Betrothed

Chapter 2

Isagi's mind was still reeling as he listened carefully at Reo's explanation of this incredulous offer.

He knew that Reo had a tactical mind when it came to soccer. This was fairly evident when they had gone against their team back then in the first selection. Nagi might be a prodigy and genius when it came to soccer but it was Reo who always did the planning on how to make the scores and how to successfully utilize Nagi's natural talent.

But now...

...Isagi was seeing this skill outside of soccer.

Business and strategy really ran in the Mikage's bloodline and Reo was not an exception to it at all.

"Mikage Corporation needs a poster model for soccer and you fit the bill Isagi. However, it needs to be more than that. With the streak of losses that you encountered in the peak of your career, one can say that you're losing the shine in the industry and the string of offers to you are dwindling more than ever. You can say that you won't be needing much of the money in your career as a soccer superstar but let's face the facts here. You need it to survive the cutthroat industry you're in with and maintain the lifestyle that you're having with your family. So, think about this. A 50 million contract to wed me then get back your career in the span of 6 months as well as boost the name of our corporation and both of our names in the society pages. After that, we'll get a divorce. So, what do you think?" Reo explained coolly in front of him and leaned back on his seat with that calm smile remaining on his face.

Isagi stayed quiet for a moment.

If a newbie was hearing all of this, their eyes would've bugged out of the gigantic offer. But for Isagi who had been in the industry for quite some time now, a 50 million offer to him was not a rare case for him. Didn't Kaiser get an offer of 300 million before during their Blue Lock days entertainment? Nevertheless, it won't be a bad offer to him...

All he would probably do was to pose and endorsed whatever Mikage Corporation will give to him and seeing that their company has provided a technology support to the Blue Lock project before it's a good opportunity for him to probably boost his name again and bury down the losses and defeats that he faced recently. On top of that, he would just pretend to be happy and eager to marry Reo right?

But Isagi was an overthinker dammit.

It's too good to be true.

On the other hand, what Reo had stated earlier has been correct. His career was on the line and with the way things were going now, it can't be good. Even his own manager had been stressed in desperately trying to negotiate with some of the businesses to never let go of his current endorsements and upcoming offers for him.

Also, it's not like he's the only one who will gain any benefit from this deal.

More likely, if Isagi thought about it deliberately, it will also serve more benefit to Reo and their business' image in the long run because of what the other had mentioned: he would be also endorsing it.

People would be intrigue and soccer fans would still clamor on anything that had his presence stamped on it despite the obstacles he was facing today with his career.

But he didn't need to be rash.

He didn't want to appear oh so desperate in front of Reo Mikage.

Despite everything, he wanted to protect his dignity a little bit.

And of course, it nagged his mind about this small but important detail that he needed to address with Reo.

"Why do you wanna marry me Reo? Your company and its image would greatly benefit that's all when I endorsed some product from yours. But I don't see in the equation of you having a benefit with marrying someone like me." He asked pointedly.

It made Reo's brows spoke in volumes before a serene smile inched across his lips.

"Well, nothing gets past you, isn't it? You still possessed that sharp mind after all." Reo chuckled lightly. "This is because of my parents. They're pestering me now to settle down when it's far from my goals yet. Eventually I must marry in the long run. But not with the one with they're pairing me off with. They're constantly bugging me to go on these arranged dates with the children of their closest circles. And my personal life is getting out of hand with the media. So, I'd like to hit two birds with one stone: making my family and the media shut up about my personal life. And that is to marry you and for them to back off. Does that satisfy you now Isagi hmm?" Reo added in faux sweetness that belied a sliver of contempt in his eyes.

"And the perfect person for this one is me?" Isagi pointed at himself in half incredulity and confoundedness.

"Of course. Because I won't fall in love with you so when we break off things with us in the future, it's easier in the long run without these pesky feelings." Reo replied with that irritating cheery disposition on his face.

"I wanted to think about it first Reo." Isagi replied evenly.

"Of course, you can. But you still need to remember that this is still a business deal Isagi. Every minute counts to me. So, better to given me an answer tomorrow. I won't be waiting for your answer forever y'know. If I haven't received any response from you tomorrow until the afternoon then that means you're not interested. But if you send me a message here through this number on my business card, then that means yes and you're willing to proceed with the marriage." He placed an elegant looking calling card on the table and stood up.

Isagi looked at the small card he placed on the middle of the table before watching the young Mikage leave until he was out of sight.

A sigh broke out from his lips.

He guessed that the ball was on him now and he needed to make a sound decision on this one before it's too late.

Next day...

Reo stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist and his other hand was holding a smaller but thicker towel and drying out his damp locks fresh from the shower.

Some droplets of water clung to his skin and glistened around his toned body. He was not muscly like Barou nor Kunigami but it was evident that his lean frame was well toned and he possessed the right number of muscles thanks to his intense regimen and soccer training during his Blue Lock days in the past.

He was still thinking of the tasks that he'll do for today when a faint, buzzing ringing of his phone caught his attention.

He walked towards it and read the screen that displayed a new message on it.

Unlocking his phone, he opened it and finally read it.

His eyes held a certain gleam on them and a wide smile spread across his lips.

"I accept. Send me the contract for review and signature."

- Isagi Y.