Are You The One Jo Togame?

Chapter 20 - The Past (Part 11) We Are The Same

Megumi and I were forced into this engagement, with neither of us having a say in the matter. And so, we became official.

We started getting to know each other little by little. Although I wasn't really interested, Megumi seemed to be and made an effort.

At this point, there was no contact from Togame, but he still occupied my mind. No matter how much I tried to forget him, it didn't happen. Each day was a struggle.

Megumi would come to my workplace every now and then with food. He seemed like a considerate person. I found his acts of kindness strange initially, but over time, I got used to it.His visits became more frequent. Eventually, he would even pick me up and drop me off at work. He really went all out.
But why? We barely knew each other. Why would you do this for someone you barely knew? It had only been a month. Was it because we were engaged? Was he forced to do this? Was he being threatened if he didn't act this way? Thoughts ran through my head.I felt like he didn't have anybody else except for me. Some days, he would act like a kid, eagerly waiting to tell me about his day and what he did. He always seemed excited to be with me.Slowly, he started to open up to me about his family. His family situation was no better than mine. He went through struggles with his family, just as I did. I was slowly starting to get used to him and maybe even relate to him.

As months went by, it took me a while to open up, but I eventually did. I shared my struggles at home while growing up. I told him everything. I don't know why, but I guess I was starting to feel comfortable around him. Slowly, the thoughts of Togame began to fade, but not completely. Megumi was able to relate to everything I said; he had endured the same struggles, after all. I finally found someone who understood me for who I am.

It's been six months now since we got engaged, and we are fairly familiar with each other. I decided to give us a chance. I'm a lot more comfortable with him. He's been there for me, helped me with my struggles along the way, and made a difference in my life, that's for sure.

Is Megumi the one for me after all? Will I be able to fall for him? I began to question that.

My parents decided to call us over for dinner at their home and invited both Megumi and me. I was hesitant to go, but Megumi reassured me that he would protect me and make sure nothing went wrong. Reluctantly, I agreed, mostly for his sake.

When we arrived, I noticed my mom had prepared a lavish dinner, including many of Megumi's favorite dishes. She must have asked him about his preferences. It was clear she didn't care much about my likes or dislikes. Why did I even agree to come here? Megumi seemed comfortable with my parents, who appeared to adore him, perhaps even more than they did Kai, my ex.

As we sat down to eat, my mom suddenly spoke up. "Megumi dear, I hope my daughter isn't giving you any trouble." She giggled, thinking it was a funny comment.

Megumi smiled, glancing at me and reading my expression. "She's wonderful, Mrs. Murshene. I'm very fortunate to have her in my life. I don't think she'll ever trouble me, considering how wonderful she is as a person."

I paused, looking at him in awe. Did he really feel that strongly about me? I continued eating."Oh, that's great to hear," my Mom continued. "After all, we've raised her to be the best, isn't that right, Ruby?" She looked at me expectantly.

I didn't respond and kept eating.

"Ruby, how is work going?" my Dad asked.

"It's alright," I replied, not elaborating.

Megumi interrupted, "Actually, Mr. Murshene, she's one of the best at her workplace. Her boss praises her work, and she's likely to get a huge promotion soon." He smiled proudly.My parents looked shocked and exchanged glances, clearly unaware of this. "Is that true, Ruby dear?" my Mom asked.

Still taken aback by Megumi's revelation, I shook off my thoughts and responded. "Yes, Mom, but it's not confirmed yet, so we'll have to wait and see."

The night continues with Megumi and my parents talking for most of the time, which I'm grateful for. Maybe this is what he meant earlier. Excusing myself, I make my way to the washroom but decide to detour to my old room. It's been years since I left this place, and I'm curious to see it again.

Entering my room, nostalgia hits me. Everything is kept as it was, and I'm surprised my parents didn't convert it into something else. I look at the old pictures of Ayato and me displayed on my study table, thinking about my school and college days.

Suddenly, there's a knock. "Megumi?" I call out.

"Hey! You okay?" he asks as he steps inside.

I smile at him, thanking him for keeping my parents distracted.

"Ruby, don't thank me," he says, taking my hands and holding them. "I will always protect you." He looks right into my eyes.

I can't look away, and he breaks the silence by glancing at the pictures on the study table. He picks one up. "Is that you and Ayato?" he laughs. "How old were you two?"

I smile, "We were around ten years old, I think."

Megumi smiles warmly. "You look adorable, I must say."

I blush at his words.

Noticing my reaction, he steps closer, leaning in. "Was that a blush?" he asks with a smile.

He's so close now that I'm frozen in place. The more I look at him, the more handsome he appears, wearing a maroon shirt with the first few buttons undone, tucked into black pants, and formal shoes. He looks like a model. I can't help but start admiring him.

His phone suddenly rings, prompting him to step back and excuse himself to take the call. Seizing the opportunity, I head to the restroom and then proceed downstairs. As I descend, I inadvertently overhear my parents discussing something about me.

"Oh dear! Speaking to Mr. Takashi was definitely the right move. I'm so glad he agreed to everything we proposed. This engagement was made possible because of him. With them becoming part of the family, our business prospects will surely soar," my mom exclaims, and they both share a laugh as their conversation continues.

I'm stunned. Did my parents arrange all of this with Mr. Takashi? Did they persuade Togame somehow? No, it must have been Mr. Takashi himself; after all, he claimed to be the head of the family. But why would Togame listen, and what about Megumi? Where does he fit into all of this? Then I recall what Megumi had confided in me—he was also coerced into this arrangement. So this was all just a strategic move, a way to merge our families for business reasons? They didn't consider what Megumi and I wanted or our feelings about any of this? It's absurd. I need to discuss this with Megumi, but I'll wait until we're away from my parents' home to broach the topic.

On our way home, I finally revealed to Megumi what I overheard my parents discussing. His reaction was a mix of surprise and confusion. I pressed for answers, bombarding him with questions, hoping to make sense of the situation. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke up."I will talk to my family about this," he said.

Panicking, I immediately protested, "No, I don't think that's a good idea. Considering what you've told me about them, I'm afraid they won't take it well. What if they react badly?"

Megumi reassured me, promising that he would handle it delicately and speak to both my parents and his family. He assured me that we would gain clarity on the situation. At the same time, he emphasized the need for discretion, insisting that we keep this matter strictly between ourselves and not discuss it with anyone else.

---

Several days passed without hearing from Megumi, and my concern grew as I wondered if something had happened to him. Despite my worry, I tried to remain positive and hoped for his return.

After finishing work one day, I parked my car and noticed him standing there. I was stunned to see Megumi looking beaten up, barely able to support himself. I rushed over and helped him, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

"Oh my God, Megumi! What happened?" I asked, my worry deepening. Was his family involved in this? I panicked at the thought.

He looked at me, struggling to speak and focus with visible bruises covering his face."Shi... Shi... Toren," he managed to say before collapsing to the ground.