*Some time later*
In a spacious, luxuriously decorated hall sat a young beauty, nervously looking around.
Soon, the sound of footsteps caught her attention, and a group of people approached.
At the head was a boy very familiar to the young woman.
She glanced at him for a moment but then averted her gaze, embarrassed, drawing the attention of the others in the group.
However, the boy didn't seem to mind and approached, taking the young woman into his arms, leaving everyone, including the young woman, astonished.
With a sweet voice, he said,
Tadano: "Did I keep you waiting long?" he said while holding her.
Feeling embarrassed by her position, the young woman still gathered the courage to reply in a very low voice, almost a whisper:
Komi: "N-No, I d-didn't wait long."
Tadano: "Alright… before I tell you my answer, how about you tell me how you ended up here?" he said as he sat on the luxurious sofa, still holding the young woman in his arms.
Though somewhat embarrassed by her situation, the young woman began to slowly narrate the events that brought her to this place, speaking softly. The pair seemed to get lost in their own world, while the rest watched from afar.
Gan'an: "Uhmm… so there's another one. Not to mention she's a dazzling beauty… not only does she have the heiress of an influential family eating out of her hand, but she also has this shy beauty eating out of her hand," the man said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, only to burst into laughter shortly afterward.
Gan'an: "HAHAHA! Worthy of being my son. So young and already with a future second wife!" he laughed animatedly, or attempted to, before being fiercely hit in the side, causing him to groan in pain and nearly cough up blood.
Jeanne: "Quiet! My son isn't a womanizer. He may be somewhat flirtatious, a bit sweet with his words, and perhaps a bit of a womanizer. But he'll never be a bad man! … Eh? What did I just say?" the woman said, somewhat confused by her own logic.
Gan'an rolled his eyes at his wife and sighed.
Gan'an: "Well, at least he's inherited my good eye for women," the man said as he looked up and down at the young woman in his son's arms.
Jeanne: "What do you mean?" she said with a dangerous tone.
Gan'an: "I, Gan'an, always recognize beauty when I see it…" he said before feeling a cold grip on his shoulder.
Gan'an: "I-I'm also able to sense character… and just like you back then. This young woman is a tranquil beauty with a warm and kind heart," he said as he looked into the eyes of the woman behind him.
Jeanne blushed and quickly slapped Gan'an's head, causing him to fall miserably to the floor.
The pair of servants behind him smiled at the miserable state of their boss. With nostalgia, they remembered the year when this same situation constantly repeated before them.
*Some time later*
In a spacious dining room, the group of people was having lunch. The head maid, Nao, was giving orders while a small group of servants attended to the people at the table. The servant Masato had gone out to attend to important matters.
*Tadano POV*
Tadano: "Well, Komi-San, let me reintroduce you…" I said, pointing to my mother sitting not far away.
Tadano: "She's Tadano Jeanne, my mother… Although should I call you now Shinomiya Jeanne?"
Jeanne: "You don't have to worry about that, Hito-Chan. Tadano is my original last name, so it's fine for you to keep using it. I try not to appear related to the Shinomiyas as much as possible."
Seeing Gan'an's proud aura diminish a bit, my mother quickly turned and spoke.
Jeanne: "No… you don't have to worry about this, Gan-Kun. It's just that I'm a bit clumsy, so I don't want to accidentally expose myself, okay? Don't get depressed," my mother said nervously as she tried to console Gan'an, who seemed somewhat dejected.
Shinomiya: "Is she his mother or something? Where's the cold and ruthless man from my memories?" he snapped, somewhat annoyed by the change.
Nagisa: "This situation brings back some nice memories hehehe," she said cheerfully.
Tomoya: "What do you mean? I was never that pathetic!" he grumbled angrily.
Though I couldn't see it, I felt as if Nagisa and Shinomiya gave Tomoya blank looks.
True to her usual attitude, Komi wrote in her notebook and introduced herself politely.
Komi: "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Tadano and Mr. Shinomiya. Sorry for the late introduction."
My mother smiled upon seeing Komi's notebook and, taking Gan'an by the arm, positioned him in front of Komi.
Jeanne: "You don't need to be so polite, dear. We already met at the entrance, right? Well, leaving that aside, let me reintroduce myself. My name is Tadano Jeanne, and I'm Hito-Chan's mother. This here is my husband, Shinomiya Gan'an. He has a tough guy face by nature, but don't worry, he's very kind deep down," my mother said as she introduced herself and Gan'an in a friendly manner.
Gan'an sighed and said.
Gan'an: "Hmph… thank your parents for your good genetics. If you were just an ordinary woman, you wouldn't be worthy of being with my s… Ugh!" the man spoke before quickly being hit on the head by Jeanne.
Jeanne: "Ignore him, dear. This guy just has a filthy mouth. What he really meant to say is that he's delighted to meet you," my mother said reassuringly to a Komi-San who was on the verge of tears upon hearing that she wouldn't be worthy.
Gan'an: "But I…" he tried to retort but wisely stopped speaking when he saw the aura emanating from his wife.
Jeanne: "Anyway… tell me, dear, how are things going for you at school?"
So we spent the time chatting, and even Gan'an let out a few comments, although this time he wisely held back his sharp tongue.
Tadano: "Are you sure he'll come?" I asked Tomoya in my head.
Tomoya: "Yes… but be prepared. I feel like his arrival will cause quite a stir. I don't know how to explain it, I just feel it," he said mysteriously.
Shinomiya: "Well, you had this ability back then too. You're quite special when we think about it."
Nagisa: "Hehe, I always knew Tomoya-Kun was someone very special and cool," the young woman said.
Tomoya: "Just shut up, you're embarrassing me…" the young man complained in a annoyed tone, though there was a small smile on his face.
Ignoring the animated comments in my head, I waited while chatting with Komi-San, with occasional remarks from my parents.
It was a nice moment until Masato suddenly entered the dining room with a look of horror on his face.
Gan'an frowned upon seeing our good moment being interrupted.
He quickly exclaimed,
Gan'an: "It better be something important if you're barging in like this…" he said with a sharp tone.
Jeanne: "Now, now, calm down a bit and let him speak…" she said soothingly.
Knowing what was coming, I whispered to Komi-San's ear.
Tadano: "Whatever happens, stay close to me, okay?"
Komi-San looked puzzled for a second but nodded in agreement anyway.
I smiled seeing her nod and leaned a bit closer to her. I could feel she was still a bit scared, but having me nearby seemed to calm her a bit. Although she still clung to my clothes under the table.
Tadano: "She's very Cute."
Shinomiya: "..."
Nagisa: "Yes, I agree."
Tomoya: "She reminds me a bit of Kotomi for some reason."
Tadano: "You know, you don't have to respond to every thought I have..."
Shinomiya: "This won't last long, it's just a matter of getting used to it..."
*Sigh*
Masato: "Gan'an-Sama! This is bad! The Otori are…" the man tried to say before being interrupted by the abrupt entrance of a group of armed men in soldier-like uniforms. The letters "O G" were visible on their chests.
Author's note: Well here you have your chapter. This author is feeling a little better now so he was kind and brought you one more chapter. He remembers to drink a lot of water and that I love you very much, sincerely your favorite depressive author.
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