It wasn't just Genzaburo, who had nearly fallen. Everyone in the Shitara family except Setsura Renki—including Ayane Shitara, whose mind had long since become unstable—went through a dramatic change of expression upon seeing the man standing in the doorway.
The only one completely unaware of the family's secrets, Setsura Renki stared blankly for a moment. Once she recognized Haga Kyosuke, she happily hurried over.
"Uncle Kyosuke, you look so sharp today. I told you, you should pay more attention to your appearance and dress up properly." She straightened the cravat at Haga Kyosuke's chest. "Don't you look handsome like this?"
Haga Kyosuke, who had been watching the hall with a cold gaze, lowered his eyes to the girl before him, and his expression softened. "It is a rare and important occasion, after all. Masashi suggested I get styled. What do you think? Not bad, right?"
Aside from Ichiro Shitara himself, practically everyone in the family knew about his condition, so Setsura Renki quickly understood what he meant by an important occasion.
Grandfather was probably unlikely to live until his next birthday banquet. This was likely the Shitara family's last birthday celebration on such a scale.
Once Ichiro died and Genzaburo took over as head of the family, a single square table would be enough for the Shitara family members who remained. Their dwindling household would find it difficult to support another banquet.
Setsura Renki's expression darkened. She forced herself to shift her attention to the person following behind him and put on a smile. "I see. So it's Mr. Asa..."
The rest of her words caught in her throat when she got a clear look at Masashi Asa. The praise and flattery she had intended to offer could no longer leave her mouth.
When Masashi Asa had first appeared yesterday,