85 Kouzuki Kou (1/2)

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Inside the Kouzuki house's living room, Fujiyama Akane bandaged the now unmasked old man that was introduced as Kazuya's grandfather. The old man wore a frown the whole time but it was the same for his grandson who was not satisfied with what had just happened.

Kouzuki Kou felt frustrated that he had been beaten up inside his own house and was even more depressed that it had been by none other than his own grandson. This grandson of his who he hasn't seen since his last visit did not recognize him and actually beat him up before he could pull his prank on his daughter's assistant.

Tomoyo who was beside her grandfather was also feeling a bit confused. She was finally glad to see the friend her grandfather has told her stories about but was confused on how to treat him now because Kazuya didn't seem to like him very much.

”There we go, it's all done Kou-sama” Akane finished dressing Kou's injuries and bandaged up his bruised arm.

”Thanks Akane” his arm was still hurting as he tried to move it. He then noticed the little girl beside his old friend who was staring at him looking confused. ”Is this your granddaughter Jirou?” he asked as he warmly smiled at Tomoyo.

”Let me introduce you old friend” Jirou guided Tomoyo to stand in front of him. ”This is Tomoyo, the precious granddaughter you wanted your grandson to meet when they were just born” He then turned to Tomoyo and introduced his old friend officially.

”S-shiroyuki Tomoyo” Tomoyo politely bowed while trying to see if Kazuya was displeased at her for showing respect to his grandfather. Kazuya didn't make a sound and continued to wear a blank expression while sitting beside Mei.

”Oh what a beautiful little girl. I feel like I lucked out” Kou looked at Tomoyo and was satisfied. ”You truly are fortunate this time old friend. Compared to my grandson, she looks like she has a lot of sense in her” he complimented Tomoyo and made Kazuya's eyebrows twitch in the process.

”I wonder how much sense can an old man who likes to act like a hooligan can actually see” Kazuya remarked and remembered that this person's unexpected return very well may have just put the senior members of their family's allies in danger.

”Disrespectful kid! Did my daughter teach you to be disrespectful to elders!?” Kou got angry and stood up to glare at Kazuya.

”Respect is earned and not to be given to those unworthy. Are you one of those elders that thinks they should be respected just because they were born earlier?” Kazuya remained calm and answered back. Due to his bad experience with elders in his previous life, he was easily offended at those who demanded respect just because of their seniority over him.

”Seriously… not even a speck of gratitude towards the person who just saved your life from me” he turned to Mei who had been quietly reflecting after being scolded by Kazuya earlier. She may have gotten used to Kyouko to the point that she could tease her but this old man was really a challenge for anyone to deal with.

”I…” Kou was a little speechless after Kazuya's retort. He was indeed taken aback after being attacked and thought that he would have died earlier if Mei hadn't stepped in. This grandson of his truly had been fierce to the point that he was glad that the fireworks he used formed a flame wall that protected him even though it prevented him from going anywhere.

Thanking Mei now after being reminded by his grandson would make things more awkward so Kou was at a loss at what to do. He knew that he was somewhat at fault but he really didn't think much of what he did and was at a loss at how he had been treated.

”Alright you two, you should end it here” Jirou mediated. ”You really shouldn't mess with people like that old friend. Your grandson is extremely overprotective towards the people he cares about especially after everything that's happened” he then turned towards Kazuya ”and you should understand when to hold back”

”You of all people should know what threats are looming over us grandpa Jirou” Kazuya looked at him seriously. ”No matter what or who, those who enter this place with ill intentions at the very least, won't be able to leave here whole” Kazuya's killing intent flickered.

It had truly been a close call for Kouzuki Kou. The main reason for this is because he was nearing the date where he and his mother got into an accident. Their home was one of the places where those responsible would have most likely did something to make the accident happen in his previous life.

”What does this kid mean Jirou?” Kou sensed the tense atmosphere and asked. ”Did something happen while I was away?”

”It's a long story old friend” Jirou gave up convincing Kazuya and sighed. This stubbornness of Kazuya when it came to people he cared about was both a flaw and one of the things he liked about him. He trusted that his granddaughter's safety was guaranteed if she were included in Kazuya's list of important people.

*Rumble Rumble* they were all distracted as rushing footsteps could be heard coming closer. Kyouko appeared from the hallway and immediately saw her father. She rushed inside the room looking a bit frantic after confirming that her father had indeed arrived.

”Daughter! You're finally here” Kou opened up his arms and waited for his daughter to rush to his arms.

”Kazuya!” contrary to Kou's expectations, Kyouko rushed in front of Kazuya instead and lifted him to stand in front of her. She immediately began to check her son's condition to make sure that he hadn't been hurt in the least.

”Why are you back so early mom?” Kazuya looked a bit confused at his mother's sudden arrival.

”Granny Fuji called me” she looked relieved after finding nothing wrong with him. ”Are you okay? Did that old man try to hurt you?”

”I'm fine mom. No harm done” Kazuya smiled to reassure her.

Kyouko then looked towards Mei and observed her condition as well. Both her and Kazuya had already changed into clean clothes so there weren't any signs of their current muddy states earlier.

”I'm fine but…” she glanced towards Kou whose injuries were neglected. ”Will the office be alright without you?”

”Yumi-chan is doing fine as your stand-in and there really isn't much work left today”

”Hey!” Kou interrupted them. ”Aren't you being a little too cold towards your father? I'm the one who's hurt here!” he tried showing off his injuries to Kyouko who merely glanced at him.