Chapter 22 – Crying Princess ②
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The day after Yukishiro had returned to the Minatos, the heads of the high families gathered at the Minato residence. Those heads, who had served the Minatos throughout generations, streamed inside the room that would be used for the meeting.
During the urgently convened meeting, Yukishiro, the next head of the Eternal Minato, would report her plans to marry Yuuta, the man who would welcome the next head of the Eternal Yoshiwara as his first wife, to the heads of the supporting families. She would only be talking about plans because the final decision rested with Yuuta. Regardless of whether they were a lover or fiancée, a woman wouldn’t be able to marry a man if the man didn’t give his final consent. Because of that, Yukishiro would report it as a future plan.
Less than twenty family heads had convened in the spacious room. Kayane was among them, too. Having succeeded Ena, Kayane was still very young at twenty-four years. But, because she hailed from a high family that had supported the Minato headship from the very beginning, Kayane possessed a lot of clout, despite being so young. Coupled with the many enterprises under their control, Kayane’s faction was the largest of the various factions. Given that she had raised her children in recent years, she hadn’t shown her face often in the Minato residence, but just like her mother, who gave her life for it, Kayane supported Saori.
She had heard reports from Lilika, her younger sister, about Yukishiro’s unfortunate circumstances last year, but because the core of the issue lay in Yukishiro’s relationship with the boy she was directly affiliated with, Kayane was in no position to interfere.
On the other hand, the other factions didn’t consist only of people who full-heartedly supported Saori, like Kayane. Their cooperation with the Minatos was based on having mutual interests, but if those fell apart, some of the high families would distance themselves from the Minatos in the future.
Saori and Yukishiro entered the room and, after a brief greeting, began the meeting. In the beginning, Saori explained the new joint venture centered around the Angel Suit they were currently working on with the Yoshiwaras. Information at the level of rumors had already spread about this endeavor. Because they had to discuss the project with many stakeholders to hammer out the practical aspects, it was difficult to keep it completely confidential.
The Angel Suit had amassed considerable status and appeal as a product, generating tremendous demand in Toukyou. It wasn’t as though the supporting families didn’t feel any reluctance to launch a joint venture with their longstanding rival, the Yoshiwaras, but the other Eternal family normally had no need to share any of this with the Minatos, so it was a golden chance for the Minatos to secure some rights. Or in other words, being allowed to participate in this project would be a dream come true for any high family. After all, the momentum of the Angel Suit was dazzling in Toukyou.
At this point, the question of whether a class used Angel Suits had created a huge gap within the class administration at high school. The effects of the Angel Suit were particularly impactful for classes with problems in their relationships with the boy. Moreover, it also had a positive influence on the relationship between lovers and married couples.
The one using the Angel Suit the most among the adult men was likely Takashi of the Yoshiwara. He was actively recommending the Angel Suit to men who took women related to the Yoshiwaras as lovers or wives. Being able to please wives and lovers at the same time was a blessing, and above all, exciting for the men as well. In addition, they could even develop games catered towards their wives and lovers by recording their sex. Since those games would make the wives and lovers happy in return, the men, who understood this beneficial cycle, would assertively make use of Angel Suits.
Just looking at the concessions and given that the heads were using the suits themselves as well, they had no reason to object to working together with the Yoshiwaras on the Angel Suit project.
The other matter was Yukishiro’s report that she’d become Yuuta’s second wife, which was the prerequisite for the joint venture with the Yoshiwaras. Because Aoi, the next family head of the Yoshiwaras, would become the first wife, the Minatos would be seen as being beneath the Yoshiwaras. Many of the family heads were disgruntled and outright unhappy about this. They hated the idea of being regarded as inferior compared to the Yoshiwaras.
Following Saori’s words, Yukishiro explained that she was scheduled to hold the ceremony with Aoi on Yuuta’s birthday next year. This too was a future plan. But, although it depended on Yuuta’s feelings, holding the ceremony alongside the Yoshiwaras had the appeal that the second wife was cherished as much as the first.
Yukishiro connected this to her wanting to build a new relationship with the Yoshiwaras, as partners who worked together within the confines of Toukyou and as good rivals.
The first to express her support for this idea was Kayane. And as soon as she did so, one high family after the other of her faction joined her side. Given that the bitter pill of Yukishiro being the second wife was covered by the sweet honey called angel Suit, the other faction didn’t have any choice but to agree. If they had opposed this whole deal, their families might have been excluded from the benefits of the Angel Suit project. Moreover, holding the wedding ceremony with the Yoshiwaras allowed them to at least maintain some prestige.
Because of Kayane’s proactive support, things were wrapped up quickly. Yukishiro had attended the meeting while holding the fan given to her by Yuuta, but as the atmosphere in the room shifted in her favor, she also loosened her hold on the fan’s grip. She had been able to gain the understanding for marrying Yuuta as the second wife from the support families’ heads. This would allow her to become the next family head of the Minatos.
But, just as the meeting had reached a point of calling it quits, Saori dropped a bombshell.
“As soon as Yukishiro-san successfully marries Yuuta-sama, I will yield my seat as the Minato family head to her.”
