You Will Regret This Ichinose! [207]

As their gazes met, it felt as if the air around them had solidified. Sharp eyes clashed like blades, intertwining in an unspoken battle.

Just as tensions neared a breaking point, the sparks of confrontation suddenly dissipated, replaced instead by a harmonious, almost playful atmosphere between the girls as they started chatting with one another.

Sakayanagi Arisu smiled knowingly and remarked, "Ichinose-san, I must say, you look even more beautiful than the last time we met."

"You’re too kind. But if anything, your complexion looks much rosier than before," Ichinose countered with an equally sweet smile.

"Kushida-san, your skin is so well-maintained! Can you tell me your skincare routine?"

Kushida Kikyo, abandoning all pretenses, directly targeted her long-time nemesis. If I can’t beat you, I’ll at least make you uncomfortable. Her bright eyes gleamed with mischief.

Horikita Suzune’s lips twitched ever so slightly. Without a word, she subtly shifted her chair an inch away and, with great effort, squeezed out a polite smile.

"...Yours is nice too."

Kamuro Masumi slowly typed out a mental "?"

All of them were smart enough to know that a direct clash here wasn’t the best move. It would only ruin the first impression they were trying to make. Creating a warm, friendly atmosphere was a far more effective approach—especially in the presence of an elderly man.

While chatting, they stole occasional glances at the old master behind the counter.

Kneading, portioning, rolling, stretching—his movements were fluid, precise, and filled with an effortless rhythm.

This man wasn’t exaggerating when he said he was skilled at making ramen. Even to their untrained eyes, it was obvious that such technique required over a decade of mastery.

Could this really be just a hobby?

"I’ve been making ramen for decades," the old master suddenly muttered, his focus never leaving his hands.

The five girls exchanged surprised glances.

Wasn’t Uesugi’s family supposed to be incredibly powerful?

"It seems odd, doesn’t it?"

The old master chuckled, as if reading their thoughts. "The Uesugi family is indeed powerful. So why would I abandon that power to become a simple ramen chef?"

"Because—"

He paused momentarily, continuing to work on the noodles. Then, in a deep, solemn voice, he spoke.

"The name Uesugi is a curse. It brings nothing but misfortune."

A single sentence, yet it struck them like a thunderclap.

"There may be more to it, but for me, being born into the Uesugi family meant that getting involved in the underworld was inevitable. And there is never a happy ending for those who walk that path."

"Just look at me—I’ve lived long enough already. Death isn’t something I fear. In fact, I might even be looking forward to it a little."

"But the only thing that still ties me to this world... is my children."

His expression turned grave.

"And the name Uesugi—it is a name of suffering. Those who inherit it are doomed to hardship. That is why I never wanted my children to carry the Uesugi name, nor did I want them to be involved in the underworld."

"But life rarely goes the way we wish it would."

"My other two sons both entered the underworld. And not only that... they became the very best at it. I suppose I can only say—it’s in their blood."

The old master gave a smile, one that carried both pride and sorrow. His gaze drifted to the ceiling, to the glowing white light above them.

"They’re just as stubborn as I am."

Turning his eyes back to the five girls, he spoke with unwavering seriousness.

"But Gen is different."

"He still has a choice. He still has a chance to escape this damned fate. That’s why he came to this school."

So this... is the real reason he enrolled here?

The realization settled in their minds.

"His eldest brother was against him coming here. He wanted Gen to receive an even more elite education. He had even arranged for him to attend a private university in America—one that gathers the most brilliant minds from around the world."

"Many of his brother’s friends are alumni of that university. If Gen had gone there, he would have received the best resources imaginable."

"The school’s principal is also an old acquaintance of mine."

For some reason, they sensed a hint of resentment in the old master’s tone.

"If he had gone there, he would have grown into an extraordinary individual—refined in the flames of adversity, forged like a sword of unparalleled quality."

Then, suddenly, the old master said something that took them all by surprise.

"But I don’t want my son to be extraordinary."

"The Uesugi name is shackled to conflict, betrayal, ambition, and bloodshed. It is a name that knows no peace."

"In the past, his eldest brother gave up everything for the sake of responsibility."

"But now… our family’s mission is complete. He doesn’t have to live as they did—fighting day and night, marching through storms of bullets and blades. We have already built a shelter for him, shielding him from the winds and rain."

"He will live in peace. In comfort. Without worries."

"And because of that, he will never be as brilliant, as talented, or as fearless as his brothers."

"But so what?"

"An era filled with heroes is an era of misfortune. A peaceful life is always ordinary and uneventful."

"A life where he can play video games, doze off in class, mess around with the girl he likes, and occasionally participate in the school’s little events—wouldn’t that be nice?"

"As long as he can look back on his life, lying on his deathbed with a smile, and say, ‘That was a good life’—then even if he’s not exceptional, I will still be proud of my son."

"That’s why I shamelessly begged his brother to let him enroll here."

Silence fell over the ramen shop.

Only the soft bubbling of the broth broke the stillness.

The old master snapped out of his thoughts, quickly grabbing a ladle to scoop the steaming noodles from the pot and placing them into waiting bowls.

"Ah, my apologies. I must be getting old—I tend to ramble. Got a little carried away there."

He poured the fragrant broth over the noodles and expertly arranged the toppings. In an instant, the aroma filled the shop, rich and irresistible.

With steady hands, he carried the five bowls at once, carefully setting them down in front of each girl.

"Alright, dig in."

Ichinose stared at the elderly man before her, her voice soft as she murmured,

"You’re... a wonderful father."

The old master froze for a second. Then, his face broke into a radiant smile.

"That might just be the greatest compliment I’ve ever received. It makes me even happier than hearing praise for my ramen."

"If only Gen felt the same way..."

Sakayanagi Arisu suddenly recalled the words Gen had once spoken during the sports festival—how he had looked up at the sky and said he had a truly great mother.

"Uesugi-kun absolutely feels the same."

She removed her beret, letting go of the ever-present smile she usually wore, and said with sincere admiration,

"You are a truly remarkable father."

The old master stood still for a moment, his heart stirred by their words.

"No wonder Gen likes you all so much," he said warmly. "You really are extraordinary young ladies."

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This is a fan translation of 人在实教，一之濑你会后悔的 by 作者：白良. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!