Chapter 3: The Person of Destiny

After the ordeal with Touka, Asuka, and Chika, Toru finally found a moment of peace at school.

However, the real problem remained: who was his true fiancée, Aino or Ririka? Aino and Ririka had spent a long time talking in their room the night before. If things didn't change, his engagement to Ririka would be finalized, and Aino would be sent back to her family within a week. The root of the problem was Aino Japan, the company owned by Aino’s mother.

As he was preparing to head home, lost in thought, Aino walked over to his desk. She smiled and clasped her hands behind her back, a pose that accentuated her chest. She leaned forward, her breasts swaying slightly.

"You shouldn't look at me with such 'ecchi' eyes at school, you know?" she giggled.

"I’d be lying if I said I wasn't looking."

"I'll show you anything you want once we're home," Aino whispered into his ear. Her sweet breath sent a shiver down his spine.

"Aino-san... do you want to walk home together?"

"Of course! Chika-chan and the others have things to do today. It’s been a while since..."

Toru guessed she was going to say "since I’ve had you all to myself." He decided it was time he took the initiative for once.

"It’s been a while since I’ve had you all to myself," he said, cutting her off.

Aino blinked, her face turning pink. "T-Toru-kun... having me all to yourself... I..."

"You’ve been so close with Chika and the others lately, I was starting to get jealous. I was worried Chika was going to steal you away from me."

"You were worried about that? You don't have to be. I only have you, Toru-kun."

Finding Aino’s bashful vulnerability adorable, Toru felt a sudden urge to pull her into his arms, oblivious to the eyes of their classmates.

However, those romantic thoughts were quickly dashed when someone began vigorously thwacking him on the back.

"Phew~! You two are really turning up the heat!"

The culprit was Kotoka Akikawa, one of the school’s popular girls. She was a member of the so-called "First Tier" and quite pretty, though she was the type who preferred to blend into her surroundings. Apparently a close friend of Asuka, she and Toru had known each other since middle school.

Kotoka looked back and forth between Toru and Aino, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. "Personally, I’m rooting for Asuka, you know? But seeing you and Aino-san so lovey-dovey like this..."

Aino looked delighted, turning to Kotoka with a question of her own. "Do we really look that lovey-dovey?" It seemed the two had become fast friends lately. While Toru was glad to see Aino’s social circle expanding, he couldn't help but wonder if Kotoka was filling her head with strange ideas. Besides, he was pretty sure "turning up the heat" was practically a dead slang term these days...

Kotoka beamed. "You totally do~! Saying things like 'Toru-kun is the only one for me'... Man, I wish I had a boyfriend who could inspire me to say stuff like that."

Aino finally realized how embarrassing her previous declaration had been and turned a deep shade of crimson. But Toru was genuinely happy. To ensure Aino didn't feel awkward, he knew he had to make his own feelings clear.

He smiled warmly. "Well, it’s true. I absolutely dote on Aino-san."

"T-Toru-kun!?" Aino looked at him, her eyes wide with shock.

Toru met her gaze with a soft laugh. "Because you’re the only one for me, too."

This time, Aino’s embarrassment shifted into something entirely different, her face flushing even deeper. "Toru-kun... that’s a little embarrassing."

"Sorry."

"B-but... I'm so happy..." Seeing her eyes moisten with joy made Toru the one to start flustered. For a fleeting moment, he thought he could probably kiss her right then and there—but then he remembered they were in a classroom. And Kotoka was standing right in front of them.

Kotoka’s eyes were round with surprise as she muttered, "You really are head-over-heels... Ugh, now I definitely want a boyfriend! I want a kind, handsome guy like Renjō-kun to whisper sweet things like 'Kotoka, you're the only one' to me!!"

"I'm sure you'll find someone in no time, Akikawa-san," Toru offered.

"Hey, I wouldn't mind if you filled the position, Renjō-kun."

"Huh!?"

"Just kidding, just kidding!" Kotoka let out a hearty laugh. Aino chimed in from the side with a cute, protective protest. "Akikawa-san, don't you dare try to take my Toru-kun."

Toru shrugged his shoulders. "That’s not good for my heart."

"But seriously, if I actually confessed, would you consider it?"

"Hmm... I already have Aino-san, so no."

"Ahaha! Fine then. If Aino-san and Asuka both dump you, give me a call!"

"I'll pray it never comes to that..." Toru felt like he’d never recover if Aino actually dumped him. Still, he figured a girl as cute and good-natured as Kotoka would probably find a boyfriend—or two—long before such a disaster occurred. "By the way, did you need something? Looking for someone?"

"Oh, right! I came looking for Tsumugi." The girl she was searching for was Tsumugi Yukihara. She was a quiet, literary type, but famous for being incredibly cute. Beautiful girls really do hang out in packs, Toru thought. Kotoka waved goodbye and headed off.

As for Asuka, she had vanished somewhere with Chika. Apparently, they were having some kind of tennis showdown; Toru was impressed they never got tired of competing. Originally, Asuka had been the one challenging the "Champion" Chika in hopes of winning, but it seemed Chika had started enjoying it too. From Chika’s perspective, students who could actually keep up with her were rare, so Asuka’s presence was a welcome stimulus.

