Househusband-wannabe Boy and Idol Girl - 109

A Very Popular Idol Classmate Has Taken a Liking to Me, A Person Who Doesn't Want to Work for My Whole Life.

Daininki Idol na Classmate ni Natsukareta, Isshou Hatarakitakunai Ore

Src: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2496gr/109/

Act 4 - The Past of The Shidou Family

30-1 Refusal

"It's been a while, Rintaro.." (Yuutaro)

That's what my father, Shidou Yuutaro, says, giving me a look as if he's sizing me up.

"You've grown a bit taller." (Yuutaro)

"......I have. It's been a long time since I've seen you, too." (Rintaro)

"Well, I guess you're right. ――――Sit on the sofa over there." (Yuutaro)

My father points to the sofa placed across a low table.

Not bothering with unnecessary conversation after not meeting for so long, it's proof that this man is always about efficiency.

Cutting down on unnecessary work is basically what one does to reduce costs and create free time, but in this man's case, he puts in another job in the spare time he has created by doing so.

That's why, in just twenty years or so, he was able to expand the small company that had been running since my great-grandfather's time into something this big.

"You've clearly understood the contents of the letter, haven't you?" (Yuutaro)

"Yeah. Although it's a pretty ridiculous thing." (Rintaro)

My father sits in front of me on the sofa as I take a shallow seat.

"Let's cut to the chase. I'm asking whether you're going to accept or decline the 'arranged marriage' proposal you received." (Yuutaro)

"......" (Rintaro)

In the letter from my father.

It said that I was requested for an arranged marriage.

The other party was the daughter of a major corporation.

Honestly, I was quite perplexed.

In typical romantic comedy scenarios, you'd see the protagonist helping the heroine in a situation where she's troubled by an unwanted arranged marriage. I never thought that would happen to me.

"I'll repeat it, the other party is the daughter of the "Tenguuji Group", a major corporation with various amusement facilities. If you marry her, it will smooth out the business partnership between us. Both companies will undoubtedly make further leaps." (Yuutaro)

"......So you're willing to use your own son without hesitation just for that? As always, you'd do 'anything' for the sake of the company's profit, wouldn't you?" (Rintaro)

I really can't stand this about him.

To him, I'm not a blood relative, but just another "commodity" for business transactions.

"I have no intention of agreeing to this arrangement. I appreciate the financial support for my tuition and other expenses, but I don't intend to become such a convenient asset." (Rintaro)

"...I see. Then I'll turn it down." (Yuutaro)

"――――Huh?" (Rintaro)

I'm taken aback by how easily my father, who usually loves to argue, backs down.

This man, despite his questionable character, never tells lies.

So, I know he meant what he just said.

"Even if we can't establish a close connection with the Tenguuji Group, our company won't suffer any damage. In other words, even if you don't enter into a marriage relationship, there won't be any problems." (Yuutaro)

"......Then why did you call me here? You should have known I would decline, right? If that's the case, you could have declined in advance and not wasted time like this." (Rintaro)

"I don't know whether you'll decline or not." (Yuutaro)

――――Ah, so that's how it is.

It seems there is so much distance between this man and me that I don't even know that.

And I was the one who didn't understand.

"Moreover, the daughter of the Tenguuji Group is here today, waiting in the reception room. She insists on meeting and talking with you directly." (Yuutaro)

"The daughter of the Tenguuji Group wants to meet me...?" (Rintaro)

"According to her claim, you and she are 'old acquaintances'." (Yuutaro)

An old acquaintance?

I don't recall meeting the daughter of such a big company.

I may be too skeptical, but I think she's just making up stories to strengthen the relationship with the Shidou Group――――.

"For now, meet her. I won't say anything about declining. Only contact me when you decide to marry. Otherwise, feel free to leave on your own." (Yuutaro)

"...Is so." (Rintaro)

It seems our conversation ends here.

As I eagerly leave the president's office, Sofia-san is there waiting for me wearing an expressionless face as usual.

"I will show you to the reception room. This way, please." (Sofia)

Once again, I board the elevator and am led to stand in front of the reception room's door.

Sofia-san knocks on the door, opens it, and walks in.

I sigh heavily as I follow her into the room.

"I have brought Mr. Shidou Rintaro with me." (Sofia)

"――――Thank you very much." ()

Those words of gratitude come from a beautiful girl with shiny black hair.

Wearing a pure white one-piece dress, she takes the trouble to stand up and bow to me.

"It's been a long time....... hasn't it?" ()

Until now, I have been looking down, forcefully biting back an almost-slip of a sigh, and putting on a fake smile, I lift my face.

"I'm sorry, but I think this is the first time you and I...... have met......" (Rintaro)

"......Are you really sure about that?" ()

I'm momentarily speechless.

There's a faint familiarity on the face of the girl I thought I was meeting for the first time.

Her face existed in the memories of a time over ten years ago――――those memories I didn't want to recall.

"Could you be...... "Yuzu-chan"?" (Rintaro)

"I'm glad you remembered. Nice to see you again, "Rin-kun"." ()

Back in kindergarten, she used to follow me around a lot.

Since the day my mother left, memories had become hazy, but now, after a momentary headache, they're gradually becoming clearer.

Her face from childhood, and the name that is written in hiragana on her chest name tag, "Tenguuji Yuzuka".

"Umm, are you okay?" (Yuzuka)

"――――U-uh, yeah... I'm fine. Sorry for getting flustered, it's just too nostalgic, that's all." (Rintaro)

I managed to activate a facade of composure.

So, this is the daughter of the Tenguuji Group.

Looking back, I feel like I saw her at some corporate party.

I can't recall which party it was, though.

"Nice to meet you again...... I'm Tenguuji Yuzuka. I'm truly delighted that we could meet again." (Yuzuka)

"Y-yeah... likewise." (Rintaro)

Honestly, I don't know how to react.

I hadn't talked to her since kindergarten.

I can't even remember how I used to interact with her. It feels strange, like talking to a stranger despite being familiar.

"I'm truly grateful for this opportunity to talk amidst your busy schedule." (Yuzuka)

"No, I wasn't particularly that busy." (Rintaro)

"Please, don't be modest. As the one expected to lead the next generation of the Shidou Group, naturally you must be busy." (Yuzuka)

――――I involuntarily froze.

And then, I'm convinced.

She doesn't know anything about my situation.

Of course, my leaving home wouldn't have been publicly disclosed, and they wouldn't want any information that would tarnish their reputation to be spread. So, it's understandable that she wouldn't know.

Although it's understandable, but.

"If Rin-kun and I were to marry, we could even merge the Tenguuji Group, which I'm set to inherit, with your Shidou Group, creating one of the most prominent companies in the country." (Yuzuka)

Tenguuji Yuzuka takes a sip of tea from her cup before continuing.

"Fortunately, we pledged our future in the past. For the sake of our ideals, would you please join hands with me as husband and wife?" (Yuzuka)

"――――I refuse." (Rintaro)

"Fufu, naturally. I know that for the sake of our mutual future, you will accept...... what?" (Yuzuka)

With a face that conveys not understanding what is being said, Tenguuji Yuzuka looks at me.

~"(This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there, kay~)"~

[End of Chapter]

Rintaro: