[Vol. 2] Chapter 47: The Engagement
Hideki was the first to speak.
"I suppose we should begin with introductions."
His voice filled the room with a quiet confidence.
"My name is Hideki Onizuka. I am the leader of the Onizuka clan."
He then gestured to the woman seated beside him.
"This is my wife, Sayuri Onizuka."
My eyes moved toward her.
Sayuri Onizuka.
She was a beautiful woman.
Dark hair, perfectly styled.
An elegant face.
Impeccable posture.
And an expression…
Cold.
No.
Not exactly cold.
It was more of an inquisitive expression, as if she were evaluating me.
Our eyes met.
…
…
…
I looked away immediately.
Too intense!
She hadn't even said anything.
But her eyes seemed to bore straight through my skull.
Why do I feel like I'm standing in front of an HR director who's already decided to fire me?!
Hideki continued.
"The man at the end of the table is Takamura. He's my second-in-command."
I looked toward the end of the table.
Takamura was exactly the type of man you'd expect to find at a yakuza meeting.
Large.
Rough-featured.
Short hair.
A look that seemed capable of making you confess to a crime you hadn't even committed.
Yeah.
That man definitely doesn't work at a coffee shop.
Finally, Hideki gestured toward the young man seated next to his wife.
"And this is my son, Shin."
My gaze moved to him.
…
For some reason…
He reminded me of someone.
Where have I seen him before…?
Shin turned his head slightly, and our eyes met.
Directly.
Face to face.
…
DOKI.
My heart gave a small jump.
"…"
Huh?
Shin didn't look away.
Neither did I.
DOKI.
This time it was stronger.
I swallowed.
What…?
I felt my hands slowly close on my lap.
Why…?
DOKI.
Why on earth is he so attractive?!
…
One second.
Two.
Three.
Then I understood.
I know who he reminds me of!
Kenji's face appeared in my mind.
I looked at Shin again.
Dark hair, green eyes, perfectly defined features, serious expression.
He also looked like the protagonist of an otome game, though a different type from Kenji.
My brain went silent for a moment.
And then an absurd idea appeared.
Wait.
What if…?
What if I actually reincarnated inside an otome game and just hadn't realized it?
I looked around.
A meeting between two powerful families.
An arranged engagement.
A mysterious and extremely attractive heir.
…
Is this a route?
The handsome yakuza boy route?
My imagination ran wild, and for a moment I saw the image of my yakuza children again, with the plastic katana and the baseball bat.
My little delinquents!
…
…
No.
The fantasy vanished instantly.
Get out!
OUT!
Don't you dare appear in my mind again!
I felt my cheeks burning, and I quickly looked away.
I'm losing my mind.
The Onizuka side finished their introductions with a slight collective bow, and then I heard Ryuji's voice.
"Well, now it's our turn."
He paused.
"My name is Ryuji Inugane. I am the leader of the Inugane clan."
He gestured to himself first.
Then to Matsuda.
"He is Matsuda. My second-in-command."
Matsuda gave a slight nod.
Finally, Ryuji gestured toward me.
"And this is my niece Aika, the daughter of my older brother."
I felt everyone's attention shift back to me.
"Unfortunately, her parents passed away and I haven't had the luck of marrying yet, so only the three of us came today. We hope you'll understand."
Ryuji, Matsuda, and I gave a slight bow.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," I said.
My voice came out much calmer than I actually felt.
Hideki nodded, and after a brief silence, he placed both hands on the table.
"If everyone is in agreement…"
His gaze moved from Ryuji to me.
Then to his son.
"We can proceed with the engagement."
Oh.
My stomach clenched.
So we've finally gotten to this.
Hideki made a small gesture and the side doors opened. Two members of the serving staff entered carrying a tray with a sake vessel and small red lacquered cups.
The cups reflected the room's light softly.
I stayed looking at them.
So this is the famous sakazuki…
The servers placed the cups with precision.
