Jii-chan and I paused.
I take a sip from the coffee Ruriko brought for us.
Oh, Misuzu and Ruriko are still standing.
I forgot to ask them to sit down since I got too focused on my conversation with Jii-chan.
I an, should I be the one to tell them to sit down?
While I was thinking...
「 Misuzu, you won’t be able to drink coffee if you’re standing. Sit down 」
「 Yes, Grandfather 」
Misuzu finally takes a seat.
「 What about Ruriko? 」
「 I still need to accompany everyone over there 」
Ruriko’s seat is on the other table with the other young ladies?
That said, there are multiple tables here.
I look around, making sure that I don’t look at the girls.
My tension loosened up from my conversation with Jii-chan. Yeah, that helped. I can now observe in calm.
Err.
Oh, I see. Misuzu gathered only the girls in her school who have personal bodyguards with them.
That ans, they’re all ladies from the noble-of-noble families.
Oh. I see.
Naturally, so girls aren’t that familiar with Kouzuki house.
Those girls have no other purpose in coming other than the individual lessons for the bodyguards...
Oh, there’s a girl separate from the other ladies, and have only her bodyguard standing right beside her in a table.
I think that girl is hostile towards Kouzuki house.
No, maybe, she’s just a lone wolf.
It’s not all ordinary young ladies, there should be so oddballs here too.
Like, Misuzu and Ruriko are quite perverted...
「 I see. You still have to look after your friends. You can go back to them 」
Jii-chan tells Ruriko.
「 Yes, if you’d excuse . Grandfather, Onii-sama 」
Ruriko bows her head to us and returns to her seat while carrying the tray.
「 R-Ruriko-sama, I could’ve been the one to give Kouzuki Kakka his tea... 」
Huh?
「 T-That’s right. Ruriko-sama, think that you’re doing such a thing 」
Oh right.
I got used to Ruriko doing that in the house recently...
They think that a lady of Kouzuki house shouldn’t carry tea.
「 No, it’s my role... 」
Ruriko said.
「 Grandfather and Onii-sama are dear to . I cannot ask anyone else to do that 」
「 My, Ruriko-sama already calls him “Onii-sama”? 」
The ladies look at .
「 Yes, he’s my big brother 」
It’s publicly acknowledged that I’m Misuzu’s fiance.
Then, Jii-chan and Ruriko both show that they accept it with pleasure.
「 That’s your apotheosis 」
Jii-chan whispers to . He’s smiling.
「 Puff your chest with pride. Take a composed stance. 」
「 Indeed, there’s hardly anyone here who’ll do anything malicious 」
Misuzu whispers to my ear...
Then...
「 E-Excuse !! 」
That one lady occupying the table alone stands up and cos over here.
Long black hair, tall figure. Wearing a purple dress and a pearl necklace. A beauty in her high-school, I think.
And behind her is her bodyguard, she’s short-haired and is wearing school uniform.
I-Is that okay?
I an, would Ootoku-san and Choumoto-san stop the two?
The two giants aren’t moving.
That ans, they don’t see the young lady and her bodyguard as threats.
Ah, I can see the short-haired bodyguard offended by it.
She sensed that they ignored her fighting strength.
「 Pleased to et you. I’m Torii Mariko!! 」
The young lady greeted elegantly.
「 Father has been in your care. It’s a great honor to et you today 」
Jii-chan ignored the lady and looked at Misuzu.
「 Who’s this lady? 」
Misuzu replies, calmly.
「 Torii Mariko-sama, or so she says 」
「 Is she your acquaintance? 」
「 No, we’re at the different school year. If I recall, she’s the daughter of the chairman of “Torii electronics” 」
「 Oh, Torii-kun... 」
Jii-chan speaks in ill humor.
「 Y-Yes, I’m Torii Youzou’s granddaughter! 」
The young lady continues her self-appeal, unable to read the mood that she’s ignored.
「 So, what about it? 」
Jii-chan speaks like he’s looking at an insect.
