Volume 1 - CH 2

I didn’t want to attend an arranged marriage meeting, so I put out unreasonable condition, which could never be met, but a beautiful girl from my class came along.

Is there such a story?

And Yuzuru sighs.

(No way … I didn’t think that Arisa Yukishiro was on the old man’s network. …… I shouldn’t have taken Old man’s network lightly.)

Maybe that old man is invincible within Japan?

And again, while being impressed by the awesomeness and obsession of the old man … I stare at Arisa in front of me.

Wherever you look at it, she is a well-rounded beauty, like a work of art.

“Likewise, I am Takasegawa Yuzuru. ……It’s been a while!”

Yuzuru also sits on the floor and returns the greeting with his hand.

Now that situation has come to this, I have no choice but to refuse her politely so as not to be rude.

Yuzuru and Arisa do not care about the arranged marriage, but their guardians (Grandfather and Father in Yuzuru’s case, and Foster father and Foster mother in Arisa’s case) began to get excited, saying things like, “I was surprised that they were classmates,” and “Maybe this is fate” without their permission.

Yuzuru and Arisa showed pasted-up smile while giving appropriate response saying, “Yes, you’re right. I was surprised.” “I was surprised”.

And, after some time……

Their respective guardians suggested , “Why don’t you two young people get to know each other better while admiring the view of the garden at a restaurant?”.

Unable to say no, Yuzuru went out to garden with Arisa.

Going out to the garden while escorting Arisa. The view of the garden was truly breathtaking as it is used as a matchmaking venue.

(Well……How should I refuse?)

You can usually say “I don’t think we are a good match” and turn down a matchmaking, but it’s like saying in a roundabout way, “You’re not attractive”!.

As long as I came to the matchmaking, I have to show some interest……or else I may end up hurting her if I turn her down poorly.

Even though we don’t have much to do with each other to begin with, we are in the same class.

I don’t want to feel stiff when thinking about today event.

“Um, Takasegawa-san……”

“Yes?”

As Yuzuru was hesitating, Arisa, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

She tightened her grip on the cloth of her kimono and bowed her head.

“I’m really sorry. I was forced to accept this matchmaking by my foster father. I originally had no intention of getting engaged!”

After hearing those words, Yuzuru felt a sense of relief as if the tightness in his chest was finally lifted.

Maybe that’s why I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.

“….. What, you too?”

“……you too?”

“Like you, I was also forcibly brought in here. …… I figured they would back off if I put out a unreasonable conditions.Like If you want to me to go to a matchmaking, bring me a blonde haired, blue-eyed girl! I didn’t think they would really bring someone along”

When Yuzuru said that with a sigh, Arisa clapped her hand and said, “I see”.

“So that’s what it is”

“What?”

“I heard that Takasegawa-san had nominated me. ……So I agreed to it” (She is talking about his Grandfather)

“…… Sorry for the inconvenience”

“No, it’s mutual. To be precise, …… It’s my foster father who caused an inconvenience, It seems that Mr. Takasegawa talked to him and he got super excited.”

When it became clear that neither of them wanted to get engaged …… somewhere, the distance between them got narrowed.

Yugen chuckles inwardly at how strange it is that they don’t like each other, but it function as a common topic of conversation and he feels a sense of familiarity.

“Takasegawa-san. ……I have one suggestion”

“Suggestion?”

“Wouldn’t you rather have a false, fake『Engagement』??”

“…… I see”

In other words, it is a proposal to disguise “Engagement” and fool both guardians.

While Yuzuru and Arisa are “Engaged”, neither side will talk about noisy matchmaking.

Using “Engagement” as a shield, both side will enjoy their free romance.

And when we grow up and become capable to go against our parents, we will annul our “Engagement”

That will definitely be the case.

“Hmm … I can’t say “yes” right now. It seems to be difficult”

However, it is a difficult matter whether the effort to hide the disguise of “Engagement” for a long time is well-balanced with the effort to keep refusing the matchmaking.

It’s nerve-wracking to keep up the act.

I can’t reply so easily.

“I see … I’m looking forward to a good reply”

Arisa looked a little depressed, but soon a soft smile appeared on her face.

At school, It’s a gentle expression which is secretly feted and misleads boys.

But Yuzuru only sees it as a forced smile.

And, at that time.

Meow, Cat’s meow could be heard.

“Takasegawa-san, Takasegawa-san! Over there!”

“Yup? That’s … a cat”

Yuzuru doesn’t know the age of the cat, but it’s probably under one year old.

A small cat was meowing on the tree.

“What a stupid guy. Why would you climb the tree when you are afraid of descending”

“Why would you climb when you can’t get down? …… But what should we do? If we don’t do something It might hurt himself”

Arisa says in uneasy voice.

Apparently, she is a cat person.

Whenever cat wanders around tree branches, Arisa also follows it in fluster.

“Should I call inns employees”

“But … wouldn’t it fall before they arrive?”

“…… Well, Indeed!”

The movements of cat is starting to get dangerous from earlier.

Yuzuru, who isn’t particularly fond of cats, was also starting to feel nervous.

“What should I do …… I don’t have any experience in tree climbing,…… So, what about you, Takasegawa-san?”

She implicitly asked, “Can you help the cat?”

I don’t have any reason to help the cat, nor do I have any obligation to listen to Arisa’s wishes, but ……

If the cat falls down and dies, it will be bad for my conscience.

“I am a dog person, but ……It can’t be helped”

Yuzuru muttered to himself and began to untie his obi and take off his clothes.

Arisa’s milky-white skin turned rose-colored and turned away in a panic.

“Hey! Why are you suddenly taking off your clothes!”

“Oh, sorry. I was wearing a t-shirt and pants underneath, so it’s okay”

“If, If that’s the case, please say so from the beginning……”

After seeing her flustered, those stories about not being in a relationship with anyone seemed to be true.

If a little bit of undressing is enough to make her face turn red and confused, her immunity is really poor.

Yuzuru messily folded his kimono and handed it to Arisa.

“Yukishiro, you ……are good at sports, right?”

“Huh? Ah, yes”

“If the cat falls before I can get to it in time, use that as a cushion to catch it”

After saying that, I put my hands on the fine tree.

It’s been a long time since I climbed a tree, but…… Fortunately, the tree looks easy to climb (Which is probably why the cat climbed it), So I think I can handle it.

Yuzuru quickly climbs onto the tree.

Fortunately, the cat shows no sign of escaping.

“Alright…… I caught it!”

I succeeded in rescuing a cat without difficulty.

I felt relieved, and relaxed for a moment.

…… That was bad.

“Meow!!”

“Ouch! oh, hey, you, towards your lifesaver……don’t go wild…..hey……”

I started to lose my balance.

Before I realize I was getting closer to the ground.

Yuzuru hurriedly adjusts his position, but…

“Gahhh!!”

“Ah, Takasegawa-san!?”

His right ankle was bent grandly.