Showered by the Stars

26. The Meeting

I kept on wondering where Chou would take us. The car just kept on driving past the many houses. And it finally stopped when we reached an old-looking Japanese mansion with the sign ‘Minami Household’ outside.

I should’ve guessed. I gave up on thinking we’ll be taken back to our house. Of course, since it’s grandfather, something’s up.

We entered the house. Akiko-san, the head maid greeted us. We were taken to a big room.

“What are we going to do here?” I asked mom.

“I don’t know. I gave up thinking what will come next a long time ago.” She said.

“Ada-san, please follow me.” Chiyo-san said. She’s one of the maids.

Mom followed her without second thought. She must have been used to this already.

“Mizuki-san, please follow me.” Akiko-san said. I was kind of surprised that this big room is just an extension of another big room.

“Where did Chiyo-san take mom?” I asked.

“She’s in another room extension to the one we just came from.” She said. Oh! So there’s another one.

“Here. Please take your clothes off.” She said. Eh?

“You will be wearing this.” She said, showing me a violet kimono with cherry blossom prints on it. Cute. Hehe.

I took off my clothes and wore the kimono with Akiko-san’s help.

“It’s surprising that you arrived just on time. You didn’t have a fuss with Chou-san?” she asked.

“Ah. Well. I didn’t want to ride the limousine. It’s embarrassing. And we were just going to school.”

“Eh? But you got here riding it.” She said.

“Yes. After he said all those things about him losing his job and not being able to support his wife, eight sons and two daughters if that’ll happen.” I said, recalling. “I mean, poor guy, he’s been here for 60 years, right?”

“Oh?” she laughed. I wondered.

“What is it?” I asked.

“It’s just that he’s just 42 years old. He started working here when he was still 18 years old. So he’s been serving this household for 24 years. But he doesn’t have his own family.”

“Eh???!! So what he said were all made-up?” I asked, dumbfounded.

“Probably. He’s just dedicated to his job, you see. When Master Kyuusuke, your grandfather says the words ‘Do it in any way possible’, we would think of any way just to fulfill our jobs.”

“Isn’t he a bit of a control-freak?” I said, raising an eyebrow.

She chuckled. “You might call him that but we think that he’s a charismatic man. There’s not enough reason for us to stop following him.”

But still, I can’t believe I was fooled by that old man. Geez.

After getting dressed, they put on some make-up on me and had my hair styled even though I refused. One evil look from the make-up artists and hair-stylist will really make you cower in fear.

I was brought to the big room again. Mom was waiting for me. She was dressed in a red kimono. She looked really beautiful.

The door opened and Chiyo-san appeared. “Please follow me.”

We were led to another big room, it looks like a living room, Japanese-style.

Grandfather, dad, and some others were already seated in Japanese position. Mom and I sat as well.

“Kyuusuke-san, is this your granddaughter you were talking about?” an old man said.

“Yes. Let me introduce you.” Grandfather said. “This is my granddaughter, Mizuki and her mother, Adaline.” Mom and I bowed.

“It’s nice to meet you, sir.” I said. I don’t know this guy.

“O-ho. A polite girl, eh?” the old man said, addressing my grandfather.

“I’m glad to hear that, Daisuke-san.” Grandfather said. “Adaline, Mizuki—this man is Konoe Daisuke.”

“Good day to you. Let me introduce to you my only grandchild, Eri.” Konoe-san said.

“It’s very nice to meet you.” Konoe Eri-san bowed.

Konoe Daisuke. Now then, I think I recognize that name. Ah! He’s the richest Businessman in all of Japan. When it comes to Electronics, my grandfather is at the top. So, this is about business matters? But why do I have to meet them.

“Eri, you know what to do, right?” Konoe Daisuke-san said to his grandson.

“Yes. Grandfather.” He bowed slightly.

“Well then, Daisuke-san, Adaline, and Kazu—please follow me.” Grandfather said and got up.

Eh? Why didn’t he include me?

I looked at mom, puzzled. She just smiled, reassuringly.

They left the room with just me and Konoe Eri-san behind.

The materials for the tea ceremony were near me. I was told in the past that, I should conduct the tea ceremony whenever we have guests, or that’s how I remembered it. I slacked off a lot when I was still a kid. With none of us talking, I proceeded with the tea ceremony. Luckily, I’ve mastered it. I passed him the cup and he drank it, ceremoniously.

“The others must have gone for business talk.” I said.

“Yes.” He said.

“Hmm—the weather is nice today.” I said, looking at the garden outside the room.

“Indeed.” He said, the sun made his black hair close to gray glow.

Silence.

“Um—“ We said in sync.

“You first.” I said.

“As you wish.” He said. “Did they talk to you about the arrangement our grandfathers made?”

“No. They didn’t say a word.” I said truthfully.

“They’ve decided that our companies will merge and for that to happen, we must marry.” He said, seriously.

“W-wha? Wait! What did you say?” I stuttered. Did I hear something wrong?

“The reason for this meeting today is for both of us to meet and talk. Getting to know your betroth they said.” I gulped. I looked at him for any signs of making it a joke. But with his eyes that shined like gold, I knew that he was serious.