Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon - Volume 1 - Chapter 15

Chapter 15 - A suitable colour

Recently, the atmosphere in the house has been tense.

And Tatsuishi Kouji was going through the most depressing period in his life thus far.

One of the major reasons for that was his father, the head of the Tatsuishi being in a terrible mood. Whenever he passed by the study, he would almost always hear enraged yelling or the sounds of objects being smashed.

It seems like his father was incredibly frustrated by how things weren't progressing as he'd like. Although Kouji feels that he should be the one feeling angry and throwing tantrums.

Towards his exasperated father, his brother acts like it's none of his business despite being the heir to the Tatsuishi family, while his mother was just plain unreliable. The servants tread carefully around the house, even more so than normal, for fear of worsening his father's temper. As such, the air in the house became increasingly heavy. Ah, he can't even catch a break.

People would often say that Kouji was a calm person and rarely ever takes his anger out on others. However, that didn't mean that he was completely void of such intense emotions.

"Hey, Kouji-san, won't you accompany out to shop?"

-—Ah ah, it's her.

His fiance who spoke with a soft cooing voice like a cat.

What his father has done vexes him to no end. Just the thought of marrying this woman and having to spend the next few decades of his life with her made his blood boil. It also made him nauseous.

Kouji had liked Miyo ever since they were kids.

Although she was calm and gentle, she was also strong enough to withstand her family's torment. And he was attracted to that brilliance of hers.

Occasionally, he would witness her fragility-when it looked like she was about to cry. It always gave him a strong urge to protect her.

She was the eldest daughter of the Saimori family while he was the second son of the Tatsuishi family. With the ongoing relations between both families, it was not unlikely for them to be together.

Even so...

After all is said and done, Kouji's fiance turned out to be Kaya, Miyo’s abuser, while Miyo was sent off to a place far beyond his reach.

Additionally, his father’s original plan was for Miyo to marry his brother. Everyone only saw that child as a tool, nothing more. Hence, whether it's his own family or the Saimori family who cruelly abandoned Miyo, he was disgusted by them all.

"Shopping? Sure, let's go."

Despite all the thoughts he had in his mind, he didn't speak a word of it and answered his fiance with a smile. Maintaining his image of a good young man "Tatsuishi Kouji".

The reason was simple.

If Kouji had rejected Kaya and chose to be engaged with Miyo instead, for someone as egotistical as Kaya and her mother, Kanoko, they would surely redirect that resentment towards Miyo. He cannot allow something to happen to Miyo. Thus, he would get close to them and keep a lookout on them, such that no one could hurt his important person.

(I'm the only one who can protect Miyo.)

After reaffirming his resolve, Kouji suppressed his feelings of turning on his back and walked towards Kaya.

★ ★ ★

As planned, Miyo had arrived in the downtown area with Yurie.

Even without a vehicle, it was only about a 30-minute walk from the house. As they leisurely made their way there, it took them around 40 minutes to arrive at their destination. Since Yurie knew the location of the shop selling handicraft materials that Miyo needed, they found the store right away.

"Wah...This is amazing."

Although Miyo often sewed, she‘s only ever used leftover cloth and thread as materials. This was the first time she had been to a shop like that.

The interior of the shop was extremely colourful, filled with a range of threads and fabrics of different designs, the colours of the rainbow. They also had needles, scissors, and a variety of other tools. The atmosphere of this shop was vastly different from that of the gofuku store and Miyo couldn't help but feel excited. If she had to choose, she definitely preferred a general like this one, where anyone could easily enter.

"Well then, Miyo-sama, which do you like?"

"Erhm, ah right..."

She wondered what colours did Kiyoka like. No, or perhaps she should choose a colour that best suited him.

(Danna-sama probably doesn't like colours that are too bold.)

For Kiyoka's light-coloured hair, a dark hair tie would probably be good. It'd be best for her to stay away from colours like bright yellow or red.

(If it's blue...)

Navy blue and indigo would definitely suit him. But if it suited him to the tee, it ends up being a little boring. Since Kiyoka usually wears a black hair tie, it would just end up being the same as every other day.

"Ah, what do I do..."

Meanwhile, Yurie watched over her with a smile as Miyo conflicted over what colour she should get for Kiyoka.

Miyo didn't feel troubled at all, being in this dilemma, in contrast, it was actually something special and happy for her. She had never thought for herself or anyone like that at all.

She's only gone through the motions as ordered while enduring the unreasonable demands. That was the only life she knew.

She never knew that it could be so much fun picturing someone else's face of delight from receiving a gift from her.

Though fleeting, she was grateful for these blissful times Kiyoka had given her.

As she was choosing between the different threads, a smile crept up on her face.

After agonising over colour for a long time and the hands on the clock have advanced a lot, she finally made a decision. If they leave now, it would probably be afternoon by the time they got home.

Miyo was relieved that she brought enough money. After paying for the threads, she left the store with Yurie.

"I'm glad you managed to find a colour you're happy with."

"Yes, now I'm looking forward to the braiding."

She found a colour that made her think, rThis is itj and purchased it.

She wanted to make the hair tie and gift it to Kiyoka as soon as possible. Though it was just some cheaps threads and Miyo was merely an amateur at this. He might not actually be happy to receive something like that.

Nevertheless, Miyo couldn't help but wonder what kind of reaction Kiyoka would make. And her heart started racing beyond her control. She could also feel her cheeks heating up.

"Ah! Come to think of it!"

"Yurie-san?"

Miyo stopped in her tracks and tilted her head at Yurie who suddenly exclaimed.

"Miyo-sama, Yurie needs to get some salt, so please wait here for a bit."

"Salt..."

Miyo immediately knew what Yurie was talking about.

They've almost gone through all the salt in the kitchen. Moreover, there seems to be some mistake with the delivery so the salt didn't arrive. Fortunately, they should be able to obtain it within the vicinity. Before that, they were still worrying about it running out, but thankfully Yurie remembered.

"I won’t take too long."

"...Why don't I go instead?"

"No no no, please wait here, Miyo-sama."

Yurie chuckled while saying that this was a job and that she wasn't going to give it up to Miyo. And with that, she went on her way.

After a moment's hesitation, Miyo still thought that she should follow Yurie but by then, Yurie's figure was long lost in the crowd.

Miyo stood by a streetlight, out of the way of the moving crowd.

Watching the mass of people walking past her, all the excitement she had originally was suddenly gone without a trace.

(Somehow, I feel... nervous.)

Seeing the people come and go, it made Miyo who was standing there feel like she had been deserted, left alone by herself, which made her restless.

She wished Yurie would return soon. She looked in the direction Yurie left in, wanting to follow her to the shop she went to but couldn't make out much, so she gave up and looked down at her feet.

—Just then.

"Aiya, is that you, Onee-sama?"

"...!"

Miyo felt a chill run down her spine.

(No way...)

There's no way Miyo could have mistaken this sickeningly sweet voice. Back when she was still at the Saimori residence, she would always freeze up at the sound of this voice.

Ah ah, she should've known that this was bound to happen. Coming to such a busy place like the city, there was always the possibility of a meeting.

It was as if all the hustle and bustle of the city had gone away in an instant as all the blood left Miyo's face.

"K-Kaya..."

As soon as she turned around, she was greeted by the sight of Kaya smiling, as beautiful as ever, accompanied by Kouji.