Somewhere in Japan.
A traditional Japanese residence.
On the large gate hung a nameplate that read “Takasegawa.”
Inside a tatami room, a family of four was eating dinner together.
All of them were dressed in traditional Japanese clothing.
“Recently, how have things been with the Amagi’s daughter, Yuzuru?”
The one who asked Yuzuru that question at the dinner table was Takasegawa Kazuya.
Yuzuru’s father.
Being a quarter Westerner, his appearance carried faint European features. Yuzuru’s blue eyes that he had inherited clearly showed that lineage.
Kazuya had been present with Yuzuru’s grandfather at the matchmaking meeting, but he himself didn’t seem particularly invested in Yuzuru and Arisa’s marriage.
Because of that, Yuzuru was a little surprised to have his father ask about his relationship with Arisa.
Incidentally, the grandparents who were the most enthusiastic about Yuzuru’s marriage were currently travelling in America.
They had essentially retired and frequently travelled overseas… though America seemed to be their favourite destination.
That was perhaps only natural, since Yuzuru’s grandfather’s mother—meaning Yuzuru’s great-grandmother—was American.
“With Yukishiro? …We went to the pool yesterday, remember? It’s going pretty well.”
Yuzuru answered casually while bringing the miso soup to his lips.
The miso soup his mother made wasn’t bad by any means, but—
(Yukishiro’s tastes better.)
It already felt like he was developing a dependency on Arisa’s home cooking.
The summer break ending and having to go back to school sounded like a pain, but he still wanted to eat Arisa’s cooking.
It was a very complicated feeling.
Perhaps sensing what he was thinking, Yuzuru’s mother—Takasegawa Sayori—spoke up.
“So whose cooking is better? Mine, or Arisa-san’s?”
“Yukishiro’s.”
“You answered instantly! My, you’re completely head over heels, aren’t you? At this rate, maybe I’ll get to see my grandchild sooner than I thought.”
After the grandparents, the one most eager for Yuzuru to marry was Sayori.
Though to be fair, she mostly just enjoyed making a fuss about romance.
He wanted to say “Aren’t you a bit old for this already,” but—
Perhaps because she tried so hard to stay youthful, she looked younger than her age.
That said, mentioning her age in front of her was strictly forbidden.
“Mum’s not even that great at cooking… so beating that level isn’t exactly difficult.”
The one who said that with an exasperated tone was Yuzuru’s younger sister.
Takasegawa Ayumi.
She was currently in her second year of middle school.
Her personality was a little cheeky… but even accounting for his bias as her older brother, she had a very cute appearance.
Her clear blue eyes were particularly striking.
“But if it’s really that good, I’d like to try it. I’ll judge it myself.”
“You’re already acting like a sister-in-law… unbelievable.”
“How can I not be curious whether you’re serious or just flattering her, Onii-san?”
Munching on some pickles, Ayumi spoke breezily.
Though in reality, Yuzuru and Arisa would never actually get married, so the possibility of her becoming a sister-in-law didn’t exist.
“But, Onii-san. If you like her that much… why are you still calling her ‘Yukishiro’ by her last name?”
His sister had struck a painful point.
Yuzuru liked to think he was fairly perceptive, but Ayumi had sharp instincts in situations like this as well.
That meant he couldn’t afford to let his guard down.
“…Changing how you call someone is kind of embarrassing.”
“Huuuh.”
Fortunately, Ayumi didn’t press any further.
Though she did grin mischievously.
“Well… things might feel a little awkward now, Yuzuru. But if both people want to fall in love, they eventually will. Arranged marriages aren’t actually that bad.”
“That’s right. I was worried at first about whether I could really make things work with Kazuya-san… but once you start looking, you find lots of wonderful things about them.”
(Here they go again.)
Yuzuru and Ayumi both looked at their parents with that exact expression.
Their parents, Kazuya and Sayori, had married through an arranged marriage.
That was why they were quite fond of the idea.
They were probably planning to suggest some kind of marriage prospect for Ayumi someday as well.
Though they likely wouldn’t force the issue.
“Is that how it is…”
Perhaps because she had grown up watching parents like that—and also watching Yuzuru getting along well with his fiancée (at least supposedly)—Ayumi didn’t seem particularly opposed to arranged marriages either.
Yuzuru himself didn’t actually hate the idea of arranged marriage either.
He simply thought fifteen was far too early.
If it were after graduating from university, he probably wouldn’t have objected.
“Oh right, Yuzuru… there’s a summer festival nearby in a week, isn’t there?”
Kazuya suddenly brought it up.
Yuzuru immediately understood his father’s intention.
“You want me to invite Yukishiro?”
“That was quick. Well, I’m not saying you have to.”
Even so, it would be a little strange not to invite your girlfriend to a local festival.
Naturally, he would end up inviting Arisa.
“Yeah… I guess so. But Ayumi, are you okay with that?”
Up until last year, Yuzuru had gone to the summer festival together with Ayumi.
He asked his sister whether she’d be alright without her older brother escorting her.
“I’ll be fine. I’ve got friends. But you have to introduce her to me properly, okay? I’ve only seen her in photos. Onii-san’s beloved.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Answering vaguely, Yuzuru thought to himself—
(I’ll have to call Arisa again.)