This meant that today, Toru could walk home alone with Aino. Better yet, they could go on an actual after-school date. It was hard to get any alone time at home. Despite the looming crisis, he wanted to cherish these moments with her. He intended to spend as much time as possible with Aino as her boyfriend.

Toru also had a specific plan in mind to resolve their situation. Even if it only delayed their immediate problems, he wanted to discuss it with her.

As they left the classroom together, Toru felt the weight of several classmates' gazes. It was only natural, considering he was accompanied by Aino, one of the most beautiful girls in school. Aino, however, had a different take.

"Everyone is staring because you're so handsome, Toru-kun."

"I highly doubt that..."

"You're very handsome, so I want you to have more confidence. You're my boyfriend, and I'm proud of you."

Perhaps she was right. As Aino’s boyfriend, he should carry himself with dignity. Putting himself down was, in a way, insulting Aino’s own taste. He pondered this as they walked through the city streets outside the school.

"You're right. Since you chose me, I need to step up my game..."

"I'm the one who needs to step up, though," Aino whispered.

Toru wondered what she meant by that, but before he could ask, Aino let out a delighted exclamation. She was pointing toward a multi-tenant building where a sign on the third floor read: Cat Café Nekoken.

"Hey, Toru-kun! Can we go in there?"

"If you want to, sure. Are you a cat person? Actually, you look like you would be..." He could easily imagine her loving cats; she even had a bit of a feline air about her.

Aino giggled. "I love cats!"

"I don't mind them either. I'm a dog person too, though..."

"I love dogs, cats, hamsters, and even budgies!"

"You're a real animal lover. It makes sense, given how kind you are."

"I'm not that kind. I just like them because they're cute."

"I don't know about that. I've always thought you were kind." Toru had felt that way since they first met. When she heard he had been disowned, she had been furious at the Konoe family on his behalf. She told him it was wrong for him to be the only one blamed and that a true fiancée should support her partner. Even now, she was trying to support him.

Aino tilted her head. "I think you're a hundred times kinder than me."

"You're just imagining it. But hey, if you say so, maybe I am." He had decided to stop self-deprecating, after all. Aino smiled and nodded at his words.

"Let's just agree we're both kind, okay?"

"If we're both kind, then we'll be able to be kind to each other."

"I really think we're the ideal couple right now," Aino said without a hint of hesitation. Toru felt the same way, which was exactly why he had to protect her.

"But... there are things I'm still lacking..." Aino muttered softly. They stepped into the building's elevator. As the old doors groaned shut, leaving them alone, Toru asked, "What do you feel you're lacking?"

"Don't worry about it, Toru-kun. It's my problem..."

Despite her reassurance, he couldn't help but be concerned. However, the elevator arrived, and they were at the entrance of the cat café. A young female clerk opened the door with a bright "Welcome!" She looked about college-aged and was quite the beauty.

In fact, Toru had met her before. "Wait, you're...!"

He remembered her clearly. She was the part-timer from the karaoke bar. They had also bumped into her when he went to the pool with Aino and the others. She had a similar aura to Touka—tall, slender, and radiating confidence. Since she was working at a cat café, she was dressed in an excessively fancy and cute uniform.

She looked equally surprised. "We keep running into each other, don't we, young man? Oh... wait, I'm working, so I have to use formal speech with customers." She playfully covered her mouth with her hand.

Toru chuckled. "Don't worry about it. I'm younger than you, anyway. Besides, I can never quite stand up to your older sister."

Aino looked puzzled, while the clerk seemed startled. She gave a troubled smile. "I guess that means you already know who I am?"

"Yes. You're Touka-san's younger sister, Haruka Tokieda-san, right?" When they met at the pool, she had mentioned asking "Big Sis" about them. Toru had suspected she meant Touka and confirmed it later. He had managed to build a small network within the Konoe family beyond just Touka. Now that his disownment was lifted, he could interact with more people. A quick check with a friendly servant had confirmed Haruka’s identity. It never hurt to keep an eye on his surroundings, especially since Touka was such a pivotal figure in his life.

Haruka beamed. "Ahaha! I guess you do know. Well, nice to meet you officially. I'm Haruka Tokieda, a first-year medical student at Nagoya University. Nice to meet you."

Toru knew she was a med student—a future doctor. Getting into the medical department at "Meidai" (as locals called it) was reportedly harder than getting into Tokyo University's Science I program, meaning she was a certified genius. Aino whispered a "Wow, med school..." in awe.

Haruka laughed. "I was a student at Koubunkan until just recently, you know? I was a fresh eighteen-year-old high school girl not too long ago!"

"It’s hard to know how to respond to that when we're actual high school students..."

"Aw, how cold."

"Anyway, you really do look just like Touka-san," Toru noted.

"Big Sis is way more amazing than someone like me." For a split second, a dark shadow of self-deprecation crossed Haruka’s face. Toru wondered where that look came from, but it vanished instantly as her bright, cheerful mask returned. It almost looked a bit forced.

"You can call me by my first name, you know. If you use my last name, it’ll be the same as Big Sis."

"Alright, Haruka-san."

