Chapter 2

As the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

---

Not wanting to go through with the arranged meeting, I tried to come up with impossible conditions that would never be met, but then a beautiful classmate showed up.

Is there such a ridiculous story? Yuugen sighed.

I never thought that Yuki Shirogane would be part of my grandfather's network... I underestimated the extent of his connections.

Could this old man be invincible in Japan? Yuugen was once again impressed by the old man's prowess and determination... and looked directly at Erisa.

No matter how many times I see her, she is always as beautiful as a work of art.

"It's me, Yuugen Takase. ...It's been a while."

Yuugen sat down properly, put his hands on the floor, and returned the greeting. Now that it has come to this, the only thing to do is to refuse politely.

The arranged meeting between Yuugen and Erisa was put aside as the parents (Yuugen's grandfather and father, Erisa's adoptive father and mother) started to chat enthusiastically, saying things like, "I'm surprised you're classmates," and "This might be fate."

Yuugen and Erisa exchanged forced smiles and responded with appropriate nods, saying things like, "Yeah, I'm surprised too," and "I'm shocked."

After some time had passed...

The two were suggested by their respective guardians to "go out into the garden and deepen their friendship while enjoying the scenery."

Unable to say no, Yuugen went out into the garden with Erisa.

The garden, used for arranged meetings, was indeed very beautiful.

(Now... how should I refuse?)

He could simply say, "I don't think we're a good match," but that would indirectly mean, "You're not attractive." Since they came to an arranged meeting, it means they have some interest in each other... if he refused poorly, he would hurt her feelings. Even though they don't interact much, they are in the same class. Considering the future, he didn't want to create a tense relationship.

"Um, Takase-san..."

"Shirogane?"

As Yuugen was hesitating, Erisa, who had been silent until now, spoke up. She gripped the fabric of her kimono tightly and bowed her head.

"I'm sorry. I was forced into this arranged meeting by my adoptive father. I... originally had no intention of getting engaged."

Hearing those words, Yuugen felt a weight lifted from his chest. He couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

"...So, you too?"

"...You too?"

"I was also brought here forcibly. I thought if I set impossible conditions, they would back off. I said, 'If you want me to have an arranged meeting, bring me a blonde, blue-eyed girl!' I never thought they would actually bring one."

Yuugen said this with a sigh, and Erisa nodded in understanding.

"I see."

"See?"

"I heard that you specifically requested me. ...I understand now."

"...I'm sorry for the trouble."

"No, it's mutual. To be precise... my adoptive father caused the trouble. He got carried away when he heard from you."

It became clear that neither of them wanted to get engaged, and somehow, the distance between them seemed to shorten. The fact that they didn't like each other became a common topic, and Yuugen inwardly smiled at the irony.

"Takase-san... I have a proposal."

"A proposal?"

"Shall we pretend to be engaged?"

"Ah, I see."

In other words, the proposal was to fake an engagement to deceive their guardians. While they were "engaged," they wouldn't be pressured into more arranged meetings. They could use the "engagement" as a shield to avoid arranged meetings and secretly pursue their own romantic lives. Then, when they became adults and could defy their guardians, they would break the "engagement."

"Hmm... I can't say 'yes' to that right away. It sounds like a lot of work."

However, whether the effort to maintain a fake engagement for a long time would be worth the effort to continuously refuse arranged meetings was a delicate matter. Continuously acting would be mentally taxing. He couldn't easily give an answer.

"I see... I look forward to your response."

Erisa looked a bit disappointed but quickly put on a soft smile. It was the calm and gentle expression that made her popular among the boys at school. To Yuugen, it looked like a forced smile.

At that moment, a cat's meow was heard.

"Takase-san, Takase-san! Over there!"

"Huh? That's... a cat."

Yuugen couldn't tell the cat's age, but it was probably less than a year old. The small cat was meowing from a tree.

"What a fool. Climbed up and can't get down."

"Why would it climb if it can't get down? ...But what should we do? It might fall if we leave it like that."

Erisa sounded very worried. It seemed she was a cat person. Every time the cat moved on the branch, Erisa became anxious.

"Should we call the inn staff?"

"But... what if it falls before they get here?"

"True, that's a concern."

The cat's movements were indeed precarious. Even though Yuugen wasn't particularly fond of cats, he was a bit anxious.

"What should we do... I have no experience climbing trees... What about you, Takase-san?"

Yuugen was indirectly asked if he would climb the tree to save the cat. He had no particular reason to save the cat or to fulfill Erisa's request... but the thought of the cat falling and dying didn't sit well with him.

"I'm a dog person, but... I guess I have no choice."

Yuugen muttered this as he untied his obi and started to take off his clothes. Erisa's milky white skin turned rosy, and she quickly turned away, looking flustered.

"Wait! D-Don't just start taking off your clothes!"

"Sorry. I have a T-shirt and pants on underneath, so it's fine."

"If you're wearing them, then say so..."

It seemed she was telling the truth about not dating anyone; she was not used to men. Blushing and flustered over a little bit of skin exposure was a bit much.

Yuugen folded his kimono carelessly and handed it to Erisa.

"Shirogane, you... are good at sports, right?"

"Eh? Ah, yes."

"If the cat falls before I can reach it, catch it as a cushion."

With that, he put his hands on the sturdy tree. It had been a while since he climbed a tree, but fortunately, it was a climbable tree (which might be why the cat climbed it).

Yuugen climbed up the tree smoothly. Fortunately, the cat didn't try to run away.

"Got it."

He successfully caught the cat and relaxed for a moment.

...That was a mistake.

"Meow!!"

"Ouch! Hey, you, to your savior... Stop struggling... Ah..."

His balance was thrown off. He quickly approached the ground. Since he was holding the cat, he couldn't use his hands to break his fall. Yuugen tried to adjust his position, but...

"Ow!!"

"A, Takase-san!?"

His right ankle bent awkwardly.

Current Dere Level: 1% (Because he saved the cat)

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