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 54: What Lies Beyond Salvation

And so, the day of the arranged marriage meeting arrived on a Saturday.

“Hou, you look great. The Shinonome family will surely be pleased.”

Impressed by Shizuku, who was dressed up by the servants, her father, Genjuro, complimented her.

Shizuku wore a pure white dress that combined both cleanliness and a relaxed fit, with a pink cardigan over it. She had light makeup on, which made her refined appearance stand out even more, and her long silver hair was tied up with a flower decoration.

“…Father, how much time do we have left?”

“We have about an hour, but considering the travel time by car, it’s almost time to leave.”

“I see.”

Shizuku’s tone was cold and emotionless, devoid of any feelings. It was the result of her hopes being completely crushed.

“Don’t show that kind of attitude in front of the Shinonome family. It will only give them a bad impression.”

“…”

“I’ve told you many times, you’re the one who broke the tradition. It’s time to accept it and change your attitude. You said you’d take responsibility yourself.”

“I will take responsibility… But if you do anything to my boyfriend, I will never forgive you.”

“Hmph, that’s only if you successfully go through with the arranged marriage.”

If Shizuku refused the arranged marriage, the wealth of the Kujo family would plummet, and pressure would be applied to Riku’s household in some way. There was no way she could refuse under these circumstances.

She wanted to make the arranged marriage successful, even though she knew it’s wrong. At the same time, she didn’t want it to be successful. It’s a contradiction that she can’t do anything about, and it continues to eat away at her heart.

“From the moment the arranged marriage is successful, your boyfriend’s situation will change, but that’s the tradition of our family. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

“…”

When Genjuro finished speaking, Shizuku heard the notification sound of a smartphone. Following the sound, Genjuro took his smartphone out of his pocket and looked at the screen.

“…Well, it seems the car is ready. Let’s start moving.”

“Understood.”

With Genjuro leading the way, Shizuku followed behind him. In the hallway leading from the living room to the entrance, the servants were lined up, waiting to bow to Shizuku and Genjuro. All the servants were women. They knew about the pain of love and the current situation. They looked at Shizuku with sad eyes.

But this was an outcome that could no longer be changed. Shizuku, while hiding her true feelings, said only “It’s alright” to the servants.

And then, she put on the shoes that had been prepared in advance and headed to the car.

“Shizuku-sama, this way.”

“…Thank you.”

A servant opened the back door of the car and guided Shizuku inside. After thanking the servant, Shizuku entered the car and the door was closed.

(Riku-kun, I’m truly sorry…)

All that was left was to go to the arranged marriage meeting. Shizuku was filled with regret. She closed her eyes to escape from this painful reality, and let time pass.And then, just as the engine started, and the car was about to depart…

A distinct sound of two approaching engines could be heard.Then, the source of the sound stopped right in front of the Kujo residence.One was a low-slung, high-end sports car, painted bright red. The other was a large, luxury sedan with a glass partition between the driver’s seat and the passenger compartment – a glossy black limousine.

The two cars stopped in a way that blocked the path of Shizuku’s car. Everyone’s attention was drawn to the scene, and their movements came to a halt. A few seconds passed, and the door of the black limousine opened. The person who emerged from it was…

“Fa-father…!?”

“It’s been a while, Genjuro.”

Shigeo, Genjuro’s father, walked slowly, tapping his vanish-coated cane. He stroked his magnificent white beard and glanced around.

“By the way… where are you heading now?”

“Ah! We’re on our way to a matchmaking meeting with the Shinonome family.”

“…I see.”

Shigeo nodded, then turned his gaze to a room in the Kujou family mansion.

[You both look well.]

[Shigeo-san, it’s been a long time.]

[Thank you… Grandfather…]

Their gazes intertwined there. Peering through the window were the two people responsible for this situation: Rinka and her mother, Reika.

“Father… I would like to ask you something. Could you please clear the way…? We’re running out of time…”

Genjuro asked for the two cars to be moved, but this was something Shigeo had intentionally arranged.

“I can’t let that happen. I came here to stop this matchmaking meeting, Genjuro.”

“What do you mean!?”

“I mean exactly what I said. I won’t let you have your way.”

Shizuku’s car window was open. The conversation between Shigeo and Genjuro was clearly audible to her.

(Grandfather…)

In that moment, a small light flickered in Shizuku’s eyes.

