Chapter 24: My First Girl || Hajimete no Musume

  Nakashima Residence, Ichigaya, Shinjuku-ku → October 28th, 2022

  “Some promises are not about what will come — but about what will never be lost.”

  Shunsuke pulled away, his hands lingering on his sister’s arms as he looked into her face. “I’m happy to see you again, Nee-san,” he said softly.

  Misaki’s expression warmed, her eyes shining. “And I’m happy to see you too, Shunsuke. You’ve grown into a wonderful man.”

  At that, he glanced aside, flustered, before his gaze shifted to the young girl standing quietly at Misaki’s side.

  Misaki followed his eyes and smiled. “This is my adoptive daughter, Lilith. She understands Japanese well, but she might answer in English,” she explained gently.

  Shunsuke knelt down so he was at Lilith’s height, his voice gentle and fluent as he switched languages. “Hi, Lilith. Nice to meet you.”

  Lilith blinked up at him with wide hazel eyes, her small fingers clutching the hem of Misaki’s cardigan.

  When Shunsuke greeted her in fluent English, she relaxed just a little.

  “Hi…” she whispered shyly, then added, “Mama said you’re very nice.”

  Shunsuke’s expression softened. “I’m honored she said that,” he replied gently. “I’m happy to meet you, Lilith.”

  Misaki rested a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “She was nervous,” she admitted in a quiet voice. “She thought meeting all of us at once might be overwhelming.”

  Shunsuke chuckled softly. “I understand that feeling very well.”

  His gaze drifted briefly toward the house, where Kuro was probably sulking under a blanket, overwhelmed for entirely different reasons.

  Lilith tilted her head. “You… have a raccoon?”

  Her English had a tiny accent, but it was clear and melodic.

  Shunsuke smiled. “Yes. His name is Kuro. He’s very spoiled.”

  Lilith’s eyes lit up in delight, the nervousness fading. “Can I see him later?”

  “If he’s awake,” Shunsuke said warmly, “I’m sure he’ll say hello.”

  Misaki let out a soft laugh. “See? I told you he’d be kind.”

  Lilith hid her face in her mother’s sleeve for a second, then peeked out again—this time with a small, growing smile.

  And Shunsuke, watching them together, felt something ease inside him.

  A piece of family he thought he’d lost was standing right in front of him.

  Alive.

  Safe.

  Smiling.

  For the first time all day, the heaviness on his chest loosened completely.

  Shunsuke guided Misaki and Lilith toward the table. “This is Miyu, my girlfriend,” he said, gesturing softly.

  Miyu offered a warm smile and bowed to both Misaki and Lilith. “It’s very nice to meet you, Misaki. Shunsuke has talked about you often.”

  Shunsuke’s cheeks tinted a soft pale red, which only made Miyu chuckle. “No need to get flustered, Purin-kun.”

  She then lowered herself to her knees in front of Lilith. “Hello, Lilith. It’s lovely to meet you,” she said in smooth, fluent English.

  Lilith nodded shyly, shifting closer to Misaki. “Your hair color is really pretty,” she murmured.

  Miyu’s smile softened even further. The girl couldn’t have been more than eight, small and quiet but observant.

  Behind them, Ryuichi stepped forward the moment Miyu rose again. He wrapped Misaki in a brief, heartfelt hug. “It’s good to see you again in person, Nee-san,” he said before stepping back and straightening the front of his shirt.

  Misaki laughed softly at the familiar gesture.

  “That is Hina, my girlfriend,” Ryuichi added.

  Hina approached and bowed politely. “Nice to meet you, Misaki.”

  “Nice to meet you too, Hina-chan,” Misaki replied warmly. “I’m really happy to see Ryuichi with someone again.”

  Hina’s cheeks colored faintly, and Ryuichi’s ears went pink in a way that made Miyu fight back a smile.

  Yuki hopped off her chair and hurried toward Misaki. “Are you Papa Shun’s sister~?”

  Misaki smiled and knelt so she was eye level with the little girl. “I am. And you must be Yuki. It’s very nice to meet you.”

  Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

  Yuki’s face lit up instantly. Her gaze shifted to Lilith. “Hi! My name is Yuki,” she said, holding out her hand with the confidence only a child could manage.

  Lilith hesitated for a heartbeat before placing her small hand in Yuki’s. “Nice to meet you, Yuki,” she whispered.

  Misaki rose again, guiding Lilith gently as they moved on to greet the rest of the family.

  Shin approached next with Chiyuki at his side, an unmistakable grin on his face. “Happy birthday, soon-to-be brother-in-law.”

  Shunsuke flushed, rubbing the back of his neck in that familiar embarrassed way. “Thank you, Shin.”

  Shin gave Shunsuke a reassuring nod. “I heard from the student council about the accusations online. While I was driving, everyone called me at once. They’re already planning to defend you. Some students have even commented publicly—sharing how you helped them.”

  Shunsuke’s face reddened even more. “I… I just did what anyone would’ve done…”

  Shin shook his head gently. “No. You do far more than most people even think of doing. You tutor students who struggle. You helped a classmate when her mother fell ill—out of your own pocket. That isn’t ‘normal,’ Shunsuke. That’s generosity. And that’s exactly why everyone is rallying behind you now.”

  Shunsuke’s embarrassment softened into something quieter, more fragile. For a moment he simply stared at Shin, as if trying to fit himself into the shape of the person Shin described. He tried to speak, but nothing came out.

  Kuro—possibly offended at being excluded from the emotional center of the universe—took that moment to strut over with regal self-importance. He dropped a stolen decorative napkin onto Shunsuke’s foot like an offering.

