Himari's parents looked at each other in disbelief while Himari just blushed slightly while she covered her face.
Oooh! What is he doing? Himari thought.
Akira had already bowed his head like a respectful young child as he asked Himari's parents again. "Please let me date your daughter with marriage in mind." Akira finally dropped the bomb.
Himari's parents now wore shocked expressions on their faces.
Marriage!? Is he serious? Himari's parents thought.
Himari's parents weren't the only ones who were shocked. Himari herself had her mouth wide open when he said that.
Himari felt like Akira was moving too fast. Dating was one thing but marriage? That's something you had to think about.
After a period of silence, Himari's mom broke the ice with a question. "What do you like about our daughter?"
Himari's mom honestly couldn't believe that someone as great as him would like their normal daughter. It would have been another thing if having a relationship with their daughter was beneficial to him but it wasn't. They had no power or anything that could help the Watanabe family in any way.
So why?
Akira looked at Himari when her mom asked that question. Himari, who had been staring at Akira for his bold request blushed when they made eye contact.
Himari looked away shyly but looked at him again and noticed that he was still looking at her with affectionate eyes. Himari blushed harder when she noticed that.
Akira smiled at her reaction and then answered the question he was asked. "I've known your daughter for a considerable amount of time now. And I was attracted by some of her... Should I say charms?" He chuckled slightly then continued. "She's pretty, cute and I mean real." Akira continued to list all her qualities from her fashion sense to her character.
As Akira listed all Himari qualities, Her face became flushed, now her face was as red as a tomato.
"And finally, the charm that attracted me the most was her devotion to her family." Akira looked at Himari's parents seriously.
"I know you might think I want to use Himari for my gain but it is the opposite. I truly like her. I like her very much. I like her so much that I'd do anything to protect her. So please." He bowed his head once more.
Himari's parents could see the tenderness in the eyes of Akira and they thought he was being really sincere. He has strong feelings for their daughter.
It'll be nice to have a rich son-in-law. Himari's dad thought.
"It's okay we understand. You can raise your head now." said Himari's mom.
Akira raised his head slightly. "Does this mean you approve of our relationship?" Akira asked.
"Yes, it does." Himari's mom said with a smile.
"Please, treat our daughter well." Himari's dad added.
When Akira heard their statement, he leaped to Himari's side and held her hand.
"Did you hear that? As of today, you're my girlfriend. So no takebacks, you are mine and mine alone." Akira said exuberantly
"Your girlfriend.." Himari mumbled softly.
Honestly, Himari's love life wasn't anything special. The only relationship she has ever had was with Shuji. Although they were in a relationship, they never kissed, held hands, or hugged. They only blushed when they saw each other. So, she didn't know how to act like a good girlfriend.
Girlfriend... Himari repeated in her mind before blushing.
The thought of her dating Akira gave her a warm and fuzzy feeling in her heart.
"Hehe.." Himari chuckled.
"Oooh! What are you thinking about?" Akira said with mischief in his eyes.
"N-Nothing!" Himari quickly denied it.
"Hmmm? Now I want to know." Akira said as he leaned in close to Himari.
Himari was moving back until she finally hit the bed frame and Akira's face was very close to hers.
"If you don't tell me the truth, I'm going to kiss you." Akira said as he licked his lips.
What a beast! Himari thought to herself.
"I didn't think of anything like that..." Himari then puffed her cheeks then mumbled. "I just thought that it would be nice to date you."
Akira smiled and kissed her forehead. "I feel the same way too."
Himari blushed at his gesture. Himari's parents, who were still in the room, coughed awkwardly.
Akira's face flushed with embarrassment when he noticed her parents were still present.
"Okay, we'll be leaving now." They said as they waved their hands.
"Have fun you two." Himari's mom said with a mischievous look on her face which meant: Have fun and get me a grandchild. A cute granddaughter please.
Mom! Himari thought.
"My men will accompany you to your hotel." Akira said as he signaled to his men.
"Thank you so much. We're leaving now." With that, Himari's parents left the room leaving Himari and Akira all alone in the room.
"Em, Hima, I have something to tell you." Akira said.
"What is it?" Himari asked thinking of what it could be.
"Tomorrow, we'll be moving out of our house."
"Oh..." Himari processed the information and then revealed a shocked expression.
"Moving!?"
...
Meanwhile, shortly after Himari's parents arrived at the hotel, they heard someone knock on their door. Himari's dad unlocked the door and then he bowed his head slightly when he saw the person who knocked.
The person appeared to be a middle-aged man who was about fifty years of age, he had two bodyguards at his side indicating that he was a man of wealth. He also had a family crest imprinted on his suit with the word "Knowledge" written at the bottom of the crest.
"Welcome back to Japan sir. " Himari's dad said respectfully.
"It's good to be back." The old man said before he sat down on a sofa in their hotel room. "Let's cut to the chase," The old man now had a serious look on his face.
"I want to know everything that has happened to her and where she is now."