"So Uncle You really said that?"
Late at night in an izakaya, three striking figures clinked glasses. The tableful of grilled food looked perfect for drinking, and the relaxed atmosphere made it easy to speak from the heart.
Shoko Ieiri, Suguru Geto, and Miwa Chisei had found a rare chance to get together and chat, leaving Satoru Gojo out-deliberately.
At Suguru Geto's question, Miwa Chisei propped her cheek on her hand and watched the traffic outside the window.
"You could say I expected it. That's why I don't really like dealing with the Three Great Families, except for business."
Suguru Geto rubbed his chin and nodded thoughtfully.
"So that's why you won't consider Satoru?"
"No, another reason is that he really isn't suited to being a father. After all, I definitely wouldn't be a good mother."
"You're so self-aware, Qianxing."
"Geto, don't just eat. Have some alcohol."
Miwa Chisei showed Suguru Geto no mercy either. He raised both hands in surrender and downed his drink in one go.
Shoko Ieiri looked Miwa Chisei over with a smile and spoke casually.
"You like Satoru, don't you, Qianxing?"
That made Suguru Geto choke and start coughing.
Miwa Chisei kept rubbing her fingers against her glass and answered awkwardly with a nasal hum.
"Mm."
Suguru Geto had been soothing his throat with a drink, but Miwa Chisei's answer made him cough even harder, his entire face flushing red.
Shoko Ieiri patted Suguru Geto's back without much feeling and began teasing him.
"Boys really are idiots. How are you and Satoru so oblivious?"
Suguru Geto recovered and stared at the two women before him in disbelief.
"But Qianxing acts like she really dislikes Satoru?"
Shoko took a large gulp of her drink and couldn't help laughing.
"What an idiot. Do you think Qianxing's stayed