Chapter 49 : A Future With Akiyama

Grandpa Kinoshita could not help but marvel when he had a second cup of green tea handed to him by Midori.

A perfect copy of Akiyama's, one could say.

Although, it was an unfair judgment, the elderly then mused to himself.

The art of Japanese tea-making was part of a deep-rooted Japanese culture. Those who practiced the art naturally shared some likeness.

In Akiyama and Midori's case, this likeness proved beneficial for their match.

Grandpa Kinoshita's lips curled up into a smile.

"Excellent!" He praised, to Midori's greatest relief.

S-9898 chose the moment to make some delightful announcements.

[Hello again, Midori-san (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)⁠❤

10 Charm Points are added to your account because you managed to improve your standing before Grandpa Kinoshita.

10 Creativity Points are added to your account as a reward for your ingenuity in imitating Akiyama Kinoshita's prowess in tea-making.

100 Pink Love Point is added to your account because Akiyama Kinoshita's affection toward you is growing.

You have unlocked the title "Accomplished Matcha Magician".

For your reference, you have reached the first milestone in Tea Preparation Mastery.]

Tea Preparation Mastery?

Sounded good but not too useful at the time being.

Midori bowed deeply before Grandpa Kinoshita.

"Thank you for Old Master's praise. I have to work a lot to polish my rusty skills."

Grandpa Kinoshita chuckled in amusement.

"I love your humility, but one might take it as a jab toward others. Akiyama-san, did you hear what your betrothed just said? Your skills are rusty."

Instead of getting irritated, Akiyama bloomed into a lovesick smile.

"Then we can both use some lessons, Grandpa. Kindly spare time to help me and Midori-san out."

A booming laughter escaped the patriarch.

"Well said! Midori-san, please come by often. Akiyama-san is a lazy child. He will only learn when he has a study partner."

"Gladly, Old Master Kinoshita."

"Alright then. Now that we are done with the lesson, why don't we have lunch together?" Takiko beamed at everyone.

"It is very kind of you, Madam Kinoshita, but I sadly must decline," Midori pulled a grimace out of regret. "I already have a lunch appointment with someone else."

Takiko pulled a long face in disappointment.

"Awww... Well, that can't be helped. Can we drive you to your appointment venue?" She asked graciously.

"He will pick me up at St. Anne's Academy," Midori answered with a smile. "Akiyama-san, do you mind?"

Akiyama shook his head. "Not at all."

"Before I forget..."

Midori reached into the folds of her kimono and pulled out an envelope.

"Madam Kinoshita, I wrote an English essay yesterday. I thought about using it for the beginner class' exam, but I later on found that it might be too complicated. Maybe you can use it elsewhere."

Takiko shot Midori an appreciative smile.

"Why, of course, Midori-san. I would love to take a look at it."

"I would be grateful if you can find the time to do so," Midori bowed her head before turning to the young man next to Takiko, beaming at him.

"Akiyama-san, shall we?"

"Sure, Midori-san."

For some reason, Akiyama's smile appeared stiff and forced.

The young man remained polite and friendly to Midori as they walked out of the Kinoshita family's estate, but Midori sensed his deteriorating mood.

"Akiyama-san, is something wrong?"

Akiyama was never good at hiding his true feelings. His childlike honesty might make him appear either naive or brash, but recently Midori started to see it as appealing rather than repulsive.

"Midori-san, who are you having an appointment with?" The young man turned to face her, his face was as tense as his words.

Midori grinned at him.

"My elder brother Arata-Niichan."

Akiyama gaped at her in disbelief. Red color crept to his cheeks when he realized that he had made a wrong assumption about Midori.

"Oh, I... That's good."

Their interaction was awkward during the entire car ride.

Akiyama tried his best to redeem himself, but whatever he said only underlined his anxiety and nervosity around Midori.

At last, before they parted ways, Akiyama decided to be honest with Midori.

"Midori-san, I would like to know more about the relationship between you and Ryouichi Koishikawa," he declared.

Midori gave him a puzzled look in response.

"What relationship?"

"I am hoping that you can tell me," Akiyama insisted.

He bowed his head. "Please."

The frost-kissed air nipped at Midori's breath, transforming it into a fleeting puff of white that hovered for a moment before dissolving.

"Ryouichi-san is an ex-husband who refuses to remove himself from my life," she said. "There is nothing else to it."

"Oh."

The flicker of relief in Akiyama's eyes did not last for long, as Midori's curiosity was piqued.

"Why would you ask me this question, Akiyama-san?"

Akiyama let out a groan and rubbed at the aching spot between his brows.

"Don't be angry," he said. "After meeting Ryouichi Koishikawa-san in the hospital, I had a feeling that the relationship between the two of you is not quite simple. So I asked a private eye to follow you around. I was worried that he might hurt you."

Midori arched her brow at Akiyama.

"Hurt me? Really?"

Akiyama threw his hands in the air in resignation.

"Fine. I was worried that you might decide to go back to him."

Midori rolled with her eyes.

"That will only happen when hell freezes over."

"The private eye told me that you met Ryouichi Koishikawa-san at the family register office, and I..."

A deep sigh escaped Akiyama.

"Midori-san, I know that I have not left a good impression on you during our initial matchmaking meeting, but I am trying my best to show you that I am serious about our match."

The young man reached out and took Midori's hands in his, enveloping them in a protective manner.

"Please tell me what you think about me. Do I have any chance to be your second husband?"

"..."

"I found a job, by the way. I am now working in a construction company as their head architect. I am more than capable of providing for you, and the child, and the other children we will have in the future."