Chapter 27

One day.

Suddenly, Yugen sent a message: "I want to talk, so can you tell me when you're free?"

After finishing the dishes, Ailisha replied, "Now is fine," and immediately received a call.

It was an invitation to the summer festival.

"So, what do you think? There's no ticket or anything, it's more like a spur-of-the-moment idea from my dad. You can decline if you have something else to do."

Unlike the pool, the summer festival is limited to a specific time on that day.

So, an excuse like having something unavoidable to do would work.

"Summer festival... Can we see fireworks?"

Compared to the pool, the festival is a lower psychological hurdle.

And if we can see beautiful fireworks, I'm a bit interested.

"Yeah... you can see them. It's a decent size."

It's been years since I've been to a summer festival.

Maybe since elementary school.

"Then, I'll accept your invitation."

"Thanks... and my sister and mother want to meet you. Is that okay?"

"Ah, yes. I understand."

After deciding on the meeting place and time, Ailisha hung up the phone and returned to the living room to report.

"Who was on the phone?"

The first to ask was her adoptive father, Naoki.

He was reading the newspaper and didn't even look at Ailisha, but his tone was strong and commanding.

"It was Yugen Takasegawa. He invited me to the summer festival next week."

"You accepted?"

"Yes."

When Ailisha answered, her adoptive mother, Emi Tachikawa, clicked her tongue.

She had a visibly displeased expression.

Then...

"Well... you've become quite the lady."

She said this with a single word. Emi, who is Ailisha's aunt, didn't get along with Ailisha's mother, who was her sister.

Therefore, she disliked Ailisha, her niece.

"Don't say such things in the house..."

"It would be a problem if she didn't have any charm."

Naoki said this coldly, and Emi fell silent.

Naoki is often away from home due to work and leaves household chores and child-rearing to Emi, so at first glance, it might seem like Emi is at the top of the hierarchy.

However, she never disobeys Naoki.

"This match is very important for both the Tachikawa family and Ailisha. I've told you this many times."

"...I understand, Naoki."

Despite her words, Emi still looked dissatisfied.

Unlike Naoki, Emi is against this match, but not for Ailisha's sake.

For Ailisha, it's a completely incomprehensible situation...

She seems to be unhappy that her niece, who looks exactly like her hated sister, is going to marry into the wealthy Takasegawa family, to a well-mannered and kind young man with a good appearance.

In short, she doesn't want Ailisha to be happy.

Whatever happened between Emi and Ailisha's mother is unknown, but it's an unfair situation for Ailisha.

"By the way, do you have a yukata?"

Naoki suddenly asked Ailisha.

She shook her head.

"No, I don't."

"Did you plan to go in Western clothes?"

"Would that be a problem?"

"That's a very old-fashioned, conservative family. The son will be wearing a yukata. Do you plan to walk next to him in Western clothes?"

Naoki said this as if it were a ridiculous idea.

Indeed, it would be a very awkward sight, making her look like a spectacle.

As Ailisha shrank, Naoki stood up silently, took out his wallet from the dresser, and pulled out five ten-thousand yen bills. He placed them on the table.

"Buy one with this. Use any leftover money as pocket money."

"Thank you..."

Ailisha took the money hesitantly.

To Ailisha, Naoki is a much more frightening presence than Emi, who abuses her.

Naoki doesn't hit Ailisha or say mean things to her.

In fact, when Emi goes too far, Naoki scolds her and protects Ailisha.

Indeed, Emi rarely hits Ailisha in front of Naoki.

However, Naoki is almost completely indifferent to Ailisha.

At least, that's how it seems to Ailisha.

A person who shows clear hatred is less scary than someone whose thoughts are unknown but is the most powerful in the household, like Naoki.

The fact that Naoki is an unrelated adult male adds to this fear.

"Naoki, don't be too lenient..."

"It's a necessary expense."

The only thing Naoki cares about is his family's reputation.

More accurately, he doesn't want it to affect his business.

"Ailisha, you wanted this match."

"Yes... I understand."

Ailisha explained that she was forced into the arranged meeting with Yugen.

But this explanation was slightly, and conveniently, altered for her own benefit.

Her adoptive father, Naoki, only asked if she wanted to try any of the matches he presented.

So, Ailisha agreed to the arranged meeting.

She was too afraid of Naoki to say no.

As a result, Naoki brought several matches to Ailisha.

Ailisha, who never wanted to get married, kept declining them.

From Emi's perspective, Ailisha must have seemed like a picky, selfish, and arrogant woman.

She can't keep declining.

When she was at a loss, she finally met Yugen.

"Do your best. For your own sake."

"Yes."

Is he genuinely encouraging Ailisha's love life?

Or is he threatening her, saying that if it fails, she has no other options?

Or is there some other intention?

Ailisha couldn't tell.

It just made her feel scared.

By the way, if you're wondering why he can spend 50,000 yen on a yukata but can't buy expensive soap, it's because:

- The Tachikawa family's allowance system is not a fixed amount but a purpose-specific allocation (difficult for Ailisha to request).

- A middle-aged working man doesn't understand the delicate feelings or preferences of a teenage girl (soap? They're all the same).

If you found this interesting and want to read more, I would greatly appreciate it if you could bookmark and rate the story (change the ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★ at the bottom of the table of contents).