Chapter 1

(Grandfather has died.)

(Grandfather was a wonderful man, beloved and respected by everyone.)

(He was always shining above our heads, just like the sun itself.)¹

(…I never met Grandfather, myself, so I don’t know him well. But I’ve heard many rumors about him.)

(“Your grandfather is a great man,” “Your grandfather is simply splendid,” “Your grandfather is strong and wise, the last surviving warrior of our time.”)

(“And that is why you must never disobey him.”)

(“Your grandfather’s orders are absolute,” “Because your grandfather is always correct.”)

(“It would be foolish to oppose him, or to be uncomfortable with what he says.”)

(……)

(…But is that all true?)

(An existence who is always correct? Wouldn’t that person no longer be a human, but rather a god?)

(To begin with—If Grandfather had been a god, why couldn’t he have foreseen his own death?)

(Why did he pass away so suddenly, without even a will?)

(No, it must have been decided that there was no need to tell me about Grandfather’s will when I haven’t even come of age yet.)

(I wouldn’t be able to do anything about it even if I did know.)

(But… I would have liked to at least receive word from him.)

(I wanted Grandfather, the man who was always correct, to serve as a guidepost and show me the correct path to take.)

(Because without that guidance—)

(We’ve all descended into chaos.)

(Father, Uncle, my cousins, and all of the women—They’re rushing about in a flurry… Just what is everyone doing?)

(Grandfather was everyone’s sun, and now, suddenly that sun has disappeared… They must be in the same state of panic as I am.)

(Grandfather’s orders are absolute. Grandfather is always correct.)

(Now that he has died, he can give no more orders. We don’t know what’s correct anymore…)

(……)

(Why did you die, Grandfather?)

(What is death? Is it something that can’t be put off, something that can’t be denied? Not even for as great a man as Grandfather?)

(If that’s the case, then I’m terrified.)

(All living things must die. I knew that already.)

(But it is frightening that not even Grandfather was an exemption to that…)

(No matter how great a person you become… One day, you will suddenly lose everything.)

(Then what meaning is there in hard work and effort? What meaning is there in becoming strong or respectable?)

(……)

—What’s goin’ on with you?

N–ngwaaaah?!

Wow. I thought my heart was gonna stop when ya let out a big ol’ shout like that.

…? …?

Sorry ‘bout that, I didn’t mean to scare ya. I don’t talk to mucha anyone outside my family, so I dunno how to talk to normal people.

……

Hey now. What’s wrong? Can’tcha get up?

That’s a real shame… You’re prolly older than me, too.

That accent… C–could it be, you’re that Oukawa person?

Hm? Yeah, I sure am that Oukawa person.

I knew it! We’ve only met once before, but you spoke in such a strange way that it left an impression on me—

Huh? But you weren’t here earlier, were you?

Yeah, I had a little bit of a situation. …Haha, if you’re sayin’ we met before, then you must be the li’l lord of the Suou family.

An’ now that ya mention it, y’got some real nice clothes on.

Yes! They made an order for something suitable for my status. They’re lovely, aren’t they?

Sure are. Well, it ain’t a crime to be beautiful.

Umm, and what is your name? Oh—It would be discourteous of me to not give my name first. I am the eldest child of the Suou head household—Tsukasa.

Humm, Tsukasakun then?

It’s rude to use “kun” with me—Aren’t you younger than I am? And besides, if you’re an Oukawa, then you should be lower in rank as well.

You’re right about that; we ain’t equals. Pardon me, Li’l Lord Suou.

Yes! That’s much better. Fufun ♪ You’re quite well-behaved, aren’t you?

Ummm…?

Oukawa Kohaku.

And today I’m here to laugh at how dumb that stupid old man was for dyin’ with tears in his eyes just ‘cause he got bit by his loyal dog.