When Toru used her name, Haruka squealed "So cute!" and began ruffling his hair.

Unlike Touka, Haruka was only three years older than him—well within "romantic interest" range. Plus, she possessed the same exceptional beauty as her sister. Having someone like her get so close made Toru feel a bit flustered. Aino was also puffing out her cheeks and glaring at Haruka.

However, Haruka’s aggressive friendliness was soon turned on Aino as well. "And you're Aino Lyuti-san! Wow! You're seriously gorgeous! Like an idol! A world-class beauty! Incredible!" Haruka started fussing over Aino, who stood there in a daze.

"And your breasts are so big... I'm so jealous!"

Looking at Haruka’s own chest, Toru thought she didn't have much to be jealous of; like Touka, she had a fantastic figure. In fact, her uniform design made her "chest armor" bounce quite distractingly, which was troublesome for Toru’s peace of mind.

He couldn't exactly stare at her chest upon their first meeting. Fortunately, Haruka didn't seem to notice his gaze—or perhaps she was just pretending not to.

Regardless, he was worried Aino was being subjected to borderline sexual harassment. Haruka was petting Aino’s chest while chanting "Huge boobs! Huge boobs!" over and over. Toru, exasperated, stepped in to stop her.

"Excuse me, but I'm the only one allowed to touch Aino-san's breasts."

In his attempt to find something polite to say, he had accidentally blurted out something outrageous.

"Huh!?" Aino froze, her face turning bright red, while Haruka let out a wolf-whistle. "Wow, how bold!"

This woman... she might be even more of a prankster than Touka-san, Toru thought, giving her a flat look. "Please just do your job..."

"Oh, right! The manager will get mad! Let's see, a party of two... I'll give you the couple's discount again!" Haruka said with a laugh. Back at the karaoke bar, they had been a trio with Chika, but today it was just the two of them—and now they were officially a couple.

With Haruka’s send-off, they finally entered the café. Inside were several pairs of young women and quite a few couples, including some other students from Koubunkan. Aino seemed a bit drained from Haruka’s teasing.

"Sorry about that. Are you okay, Aino-san?"

"You don't need to apologize, Toru-kun. But... I think I might be bad with older women. Yesterday, Ririka-senpai also..."

"Ririka-senpai?"

"Oh, uh, it’s nothing you need to know about..." Aino averted her eyes as Toru stared. Then, her face lit up. "Oh, look! So many cats!"

She had successfully dodged the subject, but Toru didn't feel like pressing her. While it was true Aino and Ririka had spent some time alone the previous night, they were both girls; he wasn't particularly worried. Besides, Toyotomi Ririka didn't seem like a bad person to him, even though he had to avoid the engagement.

"Kitty~ Kitty~"

Since Aino was in a good mood again, Toru was content. She bought some cat treats and began feeding them. "Hey, Toru-kun? Aren't they cute?"

Looking at her beaming smile, Toru nodded vigorously. Internally, however, he was thinking: You're a hundred million times cuter! He almost said it out loud, but Aino was so absorbed with the cats that he kept it to himself. Still, watching her play was adorable. As the cats frisked around her, Aino let out a sweet "That tickles!" She started to look like a cat herself, and Toru had to fight the urge to pet her head.

Suddenly, Aino tilted her head in confusion. "Wait, what are they doing?"

A black cat had climbed on top of a white cat and was swaying rhythmically. "That’s weird...?" Aino muttered.

Toru knew exactly what was happening. He looked away, prompting Aino to peer curiously into his eyes. "Toru-kun, what’s wrong? Do you actually know what they're doing?"

"Well, uh, yeah... but it’s kind of awkward to say..."

"W-what do you mean?"

"Let's talk about it later..."

"I want to know now!"

Since she was being stubborn, Toru finally answered. "That’s... well, it’s mating."

"Mating?"

Seeing her blank expression, Toru leaned in and whispered into her ear. "Basically, it’s the act of making babies..."

Understanding finally dawned on Aino, and her face flushed with embarrassment. "So cats... do that too, huh?"

"Well, they are living creatures."

"Just like us," Aino said with a giggle. Toru’s mind immediately jumped to the image of the two of them "mating" like animals, and he felt himself turning red.

"Aha! Toru-kun, you were just imagining it, weren't you?"

"I-I was not!"

"Liar~. You were totally imagining us mating." Aino seemed to be having a lot of fun, which was cute in its own way, but...

"Aino-san, this isn't our house. Please refrain from such scandalous remarks..." A nearby couple—a handsome guy and a beautiful girl who looked like they were from Koubunkan—were staring at them with bright red faces.

They had clearly overheard everything. Aino realized her slip-up and began flusteredly apologizing, her face turning crimson. Even that expression was adorable; Toru’s thoughts lately were almost entirely consumed by how cute Aino was.

However, he couldn't just bask in her cuteness forever. "Aino-san... there’s something I need to consult you about."

"W-what? Do you... want to do something naughty with me...?"

"That’s not it! Look, if things continue like this, our engagement will be annulled. I've been thinking of a countermeasure."

Aino slapped her knee as if she had completely forgotten. "Oh right, that’s bad... Can we do something?"

