Chapter 13 (1/2)

“Kaoru, so you love Risa, huh?”

Asahina was visiting the Mizushima residence as usual. Just when he entered Haruki’s room to give his usual greetings, the room’s owner dropped a bomb that left him dumbfounded.

He had heard from his sister Emily about how Yuriko had completely misunderstood his love. Yuriko thought he loved not her, but his childhood friend and Haruki’s wife, Risa.

What he first heard this, there was only one thought that came to his mind. If Haruki ever heard this, he’ll (A) definitely die by his (H) hands.

And right now, he was witnessing that fearful moment with his own eyes.

But Haruki had the same poker face he usually wore. So there was no way to tell if he was really serious or just joking.

“No, that’s not true! Because I only love Yuriko-san! There’s no way I’d fall for someone like Risa!” (A)

“’Someone like Risa’… you say” (H)

“Risa is a splendid woman with excellent grades and an attractive appearance. She’s also overflowing with kindness and affection.” (A)

Noticing his wrong choice of words, Asahina at once went on and on complimenting Risa.

It’s not that Haruki was really angry, but this matter shouldn’t have anything to do with Risa in the first place.

“Without even worrying, I have always known who you love for a long time now.. Good grief, it’s such a mess. And it’ll only get worse if you don’t confess to Yuriko quickly.” (H)

“I know! But there’s no guarantee that Yuriko will also like me. It’s better like this rather than getting rejected and our relationship turning awkward.” (A)

“In that case, should I start preparing for her marriage with someone else?” (H)

“Don’t!” (A)

Asahina buried his face into his hands without thinking.

Although he knew he was a coward, but he still couldn’t bring himself to take even the first step.

“Well, do something fast. My father is the one who will have the final say. If you delay any further, she’ll be taken away by someone else, just like last time.” (H)

“… I know.” (A)

He was aware that if he was slow, Yuriko will be taken away by the man chosen by her father.

Losing patience at Asahina’s indecisive attitude, Haruki kicked him out of the room.

Asahina walked through the corridors pondering about ways to woo Yuriko.

Common words won’t shake Yuriko’s heart.

Having said that, he wanted to say something no one could’ve thought of. But, even he couldn’t think of anything like that.

He felt shameful thinking how he hasn’t wooed even a single woman in his 30 years of living.

While sighing for the nth time, Asahina arrived in front of Yuriko’s door before he knew it.

He weakly resolved to confess as soon as there’s an opportunity. Knocking the door, he waited for Yuriko to answer.

Immediately, Yuriko’s voice was heard. The servant in the room opened the door and invited him in.

Yuriko looked like she had been drinking tea at the moment. She put the cup on the table and greeted him with a slight nod.

Asahina nodded back in greeting and sat down on a nearby sofa.

Soon after, a servant brewed tea for Asahina and put it on the table.

Taking the sugar from the sugar pot, he mixed it into the black tea with a spoon.

Enjoying the tea’s aroma, Asahina took a sip and calmed down his disordered feelings.

“The tea leaves are excellent as usual.” (A)

“Today’s tea leaves are specially from Darjeeling. It seems to suit your taste a lot.” (Y)

“After all, drinking tea is one of the main pleasures for visiting the Mizushima residence!”(A)

“I’m glad to hear you say so.” (Y)

And so the time passed, but it was spent on having light conversations about everyday things. Unable to gather his courage, the most important things ended up being left unsaid.

That being said, Asahina remembered he had wanted to give something to Yuriko. He had handed it over to the servant when he entered the room. He asked the servant to bring it over.

“I brought it along with me.” (A)

“Thank you.” (Y)

He received the paper bag from the servant and took out a square box from inside.

Yuriko stared at the box curiously, wondering what could be in it.

Asahina opened the box’s lid and took out a set of cup and saucer from it.

The cup and saucer each had Casablanca lily painted over them. The set was presented to Yuriko for a closer look. {The raws only had ‘Casablanca painted on it’, took me forever to get that it was a lily and not the city..}

“Asahina-sama, this is?”

” The one and only set of cup and saucer in the world, painted especially by me. At first I was going to turn it into an accessory, but my abilities could only let me do this. By the way, it’s hand-painted.” (A)

” … “

“Casablanca lily is the image I have of Yuriko-san, so I used it for this time. I don’t want to brag but it turned out quite good, if I say so myself. Will you accept it?”

” … is this for me?” (Y)

“Of course. That’s why I brought it with me.”

Putting the cup and the saucer back inside, Asahina handed the box over to Yuriko.

Yuriko took the box and opened the lid slowly. Taking out the cup carefully, she admired it.

Occasionally tracing the painted lily with her finger in fascination, Yuriko was in a daze.

Then Yuriko, who raised her head with high spirits from looking at the cup, met Asahina’s eyes with a face full of smiles.

“Thank you so much! I am so happy! The paintings by Asahina-sama are always full of warmth, and his pleasant personality is more pronounced too and it’s no wonder I like Asahina-sama’s paintings, right? I have always been a fan of Asahina-sama’s paintings.” (Y)

At the same time, looking at Yuriko who couldn’t look happier, Asahina’s mind went blank.

It once again reminded him of the feelings he had long felt for Yuriko.

Yuriko’s smile back then and the smile right now, overlapped in front of his eyes. All the careful thoughts of confessing his heartfelt feelings were forgotten. All the caution was blown to the winds. Unconsciously, he opened his mouth and blurted out,

“Please marry me!”

…these words.

Yuriko heard Asahina’s words quite clearly, yet she was unable to comprehend them the first time. These words circled around in her head and finally she understood that Asahina had just proposed her.

As soon as she understood the words, her face turned red just like a lobster. Eh?? “Ehh???”She shrieked in a barely audible voice. { 茹蛸 (yudetako) gave ‘boiled octopus’ and ‘red as a lobter’ as search results}

Seeing a reaction like this coming from Yuriko, Asahina came back to his senses and realized what he had just said, causing him to panic.

“I didn’t mean that! No wait! I did mean that, but not like that!” (A)

If Haruki was present, he (H) would have provided a proper follow to his (A) statements but unfortunately in the room, there were only Asahina, Yuriko and a servant present.