MEI AIHARA'S POINT OF VIEW

CHAPTER 24

YUZU POV

- Mei is constantly stealing glances at me, I'm becoming conscious of myself, and I can feel a warm heat on my face now...

MEI POV

- Sigh... should this be a good time... but I cannot disturb her study... okay, maybe after the date...

Both were startled when the phone rings. Since Yuzu is busy studying, Mei picked it up.

MEI POV

- Gulp! Grandfather!... I see... its time... sigh... Yuzu... (eyes were filled with sadness, as she is touching the ring on her finger)

After receiving the call, Mei went to their room to change. Her grandfather had requested her to meet him. While changing, Mei hold on tightly, and with utmost endearment, the ring Yuzu gave her and put it on her necklace to wear.

MEI POV

- Yuzu... thank you for this most precious gift.. this is the only thing that is keeping me going, up to this point... I wonder how long I could hold on... I really hope things will be different for us...

As Mei sets herself to go...

"Mei, are you going out?"

"Yes, I will be home late today. Could you please tell mom that she doesn't need to prepare dinner for me?"

"Alright, got it!"

"I'll be back soon"

"Ah Mei! Please wait!"

"What is it?"

"Ah-hm... today's kiss... our "one day, one kiss" deal. Is it okay?"

Yuzu leans forward to give Mei a sweet passionate kiss before Mei meets with their grandfather.

MEI POV

- Thank you for the kiss, Yuzu... please know that my heart will always belongs to you...

---

As Mei and her Grandfather drove to the location of the meeting...

"We're going to meet the second son of the Udagawa Family. I have been told that he is the top student and very experienced in company management. It's not actually shown, but he seems to be a gentle person. In any case, its just a regular social gathering tonight. Given your heavy responsibilities, I think a calm person like him would match you better."

"Thank you for worrying about me, Grandfather."

"The Aihara Academy I founded has grown tremendously. I can no longer manage it with my age... Mei, I'm sorry for pushing all these responsibilities to you."

"Its alright"

"If only I had raised Shou to be a better person"

"Even now, Dad is devoting his life to teaching. Even though it is different from what the Aihara household wants, seeing him hold onto his beliefs as he pursued his ambition, it makes me think that he's definitely an Aihara. I genuinely respect the both of you. I'm proud to be the daughter of Aihara."

MEI POV

- My heart is torn at the moment. I want to live up to grandfather's expectations, I don't want to disappoint him more than father does. But what about my own happiness? Should I really consider my grandfather's or the Aihara ambitions and legacy to be my sole happiness?... What about Yuzu? I want to be with her too.. Actually, I want her to be with me, always and forever... Father, sometimes I envy your courage and determination... I wish I could be as strong... sigh

---

Mei and her Grandfather were greeted warmly by the Udagawa Family...

"Hello Aihara-san, I am Udagawa. Thank you very much for taking the time to attend this gathering despite your busy schedule."

"Not a problem at all, please take care of us today."

"Here are your reserved seats."

MEI POV

- Gasp! M-manager!? 

UDAGAWA POV

- Gasp! Mei is an Aihara!?... She is so beautiful... gulp!

"I'm surprised. I did not expect you to be from the Aihara household. Your sister did not have such an aura, so I did not notice."

"That's because Yuzu and I are step sisters."

"Oh, I see."

"Thank you for taking care of me today. I had a lovely time thanks to your warm hospitality. Also, I feel grateful for this encounter."

"Oh, no. It makes me nervous if you talk so formally. Please relax and be yourself in front of me. I believe my father mentioned it earlier during dinner, I do not deal well with how strict it is at home and at the company. But with our circumstances, I could not just live like that forever. Especially seeing a young girl like you, who is aware of her duties, behaving like this, I realized once again that I should not be running away from mine"

"I would like to ask for a favor from you."

"What is it?"

"I would like you to, keep this gathering a secret from Yuzu."

"Is there a reason behind that?

"I'm sorry for asking too much."

"I understand and I will do as you say."

MEI POV

- Its just fair that I should be the one to tell this to Yuzu... but how? I am really running out of time.. Yuzu... please forgive me for this...

---

When Mei came back home, she found a sleeping Yuzu sitting on the floor leaned at their bed.

MEI POV

- She is just so cute.. her sleeping face ease with worries... I wish I could stare at her beautiful face like this, every single day of my life... sigh... 

Mei sits beside Yuzu and sleeps in with her.

MEI POV

- I'm home my love...