Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon - Volume 1 - Chapter 22

Chapter 22 - Thank you party

When Miyo tightened the obi around her, it felt as if she had been reborn.

The kimono, obi, and accessories on her body were all brand new, and of fine quality too.

(I look so similar...)

Looking into the mirror, she saw a woman in a kimono of cherry blossom design, much like her mother that she had dreamt the other day. For a moment there, Miyo didn't even realise she was looking at herself.

She had grown some meat on her scrawny body and although the lustre in her hair couldn't be compared to that of Kiyoka's, there was visible improvement.

She will never forget how deeply touched she was when this kimono which had a very similar design to her mother's mementos that were taken from her.

Miyo was already over the moon at the fact that Kiyoka had several sets of kimonos tailored for her. All the more when he chose a design like that simply because he thought it would suit her, even though she didn't think he should have knowledge about it. She didn't know what was the extent of how happy she could be and found herself absurdly wanting to ask that.

Honestly, she was at a loss for words from all the happiness welling up inside her.

After that, Miyo, who couldn't hold back her smile whenever she looked at the kimonos every day, must have been a strange sight for anyone to see.

And thus, she had decided to wear that kimono with the cherry blossom design to receive Godou today as thanks for the other day.

(I hope you will be pleased by today Godou-sama.)

Although she had found out what Godou liked from Kiyoka beforehand and made the preparations for them, Miyo couldn't help but feel unsure of herself as she's only met the man a few times.

(But it's not like fretting over it would do anything.)

After applying light makeup in front of the mirror, as Yurie had taught her beforehand, Miyo got up and hurried to the kitchen to finish preparing for the party.

★ ★ ★

"Oh no, I'm so looking forward to it."

In the car that was on its way to the Kudou house, Kiyoka glared daggers at Godou, who was muttering under his breath.

"If you're referring to your reward as thanks, haven't I already treated you at the pub as promised?"

"I'm sure, Miyo-san will be an amazing wife."

"Don't refer to her with such familiarity."

Although I do think that I'm being narrow-minded, I can't let someone who calls my fiance "Miyo-san" so casually live.

"Wai- What? What do you mean by not letting them live!"

"..My bad, I guess I spoke my thoughts out loud."

"I know you're being serious! That's-"

(My head is going to be separated from my body by this dastardly boss...)

Kiyoka sent an icy glare at his subordinate, who deliberately lamented out loud, and rested one hand on the sword at his waist—well, it was more like a reflex.

It gave Kiyoka a huge surprise when Miyo said that she wanted to invite Godou.

Whatever the reason, until recently, she was someone who had never thought of wanting to meet someone on her own accord. It was probably because she had been confined to the Saimori residence for so long that she had nearly been cut off from human contact, as well as the various things that happened to her which led to her despising herself.

However, her appearance had improved significantly and she looked much healthier now. If her self-esteem were to improve, even just by a little bit, because she's more sure of the future, Kiyoka would surely be happy to see that.

"Should we put out some shikigamis to be on guard?"

"Don't worry, there's no way I'll mess up something this simple."

Godou turned behind to have a look.

The annoying shikigamis that had been tirelessly hounding Kiyoka day after day were gone. While it might be a little more difficult to obscure the vision of a human, if it was just obscuring that of shikigamis, it was something Kiyoka was more than capable of doing.

The enemy must be absolutely certain that Kiyoka was living in a mansion in the city centre.

Getting Godou to pick Hana up was just him taking extra precautions.

Truly, what a sloppily done surveillance.

"Well, that's true. By the way, some casual chatter has made its way into my ear."

Although that was what he said, Godou continued.

"Really, the quality of ability users has been deteriorating terribly."

"It can't be helped, after all, the number of ability users has been declining to begin with."

Following the influx of Western culture, the empire's science and technology was growing year by year. The existence of the supernaturals has been denied and their numbers were dwindling rapidly. As such, the role of ability users whose job was to fight against these beings was slowly becoming obsolete.

Under such circumstances, it shouldn't be said that the ability users from distinguished families have grown weak. It was inevitable after all.

Even Kiyoka, who was called the strongest of his time, couldn't hold a candle to ability users of the past.

"-—We've arrived. Get out of the car."

With that, Kiyoka kicked Godou, who made his superior drive and kept chattering ceaselessly, from the car.

And then, after hearing a strange yelp, he received a complaint from Godou.

"Hey, please don't be so violent^ I'm gonna tell Miyo-san."

"...I see. Then, it can't be helped. I'll have to shut that mouth forever."

"Eh, it's super effective! I mean. I'm scared..."

Godou's expression worsened immediately.

Towards his subordinate, who would pretend to be afraid of him when he wasn't, Kiyoka could only sigh at his actor of a subordinate.

At the entrance, Miyo was there, waiting for him as usual. There was no sign of Yurie, so she probably returned home first.

"Okaerinasaimase, Danna-sama and irasshaimase, Godou-sama."

Miyo, who bowed slowly, was dolled up today.

The other day, Kiyoka used the hair tie as a suitable excuse to make Miyo accept the kimono. The design that he chose really suited her just as he had expected.

Miyo's complexion looked visibly better, her face was dyed in a faint layer of red and her nicely groomed hair that was loosely tied into a ponytail had a sheen to it. Although her wrists that were peeking out from her sleeves were still slender, it didn't give one the feeling like she was unhealthy like before.

Truly, it was as if she had been reborn.

It's like picking up a random stone from the side of the road and realising that it was a gem after polishing it—it was just as Keiko, from "Suzushimaya" had said.

While it was annoying to think about, Kiyoka had to thank the Saimoris for sending Miyo to him.

"Danna-sama? Is something of the matter?"

