Last period of school. Something unexpected happened and things fasten up. This isn't good. Quiet a problem rather.
We were supposed to talk to her mother but Kurisu just informed me that his father is coming along too.
It shouldn't be like this. I feel pressured all of a sudden, this can't be happening. I'm still quite unsure how I would face her father.
It can't be helped. Let's see what his father has to say. He must have a reason to suddenly appear like this in front of her daughter.
The problem is if Kurisu is ready to face his father. This would be a face-to-face with the truth.
Kurisu is stealing glances at me and couldn't sit still. She's being agitated and worried. Feeling uneasy about the unexpected turn of events.
Well, I can't blame her since I'm feeling the same. But since this is a chance let's see what's gonna happen.
Classes ended and we headed outside the school gate. Her butler would come to pick us up after school and he was there standing beside a black limousine. He's somewhat around 25 to 30 years of age. With good stature.
We approached him and he bowed.
"Kurisu-sama, Asamura-sama, let's go."
He's gentlemanly as usual. The atmosphere around him showing professionalism.
Inside the black car is two-seat from the back. Kurisu is quiet and hasn't spoken a word since we left the school grounds.
"How are you Kurisu? Are you prepared for this?" Her body flickered when I asked her.
She has a face that tells she's isn't feeling well. She's looking down the whole time.
"Honestly, I'm not feeling well. I don't know how I will talk to my father."
So I held her hand and spoke.
"Don't worry, I'm here with you." I assured her. I promised anyway.
She held my hand back tightly. Then she smiled.
We reached a building owned by her family. A floor building with glasses walls. We are supposed to meet on a private floor here.
We got out of the car and Kurisu gave her gratitude to her butler.
"Thank you Kudo-san." She said.
He only bowed and close the door. He turns gaze at me and whispered.
Please take care of Kurisu-sama, Asamura-sama~
I gave a nod. He returned a smile after that.
We entered the building and took the elevator. Seems like we'll meet on the highest floor which is the 20th.
We took off the elevator and a beautiful maid greeted us. She's wearing an expensive-looking maid uniform fashionably which is very elegant. This is what to be expected from a rich family.
"Welcome back Kurisu-sama, Asamura-sama. Master is waiting."
"I'm back Airi! I miss you." Kurisu suddenly jumped to her and took the maid Airi-san by surprise. She showed a cute pout after.
"Ah! Kurisu-sama geez! Save it for later!"
Even if you pout surely like that. She complained smiling.
They look so close like sisters and it's a pleasant view.
"Let's go, Aki!"
The maid heard that and quickly looked at me with a suspicious smile. I felt chills from that. She's scary!
Then she started walking and we followed. What the heck is with her!
From there a wide living room appeared with expensive-looking sofas, chandeliers, and paintings, and antique pieces of stuff illuminating their wealth. This room is full of luxuries.
There sitting Kurisu's father. He looks young like just around his 30s and her mother is a beauty wearing expensive-looking diamond earrings and a necklace.
Blonde hair, blue eyes, and a pretty face, his father is a handsome guy with a relaxing ambiance around him. Kurisu inherited her gleaming silver hair from her mother. With emerald pale blue eyes, long sooty eyelashes, and a beautiful face void of imperfections.
Affluent and celebrity-looking people.
But since I'm here I clenched my teeth. I need to get a hold of myself and keep my cool as long as I can.
"Hello there Aki-kun. I didn't expect we'll meet again and to see you together with my daughter." Daisuke-san greeted me.
"Thank you for always taking care of my daughter Aki-kun. Please take a seat." Miya-san added.
"You don't have to be formal with us. Call us by names too. It's easier to talk that way." Daisuke-san notified me.
"Yes, I will do that then. Thanks for having me, Daisuke-san, Miya-san." I bowed after saying that.
"How cool of you Aki. I like that." Daisuke-san uttered.
I could only smile. I don't even know what kind of reply I'll give them.
"So what's the relationship between you two?" Miya-san asked teasing us.
We turn gazes at each other and Kurisu only looked at me speechless. I figured I'd be the only one doing the talking.
"We're friends and classmates now. I was invited over by Kurisu."
Kurisu looked over me looking confused. Don't speak a word Kurisu.
"How nice and to think both of you are already calling each other by names." Miya-san teases us.
"We're close enough for that" Kurisu retorted.
"Haha, I see." Her father said.
Then maids came and handed us tea and puddings with shortcakes.
"Please eat a lot, Aki," Miya-san told me.
"So why are you here father? Aren't you busy?" Kurisu asked her father.
"Yeah, of course, I'm busy but I can make time to meet my lovely daughter and her boyfriend I guess."
"We aren't like that though!" Kurisu retorted.
"I see that's a shame," Daisuke-san answered.