"Actually, I've come up with a plan that should buy us some time."

"You're amazing, Toru-kun!" Her eyes sparkled for a moment before she suddenly looked downcast. Toru worried she was anxious. "What’s wrong? Are you scared?"

"No, I believe that as long as you're with me, everything will be okay."

"Y-you're overestimating me..."

"I'm not. You've always helped me. But... I wonder if that’s enough."

Toru didn't quite follow. Aino continued as she stroked a cat. "Do you remember? Back when we first started talking, I said I wanted to be your strength if I became your fiancée."

"I could never forget that... It made me so happy." Toru had always regretted abandoning Chika to her kidnappers and fleeing, which led to his disownment. Aino had been the one to tell him that line of thinking was wrong—that a true engagement meant supporting each other. Those words had saved him, which was why he wanted her to remain his fiancée.

But apparently, those words were now a source of conflict for Aino. "And yet, I haven't done anything for you. I feel like I'm not being your strength at all."

"That’s not true. Just having you by my side makes me feel stronger." To protect Aino, Toru felt he could face any challenge—even becoming the head of the Konoe family seemed possible.

Still, Aino’s expression didn't brighten. "I want to be able to help you in a more concrete way. I feel like I can't just be a heroine who’s constantly protected."

"You don't have to be, but... if that’s how you feel, there is something I want you to help me with."

"Really? What is it?" Her eyes lit up as if she’d been waiting for this. Toru loved her honesty, though he worried she might hesitate once he told her the details.

"You know Mai Mizunase-san, right?"

"Eh? What about Mai-chan?"

"I want the two of us to go and ask her for a favor." This was the first step of Toru’s countermeasure.

☆

The following evening, Toru and Aino headed to the Mizunase residence. He had already made an appointment with Mai. Still, Toru felt nervous about visiting a junior girl’s house. The Mizunase family was a prestigious branch of the Konoe family with significant wealth—potentially even outranking Toru’s own lineage. They were rich enough to own villas across the country, starting with their ancestral home in Kyoto. Toru was stiff with tension, especially since he had a difficult request to make. Aino, by contrast, seemed perfectly relaxed.

"You don't need to be so guarded."

"I can't help it! It’s a junior’s house, you know?"

"It doesn't bother me at all~." Perhaps that was because she was a girl herself. Still, her presence was a great comfort to him. In that sense, she was already being his strength.

When Toru tentatively pressed the intercom, a relaxed woman's voice answered, "Come on in~." It didn't sound like a servant. Eventually, the owner of the voice appeared—a woman in her early thirties and an absolute stunner. She was tall and could easily pass for an actress; in fact, Toru thought he’d seen her on TV before. She was dressed in casual loungewear that showed off her cleavage.

She smiled warmly. "I'm so happy Mai-chan’s friends are visiting! Oh, I'm Mai’s mother, Honoka Mizunase. Nice to meet you." She looked way too young to be her mother. Since Toru heard Mai was adopted, they likely weren't blood-related, but she was still incredibly youthful. And, as a side note, she was a "well-endowed" beauty...

"Um, by any chance, are you an actress...?" Toru asked.

Honoka laughed, looking pleased. "I am. I'm glad you recognize me." So she was a celebrity. Toru recalled a famous actress named Honoka Hashiba who was very popular back in the day. She had reportedly married a multi-millionaire as her popularity stabilized—presumably Mai’s father.

Honoka smiled at Aino. "You've visited us before, haven't you?"

"Y-yes. It’s been a while. Um..."

"You're Aino Lyuti-san, right? Of course I remember. And you must be Renjō Toru-kun."

"Wait, you know my name too?" Toru wondered if the Konoe family had contacted her, but the truth was quite different.

"Of course! Because you're the boy Mai is interested in!"

"Huh?"

"Mai hasn't talked about anyone else lately. She must really like you~. Well, her father had a bit of a scary look on his face; fathers always get worried when their daughters might get a boyfriend. But personally, I want to support her! Though it looks like she has some tough competition." Honoka chattered away like a machine gun, glancing at Aino.

Toru gathered that Mai was very well-loved in her adoptive home. If she were ever offered up for a political marriage, her parents would likely be dead-set against it. He envied that kind of healthy family dynamic—something neither he nor Aino possessed.

Mai appeared from behind her mother, dressed in a stylish, off-the-shoulder mini-dress. She pouted. "Mom, I told you I wanted to be the one to greet them. It’s embarrassing!"

"You're embarrassed to have such a young and beautiful mother!? You're so spoiled, Mai-chan."

"M-o-m?"

"Well, I suppose it’s a problem when it’s the boy you like. You're probably worried I'll steal him away..."

"Mom! Stop it or I'm going to get really mad!" As Mai fumed, Honoka giggled and told them to enjoy themselves.

"Is this a marriage interview!?" Mai shouted a retort, but her mother had already vanished. Mai slumped, looking exhausted.

"That’s rough, Mizunase-san."

"Tell me about it! Mom is always like that..."