Everyone, including Kayane, was shaken by that announcement. Even Yukishiro, who was sitting next to Saori, didn’t expect that Saori would reveal this matter today of all days, despite having heard about it yesterday. She had planned to talk it over with her mother after everything calmed down.
As might be expected, many of the family heads, including Kayane, voiced their opposition to this. In the first place, Yukishiro would be preoccupied with giving birth to and raising Yuuta’s child right after marrying him. No one knew better than Kayane just how taxing it was to become a family head during such a hectic time. And when it came to the headship of the Minato family, there would likely be a lot more hardships waiting than Kayane had experienced.
Even so, Saori showed no signs of reconsidering and merely stated that she wouldn’t just retire like that, but instead help Yukishiro for a while until the child-rearing had stabilized. She didn’t even acknowledge the reasonable opinion that she could just yield the family headship to Yukishiro after helping her out, if she was going to stick around until things calmed down anyway.
“I will make it easier for the next generation to take over control by yielding the family headship to Yukishiro long before the Yoshiwaras.”
Some of the family heads showed some understanding of her words. In the future, the Minatos would run a joint venture with the Yoshiwaras. If Yukishiro became the family and managed to build a head start, she might have an easier time taking the initiative from Aoi. Of course, it wasn’t as though their mutual relationship was just decided by the length of their respective reign as family head, but it was essential to accumulate a lot of experience.
But Kayane was against this.
Although they said it’d allow them to wrestle the initiative from the Yoshiwaras, it was such a small advantage that it wouldn’t play much of a role, if any. She insisted that the change in family heads was too quick right after the marriage and asked that Saori at least wait until Yukishiro’s child had entered kindergarten. Capitalizing on her own experience and struggles, she continued to persuade Saori.
“I fully understand your point, Kayane-san. I shall carefully deliberate it, but please prepare yourself mentally that Yukishiro-san will become the family head after her marriage with Yuuta-sama.”
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After the meeting ended, Yukishiro could finally talk with Kayane for the first time in a while. She had Kayane come to her room, and they chatted together with Lilika. The topics mostly revolved around Yukishiro’s circumstances and the details of her good relationship with Yuuta.
Yukishiro couldn’t tell her that Yuuta had collapsed and remained unconscious to this day. Lilika knew about it, but she didn’t mention anything about it to her sister. Akari and the other girls of Yukishiro’s circle hadn’t informed their mothers about it either. Though, Akari had briefed Lilika about it since she should know about the situation.
Then they talked about why Saori was trying to pass on the family headship so quickly. Yukishiro explained that she herself had heard about it for the first time during yesterday’s conversation with her mother. And that she hadn’t expected Saori to touch on this matter during today’s meeting.
“Saori-sama is still thirty-six years old. It’d be too weird for her to be worn out or anything like that.”
That age was believed to be a time when a person was still full of energy and stamina.
“I will try to investigate whether something happened to Saori-sama. Yukishiro-sama, please contact me if you find anything.”
“Okay, Kayane-san. I truly thank you for your support during today’s meeting.”
“That is about all I can do for you. If it’s you, I’m certain that you will be able to build a wonderful bond with the Yoshiwaras. I’m well aware that my abilities are meager, but I shall put all my power into assisting you, Yukishiro-sama.”
Kayane hugged Yukishiro tightly and then gently stroked her. And then she looked at Lilika, who was looking at them, “Properly support Yukishiro-sama.”
“Yes! Please count on me!”
“…Make sure not to drag Yukishiro-sama into your otaku hobby, Lilika.”
“Yes! I completely refuse!”
“The first part of your response doesn’t fit with the second part.”
Yukishiro couldn’t help but laugh at this while being hugged by Kayane.
“It pains me, but I must excuse myself with this for today,” Kayana said and left the Minato residence.
In the evening, Nanase would come to pick up Yukishiro. Given that her becoming Yuuta’s second wife had been approved by the Minatos and their affiliated families, the necessity to have Yukishiro sheltered by the Yoshiwaras had disappeared. But, Yukishiro intended to go back to Yuuta together with Nanase. Until Nanase’s arrival at the Minato residence, Yukishiro waited in her room while drinking the milk tea brewed by Lilika. As she was having a relaxed chat with her old friend, someone knocked on the door.
“Yes?”
“Onee-sama…it’s me, Iori.”
Iori’s listless voice could be heard from the other side of the door.
“Come in,” Yukishiro ushered her little sister in with a gentle tone. “Long time no see. Have you been doing well, Iori?”
“……”
As soon as Yukishiro saw Iori’s face, she could tell that something was wrong.
Iori bowed towards Yukishiro and answered with a trembling voice, “Onee-sama! Forgive me for everything I have said and done up until now! I was foolish! I have been constantly clamoring and yelling around without considering how difficult it is to be the family head of the Minatos and how much of a weight you have to carry on your back, Onee-sama.”
“Was the education as a family head that difficult?”
“…Yes. I couldn’t bear it. Also…building relationships of mutual trust with other women…”
Iori had been pampered way too much. And the ones responsible for that were Saori and Yukishiro. Yukishiro never demanded anything from Iori, since she’d be bearing the responsibilities and duties that come with the family headship. And the same was likely true for Saori, too. Both left Iori to her own devices without even addressing Iori’s faults.
