Chapter 345 - Scrutiny

"Who is Alinea?"

At Maki Yuuka's confused and bewildered expression that made her beautiful face comical, Alinea smiled.

"That would be me," she replied patiently.

"Why is it Alinea? Isn't your name Ara?"

Since they haven't manipulated people's memories yet with regards to her preferred name – not that she thought it was necessary, there would be many instances such as now when people get confused hearing her name.

"It's her English name," Ryuu then answered and a light bulb suddenly seemed to light up in Yuuka's brain.

She snapped her finger in understanding. Most Asian people opted to adopt a more western-sounding name when they stayed in foreign countries or studied in international schools to make it easier for foreigners to call them.  She's just a little bit confused since Ara was easier to pronounce than Alinea, yet the girl chose to use the latter. But she remembered something else, and she clapped her hands together.

"Oh! I see – you probably went to Chicago, Illinois to visit Grant Achatz' restaurant and fell in love with it, that's why the name! But why are you using an English name? Are you studying abroad soon?"

Everyone exchanged glances, totally having no idea what Maki Yuuka was talking about except Chiaki and Gin. The two had been to the said restaurant and so they chuckled.

"Yes, it's something like that," Gin agreed for Alinea to end the discussion.  

Soon, the waitress and another server came to take all their orders. The staff was obviously rattled by the sudden visit of this gorgeous group that they nervously hurried to cater to them. They wondered if they were all models since some of them looked familiar – most especially the golden-haired man with the equally golden pair of eyes that were like a cat's.

"But – wait!" Maki Yuuka held out her hand as if she just remembered something very important. She transferred her gaze from Alinea to Ryuu and asked awkwardly. "You… guys are together?"

Alinea laughed. "He's actually my husband," she informed as easily as one said the weather, making Yuuka's face all the more comical.

"WHAAAAT?"

Yuuka turned to Chiaki who nodded in confirmation.

"Oh, my god! That's so unexpected but cool! I'm so jealous! You won the jackpot for possible blue-eyed Japanese babies!"

Her reaction was totally different from what was expected, but Ara and Chiaki were already used to her from the last time they met so they just laughed. Gin, on the other hand, decided to prod.

"Why? If you have the chance, would you try to have them?" His question was light, but the underlying meaning to that was glaring. He was indirectly asking Maki Yuuka if she had ever thought to try her luck on being the Lady Homura.

"Of course, not," she answered readily. She looked at Gin as if he'd gone mad. "Well, unless the one I'd marry will have them. Colored eyes are the best."

Her tone indicated that in case her children would have colored eyes, they wouldn't be from anyone in the Homura House.

"You are all safe from my husband hunting radar, don't worry. Only brave souls and insane girls would try and throw themselves at your clan without being personally invited," Maki Yuuka told them matter-of-factly which surprised all of them there.

"I'm not that brave of a soul, and I'm totally practical," Maki Yuuka continued.   

"Don't bully Yuuka, Gin-nii," Alinea scolded.

"I am not. I just asked if she wants to have blue-eyed babies," Gin denied but Alinea rolled her eyes at him.

"Ignore him,"Alinea told Yuuka.

"That's just mean," Gin complained. "I just want to spread love and dreams," he added before turning to Yuuka. "I just got married today."

"Congratulations then," Maki Yuuka told him honestly, and then her eyes widened as she hesitated. "Er… this is not a business marriage, no?"

"Totally not. My fabulous self found a love match," Gin replied instantly.

"Ah, I hate you. Why do you have to add to that little conscience telling me that romance is a good idea?"

Alinea could see that by now, Maki Yuuka's earlier daunted feeling was slowly fading away. She wasn't even offended by Gin, even if he said something rude on purpose as both a test and some sort of a warning.

"The coffee will be here soon. We can go back to the Cedar Palace right after," Ryuu said, which made Alinea smile.

It seemed Maki Yuuka also passed his scrutiny. If she was someone who's scheming, the Koutaishidenka would never invite her over.  

But what everyone saved for Gin and Ryuu didn't know was that the reason why the two insisted on coming along to meet Maki Yuuka was a totally different reason from what they thought. Alinea was thinking that they merely wanted to tag along because they were bored.

But if one was to think carefully, Gin who just got married wouldn't leave his bride just to pick up someone he didn't even know. He would also never ask something rude at the first meeting. But the latter was necessary to achieve the result they were looking for. As to what it was, they would explain later when they returned home.

"Er… actually, I don't think I will be coming with you. I mean..." Maki Yuuka looked troubled.

She initially didn't want to bother Chiaki and Ara since she was not even sure if what she told them was important enough. She just agreed to meet with them because she thought that they might want to hang out with her a bit. But they were together with other people, and it was Gin's wedding today too. She was unhappy to cause them trouble.

"I mean you must be very busy. I already told Chiaki what I heard. I don't even know if that's important enough. I won't keep you long. I think I will head back home," Maki Yuuka told them apologetically.

Alinea and Chiaki ȧssured her that she was not a bother at all, but didn't know what else they could tell her to come with them. It was because Yuuka was right. There was no incriminating content in the conversation between her father and Daizo for them to take her and discuss things further. Although the two old men talked about trying to find a way to make Aki marry Yuuka, they didn't mention any specific plot – illegal or not so they couldn't do anything.

Gin exchanged looks with Ryuu, and the latter nodded.

"Ms. Maki," Gin suddenly called out very formally, and everyone snapped in attention.

Homura International's CEO was usually carefree and smiling. He also almost never called anyone by their proper names and used nicknames to everyone even those he just met. When he was all serious like this, it meant that there was really something important he was dealing with.  

"Er… Yes?"

"Believe me, you have to come with us," Gin told her matter-of-factly, and of course, Yuuka didn't dare protest.

As soon as their takeaways were delivered to their seats, the group left the café to return to the Cedar Palace.