Chapter 25

"Long time no see, Daisho. I see you've come back... Did something happen? I thought you weren't coming back for the summer."

Arisa asked Daisho calmly.

The Tensho family has a college student son who lives alone in the Kansai region. Yugen had already heard this information, so he assumed that Daisho was that son.

"Yeah, I had planned not to come back. But then I heard that Arisa got engaged. I wanted to know what was going on, so I came back."

Then Daisho turned his gaze to Yugen, who was standing next to Arisa. His expression was not particularly friendly.

"So, who are you?"

Daisho asked Yugen. Thinking that in manga and anime, people would say, "You should introduce yourself first before asking for someone's name," Yugen replied.

"Nice to meet you, Arisa's brother-in-law. I'm Takasegawa Yugen. I'm Arisa's fiancé."

"Ah, I see. So you're... I'm Arisa's brother-in-law, Tensho Daisho."

After a moment of silence, Daisho asked Yugen again.

"Do you really think Yugen is right for Arisa?"

"Yes, I do."

"How old are you?"

"Fifteen. I'm in the same grade as Arisa."

Yugen maintained a social smile, responding calmly. As the next head of the family, he had received the necessary education to handle such situations.

"Don't you think it's too early for Yugen?"

Of course, he did. However, Yugen, being one of the parties involved, could not deny this "engagement." Still, it would be odd to say he felt no discomfort at all.

"Yes, I do. That's why I think the marriage itself will happen after I graduate from university."

"Do you really intend to marry?"

Yugen thought Daisho was being unreasonable but didn't say it directly.

"Is there anyone who would get engaged without intending to marry?"

He answered with a touch of sarcasm and wordplay. If there was anyone in the world who didn't intend to marry, it was him and Arisa.

Then Yugen gently tugged at Arisa's sleeve and gave her a look.

"Right, Arisa?"

He wondered if he should tell Daisho the truth. He decided to check with Arisa. Arisa whispered in his ear.

"Keep it hidden."

This meant she wanted to keep it a secret. Yugen wasn't sure if Daisho was trustworthy, but he decided to follow Arisa's judgment since they had lived together for years.

"I plan to marry Yugen after I graduate from university. I'm sorry for not telling you. I thought you already knew from Naoki."

Naoki was Tensho Naoki, Arisa's adoptive father. From the fact that Arisa hadn't contacted him directly, Yugen could tell that Daisho wasn't very trusted by Arisa.

"Is it really okay for you two?"

Daisho seemed a bit shocked by the calm attitudes of Yugen and Arisa. His words seemed more directed at Arisa than Yugen.

(I see... )

At this point, Yugen could tell what kind of feelings Daisho had for Arisa.

He probably liked Arisa, his cousin. Whether he was aware of it or not, he was likely against her marriage.

"Of course. Arisa is a very attractive woman. Being with her is my greatest wish."

"I also think I can spend my life with Yugen."

Yugen and Arisa answered together, but Daisho didn't seem convinced. However, he couldn't direct his frustration at Arisa, so he focused on Yugen.

"Do you know... about Arisa's situation in the Tensho family?"

"Know what?"

"Arisa's situation in the Tensho family. ...This marriage is a political one, aimed at securing a dowry."

Yugen already knew this. Marriages between prestigious families often had such elements, both in the past and present.

"What are you trying to say?"

"...Arisa can't say no due to her position. You understand, right? She's just saying what she's told to say."

At that moment, Yugen heard a small sound. It was a tiny, almost imperceptible sound of Arisa's tongue clicking. He glanced at her.

(Oh... she's angry.)

Her already cold, lifeless eyes had become even colder. She maintained her smile, but her lips occasionally twitched, clearly showing her displeasure.

Daisho, however, didn't seem to notice.

"Arisa, your brother-in-law is saying... "

"Daisho, you're overthinking it. ...Thank you for your concern, but please rest assured. I genuinely want to marry Yugen."

For now, it was better to say this. Yugen personally thought that if Daisho was against the marriage, it might be good to explain the situation and seek his cooperation. However, since Arisa didn't trust Daisho, it was better to keep it this way.

"Y-Yes, but..."

"...That's right. Given Arisa's position, she has no choice but to say that. I'm sure you understand, Yugen."

"Sure, I do."

It seemed Daisho didn't trust Arisa either... at least, he didn't believe her words. Of course, he wasn't wrong; Arisa was lying to him. However, regardless of what Arisa said, if it was inconvenient for Daisho, he would consider it a lie.

This made it understandable why Arisa didn't trust Daisho.

However...

Was it because Arisa didn't trust Daisho that Daisho couldn't trust Arisa? Or was it because Daisho didn't trust Arisa that Arisa couldn't trust Daisho? Which came first was a chicken-and-egg problem with no clear answer.

But the mutual distrust between them was undeniable.

"But, even so... Mr. Tensho, what do you want from me?"

"If Yugen really loves Arisa, I hope you won't force her into this marriage. ...I'm sure you don't want Arisa to be unhappy, right?"

"That's... true, I suppose."

Arisa was starting to struggle to maintain her fake smile. It was also unfair to keep the taxi driver waiting.

So, Yugen decided to end the conversation with a somewhat cunning approach.

"Even if I were to call off the marriage with Arisa, as long as the Tensho family's financial situation doesn't improve, they would still try to marry her to a wealthy family, wouldn't they?"

"That... no, but..."

"Unless you have the power to protect Arisa, it's better not to meddle."

Daisho, who was just a college student and seemed to be on bad terms with the head of the family, Naoki, had no authority or power. He fell silent.

After confirming this, Yugen bowed.

"I'm sorry. I said too much... I was out of line. From now on, I won't interfere with Tensho family matters. ...Mr. Tensho, Arisa, I'll take my leave."

With that, Yugen quickly left the scene.

Well, if someone were to speak for you without your consent, you'd be upset, right...

If you find this interesting and want to know what happens next, or if you want to be tongue-clicked at by Arisa, please bookmark and rate (change the stars below the table of contents to five stars). This will grant you the right to be looked at by Arisa as if you were trash.

Current Dere Level: 75%

The relationship has changed from "a close male friend" to "a male who is strongly aware of as a 'male'." By the way, to get to the point where Arisa starts tongue-clicking at you, how much lower does the Dere Level need to go... If you're interested in the next increase in the Dere Level, please bookmark and rate (change the stars below the table of contents to five stars). This will help boost the author's motivation, so I would appreciate your support.