"But you seem to get along well. I'm jealous," Toru said. Mai turned red and mumbled something about not really being that close. She led them to the drawing room and, as if to hide her embarrassment, brusquely gestured for them to sit on the back sofa. The room was decorated with Impressionist paintings—possibly originals—and a beautiful map of Japan on the wall.

As Toru sat down, Mai took a chair opposite him. However, her skirt was so short that Toru panicked, thinking he might see her underwear. Mai also realized and shouted, "W-what are you looking at!? You pervert, Senpai!"

Aino tilted her head. "Wait, Mai-chan. Weren't you actually hoping he’d look?"

"Don't go calling people perverts!"

"But you dressed up so much because Toru-kun was coming, didn't you?" Now that she mentioned it, Mai’s outfit was quite high-effort. The already-beautiful Mai looked about 20% cuter than usual.

"Well, uh..." Mai looked at Toru expectantly. Toru, mindful of Aino sitting next to him, spoke up.

"It really suits you. You look cute. As expected of you, Mizunase-san." He figured he should offer a compliment, though he worried for a moment if it would be taken as harassment. However, Mai’s face lit up. "Hehe! I knew you'd get it, Senpai!"

"Well, I think anyone would say the same..."

"It only matters because you said it. My precious friend's Senpai complimented me, so I'm happy." Mai blushed as she spoke. Being told that made Toru feel a bit bashful himself. Meanwhile, Aino was staring back and forth between the two.

"Just because you're friends doesn't mean you can get too close, okay?"

Mai snapped back at Aino. "And what right do you have to say that?"

"Because I'm Toru-kun's fiancée."

"Just because you're his fiancée doesn't mean you own every part of Renjō-senpai, does it?"

"I want to own all of him, though." This time, it was Mai who was left speechless.

Toru had to intervene before an argument broke out. He needed a favor from Mai today, after all. He cleared his throat. "Mizunase-san, I have a small favor to ask. Will you listen?"

"Of course! If it’s a request from a friend like you, Senpai, the answer is always yes. You can count on me!" Mai thumped her chest confidently. The gesture made her breasts jiggle, but Toru did his best not to notice.

He gave a small laugh. "You're very dependable. Well, it’s a bit of a difficult thing to ask, but it’s about that talk we had the other day—regarding my engagement to Toyotomi Ririka-senpai."

"If there’s anything I can do to help, I will. It would be a problem for me too if you actually married Ririka-senpai..." Mai’s gaze reminded him of what she’d said back in the biology prep room: that if he chose her over Aino or Ririka, she would make him happy. In other words, Mai also had a vested interest in stopping a powerful rival like Ririka from taking Toru. She clearly had feelings for him. Toru felt a pang of guilt knowing he was effectively utilizing those feelings.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

"Don't worry about it! I'll do anything for you, Senpai! But... you have to give me a reward, okay?" Mai’s face glowed with a "little devil" spark. Toru wondered what her condition would be.

"Sure, as long as it’s within my power. So, here’s what I need you to do..." Toru looked at the map of Japan on the wall, and Aino and Mai followed his gaze. He was looking at Kyoto.

"I want the Mizunase family to kidnap Aino-san."

"Whaaa!?" Mai looked utterly bewildered. Aino reached out and placed her hand over Mai’s. Mai turned even redder, looking more flustered than ever.

Aino spoke with total sincerity. "Please, Mai-chan. Help me!"

☆

Ultimately, the worst-case scenario was for Toru and Aino to be separated. If that happened, he might never get her back. Aino would be forced to marry someone else, and Toru would be wed to Ririka. To prevent this, they needed to move Aino to a safe location while they resolved the issue.

However, their options were limited. The Konoe and Aino families were out of the question—they were the "enemy" in this situation. They had no one else to turn to. Touka wasn't siding with them this time, and while Chika was Aino’s best friend, she was still a Konoe. In fact, Chika seemed to be leaning slightly toward Ririka for some reason.

By process of elimination, the only party capable of protecting Aino was the Mizunase family. They were independent of the main Konoe house and, given how much they doted on their adopted daughter Mai, they seemed trustworthy. Thus, the plan was for the Mizunase family to secretly take Aino into their protection.

Of course, there were benefits for the Mizunase family as well. Toru held a certain amount of influence within the Konoe family. He lived with the legitimate heir, Chika, and had the powerful Touka Tokieda as his guardian. If he were to become the head of the family, his power would only grow. He was someone worth having in one's debt. By promising current and future favors, he secured the Mizunase family’s cooperation.

In truth, Mai had been eager to help from the start as Toru’s "friend." Her parents had also been willing to help simply because their daughter asked, without even requiring a quid pro quo.

As for the legalities, it didn't look like "kidnapping a minor" would be an immediate issue. Aino’s mother was barely involved in her life; she hadn't said a word when Aino moved into the house provided by the Konoes. Aino’s de facto guardian was Emilia Eenroot, the secretary for Aino Japan. And Emilia had sided with them. Through some maneuvering by the Mizunase family, Emilia would technically become their employee.

As Toru had suspected, Emilia felt sympathetic toward Aino; any normal person would worry about a young girl being used as a pawn for political marriages. Thus, Emilia agreed to respect Aino’s wishes, backed by the Mizunase family.

