Romantic Troubles of Duanmu-kun

Episode 33: A Stormy Entrance (Part 2)

For a moment, everyone stood speechless. Even the normally composed Class Rep could only stare blankly at the intimately entwined “couple” before them.

…

There had always been a subtle disconnect between one’s actual age and how society viewed them in youth. At thirteen or fourteen, society still considered one a “child.” Yet just a year or two later, they entered that nebulous phase of “adolescence.”

The same gap existed here – though Miyagi-san was barely five years older than the high school students present, an insurmountable divide stretched between “teenagers” and “adults.”

…Of course, the mature, alluring aura radiating from Miyagi Aki likely played the key role. While comparing women’s appearances proved impossible, she existed in an entirely different realm.

To the male students present, this woman’s first appearance was like witnessing a queen among handmaidens when compared to their female classmates.

…Only Ogiwara-san remained unaffected, maintaining her cold, detached observation.

Then, speaking at a distance where others couldn’t hear—

“Boys always love this kind of scene, don’t they? Are you feeling better now?”

He couldn’t argue with that.

“…You’re holding me too tight.”

The novelist shifted uncomfortably.

“Fufu~”

Miyagi-san only tightened her embrace, brushing her nose against his neck.

“I’m completely different from usual, aren’t I? Is your heart racing?”

…About that.

Even he had to admit his surprise. Though her outfit hadn’t changed much, could a simple shift in attitude create such a dramatic transformation?

“Actually, this is probably closer to my true self… Does it make you want to be stepped on by my high heels?”

“Absolutely not, sorry to disappoint.”

He adjusted his posture, trying to create some space.

“Why are you here, Miyagi-san?”

“Hmm… Because I wanted to see you. Is that not reason enough?”

Such directness!

His face burned red. How mortifying. He did his best to ignore it.

“And what’s with the ‘honey’ thing?”

“Oh, I just thought it suited me.”

Did it?

Perhaps it did.

Thinking in terms of “character attributes”—if Ogiwara-san could hear his thoughts, she would have probably sneered, “A shut-in applying otaku manga and novel references… how disgusting.”

“If you don’t like it, you can pick three from these options: ‘darling,’ ‘puppy,’ ‘horny boar,’ or ‘masochist slave.'”

“Why do three out of four make me sound like a pervert?”

The girl pressed against him laughed merrily.

“Oh right! I heard your whole conversation earlier. So that’s how Landlord-san sees me… Thank you, I’m flattered.”

“…”

“Are you blushing?”

“Y-you can see that perfectly well yourself.”

“~~”

She hummed indistinctly.

As if cooing “how cute, how cute,” she tightened her embrace and nuzzled him repeatedly.

To observers, they probably appeared to be exchanging sweet nothings.

“Well then, everyone.”

Miyagi-san finally turned back to the others, maintaining her smile and dismissive air.

“I’ll be borrowing my honey for a while. That won’t be a problem, will it?”

“Ah… yes.”

“Y-yes, of course.”

Someone nodded frantically.

“One more thing.”

Miyagi Aki cast a meaningful glance toward the servers in the entrance hall and security personnel outside.

“While it’s none of my business, you are guests of the Niwa family… Do mind your behavior.”

…

Still gripping his arm, she half-dragged him back to the main hall.

“The party over there just ended, so I came straight here. I have something to tell you.”

Miyagi-san’s expression grew serious.

He sensed trouble brewing.

“What I mean is… if you plan to do those things with other girls, remember protection. It would be troublesome if something happened to Landlord-san’s body.”

“…Haven’t you said this before?”

“Oh, you remember! Well then, let’s discuss something else.”

She leaned close to whisper in his ear.

—”There’s the scent of a genuine pervert right here.”

*

While Miyagi Aki and the novelist talked, Niwa Takahito, who had been absent earlier, returned. He strode briskly toward two figures surrounded by security and what appeared to be secretaries.

One was a slim man in evening dress, roughly forty to fifty years old—a mild-mannered middle-aged man with a neat beard.

Beside him stood an elderly man in a flowing kimono and wooden geta sandals, leaning on a cane. His hair and beard were pure white, and though age had carved deep lines in his face, his eyes remained sharp beneath the wrinkles.

The old man carried himself with a lion’s natural authority, drawing all others into his orbit. Whether guest or servant, every gaze that fell upon him held reverence.

“Good evening, Grandfather, Father.”

“Ah, Takahito, you’re here…”

The middle-aged man smiled, about to speak when the elderly man cut him off.

“Takahito, have you finished gathering everyone needed for your announcement?”

“Y-yes.”

Niwa Takahito bowed deeply.

Even sharing blood, he couldn’t suppress his fear. Since childhood, his grandfather had always inspired this terror.

“Very good.”

The old man nodded, satisfied.

“Then we’ll begin now. I must return to headquarters before nine. You and the young people can enjoy yourselves tonight. The annex is available as well.”

“Yes.”

Watching his father and grandfather walk toward the third floor, the young man released a quiet sigh of relief.

…

Not far away, hidden in shadow, a certain couple observed this family exchange.

“That old man is…”

Miyagi-san nodded.

“Niwa Daizou. The man who built the Niwa family from nothing, still considered the pillar and leader of Niwa Industries.”