Chapter 52 : Kiyoshi Matsumoto's Revelation (1)

Akiko barely had a change of facial expression, but Midori whipped around so fast that her neck almost cracked.

Sauntering in a relaxed manner in their direction was none other than the person she had been looking for -- Kiyoshi Matsumoto.

Under a cape as dark as the night, the man wore a formal black kimono embroidered with the same silver thread. They appeared like endless rivers across the expensive fabric.

Despite his elegant clothing, he refused to comb his hair in a traditional way. As usual, a ravenous flock of black strands swooped low over one of his eyes. He resembled a youthful rogue amidst the starched propriety, a challenge to the very formality he orchestrated.

"Midori-san."

Kiyoshi gave her a skewed smile.

"It is very nice to see you here."

"She doesn't have an invitation, Kiyoshi-san. I am just doing what a good fiancee would do, that's all."

Kiyoshi's smile turned into a mocking grin.

"When will you stop putting up a show, Akiko-san? Our engagement is over."

Akiko held a hand up.

"Say that to your and my parents. I am just the pretty flower here. My wish doesn't really matter."

"Ha."

"Anyway, Kiyoshi-san, until you are able to end the engagement for good, please do what every good fiance will do and stop hitting on random women. You are being a total disgrace."

"Midori-san isn't a random woman," Kiyoshi remarked. "She is very special."

Midori stared at Kiyoshi.

Did S-9898 accidentally use a Red Love Favor Pass on Kiyoshi, or what? Why was the protagonist being so nice to her?

"She is a cheap substitute that you found at the family register office."

Akiko pursed her lips.

"If I didn't know better, Kiyoshi-san, I might think that you have lost your mind."

"What's going on here?" A thunderous voice was heard, causing Midori's heart to drop to the bottom of her stomach.

The two powerful couples of the most powerful families in Tokyo were marching toward them!

Kiyoshi merely turned his head slightly in acknowledgment, while Akiko went from zero to two hundred in a split second.

"Uncle, Auntie!" She rushed toward the Matsumoto couple, her voice dripping with unresolved grievances.

She then pointed at Midori and said, "This woman is here again to take advantage of Kiyoshi-san! Uncle, Auntie, please help! Kiyoshi-san is saying unreasonable things again!"

Madam Matsumoto put a placating hand at Akiko's back and comforted her with a soft voice, "Akiko-chan, don't worry, Auntie is here. Auntie will fix this issue for you, hm?"

Kiyoshi's father, Master Matsumoto*, was a man of less speech and more action.

He quickly addressed his son regarding Midori.

"Kiyoshi-san, what is going on here? Why are you making troubles for Akiko-san?" he demanded to know.

"What trouble? I am not aware of any trouble," Kiyoshi replied nonchalantly, as he subtly placed himself between Midori and his parents, as if trying to shield her from an unpleasant experience.

Master Matsumoto's eyes were drawn to the person who hid behind Kiyoshi. A person of his high status did not look favorably upon someone who showed him disrespect.

Before Kiyoshi's father had the chance to drain her Charm Points, Midori gently pushed Kiyoshi aside and presented herself before the elder man.

"Good evening, Master Matsumoto, my name is Midori Takigawa. I hail from Oshima Town."

Both the master and the madam gave her a string of unfriendly stares.

"Charmed," Master Matsumoto snapped, his response a complete opposite from his attitude. "What business do you have here, if I may ask?"

Oh, the powerful figures.

Be it in modern or ancient Japan, these aristrocrats never changed.

Midori opened her mouth to answer, but the protagonist was faster than her.

"Father, It was I who invited her."

Master Matsumoto looked like he might just slap Kiyoshi in public if the latter were not a full-grown adult with an imposing stature, taller than his father by a full head.

Instead, the father grabbed the son by his arm and hissed at him in a low voice, making it unable for the party attendants to hear him.

Midori who stood very close to the father and son duo heard his every word.

"Kiyoshi-san, stop being so childish! Just how much longer do you want to blame Akiko-san for being late one time? The future of our two families' cooperation lies in your marriage!"

A cold glint flashed across Kiyoshi's eyes.

"Father, you are wrong," he quipped. "I didn't invite Midori-san here to upset anyone. She is special to me."

"Special, how?"

Kiyoshi pulled Midori close to him, his large hands gently squeezing Midori's shoulders.

"Midori-san and I had a fateful encounter in the past. She is now pregnant with my child."

Midori's mind went blank after hearing Kiyoshi's words.

Akiko widened her eyes at Kiyoshi in bewilderment.

Next to her, Madam Matsumoto pressed her kimono sleeve against her lower face in shock.

Master Matsumoto's eyes bulged out in a scary way, his gaze shifting between his son and Midori.

"Is that true?" He directed his question at Midori.

The current situation forced Midori to wrack her brain. She had no idea who the father of her child was. She also did not know why Kiyoshi Matsumoto made such a statement.

All she knew was that the protagonist's warm grip at her shoulders promised security and protection.

As opposed to the glares that the other three people were throwing her right now.

Midori thus took a deep breath before she confirmed dramatically, "That is correct."

A wicked grin spread across Kiyoshi's face.

"Father, you and Mother are going to hold a grandchild in your arms soon. Aren't you happy?" He then taunted his parents.

[1 Red Love Point is added to your account because Kiyoshi Matsumoto's affection toward you is growing.]

[Congratulations, Midori-san! You have scored 1/100 Red Love Points to complete the Fourth Mission! 99 more to go! 22 hours 12 minutes 50 seconds left before the allocated time is over].

Boy, Midori groaned in her head. It was going to be a long evening.

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Author's note :

*In Japan, they have different ways to refer to the masters of the house.

There is Goshujin-sama to address the grandfather, and the Oyakata-sama to address the father.

Unfortunately, both translate into "Master" in English, hence I am forced to add something to avoid confusion.

Starting from now, the grandfathers will get Old Master title while the fathers will keep the Master title! Same goes for the ladies.