Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon - Volume 2 - Chapter 10

Chapter 10 - Lessons and outing

Just as Kiyoka had told Miyo, the time he spent at home decreased significantly.

Although he would still come home every day, it was at most only in the evening for a short meal and rest before he went out again. And after that, he doesn't come back until the next morning.

It's probably because he's worried about Miyo that he makes sure to go home in the evening even for a short while. As much as she felt sorry to see his busy figure rushing about, Miyo was still relieved, nonetheless.

Also, Miyo has been putting in more effort into her studies these past few days.

That's right, don't hunch your back, be conscious and stop yourself from shrinking your body.

She followed Hazuki's words and straightened her back. She kept her shoulders pulled slightly backwards and her chest high. In order to make this into a habit, Miyo practised maintaining this posture while walking along the hallways of the house.

Miyo always tends to look down so her eyes are often downcast; this naturally causes her body to hunch over making her appear rather gloomy.

A party is a social event. You don't want to give people the impression that you're gloomy when interacting with them. So first things first, you need to change that timid demeanour of yours.

Yes.

Hazuki asked for a full-length mirror to be prepared and had it placed in Miyo's room.

Whenever she had the time to spare, Miyo would observe her own posture in the mirror to make sure she was carrying herself as she was taught.

And during another lesson.

If you're talking to someone and a topic comes up that you don’t understand, just smile and chime in stuff like I see to show that you're listening28, especially if you're dealing with a chatty gentleman. They mostly just want others to listen to them... So when you smile, raise the corners of your lips, and lower the corners of your eyes. Just a small smile is enough.

Like this?

Miyo tried to do as Hazuki said but immediately got the feedback that she was too awkward.

Remember that when you smile, if you don't do it naturally, you may end up offending the other party instead.

Noted.

Then, during another time...

On the usual dining table were Western plates, forks, knives, spoons, and glasses, etc.

Refreshments will be served at the party, so you'll need to remember how to handle these utensils at the very least.

Hazuki immediately started going through how to use them and the things to take note of one by one.

Do not make any sound when using the tableware. Be careful not to let your glass tip over from the weight of the drink.

Don't drink alcohol on the day; if you're not used to it, it'll lead to accidents.

I understand.

Miyo nodded her head and committed every word Hazuki said to memory.

Miyo also learned many other things from Hazuki.

Some simple greetings in a foreign language, what to do when one gets caught up with pesky people, how to introduce oneself, and the rules of conversation. Although these are all little things given in bite-sized portions, it was still quite difficult to remember them all at once.

To make sure that she didn't forget anything, Miyo wrote down everything she learnt in a notebook. She would review those notes whenever she could, replaying them in her head over and over again.

Time was running out. The day of the party was approaching in about one and a half months' time, and Miyo was beginning to feel anxious.

Even if Yurie could do it, she couldn't just put aside all the chores. During the day, Miyo would study independently while doing her housework and when Hazuki arrives, she would attend her rigorous lessons. So preparation and revision of her lessons is basically done at night.

As this goes on, coupled with the nightmares that plague her, Miyo's sleeping hours was inevitably getting shorter and shorter.

Miyo-chan?

... Ah, y-yes...?

At the sound of Hazuki's voice, Miyo broke out of her daze.

On this day in early August, Miyo, Hazuki, and Yurie went out to town.

Hazuki said that it was for a change of pace, but the main purpose was to see if Miyo could apply what she had learnt outside of the house.

Miyo had planned on ruminating on what she was taught during the car ride, but she ended up daydreaming.

Are you alright? You look a little pale.

Yes, ah, no... I'm fine.

She managed to answer Hazuki despite the haze of thought swirling in her mind.

The nightmares she got had been progressively becoming more severe; the harder she studied the worse they got.

It's useless for you to learn anything now. A fake will never be recognised as a real lady. They all said the same thing in her dreams-her father, stepmother, Kaya, sometimes even Yurie, Hazuki, and Kiyoka. They all turned their backs on Miyo, no matter how hard she tries to deny those claims, cling onto them, and cry.

To be honest, that feeling of hopelessness that lingers in her heart even after she had woken up was not something easy to bear. At some point, she even felt like everything she did was useless and it would be easier to just take her own life.

(But it's not useless...Surely, I can do it too...)

Every time she was denied, she would study even harder, determined to overturn those words. She couldn't stop even if she knew she would be tormented by more nightmares.

Miyo-chan, it may sound strange for me to say this but it's not good to overwhelm yourself; rushing doesn't help. You're learning and improving well, so there's no need to push yourself too hard.

...Yes.

Yurie is worried about you too, Miyo-sama. You haven't been eating much lately, have you? That's not good for you.

I'm sorry.

After hearing their worries and receiving a series of advice from them, Miyo lowered her head gloomily.

She was aware of the alarm bells her body had been sounding and that it was unusual for her to be besetted by nightmares like this.

But at the same time, she was also well-aware that she's not the brightest person. She knew that if she didn't give her all like her life depended on it, she wouldn't be able to even come close to just appearing like a lady in a month and a half.

In the summer, the Imperial City is swelteringly hot as the deadly sunlight shines down on the pavement.

Along the streets, were many banners put up, selling frozen desserts, ramune29, and many other refreshing products to keep one cool in the summer. The streets were filled with people dressed in white or light-coloured Western clothing and light-weight kimonos; many could also be seen taking a break under the shady eaves of buildings.