Hideki picked one up, then Ryuji did the same, followed by Shin and me.
Four people, four cups. Matsuda, Takamura, and Hideki's wife would act as witnesses.
After a brief pause, the ritual began.
Since this was an alliance between equals, all the cups held the same amount of sake.
The first to drink was Hideki. Following the same order in which we'd picked them up, I was the last.
The sake went down my throat.
Ugh.
Not exactly my favorite drink.
But I wasn't going to complain.
Then the process repeated. The cups made their way around again and we drank once more.
After drinking a third time, we wiped the rim of the cups with a piece of paper and placed them back on the tray.
There were no long speeches.
We didn't need them.
"I hope this alliance brings prosperity to both clans," said Hideki.
Ryuji nodded.
"And that we can put aside any bitterness or resentment that may have remained between our families."
We all applauded to mark the end of the ritual — the engagement and the alliance were sealed.
And then…
Hideki's expression changed completely.
"Alright!"
I blinked.
"Huh?"
The man lightly slapped the table with enthusiasm.
"Now we can eat and drink properly!"
…
I stared at him.
Ryuji started laughing.
"I think we understand each other better than I thought."
Hideki let out a hearty laugh.
"It certainly seems that way!"
The atmosphere relaxed immediately, the servers began bringing in the dishes, and the banquet began.
There were various traditional dishes carefully prepared.
Fish.
Meat.
Vegetables.
Rice.
Small accompaniments served in individual bowls, everything with a presentation that was almost artistic.
And, of course…
Sake.
A lot of sake.
Ryuji and Hideki seemed to have quickly found a topic in common.
"This sake is quite good."
"Isn't it?"
"I thought the Onizuka would have better taste."
"What did you just say?!"
"It was a joke."
Both of them started laughing.
These two…
I couldn't help smiling a little.
Strange as it seemed…
The atmosphere no longer felt so tense.
Until I noticed it.
A gaze.
A chill ran through me, and when I lifted my eyes slightly, there was Sayuri, watching me.
…
Those green eyes again — the same ones Shin had.
I tried to focus on my food, but it was impossible — I could feel her stare boring into me.
…
Finally, Sayuri spoke.
"Aika-san."
I looked up.
"Yes?"
"Where do you study?"
"At Ouka High School."
"Are you doing well?"
I smiled nervously.
"More or less."
In reality I'm doing terribly…
But I'm giving it my best, alright?!
That reminded me I'd barely studied for the quarterly exams, and I felt a little discouraged.
I'll have to ask Mei to help me study again…
"What year are you in?"
I answered.
She continued asking questions.
My grades.
My activities.
What plans I had for the future.
It was like an interview.
Only much more terrifying.
Because the interviewer was a yakuza woman who might make me disappear if she found out I was lying to her.
"And where are you currently living?"
"In Kiyosumi-Shirakawa."
Sayuri nodded.
"I see."
She took a small sip of tea.
Then looked at me again.
"One last question."
I mentally prepared myself.
Here we go.
I can do this.
Whatever it is.
Sayuri spoke with absolute calm.
"Are you a virgin?"
…
…
…
I froze.
"…"
Time stopped.
I looked at Sayuri.
She still had the same calm expression.
I looked at Ryuji.
He was still eating.
I looked at Hideki.
Also still eating.
I looked back at Sayuri.
WHAT?!
HOW CAN SHE ASK ME THAT WITH SUCH A STRAIGHT FACE?!
AND IN FRONT OF RYUJI?!
I didn't need to be an expert on yakuza matters to know that a question like that could be considered an offense.
Isn't this grounds for war or something?
I DEMAND THEY START A WAR ON MY BEHALF!
…
No.
I felt my face burning, but I had to swallow my embarrassment and discomfort at that question in order to respond.
"Y-yes…"
Sayuri nodded with absolute composure.
"I see."
…
Is that all she's going to say?
This is unbelievable…
I'm definitely purer than you were at my age!