While they might have been safe staying in Nagoya under those conditions, there was still the risk of the Konoe family or Aino Japan using forceful means to take her back. At the very least, they would have to return the house they were currently living in.

To prevent that, Aino would be hidden away at the Mizunase villa in Kyoto. Toru would go there as well—both to stop his engagement to Ririka and to ensure he wasn't separated from Aino.

In short... he was going on a trip to Kyoto with Aino. He was more than a little excited about it.

He was walking down the hallway during lunch break, feeling quite buoyant about the plan, when he was suddenly abducted and dragged into the student council room. The culprit was Chika.

She dragged him in without a word. Chika took the secretary’s seat, while Ririka sat in the vice-president’s chair. While Chika looked grumpy, Ririka greeted him with a beaming smile.

"Welcome, Toru-san."

Ririka spoke with a joyful lilt in her voice.

I couldn’t help but treat her like a nuisance sometimes, but this girl truly was in love with Toru. Yet, without telling her a word, Toru was about to elope with Aino. It was unavoidable, but a pang of guilt pricked at him nonetheless.

"By the way, I get why Chika is here, but why are you in the student council room too, Ririka-senpai?"

"Why, because I am a member of the student council, of course. Did you not know?"

Ririka’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. Apparently, she served as the student council vice president. Toru hadn’t spared a single thought for the council’s roster, but now that she mentioned it, he recalled hearing that the vice president was a second-year girl. Even though Chika had technically invited him to join the council before, he had remained completely oblivious.

Chika could have at least mentioned it, Toru thought.

It seemed Chika and Ririka were colleagues in the student council. Perhaps they were closer than he’d realized. Sensing Toru’s gaze, Chika shrugged. "You didn't ask, so I didn't say anything," she murmured. "But I suppose I can't keep you in the dark forever."

She let out a quiet sigh. Exactly why had Chika called him here? The fact that Ririka was involved only added to his unease.

Chika threw open the window and gazed outside. Drawn by her lead, Toru moved to the windowsill as well. Down on the school grounds, students were whiling away their lunch break. Between the middle and high school divisions, there were twenty-five hundred students in total; even just those outside made for a massive crowd.

"There are quite a lot of girls, aren't there?" Chika asked.

"Well, it is a co-ed school."

"Toru... if you were told you could date any one person from that crowd, who would you choose?"

Toru struggled to gauge the intent behind her question. There were all sorts of girls out there—Kotoka Akikawa, his classmate Tsumugi Yukihara, or even Sakurako Makishima, one of the so-called "Eight Great Beauties" of the school...

But his answer was already set in stone.

"I have Aino-san, so that's a meaningless question."

Chika nodded, showing no sign of surprise. "I see. I figured you’d say that. But think about it. How can you be so certain that Aino-san is your best possible partner? There are countless girls in this school alone. Once you go out into the world and attend university, there will be even more. Yet you’re trying to choose Aino-san. Is that truly the right path?"

"What are you getting at?"

"Out of the billions of people on this planet, there might be a 'fated' partner for everyone. But in reality, we can't find such a person, so we fall in love with whoever is in front of us. Whether that person is Aino-san, or me, or Ririka-san... what's the difference?"

Chika’s question hung in the air. It was true that Toru’s meeting with Aino might have been a fluke. Their engagement was a result of the Konoe family's machinations.

Even so.

"Maybe so, but Aino-san is the only one for me. I met her, and I chose to be with her. If there is such a thing as a 'fated' partner, I don't think it's someone you find—it's someone you choose yourself."

At the very least, Toru needed Aino. And he believed she needed him too. For Toru, that was enough.

Chika remained silent for a moment before letting out a self-deprecating laugh. "You're right. If people could just swap partners with logic like that, life wouldn't be so difficult. I can't imagine choosing anyone but you, either. However..."

Chika turned back toward Ririka. "Ririka-senpai. Is it alright if I tell him?"

"Yes, of course. If you feel it is best, Chika-san."

Toru felt an ominous shift in the atmosphere. These two were sharing a secret that he was not privy to. What on earth could it be?

Chika tapped her fingertip against the desk. "Toru and I are childhood friends and cousins. We used to be engaged. But there was something even before that."

"Even before...?"

"The story from before you and I were engaged. You actually had a different fiancée. And that person was none other than Toyotomi Ririka-senpai."

Toru froze, unable to process the situation. It was true that he and Chika had been engaged—until the kidnapping incident led to it being called off, he had never doubted he would marry her. But that engagement had been established while they were in elementary school. If there had been a fiancée before that...

"The current president of Toyotomi Electronics, Kanji Toyotomi... that is to say, Ririka-senpai’s father... had a best friend from his high school days. That friend was a lawyer named Akira Renjō."

Akira Renjō. That was the name of Toru’s father. During his university years, he had been the tutor for Toru’s mother—who was a high school girl and a daughter of the Konoe family at the time. Akira had laid hands on her, and the result of that union was Toru. After many twists and turns, Akira married Toru’s mother and became a lawyer, but following their divorce, he had done nothing resembling the role of a guardian for Toru. Toru never would have guessed that Akira’s friend was the president of Toyotomi Electronics.

