radicalducati Chapter 112 Loss of Composure
Chapter 112 Loss of Composure
How can I avoid losing something?
It's enough to have never had it.
When Suzume realized that the marriage agreement, which he thought would help Ayato Kamisato, was actually pushing him into an even deeper abyss, he understood the meaning of that sentence.
She stubbornly refused to see Ayato Kamisato, as if this would prevent any possible arguments and maintain the relationship in the most harmonious state.
Ideally, Ayato Kamisato could forget himself and the origin of this engagement, making it seem as if nothing had ever happened.
Unfortunately, she still couldn't get what she wanted in the end. Putting aside Ayato Kamisato, for her own sake, this matter had become a thorn that was deeply rooted in her heart and could not be removed. With each passing day of thinking about it, the wound slowly festered and oozed pus.
Ayato Kamisato probably thinks the same way.
However, the upbringing of the Kamisato family meant that he would not be a villain who would break the agreement; he could only take on the responsibility of taking care of her.
He Que didn't want to make the same mistake again.
Even if Ayato Kamisato doesn't break off the engagement with her because of the downfall of the Kujo family as her father said, as long as that thorn remains, a conflict will inevitably erupt sooner or later.
Perhaps then, I would still be captivated by Ayato Kamisato's gentleness born of a sense of responsibility, just like before, if Kujo Kamaji hadn't let it slip—
He refused to think about it any further and instead focused his attention back on Ayato Kamisato in front of him.
After receiving no reply for a long time, she repeated what she had just said: "Lord of the Society, I've come to annul the engagement."
"...Yes, I heard you."
After a brief silence, Ayato Kamisato calmly gave his reply.
Her clasped hands covered her ever-smiling lips, leaving only a pair of deep blue eyes, and the complex emotions within them that were difficult for the bird to discern.
Ayato Kamisato changed his posture, a posture that made him look even more imposing.
He Que couldn't help but think that perhaps her initiative to break off the engagement had offended him. After all, no matter what the reason was, the news of the broken engagement would attract gossip and damage the family's reputation.
Fortunately, the Kujo family no longer needs to care about saving face.
Kazuki took a deep breath and said, "Lord of the Company, there's no need to worry. The Kujo family will issue a statement taking the blame for the annulment of the engagement on our side, and it won't affect the reputation of the Kamisato family—"
He lost his voice after only speaking half of what he had said.
Because Ayato Kamisato suddenly stood up, stepped over the narrow, low table, and got very close to her, just inches away.
His free hand seemed to want to stroke her cheek, but he moved it away just before touching her, instead grabbing a strand of her hair, trying his best to maintain his last bit of dignity.
At such a distance, Suzaku couldn't even dodge. She could only move back a little, but the cushion was only so big, and no matter how she tried to avoid it, she couldn't escape Ayato Kamisato's grasp.
"Lord Company Magistrate..." she protested weakly.
However, Ayato Kamisato did not change his posture. He simply played with a strand of hair and asked softly, "Does Miss Kujo think I'm worried about that?"
He Que dared not speak.
Ayato Kamisato could sense her discomfort, but he still didn't want to let go, after all, he was angry.
Yes, angry.
He understood the unspoken meaning behind all of Kujo and Suzume's words; they were all attempts to distance themselves from the two of them and attribute the entire engagement to the interests of their respective families.
"Let me guess, why did Miss Kujo bring such a message to the Kamisato family today—did Kujo Takayuki say something to you?"
"The Kamisato family wouldn't want the daughter of a sinner with no family background as their matriarch. Once the Kujo family falls, the Kamisato family will definitely break off the engagement." —Is that what he said?
The words weren't entirely accurate, but the tone was almost perfectly imitated. If it weren't for the fact that he was in front of Ayato Kamisato, Suzume would have felt as if time had reversed and he had returned to that day in prison.
