Volume 4 - CH 11

Since it would be a bother to the Ryozenji family to stay too long, Yuzuru and Arisa decided to leave soon.

Hijiri scratched his head as he walked down the cobblestone stairs.

“Well, I’m sorry about that… I thought for sure that my grandfather would be away.”

He had really intended to give Yuzuru and Arisa a tour of the house, treat them to tea, and then ask them to leave.

He really wanted to show Yuzuru and Arisa around the house, treat them to tea, and send them on their way.

The appearance of Ryozenji Kiyoshi was unexpected.

“I guess he got excited about a young girl coming over… Sorry, Arisa-san.”

Hijiri said and apologized to Arisa.

Meanwhile, Arisa giggled.

“No, it’s fine… What can I say? Things seem to be quite difficult.”

Arisa did not know what the last exchange between Yuzuru and Kiyoshi meant.

However, it was clear that some sort of unspoken intention was being put into it.

“Well, what the heck. You don’t have to be so hard on yourself… I think Arisa’s answer was passable enough. considering that it was an unannounced event, it was more than a perfect score.”

Yuzuru encouraged Arisa by saying so.

On the other hand, Arisa tilted her head anxiously, “Is that so?.

“Ha~h… I don’t want to get into one of those silly battles of wits… Especially with my friends.”

Hijiri stated and nodded his head to himself.

Yuzuru gave a small smile in response.

“I agree with you. I wish you and I could be normal friends.”

But at this point, it’s not clear whether Hijiri will be the successor or not.

That is why Kiyoshi used the term “grandchildren”.

It is easier for Yuzuru to deal with Hijiri’s uncle or cousin.

…he wouldn’t need to worry about anything, whether it’s good or bad.

And while that was happening, they headed down the hill.

“Till here is fine.”

“Thank you very much for today.”

“All right, bye.”

The two of them parted ways with Hijiri.

The sun was already setting, and the sky was tinted with the color of sunset.

“…Um, Yuzuru-san.”

“What’s up?”

“You said that my answer was correct… What part of it was correct?”

It was correct.

This means that there was a wrong answer as well.

It was only natural for Arisa to ask for the answer.

“Hmm, well, yeah …Actually, that ‘I should be the one going to greet her next time‘ was a statement with the intention of gauging Arisa’s character. I’m pretty sure there’s no absolute wrong answer or anything… Did you notice that the old man at Ryozenji was being overly obsequious?”

“Yes. …What to say, I was a little confused.”

It’s not every day in modern Japan that you get to experience an older man being obsequious to you.

It was understandable that Arisa was confused.

“It is the correct answer… that you did not say that you would go to greet him.”

“Is that because… the Takasegawa is superior to the Ryozenji?”

“…It’s a little different. That old man wanted to be on equal footing with Takasegawa as much as possible.”

As for Ryozenji Kiyoshi, he would have been happier if Arisa had said lightly, ‘I’ll go and greet him myself’.

However, for Yuzuru, for Takasegawa, and for the future position of Arisa, this is not necessarily the case.

“The fact that you didn’t say something to the effect that you should be the one to go and say hello, well, that showed them that you recognize that Takasegawa is better than Ryozenji. That’s enough.

Humility is a virtue.

But sometimes too much humility can lead to being underestimated.

“It may sound rude to Ryozenji, but… Takasegawa’s humility is not cheap.”

For example,

You should never be underestimated by the son of some local councilor.

“…Should I actually be bossier or something?”

“Hmm… I wonder. If it’s too obvious, it’s not so good. Well, in your case, I think that was the right amount of attitude.”

Going to greet him is not an option.

But waiting for him to come and greet is also not good.

So, ‘I’m also going to greet Takasegawa-san, so I’d be happy to meet you while I’m there ‘ would be a good answer.

There’s nothing strange about Arisa going to Takasegawa to give greetings.

“M-mm… It is difficult.”

Arisa muttered anxiously and unsurely.

If such an exchange would be required every time she met a distinguished person in the future, she would lose her confidence.

Unlike a school test, there are no fixed answers, and it is conducted without notice.

“Let me tell you something, Arisa… There aren’t many people who’d make a hassle like that.”

“…Is that so?”

“That’s because some people don’t like that kind of hassle and muddle.”

“I see… It must be like that right?”

“That’s right. That old man is the most troublesome type, to begin with.”

If there were several old men like that, it would be depressing.

In the first place, such an exchange is based on the assumption that the other party will be able to read your intentions.

It would be a complete disaster if the other party was left in a daze.

“I’m here with you. All you have to do is stand tall and you’ll be fine.”

Yuzuru said, squeezing Arisa’s hand to reassure her.

Arisa’s cheeks flushed slightly and she gave a small nod.

“Yuzuru-san…”

Arisa also squeezed his hand.

Then she gently closed the distance and hugged Yuzuru’s arm, bringing their bodies closer together.

Intentionally or unintentionally…

The soft breasts of Arisa were pressed against Yuzuru’s arm.

Yuzuru’s blood flowed slightly faster.

“…I like you.”

Arisa mumbled quietly.

Then she looked up at Yuzuru and gave a small smile.

“I.. like you too.”

When Yuzuru responded in a mumble, Arisa’s lips pouted a little in frustration.

“Can’t you say it a little louder?”

“N-no… love isn’t about volume, is it?”

Yuzuru replied, looking embarrassed.

Arisa-chan’s anxiety degree – 10%