Hakuta could feel the bullets being stared into him by this man. It wasn’t often he ever ran into a politician before. Though perhaps this one was a bit more nerveracking considering his politics and stance towards gamers.

It wasn’t that he was known for hating the gamers themselves, but he had push for placing limits on them. Stating that he believed they were a waste of time for most and that it harmed the educational learning of the youth. Considering his beliefs, it was a bit surprising to see Ino being into video games as much as she was.

“I hope you two haven’t been causing my daughter any trouble at school.” He continued on speaking. The pair felt like they had to walk on eggshells or else this man might sic the yakuza on them.

“No, of course not.” Ninka spoke up first, now holding Hakuta’s hand in a manner less romantic and more for a sense of safety. “Ino’s real cool. Everyone like her in our class.”

“Yeah…” Hakuta agreed with her. “She’s really good for us as the classroom representative. So I see she must’ve learned a lot from you.” He prayed that flattery might keep this conversation going in a positive direction.

“She is a very bright girl.” He replied. “I would hate for her to be harmed by those close to her.” His tone for the latter statement came across as a warning for them. Though they both knew they would never consider hurting her, it didn’t keep their bodies from stiffening up in response.

“Father, I can take care of myself.” It seemed Ino wasn’t appreciative of her dad being caring. Either that, or she could get the sense he had made the other two uncomfortable. “And they are good people, you don’t need to worry about them.”

“I should hope so.” He responded. “What hobbies do you two have?” The man looked specifically at Hakuta, as if he already had an inkling of an idea on what he might like doing in his free time.

“Just… Stuff…” Hakuta answered in the most vague manner possible. He wanted to avoid saying the dreaded words in the fear that this man might say he’d prefer his daughter not be around him anymore.

“He plays video games.” Unfortunately Ino answered for him instead. “That’s mostly what I know he does.”

“I hope it’s not the only thing you do, young man.” He commented, continuing on the boy. “You make sure you keep your studies up?”

“I-”

“He does.” Again, Ino spoke for him. “Father, you shouldn’t worry about him or any people I know. You’re going to scare them away.” She spoke in a manner of slight annoyance, but so subtle that most would miss it as she kept up her formal facade. “I don’t keep bad company, so it’s not a concern at all.”

“You know I can’t help but worry.” His tough, stoic tone didn’t make him sound like a caring father, but Hakuta didn’t really understand how most parents operated considering his best examples were his own dad, who was an idiot, Shiuka’s dad, who was also an idiot, and Iruka’s dad, who unsurprisingly was also an idiot.

More importantly, they were all rather emotional compared to this man. Ino’s dad seemed more like a robot to him than an actual human being.

“Thanks for waiting for me!” A woman’s voice broke into their conversation, followed by a lady walking in between Ino and her dad with zero concern. “You were right, I should’ve went before we left.” She laughed, then noticed Hakuta and Ninka standing before them. “Oh, who are you?”

“We’re classmates of Ino?” Hakuta answered, bewildered on this new arrival. “I didn’t realize she had an older sister.”

“Ohoho, you don’t need to pretend to be nice.” She laughed off his comments which were only meant to be an observation. “I’m Ino’s mom.” Her response was a shock to the two of them. There was no way they could believe a man like Ino’s dad would be married to a woman like this. At the same time, despite originally believing her to be an older sister. The resemblance to Ino certainly proved she had to be her mother, if not a direct relative.

“Then it’s nice to meet you.” Ninka was able to speak up again despite the shock. Today wasn’t the day either of them expected to meet Ino’s parents. Usually because teens their age would rather go to these kinds of festivals with friends or on their own.

“Yeah, it is.” Hakuta was still too confused with this woman to understand how to reply. How did she ever get around to marrying someone so diametric different from her? At least, in terms of public appearances.

“Ah, we shouldn’t be bothering you anymore though.” She finally noticed Ninka’s hand holding his, which at this point had been forgotten by the pair themselves because of this awkward encounter. “Such a lovely couple should enjoy themselves without a bunch of strangers getting in between them.”

“Uh, yeah.” For once, he didn’t deny this. It served the perfect opportunity to make their escape from this man who seemed more threatening than he had actually been so far. “Come on Ninka, let’s go over there.” This time it was Hakuta who took the reigns as they walked away from the family.

“Phew, I thought he was about to kill us.” She said once they were far enough away to not be worried on being heard. “I heard he was a bit strict, but man is he scary.”

“I never heard anything about him before.” Now that they were free, Hakuta also ripped his hand from hers. “I can see why Ino hides her gaming stuff now.”

“That kind of stinks.” It helped him for once that she could understand what he meant, since the pair were aware of the truth on Ino. “We’re not really friends, but I hate to see she’s got to go through so many hoops just to have a life.”

“Yeah…” He agreed. It seemed Ninka had no qualms about her getting the benefit of being a girl with connections, which was a concern Ino shared with him. Though perhaps that was only directed at him, whom she still believed was a poor person, and not someone like Ninka who’s dad was real well off.

He was more than ready to move on with the rest of his night. Though disappointed he was unable to talk to Ino more candidly about her gamer identity. However Hakuta saw something else which caught his eye. “Oh, it’s Masahito.” He said, taking note of the boy walking along minding his own business. It seemed he wasn’t alone either.

“You mean that jerk who make Iruka cry?” Ninka replied with disdain in her voice. “I’ve got some choice words for that guy, but I’m sure you’ll just tell me I shouldn’t bother.”

“I want to go talk to him.” Hakuta instead chose to do the last thing she expected out of him. “I need to know why he said what he said.” What that boy said to him after Iruka left has still stayed on his mind. It seemed he had motives beyond what everyone else assumed him to have.

“He’s a massive jerk and a creep, what else is there to figure out?” She had already made up her mind on the boy, but he still wanted to talk to the person.

“Whatever, I just want to talk to you a little bit.”

“You not giving me much of a choice.” She followed him as they walked to their target. Ninka didn’t want to talk to someone she thought was bad, but couldn’t leave her friend alone with this guy either. It could lead to problems later down the road if she wasn’t careful.

“Hey Masahito.” Hakuta greeted the boy who was accompanied by a girl about their age. She reminded him on Ino in appearance and also shared in that strict look the other boy had. “It’s funny running into you here.”

“Ah, I did see you earlier.” He replied, taking a good look at Ninka. Masahito might’ve considered talking to him before, but didn’t as it was already strange enough that they continued to run into each other constantly in public. “I guess you really do keep interesting company.” Ninka wanted to say some things which would get censored were this aired on television, but she bit her tongue to allow Hakuta the chance he wanted in talking with the boy.

“Speaking of the company I keep.” Hakuta responded, trying to keep his cool. “I wanted to ask you about Iruka, if you don’t mind.”

“I see you really have been mulling about on my words.” He said. “Good, I was worried you’d just go running to her telling everything would be find and you have no problems with who she is.”

“It’s not about whether or not I really care to think about what you said.” Hakuta lied, as it really had been on his mind for the past week. “I just want to know why you’re like this. I doubt she did anything to really wrong you.”

“I assume you probably already have an inkling of an idea.” Said Masahito. “After all, we’re not so different, you and I.”