kscans

Chapter 265 - Touching, and Meeting by Chance

"—As my daughter's fiancé, would you be willing to lend me your name?"

The repeated words, their meaning unchanged, once again struck my thoughts.

Even though I had sensed something outrageous was coming, being presented with a request from such an unexpected direction left me unable to give a satisfactory response.

What is this person saying?—While trying to calm my mind, which was on the verge of confusion from natural doubt and surprise, I understood from Mr. Yotsuya's expression that this 'request' was at least not a joke.

In that case, I needed to think.

If he's serious, not joking, about me becoming his daughter's 'fiancé,' what is the reason?

Is this Mr. Yotsuya's decision alone? Or has his daughter already agreed to it?

This is probably not a matter to be taken lightly or joked about. Judging from Mr. Yotsuya's demeanor, he seems to cherish his daughter very much.

Only daughter, can't protect her from all eyes, unnecessary entanglements, forced to endure unfortunate hardships, marriage proposals, a detestable expression, even Yotsuya can't protect her at present, lend me your name—

He said it. He contacted me, first and foremost, to protect me.

It's unnatural to suddenly throw another burden at someone you've decided to protect. Is it because he loves his daughter... a matter of priority?

Probably not—he may have a slightly pushy and self-paced side to him, but he is still 'Yotsuya Togo.' I've gathered that at his core, he is a thoughtful person who walks the path of righteousness with immense power and pride.

————Ah, so that's what this is.

"A fake engagement to protect each other, is that it?"

"————......You truly are full of surprises."

I'm honored by the praise, but the pieces to reach that conclusion were all there.

To set up a fiancé to reject marriage proposals. It's an extremely simple countermeasure, and I have to admit that I'm currently very convenient for that role.

A true 'out-of-nowhere' irregular. In inverse proportion to my skyrocketing status, I still have no entanglements, an entity without a front or a back.

However, the buzz... it's strange to say it myself, but for the daughter of Yotsuya—no, precisely because the other party is the daughter of Yotsuya, I, who have garnered attention akin to a top star in the virtual world, should be able to create a certain sense of 'plausibility.'

Marriage proposals that can't be rejected for some reason... surely no fool would try to pick a fight with the great Yotsuya Development even after knowing she has a fiancé.

If you can't refuse, just create a reason to block it from the start.

And it's not just his daughter who would be spared burdens and hardships by this. On top of my status as the ranker [Acrobat], 'the fiancé of Yotsuya's daughter'—few would try to mess with such a dangerous opponent.

In other words, it's a mutually beneficial relationship where I also stand to gain.

In addition, the fact that he repeatedly emphasized the phrase 'lend me your name' means—

"That's about the only conclusion I could reach..."

And besides, it's hard to believe he would truly entrust his cherished daughter to a man he just met—that was also part of my reasoning.

"...You are a sharp one. You think for yourself and come to conclusions, and you're very good at it."

"That's, um... I'm flattered."

Lately, I've been subjected to the sweet praise of my doting master, so I've become better at accepting compliments from others—but still, receiving such direct praise to my face makes me feel a bit awkward.

While I pathetically shrank back, Mr. Yotsuya nodded, deeply impressed after hearing my speculation.

"As you say, this request is for you to play the part of a 'fake fiancé.' We've been discussing this for some time, and my daughter has given her consent."

Ah, that's... regardless of whether I accept or not, that's a relief for now.

Though, I never thought he was the type of person who would disregard his daughter's wishes in the first place.

"You say I'm just lending my name, so it's not like it's going to be publicly announced, right? Since your daughter isn't widely known in the first place."

"Yes, that's also correct. The knowledge of the engagement will be limited to the shrewd—pardon me, the capable and powerful heads of large organizations who might know of my daughter's existence."

If any fool still doesn't back off, then he'll finally abandon all mercy. As he declared such a terrifying thing, Mr. Yotsuya's expression was simply that of a doting father.

"In addition, I give you my word that your name as the fiancé will not leak to the 'outside.' On the name of Yotsuya, you can place your full trust in that."

