"Hoh, that was fast… Hmm. And quite generous."
Granny Kobayashi put on her reading glasses and glanced at her phone. The deposit notification had already arrived. After a brief, practiced scan of the number of zeros, she nodded in apparent approval. "Seems he truly does regard you as his own daughter."
She then retrieved a bank card from her worn leather wallet, extending it toward Shinomiya. "Well then, Shion-chan, your father has made the transfer. It's all in this account. The password is—"
But Shinomiya Shion shook her head firmly, stopping Granny before the password could even be uttered. "No, thank you, Granny. I don't want to use that money."
"Oh?"
"I've already made a promise with Akira-kun to pursue a career as a voice actor. I will earn my own living. That way… Father can truly be at ease, right?" Her eyes shone with a newfound, resolute light as she looked toward Kuroha Akira.
That's right, Akira-kun! Let's start from zero and build our future together!
Kuroha Akira, upon hearing Shinomiya casually refuse what was undoubtedly a life-changing sum of money, felt an almost physical urge to face-palm and sink to his knees.
What a waste!!
My dear young lady, can't we be a little less noble?!
Do you think you can become a voice actor without spending a single yen?!
Even self-study has costs—equipment, software, demo recordings!
He'd been secretly counting on that capital to jumpstart her training, saving him the headache of scrounging for funds. It seemed that headache was still very much in his future.
However, with Shinomiya having made such a bold, principled declaration, he couldn't possibly contradict her now. Doing so would make her grand resolve a hollow joke. He needed to support this fledgling sense of independence and self-worth.
Thanks to the [Soul Performance S] talent holding his features in a perfect, supportive mask, Akira didn't flinch. He managed to give her a convincing thumbs-up, radiating approval for her ambitious spirit.
Shinomiya's heart swelled with happiness. See? He wasn't lying. He really has planned a future with me! (Her definition of 'future' being strictly professional, of course.)
"Is that so… Well, that's not a bad attitude for a young person to have," Granny Kobayashi mused, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Though I'm surprised to see this lazy bum actually show some drive because of you… Heh. You've changed, kid."
She shot Akira a look that clearly telegraphed, 'What's the cause? Love?'
Akira fought the urge to roll his eyes. Love? Don't be ridiculous. She's my future golden goose.
"But since the money's already been transferred to me, it's too much trouble to send it back," Granny continued pragmatically. "I'll hold onto it for now. Whether you use it or not is up to you. You can come to me to withdraw it anytime."
"Granny, please consider that money as my rent and living expenses while I'm here."
"That would be a bit excessive. This amount could buy several houses… Besides, one matter is separate from another. You're staying here because he brought you in. That's his business, not mine. I won't charge you rent or board…" She paused, her sharp eyes slicing toward Akira. "…But that kid owes me double rent now."
"Wha—?! Old woman, is your conscience pitch black?!" Akira blurted out.
You rotten old lady! So lenient with the girl, but squeezing me dry! You're as two-faced as that traitorous simp-cat, Kuroo!
As if reading his rebellious thoughts, Granny Kobayashi thrust her hand out toward him. "Give it back."
"Huh? Give what back?" Akira feigned innocence, his face a masterpiece of confusion.
"Stop playing dumb. The ten thousand yen. Hand it over."
"No way! You already gave it to me…"
"I gave it to you because the two of you were both penniless. But now, with the money from her father, there's certainly enough for an abortion. More than enough, even if you decided to keep it. And judging by how much he dotes on his daughter, he'd probably be a doting grandfather, too. You could just have the baby and not even raise it yourself, which means…"
"Which means?"
"You don't need condoms. If there's an 'accident,' just have the baby."
"..."
"Therefore, I'm reclaiming the 'safety subsidy' I provided."
Akira nearly choked. Shinomiya, beside him, lowered her head, her ears turning pink.
We are NOT doing that!
"No! Money in my hand is mine! You can pry it from my cold, dead fingers!"
"Fine. Then starting tomorrow, it's curry. Every day."
"Ugh…!"
Granny Kobayashi knew full well Akira was sick to death of curry. Her usual rotation was hot pot and curry. When she said 'continue eating curry,' that 'continuation' could stretch into a week, a month—a true curry hell designed to break a man's spirit. She was using culinary torture as leverage.
Hah! But! Old woman! You didn't anticipate this, did you?!
I am no longer a slave to your kitchen!
Starting tomorrow, I have the class representative's home-made bento!
MUAHAHAHAHA!
"I'll die before I give it to you!" he declared, puffing out his chest.
As for Shinomiya… Sorry, but you're about to get initiated into the Kobayashi Curry Hotpot Cycle of Despair.
He shot her a silent, apologetic glance.
Granny Kobayashi didn't push further. Her threat was mostly for amusement—a chance to tease the 'young couple.'
Who said grandmothers didn't enjoy a bit of romantic gossip? She just had no patience for shallow, performative drama. Setting aside Kuroha Akira's obvious ulterior motives, it was clear Shion already held the boy in high regard. And caring about a boy like that… well, that was often where it all began.
Ahh, the pure, flustered emotions of youth. So refreshing to watch. Makes me feel young again.
"Fine, have it your way. Once you're done cleaning up, go take a bath. Shirako, you go first. You reek of sweat… Do remember to bathe daily. Don't be slovenly."
"Yes, yes, yes. I ran around a lot today, I'll definitely bathe."
Granny's reminder wasn't mere nagging. Coming from northern China in his past life, Akira didn't have the ingrained habit of a daily shower. It was well-known that the Japanese loved their baths, feeling genuinely off if they skipped a day.
Akira had worked in Guangdong for a year once and experienced the climate there—that was a place where skipping a bath made you feel truly gross, and where 'damp-heat' was a constant complaint. But Tokyo's latitude was closer to Shandong's. While the ocean brought humidity, the four seasons were distinct. Logically, a daily bath shouldn't be a strict necessity…
Probably just a cultural thing, he concluded.
What caught Shinomiya's attention, however, was the peculiar address Granny Kobayashi had used.
"Shirako?"
"Oh, that's my little nickname for this rascal. Cute, isn't it?"
Granny Kobayashi knew Kuroha Akira's real name was Bai Yuming (白雨明), hence the nickname 'Shirako'—essentially 'Whitey' or 'that kid named Bai.' But in Japanese, the pronunciation shifted it to 'Shirako,' which sounded completely like a feminine given name. It was a private joke from one transmigrator to another, a layer of meaning only they shared.
"His name is Kuroha… but his nickname is 'White Child'?"
"Yes, isn't it amusing? A little masterpiece of mine!"
"I'm more curious about the reason behind it, Granny."
"Well…" Granny Kobayashi shot Akira a knowing, sidelong glance before turning back to Shion with a serious expression. "That depends on when he is willing to open his heart to you. Then you'll naturally understand the meaning behind this nickname. Hehehe…"
"Tch… don't meddle, you old busybody. And don't call me that in front of others. It's revolting." Kuroha Akira scowled. His identity as a transmigrator was his greatest secret. Granny Kobayashi, who knew from the start, was one thing. He had absolutely no intention of revealing that truth to anyone else—not even his 'partners,' at least not yet.
He turned a stern gaze on Shinomiya. "Don't you dare call me that. It'll make me sick."
"Oh…" Shinomiya nodded meekly.
But inwardly, she quietly filed the nickname away in a special corner of her mind.
Shirako…
She had thought calling him 'Akira-kun' was already quite forward. She never imagined Granny Kobayashi would be the most audacious of them all.