Though they hadn't yet exchanged engagement rings like Haru had with "Little Cumcumber" to Sakiko in this moment, she and Kazami Haru had already gone from lovers to husband and wife. Their relationship was on the brink of a qualitative change.
"S-something like that…"
"We've been out walking all day, and now that I think about it, I really am a little tired."
Her voice trembled as she coughed lightly, trying to cover her embarrassment. She closed her eyes as though to hide, only to sneak one open to peek at Haru's expression. Catching his gaze, she immediately snapped it shut again, blushing furiously.
Her reaction left Haru struggling not to laugh. With a small smile, he turned to her grandfather.
"In that case, I'll trouble you to arrange a guest room for me."
That's not what you're supposed to say!!!
Her long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings as her perfect face flushed crimson. Inside, she muttered complaints about her clueless husband, but with both her grandfather and the maids watching, she couldn't say a word aloud.
Her cheeks burning, she drew a deep breath and nervously twirled a lock of her sky-blue hair between her pale fingers.
"Come to think of it… my old room probably hasn't been cleaned, has it?"
One of the maids looked like she was about to speak up, but Sakiko's fierce glare silenced her. The maids all exchanged knowing smiles and fell quiet.
In truth, her bedroom was tended to regularly, just like every guest room.
This flimsy excuse had already taken all of Sakiko's courage. She coughed a few more times, trying to calm her pounding heart, before speaking again with feigned resignation.
"In that case… I'll stay with Haru in the guest room."
Blushing hard, she grabbed Haru's hand, ready to flee the drawing room. But Haru only winked at her, watching her red cheeks with teasing amusement.
"Go on ahead, Sakiko. I'll stay and finish my tea."
"Eh?"
She furrowed her brows in frustration, but when Haru stroked her silky hair reassuringly, her nervousness eased. She leaned in close to whisper in his ear.
"I'll be waiting for you, then!"
Once she scurried off, the maids followed in order, leaving only Haru and Togawa Sadaharu in the room.
The white-haired old man gave him a long, thoughtful look, his eyes glimmering faintly.
"I've been wanting to thank you in person… for everything you've done for Sakiko behind the scenes."
Haru rose to his feet and bowed deeply. His gratitude seemed to take Sadaharu aback. The old man sat silently, teacup in hand, not quite knowing how to respond.
As head of the Togawa family, duty had always come first. He had once poured himself so wholly into work that he neglected his daughter, only realizing the value of family after it was too late.
Now, he couldn't bear to lose his only granddaughter. But expressing his feelings had never been his strength.
One might even call him… emotionally clumsy.
His overbearing nature bled into family life, his conversations laced with the same cold precision he used in business. Like Sakiko, he often acted on impulse, neglecting the gentler expressions of love.
All he could do was support her quietly, in his own awkward way. But seeing how much she had changed at Haru's side, he had finally resolved to speak to them directly.
"…It was simply my duty."
Sadaharu's response was stiff, but his eyes carried a trace of warmth as they met Haru's.
They had not shared deep words, yet in silence, each faintly understood the other.
"It's a shame I'm still underage. I can only join you for tea tonight…"
With a resigned smile, Haru drained the rich, expensive tea in one go, using it as a stand-in for wine, a gesture of respect and gratitude.
Setting down the empty cup, he exhaled slowly, then met Sadaharu's gaze squarely.
"I'll make sure Sakiko is truly happy. I'll never let her suffer."
"I don't need you to believe me now. I'll prove it with my actions."
With that, Haru relaxed and exchanged a few parting words, rising to leave. Just then, Sadaharu spoke again, his voice low.
"From now on, call me Grandfather. Just like Sakiko does."
After that, he fell silent once more. And in that silence, Haru couldn't help but see the same cold stubbornness he'd once seen in Sakiko herself. Are all Togawas this bad at showing their feelings?
No doubt about it, he truly was Sakiko's grandfather.
Haru drew a steadying breath, then answered with calm sincerity.
"Grandfather, thank you."
"…"
Sadaharu paused, then gave only a small nod before retreating behind his teacup. It was as if saying those words had drained the last of his courage.
No wonder Sakiko had once run away from home, willing to abandon her status as a pampered heiress to struggle on her own. The Togawas had about as much sense for "the art of conversation" as Wakaba Mutsumi in her worst moments.
With a soft sigh, Haru excused himself.
"Then, I'll take my leave."
…
After bidding Sadaharu goodnight, Haru followed a maid to the "guest room" he would be using. But the moment he stepped inside, he froze. Something was off.
"Maid-san… this is a guest room?"
"Yes."
Her professional smile didn't waver. Haru's eyes swept the room, an enormous double bed in the center, lavish furnishings, a spacious layout, a grand piano in the corner, and on it, a Western-style porcelain doll… right next to the blue octopus plushie he had won for Sakiko.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Guest rooms are this big?"
"Yes."
Her answer remained unchanged. Haru sighed in defeat. He wouldn't get anything more out of her.
"Then..."
"Lady Sakiko is bathing now. Please wait for her."
Wait, he hadn't even asked that!
Rolling his eyes, Haru muttered inwardly while the maid, still smiling professionally, bowed and withdrew without giving the slightest slip away.
Truly a professional maid.
Rubbing his temples, Haru sighed.
"Honestly..."
Am I supposed to believe Bruce Lee has been resurrected, or that this is a guest room?
With a wry smile, he idly opened a drawer, only to find an old photo album. (Kids, don't go snooping like this at home.)
Sure enough, inside were photos of young Sakiko...dressed in frilly dresses, her hair styled in delicate curls, clutching dolls. She was even cuter than he'd imagined.
A genuine, picture-perfect little lady. And now…
So focused was he on the photos that he didn't notice the click of the lock behind him. Just as he admired her childhood beauty, a pale hand suddenly snatched the album away.
"You're not supposed to look at that!"
Sakiko appeared from behind, cheeks flushed as she hid the album. Haru was about to tease her like always, but his smile froze in an instant.
Standing before him, Togawa Sakiko wore nothing but a white bath towel.
"Honestly…"
Pouting adorably, she shoved the album back into the drawer.
With her soft movements, the faint scent of roses filled the room. Her silken blue hair hung loosely over her shoulders, damp strands clinging to her rosy cheeks.
Fresh from the bath, a faint mist still clung to her porcelain skin, tinted with a pink glow. Droplets slid from her bangs, her delicate collarbone and bare shoulders laid bare.
Haru swallowed, raising a brow.
"…My lady Sakiko, you came out dressed like this?"
"Why the sudden formal tone?"
Her lips pursed in embarrassment, her face as red as fire. After a few seconds of hesitation, she whispered,
"B-besides… I'll be taking it off soon anyway…"
Girl, are you trying to give me a heart attack?