「 U-Uhm, I-I would like to express my gratitude for the invi-... 」
「 I didn’t invite you here. Misuzu and Ruriko are the hosts of this gathering? 」
Jii-chan said.
Yoshiko-san’s na isn’t ntioned.
That’s because so people didn’t like about that sudden announcent that Yoshiko-san is Jii-chan’s granddaughter.
It should’ve been Yoshiko-san, Ruriko’s attendant who should’ve handed tea to Jii-chan and . If it was back then.
Seeing that Ruriko brought it to us herself shows that Yoshiko-san is no longer her attendant.
Yoshiko-san, who never leaves Ruriko’s side back then, isn’t anywhere.
Maybe she’s with Shou-neechan and Rei-chan.
「 This is the mansion of the Kouzuki head house. I don’t mind if Misuzu and Ruriko invite their friends. Didn’t my granddaughters invite you? You’re not my guest, are you? 」
Mariko-san starts trembling...
「 H-However, K-Kouzuki-sama...Misuzu-sama’s grandfather is present... 」
「 So what about it? 」
「 I-If I don’t give my greetings, m-my grandfather will scold ! 」
Jii-chan...
「 That’s your circumstances. I couldn’t care less about it 」
He glared at Mariko-san...
「 Mariko-san, just apologize to Kakka and co back here!
Ah, the lone wolf calls out on Mariko-san from the other table.
She’s wearing a wine red dress, a mature-looking young lady.
「 It’s just Mariko’s reasoning. Kakka wouldn’t go out of his way to greet us all one-by-one. Do you really want to ask Kakka to do sothing that troubleso? 」
Oh, I see.
If he satisfied Torii-san...
Then, Jii-chan would have to greet every girl in here and talk like, “is your grandfather doing well?”
「 Well, forgive , I’m the head of the longstanding Kouzuki family, I’m not royalty nor politician 」
If he was royalty or a politician, then, he would greet everyone, and have a short conversation with them, so service for popularity stunts, but.
Jii-chan isn’t obligated to do that.
「 This isn’t a formal party either. It’s just my house. It’s within my privilege to drink tea wherever I please as it is my house. I ca here because I was having a conversation with Kuromori-kun, and you were here, that’s all. It’s within my freedom whether I greet or not my granddaughter’s friends 」
Jii-chan owns this house, and he’s also the head of Kouzuki clan. He looks down on all the young ladies in here.
Jii-chan can be friendly with their Grandfathers or parents. Still, the young ladies were only guests invited by Misuzu and Ruriko.
It’s Jii-chan’s decision on how to deal with the guests of his granddaughters.
Therefore, Jii-chan didn’t greet the girls, saying, “Everyone, thank you for coming today.”
He didn’t co here just to greet the young ladies.
He didn’t even co in while giving a slight nod to not be rude with them, he ca, while still talking to .
「 Do you not understand my position, do you? 」
Then, Jii-chan is a man of power.
Those who think that they can bow their heads thoughtlessly and speak to Jii-chan like they’re intimate aren’t allowed.
The gathering today is only for the young ladies in Misuzu’s school who has a personal bodyguard.
If Jii-chan were to have a good conversation with all these ladies, how would the other clan see that?
Misunderstandings must be avoided.
「 I ca here to show up. I think that alone is enough for your gratitude 」
Jii-chan looked at Mariko-san.
「 When you co ho, tell your grandfather that I showed up on a party Misuzu and Ruriko hosted. Torii-kun would be surprised 」
Shiba-san’s the one managing the Kouzuki group now, but still, Jii-chan is a busy man.
He’s busy, and yet, he still ca to watch his granddaughter’s situation.
If the ladies deliver that to their parents and grandparents, it will send a ssage that Jii-chan loves his granddaughters.
Therefore, just from showing up, Jii-chan showed it all.
On top of that, Jii-chan doesn’t need to greet all the young ladies in here...
Despite that...
Torii Mariko-san was unable to read the situation and presented herself before Jii-chan.
