me cross-dressing at this school.

And given the school’s struggling situation, she can’t exactly refuse the offer of a famous actor like Kyoichiro Yanagisawa becoming a teacher.

If she refuses, it would only lead to distrust among the staff.

…This is undoubtedly a difficult move for her to counter.

“…Thank you… Brother.”

With those words, Karen bowed quietly to her brother Itsuki.

Seeing her, Itsuki smiled and spoke.

“It’s only natural for siblings to help each other. From now on, let’s compete fairly and squarely to decide the successor.”

He patted her on the shoulder, then began walking towards the exit of the staff room.

After confirming this, I silently slipped away from the scene.