I was cuckolded by my childhood friend, but I want to create a harem in a world where chastity is reversed and be happy. - Chapter 119: Running Hand-in-Hand

Chapter 119: Running Hand-in-Hand

 I don’t usually meddle in other people’s business, but I felt that I shouldn’t turn a blind eye to this particular situation.

“What’s your arranged marriage partner like? Is it a student?”

“Well…”

She hesitated, then brought up a photo on the screen of her silver iPhone and showed it to me. He seemed too old to be a student and appeared to be a working adult, judging by his suit.

“This man is 25 years old, a widower with a child. He’s a rising star in the Saionji Group, but he’s been depressed lately since his wife passed away…”

Shizu-san was vague in her description. I could somewhat guess the situation, and he didn’t seem like an ideal match for her, considering the man was ten years her senior and already had a child.

In this world, the ability to bear children is a crucial factor in choosing a husband. While there are options like medication and in vitro fertilization, having already fathered a child with his late wife would likely be seen as a positive trait by most women.

Additionally, as Shizu-san is still a student, pairing her with another student doesn’t guarantee that they will remain on a successful career path. So, Madam Kotono, who values her grandchild, probably chose this match with careful consideration.

This is so clearly not something to laugh at. She completely disregards Shizu-san’s feelings.

“So, what do you want to do, Shizu-san? Do you want to just blow up this whole arrange marriage thing?”

“Well… actually, I like someone at my school.

I may have been treated like a young lady as the granddaughter of the matriarch, but I grew up in a normal household since I was little.

I attended regular co-ed schools for elementary, middle, and high school. And this year, for the first time in my life, I fell in love with someone from the same classes me.

I don’t want to give up on him because I like him.”

Shizu-san, who had been looking down and slightly blushing while speaking, finally looked me in the eye as she said her last words. I could sense her determination.

“So, I was thinking of running away until today’s arranged marriage meeting is over. If I run away hand-in-hand with… a man, it might make the matriarch believe that I have a lover or a boyfriend, and she might give up on the idea of forcing me to arrange marriage.

Tatara-sama… I know it’s a huge imposition, and I apologize for that, but would you please run away with me for just three hours from now?”

Shizu-san made her request with a serious expression, likely mustering all her courage.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t grant that wish,” I replied, causing her expression to become dejected.

Not wanting to see the sad face of a young lady, I continued, “Because if we do that, there will just be another arranged marriage meeting set up, and then another, until you give in.

So… let’s destroy this arranged marriage and make sure Madam Kotono never brings up the topic again!”