Chapter 103 - Love Advice

"President, please restrain yourself," Asou Chiaki advised her superior, her voice laced with frustration.

It had taken her great pains to remove Suzuki Aki from his uncle's presence and dragged him to the dining hall. The CEO was adamant to stay near the entrance and continue exchanging insults with the older man.

Even if the situation would warrant an argument to their advantage, being involved in one itself was damaging to the company's reputation. As the CEO, even if it was justified, Suzuki Aki shouldn't be involved in any fights at all.

"Sorry, I couldn't help it," was Aki's wry reply, and the secretary just sighed.

She could understand why he felt so triggered anyway. If it were her, she would have done the same. After all the trouble the old man gave to the Suzuki siblings, she was still surprised Suzuki Daizo still had the gall to show his face much more force marriage upon the nephew who obviously hated his guts.

Another sigh escaped her lips. "Nevermind, just behave the rest of the evening boss," she reminded him as if she was reminding a child.

The commotion earlier made her totally forget all the years she had worked hard to separate the 'Asou' as a secretary and personal assistant, and the 'Asou' as the girl who was his best friend. Suzuki Aki, because he was from a wealthy family but his parents made him attend public school all the way from preschool to university, had been a target of constant jealousy which led to bullying from other kids. It was always her who had come to his rescue, pulling him out of fights and chasing away the kids who picked on him.

"Some things never change," she muttered as she stood up. The others in their group had already gone to get their food, leaving Aki and her at the table. "I'll get you some food. You stay and sit there to cool your head off," she said as she left.

==========

Suzuki Aki watched as Asou Chiaki left to go to the buffet table. Knowing her, he knew it would take a while before she returned as she would check out all the food first before putting them on plates.

The Suzuki Raiden Group's CEO let out a sigh of his own, as he watched his secretary move while exchanging smiles and small talks with the people she met at the buffet table. He placed his hands on the table in front of him and balled them into fists.

He let her down again today, he thought.

Years ago, he'd been a hot-headed youth who picked up fights faster than he picked up business deals now. He changed however as soon as he went to university, although there were still moments when he got into trouble but not as much. But, since he took over his family's company, and persuaded Chiaki to follow him, he had vowed not to let his temper get the better of him, but he failed today.

He felt so awful.

"Elder brother, aren't you going to eat?"

Aki looked up to see Homura Ryuu standing next to his chair. Since he became officially his future brother-in-law, the Suzuki Raiden Group's CEO didn't go into a panic whenever he saw either Ryuu or Gin anymore. Instead, a welcoming smile plastered his face, his dark, brooding expression from the fight vanishing as he ushered the other to take the seat next to him.

"I was told to cool my head first," Aki answered with a self-derisive laugh.

"You didn't have to," Ryuu countered. "If you're unhappy, then you're unhappy. I'd have been the same if it were my kin."

Suzuki Aki was surprised. "You saw?"

Ryuu nodded, pertaining to the argument between Aki and Daizo. "I was just a little bit behind you."

Aki exhaled sharply, the ire returning in his eyes. "Well, since you're going to be family, he's the troublesome relative," he explained. "He's my father's bro…"

His voice trailed off, remembering who he was talking to and frowned. "You probably already know about that," he said.

Homura Ryuu had several pages of reports about Suzuki Daizo for sure – and anyone else related to Ara.

"Yeah," Ryuu admitted. "That one will cause you trouble soon though."

"Ha! Let him try and see where that would get him," Aki snorted. He wouldn't let that uncle of his to have a chance to meddle with their lives.

The Koutaishidenka gave him a small smile of approval, as he nodded. "Just let me know when you need a hand," he said, and Aki gave him a grateful smile in return.

"So, why are you the one who attended today's conference? What happened to Gin?"

"Flu," Ryuu answered. "He will be attending starting tomorrow though. I will be picking up Ara from the station and I'll be taking her to the Cedar Palace. Did she already inform you of her week stay there?"

Aki shook his head. "We haven't really had a chance to talk since I've been so busy for this event," he said. "But if she wants to stay there then I don't see any problems with that."

Homura Ryuu nodded in thanks. He hesitated for a bit, and Aki became curious as to what the other seemed to want to tell him.

"Is there something the matter?" he asked before picking up a glass to drink.

"I want to marry Ara as soon as possible," Ryuu told him plainly that the water from the glass fell out of his mouth and dripped from his chin to his clothes.

"Ha?"Aki was so surprised. "But I thought you agreed to give her a chance to live her life for now?" he asked as he dried himself with the cloth napkin.

It's not that he was against it. Aki just wanted to know what happened to cause such a change of plan.

Ryuu looked as if he was expecting his reaction. "I did. I still do. But instead of just being engaged, I'd want to at least register our marriage now than later. She will still continue to do what she's been doing and planning to do. She can stay with you at Denenchofu if she still wants."

"You mean nothing will change in your lifestyle, although you'll be legally married?" Aki wondered why.

What's the point of getting married if they wouldn't stay together? Still, whatever the Koutaishidenka's reason was, he was sure that he would never do anything to hurt Ara or force Ara into doing something she didn't want. If not, Ryuu wouldn't have to tell him his plan as if he's asking for his blessing.

"Ask my sister then," Aki advised afterwards. "If she agrees, then I have no reason to object," he continued and watched as Ryuu's face seemed to brighten up.

"I will do that then. I will ask her this week," the Koutaishidenka answered, his expression determined.

With this, Aki felt more at ease that this man would be Ara's husband. A man who respected his wife's family was a good man. A man who respected his wife was the best. His father had always told him that when he was still alive. When he married, he wanted to be that kind of man. For now, he was glad Ryuu was that kind of man to his younger sister.

"How do you think I should tell her?" the prince asked suddenly, catching Aki off guard.

"Why are you asking me?"

"Because Elder Brother seemed to be knowledgeable about these things. Don't you have a girlfriend?"Ryuu seriously stated, that Aki almost palmed his face.

"You heard that?"

Earlier during his argument with his uncle, he had mentioned his girlfriend, and Ryuu heard it. The Koutaishidenka nodded.

"Then please forget about it. I'm the last person you can ask for a piece of love advice," Aki suggested, his voice laced with frustration.

"Why?"

At Ryuu's serious question, Aki's eyes darted towards Asou who was happily filling their plates with food. "Because I don't have any idea how to tell the other person what I want to say. My girlfriend doesn't even know she's my girlfriend…"