  The tension broke cleanly. Shunsuke let out a soft, wet laugh and scooped him up. “Alright, alright. No more talking about me.”

  Miyu leaned her head against his shoulder, her smile audible. “A shame. I like hearing how wonderful you are.”

  “Same here,” Ryuichi added without looking up, thumbs still moving across his phone. “I’m updating the fanclub newsletter.”

  Kuro gave a pleased little trill before hopping back down. He trotted toward Miu and Lilith, sniffed them both, then sat upright with a chirp that clearly meant admire me.

  Miu stroked the top of his head, delighted. “He’s so soft.”

  Lilith hesitated, then reached out and brushed her fingers through the raccoon’s fur. “He really is…” She retreated to Misaki afterward, staying close to her mother’s side.

  Everyone settled at the table once more. Yuki bounced in her seat, already reaching for her chopsticks. “Finally! I’m hungry!”

  Shunsuke and Miyu laughed quietly.

  Miyu turned to Misaki. “Where will you be staying while you’re here?”

  Misaki smiled warmly. “With Ryuichi. He told me Shunsuke doesn’t have a guest room anymore.”

  Shunsuke made a small noise of helpless protest while Miyu covered her mouth, laughing softly.

  Misaki reached into her purse and took out a small envelope, its edges neatly pressed. “Since I’m here, I can give it to you in person,” she said gently. “It’s an invitation.”

  Shunsuke blinked, surprised, as she placed it in front of him.

  “I’m getting married next year,” Misaki continued, her voice warm but a little shy. “And I would love to have my baby brother and his family there.” Her gaze drifted to Ryuichi. “You as well. I want you and Hina with us.”

  Ryuichi straightened slightly, touched, while Hina’s smile grew soft beside him.

  Shunsuke’s expression melted into something full of quiet pride. “It will be my honor to come to your wedding, Misaki,” he said, his voice gentle and sincere.

  Ryuichi leaned back with a mischievous smirk. “So who’s the lucky man? You never told us anything about him.”

  Misaki let out a light giggle, her cheeks tinting pink. “He’s a doctor at the hospital where I work. A little older than me.” Her smile softened. “But he treats me like I’m something precious… and he’s a wonderful father to Lilith.” She brushed a hand over her daughter’s hair. “I would’ve brought him, but he couldn’t get any vacation time.”

  Ryuichi nodded, satisfied. “That’s fine. I only needed to confirm he’s treating you right. I might be the younger brother, but between the two of us, I’m clearly the more responsible one.”

  Shunsuke stared at him, scandalized. “I’m older than you, Ryuichi,” he protested, lips pushing into a pout.

  Ryuichi didn’t even look at him. “That doesn’t contradict anything I said.”

  The table rippled with laughter. Even Yuu chuckled into his tea, and from his blanket Kuro let out a chirp that sounded dangerously close to a snort.

  Shunsuke’s pout only deepened, though his eyes sparkled with amusement. “Just for that, I’m putting extra wasabi in your next bento,” he muttered—an empty threat if there ever was one.

  Ryuichi finally glanced over, victory shining in his eyes. “You wouldn’t dare. You know I’d hand it straight to Kuro, and then you’d feel guilty for a week.”

  Warm laughter drifted into a soft, comfortable hush. The wedding invitation lay between them on the table—not just paper anymore, but a quiet promise of more moments like this.

  “You’re both responsible in your own way,” Misaki said gently.

  Ryuichi scoffed. “Liar. You only say that to soothe Shun’s ego.”

  He didn’t notice Shunsuke step behind him until fingers deliberately pinched the fabric at his shoulders.

  “Say that again… Ryu-chan,” Shunsuke murmured, tugging just enough to wrinkle the pristine outfit.

  Ryuichi whipped around. “Stop that! You’re creasing everything!” he protested, swatting at his brother’s hands while the rest of the table erupted in laughter once more.

  As the laughter finally faded, Shunsuke settled beside Miyu again. Ryuichi was already fussing with his clothes, tugging each wrinkle back into place. Hina tried to help but kept breaking into soft giggles, her hands barely steady.

  Misaki leaned toward Shunsuke, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “So, little brother… any plans for children with Miyu yet?”

  The question hit like a spark. Both Shunsuke and Miyu flushed bright red. From his blanket on the engawa, Kuro let out a noise suspiciously like a snort—as if to comment that they should probably focus on actually getting there first, and that he was personally ensuring no such opportunities arose.

  “Not really…” Shunsuke managed, his voice tight with nerves. “We’re waiting until Miyu finishes university. And even then… it’s her choice. She carries the greater responsibility.”

  Miyu, still red, gave his hand a grateful squeeze, and Misaki’s teasing smile softened into something warmer, proud and approving.

  A small, trembling voice cut through the soft chatter. “I don’t want siblings…”

  Everyone turned. Yuki sat stiffly in her chair, eyes shining with tears she tried to hide. The shift in the air was immediate.

  Shunsuke rose and went to her at once, kneeling so their eyes were level. “Everything’s alright, Yuki-chan,” he said softly, brushing a hand over her hair. “Can you tell me why you feel that way?”

  A quiet sniffle escaped her. “You… you won’t like me anymore if there’s a baby.”

  Something tender flickered across Shunsuke’s face. He shook his head, the gesture firm but gentle. “No, Yuki. That will never happen.” His hand moved in slow, soothing circles on her back. “You’ll always be my Yuki-chan. My first girl.”

  Yuki blinked up at him, uncertain.

  He glanced toward Miyu, who gave him a small, reassuring nod. Shunsuke turned back to Yuki. “I promise you. We make sure you never feel less. You’re our first girl always”