“Or will you marry her? If she’s truly just being threatened, like you say, then you’ve got a chance.”
As Yuzuru jogged closer to the scene, he caught that line from Ayumi.
From that alone, he more or less grasped the situation.
That boy—Kobayashi—seemed to have formed a misunderstanding about Yuzuru and Arisa’s relationship. Not entirely off the mark, but not quite right either.
Most likely, he believed Yuzuru was using money and power to force Arisa into a relationship.
And so, while Yuzuru wasn’t around, he’d approached her.
Somewhere along the way, he must’ve said something that angered Ayumi.
Ayumi, taking offence, argued back—
Then realised mid-conversation that Kobayashi had feelings for Arisa, and spitefully threw out, “Then why don’t you marry her?”
Both Yuzuru and Ayumi had been trained in debate by their parents.
Against someone without that training, they could easily win—at least verbally.
Assert your position clearly.
Never admit fault first.
That was what they’d been taught.
But—
“Ayumi. What’s going on here?”
Yuzuru called out, reproachful.
Ayumi seemed to notice he was slightly annoyed.
With a dissatisfied expression, she pointed at Kobayashi.
“He insulted you and Arisa-san. So I argued back. Was I wrong?”
“You should consider where you are.”
Yuzuru replied calmly.
Ayumi glanced around, suddenly a bit flustered.
Naturally, after that kind of commotion, people were staring.
Their parents’ teaching essentially meant “make it clear to others that you’re right”—
But doing that in a shopping mall was excessive.
For now, Yuzuru reined her in, then turned to Kobayashi.
“It’s been a while, Kobayashi-kun.”
“Eh? Ah, yes…”
Caught off guard by the polite greeting, Kobayashi nodded awkwardly.
Yuzuru pulled out his phone.
“Shall we exchange contact details?”
“Huh? W-wait, why—”
“I figured you might have something you want to ask me.”
Yuzuru now had a reason to speak with him as well.
Leaving misunderstandings to fester would only cause trouble.
“You’ve got things to do today, right? Let’s talk properly another time.”
“B-but…”
“You’ll need time to organise your thoughts too, won’t you?”
Pressed firmly, Kobayashi reluctantly agreed.
As expected—weak-willed, easily swayed.
They exchanged contact details and parted ways.
Kobayashi practically fled.
Watching him go, Yuzuru turned back to the girls.
“Are you both alright?”
“Y-yes, I’m fine.”
“Yeah. Uh, Onii-san… are you going to—”
“We’ll talk later.”
“Okaaay.”
Fortunately, nothing else happened, and they finished their outing without further trouble.
Later, after giving Ayumi a proper scolding and hearing her side, Yuzuru confirmed the situation.
It matched his assumptions.
As for the claim about Arisa being abused, he firmly instructed Ayumi not to speak of it further.
Then he contacted Kobayashi.
Fortunately, they were both free the next day—Sunday.
They arranged to meet at a café near the station closest to Kobayashi’s house.
They sat down in silence and ordered coffee.
Once it arrived—
Yuzuru began.
“I heard what happened from Ayumi.”
“Um…”
“Apparently, you think I threatened Arisa and forced her into a relationship.”
“…I’m sorry.”
At least he was aware he’d said something quite offensive.
…Though, technically speaking, it was true that Arisa had been forced into the engagement.
“I’ll accept your apology. And… Ayumi went too far at the end. I’ll apologise on her behalf.”
Since Kobayashi had admitted fault first, Yuzuru followed suit.
Ayumi’s final remark had clearly been unnecessary.
Now, there was something that needed clarifying first.
Where had the information about the engagement come from?
It wasn’t top secret, exactly—but it wasn’t something to spread casually either.
More importantly, how had an unrelated outsider like Kobayashi gotten hold of it—and in such a distorted form?
“…I heard it from Taiga-san.”
“I see.”
Yuzuru recalled Arisa’s attitude towards Taiga.
She hadn’t trusted him—and it seemed she’d been right.
