P
---
# **Chapter 2 – Three Days to Decide
I thought I had experienced pressure before.
Exams.
Kendo matches.
Expectations.
But none of that came even close to what I felt sitting in that living room.
The air was heavy.
Oppressive.
As if the walls themselves were listening.
Aoi Kanzaki sat across from me, her back straight, her jaw clenched so tightly I could see the tension in her neck. Her parents were beside her, calm, composed—too calm. My own parents sat opposite them, hands folded, faces relaxed.
Too relaxed.
"No."
My voice echoed louder than I intended.
"I refuse," I said again, slower this time. "I'm not marrying her."
Aoi stood up instantly. "Good. Because I refuse too. This is ridiculous."
For a brief moment, I felt something close to relief.
At least on this, we agreed.
"I don't care about promises made years ago," she continued sharply. "You can't decide our lives without asking us."
I nodded. "Exactly. This isn't the feudal era."
Silence followed.
Then—
My mother smiled.
Not the warm smile she used when serving dinner.
Not the gentle smile she showed guests.
This one was… thin.
Calculated.
My father adjusted his glasses, the corner of his lips lifting slightly.
Aoi's parents mirrored the expression.
Four adults.
Four identical smiles.
Cold.
My stomach tightened.
"Young people," Aoi's mother said softly, "always think refusal is an option."
Something about the way she said it sent a chill down my spine.
Aoi frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"
My father leaned forward. "It means you're mistaken if you believe this discussion is equal."
I felt my heartbeat quicken. "What?"
My mother clasped her hands together. "Saito, you know how important the Minagawa Group is."
I froze.
The **Minagawa Group** wasn't just a company.
It was a monster.
A multinational conglomerate built by my grandfather from nothing. Logistics, construction, technology, finance—there wasn't a single industry we didn't touch. Tens of thousands of employees. Contracts with the government. Influence that extended far beyond business.
I had grown up watching board meetings from behind glass walls.
Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of standing at the head of that table.
Becoming its leader wasn't just ambition.
It was my purpose.
"You are the only son," my father continued calmly. "The future chairman."
My chest tightened.
"Or rather," he added, "you *were*."
The word hit me like a punch.
"…What?"
My mother's smile widened just a little. "If you refuse this marriage, you will no longer be the heir."
The room spun.
For a second, I genuinely thought I might pass out.
"You can't be serious," I whispered.
My father's gaze was unwavering. "Very serious."
My fingers trembled.
Everything—
All the nights studying economics instead of sleeping.
All the years learning negotiation, management, responsibility.
All of it—
"Gone," my mother said softly, "if you disobey."
I felt the blood drain from my face.
Aoi looked at me sharply, clearly startled by my reaction.
"Saito…?"
I couldn't answer.
My dream—the one thing I had never doubted—was being held hostage.
"You're blackmailing me," I said hoarsely.
My father chuckled. "We're guiding you."
I clenched my fists.
Across the room, Aoi scoffed. "So that's how it is."
Her parents turned toward her.
They leaned in.
And whispered.
I couldn't hear what they said.
But I didn't need to.
Because Aoi's reaction was immediate.
Her face went pale.
Not anger.
Not defiance.
Fear.
She stiffened, her hands slowly curling into fists at her sides. Her lips parted as if to speak—
Then closed.
She sat back down without a word.
That scared me more than anything else.
"Aoi?" I asked.
She didn't look at me.
Didn't look at anyone.
Her parents straightened, satisfied.
My mother stood. "You both have three days."
"Three days?" I echoed.
"To think," my father said. "To decide."
Aoi finally spoke, her voice flat. "And if we still refuse?"
The adults smiled again.
The same terrible smile.
"Then you'll live with the consequences."
Silence swallowed the room.
Three days.
That was all we had.
And somehow, I knew—
Those three days would destroy everything.
---