"No... You look really pretty like that."

Kiyoka immediately felt embarrassed for accidentally voicing out his thoughts.

(What on earth did I just say?)

Seeing Miyo's face turn bright red belatedly only made the embarrassment he felt double.

Although he really wanted to give Godou, who had a dumbfounded expression on his face while asking"! think I should just go home now", Kiyoka couldn't do that in front of her.

Kiyoka never realised how hard being unable to act freely felt until now.

"Erhm, Danna-sama, truly, thank you very much. I really like this colour."

"T-That's good."

Anyway, it was right that he got Keiko to complete this kimono of cherry blossom design as fast as she possibly could. Although it was a little out of season, it's no problem if Miyo was this pleased with it.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Godou-sama! Please, come inside..."

Finally noticing Godou's existence, Miyo hurriedly opened the door for him.

Though rare for Godou, he managed a dry laugh and entered into the house with eyes that looked dead.

"Wow! It's so deliciousl"

"Please, have some more."

Dishes were being served one after another. While the amount of dishes on the table seemed like quite a lot at first glance, the portions were all small.

With every bite that Godou took, he would be so impressed and exclaim with great emotion.

"Since you live with your parents, don't you have good food everyday?"

"No, no, no. You don't understand, Taichou- The food made by my parents has the simple taste of home while izakaya food like this has a completely different appeal."

"..."

Was that the case?

Come to think of it, he would have at least two meals a day that was either made by Yurie or Miyo, so what Kiyoka felt might be closer to that of the general masses.

Though of course, when he was younger, Kiyoka was surrounded by so many high-end things to the point he got tired of them. Hence, he supposed he should be more sensitive to whether or not something was good or bad.

"...I'll pour you some, Godou-sama."

"O-Oh, thank you very much."

Miyo poured him a glass of sake while feeling a little bashful from all the praise Godou was giving her. Then, she solemnly bowed her head once more.

"Godou-sama, please allow me to thank you once again for the matter relating to Hana the other day."

"I was just a chauffeur."

"But still... I heard that Godou-sama is Danna-sama's right-hand man. If that was the case, then it was thanks to Godou-sama that I was able to calm down and have a talk with Danna-sama that day."

It was a rare sight and too dazzling to the eyes to see his fiance speaking this fluently.

Did she grow? Or was this what she was like originally? Either way, Kiyoka's mood improved a little and he finished his sake.

However.

"Miyo-san... this is the first time someone's ever said something like that to me... I feel so happy! If possible, why don't you marry me instead!"

"Eh..."

"Hey!!"

Hearing such a ridiculous remark, Kiyoka ultimately couldn't stop himself from raising his voice.

"You seem... to really have a death wish."

By the way, Kiyoka was more than half-serious about what he just said above.

After all, Miyo's appearance wasn't bad at all and she was an all-rounder that was good at housework too. Putting aside her low self-esteem she was a pretty good catch. Although he didn't want to think about it, she wouldn't probably be treasured even if Miyo wasn't going to become his wife.

Just the mere thought of that sent a shudder down Kiyoka's spine.

Kiyoka also wasn't a big fan of Tatsuishi Kouji, the second son of the Tatsuishi family, who was Miyo's childhood friend.

Kiyoka was astounded by the sudden realisation of this unease he had in his heart. Had he ever been this obsessed about something as he was now?

"I-It's just a joke... Wait, that murderous intent! Please keep that murderous intent of yours!"

Godou said in a panic, losing all colour in his face. It's because the Major never praises him normally... Being glared at with an icy look, Godou suddenly felt like he had lost all the strength in his body.

Because Miyo spoke in a reserved manner.

"Erhm, Godou-sama, I appreciate the offer, but... I still prefer Danna-sama..."

I sincerely apologise.

Godou had intended for it to be an obvious joke and seeing his superior's fiance reject him so seriously threw him in a panic.

"Uh! I-I see~. It's just a joke, just a joke." 

(Serves you right) Kiyoka thought inwardly; let it serve as a lesson to Godou.

A loose mouth was a recipe for disaster. This happened because Godou was always running his mouth off.

Above all, Kiyoka was gladden by Miyo's words, saying "I prefer Danna-sama". It felt like something was welling up from the bottom of his heart.

Somewhere, in the back of his mind, Kiyoka was feeling uneasy that Miyo didn't have to be with him, as long as she could find a place to live.

Even though that shouldn't be the case, she was not that type of person.

In the beginning, perhaps, she was indeed looking for a place that would take her in. However, now that she has accepted and was wearing the kimono he gave her, wasn't it sufficient proof that she had accepted him as well?

And just like that, Kiyoka was immersed in the strong emotions he was feeling.

"Eh! Even high-ranking officers were... to Danna-sama..."

"That's right. I've heard that apparently, there are many generals who tremble at the mere mention of the name, Kudou Kiyoka. I don't even wanna know what he did though..."

"...Hey..."

At some point, the atmosphere had become cordial as the two of them got to know each other better. However, Kiyoka couldn't help but be pulled out of his thoughts when he heard the comments that he simply couldn't turn a deaf ear to.

"When Taichou gets mad, it's as if he had turned into an actual Hannya or something. The only ones who can talk to him are far and few between, it's just me and His Excellency, Major General Ookaito."

"...Godou."

"The training of the Anti-supernatural Special Task Force is well-known for being especially tough even within the Imperial Army. Ah, of course this is because of Taichou who trains us hard like a demon, but it's also because of this that we can fight against the paranormal flinching."

"...Godou, you really have such a good mouth."

"Hii."

(This time, I will surely cut you down if you continue blabbering.)

And so, as this "vicious" cycle continued, the night of the party was getting late.