𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 -𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗌𝗈

EIGHT: Where It Goes Downhill

Choso's PoV

As soon as I walked out of the campus, I noticed a fairly tall man with blonde hair and he was looking at me as if he was telling me to walk towards him. I remember Ayako saying that she'll send someone to pick me up to prepare in meeting her dad so I guess this was him she's talking about.

When I stood in front of the older man, he exuded a formal aura that intimidated me quite a bit. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Kento Nanami, formally the secretary of Mr. Mizuno, Ayako's father and I'm also the bodyguard of the young lady." He extends his right hand to me, "You must be Choso. Ayako told me a lot about you."

I also extended my right hand and we both shaked hands for a short time. "Yes, I'm Choso. It's nice to meet you.. sir." He didn't seem to mind the way I addressed him and he just turned his back on me and told me to follow him, which I did.

20 minutes later

The car ride to where Ayako lives was quiet. Not the suffocating type of quiet but a peaceful one. I glanced at the scenery as the car moved and there was a beautiful ocean view that we passed by before entering a huge metal gate and inside was a mansion too big for my comfort.

I was dropped off at the front door and he only told me "good luck" before proceeding to drive away. I adjusted the clothes that were specifically chosen and bought by Ayako which Nanami gave me to wear. I took a few deep breaths before pushing the doorbell beside the huge door.

A minute passed and the door was opened by.. "You're finally here!!"..Ayako, who welcomed me with the sweetest smile and hugged me. I return the hug and I suddenly heard a cough from far behind her.

I looked ahead and I noticed that there was an even older man standing and watching us with a very intimidating aura coming off from him. "Is that.." I whispered to Ayako and she slowly looked up at me and nodded slowly, "..yeah. My father." I looked at her father again and I was even more intimidated by his eyes that looked at me like it could stab me at any moment.

"How long are you two going to stick to each other? Get inside and let's have a meal together." He's a very straightforward man and he was already walking further inside the household. Ayako parted from the hug and held my hand, she was looking at me and it was like she's telling me to not worry since she's with me simply with those expressive eyes of hers.

She smiled at me and gently squeezed my hand, "He's not as scary as you think he is. He actually..." she trailed off, looking away. "Actually..? What?" I asked her. She shakes her head, "N-nothing! Come on, let's go." She tugs my hand and I followed her to the dining area. Although I was left wondering what she wanted to say earlier.

Third PoV

The couple walked in the dining area and Choso saw that Ayako's father was already seated on the chair in the end of the table. The two of them also sat down on the chairs near the head of the family and the father puts his utensils down on his plate which meant for Ayako is he had something to say.

"How did you meet my daughter?" The first question has been asked and Choso glanced at Ayako who remained unfazed by the question of her father. "Just be honest." Her father added. Seeing that Ayako wasn't nervous at all when Choso was asked about how he met her, it probably means that her father knew what she was doing in the campus.

"I met Ayako at the rooftop. She was the first one to approach me and talk to me." Ayako's father seems interested in his answer. "I'm actually treated as an outcast for my background– for being poor and getting into this prestigious college with a scholarship. So when Ayako came up to me on that day, I'd say that it may have changed my life in campus."

"Hmm." Her father gets out of his seat, standing up and walking to Choso's side. "Your name is Choso, correct?" He asked him. Choso attempted to also stand up in respect for the older, but he was stopped. "Answer.", "I am."

Her father takes out something from the pocket of his suit, "I can see that you genuinely love my daughter. But our world is different from yours. I can't let my daughter have a boyfriend with poor status and background." He held out a cheque that had a certain amouny written on it, "I'll give you a week. After that, you will stay away from my daughter."

The cheque fell on Choso's hand and he was too dumbfounded to even properly respond. "Father!!" Ayako abruptly stood up, the chair making a loud sound. "Why are you doing this to me?!" She yelled. "I'm doing this for the family's businesses' own good. You just focus on graduating and once you do, you will be married to a man of my choosing." Her father answered before stepping away from the table.

"No! I don't want to! I don't want to end up like mom!!"— and as if the next thing happened in a flash, her father marched towards her and lifted his hand up and swung it to her face. She couldn't even react to it on time and she just braced herself for the impact but, she didn't feel any pain at all.

Her shut eyes opened and she saw that Choso stood in front of her on time to receive the slap instead. "You–!! How dare you stand in my way, you lowlife! This is a family matter and you're not welcome here." The man yelled at Choso, but he stood his ground, and that is to protect Ayako.

"I don't care whatever matter it is, but if Ayako's safety is at risk I wouldn't just step aside and watch. And what you said to me earlier, I heard and experienced much worse and that won't make me give up on Ayako or convincing you to approve of me for your daughter." As he said all of those things, Ayako noticed that he was tightly clenching his fists that she could see blood coming from his palms.

She grabbed his hands and she put herself against his back, "Please, Choso. You really don't have to do this for me." She said in a broken voice, her eyes watering and her chest was tightening from seeing how he was even willing to say and do all of these for her.

Choso turns around and he lifts his hands and used one to brush the hair strands that covered her face. "It's what I chose to do, Ayako. It's what I decided for myself when I recognized my feelings for you." He spoke in a soft manner, smiling at her to comfort her. This made her sob and hug him tightly.

"What are you doing. Get away from that man right this instant, Ayako." Her father commanded in a strict tone. "No! Never!" She retaliated. Her father sharply inhales and sighed, "If you're not gonna let go, I'll just have to take matters into my own hands."

He walks towards the couple with an enraged expression and Ayako suddenly moves away from Choso and stood in front of him. She looks back at Choso,

"I have one request of you.
Please leave... for now."

'And... trust me.'