Chapter 264 - One More Request
—Nearly an hour had passed since the start of our meeting.
Although I was teased with a plethora of mysteries at the beginning, the rest of our exchange, fortunately, was not filled to the brim with 'company secrets.'
After they took the trouble to discuss various matters, from the details of the contract and my treatment to how I should proceed in the future—it was pretty much decided from the start, but it's safe to say there was only one option available to me.
"—I look forward to working with you."
"Likewise. I'm counting on you."
The handshake we shared was a testament to our agreement.
After aligning our mutual intentions, I had come to the decision to sign the contract with Yotsuya Development.
Well, it wasn't so much a decision as it was... frankly, there wasn't a single reason to refuse. Even taking into account the excessive number of secrets.
At any rate, the trust and power that the Yotsuya corporation has built up is just too immense. To enter its protection while continuing to immerse myself in the virtual world is equivalent to gaining an invincible shield—though it seems a little 'trickery' will be necessary regarding my public image.
The only thing I have to provide is, as Yotsuya-shi said, an 'aggressive stance toward conquering the game.'
Since that was my original intention anyway, it's no exaggeration to say I'm essentially giving up nothing.
In return, what Yotsuya Development will provide is... 'various things,' including the 'shield.'
I'm honestly terrified of having to call my parents about all this. My mother is one thing, but I'm worried my fainthearted father might have a heart attack.
"Well now—we've been talking for quite a while. There's no need to cram everything in at once. Let's leave the difficult matters at that for now."
"Yes, that's... a good idea. I need to talk this over with my parents, so I'd appreciate it if we could stop here for today..."
To be honest, a matter of this scale is well beyond my parents' capacity to handle. It's unavoidable that this will be more of a report on a decided matter than a consultation.
"If you'd like, you can give me your parents' contact information. After you've informed them, I'll extend my greetings as well."
"Ah... w-well, in that case............ Yes, please do."
............I think I'll only give him the contact information for the absolute authority in the Kasuga household: my mother. I can't afford to lose one of my parents to an unforeseen accident before I've even had a chance to be a good son.
I gave him my address and message ID as well, and in return, received his contact information—and the name 'Yotsuya Togo' was now etched into my phone's address book.
This was seriously a dizzying affair. I wonder how much time it will take for this reality, in which I have one foot dipped into another world, to feel real again...
"It's getting late. I was thinking we could have lunch to get to know each other better—or so I'd like to say, but... there's actually one more thing I need to talk to you about."
As I was lost in thought, escaping reality, Yotsuya-shi, who had been fiddling with his phone, spoke up again. Since he was the one who said the difficult conversation was over, this must be a completely separate matter from the contract.
...Now, what other business could the representative of the renowned 'Yotsuya Development' have with me?
"First, I'd like to ask—Kasuga-kun, you don't happen to have a girlfriend right now, do you?"
"Pardon? No, I don't........................... EXCUSE ME???"
Hey, not this again.
First the maid, Natsume-san, and now him. Why is my love life suddenly in such high demand?
"Um, what is the meaning of that question?"
"Even if you don't have a girlfriend, is there perhaps a woman you're interested in?"
"Wha- I mean... no, not at the moment."
"Is that true for both the real world and the virtual world?"
What on earth is this middle-aged—esteemed gentleman—interrogating me about?
"...At least for now, I'm not actively looking to be in a relationship."
"I see. Excellent."
I'm not excellent at all.
"You see, I have a daughter."
"..."
Hah, I get it now. This man is more himself when he's like this. A bit forceful and goes at his own pace, the type to pull others into his flow.
The difference in our status and standing is like night and day, but he reminds me of the owner of the izakaya where I worked until last year. I wonder if he and his daughter are doing well.
"I see, you have a daughter..."
Yotsuya Togo's name is famous, but I don't think there's much public information about his family life. At least, the information I crammed into my head overnight yesterday didn't include any mention of a 'daughter.'
Is he simply keeping her hidden, or is he actively suppressing the information?
"Regarding that daughter, I have a request for you, separate from the contract."
"...I'm listening."
When he puts it like that, I have no choice but to nod in agreement.
To be honest, I sense trouble, but since I'll be under his protection, I need to repay the favor where I can. I should accept his request if it's something I can do.
"My daughter's existence isn't widely known to the public, but that doesn't mean no one knows about her. I can prevent the information from spreading, but I can't shield her from everyone's eyes."
I see, so he's hiding her while suppressing information as much as possible.
"Because of that, she inevitably gets caught up in unnecessary entanglements. It's against my will, but she's had to endure a lot of hardship."
'Entanglements' befalling Yotsuya's only daughter—when I think of the kind of trouble that a high-society young lady might face, one thing immediately comes to mind.
"Is this about... marriage proposals?"
"Yes, it is about marriage proposals."
His stern expression, as if to say 'detestable,' is genuinely terrifying, so I wish he'd stop. But if it's against his will, an obvious question comes to mind—
"In that case, couldn't you just do something about it?"
It should be a simple matter for Yotsuya.
To my casually spoken words, however, Yotsuya-shi offered a bitter smile.
"This, too, involves some complicated circumstances... but to give you the short answer, it's difficult. At least, for now."
"I see."
...Is this another one of those 'company secrets'? It's not my place to pry, so it's probably best to let it slide for now.
"Well, I understand that your daughter is in a difficult situation... so, what is it you want to request of me?"
Let's put the complicated circumstances aside for a moment. In any case, I can't say anything until I hear the request itself.
So please, just tell me quickly.
Why are you looking at me with such a resolved expression? I have a bad feeling about this—
"I want you to lend me your name."
"...My name?"
"..."
"...For what?"
His current appearance—so troubled—is a stark contrast to the dignified figure I've seen so far. My sense of caution swells.
Is it a premonition, or perhaps a revelation from the heavens?
I arrive at a single certainty, and I feel my cheeks twitch.
Namely—
"Haru Kasuga-kun—would you be willing to become my daughter's 'fiancé'?"
"—.......................................... Come again???"
—that this 'request' would be something on a whole other level of outrageous.
And indeed, what flew from Yotsuya-shi's mouth went even further beyond my predictions. In response to my perfectly natural confusion, he too wore an expression that screamed 'I'm at my wit's end.'
I silently wait for the words, Just kidding.
But the 'request' that was thrown at me remained unretracted, no matter how long I waited.