"Surprised?"
Kiyoshi sauntered over to Midori, who was sitting in the garden, still in a daze from the surprising turn of events.
Midori turned her head and looked at the man who just planted himself casually next to her on the bench.
"I can't believe that you did this just to earn us blessings from your entire family."
A chuckle escaped the former protagonist.
"I am sure that they will come to love you for real after you become a part of the Matsumoto family."
All traces of smiles drained from Midori's face when she heard Kiyoshi's words. The shadow of the mistreatment she endured in the hands of the Koishikawa family had yet to dissipate. If anything, it was akin to a vengeful specter, ready to wrap its claws around Midori whenever she tried to forget about its existence.
Looking at Midori's ashen face, Kiyoshi was quick to guess what she was thinking about.
The man took Midori's hands to his lips and kissed them reverently.