Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon - Volume 2 - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - Danna-sama's Onee-san

The art of making tea, flower arrangement, playing the koto, and basic etiquette...

How to socialise at dance parties, how to carry oneself when wearing a dress instead of a kimono...

There was no end to the list of things required of the wife of the head of a prominent family.

And of course, that also stood true for the wife of the head of the Kudou family which has served the emperor since ancient times and was still a prominent noble family today.

Even if she kept the contact she had with other families to a minimum, she couldn't avoid it completely. Hence, practising for it was something that had to be done.

For Miyo Saimori who had suddenly become a bride of the Kudou family without having received sufficient education from her maiden home, it was an inevitable step she needed to take on her path to becoming a lady.

"Nice to meet you, you must be Miyo-chan yes? I'm Kudou Hazuki, Kiyoka's sister."

Miyo and Kiyoka lived a quiet life in a small house in the suburbs.

Surrounded by nature, it was a peaceful and quiet place—they lived in harmony with the commoners in the area. And that tranquil life was disrupted when the summer was coming in full swing and a woman, dressed somewhat inappropriately for the occasion, came to visit.

"N-Nice to meet you..."

Miyo, who went to welcome her with Yurie, managed to return the greeting despite the pressure she felt.

The woman who introduced herself as Kiyoka's older sister, Hazuki, was a stunning woman that left a deep impression on all that laid their eyes on her.

Her facial features were similar to that of Kiyoka's, but the overall atmosphere she exuded was feminine and soft. She had tea-coloured, shoulder-length hair that held loose waves and was rather tall for a woman. As she donned a refreshing looking dress which exposed her fair limbs, untouched by the harsh rays of the sun, she was the perfect example of what one might refer to as a modern girl.

She might appear lightly dressed, but the quality of her clothes and the accessories she wore were a good indication of her status.

"It's been a long time, Hazuki-sama."

"Oh, Yurie! Indeed, it has. How many years has it been since the last time I saw you? I'm glad to see that you're still in good health—that is most important, above all else."

Hazuki grabbed Yurie's hands and shook them excitedly. She used so much force Miyo was worried Yurie's arm might pop off from all that movement, but the smile never left Yurie's face and Miyo eventually smiled as well.

"Geez, you're still the same as ever, Nee-san."

At this time, Kiyoka who had appeared at the front door called out to Hazuki with a grumpy look on his face.

"Ara, Kiyoka, what about work?"

"I'm off duty."

"Sigh, and you're just as unfriendly as ever, even though you've only managed to snag yourself such a lovely fiance."

"That's not something you have to concern yourself with."

Hazuki pouted. Accordingly, she should be two years older than Kiyoka, but due to her youthful appearance, when she performed such girly actions, it didn't feel off and felt surprisingly appropriate.
"Well, whatever. More than that, Miyo-chan-ah, can I call you Miyo-chan?"

"Y-Yes."

"I've been asked by Kiyoka to be your teacher. Have you heard?"

"Eh... Y-Yes..."

She had heard that someone who would take on the role of her teacher was scheduled to come down today, but to be honest, she didn't expect that person to be Kiyoka's older sister. It gave her a really big surprise.

A few days ago.

After the commotion that occurred between the three families—the Saimori family, the Tatsuishi family, and the Kudou family—had settled down and peace had returned to Miyo's life, she spent her days doing her household chores just as before.

It was the kind of calm daily life Miyo had always wished for and she was more than content with it. In fact, she was so happy it almost felt surreal and she was scared it would disappear like a dream.

However, there was also this vague sense of impatience nagging at a corner of her mind, telling her "you can't go on like this."

As she stood in the position of Kiyoka's wife, her primary role was to protect the house and support him. However, she understood that only that was not enough.

And so, at the dinner table, finding it hard to continue with the meal, Miyo slowly put down her chopsticks and decided to consult Kiyoka.

"You want to relearn how to be a lady?"

"Yes. Is that possible?"

As a child, Miyo was once given the education as a lady of a distinguished household at the Saimori family. However, what she had learnt was only the basics and as she was now, she had long lost it and forgotten.

Kiyoka did not say anything. There was nothing he needed Miyo to do. However, as someone who would become his wife, that was not good enough. Miyo couldn't allow herself to wallow and be spoiled by Kiyoka's kindness forever.

”It's not that you can't... It's just that... you want to learn no matter what?"

Kiyoka deliberated over it with a tough expression on his face.

He was probably concerned about the burden it would place on Miyo. Miyo was not good at paying compliments nor was she good at socialising; perhaps she would not be able to acquire these quintessential skills to a lady. Of course, that was not to say that he wanted her to treat her relearning lightly, he just couldn't be sure about her condition regardless of any situations she may face during the course of her learning.

It's precisely because Kiyoka had such considerations in mind that he wasn't able to give his permission easily.

"Yes... no matter what. I will look for a teacher myself, so I won't cause any trouble for Danna-sama... Please..."

"..."

Seeing Miyo's deeply bowed head, Kiyoka couldn't help but sigh.

"You're still always lowering your head so easily. And..."

Noticing Kiyoka's sudden pause in his speech, Miyo raised her head curiously, only to find that he was staring at her. Then, a fair, slender finger of man reached out to brush Miyo on her cheeks.

"...Your complexion doesn't look very good. Even now, are you sure you're not pushing yourself too hard?"

"...ah"

Due to the sudden intimacy, Miyo felt so shy she could feel the temperature rising to her cheeks as she shook her head in a hurry.

"I-I'm not straining myself at all! I'm perfectly fine!"

"Are you sure? You look like you're running a fever right now."

"Eh, l-l mean... Um... That is..."

The corners of Kiyoka's lips curled into a smile as he watched Miyo mutter incoherently in her fluster.

Miyo was not used to being teased like this, but Kiyoka's smile was too precious, even if it made her feel a hint of annoyance.

"D-Danna-sama..."

"Sorry, don't look at me so begrudgingly... Alright, I get it, I have someone in mind to invite as your teacher. I'll get in touch and have her come over."

"Eh?"

For Miyo who was all fired up to find a teacher for herself, naturally, she would be taken aback when Kiyoka said rLet me take care of itj so matter-of-factly.

All this stemmed from Miyo's willfulness; there'd be no point if she just ended up troubling Kiyoka in the end for something so trivial.

"You don't have to be so reserved. I'm just putting someone with a lot of free time of her hands to good use."

"Someone who's very free...?"

And with that, Kiyoka ended the conversation without revealing any more details; Miyo was still wondering what was going to happen...

(No way, it's Danna-sama's...)

She didn't expect for the teacher Kiyoka invited to be his sister.

When faced with this smiling woman before her, Miyo virtually had the words nervousness and anxiousness written all over her face.

"At any rate, Kiyoka doesn't mention me much, does he?"

"N-No..."

"Well, matters not, I will take full responsibility for making you a fine lady."

Hazuki said spiritedly with her fist clenched.