Volume 3 - CH 2

New Year’s Eve.

Yuzuru was sipping New Year’s Eve soba with his family.

By the way, the soba noodles are not the ones that Yuzuru’s mother cooked…

It was a delivery order from a neighborhood soba noodle shop that he frequented.

It was a familiar taste, which made him feel at ease.

But…

(I’ve never eaten Arisa’s handmade soba noodles, come to think of it.)

Despite how good Arisa’s cooking is, soba noodles are probably store-bought for her as well.

She might be able to make soba noodles by hand, but it would be difficult to beat the store-bought ones.

However, when it comes to soba soup, Arisa must be able to make the soup stock from scratch.

If she can make such a delicious miso soup, her soba soup must also be delicious.

“Niisan, are you thinking that you want to eat Soba noodles made by Arisa-san?”

It was Yuzuru’s younger sister, Ayumi Takasegawa, who asked with a grin.

“I’ve never eaten Arisa’s soba.”

“You can’t deny that you want to try it.”

“Well… I’d like to try it, that’s for sure.”

How could it not be delicious?

Yuzuru thought to himself that he would ask for it next time.

“What? … Is this Amagi girl’s cooking that good?”

The person who asked Yuzuru this was an old man with blue eyes and a deeply chiseled face.

He had sharp eyes and a hooked nose.

Sogen Takasegawa.

He was the grandfather of Yuzuru, the previous head of the Takasegawa family.

His father is a Scandinavian-American, so his facial features are quite different from Japanese.

…Although he was born and raised in Japan

At present, most of the business matters are left to his son, Yuzuru’s father, and he is technically retired.

What ” technically ” means is that he is actually in charge of the “diplomacy” of the Takasegawa family.

Using the connections he has cultivated, he is involved in a variety of activities at home and abroad… It may seem a bit too cool to say it like that, though.

In fact, it was more like half a vacation.

However, as you can see from the fact that he brought Arisa as Yuzuru’s fiancée, he is not playing around.

Of course, he wanted his great-grandchildren, but he also thought it would be beneficial to the Takasegawa family.

…. At least that’s what Yuzuru wanted to believe.

“I’d love to try the food made by her, by all means… I can’t believe Yuzuru said that much.”

This is Yuzuru’s grandmother, Chiwako Takasegawa.

She is a Japanese woman with a calm atmosphere and appearance compared to Sogen, who at first glance looks scary.

… Most importantly, she is scarier than Sogen when she is angry.

“Arisa-san’s cooking is really good, Mother-in-law!　I can’t wait for her to marry into the family. Oh, but will it be the two of you living together at first?　Hey, Yuzuru. What are you planning to do?”

The one who asked Yuzuru in high tension was Sayori Takasegawa, Yuzuru’s mother.

She may not look like it, but she is a researcher of American literature.

“Well, Sayori. Surely Yuzuru doesn’t think about the future like that yet, and he wouldn’t want to be asked… Besides, it hasn’t been officially decided yet.”

Kazuya Takasegawa, Yuzuru’s father, narrowed his eyes.

He is the current head of the Takasegawa family.

Basically, the policy seems to be to leave it up to Yuzuru when it comes to the final decision on whether or not to get married.

…It’s not a surprise, since it’s Yuzuru’s life.

“So, how’s everything going so far Yuzuru?”

“It’s going well.”

“That’s not what I meant. I was just wondering if you have any intention of getting married… Of course, you can answer that you have not thought about it yet as well.”

Kazuya said this as he stared at Yuzuru.

Somehow, Yuzuru felt as if all his feelings and plans were being seen through.

“…… Let’s see”

If it was the Yuzuru of a while ago, he would have either lied or tried to cover it up with a vague answer.

But right now, he was not in the mood for that.

When it came to his own feelings for Arisa, he didn’t want to lie.

“I know I want to spend my life with her.”

Yuzuru said clearly.

He felt his ears heat up a little.

Yuzuru’s strong words were a little unexpected for Kazuya, and his eyes widened in surprise.

However, he quickly returned to his calm expression poker face.

“Then…”

Kazuya was about to say something.

Perhaps he was trying to say something like, ‘If you’re so keen on it, we might as well proceed a little more positively’.

But his words were cut short by Yuzuru’s words.

“But it’s also important to know what Arisa’s will is”

It goes without saying.

Yuzuru added at the end.

“I don’t want to force Arisa to get married…even if it’s indirectly… This is about my romance. I will settle it all with my own hands. There is no need for any unnecessary meddling.”

Clearly, Yuzuru conveyed his own thoughts to his father and grandfather.

Strictly speaking, he told them not to do anything that would put pressure on the Amagi family.

It was as if he had nailed it down.

Neither Yuzuru’s grandfather nor his father is evil, so basically they would never do such a thing… is something that’s hard to say.

After all, they are working for the benefit of the Takasegawa family and the companies under their umbrella, and in some cases, they may use any means at their disposal.

If there is a good reason, such as to support the love of his son, even more so.

In the past, the Takasegawas were known as the “political Takasegawa” in contrast to the “economic Tachibana,” and the Takasegawas are a family with a strong tendency to make such political moves – in other words, to put pressure and lay the groundwork.

That’s why it was necessary to inform them about it properly.

“…… hmm.”

“Ho~……

Kazuya and Sogen raised their eyebrows at the unexpected defiance of their son and grandson.

They didn’t seem to be in… a bad mood.

If anything, it was more of a curiosity and admiration.

From the looks of the two of them, Yuzuru judged that they would probably not try to force the marriage to proceed.

…They should not think of creating a conflict between the next head of the family, the current head of the family, and the previous head of the family for the sake of Arisa alone.

It is also true that the atmosphere has become slightly worse.

As if sensing this…

“Oh, Niisan!　You’re really into her!　I’m a little jealous.”

“I feel like I’m losing my son. I’m so lonely.”

“Yuzuru has become a grown man huh…”

Ayumi teased him, while Sayori made fun of him, and Chiwako said sincerely to him.

With the intercession of the three of them, the atmosphere that had momentarily turned sour cleared.

After that, the Takasegawa family spent New Year’s Eve happily.