Rejection

Takumi and Shioriko didn't follow their son and sat in the living room with many people sitting on the ground in a "seiza" manner, lowering their heads pitifully.

While Sayaka, Mayumi, and Ritsu didn't know why they did this, they followed Chihiro and Misaki. Naturally, the reason why they did this was that they were curious about Shishio's parents.

While they sat in the "seiza" manner, they couldn't help but glance at his parents.

Shishio's mother was a natural beauty. Yet this wasn't surprising since she was Chihiro's older sister. While Chihiro often put her makeup in a gaudy way, Shioriko did her makeup in an elegant manner. Unlike her little sister, she also trained in various practices such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, flute, koto, and many others.

If Chihiro specialized in western art, then Shioriko specialized in Japanese art.

Because of this, her gestures, aura, and upbringing were rather different. When they saw her, many couldn't help but straighten their backs. Still, they had to say they were quite envious of Shioriko since even if she was older than any of them, she seemed younger than them.

Well, Chihiro was also the same.

However, because of Chihiro's everyday activities, it was hard for them to see her in the same way they saw Shioriko.

On the other hand, Shishio's father attracted them the most.

What do women in their 20s love the most?

It was power and authority.

When they saw Shishio's father, they couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. Even if Takumi wasn't as handsome as his son, the aura of an elite and someone who stood on top of many people could be seen by all of them.

What was amazing, Takumi was still attractive, and his body was well-fit. After all, when someone was around his age, many of them would usually have a big belly, and they were less attractive. Even though such a man didn't really need to have a good appearance since their assets were the most attractive thing, it was better to have a good appearance, right?

If Takumi was a widower, without a doubt, they would chase after him like a group of hungry wolves, excitedly finding a group of delicious deer.

Unfortunately, this delicious deer was owned by a fierce tiger.

"So?"

"So?"

"What are you all doing before?"

"Er..."

What could they say?

"Um, is Shishio going to meet his fiancee today?" Misaki raised her hand high, showing a sad and devastated expression. She had just become one with her loved one, but unexpectedly a cruel fate would part them.

Was this her fate?

Could she only become a tragic heroine?

She wanted to cry at that moment.

While they didn't know why they could only look at Misaki with a strange expression.

"No."

"No?"

Takumi smiled and said, "I know that you love him, and I am glad to know that my son has such a cute girlfriend."

"Th-Thanks..." Misaki blushed and felt shy.

"But if you're his girlfriend, you should also understand his situation. He is just going to the party, and he has reassured you that he won't agree to his engagement, so can you believe him?"

Misaki knew that Takumi was right, but knowing that he was going to the party to meet his fiancee, made her heart restless.

"And you're not only his girlfriend, right? I also have talked with the others too."

"What did the others say?"

"They agree." Takumi didn't waste his time and told the truth.

"I-I see..." Misaki lay helplessly on the table, and tears kept dripping from her eyes. She might be known as a genius in the world of anime. Everyone looked at her with amazement, envy, and many other emotions. Yet in front of this big family, her power was nothing.

She was like an adventurer who had just conquered the novice village but only met the legendary dragon or demon king in the middle of the journey. She realized she was nothing but a frog at the bottom of the well and knew nothing about the vast sea. She might be able to make the best anime or something, but she couldn't even protect the man she loved.

'Just what am I doing...?'

They didn't know what Misaki was thinking, but they knew this young woman was overthinking.

Shioriko and Takumi looked at Misaki and thought that their son's way of choosing women was outlandish. Each of them was beautiful, had a unique personality, and were all special, especially when they heard how Misaki was a genius animator. They were slightly at a loss and thought that their son was amazing.

"But can I ask something?" Misaki suddenly asked after she wiped her tears.

"Yes?"

"What do you think of this engagement?" Misaki asked.

"If he accepts this engagement, then I will be happy since this engagement has a lot of meaning to our family." Takumi didn't hide anything and answered her question frankly.

"......" Everyone.

"But..." Takumi quickly stopped them when they were about to ask something. "Everything is still his choice. If he isn't happy with this engagement, then I won't force it either. Are you satisfied?"

"Ye-Yes..." If possible, Misaki didn't want Shishio to go to the party, but she knew that this was the best concession his parents could give her. More than this, she would trouble everyone. She might be weird and often not think about anything, only focussed on the anime, but she wasn't stupid.

"Well, it's my first time here. Chihiro, can you tell me more about this place?" Shioriko suddenly asked.

"Ah, um, sure." Chihiro nodded and helplessly introduced Sakurasou from the historical to the present time.

