Chapter 61 (Dealing with a Bully [Part 18]) – Morning with the Inoues

Uhh... what?

Where the heck did that question come from!? My intentions for Luna? I mean, I don't know, we're friends! I don't think I'm really her type anyways.

And really, I haven't even been thinking about relationships recently. My mind has just been so preoccupied with Jack and self-improvement lately that romance has been filed under "problems for future Adam."

Luna continues speaking at a rapid pace to her father in Japanese, her voice climbing to pitches I didn't know she was capable of reaching. Her hands are gesturing in that flustered way that transcends language barriers. Meanwhile, Mr. Inoue just stares me down intensely, like he's trying to see into my soul.

I open my mouth. Close it. Open it again. "I—uh—" Great start, Adam. Really nailing this. "Luna's—she's amazing, obviously. She's smart and kind and—" I'm rambling now, my face heating up. "We're friends! Good friends. Really good friends. And I just—I mean, I like her… I mean, uh, I hope we’ll continue being… good friends? Like we are now."

Mr. Inoue continues staring me down, his expression completely unreadable, and I can feel myself going a few shades redder than should be possible on a human face. I'm pretty sure I've unlocked new colors in the visible spectrum.

The tense atmosphere lasts for almost half a minute. Luna's dad is just staring me down as I meet his gaze, desperately trying to look like someone who has innocent intentions while simultaneously not knowing what my intentions even are. My palms are sweating. My face is sweating. Parts of me I didn't know could sweat are sweating.

But then he begins to laugh.

It starts as a small chuckle, barely audible, but grows into a boisterous, full belly roar that echoes through the massive dining room. His whole face transforms, the stern businessman exterior cracking away to reveal something warm and genuinely amused underneath.

Daichi laughs along with him, his shoulders shaking. Luna's blushing so hard I'm genuinely concerned about her blood pressure, burying her face in her hands. Even Eva allows herself the faintest trace of a smile, which on her scale of emotional expression is basically equivalent to hysterical laughter.

I'm sitting here frozen, not quite sure how to react. Did I miss something? Is this a test? Did I pass or fail?

When Mr. Inoue finally catches his breath, he speaks, and Daichi translates with obvious amusement coloring his voice. "Forgive me. I couldn't resist. You looked so serious that I just wanted to see your reaction."

"...That's..." I pause, trying to find diplomatic words. "That's kind of terrifying, actually, sir."

Daichi actually grins while translating that, and Mr. Inoue laughs again, shorter this time, nodding like I've said something that pleases him.

Mr. Inoue says something else, glancing at Luna with clear affection, and she groans. "Dad… please..." He grins and reaches over to pat her head, clearly enjoying her embarrassment way too much.

Daichi's translation comes with barely suppressed amusement. "I don't disapprove of you, Adam. You seem like a good young man. But traditional rules apply: hand-holding, perhaps a kiss, nothing beyond that until marriage. Understood?"

My brain short-circuits again. We're not even dating! Why is he establishing ground rules for a relationship that doesn't exist? "I—yes. Yes sir. Understood. Completely understood."

Luna looks like she wants the floor to swallow her whole.

But despite the embarrassment, or maybe because of it, the atmosphere noticeably brightens after that exchange. It's like Mr. Inoue's awful prank broke some invisible tension I didn't even realize was suffocating us.

He asks me about school through Daichi, and I tell him it's going well. We talk about my classes, what I'm studying, what I want to do after graduation.

"Luna mentioned you're quite talented with computers," Daichi translates.

"I do a lot of programming, yeah. Actually, I've been working on this side project for almost a year now, it's an AI stock trading bot. It analyzes market patterns and predicts when stocks are likely to rise or fall. I've got the prediction algorithms working pretty well, I'm just finishing the automation part now so it can execute trades on its own."

When Daichi translates my words, Mr. Inoue's eyebrows rise slightly, genuine interest flickering across his face.

He responds, and Daichi translates: "Impressive. Most students your age don't pursue projects of that scope. When you've completed it, I'd be interested in seeing your work."

"Really? Yeah, absolutely! I'd love to show you." I can't quite keep the excitement out of my voice. The idea of someone like Mr. Inoue, someone with real business experience, looking at my project is both thrilling and terrifying.

