Honey Magazine/My Sweet Proposal: Todo Masaya

Chapter 11.6

After a knock at the door, I turn around to open it.

Kisaragi "Masaya, you wanted to see me?"

With a mysterious expression, Kisaragi enters the room.

Seeing as the preparations for the conference are over, I'm sure he must be asking himself what I need.

Masaya "She shouldn't be long in arriving, so please go get Kana. She's probably not used to this kind of event."

Kisaragi "...Didn't she tell you she wouldn't come?"

Masaya "It's because you only pay attention to women's words, that's why you don't understand them. I suppose that explains your relationship with Miki, too."

Kisaragi "Meaning?"

Masaya "She wouldn't even look me in the eye. And do you know why? "

Kisaragi "Because if she did, her feelings of love for you would come flooding back?"

Masaya "Heh..."

Kisaragi speaks while shrugging his shoulders slightly insolently, but I don't have time to drag him for it.

Masaya "Even I don't think that. The reason is because her heart was moved. I want her to attend today's conference. Because it's for her that I did all this."

I speak with conviction, but Kisaragi frowns.

Kisaragi "...Do you think she'll come?"

Kisaragi knows both of us, and he assumes that she won't come.

Kisaragi is a very intelligent man.

In fact, he's almost never wrong.

And normally, I would trust his opinion.

But this time...

Masaya "I know Kana more than you ever will..."

Kisaragi "..."

This reason should be enough, yet Kisaragi's dubious expression doesn't change.

Masaya "...I've been with her for a while now, I know her."

Kisaragi "You sound like you certainly trust yourself."

Masaya "You know, you've become rather fresh lately. I'm not sure if I like it."

I've realized it myself.

Despite trying to play the usual, strong Masaya Todo, for some reason, my expression refuses to play along.

Kisaragi "...You know there's a chance though, don't you? That she still might not come?"

Masaya "Kisaragi, I..."

Kisaragi "Yes?"

Masaya "I love Kana."

Kisaragi "...Yes."

Masaya "...And I know she will come."

Still without any sound reason to give to Kisaragi, I continue to persuade myself.

It's probably one of the most miserable faces I've shown to Kisaragi so far.

And yet...

Kisaragi "I'm sorry. I will immediately look for Kana."

Masaya "Thank you..."

Kisaragi "Masaya. At this moment, I'm very proud to work for you."

Kisaragi smiles stronger than he ever has, then proceeds to leave the room.

I pray, staring at his back as he walks away.

---

(Still no news from Kisaragi...But he's a well-mannered man. He wouldn't leave a visitor's presence just to give me news. That must be it.)

What will Kana do...I was confident and determined in front of Kisaragi, but as the conference approaches, I feel nervousness seize me. Will she come...?

Masaya "!"

(I was right.)

Kana "..."

Kana is here, in the room.

The moment I see her face, all my stress disappears, and I become myself again.

The confident Masaya Todo without fear.

(Kana... I love you more than anything. Listen carefully to the words I'm going to say.)

I step out on stage with a radiant air.

I pay no attention to the media and other's present.

I adjust my tie, then make my announcement for Kana.