“……I don’t want this…”
The moment she forced those words out, every gaze in the room pierced into Arisa.
She instinctively shrank back, fear tightening her chest—
—but then—
(Yuzuru-san…!)
She clenched the engagement ring tightly.
A tangible proof of his love, right there in her hand.
“You don’t want it… right, Arisa? Marriage is—”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Arisa cut Hiroto off.
Then, in a clear, unwavering voice, she declared—
“I don’t want to annul my engagement with Yuzuru-san!!”
Each person reacted differently.
Emi’s face twisted with irritation, Mei gave a faint smile, Naoki’s eyes widened in surprise, and Hiroto—
“A-Arisa? What are you saying…? You don’t have to force yourself—”
“Be quiet! …Anyone not involved should stay out of this.”
“N-not involved—”
Ignoring Hiroto, who reeled from her sharp words, Arisa turned to face Naoki.
Tears filled her jade-coloured eyes as she spoke firmly.
“I want to marry Yuzuru-san. …Even if you say no, I will still marry him, no matter what!!”
Suppressing her fear, she laid her feelings bare.
Speaking up to Naoki terrified her.
But even more terrifying… was being torn away from Yuzuru.
“This child… even now, she’s still being selfish!”
Voice trembling with anger, Emi stepped towards Arisa.
Arisa—teary-eyed—glared straight back at her.
Caught off guard by that unexpected defiance, Emi stopped in her tracks.
The Arisa she knew would have lowered her head and silently endured it.
“W-what is with that look…?”
“Enough.”
As if snapping back to his senses, Naoki quickly intervened.
He grabbed Emi’s arm firmly and shot her a sharp glare.
“How many times have I told you not to take it out on Arisa? Do you not understand?”
“…No, I’m sorry.”
“Say that to Arisa.”
Emi’s expression twisted with displeasure.
But unable to defy her husband, she turned to Arisa.
“…I lost my temper. I’m sorry.”
“…It’s fine.”
Arisa brushed off the utterly insincere apology.
She didn’t have time to deal with her right now.
“Naoki-san… I love Yuzuru-san. I truly do. I want to marry him, from the bottom of my heart.”
Saying that, Arisa raised her left hand.
The engagement ring gleamed on her finger.
Naoki’s eyes widened again in shock.
Not just him—
Emi covered her mouth.
And Hiroto… stood frozen, as if turned to stone.
“Yuzuru-san gave this to me today. He formally proposed, asking to make our engagement real. I… accepted.”
Arisa’s cheeks flushed slightly.
A smile threatened to break across her face—but this wasn’t the time to get carried away.
“It’s true… I didn’t want the arranged meeting. That much is true. I couldn’t refuse, so I went along with it reluctantly. My engagement to Yuzuru-san started the same way. But that’s not how it is now. As I spent time with him… I grew drawn to him. I fell in love. I want to marry Yuzuru-san. …Please. I’m asking you. Allow our marriage.”
With that, Arisa bowed her head deeply.
Naoki said nothing.
What if he refused?
What if he got angry?
An indescribable anxiety gripped her.
Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst.
“…It’s been a while.”
Arisa slowly raised her head.
Naoki’s expression… was far gentler than she had expected.
He even looked—somewhat pleased.
“Um… what do you mean…?”
“No, forgive me. …I was just surprised. It’s been a while since you’ve spoken your mind so clearly.”
After saying that, Naoki slowly bent forward.
At first, Arisa didn’t understand what he was doing.
But then she realised—
Naoki was bowing to her.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realise I was forcing you into that arrangement.”
“W-what!? Um—p-please stop… p-please raise your head!”
Arisa was utterly flustered by this completely uncharacteristic behaviour.
To her, Naoki had always been an authoritative figure—the absolute head of the household, for better or worse.
“We should have talked more. I was a fool. Please forgive me.”
“O-okay… I forgive you, so…”
“Please, raise your head,” she urged.
Slowly, Naoki straightened.
“I have no desire to force you into marriage. With that in mind, let me ask you again… do you truly wish to marry Yuzuru-kun?”
“Yes.”
Arisa answered without hesitation.
She met his gaze head-on.
“…I see.”
Naoki nodded quietly.
“Very well. Then… as your father, I will support your love.”
At those words, Arisa’s cheeks flushed, and she instinctively looked away.
Only now did she feel embarrassed for declaring her love for Yuzuru so openly.
“L-love…?”
“Hm? …Is it not?”
“I-it is!”
Face burning red, she shouted back at him.
Then, once more, she clearly stated her will.
“Please inform the Takasegawa family—and Takasegawa-san—that I want to formally proceed with my engagement to Yuzuru-san.”
Naoki gave a firm nod.
And so—
Arisa and Yuzuru’s engagement was officially recognised by the Amagi family.
“Huh. So you are lovey-dovey after all, Arisa-san. Honestly, you could’ve just said so from the start. …Wishing you both a long, explosive future together.”
“S-stop it, Mei-chan! Don’t tease me!”
