My parents?
My blood parents?
They abandoned me, so I abandoned them too.
Recall your childhood, Nii-san
Luna said.
Right.
When I was a child, no, even just six months ago.
I was afraid of my parents.
They just took control of me, putting me in that narrow space in the kitchen.
I never had a conversation with my mother.
My father never complained about mother, and just let me continue the terrible life she’s giving me.
I was afraid of my parents when I was young.
I still remember that feeling.
Nii-san, you do remember why you were afraid, right?
That’s.
Logic doesn’t go through them
I speak out.
I had no idea what they were thinking. I didn’t know what they want to do with me, or why they were tormenting me
I get to sleep on the kitchen sofa, have only one box of personal items, and minimum food. It was a big house, but all the rooms except for the kitchen were Mother’s rooms, and I wasn’t allowed to enter anywhere else.
Why did mother do that to me? Why did Father just let it happen.
And above all that, I was scared because I had no idea what my parents wanted to do with em.
Then, eventually, my parents abandoned me, left that house, and never returned.
It’s the same with Matsumoto-san
Luna said.
They don’t understand what their grandfather is thinking, that’s why they’re afraid
I see.
Miki-san and Maki-san both had talents in music, and they want to continue their studies even after their father had died.
Despite that, Elder Matsumoto wants to stop his granddaughters from studying music.
Talking about going to normal school, sell their late father’s violin, and other high-pressure absurdities.
As I recall, both sisters were even told to become pharmacists in the future and work at the drugstore he owns.
The Matsumoto siblings can’t understand their grandfather.
They’re relatives, so they want to be in good terms, but that’s still different. They are afraid of what they don’t know
Luna looked at the sisters and said.
So that’s how ordinary people feel and think.
Earlier, Minaho-neesan told me to learn how to treat normal people.
I’ve been feeling less normal in the past six months.
Both the Black Forest and Kouzuki house’s lifestyle has made me a bit numb.
Then.
Kurose-san
I look at my recently hired personal bodyguard.
Yes? Tell me the situation from your point of view
She has sharp senses. She doesn’t miss the context.
I’m sure that she has much better information analysis than me.
Can you infer what the Elder Matsumoto is thinking?
Kurose Anju;
He’s still half in doubt. He’s doubting if we really do belong in the Kouzuki house
She sees the expression of Elder Matsumoto from few meters away.
Anything else? If there really was someone from the Kouzuki house, then he’s thinking to make the most out of this business opportunity And the basis for that is? Elder Matsumoto’s background as a businessman would hate to miss such an opportunity. I think that he feels strongly that losing this opportunity means defeat He’s someone who built up a large drugstore chain in his generation, so he’s always positive when it comes to business.
He thinks of everything as victory and defeat.
If he can make a connection with the Kouzuki house, then he’s already thinking of what kind of new business they can develop
He might also get to know not only the Kouzuki group, but also the Kouzuki house, the family that ties the noble houses together.
Positive attitude leads to imagination of more possiblities.
For now, he’s showing interest on us Yes, that’s for sure
Kurose Anju asserted
Then.
Onii-sama, I think it’s time for me to appear
Ruriko smiled.
Everyone, line up
Shou-neechan gave instructions from outside.
At the same time, coming from the three convoy cars of Kouzuki SS.
Men in black uniform come out all at once.
Ten men in black suits line up to protect the limo.
!
Elder Matsumoto’s gaze became intense.
This limousine has one-way mirrors, and so.
Elder Matsumoto can’t see what’s inside.
Shou-neechan walks to the limousine in front of the Benz.
Going to Ruriko’s seat.
Ruriko-sama, this is Matsumoto Hiroki-sama
She bows in front of the windowpane and told Ruriko.
Buoon.
Ruriko lowers the windowpane.
Then.
Thank you, Seki-san
She gracefully thanked Shou-neechan and looked at elder Matsumoto.
I’m Kouzuki Ruriko
She doesn’t bow to Elder Matsumoto.
She just names herself.
What’s this?
Elder Matsumoto’s confused as to why the person from the Kouzuki house in the limo, is a middle school girl.
He’s clearly showing a face that this is contrary to his expectations.
He doesn’t feel like he can’t open business talks with Ruriko.
I’m here as Grandfather’s proxy
Ruriko brings the head of the Kouzuki house’s name.
Proxy? No, but.
Elder Matsumoto’s confused.
He still thinks that Ruriko’s no match for him as she’s a middle school student.
It’s a luxurious limousine, Jii-chan’s personal bodyguard, Shou-neechan, and ten men in black uniform. Then Kyouko-san, who names herself as an employee of the Kouzuki house’s organization.
He knows from experience that this isn’t a normal situation.
Today, Ruriko-ojousama wants to talk to Matsumoto-sama about his grandchildren
This time, Kyouko-san, disguised as Chemin Koda, goes to the window next to Ruriko.
Standing on both sides of Ruriko together with Shou-neechan.
My granddaughters? Maki and Miki?
Elder Matsumoto’s surprised.
Yes, they’re both in the limousine as well
Shou-neechan said with a smile.
Why? How are my granddaughters with Kouzuki house?
Ruriko doesn’t respond.
Instead, Chemin Koda speaks.
Your granddaughter’s sister, Matsumoto Maki-sama’s attending a music high-school, doesn’t she? many of the young ladies attend to such schools
It’s different from the usual Kyouko-san, she’s explaining with an old lady voice with a slow and calm tone.
One of Maki-sama’s friend in school talked to Toii-sama from Torii electronics, and then Torii-sama told Kouzuki-sama Torii electronics?
Following the Kouzuki house, Elder Matsumoto reacts name of the world-class electrical equipment manufacturer mentioned.
The wife of the president of Torii electronics is from the Kanou house, a noble family. They have a close relationship with the Kouzuki house
Chemin Koda explains.
Torii-sama’s daughter is also in the car
Shou-neechan said.
It’s my turn now
Mariko told me and then opened the windowpane.
Then.
I’m Torii Mariko
She greets Elder Matsumoto politely.
Mariko doesn’t bow either. She just named herself.
then, is Maki and Miki in that car?
Elder Matsumoto asks.
We can’t continue our conversation here, we have a room in the hotel so let’s move there
Chemin Koda speaks in a low tone.
But. That’s what Kouzuki Ruriko-sama wants
There’s no way the daughter of the Kouzuki house would want to have a discussion in the parking lot.
She needs a proper place to have a discussion
Do you understand?
Behind the dark rimmed glasses of Chemin Koda is Kyouko-san putting pressure on Elder Matsumoto.
I understand, let’s change locations Thank you Ruriko-sama, Torii-sama, please come down
Shou-neechan opens the limo.
At the same time, the men in black uniform of Kouzuki SS took formation.
Ruriko and Mariko got off the car gracefully.