"Look at yourself! Going out dressed like that!"
Kamigami Yō's father glared sternly, his voice sharp with disappointment.
"I don't need you to control me. I'm old enough to take care of myself—and I couldn't care less about any of your stuff!"
Airi fired back without flinching, clashing headfirst with her father's overbearing presence. The air between them sparked. For a brief moment, the man known for commanding boardrooms and bending markets with a word… found himself breathless.
"If you weren't always so busy—always chasing after work and more work, never once caring about this family—Mom wouldn't have died… And Onii-sama… Yō wouldn't have turned out this way!!"
Her voice cracked. "Is money really that important?! Are we even lacking it?!"
Airi bit her lip. Her eyes reddened. She sniffled once, then aggressively wiped the corner of her eye with the back of her hand.
"You—!"
Her father's hand twitched, rising instinctively with anger.
"What? What about me? Can't say anything anymore? Just gonna yell at your daughter to vent your frustration?"
Her contact lenses shimmered as she locked eyes with him—fearless, unwavering. Those eyes, the same ones that had once clung to his sleeve as a child… now stared straight through him. A single step of this girl's heel could shake the modeling industry. And yet—before her gaze, this man, this titan of Japan's economic world, ached to look away in shame.
"Milady…"
A soft voice came from the side.
It was Akimoto—the family's butler—his expression tinged with helplessness. He had grown up with this family. With the patriarch himself. But this… this was a matter no servant had the right to interfere in.
Kamigami Yō's father clenched his fists. Fury surged up his chest—only to falter when his eyes drifted to a photo frame resting on the nearby table.
"You were born into the Kamigami family. You've never known hunger, never lacked clothes or shelter. Whatever you wanted—you got. So of course you don't understand how ruthless the world can be. You think all of this just fell into your lap?"
He exhaled deeply.
"Yes… we're not short on money. At this point, it's just numbers to us. But how many ancient houses have crumbled into dust, forgotten by history? You think we've survived for four hundred years on sheer luck?"
His voice was low, rough, yet held a gravity that made the room fall silent.
"We endured… because every generation of this family treated our legacy like walking on thin ice—carefully, cautiously. That's the only reason our descendants have a future to enjoy."
He paused.
"You read a lot growing up, right? You know the Rothschilds. That family once had enough power to control national currencies. Once feared. Revered. Now? Forgotten. We've never even come close to what they once were…"
His shoulders slumped slightly. The titan began to sound… tired.
"About your mother… I'm sorry. That was my failure. But everything I've done—every decision, every sacrifice—was for you. So that when I pass this house and this empire to you and your brother, you won't have to live in fear. So that you can live a peaceful, happy life."
"Tch. Then give all that to Yō! I don't want it."
Airi crossed her arms with a huff.
"I can live perfectly fine without this family. I'm a print model, you know! I earn all my own spending money—I haven't touched a single yen from you!"
She straightened her chest with pride. For her age, it was more than developed enough to draw attention.
"You, you…"
The father let out a small, helpless laugh. The same man who could pressure politicians and scold elite executives without blinking… suddenly seemed like just another doting father who couldn't bring himself to scold his daughter.
Still siding with your brother, huh?
He didn't say it aloud. But as the current head of the Kamigami family, it was a relief. At least in his twilight years, he wouldn't have to watch his children fight over inheritance. His daughter—though she wouldn't admit it—looked like she'd give everything to her brother if she could.
The shouting faded. The room grew calm again, emotions slowly cooling.
"Where's Yō? Did he say when he'll be back?"
"He won't be coming back anytime soon. I've given him permission to stay out on his own for the time being."
"Tch…"
Airi clicked her tongue in irritation, then muttered:
"Don't tell me… he's being seduced by that Kamigami Kanade? I knew from the start she was nothing but a sly fox!"
"Mind your mouth. Like it or not, Kanade is going to be your sister-in-law."
"Hmph. Another political marriage, right?"
Airi mumbled bitterly. Growing up in this house, she was no naïve girl. Even if she hadn't seen it firsthand, she'd heard enough of the ugliness behind those so-called 'alliances.'
"Still, seems your brother's had a falling out with Kanade lately…"
"Good! I hope they never talk again!"
"What was that?"
"Nothing! Just mad he hasn't called me! He wouldn't… be acting like he used to, would he?"
Airi's voice softened, laced with a hint of fear.
Before the accident, Yō had been cold. Distant. Barely acknowledged her.
"Your brother's changed a lot during this hospital stay. He's opened up. He's like a whole different person now… Don't be too surprised when you see him."
"Doesn't matter how he changes. Yō is still Yō."
She yawned. Rubbed her sleepy eyes.
"…I'm tired. Going to bed, Dad."
"Mm. Good girl. Go on. Girls need their sleep."
"Okay…"
With a small nod, the Kamigami heiress shuffled away in her fluffy white bunny slippers, the soft padding of her steps fading down the hallway.
Once she was gone, Akimoto bowed slightly.
"Master… about the young lady and young master—"
"…They've grown up. My only wish is that they don't make me worry."
He gazed down at the photo on the table. A gentle, beautiful woman stood smiling at his side, her hand in his. Two small children—Yō and Airi—beamed happily toward the camera.
"…I'm sorry."
The words were barely above a whisper. No one else heard them.
Except the butler.
In her bedroom, Airi flung a stuffed bear straight onto her plush princess bed.
The room was painted in soft pinks, the bed draped in curtains like something out of a fairy tale. Dozens of plush toys crowded the shelves and corners. Designer cosmetics from around the world littered the vanity.
A kingdom built for a girl.
Scowling, she swept some plushies off her desk, scribbled "Kamigami Yō" on a sticky note, slapped it onto the bear's forehead—then pummeled it with her tiny fists.
"That's for not calling! That's for ignoring me! Die, Kamigami Yō! Die, die, DIE!!"
Her slippers flew off as she mounted the bear and pounded it furiously. After a minute, she flopped back onto the bed, exhausted, arms wrapped tight around the very plush she had just abused.
Staring blankly at the ceiling, she lay there…
…still hugging that bear.