454 Shinobu Ningyo (1/2)

Later that night, Seiji and Natsuya went to a place that they had agreed upon earlier—a high-class Sakura Island restaurant.

However, they weren't there for dinner. They were there instead to meet with Akatsuki Mitarai.

Natsuya returning to her family for a discussion earlier that morning ended unhappily as expected.

Although Seiji hadn't been there to witness the discussion, he could imagine how unpleasant it must have been, as ever since Natsuya returned from visiting her family, her expression had been as grim as if a dark shadow had been cast upon her for the entire day.

Since she was unable to convince her family otherwise, the only option left was to directly confront Akatsuki.

Natsuya's car stopped in front of the restaurant. Seiji and Natsuya exited the car and entered the restaurant.

The restaurant's interior was quite beautiful. It wasn't overly extravagant and seemed quite elegant instead. It was a type of low-profile luxuriousness.

If Seiji had visited this place to enjoy the food, he was sure that he would have loved the atmosphere here. However, he was currently in no mood to enjoy his surroundings.

A female server led him and Natsuya to a private room where they saw Akatsuki Mitarai already sitting inside.

The dark-blue-haired handsome boy was currently sitting at the table while wearing blue Sakura Island attire the same color as his clothing. His eyes were shut as if he was meditating. There was a beautiful silver-haired girl sitting behind him.

When Seiji and Natsuya looked at him, Akatsuki opened his eyes and glanced back at them as well, with his mouth arcing upwards slightly.

”Good evening, Haruta-san, Natsuya.”

”Good evening. I believe I've stated before that our relationship isn't friendly enough to the extent where you can directly address me by name, Mitarai-san,” Natsuya spoke in a cold tone.

”As I'm your fiancé, calling my fiancée by name is something that I think nobody will take issue with,” Akatsuki said as he smiled.

At this moment, Seiji felt killing intent emanating from Natsuya!

He turned around to see that although Natsuya's expression remained calm on the surface, the sharp glint in her eyes was evidence that she definitely wasn't calm at all right now.

”We don't have that type of relationship yet! Although father may have such intentions, it isn't settled in stone.”

”Even if it isn't settled in stone yet, it's basically confirmed already. I'm quite happy about it, Natsuya.”

”I shall force it to be canceled, Mitarai-san.”

Natsuya slowly sat down across from Akatsuki.

Seiji was inwardly impressed with the student council president's self-restraint as he sat down next to her.

Akatsuki looked at Seiji.

”Haruta-san, you chose in the end to stand against me. How regrettable.”

”Heh heh… I suppose you're right.” The dark-blue-haired boy chuckled. ”But to be honest, I really did hope that you would wisely choose to retreat in the end. After all, your family background is honestly a bit of a bother for me.”

”I'm quite happy to hear that you were bothered. Please go ahead and be even more bothered in the future.”

”You're such an annoying fellow.”

”Same to you.”

If someone who didn't know what was going on merely observed them talking without being able to hear the words being said, the observer would likely receive the impression that Akatsuki and Seiji were quite calm right now and perhaps even good friends. However, this was actually a tense situation where both sides were highly likely to explode at any moment.

”Allow me to introduce her to you.” Akatsuki indicated behind him.

The silver-haired beauty silently sitting behind him all this time opened her eyes.

”This is my new Spirit-branded Retainer, Shinobu Miaki.”

Seiji and Natsuya looked towards the silver-haired girl.

Naturally, they noticed this girl the moment they arrived. However, only now did they take a closer look at her.