Why would you say it's a shame when you're getting your daughter into an arranged marriage. I don't get him.
I looked over Kurisu signaling her to go away from now. She gets it and leaves.
"I will go to the restroom." She said and left.
I told her earlier to give me a chance to talk to her parents alone. I don't want her to hear some of the stuff I need to say.
"So what's the purpose of your visit Aki." Miya-san asked.
Looks like they caught up to my purpose and directly ask. They're being perceptive and it's easier that way.
"I'm here to talk about Kurisu's arrange marriage Miya-san. I wanna put a stop to it."
Daisuke-san and Miya-san suddenly stopped moving. The turn gazes at me and spoke.
I took a deep breath and listen to them.
"I see, so Kurisu told you about that." Daisuke-san muttered.
The atmosphere turned cold. It's heavy.
"What did she tell you, Aki." Miya-san asked.
"Kurisu told me that due to her being the only child of this family she has to bear a child soon that will manage the company. A tradition of the family that should be followed."
I answered. I need to take this step by step. I cannot lose track of this discussion otherwise it will be over.
"That's correct. For the tradition, she must be married to bear a son. This company won't function without a head." Daisuke-san said.
I expected he would say that. A blatant lie. I could follow that.
"How are you gonna put a stop to her arranged marriage Aki. Just so you know it was already set in place." Miya-san set a white flag over me.
"It was set but that doesn't mean it couldn't be canceled. Also, that tradition is shitty and very old-fashioned to believe." I spoke frankly.
"Heh, you've got guts, Aki! I like you now." Daisuke-san said.
"T-thank you?" I was stuttering.
"So what do you mean by that Aki?" Miya-san asked.
"Exactly what I said. It's a very old-fashioned way to follow and a blatant lie to believe. That's not enough of a reason why Daisuke-san is so fixated on arranging a marriage for Kurisu. If that's even real, Daisuke-san having a mistress would be much easier than arranging a marriage for Kurisu which would take even longer."
"Hmm, why would you say that Aki?" Daisuke-san asked. He's looking at me intensely.
"Daisuke-san loves Miya-san and Kurisu too much that he won't take a mistress for himself. It's true that the family tradition is still there but doesn't mean that Daisuke-san even cares about it."
"So the question is why Daisuke-san is fixated in arranging a marriage for Kurisu." I added.
"Don't tell me Kyouske and Ayase told you about that." Daisuke-san wanna clarify.
I gave a nod. Then he bursts out laughing.
"Hahaha, I've been found out! Those two geez! I should fire them!"
Don't fire my parent, please! They care about you and your family more than you think Daisuke-san.
While I'm making a weird face, he noticed and smiled.
"I won't fire them I'm kidding Ahaha!
"What's more did they tell you, Aki!" Miya-san asked.
Surprisingly, Miya-san is very composed and keeping a cool face.
"My parents told me about Daisuke-san's illness and the competition on the ownership of the family business. Your illness must never come out in public for security reasons of the company and your family. So I have a proposal." I declared.
With all this, I already knew they won't be able to say no to what I have to say. Who knows what would slip from this room. This is the perfect blackmail.
I'm aware I might get hated for this not only by Daisuke-san and Miya-san but Kurisu will hate me most for keeping this a secret to her and using this irrational method I came up with. My parents are in a grave situation too.
My mind is getting heavy. I might pass out right this instant. I'm doing something I never thought I'll do in my whole life. My mouth is getting bitter. This is not me. I never thought that this will drive me crazy. But-
I can't give up yet. I can't let this poison consumes me alive. For Kurisu's sake and for involving my parents. I clenched my teeth once again and spoke.
"I want you to cancel Kurisu's arrange marriage and let Kurisu handle the company. It's not late yet and with her outstanding talent and right guidance she would be able to do it."
A kid like me doesn't have the right to speak of the adult world. How could I be sure that Marika would be able to handle the company? I couldn't be sure of it.
"With this everything that we've talked about here will stay here." I closed the deal.
Now let's see what they have to say.
"Let me ask one thing. What pushes you to go this far to help my daughter Aki." Daisuke-san asked sincerely.
I think telling them about my past that pushes me to help Kurisu might be better. I already accepted that past of mine.
"When I was in middle school I had no direction. I didn't have the motivation and everything I saw was lifeless. I even felt I don't belong in this world. That was suffocating and I suffered from that until someone saved me. She showed me how beautiful the world is. And I exist in this world for a reason. Might be a different situation but I know that Kurisu is suffering and having the same difficulties. She doesn't know her purpose and doesn't wanna accept a life of an arranged marriage. I don't want her to think that her parents only see her as an accessory for the company. I wanna help her at all costs. I promised."
"I see. That must've been hard." Miya-san got my point and looked at me with empathy.
So what would be their decision? I need to settle this once right now.