84. [Locked Up and Electroshock Therapy]

"Akira, it must've been so hard growing up in a family like this."

Suou Yumi's eyes were brimming with tears as she looked at him with sympathy.

The childhood friends finally snapped back to reality.

Now that they thought about it… The Sawamura family really was insane.

A gay father, a fujoshi mother, and a hardcore doujin artist.

If it weren't for Akira—the adopted outsider—there wouldn't have been a single normal person in the household.

"Can you guys at least give my parents some dignity?!"

"Can we please change the subject?"

"Detective Ojou-samas, have you considered that if you hadn't been overanalyzing everything, my parents' private matters wouldn't have been exposed?"

"Cough, cough! We swear we'll never tell anyone!"

Everyone hurriedly raised their hands and swore an oath of secrecy.

Erina quickly followed Akira's lead and switched the topic.

"Akira, when can we start the Shokugeki?"

"I'm ready."

"Hold your horses! The custom-made cookware for this dish is still being crafted."

"Wait, there's specialized cookware just for this dish?!"

Erina suddenly felt nervous. How the hell am I supposed to win?!

"Of course! Otherwise, why would it be a lost dish?"

"Erina, just get ready to be the second member of my harem."

Erina's eye twitched. "Wait a second! That's not the condition we originally agreed on!"

"Even Alice has no objections, so what makes you think you can say anything, niece?"

"So I decided to change the terms."

"When did I ever say I had no objections?! I've always had objections!"

"Alice, do you want to experience the Flying Sensation again?"

Alice: ...

This woman has no morals.

"That kind of insulting condition—I refuse to accept!"

"Oh? You refuse?"

"Then hand over Hisako."

"I want Hisako as my secretary."

Erina's face turned bright red with anger. "Akira, you shameless bastard!"

"Eririn, does this also insult your dignity?"

Akira rolled his eyes.

"If you want to back out, just say so."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk! I never expected the proud heiress of the Nakiri family to be such a sore loser."

"Lady Erina! I—I volunteer!"

Seeing Erina cornered, Hisako immediately stepped up.

"No way! I won't allow it! Fine, I accept!"

Erina gritted her teeth and gave in.

Even though Hisako was also one of Akira's childhood friends, with her serious personality, she'd get bullied to death by this bastard.

"Fantastic progress! In just a few days, both Hisako and Erina have agreed!"

"Now… Who should be next?"

"Kanon! It's your turn!"

Akira dramatically pointed at Jingu Kanon.

"Akira, I'm not a Pokémon. Stop with the jokes."

Kanon sighed, looking at him helplessly.

This childhood friend of hers had many good qualities.

His biggest flaw was that his mind constantly jumped topics at random.

The other girls immediately realized—this bastard was comparing them to Pokémon again.

"Kanon, you always go along with my jokes."

"Isn't that proof that our souls are in sync?"

"If you grant me this one request, I'll start taking things seriously."

Kanon rolled her eyes and flat-out refused.

"Then I'd rather you never take things seriously."

She was still a princess, after all.

Even if her title was practically worthless now, she still had some dignity left.

"Aren't you all Akira's childhood friends?"

"That means you're already part of his harem!"

"Maniwa, the problem is this bastard wants all of us to live together."

"If it were you, would you agree?"

"Ahaha…"

Tachibana Maniwa's smile stiffened before she furiously shook her head.

Living together meant constant competition.

She stood no chance against these older girls.

Not to mention—some of them were absurdly strong.

"Well, since none of you are willing, then once Academy City is built, you can all move in."

"Saves me the trouble of running around all the time."

Akira declared it like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"AKIRA, GO TO HELL!"

Everyone was enraged by his shamelessness.

"Ahem! Saya-neesan, how are Alice and Yuki doing physically?"

After getting roasted by the girls, Akira smoothly changed the subject.

"Not bad."

"Alice has severe heart disease, but she's taken great care of her body since childhood."

"She never gave up on herself—her will to live is strong. That's commendable."

"She's the exact opposite of Miyazono."

"Thank you! The main reason I refuse to die young is simple—"

"If I die, my childhood friends will end up with someone else."

"Even if I go to hell, I'd never accept that!"

"So I have to survive!"

"I'm not like Miyazono—some love-struck idiot who throws away her life to set up a tragic romance like some second-rate soap opera."

Miyazono Kaori was mentally breaking down after being roasted by both Saya and Sakayanagi Alice.

"Tsk! Alice, your jealousy is off the charts!"

"I own it."

