Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon - Volume 1 - Chapter 18

Chapter 18 - The fiance who doesn't cry

When Kiyoka arrived back home, Yurie was still there for some reason.

It was past her working hours, normally, she should've returned long before this time.

Miyo was there, right beside Yurie, but somehow, there was something off about her.

"Okaerinasaimase, Danna-sama."

"...Okaerinasaimase, Bocchan."

As he thought, Miyo looked like she was in a brown study. Yurie, on the other hand, kept sending a grim look at Miyo, looking like she wanted to speak up about something.

The air between the two was tense.

"Tadaima... Did something happen?"

"That—-"

"No."

Miyo immediately interrupted and stopped Yurie from saying any more.

"I sincerely apologise, nothing happened."

"Miyo-sama..."

Kiyoka furrowed his brows at this scene.

Miyo was avoiding his gaze.

She's been raising her head a lot more these days, and their eyes would often meet when they conversed. However, right now, it felt like they've gone back to when they first met.

"What happened?"

"Nothing happened, truly. Please excuse me."

Normally, they would have dinner together at this time, but Miyo excused herself with a bow and went back to her room.

(This... something definitely happened.)

He looked at Yurie, who was still at the entrance, and saw that she drooped her head down sadly.

"Bocchan... Yurie is so sorry, Yurie didn't do a good job."

"Could it be, that something happened while you were out?"

"Yes..."

She quickly ran her errands without delay, but in the short span of time that she was away, Miyo ran into Kaya. And Kaya's attitude was strangely domineering.

Kiyoka couldn't help but click his tongue when Yurie told him what had happened during the day,

To think that something like that would happen while he was having a talk with the Saimoris. If only he had said something to Kaya when he brushed past her in the Saimori residence.

Didn't this just end up making everything go back to square one?

"...Before Danna-sama returned, Miyo-sama had cooped herself up in her room since we came back, just as she is doing right now. Yurie was so worried I couldn't go home so I stayed behind."

Kiyoka hadn't told Yurie about Miyo's treatment back when she was living with the Saimoris.

It's not that he had no plans on telling, he did. After all, the two of them were going to spend a lot of time with each other so she would definitely talk to and console Miyo.

But he did not expect things to turn out this way.

By the time he realised that he was too late, he was filled with the feeling of helplessness.

(I still have a long way to go)

He couldn't even protect a single woman.

And he didn't know what to say or how to support her in times like this.

Up till this day, he has had many marriage opportunities but he ruined every single one of them.

Perhaps, he truly was not suited for marriage.

In situations like this, he would be at such a loss and end up not doing anything that is seen as cold and unfeeling in people's eyes.

But even so, he had made his decision.

Kiyoka had chosen Miyo—he would marry her for sure.
"I wonder how... can I be more confident?"

With regards to Kiyoka's murmuring, Yurie chuckled "For something like that..."

"Well, one thing's for sure, Bocchan, women gain confidence from being loved. As such, if Bocchan can show your love towards Miyo-sama more clearly, and show that you cherish her, I'm sure she will without a doubt feel more reassured."

"..."

(Love huh...)

Could the feelings he has for her truly be called that, Kiyoka was still uncertain.

However, what Yurie said did put the intentions he had into words.

As her fiance, needless to say, he should cherish her dearly—or rather, that was something he had to do even without these circumstances.

"If that would make her feel better..."

Then it was something he was willing to do no matter how much effort it took.

It was getting late so Kiyoka drove Yurie home. And when he returned, Kiyoka stood outside Miyo's room.

"It’s me... Can we talk for a bit?"

Following his words, the sliding door opened just a peep for part of Miyo’s figure to be shown.

"I sincerely apologise, Danna-sama. I'll be better in awhile. Could you please, leave me be during this time?"

Contrary to Kiyoka's expectations, her voice was very clear. It was neither trembling nor tearful, instead, it was soft and calm.

Though it was immediately apparent that her voice was a lot lower and more subdued than usual.

"I just want to say a few words to you, is that not possible as well?"

"I sincerely apologise."

Although Kiyoka was unable to see the expression on Miyo’s face since she was looking down, this situation was still a rare sight to witness. For her to express her thoughts of not wanting to see him this clearly despite uttering words of apology.

Kiyoka heaved a sigh... Well, he couldn't force someone who was suffering from emotional trauma.

"I see. Then I guess it can't be helped."

"I will still do my chores properly, so..."

"Don't worry about that."

Miyo bowed her head slightly to apologise for inconveniencing him.

"Let me just say one thing."

And the hand that was about to close the sliding door froze.

"All the troubles and secrets that you hold in your heart will soon become nothing of concern."

While one might not be able to change the fact that they were not born with an ability, there were many other things that they could take control in their own hands.

All the things that Miyo felt she couldn't do now, thinking that she's not good enough could all be resolved in the future.

For example, that family and half-sister of hers.

However, it was just the matter of the emotional battles Miyo had to go through on her own, since Kiyoka had already made up his mind.
"lf you have anything to say to me, I will always be here to listen to you."

The truth was, Kiyoka still wanted to have a proper talk with Miyo, but he held it back and took his leave. She probably still needed more time to think it through by herself.

"...Yes."

The belated reply that came, although soft, did not sound weak.

The flower season had passed and the time for lush greenery to flourish had come.

There had been a major decline in the number of times Kiyoka and Miyo met every since that day. And even though it's only been a few days, the days felt extremely long and heavy to Kiyoka.

The warmth in the house also seemed to have halved somehow.

And he still hasn't gotten a reply from the Saimori family. The shikigamis sent to keep an eye on him hasn't stopped either.

Although Kiyoka more or less had an idea of who was behind it, since they still haven't had any direct contact and the person's intent was still unclear, he was still mulling over how he should deal with them.

Despite all the depressing matters he had on his mind, he still had to go to work today.

"You look so depressed."

It was Godou who came to the leader's office to settle some paperwork who said that.

Kiyoka pursed his lips at the comment, how annoying. It was obvious that Godou was very amused.

"I know, I know, but I must say, what a rare sight to see. This is probably the first time that you've had such a long-lasting fiance. Eh, has your engagement not been formalised yet?"

"..."

"I never would've thought that Taichou would become this way because of a woman~"

"...Shut it."

"Hmm, a woman that Taichou likes... I really want to meet her."

"Dream on."

"! Don't fall so deeply in love so suddenly!"

It's not like he had fallen that far in...

Just talking to Godou made Kiyoka's blood boil. Really, what an utterly ridiculous conversation.

"Godou, you know what's happening tomorrow, don't you?"

Hearing Kiyoka confirm with him once more, the trusty right-hand man chuckled.

"Of course. I'll head to the station in the afternoon and drive over to Taichou's house after"that... Please don't forget about the reward we agreed on."

"I know. I'm counting on you."

"Leave it to me."

Lately, there have been quite a number of people resigning from their jobs.

Hence, Godou's workload had since increased. However, as Kiyoka had obtained permission from above, he had no need to worry about this agreement between him and Godou. Moreover, Kiyoka had also decided to give Godou his remuneration out of his own pocket.

That said, treating Godou to three trips to a pub popular with the masses with no limit to the budget was a cheap price to pay.

What kind of expression would Miyo make tomorrow?

Would it be one where she's slightly afraid but still expectant?

Regardless, it didn't matter as long as she was happy, Kiyoka thought to himself.