Grandfather:
“Really? Is he now?”
Yuri:
“Yes… whenever I make a mistake he is there to protect me. He has a warm heart…
I think.”
Soji:
“Yuri…”
Grandfather:
“…I see.”
Soji’s grandfather nodded like
he accepted my answer. Taking it as a clue, Soji stood up.
Soji:
“Will you excuse us for today? Yuri is tired.”
Soji’s
father: “Yes. I’m sure she is. Make sure you get a proper rest.”
Yuri:
“It was a pleasure meeting all of you.”
Grandfather:
“Ms. Yuri.”
Yuri:
“Yes.”
As I stood, Soji’s grandfather
called my name but this time using a gentle voice, different from earlier.
Grandfather:
“Please take a good care of Soji.”
Yuri:
“I will.”
Soji and I left the room after
wishing everyone a good night. After leaving, we didn’t go back to the guest
room. We went to Soji’s condo directly. His place was huge. It had so many
rooms that no one would believe a single man lived here.
Soji:
“You can use the spare room in the back over there. I’ll send somebody to
deliver your belongings from you apartment.”
Yuri:
“Thank you…”
Soji:
“How are you doing? You look tired.”
Yuri:
“My tension almost made me throw up.”
Soji:
“Well, you did great today. You answered very well even though you didn’t know
anything.”
Yuri:
“I was quite preoccupied to say the least. Umm… can I ask you some questions?”
Soji:
“What do you want to know?”
Throwing down his suit jacket,
Soji sat down on the big comfortable sofa. I don’t know whether I should sit or
not, so I ask my questions while standing.
Yuri:
“What is the race to be next in line?”
Soji:
“As I told before the Shirogane family doesn’t have a hereditary system. My
grandfather intends to have a capable person from within the Shirogane
bloodline take over the business. As one of the conditions to be considered for
that, the old man wants the candidate to be married.
Yuri:
“That’s why you chose me?”
Soji:
“That’s right.”
Yuri:
“But I heard him say there was an arrangement for you to meet someone… You
didn’t have to marry me, did you?”
Soji:
“I won’t put up with any girl being arranged for me.
Soji again sounded suspiciously
nonchalant as he said it.
Yuri:
“You said you don’t want someone else picking a girl for you, so why would you
be okay with me? You just met me yesterday after all.”
Soji:
“If you ever say anything like that in front of any of my relatives, you might
not live long enough to regret it. You never know who might be listening in.”
Yuri:
“Oh… sorry. But… you’re qualified, right? So you’re going to chosen as the
successor, aren’t you?”
I was really confident that Soji
really would be the successor.
Soji:
“What makes you so sure?”
Soji’s expressionless gaze drifted
up and down my body. I quickly looked away and tried to think of something
innocuous to say.
Yuri:
“Um, you’re really popular in the company. And no one is more renowned within
the Shirogane Group.”
Soji:
“That may be true, but you really don’t know anything about how things work
here.”
Yuri:
“We… maybe, but…”
I averted my eyes, unable to
withstand Soji’s intense gaze. But he put his hand on my cheek and forced me to
look at him.
Soji:
“…You… There’s something else, isn’t there?”
Yuri:
“What?!”
I gasped in surprise at his keen
intuition.
Soji:
“… say it.”
Yuri:
“Well… it’s…”
Soji:
“Are you deaf?”
Soji narrowed his eyes as he
traced his finger along my jaw. Unable to withstand with his gaze, I started
babbling nervously.
Yuri:
“I don’t understand it myself.”
Soji:
“What don’t you understand…?”
Yuri:
“I just assumed that you would be chosen. I don’t really have any reason for
thinking so. I just have this feeling.”
Soji:
“That’s pretty vague, isn’t it…?”
Yuri:
“I’m sorry…”
Soji was still holding my chin,
but I averted my eyes. Just then, I felt something warm against my lips.
Yuri:
“…Oh.”
Soji:
“So, you believe in you husband huh… What an obedient wife.”
Yuri:
“Huh? …Well…”
Soji:
“From now on, I want you to make more of an effort to know about me. And I want
you to trust me.”
Soji whispered hoarsely and then
kissed my lips again.
Soji:
“Then you should make an effort to get to know me better from now on.”
Yuri:
“Of course, I’ll make an effort. I’ll fulfill my role as your wife.
Soji:
“You’re a slave. You’d better not say that where people might hear you. Clever
little slave. Barking orders at your master now?”
Yuri:
“I-I…”
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