Alice openly admitted her flaw without hesitation.

"And Yuki—her body is incredibly healthy!"

"Even though she went through harsh training from a young age, the assassin organization she was in used advanced drugs."

"Her body took almost no damage."

Saya then looked at Akira with concern.

"Akira, aren't you worried about Yuki's assassin organization coming after her?"

"Saya-neesan, Yuki's name and presence already tell me everything."

"She and her organization are from China."

"And in China, no organization is stronger than Sword Sect, the keepers of China's legendary swords."

"It's basically their version of Japan's Kengou-kai—but way stronger."

"Then why didn't you stay in China?"

"With your status, you could've stayed there easily."

"You're right."

"If I wanted to stay, my shifu said the next leader of Sword Sect would be me."

"My rank and privileges would be on par with China's national leaders."

"Wait… Seriously?!"

"China is a land that embraces all and thrives on diversity."

"They are open to everything."

"As long as someone is willing to accept and embrace Chinese culture and values, they can become Chinese."

"On the other hand, if someone abandons Chinese culture, then even if they have Chinese blood, they aren't considered Chinese anymore."

"China values cultural and spiritual heritage over bloodline inheritance."

"You can all tell—I don't feel like a Japanese person at all."

"I never fit in with Japanese customs, society, or anything else."

His childhood friends nodded in agreement.

No one ever thought Akira seemed Japanese.

"But… how could I leave you all behind?"

"I have unbreakable bonds in Japan—so of course, I had to come back."

"I think it's actually because China has a strict monogamy law."

"Polygamy is illegal—you'd go to jail for it."

"That's why you came back, right?"

"After all, in Japan, you're a high-ranking noble—the law can't touch you."

His childhood friends all gave him a massive eyeroll and mocked him with cold smirks.

Akira: ...

Damn it. They saw right through me.

"Cough, cough! What happened to trust between friends?!"

"As your childhood friend, how could you all doubt me like this?"

"Heh."

We know exactly what kind of person you are—that's precisely why we don't believe a word you say.

"Snow, you were probably sent here by my shifu, weren't you?"

Yukishiro's face flushed red, and she immediately covered her lips with her hands, shaking her head furiously.

"Master, I… I can't say!"

"Idiot, you already exposed yourself."

"Let's drop this topic."

"Saya-neesan, personally check Chisato's heart."

"See if there are any issues."

"This is the artificial heart user you mentioned?"

"I have to admit—there are geniuses in the Alan Institute who can rival even me."

"To successfully create such a revolutionary cybernetic organ… That's insane."

"Most countries are still stuck at the most basic limb prosthetic research."

"I never expected Alan Institute to have already conquered the second-most difficult organ after the brain."

"But when it comes to medicine, I'm undisputedly the best in the world."

"Self-absorbed as always, Saya-neesan. How are you so sure?"

"I asked Lux."

"Many major powers got their hands on this tech—yet there's been no movement from them."

"If any rumors leaked, do you really think those half-dead old politicians wouldn't be scrambling to seize it?"

"They'd have already sent people to snatch it."

"But right now, all the global news is about a sudden surge in terrorist attacks."

Saya looked smug as she explained.

"Chisato, come with me."

"Saeko, you too."

Saya led the two girls back into the examination room.

Meanwhile, outside…

"Young Master, Lady Sora's medical report is ready."

"Where's Dr. Amamiya?"

"She went to check on Chisato and Saeko."

"Tachibana, just tell me the results."

"According to the report, Lady Sora has mild anemia and slight malnutrition."

"But otherwise, she's in perfect health."

"Looks like since we were separated, you've faithfully followed everything I taught you."

"Good. You deserve praise."

Akira rubbed Kujou Sora's head and praised her.

"Mhmm! Akira-oniichan, I've always remembered your lessons!"

"When she was little, Sora was shy, introverted, insecure, and terrified of socializing."

"She avoided challenges, wallowed in self-pity, and barely spoke at all."

"Honestly, she was even worse than Nagisa is now."

"Akira-oniichan, I'm not as bad as you're making me sound!"

Sora puffed up her cheeks and waved her tiny fists in protest.

"You literally refused to go to school and became a hikikomori—does that not count?"

"Because you refused to attend school, you ended up staying at my place instead."

"And back then, I figured… I should do something about it."

"Luckily, that was around the time I met Alice."

"So I thought, why not train Sora to be like Alice—arrogant and manipulative?"

"At least then, she wouldn't get bullied."

Sakayanagi Alice and Kujou Sora exchanged glances.

No wonder they always felt like they were similar.

Not just in appearance, but even their personalities.

It turns out… it was all Akira's fault.

Couldn't he have added some variety when training them?!

They hated having someone identical to themselves.

"Sora, I'm leaving Nagisa's rehabilitation in your hands."

"No problem! Leave it to me!"

Sora glanced at the timid Nagisa and instantly saw her past self.

She felt obligated to help Nagisa step out of the shadows and reclaim her life.

"Wait a second… something feels off."

"Right! Where's Yumeko? And Shouko?"

"They got escorted into the elevator by Saya-neesan."

"Sent to… the laboratory."

"…Lab? Shouldn't it be a hospital room?"

Akira looked confused.

"Wait, weren't they supposed to be admitted to the hospital?"

Jabami Yumeko's face was completely blank.

The two of them stared at each other in confusion.

"Why did they end up in Saya-neesan's lab?!"

"I was gonna ask you that!"

At that moment, Tachibana—who had been standing silently at the side—finally spoke up.

"Young Master, Dr. Amamiya said she's recently developed a new treatment method."

"…What kind of treatment?"

"Electroshock therapy."

PFFT!

COUGH COUGH COUGH!

"Dr. Amamiya said it's specifically for treating autism and depression."

PFFT PFFT PFFT!

"Electroshock therapy? The only time I've heard of it is for treating internet addiction."

"Are you sure this isn't torture?"

"I've only ever heard of electric chairs frying people."

"Relax! Saya-neesan's medical skills are 100% guaranteed."

"She's never killed a single patient."

"Maybe a little shock therapy is exactly what Shouko needs to snap out of it."

"Honestly, I think she's faking unconsciousness on purpose."

Akira declared confidently.

"Kukuku…! If she is faking it, I'm definitely making her pay when she wakes up."

Jabami Yumeko's expression twisted into an exaggerated grin, her voice filled with unhinged laughter.

"Akira-kun! We brought Nagisa's identification documents!"

Suddenly, the Furukawa couple burst into the room, panting and holding a folder.

"Uncle, Auntie, take a look at Nagisa right now."

"Doesn't she already look visibly healthier?"

"I knew it was real."

"Nagisa's life is already tied to Hikarizaka Town."

Seeing this, the Furukawa couple embraced each other, tears of joy streaming down their faces.

"Akira-kun, we're leaving Nagisa in your hands from now on."

"Consider it done."

"Let's go take care of the adoption paperwork."

"You're always welcome to visit Nagisa, or she can come back to see you anytime."

"Mm, but we're planning to close the bakery."

"Sanae and I both have things we've always wanted to do."

"Father, Mother, chase your dreams."

"You're still young."

"I know you both gave up so much for me because of my illness."

"You don't have to worry about me—with Akira-oniichan here, I'll be fine."

Furukawa Nagisa gathered her courage and encouraged her parents.

"Mm… Nagisa, we'll come visit whenever we can."

"And Akira, if you bring home another girl, we're seriously going to be mad this time."

"Ladies, where in the world do you think I'd find so many coincidences?"

"Besides…"

"You can question my morals, but you can never question my taste."

Right after dropping that line, Akira picked up Nagisa and bolted.

Everyone: ...

"Wait, what did Akira-oniichan mean by that?"

Tachibana Maniwa blinked, genuinely curious.

"Maniwa, have you noticed what we all have in common?"

"Huh? What common trait?"

"We're all absurdly gorgeous."

"Oh! I get it now! Akira-oniichan means that only girls as beautiful as us can catch his eye!"

"Who the hell knows what goes on in that guy's head?"

"Not one of his childhood friends is even remotely unattractive."

The adoption process went surprisingly smoothly, and after saying goodbye to the Furukawa couple, Akira brought Nagisa home.

As soon as they got back, he suddenly turned serious.

"You guys won't believe this—I just realized something really important."

"Nagisa is actually two years older than me."

"She's already a senior in high school."

"And you still have the audacity to make her call you Oniichan?"

"Hurry up and call her Nagisa-nee!"

Akira immediately turned to Nagisa, grinning ear to ear.

"Nagisa-nee, please take good care of me from now on~"

Furukawa Nagisa's face instantly turned bright red.

She shyly covered her burning cheeks with her hands, completely flustered.

"Where is your shame?!"

"It's official—Akira's shamelessness is completely gone."

"And it only took five days for him to fall this far."

Akira blinked innocently and asked,

"Shame? What's that? Can you eat it?"