Macho Man Doesn't want a Slice-of-Life

All in all, a girl confessing to him was something worth celebrating. After four years of rejection, Rinji finally had a girlfriend.

Though she lacked common sense—

That wasn't a problem. Rinji lacked it too.

Even if all she wanted was to have children—

Still not a problem. If she was thinking that far ahead, then emotional issues were unlikely.

In any case, it was all good news.

Rinji couldn't wait to pull out his phone and open LINE.

"I want everyone to know I have a girlfriend."

Yamashita Kazuo: "…"

He had been silently watching everything unfold this whole time.

What the hell just happened? The two went from strangers to fighting to becoming a couple… all in under five minutes.

As a middle-aged man over 50, he realized he might no longer understand how young people think.

"Hmm, if I just say I have a girlfriend, probably no one will believe it. Better take a photo together and post it."

Thinking that, Rinji turned to Karura.

"Karura, mind taking a selfie together?"

"Of course not."

The two stood at the railing of the deck, the sea behind them. Takamine held up the camera and aimed it at them.

Karura wrapped one arm around his and made a peace sign with the other near her eye.

Click.

"Hmm, not bad. Perfect."

Looking at the photo, the two looked exactly like a couple should.

"By the way, Rinji."

Since they were now officially dating, Karura decided to address him however she pleased.

"I've been gone a while. Grandpa's probably worried. I should go see him."

"Yeah, makes sense."

"Come with me. I want to introduce you to him."

"Sure."

————————————————————————————————————————

"So that's what happened."

Kure Reiichi stood before Kure Erioh, recounting everything that happened between Takamine Rinji and Kure Karura.

"You're saying… Karura chose someone to be her husband?"

"Yes, and he's—"

"OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!!"

Before Reiichi could even say the name,

Erioh erupted in rage.

With his roar, the sake cup in his hand shattered, and the floor beneath his feet cracked.

"…"

"Which damn brat dared to seduce my adorable great-granddaughter!? I'll tear him limb from limb!!!"

Reiichi and Henzo looked at the furious old man with a touch of helplessness.

Sure, the Kure Clan allowed free love. But their clan head, Kure Erioh, was a doting idiot who spoiled his great-granddaughter to no end.

Even though Karura called him "Grandpa," he was actually her great-grandfather.

"What's that brat's name!!?"

"His surname is Takamine. Takamine Rinji."

"…"

The furious Erioh suddenly fell silent.

"I see… so it's that guy."

"Then should we—"

"KILL HIM!!!!"

"…"

Reiichi and Henzo watched the raging old man with resigned expressions.

'There goes Grandpa's "Great-Granddaughter Syndrome" again…'

Not everyone was upset, though.

"Hahahahahahaha…"

Watching his old friend tremble with rage, veins bulging, skin turning purple, a muscular blond man from the Kure Clan burst out laughing.

He genuinely found this clan head amusing.

"Stop laughing, Raian," a middle-aged member beside him scolded.

"Hahahaha, this Takamine Rinji guy sounds strong. Sounds like fun to kill. Want me to do it?"

Just as he said that, Kure Erioh calmed down again.

"Raian, you should know that name. Not many clan members do, but you should."

"Of course I know," Kure Raian replied. "My sister Kure Fusui once had a sniper duel with him—and she won."

"That was just a skirmish. We sent our strongest warriors back then to kill him. They all lost."

"Huh?"

"That guy isn't human. Even you wouldn't stand a chance."

"Huh!?"

Kure Raian's expression twisted in disbelief.

He never believed he could lose to anyone.

"Well then…"

"But I still really want to kill that damn brat!!!"

Reiichi & Henzo: 'So what exactly are we doing, then?'

"Grandpa~"

Just then, Karura came skipping happily toward Erioh, waving her hand.

"Oh, Karura, you're back."

The man who'd been trembling with rage just moments ago instantly switched to a kind, smiling grandfather.

"How was the ship? Fun?"

"Super fun~"

Karura giggled, her face blooming with the sweetness of first love.

"I… met someone I like."

"!"

He'd already been told, but hearing her say it in person nearly stopped Kure Erioh's heart.

Forcing a smile, he said, "That's great, really! When will you bring him over to meet me?"

"Oh, he's already here."

Right as she spoke, Rinji appeared by her side.

"Yo."

"…"

The rest of the Kure Clan stared speechlessly at Takamine Rinji. As for Erioh...

Though he still wore a smiling face, in his heart, he had already stabbed Rinji hundreds of times.

"…Very well."

Little Karura is right here, I can't make a move.

Little Karura is right here, I can't make a move.

Little Karura is right here, I can't make a move…

"So you're Karura's grandfather? Come to think of it, we actually met four years ago," said Rinji with a smile, extending his hand. "Let me reintroduce myself. I'm Takamine Rinji, Karura's boyfriend."

Crack!

Erioh felt something inside him shatter.

Looking at Rinji's outstretched hand, he reached out and shook it tightly.

"Ah, hello."

But the moment their hands clasped, Erioh suddenly clenched down hard.

Don't be fooled by his age—he was still strong enough to crush steel with his grip.

Yet the young man in front of him kept smiling.

That smile… could only be described as benevolent.