CH 42

I was watching Hinako and the others eating with Shizune.

“What do you think, Itsuki-san? How is the dinner scene?”

“Well, ……”

I replied to Shizune-san’s question without moving my gaze.

“I don’t know how to put it, but their manners are very casual. Each and every movement is natural ……, but you can tell that they are paying attention. ……”

“That’s proper etiquette.”

Shizune said.

“It should be natural enough that no one feels intimidated, but stern enough that people know they are being polite. It may seem like a formality, but the sense of cooperation that comes from adhering to a common set of rules builds a stronger relationship of trust.”

“A relationship of trust, huh? ……”

“Manners are often disregarded these days, but there are many situations where they are necessary. It is especially necessary for the upper class. …… Manners are for gaining trust through attitude, not words. It is necessary for those, who are in a position where they cannot express their true feelings.”

This is a difficult topic.

It’s hard for me, as a commoner, to realize some of these things.

“That’s why it would be a great disrespect to violate the rules.”

Shizune-san’s lips tightened as she said this.

I also kept my mouth shut and observed Hinako, Kagen and the others eating.

The dinner seemed to be going well so far.

◆

“Oh, you study when you get home?”

“Yes. Although I don’t study all the time.”

Hinako was chatting with the executives from Sea Japan United as she sliced up some vegetables with a knife.

At first, their gazes were warm and protective towards Hinako, but then they began to show a hint of admiration. Hinako, with her beautiful appearance and perfect manners, was the embodiment of the dignity that befits the name ” The Perfect Miss.”

“She’s a very nice girl. I’d like to trade her for my stupid son.”

The president of Chikamoto Shipbuilding said to Kagen with a laugh.

“You must be joking. Your son also graduated from an excellent university, didn’t he?”

“Education and ability are two different things. He’s not ready yet and I can’t let him take over for the time being.”

The man said regretfully.

The servants of the Konohana family collected the plates from the table and served another round of dishes.

“Oh, no meat, then?”

“Since it’s lunch today, we’ve kept the menu a little light. If it were dinner, I would have made something a little more fancy. ……”

“I’m afraid I have other plans for the evening. I would have preferred to have dinner with you.”

The president and the executives laughed.

Kagen also smiled.

“Hinako-chan, you are a student at your age. You probably wanted to eat something a little more substantial.”

“No, actually, I eat very little, so I’ve had enough.”

With a fake smile on her face, Hinako told him.

Seeing her beautiful and polite behavior, the president of Chikamoto Shipbuilding put his finger on his chin.

“She is as good a girl as they say. I’m sure she’ll have plenty of choices for a husband.”

“It would be a great honor for me as a parent to be able to do so. …… Unfortunately, no such plans have been made yet.”

When Kagen answered, the president rolled his eyes lightly.

“Oh, I see. If it’s Konohana-san’s family, it wouldn’t be surprising if she had a future husband. ……”

“I used to have one, but for various reasons we ended our relationship. I don’t have one now.”

“Oh.”

The president’s eyes narrowed.

“So, …… you haven’t decided where your daughter will marry yet?”

“It will be.”

“Hmm. That’s good to hear.”

“…… Your son has already found a partner, hasn’t he?”

“Yes, he has. But I have an acquaintance who is looking for a marriage proposal.”

Kagen almost smiled for a moment, but quickly held it back.

“May I ask you to elaborate?”

“Yes. My acquaintance is from a family that does a lot of business overseas. The scale of the business is not so bad, but since the family is involved with celebrities, they were hoping for a marriage with someone who could be polite. Well, it was just an idea of mine, but I thought your daughter would be a good match for my acquaintance.”

“…… I see. So, the other party is the son of that acquaintance.”

“That’s right. I believe he is in his early twenties.”

As he gave his response, Kagen thought about the future of the Konohana family.

The president of the shipbuilding company was an acquaintance. The family does a lot of business overseas. So the business must be related to trade. The scale of the business is not very large, but the fact that they are doing business with celebrities suggests that they have a unique market.

“I will consider it.”

“Haha, this is a long shot, isn’t it?”

“No way. I’ll take it seriously.”

With that, Kagen tipped his cup back to his mouth and quenched his thirst.

The plates were taken away and the last menu of the day was placed on the table.

“Here comes the dessert.”

“Oh, baked sweets? It’s not bad to have such an elegant dinner once in a while.”

The president of Chikamoto Shipbuilding said, “Once in a while,” but …… Kagen had already researched the man’s preference for baked sweets. As expected, the president in front of him was in a good mood as he munched on the pastry.

“Do you mind if I tell my acquaintances about what you just said?”

“Yes. I can assure you of my daughter’s ability, if I may say so myself.”

Whether or not my acquaintance’s son was suitable for Hinako was not so important at the moment.

The important thing is to connect with people. Even if the match with the son doesn’t go well, another match might come along, just like this one.

“Hinako, that’s why…”

Just as Kagen turned around, calling out his daughter’s name.

Hinako was just in the middle of picking up a piece of pastry that had fallen on the table with her fingertips.

The participants at the dinner table stiffened with their mouths agape. Hinako, oblivious to the cold atmosphere, quickly put the pieces of pastry in her mouth.

The three second rule.

Right after she was about to speak.

Hinako remembered that Itsuki was not here and that she was in the middle of dinner.

“…… ah.”

A small voice escaped from Hinako’s mouth.

“Hmm.”

The president of Chikamoto Shipbuilding lightly stroked his beard with his hand.

“…… A bit different from the reputation it seems.”