Chapter 35

「Wait a moment!!」

Just as we were about to leave the room, the younger man called out.

Looking at Asaki, it seems she didn’t intend to ignore him, as she stopped in response to his voice.

「What is it? I believe the discussion is already over.」

「It’s a misunderstanding!! It’s true that the connection between families is important, but I didn’t come to this omiai with the kind of calculations Asaki-san might think!!」

「I think it’s a stretch to say there’s no calculation involved when you’re already considering family connections…」

Asaki let out a small sigh as if to say, “What are you talking about now?”

「To begin with, regardless of whether or not Masayoshi-san has such calculations, I never intended to accept a marriage proposal, and as you may have understood from the previous exchange, I have already renounced my inheritance rights. Therefore, I don’t think there’s any benefit for the Shijou family to continue this discussion.」

The younger man──apparently named Masayoshi. Whether it’s truly a misunderstanding or not, he’s desperately trying to explain, but Asaki doesn’t seem inclined to engage.

「Anyway, who is he? Isn’t it rude for you to just barge in like that!?」

On this point, he was absolutely right. Regardless of the reason, barging into an important discussion is an extremely rude act.

「Ah, I’m sorry about that. I do think it was rude.」

Since I was aware of it, I decided to apologize.

「But it’s not something that can be forgiven with an apology, and I don’t intend to ask for forgiveness. I’m pretty used to being resented, so feel free to hold a grudge.」

However, I didn’t feel the need to ask for forgiveness from someone I might never meet again, so I told him it was fine if he didn’t forgive me.

If it’s taken as a provocation, so be it.

「Besides, I believe I already mentioned who Shou-niisama is. He is the person who will become my partner──」

「That’s just an excuse to reject this proposal, isn’t it?」

「What do you mean?」

「Surely, at Asaki-san’s age, there might be resistance to deciding on a future partner through omiai. But I think it’s hasty to ruin this discussion by preparing such a false reason.」

In other words, Masayoshi-san seems to think that Asaki is using me as an excuse to reject the marriage proposal because she doesn’t want to go through with the omiai itself.

「Besides, the omiai is just a starting point for getting to know each other. So it’s not like we’re immediately talking about marriage, wouldn’t it be better to have a more relaxed discussion and then decide whether to reject it or not?」

「I see. I think what Masayoshi-san says is quite reasonable.」

What was somewhat surprising was that Asaki responded with words of affirmation to Masayoshi-san’s argument.

Why was it surprising? Well, because Asaki is pinching the hem of her skirt with her fingers.

So I thought for sure that Asaki would flatly reject Masayoshi-san’s argument.

「However──」

But that thought was short-lived, as it seems she won’t end with just affirmation.

「Even if the omiai is just a starting point, it’s still a setting based on the premise of marriage. If that’s the case, it’s unnecessary for me, and I don’t feel the need to get to know each other. Moreover, it’s your freedom to think that I’m preparing a false reason, but from the person’s perspective, it’s extremely unpleasant.」

「So you really are in a lover’s relationship with him?」

「We’ve long passed the stage of love, so perhaps “beloved partner” would be more accurate.」

「Oi, wait a minute, Asaki.」

Asakii!? What are you saying!? Even I couldn’t help but scream in my mind at this.

See? Everyone around us looks like they can’t close their gaping mouths!!

「B-Beloved partner…?」

「Yes, of course, I mean it in the sense of a person I love. Well, you can interpret it however you like.」

Asaki drops another bombshell as if to provoke further. No, that’s not right. I think, but I keep my mouth shut.

「P-Please, enough with the jokes. Can you even prove that?」

「Proof, you say. Are you suggesting we make a child here?」

「That’s a ridiculous idea.」

I can’t help but interject. Although I seriously question why I have to be the one to interject.

And what was my purpose for coming here again…?

The plan was to barge into the omiai meeting and forcibly take Asaki home, but contrary to my expectations, I found myself in a position where I had to admonish Asaki.

「T-That’s going too far… There must be other ways, right? Like ki──」

「Mugu!?」

As if predicting Masayoshi-san’s words, Asaki suddenly leaned in and covered my mouth.

At the same time, I felt a soft sensation where our lips touched… Oi!?

It happened so suddenly, and in such an unromantic situation, that I didn’t realize what had happened for a moment.

But with Asaki’s forehead so close it seemed like we might bump, and the soft sensation on my lips, there was no way I couldn’t understand what had happened.

I was bewildered by Asaki’s sudden kiss, but I couldn’t exactly push her away, so I was completely at her mercy.

Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that I was frozen. As my confusion gradually subsided and I thought Asaki would soon pull away.

──Nyururi. I felt something soft and slightly rough invade my mouth.

Sensing danger in that sensation, I hurriedly pulled my face away from Asaki. At the same time, I remembered I had forgotten to breathe and exhale with a “puhah”.

Looking at Asaki, I could see she seemed somewhat unsatisfied. She’s not embarrassed but looks disappointed, what’s that supposed to mean…?

「Is this sufficient?」

「Y-Yeah. After going that far, I really can’t say anything… I’m sorry for doubting you. Let’s forget this ever happened. Father, shall we go home…」

「M-Masayoshi!! Wait!! Kujou-san, I will demand an explanation for this matter at a later date!!」

「Shijou-san!? Please wait!!」

Masayoshi-san leaves the room looking dejected, not listening to his father’s voice trying to stop him. It’s like his mind is elsewhere.

Chasing after him, Masayoshi-san’s father and Asaki’s mother left the room in a flurry.

As a result, only Asaki and I are left in the room.

「By the way, you definitely used your tongue just now.」

「Isn’t that what a kiss is supposed to be?」

No, I wouldn’t know that. But more importantly, I want to question why it was necessary to go that far here and now.

「That was my first time, you know?」

Conversely, I don’t understand why Asaki is so experienced. Could it be that with someone before…? I thought and felt a bit miffed. It’s not like I had any particular attachment to my first kiss, but still, shouldn’t there be more atmosphere and a better place for it?

「First time, you say?」

「I mean the kiss just now. Maybe it wasn’t your first time, but I’ve never kissed anyone before.」

Maybe it was jealousy. I ended up saying more than I should have.

「Ahh, I see. That’s what you meant.」

At first, Asaki looked at me with a puzzled expression, as if wondering what I was talking about, but then she nodded as if she understood.

「Indeed, it wasn’t my first time. Rather, I’ve done it many times.」

「I see…」

I felt the vague emotion I had earlier grow a little bigger.

No matter what kind of relationship Asaki had with someone in the past, it shouldn’t matter to the Asaki of now. I tell myself that, but still, I can’t help but be curious.

「Asaki, um, what kind of relationship did you have with your first partner?」

I might regret asking. Or Asaki might dislike me for asking, but I couldn’t help but ask.