Chapter 88 - Is that why you married me?

When Kiyohira enters the room, he sees her sitting in front of the laptop with a sinister smile. She is staring at the laptop's screen. Her fingers are frozen on the keyboard. He glances at the medications lying on the table. Is she having another episode? 

She doesn't seem to have noticed that he is in the room. He goes to her side and peeks at the screen. He can't make head or tail of it. There are only white numbers and letters moving like countless snakes in straight lines on the black screen. In a few seconds, the number stops moving. She taps 'enter' with her pinkie finger. 

Kiyohira is an idiot when it comes to the world of hacking and gaming, but even he could guess what's going on. He wonders who gave her this gift. He could only think of one person. He mentally kicks himself for not buying them for her first. 

He hears her mumble. "She has strong supporters who saved the company, but why are they supporting her?"

That must be about Chisa. He also found out that he failed to her stepfather's company. Chisa had been selected as the new CEO. That's not all. Her new supporters are people who have hands deep down in the underworld.

It's not something that Rie can handle. Chisa is also not someone who should be allowed to wander around freely. 

"Rie." He leans closer to her ear. "Hungry? One can think better with a full stomach."

She jumps, startled as a deer. He grabs her arm to prevent her from falling off the bed.

"When did you come?"

"Just now." His lips curl into a smile. "Though I want to go on the honeymoon with you, it has to be postponed because of some problem at work. You do mind, right?"

She chortles. "I don't mind. I was worried that you would beg me to go on a honeymoon."

Kiyohira is tempted to beg, but... 

She won't go. He also needs to finish something. 

"I am also busy." She resumes tapping. "Don't bother me. Go to work."

Is this the second day after their wedding? No romance...nothing?

Kiyohira realizes that there are a lot of obstacles standing between him and Rie - her laptop, her phone, her games, Sakurano Kano, Ren, and Takeshi. He certainly stands on the last position of that list.

Then, there is also Hashimoto Chisa. 

"I am sorry about what happened at the wedding." He climbs on the bed and sits beside her. She doesn't throw a glance at him. "Chisa... did she bother you? I will take care of it."

He wants to subtly hint her to take his help. That worked once. She should ask for anything that she wants. Even if she doesn't ask, he wants to do anything to keep this woman safe. Rie's safety is his priority.

"She doesn't bother me. Don't take care of it." Her answer is distant and monotonous.

"I find her rather..." He wonders if he should tell her that he knows. How will she react? Chisa also knows that he is aware. She indirectly revealed it at the wedding. Judging by the look in her eyes, she is likely to harm his woman again. Besides, he doesn't want any misunderstanding between them in the future.

"Rie, I know that she kidnapped you two years ago."

Her fingers pause. She narrows her eyes slightly. Her lips purse into a thin line. She is waiting for him to say more.

"I know that she..." He doesn't know how to say it. This proud woman won't like him saying it. "She had hurt you in the past."

"Is that why you married me?" She turns her face toward him. Her eyes are cold. "You knew everything and married me? You pity me?"

"Don't think that way. I married you because I want to be with you. I meant every word that I said to you. I want to protect you." Kiyohira lets out an exasperated sigh. "I will help you in dealing with that woman. She's not someone whom you can handle alone. I haven't touched her because she owes you the most."

"You are right." She puts away the laptop. "She owes me. I will be the one who will take back what is owed to me. You better keep your hands out of it, Kiyohira. I would not forgive you if you come between me and her."

"I can't do that. She also owes me. My son was also taken away from her. She hurt the woman I love the most. She will do something again. We can't let that woman walk free in the city." Kiyohira doesn't want to shout at her, but he can't hide the agitation either. "I want you to live a normal life. I want you to get over your pain. Whatever you need, I will do it."

Rie crosses her arms and walks away. She turns around and comes back. Her temper is high. She didn't know that Kiyohira knew. If she had known that he knew, she would have never married him.

"You still lied to me." She glares at him. "You knew and pretended to not know before we got married. Why are you telling me now?"