「 If Torii-kun were to know that you tried to call out to , he would be perplexed. He will surely scold you. No, if it’s him, he would call to apologize. And that is just another trouble for . If I recall, he has a weak heart. You shouldn’t make your Grandfather worry too much 」
Jii-chan speaks kindly, but it’s cold.
「 I-I’m very sorry 」
Mariko-san bowed her head and tries to return to her seat.
「 No, wait 」
Jii-chan called her.
「 Y-Yes?! W-W-W-What about ? 」
「 Is there anyone else? Also 」
Jii-chan looked at the girl who warned Mariko-san.
「 You, the lass who called out to her. Yes, you 」
The girl wearing a wine-red dress?
The mature lady stands up.
「 Do you have business with ? 」
「 Yes, I will be leaving now. Could you co here and accompany Kuromori-kun? 」
Huh? ?
「 G-Grandfather? 」
Misuzu’s surprised too.
Jii-chan...
「 You don’t mind, do you? I think this lady is suited as a sample to show Kuromori-kun how the high-class ladies behave? 」
「 If that is alright with you... 」
The girl wearing a wine red dress bows her head.
「 What is your na? 」
「 Kanou Sakurako 」
The red dress lady nad herself.
「 Oh, Kanou-kun’s daughter? I see. You do have the looks of your mother 」
「 Yes, Kakka 」
「 Hmm. Well, I’m giving you my best regards. Torii-kun’s daughter, too, will you? 」
「 Y-Yes..... 」
Mariko-san bows her head.
「 Now then, I will be heading out. Misuzu, make sure your guests have fun. Kuromori-kun as well 」
「 Yes, Grandfather 」
Jii-chan tries to leave with Ootoku-san following him, then.
「 P-Please wait!! 」
Huh?
The girl wearing a white dress, sitting on the edge of Ruriko’s table, stands up.
「 Arisu, stop it! 」
A girl that seems to be the big sister, wearing the sa white dress, stops the middle-school girl, but...
「 But, Onee-sama!! 」
The girl called Arisu shouts at Jii-chan.
「 P-Pleased to et you! I-I’m Kurama Arisu!! 」
Jii-chan just talked about prohibiting direct greetings at him, and yet...
「 And this is my big sister! Kurama Misato !! 」
「 I-I’m very sorry for her, Kakka 」
The big sister tries to cover her sister’s mouth.
「 E-Excuse the discourtesy. I’m very sorry. Kakka, everyone 」
She bows to Jii-chan and the girls around.
Looking at where they’re sitting, these sisters are related to the Kouzuki group. Still, they have a weaker status compared to other girls.
「 Oh, you girls? I heard from Kurama-kun about you 」
Jii-chan speaks to the sisters.
「 Co over here. Bring your sister with you 」
「 Y-Yes, Arisu, Kakka’s calling us 」
「 Ah, yes, Onee-sama 」
The sisters look at Jii-chan with a serious face.
Jii-chan thinks for a mont.
「 Hmm, oh well... 」
He speaks in ill humor.
「 Sorry, but I couldn’t help you 」
「 K-Kakka!! 」
The sisters’ face turns pale.
「 Naturally, my answer would be no. I’m sorry 」
Jii-chan said. And looked at .
「 And so, could you listen to their story, Kuromori-kun, Misuzu? 」
M-?
「 You can listen to them. I’m not telling you to do sothing for them. I’ll leave the decision to you 」
No, even if you tell that...
「 I will talk to Kurama-kun myself. Seriously, what a troubleso man. I’m not a charity man. I’m only interested in business 」
Business.
「 Therefore, if the two of you are going to talk about business, then I’ll help you. If not, you can return 」
The Kurama sisters trembled.
「 If it was , I would’ve turned them away at this mont. It’s that kind of circumstance. However, if it can beco a business study material for Kuromori-kun, I wouldn’t mind helping those girls 」
「 Understood, we will have Danna-sama discuss with Kurama-san, and we’ll report it to Grandfather later 」
Misuzu speaks before I could respond.
