Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V2 Chp 2 part 5

The next morning, after finishing breakfast at the Tennouji mansion, I was greeted by a black car.

[Then, thank you for your help]

I bowed deeply to Masatsugu-san and Tennouji-san, who went out of their way to see me off. Hanami-san had to go to work, so she did not come out, but we exchanged a brief greeting before leaving the mansion.

[You are always welcome to visit us again]

[Umu! I’ll be waiting for you!]

I get in the car as the two see me off.

Of course, this car was provided by the Konohana family. Tennouji-san and the others must think that I’m going back to my house, but in truth, I’m heading back to the Konohana family’s mansion.

The driver said [Let’s be off], and the car left.

Shizune-san isn’t accompanying us this time because Tennouji-san may remember her face as a maid of the Konohana family.

Still… It was worthwhile.

I will thank Tennouji-san again later. I thought as I looked out the window.

♢♢♢

After watching his guest get into the car and leave, Masatsugu looked at Mirei.

[Mirei. Are you on good terms with him?]

[Yeah. We’re in different classes, but we get along well]

Mirei affirmed her father’s question.

[Besides… Tomonari-san has been a big help to me]

Mirei recalled last month.

The prestige of the Tennouji family is strong. For this reason, even at the academy, although she was often respected, she was not blessed with many opportunities to talk and laugh side by side with others due to her position.

It was Itsuki who changed that. Itsuki invited Mirei to tea parties and study groups. He also gave her a chance to Konohana Hinako, whom she considered as a rival, but also as someone whom she hoped to interact with.

The recent study group also originated from Itsuki.

Through the study group, Mirei’s grades improved and she was able to make good friends. Nowadays, Itsuki is showing that he’s not too stuck up about Mirei, but Mirei also feels great gratitude to him.

Moreover–.

『Working with Tennouji-san sounds like a lot of fun』

She didn’t expect him to say something so pleasant.

Mirei, who always seems confident, is not entirely free from anxiety about the future. Her rivalry with Hinako is also an expression of her fear that if she loses to her at the institute, she may continue to lose in the future.

That’s why she was happy to hear Itsuki’s words last night. (EDN: Won the battle, lost the war)

While maintaining a resolute attitude, Itsuki located and wiped away the insecurities she had hidden deep in my mind.

(I too… I feel like I can get through any job if Tomonari-san is with me) (TN: And just like that, she fell)

With that, Mirei was lost in her own thoughts.

Masatsugu-san stroked his beard with his fingers, letting out a small [Umu]

[Is it a man-woman relationship?]

[Heeea!? I-I told you already, it’s nothing like that]

Mirei’s face turned red and she denied it.

Thinking that it was just a joke, Mirei’s lips twitched and muttered [Geez]

[Umu. …Then that’s fine]

Masatsugu nodded with a serious face.

[Actually there’s something I need to discuss with Mirei. …Maybe it’s time for you to have a fiance]

It was an abrupt proposal.

Mirei was surprised and asked.

[F-Fiance… is it?]

[Umu. I had been considering it for some time, but I didn’t tell you much because I thought it was too early. But the other day I had the opportunity to speak with a representative of the Konohana family at a social function. At that time, the topic of their daughter’s engagement came up, and it seems that they are actively considering it over there. They say it is a measure to keep bad bugs away from their daughter]

With a serious expression, Masatsugu continued.

[Many people will try to get close to you in the future, seeking the prestige of the Tennouji family. Some of them, of course, will approach you with malicious intent. Considering such a future, I think the Konohana family has a point. I still think it’s too early to tell, but I decided that if …… you are willing to go along with it, then it’s fine]

Apparently, the news is not that the fiance has been chosen for her.

As long as she was being raised as the daughter of the Tennouji group, she thought that one day she would be engaged to someone. However, Mirei remembers that this was scheduled for a little later.

For Mirei, however, it’s not the timing that’s important.

The important thing is―

[For the Tennouji family… is it?]

For some reason, her voice trembled.

As if to drown out the weak sound of his earlier voice, Mirei asked her father again.

[Will I be able to contribute to the Tennouji family by getting engaged?]

[…Umu. Well the plan would be easier that way]

For the upper class, engagements can be used to strengthen existing connections. If they are engaged to the son of a company they know well, future business transactions will go more smoothly than ever before. If the engagement is to a future family member, the risk of discord between companies is relatively easy to avoid, making it easier to develop large-scale talks such as acquisitions or mergers.

[That’s if you are willing, of course―]

Mirei was as usual.

She answered with an unclouded and regal smile.

[―I accept]

Let’s see how this play out later shall we

Donations are very much appreciated.

Discord/Ko-fi

TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo