" So, you studied abroad before coming back to the country?" Yamada Kiyo wondered.
She seemed pleasantly surprised to discover this, even though Takao suspected that his uncle had already told the young woman about it. After all, this guy always found devious ways to achieve his ends.
It seemed that inviting two young people to a French restaurant was his way of getting them closer without too much intervention from him.
Well, that was a failure, uncle,' thought Takao.
Sure, he was enjoying a pretty good meal that he couldn't afford, but he wouldn't be bought off.
Even if he had been initially captured by the more than notable beauty of the woman who was keeping them company tonight.
However, he had soon noticed that Miss Yamada had gone hunting for information, like any woman looking for a shoe to fit her foot. Or if possible, limited edition luxury high heel to her foot.
Thus, he was in the uncomfortable position of a potential marriage partner, while he did not have that in mind at all. She was asking him questions, as if she was checking a pre-established list, and he was answering, in order to quickly change the subject of the discussion in progress.
He had tried to talk about the company and his future job, or even about his uncle's health, but in the end, Ms. Yamada always had the last word.
Which became tiresome, in the end; and he wondered if the coq au vin really deserved this mental torture in return.
"Are you thinking of taking over the business, following in your uncle's footsteps?" She asked.
Ah.
Of course.
This famous question was coming up again, and it wasn't even his uncle who had mentioned it this time.
Could it be that they had both agreed to change his mind on the subject? If so, it was in very bad taste.
"He's still hesitating, but I think working at Marline will do him good," Utagawa Tetsu agreed.
And off he goes...
It was time for the waltz of innuendo and coercion.
"So, is it official then?" Kiyo questioned him with renewed interest. "He's going to work for you?"
Work for him? What was all this about again?
He was doing him a favor by filling a time-limited position, and it was a win-win.
"I'm sure he'll love the company, and will want to find out more," added the older Utagawa.
No way.
He had other plans, and this first job as a staff manager was merely a stepping stone to his future career.
Big companies weren't his thing. It was too impersonal, too polished, too orderly.
"Who knows, I might have a successor before the end of the year, and even a grandson!" Smiled the old man cheerfully.
The dishes shook with a messy clatter as Takao's fist slammed into the table, breaking the uniform background sound of the restaurant created by the chatter of the customers, the background music, and the sound of the used cutlery.
The silence was brief, however, because like a wave coming and going on the beach, the refined hubbub of the restaurant resumed its rights.
Now they had officially passed the point of no return.
"Uncle, I believe I told you that I had no intention of taking over your business," Takao scolded with a disapproving look.
Then, getting up from the table, he began to rummage through his wallet to carelessly throw a 5,000 yen bill on the table, before turning to the young heiress.
"I'm sorry, Yamada-san, but I think there's been a misunderstanding about my intentions," he apologized while bowing slightly forward.
He hurriedly left the table and went to the checkroom to retrieve his belongings, leaving Kiyo and old Utagawa in the dust.
The latter sighed for a long time and grunted in frustration.
"I'm sorry, Yamada-san," said Tetsu. "My nephew can be very stubborn..."
Kiyo smiled sympathetically, the purple of her lipstick glowing slightly under the strong light of the chandelier above their heads.
"You don't have to apologize, Utagawa-san," she replied, resting her elbow on the table and leaning her cheek on her palm. " One thing at a time..."
The old man let out another weary sigh, and glanced dully at the crumpled bill lying in the middle of the table.
"What an ungrateful brat..." He said in a low voice.
Kiyo, as for her, silently clicked her tongue against her teeth.
The first contact had been a failure...
This guy seemed more difficult to uncover and to approach than any potential heir of a company. He was suspicious, and closed in on himself.
Then she started to smile.
Perfect.
This guy would be just fine. Especially if he cared little or nothing about others, and didn't care about the company.
"Is everything okay, Yamada-san?" Old Tetsu asked, raising a ruffled eyebrow.
The businessman's gruff voice brought her back to the present moment, and she quickly decided to hide her small, calculating smile with a bigger, more charming one; all the while staring at her father's friend with her wide eyes.
"Your nephew is very interesting, Utagawa-san. I look forward to learning more about him." She said with a captivated voice.
The old man was taken in by this enchanting attitude, and laughed heartily.
"I've already sent you his information and profile, for a potential marriage," he explained. "After all, it was your father who asked me to find you someone suitable. However... I think we could go further."
Oh, so that old rascal already had another idea in mind?
Things were taking an interesting turn...
"What do you think, when you say 'go further', Utagawa-san?" She asked with a sparkling look.
Utagawa Tetsu seemed to think for a moment, then, taking his fork in hand to tackle the duck gratin set before him, said:
"I'm going to need your father's permission, but I think he'll understand, if it's for his daughter's marital good."
Would you look at that...
In the end, she probably wouldn't have to make the slightest effort.
And if everything went according to her expectations, she would have far more than she could ever hope to possess.