…
Hideki kept eating as if nothing had happened. Ryuji didn't seem especially surprised either.
Sayuri stayed quiet for a minute, eating and drinking something.
Then she looked at me again.
"You know, Aika-san…"
"Yes?"
"I knew your father, Takeshi, when he was young."
I felt my back tense.
"My father?"
Sayuri nodded.
"Yes, we went to the same high school. I could even say we were friends."
She paused briefly.
"Which is why something strikes me as very strange."
"Strange…?"
"Until not long ago, I never knew he'd had a daughter."
…
My smile slowly disappeared.
"And it's even stranger when you consider that he was the Inugane heir, don't you think?"
A chill ran down my spine.
No.
No, no, no.
"That no one knew anything about his daughter…"
That fast?!
My hands started to sweat.
They've already figured it out?!
I knew coming here was a bad idea!
I tried to maintain a calm expression.
"W-well, the thing is…"
My brain went completely blank.
Hey God, it's me again.
"The thing is…"
Silence.
"I…"
Think, Aika!
Say something!
"I grew up in… particular circumstances."
I let out a nervous little laugh.
Sayuri narrowed her eyes.
"Particular circumstances?"
"…"
I felt my soul leaving my body.
"Yes…"
My smile started to tremble.
"Particular."
Sayuri kept watching me.
I could feel the cold sweat running down my back.
Bibi was right.
Maybe I won't come back alive.
…
I swallowed.
Isn't it too cruel to die young twice?
…
"Ah…"
Hideki's voice interrupted my thoughts.
I quickly turned my head.
"That's my fault."
"Huh?"
Hideki brought a hand to his chin and frowned slightly, as if he'd just remembered something important.
"I hadn't told you that part."
…
I looked at him.
"What part?" asked Sayuri.
Hideki turned to her and his expression changed.
"Aika-chan had a very difficult childhood."
"…"
My expression froze.
"After her father died, little Aika was left alone with her mother, but shortly after, she passed away too."
"…"
Hideki lowered his gaze slightly, his voice growing heavier.
"After that, she was completely alone in the world."
…
What?
"After losing Takeshi, the Inugane faced severe internal conflicts. The struggle was so fierce that Aika's life was in grave danger."
Hideki slowly clenched his fist.
"That's why they had to hide her. It was the only way to keep her alive."
My brain stopped functioning.
"From a very young age, they concealed her in a nightclub."
…
"And eventually she had to become a stripper to blend in and escape death."
…
…
…
This can't be real.
You actually believed that ridiculous story?!
My face went completely expressionless.
Hideki closed his eyes with profound sadness.
"It was the only way to keep her alive during that intense power struggle within the clan."
It was obviously all something Bibi invented!
…
I looked at him.
Then at Ryuji.
Ryuji was still eating calmly.
I looked back at Hideki.
Hideki pressed his fist firmly against the table.
"It breaks my heart to imagine everything she must have gone through."
I give up.
It's my fault for expecting sanity here.
"…"
He might be an idiot, but I don't think his wife is going to swallow that story.
I slowly turned my head toward Sayuri, and went completely still.
She had both hands covering her mouth, her eyes were slightly red, and there was even a tear gathering in them.
"It can't be…"
"…"
"And I asked her about something so painful without knowing…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
…
Is this real?
Where's the hidden camera?
Sayuri looked at me with a completely different expression from before.
The cold, intimidating woman from earlier had disappeared, and in her place was someone on the verge of tears, looking at me with a mixture of sadness and tenderness.
"Aika-chan…"
"Y-yes?"
"Don't worry."
Sayuri smiled softly.
"You're welcome in our family."
"…"
"I'll do everything I can to give you the maternal love you never got to receive."
She discreetly wiped away a tear.
"You don't have to feel alone anymore."
…
I stared at her.
I didn't know what to say.
On one hand…
I felt terribly guilty.
On the other…
How on earth did we end up here?
The woman who moments ago seemed to be interrogating me like a criminal now wanted to emotionally adopt me.
