"There's a limit to what a person can do alone, right? No matter how talented you are, if your hands are full with other things you can't get started. That's why you need a capable and reliable 'collaborator'... Entrust the things you want to do to someone you can trust. How wonderful it would be if you could do that."
Setsuki spoke calmly.
His face is not expressionless. There is a small smile on his face. However, it would be more appropriate to describe it as "pasted" rather than smiling.
This person's emotions are impossible to read because he is wearing a mask of a smile.
I don't understand the feelings that Setsu-san has.
So unfortunately I couldn't empathize.
"Yohei, do you know why wealthy people like us go on arranged marriage meetings?"
"...To meet someone?"
"I'm actually relieved by that mundane answer. Ufufu."
Hmm. I can't help but feel like I'm being made fun of.
I was bothered by the way he was laughing at me, but I guess it can't be helped since my answer was so ordinary. I said nothing and continued listening to Setsu-san's story.
"We create a 'bond' so that they won't betray each other. We purposely match people in similar positions together in order to form a 'contract' that guarantees they will cooperate and not betray each other."
"That's also... a very old-fashioned story, I think."
"That's true. Arranged marriages are a complete anachronism in today's world where free love is the norm. But it's precisely because it's been around for so long that it's so effective. Don't you think it's wonderful that you can leave behind descendants and find a partner you don't have to worry about being betrayed?"
"I'm sorry. I don't think it's a very nice story."
Where is my will?
It never seemed like a good story, especially since the most important thing was being ignored.
"Yes, I suppose so. I was sure Youhei would deny it... Hehe. I guess I'm getting off topic. You're such a good listener that I can't help but want to lecture you on unnecessary things. I'll wrap things up properly, so please wait a little longer, okay?"
That's good. I was beginning to lose track of where the conversation was going, so I was thinking of asking again. If that's the case, I'll just stay quiet and listen a little longer.
So what exactly is Segetsu trying to assert?
"In other words, I wanted a talented person who would be loved by others. If I could find a child with the 'virtue' that my husband and I lack, I would be able to gather many excellent collaborators... If that child were to be 'proposed marriage' with my daughter, I would no longer have to worry about being betrayed. Perhaps I could obtain a child with such 'virtue' that the Princess would become attached to her -- that's what I hoped for."
...Oh, that was scarier than I thought.
In other words, if I was a great person with great virtues as Saitsuki-san expected, then this person was trying to drag me into their family by using her daughter's marriage proposal.
"Well, I think that's a bit much... It's not good to ignore Hime and Hijiri's feelings."
"I know. So, even though I was disappointed, I was relieved. You were a disappointment to me, so I won't have to resort to such drastic measures."
I see. So that's where the story ended.
Setsu was disappointed in me. Thanks to that, Setsu didn't have to use his daughter - or so I thought.
"I tried negotiating with you at first, but you are definitely an 'average person'. I'm confident in my ability to judge people… but the truth is, you don't have any outstanding talents. You're just an ordinary person like any other, with nothing."
I know that without being told.
I'm an ordinary person. I don't dislike that. In fact, I kind of like that about myself.
You may not have any special features, but you also have no flaws. That's fine, so there's no need to be ashamed.
"No... I'll correct that and say he doesn't have anything. Youhei is a kid who has 'nothing'."
"...I mean, I don't have anything, so the meaning doesn't change, right?"
"It will change. It will be a big difference... It's precisely because he has nothing that Hime has become so attached to him. I think that's really wonderful."
After listening to him, I realized that Setsuki-san highly valued me.
Although she describes me as an ordinary person, she doesn't seem to belittle me at all.
That's why, even when Segura-san says all sorts of things to me, I don't end up feeling so inferior.