Suimei was old school, and it existed before World War 2. It was one of the most famous schools in Tokyo. It was also the reason why the school festival of this school had become part of the regional event. Naturally, it had a lot of history.

Shishio's parents also decided to send him to this school because of that.

As they talked, Sayaka and Mayumi somehow slipped away since they were uncomfortable with the situation, and honestly, they didn't have a relationship or whatever with Shishio's parents, so it was better to escape while they could.

On the other hand, Misaki and Ritsu stayed and listened to the conversation between his parents and Chihiro.

As for Ritsu, who decided to stay, his parents thought she was also his girlfriend. They also didn't say much since there were too many of his girlfriends, and it had reached the number where they were already helpless. Honestly, if he could accept this engagement, it would be great since that way, they wouldn't have to worry about him getting sidetracked, but everything was his choice, and they didn't want to force him.

"I know that you might be too lazy to hear this from me, but have you found someone to marry?" Shioriko asked worriedly. While she didn't want to say this, she knew her little sister was no longer young. Chihiro was already in her 30, and if she couldn't marry, what would she do? Knowing this, she couldn't help but feel worried.

Being a teacher was good and all since it was a stable job, especially when Chihiro was a teacher at Suimei. Even if she didn't marry, it was okay since no one forced anyone to marry, but if one could marry, why not, right?

"......"

Chihiro was silent when she heard her big sister's question. She opened her lips before she closed them again. She wasn't sure when this question came up, the picture of Shishio suddenly emerged in her mind. The memory of their kiss was like a sparkle, bright, blinded, made her unable to forget, but when she got too close, it would burn her.

Chihiro looked at Shioriko and Takumi, who waited for her answer, and she just didn't know what to say for a while.

"Do you want me to introduce you to someone?" Shioriko suddenly asked.

"Do you want me to set you up on a blind date?" If it was before, Chihiro would have been excited since she knew as long as this person was introduced by her big sister, that person must be rich, but now, unexpectedly, she didn't have much excitement. She lowered her head and didn't know what to say for a while.

When Chihiro couldn't answer her and fell into silence, Shioriko smiled and said, "Well, you don't need to be in a hurry. You can think about it carefully."

"Thanks." Chihiro let out a sigh of relief when she knew she wasn't forced.

However, Misaki and Ritsu were surprised.

Was Chihiro-sensei going to have a blind date?

A blind date, or "Miai," was a normal custom in this country. As long as one was comfortable with the other, they might marry right away, which was also why it was called an arranged marriage.

Honestly, if Mayumi heard this, she would be happy and jump to the nine clouds and want Shishio's mother to introduce her to a rich man. Unfortunately, she had left, so she didn't hear anything.

"Still, isn't he late?"

Suddenly, Shioriko couldn't help but complain about her son, who had taken so long to change. After all, they had been talking for so long, but her son hadn't appeared.

Takumi rolled his eyes and wanted to ask Shioriko to look at the mirror before she said that, but he shut his mouth and didn't say anything.

While they were waiting for him and thought to pick him up in his room, they suddenly heard his voice.

"Sorry to make you wait."

They turned and saw him at the door of the living room before they were in a daze.

Unlike before, Shishio wore a black suit, a white shirt, and a black bow tie. He also slicked his hair with pomade, giving him a dazzling, elegant, yet dangerous charm.

'Those eyes...'

When they saw his eyes, they felt like they saw a panther, a dangerous beast who hunted at night.

Shioriko and Takumi nodded and thought they would be the center of attention tonight, which was great.

On the other hand, Misaki, Chihiro, and Ritsu couldn't say anything and stared at him in a daze.

"If you're ready, then we should go," Takumi said.

"Wait a moment." He walked to Misaki and hugged her. "Misaki, wait for me, alright?" He kissed her forehead gently, full of love.

"Un, I am waiting for you." Her worries were swept away since she knew they would be okay. Even if there was a fiancee, it didn't mean their relationship would stop. Instead, she hoped for him to go home as soon as possible since she wanted him in bed now!

"Chihiro-nee. Kawai-senpai. Bye."

Shishio then left with his parents for the party.

When he had gone, they were awoken, Misaki was full of longing, waiting for him to go home, but Chihiro and Ritsu were bitter, feeling frustrated.

"By the way, where is Nanami?"

Nanami had been in his room, sleeping since before he left, she asked him to do her since she just couldn't control her lust toward him when he appeared so sharp.

Still leaving Sakurasou, Shishio listened to his parents about what he should watch while thinking about what he should say to reject his fiancee.