They eventually stopped the car on the outskirts of the city. The moment they got out of the car; they were greeted with a wave of hot air. When they were in the car, the breeze felt good with the window down, but once they got out of the car, not so much. It would appear that parasols and fans were a must to keep on hand.

After they alighted from the car, the driver told that he would be back to pick them up later and drove off.

Well then, let's finish up as soon as possible and go home.

Um, Hazuki-san, don't mind me, I'm fine...

Miyo tried to hint that she didn't want to waste this precious opportunity but her suggestion was immediately dismissed with a quick N-o.

What are you saying with such a bad complexion? You need to take a good rest later when we get back, okay?

...Okay.

Under Hazuki's strong advice, Miyo nodded her head reluctantly.

And so, the three of them strolled around the city.

Although strolling might sound rather casual, reality was in fact quite different! Miyo had to concentrate all her attention on maintaining a good posture with every step she took.

In addition, she would occasionally visit the shops along the streets and exchange a few greetings and questions with the shopkeepers while not being a bother to them. This was practice for smiling and talking to others.

Mhm, I think you did a good job; well done, Miyo.

After walking around for a while, they decided to find somewhere to take a break. On their way there, Miyo heaved a sigh of relief at the evaluation Hazuki gave her.

Thank you very much.

But you've pushed yourself too hard, haven't you? As I said, don't be impatient. It'll be all for nothing if you fall sick on the day of the important party.

Hazuki had a point and Miyo knew that in her mind as well.

(Is it because of the heat?)

Since a while ago, her thoughts had been becoming more confused and chaotic than ever. She can't get her words out well.

While sweat trickles down the sides of her temples.

...Somehow, I feel like I won't be able to gain any confidence no matter what I do...?

She had to say something.

She just blurted out what was in her mind. For a moment there, she felt her vision go dark.

Miyo-chan?

She could hear the question in Hazuki's voice but she sounded so terribly far away.

(Why is that?)

She could feel her body wobbling, losing her sense of balance; she couldn't stand still.

(Ah...)

She squeezed her eyes shut and readied herself for the fall that was to come.

Woah there.

Her falling body bumped into something hard. The voice coming from behind her belonged to a young man.

The refreshing scent of perfume filled her senses. Then, she realised that someone had supported her when she was about to fall and instantly lost all colour on her face.

M-My deepest apologies!

She hurriedly pulled herself away from that person who supported her and bowed deeply without looking at his face.

(Ah, I've even caused trouble for strangers because my head was in the clouds...!)

Her heart was pounding like crazy. She desperately tried to hold back the tremble in her fingers as she repeated the words rMy deepest apologiesj over and over again.

Ah ah, please raise your head.

His voice sounded somewhat flustered. For now, Miyo was relieved that she hadn't angered the other party and she straightened her body fearfully.

Standing in front of her was a man whose voice matched his appearance.

He wasn't very tall but he had a slender figure and his chestnut coloured hair was nicely groomed. He wore a white shirt, tie, and waistcoat. He was an amiable-looking man who now had a troubled smile on his face.

It's alright, that aside, I'm just glad you're not hurt.

...No, this is all because of my carelessness. I really, sincerely apologise.

I apologise as well.

Hazuki came up next to Miyo and bowed beautifully at the man.

Thank you so much for helping her. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't passed by.

Ah, no. no. It's nothing much, I didn't really do anything. Don't worry about it.

Seemingly unperturbed by Hazuki's courteous words of gratitude, that young man returned just as politely.

That was dangerous so please take care not to injure yourself.

Yes, thank you very much.

Um, then I'll be going now.

That kind young man lightly bowed his head and left.

As Miyo saw him off with gratitude and apology in her eyes, Hazuki murmured next to her.

I wonder who that is.

Eh?

No, he's clothes are well-tailored and the way he carries himself also seems very familiar. I don't know him but I wonder if he's some sergeant. Ah, but that's not the point! Are you okay, Miyo-can? Are you in any pain or distress?

N-Not at the moment...

As usual, there was a stark difference between Hazuki's elegant and refined self and her innocent and childlike self.

Even though she had gotten quite used to it, the sudden and brilliant switch still overwhelmed Miyo as she nodded in awe.

That gave me such a scare. It's all my fault, bringing you out in such hot weather without thinking of your condition.

Ah, that's not the case! I was just careless and tripped over.

But...

It was definitely too much of a stretch to say that she tripped in that situation but Miyo didn't want them to think that she was so unwell she collapsed.

Moreover, she was still in the middle of a lesson with Hazuki. It would be a waste of time to take a long break here.

She thought she had said those words in a firm and resolute manner but Hazuki looked at her with a mixture of concern and suspicion. At that moment, silence fell between them.

Miyo-sama, Hazuki-sama.

Amid the bustle and noise of the city, Yurie's voice sounded calm and indifferent-that was a voice Miyo had never heard before.

Yurie has something to say to both of you. Of course, you will listen, won't you?

The tone of her voice was as soft as usual, but this anger that cannot be hidden was leaking out.

At this moment, Miyo and Hazuki knew they were in for a good scolding.

28    "相植"or Aizuchi. In the Japanese language, Aizuchi are the frequent interjections during a conversation that indicate the listener is paying attention or understands the speaker. In linguistic terms, these are a form of phatic expression, from wiki

29    Written as "氷菓子" which is stuff like popsicle, ice cream, and sherbet while ramune is an old fashioned type of carbonated drink that's known for its glass bottle sealed with a marble. To open a bottle of ramune, you push the marble down into the neck of the bottle where it remains as you drink. The name is derived from a Japanese borrowing of the English word lemonade.