104 – Party Hero – 2
‘Stay safe, lady.’
‘Be more polite.’
‘Akira, a child like you….’
‘Couldn’t you be more modest?’
.
.
.
When I closed my eyes, words I had heard many times came to mind.
To Elena, to my father, and to the elders of the Shiraishi family.
I don’t blame those people.
It was just difficult for me to bear it.
Some people are proud of the honor of a wealthy family, but for me, that was never possible.
Father behind my back.
Now that we have met and are walking through the middle of the party venue, the emotions from that time have started to come back to me.
Their atmosphere makes me feel helpless and frustrated. That society.
“……… Ah.”
When I glanced back with my footsteps becoming so heavy.
“…… Why are you doing that? Akira.”
“Ah… “It’s nothing.”
I saw him following us a step away.
My… My very own butler.
He was naturally following me and my father.
When our eyes met, he slightly lowered his head towards me.
That gait, posture, and even facial expression. I smiled involuntarily, feeling that they all resembled the dignified butler fit for the Shiraishi family.
It’s okay. You can do it.
He didn’t say anything, but it was as if he had heard such comfort. I took a deep breath and took a step forward.
“Oh, there you are.”
He pointed to the place where the members of the Kitagawa family gathered. My father stepped in front of me and opened his mouth to speak softly.
“……… Akira.”
“Yes.”
“The fact that you came to this party today means that you, too, have put your mind in order.”
As expected, you accepted it that way.
To tell you the truth, I was half giving up.
Until Minsu takes my hand and leads me.
Even while that person is my strong support.
I would somehow be separated from all of them and be locked in a cage again.
I think there was a feeling of resignation.
But that wasn’t the case now.
When I turned my gaze, I saw him quietly bowing his head. Next to her is Miss Elena.
They are both supporting me.
So I couldn’t give up yet.
“…… Behave modestly. “Stop being a tomboy.”
“……… ….”
Leaving me without an answer, my father took the first step.
When I looked up, Elena and Minsu were next to me.
I expressed my deepest apology to my father.
I’m sorry, father.
I don’t think I can be a virtuous young lady.
Marrying a man I don’t like and standing behind him for the rest of my life doesn’t suit me.
Even if the person I like doesn’t care about me, I want to be a tomboy who stands up confidently and acts so that he or she will look at me.
Even if it means moving away from my family and its name.
That’s me.
However, I am currently unable to convey the conclusion I reached deep in my heart. I followed in my father’s footsteps.
***
One of the principles of an employer.
Something that is not noticeable.
Serving quietly behind the scenes with the person who owns the house, and providing support so that there is no inconvenience in his or her life.
I heard about it from Elena, but I remember wondering if she was someone who seriously violated that policy.
She praised me and said I had talent in that respect.
Quietly helping as if you are not stepping forward or as if you are not there.
Then I was a little excited, wondering if I had a natural talent. As if that weren’t the case, Elena’s training as a butler was extremely harsh.
As if that one talent wasn’t enough, I learned many different behaviors. Starting from standing posture and walking form, to greeting methods and facial expressions.
That’s not all. I memorized all the personal information about the Shiraishi family and kept their tastes, personalities, likes and dislikes all in my head.
Other than that, cleaning, cooking, and even social dancing….
I had no plans to get a job at Shiraishi Family, but I had to endure her rigorous training to play the role for just one day.
It seemed like the learning had been worthwhile and he was now carrying out his role as a butler without any problems.
Of course, that’s the case so far, and I may make some mistakes.
“Oh… ! Elder Itsuya… !”
I cautiously rolled my eyes as I stood two steps behind Itsuya Shiraishi, who was greeting the people of the Kitagawa family.
People of the Kitagawa family. Among them, Ryosuke was nowhere to be seen.
Where is it?
I couldn’t look around, so I looked away, following Itsuya Shiraishi and the Kitagawa people as they moved from place to place.
“…… Oh.”
At that time, I found Ryosuke among the crowd of people.
He was with Haruna.
I stopped walking without realizing it.
Many men were surrounding Haruna.
It was like that just before, but after I left, it became even more so.
It looked like the men were gathered together, as if they were trying to at least exchange greetings with her.
Haruna smiled bitterly and took a step away from Ryosuke, who held out her hand.
“Ryosuke… ! “Come this way.”
When his mother called, only then did Ryosuke get away from Haruna. From the looks of it, it looked like he was just flirting with Haruna just a moment ago.
He shamelessly approached Itsuya Shiraishi and said hello.
I was worried that they might notice me standing behind me, but I heard from Elena in advance that that wouldn’t happen.
They say no one pays attention to each employee unless they get close to them on purpose.
She told me that there was no need to worry if I perfectly mastered the manners of a deacon.