「 No, you don’t have to. Deal with it yourselves. I couldn’t care less about the results 」
Then, he looked at the sisters...
「 I’m thankful for Kurama-kun’s longstanding loyalty. However, he’s paying for his mistakes. I don’t intend to do anything with your family 」
「 Uuuuu 」
「 O-Onee-sama?! Misato-oneesama?! 」
The elder sister started crying, the younger sister embraced her.
「 That’s all. Well then, I will be taking my leave 」
Jii-chan brings Ootoku-san and Choumoto-san with him and gets back inside the mansion.
Misuzu and I...and all the ladies that were sitting down just now stands up...
They all bowed to Jii-chan.
However, the Kurama sisters are still embracing each other, weeping.
When she was sure that Jii-chan’s out...
「 Since Grandfather asked, Torii-san, Kanou-san, co here 」
Misuzu calls the two.
「 Also, Kurama-san... 」
The two are still crying.
「 Hey, don’t make us wait! 」
Torii-san tells the sisters.
「 Kakka gave his command, now co 」
Kanou-san slaps the big sister on her shoulders.
「 If you continue to cry yourselves like that, you’ll only cause trouble to the other families. 」
She speaks kindly yet harsh.
「 I-I’m very sorry, everyone... 」
Kurama-elder speaks to the other ladies in the sa table.
「 T-That’s right, hurry up and go to Misuzu-sama’s table 」
「 You don’t have to mind us 」
The daughters of the Kouzuki group on the sa table just want to get rid off the nuisance as soon as possible.
Well, Jii-chan went that far to say that. It can’t be helped.
「 So it was true that Kurama-san’s family business is in danger 」
They even say that.
Oh, I guess so.
「 That doesn’t an that they should make a direct appeal to Kakka at such occasion 」
「 You don’t have to return to our table anymore 」
「 I will report what happened just now to Father when we get ho 」
「 My father won’t be making deals with Kurama-san anymore 」
Geez.
「 Hurry up and stand! Co over here! 」
I tell the Kurama sisters.
「 For now, we can’t do anything unless we hear your problem 」
Kurama-elder looked at as if she’s going to cling.
I hate that gaze.
「 I’m not saying I’m helping you. I’ll just listen to what you want to say 」
「 Indeed, we can only hear your story, but sorry, we can’t be of help to you. Please co here knowing that 」
Misuzu also pins them in.
「 Let’s go, Onee-sama 」
The little sister said.
「 Arisu 」
「 We’ve co this far. They’ll listen to what we have to say at least 」
「 Indeed 」
She takes a deep breath.
Then, the sisters stand up.
「 Co, Kurama-san 」
The lady in the wine dress, Kanou-san, looks like a caring person.
She held up Kurama-elder in her arms and walked together with them.
「 It can’t be helped... 」
Torii-san cos to our table.
Then.
Behind them...
Four bodyguards follow their masters, not saying anything.
「 Ruriko-san, you can co over there too 」
Huh? Yoshiko-san, who was inside the mansion, is now here?
「 I will be entertaining the people in this table 」
Leaving the daughters of the troubleso parents from the Kouzuki group to her.
Yoshiko wants Ruriko to go to our table?
「 But, Yoshiko-oneesama... 」
Ruriko looks at Yoshiko-san worriedly.
Yoshiko-san’s been Ruriko’s attendant for long.
Jii-chan acknowledges her as his granddaughter, but she’s still an illegitimate child of the late first son.
There’s that delicate reserve between her and the daughters of the Kouzuki group.
「 I will be fine 」
Yoshiko-san sat down on the table and looked at the young ladies.
「 They don’t expect , the daughter of Kouzuki head house, announced at the very last mont, to be in this place... 」
She smiled.
Right.
This is Yoshiko-san’s fight to secure her place for herself.
「 I understand. Please entertain everyone in here, Yoshiko-oneesama 」
Ruriko tells her cousin.
「 Everyone, I give you my best regards with my precious cousin 」
She bows her head to the young ladies in the table.
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