And yet, he can also show such an incredibly cool side, so he's not to be underestimated. I wonder how many people in the world can say 'trust me completely' without a hint of hesitation.

"So, what do you think?"

".................."

Well... even if it's convincing and trustworthy, the answer is no if you ask whether I can easily nod to such a proposition. It may be a fake, a pretense of mutual support, but it's difficult to accept a fantasy like 'fiancé' with a simple 'yes, please.'

I'm just a modern, average person, you know. Time and again, my mind just can't keep up.

"..................Um... would it be possible to meet your daughter once?"

At least, with someone whose name and face I don't know... I tried asking for a meeting. I doubted he would refuse, and this should buy me some time.

With that in mind, I voiced my request—and Mr. Yotsuya showed me a wicked smile that was hard to describe.

Not a bad feeling... but rather, I felt a strange, indescribable sense of unease. While I was feeling this, a控え目な knock on the door echoed through the room.

"..................Mr. Yotsuya?"

"It would be unreasonable to ask for an answer before you've even met, even if it is a pretense. I have at least taken that much into consideration."

"...Did you, perhaps, call her just now?"

Remembering the moment he was operating his phone mid-conversation, I asked, and Mr. Yotsuya muttered, "You really are observant," and smiled.

However, I had no leeway to smile back.

I did ask to meet her, but I didn't ask for it to happen so immediately. My main intention was simply to buy time, and I hadn't prepared myself in the slightest—

...Even though I wasn't ready, the knock came again.

"Well then, shall we?"

No, we shall not—but at this point, I couldn't possibly say that.

As I braced myself and nodded, Mr. Yotsuya nodded back grandly and headed for the door.

As I rose from the sofa to greet his daughter, who was probably already on the other side of the door... I was bewildered by a certain emotion that was welling up in my chest.

Not nervousness, not fear.

What was this feeling that the 'presence' I felt from beyond the door was bringing me—

As my eyes met with Mr. Yotsuya's, who had turned back, he pulled the doorknob as if to show me the answer.

"—Excuse me."

And then, a single girl appeared.

A picture-perfect young lady, her still-childlike features filled with a graceful expression.

As she gave a beautiful bow, her smooth black hair swayed—and my eyes met her sky-blue ones.

"————————————"

"A pleasure to meet you. I am Yotsuya Togo's—... daughter... of.................."

I, who had lost my voice, and the girl, whose words had trailed off.

Unlike in the virtual world, I couldn't precisely read what was reflected in those eyes. But just as I couldn't look away from her, it was certain that she was also looking at me—

"—Hk..."

As if her strength had left her, her slender knees buckled—just as I had expected. That's why I, who had already started moving, caught the girl in an instant.

I hope you'll forgive me for extending a hand before her father, who was right beside her. Because just as a daughter is precious to her father—

"No way... it can't be————"

—I, too, am familiar with a precious existence.

I hope you'll overlook the difference in our years of acquaintance... but more importantly, let's focus on her, who is muttering in bewilderment in my arms.

"—Hey."

"Hk..."

Hearing my 'voice,' the girl, who had fallen even deeper into confusion, held her breath.

Nervousness, bewilderment, confusion, I felt them all just as she did—but there was something I absolutely had to confirm right here, right now.

Namely,

"Is this, by any chance, a dream?"

".................."

—simply whether this moment was reality or not.

With a deliberately theatrical, joking tone I had shown to 'someone' countless times... whether consciously or unconsciously, her stunned cheeks...

In any case, I had succeeded in putting a faint smile on them.

"...I wonder. At least, I don't remember logging in."

"I see, so it doesn't seem to be the virtual world either."

The voice that reached my ears, so full of emotion... I felt bad for her, but it put me at ease to an incredible degree.

For now, let's put all emotions, including surprise, on the shelf—

There was only one thing I could say right now.

"I'm happy to see you————Sora."

"Hk...—This is... hk, not fair... honestly............!"

Even with different eyes and hair, even with a different aura about her.

The girl I had met in the real world was the same 'partner' as always.

As always, with an angry face that wasn't scary at all—Sora mercilessly pounded on my chest.