Ayato Kamisato grasped her hand, which trembled slightly with fear, opened it, and placed a light kiss on her palm: "The final chapter sent a letter yesterday, telling me that you and Sara Kujo visited Takayuki Kujo in prison. I should have acted immediately when they said your condition after your release was not quite right—"
He immediately objected, saying, "No, it should have been much earlier. I should have taken action when you rejected my invitation and locked yourself in your room."
He Suzume paused, his hand about to retract, "...The final chapter?"
"Yes, you may have heard from your father and brothers that there is a secret organization under the command of the magistrate, but you probably haven't heard of its name. I was originally planning to tell you about this after we got married—but now is not the time to talk about this."
Ayato Kamisato looked at her quietly: "Kazume, tell me what you're thinking."
"...Lord Company Magistrate, please keep your distance." Kazuja's voice was already tinged with sobs.
"I have offended you."
Ayato Kamisato finally let go, bringing the distance back to the initial safe state.
He chuckled softly, "May I call you Ayato, or Suzume?"
He Que nodded somewhat flusteredly.
She still couldn't speak directly, but Ayato Kamisato didn't intend to press her on this matter, and instead skipped over the topic to continue: "The Kamisato family will only have one matriarch, and that is you. Kazusagi, no matter what you hear from others, please don't doubt this fact."
But how could He Que not have doubts?
Ayato Kamisato wouldn't speak without reason. Since he said such a thing, it proves that he had anticipated the rumors that might arise. If we were to speculate even more negatively, Suzume might even think that some things were orchestrated by Ayato Kamisato.
At least, she didn't think Ayato Kamisato was unaware of what Ayaka Kamisato had said.
Kazusa felt like an unreasonable child, still wanting to know more despite receiving such assurances from Ayato Kamisato, even though she clearly understood that there were some things she might not understand.
Her emotions were almost written all over her face; Ayato only needed to glance at her to tell that she was still not truly relaxed.
The plate of pastries that Heque loved most was once again pushed in front of her.
Ayato Kamisato smiled and said, "Perhaps I made the wrong decision from the beginning. Could you please give me another chance to correct it? Suzume, please seek more security from me. If there is anything that has caused you to misunderstand, I apologize—no, perhaps it would be more sincere for me to take the initiative to confess."
The frequent changes in decisions symbolize that the owner's mind is not as calm as it appears, and surprisingly, the sparrow finds some solace in this discovery.
She warned herself that this was a bad start, even though she had already decided to end it all.
Meanwhile, Ayato Kamisato had already figured out where to begin his confession: "Ayaka said that you came to see me half a month ago. She couldn't get over what you said, and she also had some resentment towards me."
He Que immediately guessed the reason, his eyes widening suddenly: "Those words were requested by the Society Magistrate?"
"I'm sorry, Suzume. There won't be a next time for me to act first and ask for permission. However, if the Kamisato family wants to apply for leniency for the Kujo family at the meeting in three days, I must maintain a fair attitude and avoid further contact with you. But now I realize that was a huge mistake."
Ayato Kamisato shook his head, his lowered eyes revealing his true emotions, like the clouds that had obscured the sun suddenly dispersing.
Some things cannot be hidden.
(End of this chapter)
The author says: It's impossible for it to be a bad ending. Ayato Kamisato would never choose to let things go when he discovers that things aren't going well with Suzume. Even if he has his reasons, he should be the type who firmly believes he can solve the problem and wouldn't hurt the person he loves.
Just as when the Kamisato family is in crisis, he will shoulder all the responsibility and support the entire family alone.
He simply didn't notice He Que's unease, unaware that He Que felt so guilty about the engagement that she was almost insecure, and no matter how he acted, she couldn't believe that he really liked her.
In Ayato's eyes, they were in love; in Suzume's eyes, Ayato's care for her was merely out of a sense of duty.
Once the misunderstanding is cleared up, Ayato Kamisato will know what to do next.
*
On a side note, I'm terrible at sweet talk!