"Akira Renjō took it upon himself to tell the president of Toyotomi Electronics that he would have his son get engaged to the president's daughter. Apparently, at the time, the Renjō family owed a considerable debt to the Shirakabe-Toyotomi family."

To put it bluntly, even from his son's perspective, Akira Renjō’s character left much to be desired. However, it seemed the president of Toyotomi Electronics had taken a liking to Akira as a friend, and welcomed the idea of his best friend’s son marrying his daughter. Furthermore, Toru carried the blood of the Konoe family through his mother. Given those complex connections, the engagement between Toru and Ririka moved forward. To the adults, it was likely an uncertain promise they weren't sure would ever happen, but for the children, it was different.

Ririka gave a soft giggle. "And that is why you and I met once when we were very young."

"I'm sorry, I don't remember at all..."

"It is only natural. We were very small. Besides, I was a year older than you."

Certainly, a one-year age gap in early childhood felt like a massive difference. It wasn't strange that only Ririka remembered him.

"Furthermore, there is a reason I remember you so clearly. Even as a little girl, I was in love with you."

"Uh, you mean... like a friend, or...?"

"Of course not. I loved you as a girl loves a boy. I said we would get married when we grew up, and we even shared a kiss... yet you do not remember a thing."

Toru was stunned by the bombshell. He couldn't believe his first kiss had been with Ririka. But if they were engaged, why was it called off? He could venture a guess.

"I bet my father didn't pay back his debt, did he?"

At Toru’s question, Ririka looked down awkwardly. He’d hit the mark. Despite being a lawyer, Toru’s father was greedy and never kept his word.

Chika interjected instead. "Toru's father apparently defaulted on the debt. That was one reason your engagement with Ririka-senpai was dissolved. But if that had been the only reason, things might have turned out differently. Ririka-senpai’s parents actually liked you. And for the Konoe family, having their relative, Toru, linked to the Shirakabe-Toyotomi family offered great benefits."

Even before his parents' divorce, Toru was often left in the care of the Konoe main family. Especially during the periods when Akira was running away from his debts, Toru was likely with the Konoe. He didn't remember the details clearly, but it was easy enough to imagine.

"There was one more person who finalized the cancellation of your engagement to Ririka-senpai. A girl who was in love with you."

Chika blushed and looked away. No way, Toru thought. But connecting the dots of everything said so far, the conclusion was obvious.

"Chika, did you... make them cancel my engagement with Ririka-senpai?"

"Bingo. Of course, I was even more of a child then, so I just threw a tantrum. I said, 'If Toru is going to marry someone, it has to be me!' But it seems my father didn't take it as mere childish selfishness."

Why had the head of the Konoe family dissolved the engagement with Ririka to pair Toru with Chika? Was it simply because he adored his daughter? Or did the head at the time intend to make Toru the successor of the Konoe family so he could protect the sickly Chika? Perhaps relations between the Konoe and Toyotomi families had soured.

Regardless, using his father's scandal as an excuse, Toru lost his position as Toyotomi Ririka’s future husband. In exchange, he became the bodyguard and fiancé to the frail Chika.

Toru had known nothing of these backroom dealings. Or more accurately, he had no memory of them.

Chika shrugged. "I've been aware that I stole you from Ririka-senpai ever since then. I remember it vividly. But you probably didn't even recognize Ririka-senpai as your fiancée to begin with."

Since he didn't remember at all, that was likely the case. It made him feel somewhat apologetic toward Ririka, even if it was from their childhood. But more importantly...

Ririka gazed straight at Toru and broke into a radiant smile. "In other words, I am the one who is the most legitimate fiancée."

Toru expected Chika to deny it, but instead, she murmured, "Ririka-senpai has a point. The engagement between you two was dissolved unreasonably. Because of me. Just like the adults who are trying to tear Toru and Aino-san apart now."

He finally understood why Ririka was so fixated on him. But surely that was just a childhood promise. Why did she still care for him so much?

Ririka spoke with a self-mocking tone. "I am... a very tenacious woman. Since the circumstances of our broken engagement were so poor, my parents told me never to approach you again. But I loved you. So, I have been watching you all this time."

Toru, Chika, and Ririka had all attended the same elementary school, and all three had moved on to Koubunkan Middle and High School.

Unknown to Toru, Ririka had always been nearby. She confessed that she had been staring at him—watching him from a window during PE, watching him walk home with Chika from behind, and watching him from the audience while he performed in a school festival play...

"Basically," Chika noted, "you're a stalker."

"Excuse me!? Chika-san! I cannot let that slide! Please call it 'pure love'!"

"Well, I'm not one to talk, but..."

"It is the same for you, is it not, Chika-san? Once you've decided that this boy is the one you shall marry, you cannot forget him so easily."

If this had happened after they were more grown, perhaps it would be different. But childhood imprinting is powerful. Ririka had been introduced to Toru as her fiancé, the person she was meant to marry.

At least initially, her parents must have pushed that idea onto her. Toru’s own memories were faint likely because he was often neglected by his parents and the Konoe family, so the engagement was never emphasized to him.

Thus, a situation was born where Ririka alone remained intensely conscious of her former fiancé.