This is surreal.
But for my own sake, I couldn't shatter that illusion, so I breathed deeply and activated actress mode.
I lowered my gaze slightly, relaxed my shoulders, and put on my sweetest expression.
"I'm very grateful."
My voice came out soft.
"My heart feels warm hearing those words."
Sayuri's eyes opened a little wider.
"Aika-chan…"
I tilted my head slightly.
"After having been alone for so long…"
I paused briefly.
"It's comforting to know that someone is willing to welcome me like this."
Sayuri brought a hand to her chest.
"Aaaaah…!"
It worked.
"You're so sweet!"
"Huh?"
Sayuri leaned slightly toward me.
"I always wanted to have a daughter that tender."
She glanced at Shin.
"But I only had sons."
She sighed, then gently took my hands.
"From now on, feel free to think of me as your mother."
"…"
I think this got completely out of hand…
I let out an awkward little laugh.
"Thank you so much…"
Sayuri seemed delighted. The tension at the table had completely disappeared, and even Hideki seemed satisfied.
Over the next few minutes the conversation became much more relaxed. Sayuri started asking me completely different things.
What foods I liked.
What kind of films I watched.
What I did in my free time.
She even started talking to me about her own children.
I answered with a smile while trying to remember what seemed important.
The meal continued.
Ryuji and Hideki were already talking like old acquaintances. Matsuda and Takamura had also begun conversing quietly.
The atmosphere had become surprisingly pleasant.
Almost like family.
Until I let my eyes drift, and found Shin watching me.
He wasn't smiling.
He didn't look amused.
He simply watched me with those green eyes.
Serious.
Cold.
Impossible to read.
I felt a small chill.
…
What's going on with him?
Our eyes held for a few seconds.
Shin said nothing.
Neither did I.
Finally I looked away.
That guy…
Does he suspect something?
I tensed slightly. I glanced back at him and he still had that serious expression.
I was too optimistic expecting everyone to be foolish enough to believe that story.
I sighed and focused back on my food.
I'll be fine as long as I don't say anything.
The celebration continued for quite a while. There was laughter, conversation, toasts. Even Hideki and Ryuji seemed to be enjoying the sake a little too much.
At some point, several servers came in carrying carefully wrapped packages.
The gifts from both families.
The presents were decorated with elegant mizuhiki knots, following the traditional style. Amid bows, words of gratitude, and smiles, they exchanged them, and just as they'd arrived, the servers took them away.
Then Hideki raised his cup.
"Shin."
His son looked up.
"Yes, Father."
Hideki gestured toward one of the side doors.
"This restaurant has a rather beautiful indoor garden."
He looked at me.
Then at Shin.
"Why don't you both go for a walk?"
I blinked.
"Huh?"
Ryuji immediately agreed.
"That's a great idea."
He pointed at me with a smile.
"You two have barely spoken all evening."
"Go on," Hideki added. "Take the chance to get to know each other a little."
Sayuri smiled.
"We did exactly the same thing when Hideki and I got engaged."
Hideki let out a hearty laugh.
"That's true."
Then he looked at Ryuji.
"Speaking of engagements…"
Ryuji raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Don't you think it's about time you got married?"
Ryuji went quiet for a second.
"Are you back on that again?"
Hideki smiled.
"I don't think you'd have any trouble finding a woman."
"My father always tells me the same thing."
Ryuji let out a laugh.
"Maybe I won't be able to keep avoiding it much longer."
"I hope so!"
The two of them kept laughing more than they might have without the effects of the alcohol, and quickly got lost in their own conversation.
I didn't have time to overthink it — Shin stood up immediately.
I looked at him.
He calmly straightened his clothing, then turned his eyes to me.
"Aika-san."
"Yes?"
He extended a hand toward me.
"Shall we?"
…
I looked at his hand.
Then I looked up, and our eyes met again.
Shin waited patiently, until I took a deep breath, and finally…
I stood up.