"Someone's leaving home. If you don't want to go, you can get off the car now and find a coffee shop to sit for the afternoon. I'll come back and pick you up after Haruka and I have handled our business. How does that sound?"
Otome Yumeko was clinging to Haruka Yuzan's arm, cooing in a manner that completely hid the arrogance and coldheartedness she usually displayed.
Someone? There were only the three of them present, so who was that directed at?
Such a headache, these two high-and-mighty young ladies!
Haruka Yuzan massaged his slightly sore eye corner, about to say something that might defuse the brewing conflict.
Unexpectedly, the girl sitting across from them closed her book, lifted her head, and her clear eyes conveyed a chill like the desolation of autumn.
"Hmm, I understand. It's been quite a while since I last saw Uncle Toyama and Lady Otome."
The voice was indifferent, as if she were talking about something trivial. After saying this, Chiba Shimizu lowered her head again, returning her gaze to the book in her hands.
Otome Yumeko watched all this with a detached expression, ultimately... failing to see the reaction she desired on that cool, impassive face. No helping it—she humphed and turned her attention entirely to the beloved person beside her.
Haruka Yuzan could only shake his head helplessly at this. These two proud and tsundere heiresses!
Both obviously cared for each other, yet insisted on showing annoyed and oppositional expressions.
The very image of a sharp-tongued tsundere and her cool and spiteful best friend.
"Otome, isn't it a bit too rushed to meet your father for the first time?"
Haruka Yuzan couldn't help but voice his concern, after all... facing his future father-in-law, even though he wasn't some greenhorn, having been with the man's daughter,
meeting him in a school uniform might be inappropriate, especially for those larger families that pay more attention to etiquette. The first impression at the first meeting needs to be maintained.
"There's no need, Haruka. You are the perfect person, don't feel pressured, I've always been by your side."
Otome Yumeko hugged his arm even tighter, her head resting on his shoulder, her face full of contentment,
"This is just a casual meeting, no one else will be there. Don't worry, Haruka, I've arranged everything..."
While speaking, the girl began drawing small circles on Haruka Yuzan's chest with her finger, "I absolutely, absolutely won't let you feel uncomfortable, I promise."
Haruka Yuzan didn't say a word, simply calming his emotions. He had always been indifferent to fame and fortune, and knew that he would soon be meeting the head of the Otome family but he felt no great burden.
The earlier inquiry was just a matter of politeness.
Moreover, the words of Otome Yumeko always provided a sense of comfort. Even if the heiress's love was twisted internally, she had never broken a promise made to Haruka Yuzan.
Upholding Haruka Yuzan as the first principle of her life's code of conduct.
All Otome Yumeko did was strive for a better future for both of them. The separation was to ensure they could be together in the long run.
"Mmm-mmm, I'm fine, Yumeko." Haruka Yuzan nodded. To tell the truth, if he didn't have so many responsibilities now, sometimes he thought.... it might actually be quite nice to be a kept man at the side of the young mistress.....
Good-looking, a good figure, very clingy, loyal and obedient, occasionally jealous, with her own "little" possessiveness, a young mistress from a prominent family who would believe you no matter what, even if it meant deceiving herself, she would stand by your side.
The perfect girlfriend template.
Possibly... if he didn't have the System, he could also be a "faithful" boyfriend?
Shaking his head, Haruka Yuzan discarded these dangerous thoughts. Thinking was completely irresponsible.
Sister Reiko, Misaki, Hoshina, Chiba, his own warm little home still needed his efforts to maintain!
"No, you have something to do now!"
Otome Yumeko suddenly said.
"Hmm?" Haruka Yuzan was curious.
"From now on, you should seriously consider when we start living together, whether I move in with you or you come live with me."
While saying this, Otome Yumeko raised her head, her eyes serious, and there seemed to be an almost imperceptible glance at the girl sitting opposite.
The cabin fell silent, except for the occasional clear sound of pages being turned. Facing the serious-looking young lady, Haruka Yuzan took a deep breath,
"Otome, I think it's too early to talk about these things."
Him move in? Or have the young mistress move in?
Either scenario would have incalculable consequences!!
Inviting the young mistress to move in... such a scene... would be nothing short of hellish! Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novel⸺fire.net
"We'll be together for the rest of our lives, so... don't be in a rush, Otome... Give us a little private space."
The young mistress's question today also awakened Haruka Yuzan, realizing that dragging things out was only a temporary solution and did not address the fundamental issue.
Otome might be too busy taking over the family business right now to attend to these matters, but... once the young mistress completely took the reins and had her own schedule in place, what excuse could he use then?