Although She's a Beautiful Student Council President Who Maintains Her Coolness Towards Everyone, She Wants to Act Spoiled and Lovesick Around Him, Who is Misunderstood by Everyone as a Delinquent - Chapter 48: Side Shizuku, Crisis

“Sh-Shizuku Ojou-sama…!”

Upon returning home, one of the servants approached me with a worried expression and furrowed brows.

I’m not so oblivious as to not understand what’s going on from this situation.

It’s undeniable that I’ve done something I shouldn’t have…

“Don’t worry, I’m fine. This is something I’ve been prepared for from the beginning.”

“B-But…!”

“I truly appreciate your concern. Thanks to you, I feel more at ease. So…please go back to your work. You still have a lot left to do, don’t you?”

“Y-Yes…! Excuse me!”

After exchanging these words, I parted ways with the servant and entered my room to put down my belongings from school.

“Sigh… The atmosphere is so heavy, really.”

I let out a sigh and murmured in a gloomy tone.

The tense atmosphere throughout the house stemmed from my Father’s mood. The cause of this was my breaking the tradition of “dating and having an arranged marriage with someone introduced by Father.”

There’s no escape for me now. For the sake of what lies ahead, I must face this head-on.

“Let’s go…”

After gathering my thoughts in my room, I made my way to the living room where Father was likely waiting.

As I walked down the hallway toward the living room, I felt a heavy atmosphere.

There were usually several servants passing through this corridor, but now there were none…

(Father must have ordered them…so they wouldn’t overhear the conversation)

I have to face this for the sake of the future. Having this resolve allowed me to think calmly.

I cannot lose…

Arriving at the living room, I open the door and slowly step inside.

“You finally…came.”

“…Father.”

“Sit down.”

“…Yes.”

Father furrowed his brow and glared at me with a piercing gaze. I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by his anger…

In this spacious living room, it’s just Father and me. As silence enveloped us…I followed his instructions and sat down on a chair.

“Do you know…why I called for you, Shizuku?”

“…Of course.”

At the start of this interrogation-like conversation, a shiver ran through my body… Even though I knew what I’m going to be told, there were many things I cannot stand up to against Father…

“You’re not a fool… That’s why I ask you, what do you want to do?”

In the oppressive atmosphere, Father’s words were “What do you want to do?”… This question directly relates to my “goal” and also implies “give a concise answer.”

From his choice of words, there is no doubt that Father has realized that I broke the tradition.

– That’s why there is no other choice but to say this.

“…I want to find happiness, that’s all.”

While straightening my posture and looking at Father’s face, I confidently declare.

“Speak.”

“The reason I have continued to refuse arranged marriages is because I have someone I love… You may already know, Father, but I am dating that person.”

“…”

Father’s expression doesn’t change at all. He closed his eyes and listened attentively…

“An arranged marriage with a young noble. I understand that this is our family’s tradition… However, as long as I am dating him, I have no intention of breaking up. If my life partner cannot be him, I’d rather die than give my body to an unknown man.”

Even if these words were taken as an insult to my predecessors, I needed to say them. These were my true feelings. I’m willing to defy any opposition for the sake of being united with Riku-kun.

“…What if I said I’d forgive you if you break up with him now?”

“There is absolutely no way I would ever say I want to break up. He is… my first love, after all.”

“What?”

“You wouldn’t understand my feelings, Father… You fell in love with Mother, your arranged marriage partner, at first sight, didn’t you? …I’m not like that. I’ve loved that boy since I was little. I finally managed to start dating him… I don’t even want to imagine breaking up.”

(T/N: She uses “Otou-sama” when addressing her father)

“I didn’t raise you to be a child who would break our family’s traditions, you know.”

“Did you even raise me? How can you say that? You were always busy with work, leaving Rin and me to our own devices. It was Mother and the servants working in this house who raised us.”

“You insolent…”

There’s no doubt that Father wanted to raise Rin and me. But… what he prioritized was work, not us. It couldn’t be helped because work was overwhelming. Even if I could understand those feelings, I finally said it…

“I’m sorry, Father. I went too far.”

“…”

“I apologize for breaking our family’s tradition… Of course, I am prepared to take any responsibility. In exchange, please recognize my relationship with him–“

“Don’t Be Absurd!!”

–Paan!

At that moment, Father’s furious voice echoed, followed by a sound like a gunshot.

It’s not a gunshot, but the sound of his hand slapping my cheek…

A burning pain spreads through my right cheek and my entire body.

“You who break our traditions have no right to ask for such a thing. I have absolutely no intention of allowing it… I am disappointed, Shizuku.”

Dragging the chair noisily, Father stands up and leaves the living room without looking back.

“Be prepared for the punishment.”

With such parting words, he left…

(T/N: F**ker)