The rest of breakfast continues like that, surprisingly pleasant conversation, good food, the occasional teasing comment from Mr. Inoue that makes Luna die a little inside. He asks about my family, and I tell him about Mom and the twins. He listens attentively, asking follow-up questions that suggest he's genuinely interested rather than just being polite.

Eventually, though, his expression shifts into something more serious.

When he speaks this time, even before Daichi translates, I can hear the weight in his voice.

"Both of you should attend school today as normal. Don't concern yourselves with the Jack situation any further, I'll handle it from here."

I feel something settle in my chest hearing that. Relief, maybe. If anyone can handle Jack Richardson and his family, it's probably the man sitting at the head of this table.

Luna turns to me, worry clear in her violet eyes. "Are you sure... you should go?... You're still... really hurt... Maybe you should... rest today?"

"I'm fine, really." I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile. "'Tis but several flesh wounds."

She doesn't look convinced, her brow furrowing in that way it does when she's concerned. But after a moment, she nods slowly. "If you're sure..."

After finishing breakfast, I borrow one of their four bathrooms (each one bigger than my bedroom), to brush my teeth and take a quick shower.

The shower is an experience. Rainfall showerhead, temperature controls that probably require an engineering degree to properly utilize, and towels so soft they might actually be made of clouds. I spend an embarrassingly long time just standing there, letting the hot water work on my sore body.

When I emerge, Luna's waiting in the living room, already in her usual oversized purple hoodie and cargo pants. Eva's there too, standing perfectly still like a very attractive statue.

The car ride to school is quiet but comfortable. And when we arrive, Mr. Inoue and Daichi stay in the car, and I can feel them watching as Luna and I walk toward the entrance.

[Satoru Inoue’s POV]

I watch from the car as my daughter and the boy walk toward the school together. Adam's moving stiffly, his injuries are clearly still bothering him. Luna adjusts her pace to match his slower one, staying close to his side.

My hands tighten on my knees. And I have to consciously force them to relax. The rage that's been simmering in my chest since last night threatens to boil over. But I need to stay calm. I need to think clearly.

"Satoru." Daichi's voice is quiet, knowing.

I take a slow breath. Then another. The fury doesn't disappear, it never will, not completely, but I force it down, compress it into something cold and useful rather than hot and destructive.

I distract myself by thinking about other, more pleasant things. Like how Luna’s found a decent friend here. I have a good impression of Adam. He's a good kid. Yes, he comes from a poor family, but he has a sharp mind and genuine courage. Not many people his age would stand up to multiple attackers for a friend. Not many adults would either, for that matter.

"He's got guts," Daichi observes beside me.

"Indeed. That kind of loyalty and courage is rare." I pause, watching as they disappear through the school's entrance.

Daichi's smile fades slightly. "How do you think the meeting with the principal will go?"

The question brings a fresh wave of anger, though this time it's directed at the system rather than one spoiled, violent boy. I let out a slow breath, feeling the weight of what's coming settle onto my shoulders. "Not well. The Richardson family has deep roots here. Connections, influence, money. Jack Richardson will face consequences, certainly, but..." I pause, considering the political realities. "They'll negotiate. I can ensure Luna and Adam's safety going forward. But anything beyond that..." I shake my head. "The system protects people like the Richardsons."

Daichi makes a small sound of dissatisfaction, his jaw tightening.

"You disapprove?"

"I understand how the world works," Daichi says quietly. "That doesn't mean I have to like it."

"No," I agree. "It doesn't."

We sit in silence for a moment. Two men who've seen enough of the world to know how it works, but still wish it worked differently. Two men who are both struggling with the same impotent rage.

In Japan, I have resources. Connections. Ways of handling situations that fall outside official channels. But here, in America? I’m limited. Constrained by laws and jurisdictions and the fact that doing anything too aggressive would terrify my daughter and make her feel less safe, not more.

"I've asked Luna to return to Japan with me," I say finally. "Multiple times. She refuses every time."

"Because of the boy?"

"Because of the boy." I say with a small, rueful smile. "She's more stubborn than her mother."

Daichi chuckles quietly. "That's saying something."

I adjust my tie one final time, set my shoulders, and step out of the car, heading toward the school entrance. Daichi falls into step beside me, his presence steady and reassuring.

"Are you going to be able to keep your composure in there?" he asks quietly.

"I've negotiated with people I wanted to destroy before." I reply, my voice perfectly level.

"That's not what I asked."

I glance at him. "I'll be professional. That will have to be enough."