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

“Are you the young man named Riku?”

“Yes, nice to meet you. My name is Riku Takenaka.”

“My name is Shigeo Kujo. I believe you’ve heard from Rinka, but I am her grandfather.”

Then, Shigeo, Rinka’s grandfather, finally showed his face.

With his impressive white beard and mature, dignified appearance, he was a sight to behold, clad in a wrinkle-free suit and radiating an indescribable aura.

“Shigeo Kujo… sama.”

“No need for formalities, just speak as you usually would. Today, I’m here to see the real you. Let’s talk as equals.”

“T-thank you very much….. Then, I’ll take you up on that.”

Shigeo’s expression remained unchanged, but his tone of voice carried a definite consideration. Riku was unsure how to speak or behave in front of him, so Shigeo’s suggestion was much appreciated.

“Well, standing around talking isn’t ideal. I must hear your story in detail. Would you mind sitting next to me?”

“Understood. I’ll take the seat next to you.”

Shigeo gestured politely to the seat beside him, where a glass of barley tea had been poured.

“…”

And then, as Riku sat down, a moment of silence followed. Feeling the pressure from Shigeo just by being close to him, Riku couldn’t help but swallow nervously. What kind of conversation would take place… Riku had no idea. He had no choice but to wait until Shigeo began speaking.

“As expected of Shizuku.”

“Huh…?”

After several seconds of silence, Shigeo suddenly spoke.

“No matter what you say to me, you have a determination not to back down. Just by looking at you, I can tell what kind of resolve you have for coming here. She has brought quite a good man, indeed.”

“…Shizuku is important to me.”

In an instant, Shigeo saw through Riku’s feelings for coming here, but Riku wasn’t surprised. The moment their eyes met, Riku felt as if Shigeo had seen through everything—a strange sensation that came from Shigeo’s experience of observing many people.

“…So it seems genuine.”

“Even if I were to lie here, I believe you would easily see through it, Shigeo-san.”

“Hahaha, that’s right. There’s no point in trying to hide anything from me. I’ve seen many people with these eyes.”

“From the beginning, I intended to face you head-on. That’s the only thing I can do.”

The person sitting across from Riku—Shigeo—was someone who stood above others. A mere high school student had no way to win against him. That’s why the only way to move Shigeo’s heart was to confront him honestly and without any deception.

“…If that’s the case, then good. Yes, let’s move on to the main topic.”

As if to say this was just a preamble, Shigeo stroked his impressive white beard with his right hand, closed his eyes, and continued speaking without hesitation.

“While it may not be familiar to ordinary people, our family has a tradition of arranged marriages. Are you aware of that?”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“In other words, you understand the situation Shizuku is currently in?”

“Yes, I understand that as well. I heard about it from Rinka.”

“Then that makes things easier.”

Shigeo took a sip of the barley tea on the counter and slowly put down the glass.

“…To put it simply, I can save Shizuku.”

“Really!?

“Of course, but by doing so, I’d be protecting someone who has broken our traditions. That would create an exceptional situation. Normally, those who break traditions should receive an appropriate punishment.”

There’s no way Riku can understand the weight of these traditions. Only those who know that traditions exist and are committed to protecting them can understand this.

“I don’t judge people based on their social status. If Shizuku chose you, then I am convinced that you are a man worthy of protecting her, even without meeting face-to-face.”

“…”

“That’s why I wanted to meet you in person. I have something I want to hear from you regarding helping Shizuku.”

“What…?”

As Riku tried to continue speaking, Shigeo’s sharp gaze turned towards him, and a pressure so intense it made his hair stand on end and overwhelmed him.

“Do you have the resolve to make Shizuku happy?”

With that, the words were released. This was the thing he wanted to hear directly from Riku’s mouth.

“If you have a half-hearted attitude or resolve and are looking ahead, I will mercilessly cut you off. Even if Shizuku likes you, I cannot entrust my precious granddaughter to someone without that determination.”

“I understand what you’re saying, Shigeo-san. But—”

Indeed, Riku came to this place with something resolved in his heart. He can’t lose to such pressure.

“By coming here, I am ready for that. I don’t want anyone to take Shizuku away from me.”

“Is that so? Are you saying that you want to spend your entire life with her?”

“I’ve experienced the joy of being with Shizuku. I’ve come to know the happiness of even trivial things. I want to share these feelings with her forever.”

“Hmm…”

At that moment, He felt Riku’s sincerity.

No, it was Riku who had developed such an overwhelming presence that it made Shigeo feel that way. An intense force pushing back against Shigeo…

“I swear to make Shizuku happier than anyone else.”

Their gazes met like sparks flying, neither backing down nor looking away.

“You won’t back down from your words, right? This is a promise between you and me.”

“Yes.”

“Heh.”

Just as they made their promise, Shigeo’s mouth turned up for a moment, and he laughed.

“Hahaha! I’m satisfied now that I’ve heard those words. Leave the rest to me. I will definitely save Shizuku.”

“!!”

As He declared this with a satisfied laugh and a confident face, Riku expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you so much!”

“No need for thanks. This is something I should have talked about long ago.”

With the conversation over, he signaled the end by taking a drink from his cup, finishing off the barley tea.

“It’s already this late. I need to leave soon. Oh, I almost forgot. I need to give this to you.”

Shigeo, who seemed to have wrapped everything up on his own, reached into his pocket and took out five banknotes, each worth 10,000 yen, and handed them to Riku.

“Um… What does this mean?”

“It’s for your date with Shizuku this weekend. Use this money.”

“No, no, I can’t accept such a large amount!”

“This is my gift to you. I want you to accept it. In exchange, I want you to make sure Shizuku has the time of her life. Only you can heal her wounded heart.”

“…Alright.”

After hesitating, Riku finally accepted the money. Accepting such a large sum might be wrong, but in order not to trample on Shigeo’s feelings and to convey his resolve to “make Shizuku happy,” Riku had no choice but to accept it. But that choice must have been right. Shigeo was showing Riku a pleasant smile.

“I’ll take care of closing up the shop. It was good talking to you today. Take care on your way home.”

“Yes… Thank you very much.”

With the conversation completely over, Riku stood up from the counter and headed for the exit. That’s when Shigeo called out to him.

“If you have anything you want to say to me, don’t hesitate. Our status doesn’t matter.”

The moment these words were spoken, Riku’s bottled-up emotions overflowed.

“Please, please… take care of Shizuku… Please.”

With a trembling voice, Riku bowed deeply. He wanted to convey these words to him no matter what.

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect her.”

“Thank you… Thank you so much.”

That was the last exchange. Riku, with shaking fists, thanked him and left the cafe where they had met.

ーーAnd then, in the cafe with Shigeo alone.

“You really found a good man, Shizuku.”