Cliche Chapter 594: Heartfelt Trust

Going out with Ais, Riveria, and Haruhime was all about having a good time — that was Asahi’s reason to bring the trio together in the first place. He accomplished most of it by indulging in an action movie at the theater, embarrassing Riveria at an arcade and letting Ais go on a berserk shopping spree. The day served as a therapeutic escape for all three of them.

As the evening sun dipped, an inviting aroma lured them toward a restaurant, which happened to be one of the fanciest in the City-Y. But the serene ambiance was ruptured the instant Asahi's eyes met those of the monster masquerading as a man — Amai Mask.

With every fold of his pristine suit accentuating his stature and a sophisticated dining scarf around his neck, Amai Mask pointed straight at Asahi with dramatic flair. “You even tainted young girls like them. You have no shame, Asahi Marikawa.”

The Hero clearly misinterpreted Asahi's relationship with Ais and Haruhime as being anything but pure. Then again, all of their previous encounters depicted Asahi as a wicked, egoistic hero, leading him to develop a biased judgment towards Asahi.

Riveria nudged Asahi with her elbow. “I don’t want to eat here. Let’s find another place.”

She’d choose a peaceful small restaurant over a high-class restaurant where a weirdo continuously glared at her. Neither she nor the young girls, Ais and Haruhime, would find it a pleasant experience.

Haruhime pointed back at Amai Mask, flames of vengeance burning in her eyes. “Shut up. Otou-sama is not tainting anyone.”

She forgot all senses of manners the moment her father was insulted.

Ais didn’t back down either. “Stop sulling Onii-san’s name… I’ll kill you.”

The renard and half spirit weren’t letting a stranger defile their precious adopted father/brother. They might have charged at Amai Mask if Asahi hadn’t forbidden them from attacking anyone. They’d have undoubtedly lost.

Amai Mask blinked, taken aback. “Otou-sama? Onii-san?” He scoffed, “So now you parade your family around to gain sympathy? Despicable.”

Asahi’s face twitched. “Bastard, are you looking for a fight?”

A fleeting look of uncertainty crossed Amai Mask’s face, reminding him of their past confrontations. With a sigh of resignation, he stood and glared at Asahi. “It’s not over yet.”

Before departing, Amai Mask and Asahi’s group were bathed in a series of camera flashes that illuminated the room. The news outlets would have a field day twisting the incident. At that moment, Asahi was indifferent to how the media might portray their confrontation.

He shook his head, eager to move. “Let’s forget about them.”

Just as he was settling into the comfort of the plush seat, he felt another familiar presence approaching. The only silver lining was that he liked this hero or he’d have stopped the hero from entering the restaurant.

“Isamu,” Asahi said with a playful raise of an eyebrow. “Why did you stalk me again?”

“Hehe, Onii-san. I’m your fan but I won’t stalk you.” Isamu gave a cheeky grin as he pointed to Ais and Haruhime. “Who are they?”

Ais glared at Isamu. “His sister.”

Haruhime revealed an awkward smile at Ais’ uncalled hostility. “I’m Otou-sama’s daughter.”

“Woah, a daughter…” Isamu's eyes widened in genuine shock. “I didn’t think Onii-san already had one. How many family members do you have?”

Asahi leaned back, a smirk forming on his lips. He’d miss dinner time if he sat down to recount all the women in his family and Isamu would lose any appetite. “Come and eat with us. We’ll talk after that.”

Isamu, reading the atmosphere, promptly settled beside them. Riveria visibly relaxed, her prior tension fading with Amai Mask’s departure. He reveled in observing Riveria, the high elf princess, as she sampled the array of dishes, cataloging her preferences in his mind.

Wiping his lips with a napkin, he turned to Isamu. “Let’s talk.”

“Uh…” Isamu hesitated for a moment, scratching his nape. “I was just wondering about that new organization. Did you finally get around to creating it?”

“As a matter of fact I did. Do you want to join?”

Isamu’s resolve was apparent in his intense gaze. “I would like to… The Hero Association disgusts me.”

Once again, the Hero Association shattered his faith.

“What did they do this time?”

Hesitating, Isamu finally murmured, "Some files. If they’re genuine, the relationship between heroes and the organization will be damaged beyond repair.”

He licked his lips, a predatory glint surfacing in his eyes. The information at Isamu’s hand would add more firepower to his arsenal in bringing about the association’s downfall. “What is it?”

Contrary to what Asahi believed, Isamu shook his head, unwilling to share his findings. “I can’t. Not until I can fully trust you and your organization.”

After a staring contest, Isamu didn’t back down. He was committed to his decision to protect the Association until he found an alternative that could replace the association. Despite the scummy ways of the organization, they undeniably protected the citizens from monsters.

“Sure. But my organization is in a messy state right now. How about you wait for a couple of weeks?”

He’d refrain from inviting any outsider until Yuriko would get him a state of the art headquarters. After all, first impressions could make or break a relationship.

Isamu shook his head. “I don’t mind… I only need to observe the leaders/executives of your organization and how they want to operate.”

“Alright. Gimme your contact number. I’ll ring you when I’m free.”

“Thank you, Onii-san.”

(Proceeds to forget about him for another week… because he is a guy.)

‘Ouch. I like Isamu alright.’

(Gender bender beaaaaaaam.)

‘Noooooo.’

Isamu left the scene after handing over his contact details. Asahi decided not to go home immediately. Instead, he strolled the streets, hand in hand with Ais and Haruhime. Both girls seemed to enjoy the peaceful time just as much as their time in the movie.

(You’re lewding the lolis! Unforgivable!)

Klyscha seemed to return to her high-spirited self after a brief yandere phase. He couldn’t say which version he liked more — the gentle and loving Klyscha or her unhinged, yandere version.

‘Both are good I guess.’

(Umu. What will we do about Riveria?)

Riveria had been taking glances at him for some time now. She tried to be sneaky but she couldn’t fool his instincts. It wasn’t hard to notice her growing affection towards him.

‘We’ll address Mom after we send the lolis home.’

Ais tugged at his hand. “Onii-san, I’m sleepy… go home?”

“Me too,” Haruhime suggested and yanked his hand to face her. “Otou-sama…”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you for everything.”

Her heartfelt smile and words of gratitude filled his heart with warmth. Despite suffering tragedy after tragedy at such a young age, his fox-eared daughter had a smile that melted hearts with ease.

He reached out and patted her head. “It was a small reward for my hard working daughter.”

Haruhime lowered her gaze but her swinging fox tail gave away her happiness. She was delighted to get a sincere praise from her father. “Un.”

Ais walked around him and stood beside Haruhime. She softly cleared her throat. “Onii-san, thank you…”

He couldn’t help but laugh at her cheap attempt to follow Haruhime’s steps to get free praise and headpats. “Don’t mention it.”

She pouted a little when her method didn’t work as flawlessly as Haruhime.

Eventually, he patted both their heads until they drifted to sleep on his bed.