As if that was really the case, Kitagawa Ryosuke did not even glance at the employees standing around him. He was smiling while saying hello to Itsuya and chatting calmly with Shiraishi.
“Anyway, I heard that your daughter was very sick. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, because of that, I went to the villa and recuperated for a while. It’s troubling because strange rumors are spreading that someone has run away from home. hahahaha.”
Itsuya smiled broadly and dismissed their doubtful concerns.
Is it really covered up like that?
Can we say that the order has changed? After running away from home, I felt unwell so I took a break. It seemed like the Shiraishi family had decided to cover it that way.
As proof of this, everyone can see Akira Shiraishi attending such a public party without difficulty.
In that way, they are trying to cover up the problem.
“Then, shall we move for a moment?”
“Of course. “Ryosuke.”
“Yes.”
Itsuya Shiraishi, Akira, and the people of the Kitagawa family took a step forward. They sat at an outdoor table and shared a drink.
For a while, they talked about each other’s current situation and business. Meanwhile, Shiraishi remained silent.
“By the way, Mr. Itsuya. As for marriage….”
“Oh, of course, no problem.”
As the man who appeared to be Ryosuke’s father carefully spoke, Itsuya nodded loudly.
“You don’t have to worry. “It doesn’t matter if the date is pushed back a little longer.”
“If that’s the case, I’m glad.”
I glanced at them laughing. Ryosuke is also smiling.
However, the expression on Shiraishi’s face as he sat with his back to her was unknown. Because she was sitting quietly.
“Come on, Akira. “Please say something too.”
While laughing like that, Itsuya said as if urging Shiraishi.
She probably means that she, who has been quiet all along, should hurry up and show a positive gesture about her engagement.
However, she had no answer.
“hahahaha… Hmm…… Akira?”
Itsuya, who was smiling awkwardly and waiting for an answer, called her daughter’s name again.
At that moment, I took a deep breath.
“……… No. “I don’t want to get married.”
Shiraishi spoke firmly.
For a moment, silence passed between them.
“……… Ah, Akira. What now….”
As if to cut off Itsuya’s embarrassed voice, she jumped up from her seat.
“I said I didn’t want to get married. Father. And….”
She said, looking back at the people of the Kitagawa family sitting in their seats.
“Mr. Ryosuke Kitagawa. “I will not marry you.”
“W-what…” … Miss Akira. Why are you doing that….”
Shiraishi took a step from her seat, ignoring the Kitagawa family member who was stuttering her words.
“Everyone, please listen!”
Akira Shiraishi raised both her arms and shouted to those around her.
“I, Akira Shiraishi, have something to tell you!”
Yes, she was a government official.
A shy girl who enjoyed the attention of everyone, riding on the fame and fame of her world-renowned family.
“There is a guy I like!”
Akira Shiraishi shouted brightly.
People around her murmured and looked at her due to her unexpected disturbance.
Akira shouted even louder as Elena approached him and took the microphone she gave him.
“Yes! As you all know, I ran away from home! “You had a big fight with your father and left home!”
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Shiraishi immediately acknowledged what had been a rumor among the upper class. At that moment, Itsuya’s face crumpled.
“And I found a guy there that I like!”
So this is a major scandal.
She proudly announced what the Shiraishi family had tried to hide.
“And the man is right here!”
Shiraishi confidently approached me and grabbed my arm. And then he stood in front of everyone.
At one point, a bright spotlight was shining on us.
“Yes, he is Shiraishi’s butler! And a boy the same age as me! “I am in love with this man!”
There is no turning back now.
“Everyone! “Please come this way!”
And then Haruna and Takase-senpai, who had been surrounded by many men and women with their beauty until then, came out and stood next to us.
“Okay, what can you deny! “All of us!”
Shiraishi crossed his arms around me. And one day, I held her hand and her face turned bright red.
From behind, Takase-senpai smiled and placed his hand on my shoulder.
“I love this person!”
And I also froze.
A scandal involving the daughter of the famous Shirai family.
Not only did she run away from home due to a family fight, she became entangled in a four-way relationship.
“So, Ryosuke Kitagawa! “I can’t marry you!”
Ryosuke’s face was also crumpled after being rejected in this way in front of his face.
Only if a scandal of this magnitude breaks out will it be possible to surprise Itsuya Shiraishi and the Kitagawa family.
And a marriage contract can also be cancelled.
That was the plan we came up with during lunch that day.
“So, I will make a declaration right here and now!”
Despite everyone’s murmurs and shocked looks, Akira shouted.
It even looked happy.
“I will follow this man! Even if the Shiraishi family abandons me!”
Okay, I was wondering what to do next.
If an incident that attracts this much attention is made, at least Shiraishi’s engagement will be cancelled.
Haruna is shivering and the senior is smiling refreshingly.
And more than anything, I smiled bitterly as I saw Shiraishi enjoying being the center of the commotion.