“What do you mean!? Please explain, Father!”

“I know all about the situation. Shizuku broke the family’s traditions, and you’re making her take responsibility through this matchmaking meeting, right?”

“Yes. So…”

“You’re not wrong, considering the position of our prestigious family. But…”

Shigeo walked closer to Genjuro, and the distance between them shortened to the point of having a casual conversation. With a tap of his cane, Shigeo’s eyes widened.

“How can you think that’s right as a father!?”

“Ah…!”

Shigeo, whose anger seemed to shake the air around him, quickly pointed his cane at Genjuro’s face. The pressure was so intense that it was unlike anything anyone had ever experienced. Everyone present was drawn into the scene. Feeling the full brunt of that pressure, Genjuro stumbled backward and collapsed, completely shrinking back.

“Enough of this disappointment, Genjuro. Are you going to choose the family’s prosperity or your child’s happiness?”

“T-that is…”

“Do you need to hesitate? Do you need to doubt? Is this the proper behavior for a father?… How ridiculous!”

With Genjuro sitting on the ground, Shigeo pointed his cane at him and widened his pupils.

“You resort to violence against your own child merely for breaking a tradition. This demonstrates your caliber as a father. To what extent do you plan to tarnish my reputation, Genjuro?”

“I’m… I’m sorry…”

“Do you admit that what you did was abuse, even if it was to teach your child the fear of tradition, to make them feel responsible, and to discipline them?”

“…Yes.”

With Genjuro facing the ground, Shigeo lowered the cane he had been pointing and bent down on one knee to match his face.

“Your determination to prevent the decline of the company I handed over to you is commendable. But what’s the point if it makes Shizuku unhappy? I understand that you may have your own conflicts, but the issue of tradition is a family matter. If you accept it, wouldn’t that be the end of the story?”

“……That’s correct.”

“By protecting those who break tradition, do you think you can’t face our ancestors? That’s not true. It’s making your child unhappy that would be unforgivable.”

“Yes…”

“Traditions that make a child unhappy are nothing more than vile curses. While it’s true that you and I found our partners through arranged marriages, Shizuku chose her partner with her own hands. As her father, it’s your duty to support their relationship. Or do you not trust the man Shizuku chose, even though she broke tradition for him?”

“That’s not what I’m saying…”

“Then that’s good enough. Your position as a prestigious family can be secondary. First, be a father who can make your family happy. Understand, Genjuro?.”

“…Yes. I will take it to heart.”

“If you understand, that’s all that matters. It’s my duty to correct my son’s mistakes.”

With that, Shigeo, who had been nodding his head, stood up and turned his face to the car Shizuku was riding in.

“Come out of the car, Shizuku.”

“G-Grandfather…”

Hearing his voice clearly, Shizuku opened the car door and faced her grandfather.

“Oh, you’ve become quite a beauty… Now, you’ll be riding in this car here. You can have them drop you off wherever you like. You must show Riku your current state, right?”

“……!”

The car he pointed to was a bright red sports car.

“Don’t let Riku get away, Shizuku. He’s that kind of man.”

“Yes… I definitely won’t let him get away…”

“Hahaha, that’s my granddaughter. Now, get in the car quickly.”

“Th-thank you… Grandfather…”

“Save your thanks for Riku, who moved me to do this.”

“Yes…!”

While tearing up, Shizuku bowed her head to Shigeo, who smiled and conveyed his true feelings. From this, it could be inferred that Riku and him had met somewhere. And that Rinka had helped them somehow…

Standing on the brink of despair, Shizuku was saved by everyone’s efforts. She was filled with gratitude.And so, the sports car with its roaring engine carried Shizuku toward Riku’s house…

*****

“Genjuro… We’re going to apologize to the Shinonome family now. Together. If they sever ties with us, I’ll help you. The damage will be great, but at least no one will be unhappy.”

“Yes.”

“And make sure to apologize to Shizuku, even if it means prostrating yourself. You must apologize for your mistakes.”

“I understand.”

Genjuro nodded vigorously at Shigeo’s words, with no hint of deception in his heart.

“Don’t worry, the man Shizuku chose is excellent. He will surely make her happy. You should also take a look at him”

“If you say so, I can trust him… If you, Father, say so much, Shizuku must have really caught a good man…”

With that conversation over, Shigeo and Genjuro got into the car to go directly to the Shinonome family to apologize.