Anyone who messes with a friend's woman deserves to die a hundred times.
Moreover, Kouichirou wasn't even sure he could take Haruno from Yuu.
He couldn't do crazy things like smashing a punching machine, nor could he make Haruno smile from the depths of her heart.
That's why, lately, Kouichirou kept thinking—how could he convince his stubborn, old-fashioned mother to give up using their children's marriage as a bargaining chip?
Unfortunately, not only did he not know, but Haruno probably didn't either.
Both were stuck in the mud, struggling with their heads raised at the edge of freedom.
He didn't blame Haruno for her cold, two-faced attitude toward him. He didn't have a true lover, but Haruno did, so he felt even more uneasy.
"Wait, why does this feel so much like the plot of some novels…?"
Kouichirou jolted, his stretching motion freezing mid-air, cold sweat dripping from his temples.
"Haruno-san is the noble lady restricted by her family, while Yuu is the poor boy who happens to meet her."
"Two people from different backgrounds quickly fall in love, and I, the rich antagonist betrothed to the lady, upon learning this, use every means to separate them. In the end, when I find out the poor boy plans to elope with her, I try to kill him but get killed instead, dying tragically…"
The clearer the thought, the more Kouichirou's body trembled.
Why?
Because his body wasn't as tough as a punching machine!
If he really tried to take Haruno away, he'd likely be the first to get beaten to death as the fiancé, eliminating future trouble…
"No, we're still just in the 'getting to know each other' phase, not even close to being engaged!"
Thinking this, Kouichirou sighed in relief, as if dodging a battle that would've surely killed him, slumping weakly against the floor.
Compared to the Yuuki family, the Yukinoshita family wasn't overly enthusiastic about the arranged marriage—after all, the current family head was a son-in-law who married in, and the real power still lay with the women. To maintain their family's property integrity, they might prefer letting their daughters find outstanding men to marry into the family.
If not for the Yuuki family's significant achievements in virtual reality, serving as a key bridge for the Yukinoshitas to expand their business, the other side might not have actively entertained their marriage proposal.
And if the Yuuki family wanted to break out of their small territory, establish themselves in Chiba, or even further, the support of political figures and influential people was crucial.
That's why they targeted the Yukinoshita family.
Still, the marriage wasn't absolute. There was no betrothal from birth, and the pressure wasn't strong enough…
If Haruno was willing to resist alongside him and firmly express her dislike for the other party, they might be able to reject their parents' ideas, refusing a marriage that wouldn't make anyone happy.
"I'll talk to Haruno-san later… For now, this is the priority."
Thinking this, Kouichirou picked up his phone again and opened the LINE app.
In his chat with Yuu, the last message he sent had been read but received no reply.
Kouichirou: {Are you really coming? Haruno-san and I can't, and there's no valid reason to bring you into the resort. Even if you come, you won't get past the front gate.}
Above it was their chat history, where Yuu asked for the resort's address, directions, and their current location.
"That guy, he's not actually coming to find Haruno-san, is he?"
Kouichirou considered various possibilities but kept dismissing them.
Seeing Yuu's attitude, like "chasing after a faraway wife," Kouichirou found it amusing, yet for some reason, he also felt excited.
Four Seasons Resort Manor operated on a membership system. Besides large group guests, all visitors had to register as members first and pay a hefty membership fee to enter.
Even if Yuu took the shinkansen now, considering money, time, and other practical factors, there was no way he could pass the strict entry checks and reach Haruno.
At best, he'd sneak out to meet her secretly when their parents weren't looking…
"But if it's that guy, it feels like there's nothing he can't do."
Feeling a bit foolish for such blind faith, Kouichirou shook his head.
Breaking a punching machine doesn't mean he can teleport!
"Excuse me, does the sake need a refill?"
"Oh, no." Hearing the voice, Kouichirou snapped back to reality, saying to the waiter at the sliding door, "Just get me a glass of water."
"Get it yourself. I've got business."
"Okay, sure… Wait, what?!" Halfway through his words, Kouichirou's jaw dropped.
This waiter was way too bold!
Telling a guest to fetch their own water!?
"What's with the 'what.' Even if I call you Hiro-nii, I'm not your tea-serving subordinate."
The haughty waiter approached, patted his shoulder with a smile, glanced around briefly, then walked toward the terrace, lost in thought.
"That troublesome woman's probably outside, right?"
"You mean Haruno-san? She's out there… Wait, hold on!"
As if a disconnected reality suddenly clicked, Kouichirou jolted, rubbing his eyes hard, staring at a face he'd seen once before, one that shouldn't be here.
