Showered by the Stars

27. Young Miss

“Tell me. When are they planning to do it?” I asked Konoe Eri-san. His face expressed surprise.

“Why do you look so surprised?” I asked.

“Ah—It’s just that you’re not throwing a tantrum.” He said.

I faintly smiled. “It’s not going to benefit anyone if I did. I was also hinted about my responsibilities yesterday. But it still surprised me that they meant this. Ah! I’m still 16.” I said, making it sound like a joke. “So when is it?”

“You still got two years to remain single.” He said, half-joking.

“18 it is. Well, please take care of me.” I smiled a bit. He smiles, sympathizing.

Honestly, I don’t want to get married because of business. I want to be like mom and dad. They married out of love. Even if they’re nationalities are different, they still overcame it.

I called Ran and Kana when I got home.

“Aren’t you going to protest?” Kana-chan said.

“I wish I could do that. But since I’m his only granddaughter, I have to bear the responsibility.”

“Are you okay with this arranged marriage?” Ran-chan asked.

“No. But if you think about it, it’ll benefit the whole family, right? Dad will take over the family business once grandfather is gone. The company will benefit if it’s merged with the Konoe’s.”

“Oi! Oi! I know that it’s for the future’s sake you’re talking about. But how about your happiness?” Ran-chan said.

“Don’t worry about it. I still have two years to go. Who knows what’ll happen. Let’s just put it this way, it’s good distraction right?”

“Well, yeah. You might forget that guy.” Kana-chan said.

“Uhn! That’s what I mean. Anyway, about Konoe Eri-san, do you know about him, Ran?” I asked.

“Hmm—wait for a sec.” I heard clicking over the phone. “Here it is. I looked up Daisuke Konoe. He is the richest businessman. He had a son named Etsuo and a wife named Chizuko. His wife died giving birth to his only son. Etsuo married Fuji, the daughter of Kujo Fujitaka the owner of the real estate near Hokkaido. With their marriage, it was also advantageous for their business. A year after that, Fuji gave birth to a son named Eri. He was a boy with an IQ of 180. He schooled in Oxford while skipping grades. When Eri was 10 years old and has just finished his master’s degree for Business Administration, his parents were involved in a car accident. After that, he underwent emotional trauma and wasn’t able to talk for 4 years. But when he spent his summer in Shibuya, he came back to Hokkaido able to talk again. He then started his Ph.D and graduated this year.”

“Whoa! What a life full of drama.” I commented.

“Uh-huh. It was really sad. Oh yeah. I also looked it up on the internet. God! This guy is goregeous. Tee-hee. But I wonder about his emotional health.” Kana-chan said.

“I don’t know about that.” I said, remembering Eri-san’s sad gold eyes.

“Ah. I found a page about the business world, it says here that there’s a rumor going on about Eri studying High School in Japan.” Ran-chan said.

“Eh??!! But didn’t he graduate already?” I wondered.

“Yeah. But it’s a rumor.” Ran-chan said.

“Ah—yeah. I mean, why would a genius go back to High School, right?” Geez. It’s just so unbelievable.

“Mi-chan. Dinner’s ready!” Mom called from downstairs.

“Yes!” I replied. “Hey guys. See you on Monday. Okay?” I said.

“Yeah. See you.” They said and hung up.

I went downstairs and ate dinner with mom and dad.

“I was told you were badmouthed today by the people at school.” Dad suddenly said.

“Where did you hear that from?” Mom asked.

“From Chou. So what is it about now?” Dad asked.

Mom sighed. “Just the same comments. About father financing me with the Walker hospital.”

Dad snorted. “If they knew that my wife was able to gather her own men to support her own hospital, they would die in envy.”

We laughed. Yeah, well. Mom used her own skills to make her own hospital here in Japan. And of course with grandma Oldina’s financial help of course, that’s why it’s named Walker Hospital.

Mom wanted to live by our gains. That’s why we don’t have our own cars except for dad. We don’t hire maids to make us able to live even through tough times. Mom said that money isn’t always there. But even so, we lived happily.

I checked my uniform if there’s need for repairs. I put it back in my closet.

My phone rang. I picked it up. “Hello?”

“It’s me, Takeshima. Can I talk to you for a moment? I’m outside your house.” He said.

I looked out of the window and saw him standing there.

“I’ll be there in a moment.” I said and went.

As soon as I opened the gate, he grabbed me. He hugged so tightly that I couldn’t breathe. I pushed him away.

“What is it?” I said, coldly.

“I’m sorry about what happened when were in Australia.” He said.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s fine with me.” I said, numbly.

“I should have thought better than letting it happen like that.” He said. Uh-huh. You made a mistake showing it to me.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m done with this game. Consider yourself forfeited as a suitor.” I smiled. “Oh yeah. If it bothers you that I already made a half-assed confession, don’t worry about it. I haven’t completely deluded myself into liking you anyway.” I laughed. Damn! Give me back those kisses. Those were meant for the person I’ll be with until the end. Geez.

“Well, goodbye now. Have a good life. And—treasure her. I think she’s cute.” I said, turning away.

He suddenly grabbed me and kissed me. When he stuck out his tongue, I pushed him away and slapped him on the face. “Despicable.” I left him.