“Iori-san, being alive is a struggle, don’t you think? I also have been desperately struggling every day. You should do your best every day from now on as well.”
“…Yes. Will you…forgive me?”
“Of course. You’re my one and only, cute sister. We simply failed to understand each other. It’s not like all of that is your fault either. I believe that part of it has been my responsibility, too. That’s why, let bygones be bygone and build a cordial relationship as sisters,” Yukishiro looked at Lilika with a smile, “Just like Lilika-san and Kayane-san.”
“O-Okay!”
Tears of happiness dribbled down from Iori’s eyes. When Lilika held out a handkerchief to her, Iori accepted it and apologized to Lilika, too.
“Onee-sama, you won’t be going to the Yoshiwaras anymore, will you?”
Iori was apparently aware of what had been discussed during today’s meeting.
“I have to go back there today.”
“Is that so? If it’s about sorting out your luggage, that can wait for another day, though.”
“There’s a bit of a reason… But I will be back soon, so you don’t have to worry. …By the way, how has Mother been doing recently? Did something change with her?”
Yukishiro had been absent from the Minato residence for nearly eight months. As such, she asked Iori to see whether her sister knew anything about their mother’s unusual state.
“Mother, you ask? Let’s see… After being absent from the residence for most of July, she returned at the end of the month, but she has been busy running all over the place. Very likely…because of you, I think.”
“I see…”
The informal meeting with Saori during Yuuta’s class trip took place on July 20th. Yukishiro had informed her mother that she had become Yuuta’s lover that day. A decision Yukishiro made based on unshakable feelings.
After learning of her daughter’s decisions, Saori returned to the Minato residence and began coordinating everything with all involved parties for Yukishiro’s sake, Yukishiro believed. Within a month of that day, Saori organized a meeting with the family heads of all the high families supporting the Minatos and had them accept Yukishiro as Yuuta’s second wife.
She prepared everything with the people related to the Minatos in such a short time. It’d have been more than reasonable for her to be angry about my selfish actions, yet she didn’t do so. Is she maybe happy for me as my mother? But…I feel like there’s more to it.
“Iori-san, are things going well with Katsuya-sama?”
“Things haven’t been going as well with him as during junior high. After all, I had been looking at things from within my own small world up until then. But, the management of the class at high school and my relationship with the indirect affiliates are not going well…”
“I see, it must have been hard on you. Are you using Angel Suits?”
“No, our class isn’t using them. I have heard rumors about the Angel Suits. It seems like the second and third graders are actively putting those to use.”
Iori had also been considering using the Angel Suits as a second grader.
“Onee-sama, are you worried about Mother’s state?”
“Yes…something about her feels off.”
“I think you are the only one thinking so, Onee-sama.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Mother…didn’t expect anything from the beginning. Because she was well aware that I don’t have the abilities to be the head of our family, she pampered me without expecting anything from me. But it was different in your case, Onee-sama. Mother expected you to become the next family head of the Eternal Minato.”
“I wasn’t able to live up to that expectation…”
Her relationship with Takuya was called off.
“Personally, I think you have been meeting Mother’s expectations just fine, Onee-sama.”
“Thanks. But, it’s true that I was unable to build a good relationship with Takuya-sama.”
“That is…unrelated, I believe.”
“You think?”
“Yes. Mother did mention that Takuya-sama was a fool. I haven’t really heard her criticizing you for how you dealt with that matter.”
It was certainly true that Yukishiro was told not to cause any problems for Takuya, but she was never blamed or reproached for her actions during the evening ball. The cancellation of her direct affiliation with him also took that form to avoid it being Yukishiro’s fault. Though Yukishiro couldn’t agree to being urged into marrying some unknown man afterwards, though.
“I wonder whether she actually doesn’t want to approve of me becoming Yuuta-sama’s second wife…”
“”……””
Neither Iori nor Lilika said anything to that. No one knew what Saori felt. After all, it was a matter of Saori’s heart.
Ena-san told me that Mother’s heart was shattered by Grandmother. Grandmother forged an imaginary love story between Mother and Father…
Yukishiro’s grandmother strictly ordered Saori to have a romantic wedding because of her competition with Nanase. In accordance with that order, Saori frequently visited the classroom of a certain boy during her junior high school years. But, in the end, that man ran away from her.
I wonder about the real nature of the relationship between Mother and Father. Even if it’s not a romantic partnership like the one between Nanase-sama and Takashi-sama, I thought they’re still quite close as a married couple…and as our parents, but…
Yukishiro and Iori both had no memories of their father. He was basically an imaginary existence to them. Though it was a fact that he existed. After all, during last year’s summer…
Takuya-sama met Father. He apparently went to take a look at what sort of life my father was leading as the husband of the Minato family head…
“Yukishiro-sama,” someone called out to her after knocking on the door.
It was still too early for Nanase to have arrived.
“Yes, what is it?”
“Her Ladyship, Saori-sama, is calling for you.”
“…I understand.”
It was a summoning by Saori.
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