"You, you… Yuu? You're Yuu!?"
"That's me. Questions later, I've got business now."
Without turning, the guy waved casually, striding toward the terrace and silently opening the floor-to-ceiling window.
"Ah, this…"
Kouichirou stared at his back, eyes wide, mouth slightly agape, his face filled with shock as if he'd seen an alien.
(Why is this guy here…)
(How did he get past the entry checks and come upstairs to find them without issue…)
(And why did I just assume he was a waiter, completely ignoring his clothes and appearance…)
Questions flooded Kouichirou's mind.
The next second, his eyes suddenly lit up, a surge of inexplicable joy rising within.
"Then there's only one answer—"
"Tenkuji Yuu, you're really a Stand user!"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Sunlight bathed the terrace corridor.
Haruno leaned against the railing, gazing at the lush summer scenery below, blending with the clear blue lake.
"So boring."
Criticizing mercilessly, she closed her eyes, resting briefly in the cool breeze, then pulled out her phone.
Only at times like this would a faint, warm smile appear on her usually expressionless face.
The screen lit up, showing their chat from the top.
Haruno: {Woke up thinking of you. Aren't you touched?}
Haruno read it aloud, then lowered her tone, mimicking a man's voice.
"More than touched, I can barely see my screen."
Then, switching to a sweet, cute girl's voice: "Waa~ You're so touched, it's making me super touched too~"
Then a cold, ruthless sigh: "Enough, stop beating around the bush. Did you message me this early just to say that?"
Haruno deliberately puffed her cheeks, snorting twice: "Can't I? I've paid for all your time; it's my right!"
The young man sighed in resignation: "Whatever. I'm gonna shower first, we'll talk later."
Pausing, the woman's lazy voice sounded: "Yuu-chan~ I'm so bored~"
The young man, confused: "What now?"
Haruno complained: "Today's a social event, whole family's going. Parents are there, Yukino-chan's not, and the targets are a sour-faced middle-aged woman, a seemingly honest middle-aged man, plus a dumb guy my age. Absolute hell!"
The young man laughed heartily, teasing: "Is this what you called 'adult choices' before?"
The woman stretched her voice, displeased: "Hah?! I went out of my way to sneakily text you, and you mock me? Is this what a rental boyfriend does? So funny."
The young man groaned "Hm" as if annoyed: "Even if you say that… Besides fake comforting, I can't do much."
"Then I order you as your lover: cross 131 kilometers right now and come meet me!"
She snapped at her phone, but the next second, Haruno gave a resigned smile.
"Just kidding~ Let's meet next week, give me a sincere hug and kiss!"
Thus, her solo drama ended.
She put down her phone, her arms dangling limply at her sides.
Reading messages while acting out both roles was childish and pathetic—but it made her feel like he was right there.
"Even I, relying on someone, become this weak… How embarrassing."
Outside, the weather was clear, the mountain scenery beautiful, unfolding before her like a painting or poem.
Haruno chose to close her eyes, as if shedding all disguises, a faint bitter smile on her lips, sighing as if scolding herself.
Lost in the darkness, her phone suddenly vibrated.
She opened her eyes instantly, lit the screen, and saw it was indeed his reply, nearly two hours later.
Yuu: {Don't make such random demands… If you really want me to come, at least give me the address.}
Lifting her full lips, Haruno couldn't help but smile happily.
Haruno: {I said it was a joke. Even if I gave you the address, you couldn't get in here to meet me.}
Yuu: {Who says?}
Haruno: {Yo~ All-capable Yuu-chan, could you even sneak into a tightly secured resort like this?}
Yuu: {Idiot, look behind you.}
Seeing this message, Haruno froze, her eyes blinking twice.
She stood still for a long moment before slowly turning, biting her lip, her gaze a mix of disbelief and hopeful sparkles.
He leaned near the floor-to-ceiling window, waving his phone showing their chat, a faint resigned smile on his face.
"Your boyfriend, here to meet you."
"…That was fast. Looks like I can't help but give a five-star rating this time."
"Customer, good ratings only come after the rental."
"Alright, then I'll think about it… Hm, how about a deep kiss as a reward?"
"Wow, I'm thrilled~"
He rolled his eyes in mock boredom, but seeing her expression, he couldn't help but smile happily, just like Haruno moments ago.
Unconsciously, Haruno narrowed her eyes.
She suddenly recalled a line, unsure if some great person had written it—
And with that thought, Haruno stepped forward irresistibly, gently embracing him.