Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess - Chapter 209: Eri’s POV.

Eri’s POV.

I truly want to celebrate the fact that Sara and Takanashi-kun are now engaged.

There are moments when I find myself thinking that they’ve beaten me to it, but even then, if it means these two important people in my life are together, I genuinely want to congratulate them from the bottom of my heart.

However, right now, those two are caught up in the kind of turmoil that my future self and my wonderful husband-to-be (I wish) might also face someday.

Both Sara and I, to put it simply, are what people would call “young ladies from good families.” Moreover, we both carry the possibility of having to shoulder our respective companies in the future (though in Sara’s case, it has practically been decided for her already). In other words, we are in positions where simple romance is difficult.

Our partners must be prepared to take on a heavy responsibility; it is a love that demands such resolve.

Takanashi-kun likely does not yet fully understand this, but I believe that his unwavering determination – that he would never hesitate when it comes to Sara – will allow him to adapt, no matter what lies ahead. And to find such a person through genuine love… Sara is truly blessed. Honestly, I’m a little jealous… If only someone like that appeared for me as well… No, this is not the time to dwell on myself.

It’s clear that this situation is filled with uncertainties. Perhaps it’s not something we need to consider so gravely just yet. If we continue to watch over their progress, and if the president of Sanami eventually accepts them, then everything will resolve.

But this isn’t just about what the two of them want.

Even if they wish for it and their families permit it, as long as their lives play out on the stage of the company, it does not mean that those around them will accept it.

The mere fact that a matchmaking proposal has come up shows that there are already people beginning to move behind the scenes, and that number will only increase.

If this were purely personal love, there would be no need to listen to outsiders’ opinions. In that sense, the final option for Sara is to abandon the Satsukawa family name.

If she were to leave the Satsukawa household and sever ties with Sanami, then they could pursue an ordinary love and marry like any other couple.

But if Takanashi-kun will not accept that option, then as her friend, I want to do whatever I can for them.

But how…?

I offered to help because I wanted to do something, but the more I think about it, the more I realise that this isn’t something I can resolve.

I’m still a student. Someone like me, who has only minimal involvement with my family’s company, trying to interfere in something this big… it would be foolish of me to think I could make any real difference.

Knock knock…

The sound of knocking on my door pulled my thoughts back to reality.

“Yes.”

“Eri-san, did you call for me?”

“Please come in.”

“Excuse me.”

She entered quietly, her posture graceful and composed as always. She is my secretary, the one who always listens to me. Her extensive knowledge and calm demeanour make her my most trusted confidante.

“I’m sorry, Yuki-san. I need your advice once again…”

“Yes, I anticipated that. Please, don’t hesitate to speak.”

I gestured with my eyes for her to sit down, but she seemed intent on continuing the conversation standing, so I decided to begin explaining the situation.

“The truth is… my close friend just got engaged—”

“Would that be Satsukawa Sara-san, by any chance?”

She immediately mentioned Sara’s name upon hearing “close friend.”

Well, considering that Sara is my only friend who could end up in such an unusual situation, it was a reasonable deduction.

“Yes.”

“Might I ask… is this engagement for strategic purposes…?”

Yuki-san’s gaze sharpened. She is always stern towards matters that belittle women.

“No, it’s a romantic engagement.”

“I see. Then that is wonderful news.”

Her expression softened at once.

I decided to keep to myself how intimidating that sudden shift felt.

From there, I began explaining everything. Yuki-san listened calmly, occasionally asking questions as if analysing the situation, her focus unwavering.

Once I finished, her response came quickly.

“I see… he seems like a very respectable young man. By the way, I recall hearing the name Takanashi before…”

She tilted her head slightly, searching her memory.

“Ah, you must be referring to the Yamazaki incident. Back then, he was the one who coordinated everything for us.”

“I see. So he was the one… It seems Miss Sara has found herself a truly good partner. In that case, as an employee of the Nishikawa Group, I must extend my gratitude to someone who helped both our president and you, Eri-san. Please leave this matter to me; I will support it with all my strength.”

I felt so relieved.

Having Yuki-san’s cooperation was invaluable. To be honest, this was too big for me to handle alone, and I desperately needed an adult’s assistance.

“Thank you so much. So, regarding what we should do from here…”

“Yes. Actually, I have seen similar situations several times before, so I believe I understand where the problems in this case lie.”

Hearing such a reassuring statement from Yuki-san only strengthened my confidence.