Whatever his intention, leaking such information had been unnecessary.
To share something that could affect their lives with a complete outsider—
That warranted a formal complaint to the Amagi family, through Yuzuru’s father.
…That said, Kobayashi himself was, in a sense, a victim.
Especially considering the heartbreak involved.
Still, that didn’t excuse putting Arisa and Ayumi at risk.
Even so, getting angry at him would achieve nothing.
If anything, provoking him further would only create more trouble.
Kobayashi might have little to lose—but Yuzuru did.
So he swallowed his irritation and spoke clearly.
“First, let me make this clear—I have never threatened Arisa or forced her into a relationship. In fact, I wasn’t even that enthusiastic about this engagement to begin with.”
“Really?”
“Do I really look like that much of a scumbag to you?”
That would be rather insulting.
He wasn’t trying to seem virtuous—but he didn’t think he looked like a villain either.
“Well, but… Yukishiro-san is beautiful.”
“Beautiful or not—I’m still a high school student. Deciding my future now would be far too early. Common sense, don’t you think?”
In other words—
I think the same way you do.
That seemed to have an effect.
Kobayashi’s attitude gradually softened.
“…I see. Yeah… you’re right.”
“Right. Both Arisa and I are acting as fiancés due to family circumstances. And the engagement itself isn’t even official. So… if nothing develops, it’ll just fade away naturally.”
He couldn’t explain the full truth—the fake engagement—since he couldn’t trust him that far.
Not that there was much point in doing so anyway.
“…But money was exchanged in return for the engagement, right?”
“Strictly speaking, it’s a loan. A very large one.”
Yuzuru told him the amount.
It clearly exceeded Kobayashi’s expectations.
“My father is the one who provided it. …Do you think any parent would spend that kind of money over their son’s love life?”
Unless Yuzuru were grotesquely unattractive and much older, needing such a sum to secure a partner—
Which he wasn’t.
He had no reason to rush into marriage.
And from his parents’ perspective, Arisa wasn’t worth that kind of money.
“Do you understand now? My father made that investment as part of business. The loan and the engagement are unrelated. There was no ‘price’ paid for Arisa.”
Kobayashi fell silent.
Still unsure? Yuzuru wondered how else to explain—
“…I’m sorry.”
“Hm?”
“I’m really sorry!”
Kobayashi bowed deeply.
That caught Yuzuru off guard.
“I let my ugly jealousy get the better of me… jumped to conclusions… and ended up hurting Yukishiro-san and your sister. I’m truly sorry.”
“N-no, it’s fine. Please, raise your head. This was all just an unfortunate misunderstanding.”
Still, Yuzuru felt relieved.
Ayumi’s mistake had been going too far—crushing him completely.
That could’ve led to resentment.
And if that turned into stalking—or worse—it would’ve been a serious problem.
Especially since Kobayashi lived near Arisa.
That had been Yuzuru’s biggest concern.
But Kobayashi turned out to be more straightforward than expected.
A small mercy.
Though perhaps that was also why he’d been misled so easily.
“I’ll tell Taiga-san… that it was a misunderstanding.”
“…I’d appreciate that.”
Though, Yuzuru doubted he’d believe it.
He kept that to himself.
“Takasegawa-san… one last question.”
“…What is it?”
“Do you like Yukishiro-san?”
“…That’s a difficult question.”
His feelings hadn’t changed much from what he’d told Soichiro and Hijiri.
He liked her—but wasn’t in love.
Something like that.
“I see.”
Though vague, Kobayashi seemed satisfied.
“I think you’re someone worthy of Yukishiro-san.”
“You…”
“I’m fine. I’m just… not someone worthy of her. Either way.”
Whether Yuzuru and Arisa became a couple or not—
His first love would never come true.
That’s what he’d accepted.
“When she’s with you… she looks happiest. …Thanks to you, I can finally move on. Thank you.”
With that, he placed money for his coffee on the table and left.
Yuzuru remained behind.
“…Happiest, huh.”
He leaned back and murmured, staring up at the ceiling.