"Even so," Ririka continued, "I had no intention of becoming your fiancée again. Until two things happened."

"Two things?"

"Yes. First was Konoe Chika’s kidnapping. I was actually there when you and Chika-san were taken."

Was she? Toru tried to remember. Now that he thought about it, the kidnapping happened on the way home from school. He recalled an upperclassman girl being nearby. Toru had shoved that uninvolved girl around a corner to shield her, ensuring that only he and Chika were taken. In the trauma of the event, he had forgotten her, but that girl might indeed have been Ririka.

Ririka smiled. "I thought it was fate. The person I was meant to marry had saved me. Even so, I could not approach you. My parents’ eyes were always upon me."

After the kidnapping, Toru was disowned by the Konoe family. He became just a commoner, Renjō Toru. Ririka’s parents would never have allowed their daughter to marry such a person. Approaching him was strictly forbidden, and Ririka hadn't even been able to thank him.

Then came the second event that changed everything.

"It was your engagement to Aino-san. Because of that engagement, you were able to return to the Konoe family, weren't you?"

She was right. Toru was treated as a relative of the Konoe once again. It was necessary for the engagement with Aino, and perhaps the failure during the kidnapping was considered water under the bridge. As a result, the option for Ririka to take "Toru Konoe" as her husband had reappeared.

This led to the current situation.

"Then... that means the plan for Toyotomi Electronics to bail out Aino Japan was also your doing, Ririka-senpai."

"You are quite perceptive. Do you resent me for my 'malice'?" Ririka asked quietly.

Indeed, Ririka was the cause of the rift between Toru and Aino. But Chika had done the exact same thing to Ririka in the past. If fate hadn't gone haywire, Toyotomi Ririka would have been his fiancée.

Toru smiled. "No. Your feelings aren't malice—they're goodwill, aren't they? You said you love me and want to make me happy. If so, that isn't malice. I have no right to be angry with you."

"I see. I... want to marry you, Toru-san. If you make me your fiancée, you will become the president of Toyotomi Electronics. You would no longer be bound or jerked around by the Konoe family. And... well, I would do anything for you."

"Even bear my children?" Toru asked, pushing the point. After all, a political marriage ultimately boiled down to that.

Chika tried to interject, "Wait, Toru—" but Ririka cut her off.

"Of course. Ten, twenty... I do not mind if we begin right this moment."

With those words, Ririka reached for the buttons of her blouse. She spread the fabric, revealing the deep valley of her cleavage and tracing it with her finger. Her rich, pale breasts were exposed right before his eyes.

"Why go that far...?"

"The thing I have wanted for so many years is right in front of me. How could I possibly restrain myself?"

Toru understood her point. He might have felt the same in her shoes.

"I promise that if you marry me, I will make you happy. So, will you not take my hand?"

Ririka offered her beautiful hand to Toru. This upperclassman was kind, serious enough to be on the student council, came from a great family, and was stunningly beautiful. Most importantly, she had loved him, her former fiancé, all this time. If he took her hand and decided to marry her, he might truly be happy.

But Toru’s answer was already decided.

"If I took your hand, I’m sure I would be happy. There might not be a better fiancée or a better girl than you, Senpai."

"Then—"

"Even so, my only fiancée is Aino Lyuti."

"Why?"

"Because that is what I decided."

"That is a path through thorns. Besides, that Aino girl is not suited for you. She has neither the power to make you happy nor the strength to support you."

"Aino-san might not be the type who can do everything as well as you can. That's exactly why I want to support her. A path is something that forms behind your will. I will make Aino-san into the ideal fiancée, and she will do the same for me."

Toru stood up. Ririka was a beauty, no doubt. She was brilliant, and Toyotomi Electronics was more powerful than Aino Japan. Also, Ririka's breasts were larger than Aino's. But in the end, those were trivial matters. What mattered was what Toru wanted to do.

Surprisingly, Ririka didn't seem shocked.

"I am certain that you will eventually choose me. As things stand, you will be separated from Aino-san anyway."

"Even if people are far apart, they can still think of each other. Just as you thought of me, Senpai."

At his words, Ririka turned red and flustered. "Toru-san... you are surprisingly insensitive."

"Do you hate me now? Enough to want to break the engagement?"

"No. I only want you more than ever."

"Even though I'm obsessed with another woman?"

Ririka gently touched Toru’s cheek. She gave a bewitchingly playful laugh. "If you had abandoned Aino Lyuti so easily, I would have been disappointed in you. I would have thought you were the kind of man who would just as easily discard me if I became your fiancée. But you have lived up to my expectations perfectly. It means that if I become your fiancée, you will love me just as intensely as you love Aino Lyuti, does it not?"

"Hypotheticals are meaningless."

Ririka took Toru’s hand and forced it into the valley of her breasts.

"Ri-Ririka-senpai!?"

No matter how many times he experienced the sensation of an older girl's soft chest, he could never get used to it. Moreover, since her blouse was open, the sensation was direct. Toru was forced to savor the fine texture of her skin and the weight of her twin mounds.

Ririka looked down shyly. "It will eventually become a reality. When that time comes... please have a name picked out for our baby."