There is no substitute for experience, and I hoped she could give me advice grounded in that.

“However, unfortunately, this is an issue involving another company. If we attempt to intervene, it will be extremely difficult and could cause unnecessary backlash. Therefore, I believe we should discard the idea of direct intervention and instead aim to ‘close off their options’ from the outside.”

I had anticipated that direct intervention would be difficult. After all, if they told us to stay out of it, that would be the end.

But closing off their options…?

Was there really a way to do that?

“Eri-san, I believe you understand that if Takanashi-kun were to gain their approval, everything would resolve instantly. Therefore, in this case, ‘closing off their options’ means…”

“You mean creating a situation where they have no choice but to accept him…? But isn’t that impossible?”

I understood what she meant.

Indeed, if that were possible, the problem would resolve in one stroke. But how could someone like Takanashi-kun, who has no achievements or ties to the company, possibly gain that approval? Yesterday’s discussion made it clear that this was the most challenging aspect.

“Ordinarily, yes. But this time, I believe we are extremely fortunate. Without this particular factor, even I would have struggled to find a solution. You see, Takanashi-kun has earned a debt of gratitude from both the president and yourself through the Yamazaki incident.”

“A debt…? It’s true he helped us, but…”

It was indeed thanks to him that we noticed what we did not see ourselves, and his actions protected not only me but prevented harm to the Nishikawa Group as a whole.

“The president met directly with Executive Director Satsukawa, and using the information and evidence provided by his side, they eliminated President Yamazaki. Later, the president arranged a meeting to convey his deep gratitude to Executive Director Satsukawa. If it becomes clear that all of this was led by Takanashi-kun, the future son-in-law of Executive Director Satsukawa, then our president will surely listen to him. Of course, there will be other matters to discuss, but I will be present to support you. Eri-san, please focus on conveying to the president that Takanashi-kun is a good person and your dear friend. That will make my discussions far smoother.”

Incredible.

I could clearly see that what I thought was a dead end had begun to shift.

This is what people mean when they speak of seeing a ray of hope.

I have always known that Yuki-san was highly capable, but I wish she could be my exclusive secretary in the future…

“The key to success here lies in two major factors. First, Takanashi-kun must be formally recognised as Miss Sara’s fiancé by Executive Director Satsukawa. That is the absolute prerequisite. Next, with my assistance, you must report the Yamazaki matter in full to the president and secure his support. If that is achieved…”

“…then it will ultimately lead to closing off their options from the outside, correct!?”

“Yes. As long as we do not intervene directly, we can minimise any backlash from Sanami. I will refine the details of this plan and report back to you once everything is in place.”

I was relieved to know that there was still something we could do on our side.

It is ironic how that wretched Yamazaki incident, which we all resented, has now become a factor that might help the two of them.

All I can hope is that this truly becomes their salvation…

That night, Hanako-san, Natsumi, and I held a group call on RAIN.

Natsumi was there to support Sara, while Hanako-san would support Takanashi-kun. I felt Hanako-san, in particular, was someone he needed right now.

“Still… Sara is being a bit pathetic at the moment.”

The words slipped from my mouth.

It was something I had been thinking for a while.

“Don’t be so hard on her, Eririn. Sara only recently found herself in this position. She probably wasn’t mentally prepared at all.”

“Even considering that, she’s still being pathetic. When Takanashi-kun is doing his best to stay strong, it’s the wife’s role to support him. But instead, she’s frightened and clinging to him for comfort.”

Hanako-san was exactly right. Normally, Sara would have negotiated directly with her father, forced him to accept her relationship with Takanashi-kun, and shouted at him never to bring up such matters again.

But right now, that strength was nowhere to be seen, and that’s why I found her so disappointing.

“I think… maybe, she’s always been charging forward, driven purely by her feelings of love, without ever thinking of anything else. But with this situation, for the first time, she realised there might be forces out there that could tear them apart, no matter what they want. Maybe that sudden awareness just scared her.”

What Natsumi said made sense.

Realising that their bond isn’t an absolute certainty because of forces beyond their control… Considering how strong her feelings are, it wouldn’t be surprising if fear rendered her unable to leave his side.

“…That might be true. But if things stay like this, Takanashi-kun won’t be able to keep fighting. I think we need to give her a push.”

“I agree. Natsumi, when you take Sara out this weekend, I’ll come with you.”

“Got it!”

Two pure-hearted people in love, and adults who would try to taint that with their own schemes… I wonder if one day, I too will come to understand what that feels like.