To the vast majority of people in the world, the power to choose is a very extravagant thing.
Most people can only go with the flow, muddling through this lifetime.
But the president told her, ("I give you the power to choose.")
He said it so lightly, so effortlessly, as if asking, "How was dinner tonight?" But within his words was clearly hidden a kind of power, like a king whose mouth holds heaven's decree, every word and action was law.
There truly weren't many things in this world that Kaito couldn't handle, and this clearly didn't exclude "protecting his own little secretary."
"I want to stay by the president's side forever."
Twilight crept over the window sill, then over the girl's faintly trembling lashes, lighting up two teardrops that had yet to fall.
When she raised her hand to wipe away her tears, the curve of her lips lifted like the silver edge of a newly-bloomed crescent moon, undoubtedly a suddenly bright smile.
"So, I won't shrink back again."
Togawa Sakiko had finally made up her mind. She would return to the Togawa family.
But it wasn't because she was intimidated by her grandfather's authority and had no choice but to go back, it was purely out of her own will.
Even this return was not because she wanted to become once again that carefree young lady, but to… completely settle things with her grandfather.
The once-soft and tender young lady of the Togawa family was already dead. The her of today was only the little secretary by the president's side, and she only wanted to be a small, unambitious secretary, handling his business, managing the trivial matters. Perhaps in the future, she would even bear and raise children for him.
A writer in Japan once proposed a concept called "small but certain happiness", happiness that is tiny, yet real.
After leaving that grand but rigid manor, the current Sakiko had already found a dreamlike, beautiful "small but certain happiness" that she was unwilling to let go of.
———
Night deepened.
Having resolved one matter of the heart, little secretary Sakiko originally intended to take her leave, rest and recharge, and prepare to face her grandfather.
But before she could speak, the childhood friend who had been silent till now suddenly grabbed her arm and said, with a voice that carried no emotion, "I want to stay with Sakiko a little longer."
Sakiko was stunned for a moment, but as she just opened her mouth, she met Mutsumi's golden eyes, which subtly blinked at her, as if giving a secret signal.
Kaito didn't notice his sister's little movement, or rather, even if he did, he didn't pay it any mind. After all, blinking was such a normal act. People blink, and so did he.
Thus, the prey missed the last chance to avoid the trap.
———
The bright moon hung high, and all was silent.
The light-green-haired girl knocked on the door as usual, and the blue twin-tailed girl shyly followed behind her, keeping her head lowered, not daring to look at him.
"Onii-chan, good evening," Mutsumi said, as naturally as if invited to a dinner party.
Kaito was silent for a while before he nodded, "…Good evening."
He looked at Sakiko's figure. The soft little secretary kept her head lowered, her long blue hair falling down like seaweed, covering her delicate cheeks and her nervous heart.
"I'm really worried about Sakiko," Mutsumi spoke gently, "If she stays beside Onii-chan, she'll feel more at ease."
Her words, at first listen, sounded a bit abrupt, but Kaito easily understood the logic behind them.
What Mutsumi meant to say was: she was worried that Sakiko, because of Togawa Sadaharu's phone call, might get flustered and scared when left alone at home. So she wanted to bring Sakiko over to her side, as that would help her feel safe.
Anyway, this wasn't the first time something like this had happened. It wouldn't be a big deal to agree. But this time, Kaito unusually hesitated.
He remembered that morning that should have been calm and uneventful, when the little secretary, while he was asleep, had done certain… insubordinate, improper things. And he had to pretend as if nothing had happened, silently enduring it, which gave him a headache.
Actually, he didn't dislike the little secretary. Who would truly dislike a beautiful, sensible, diligent, and capable young girl? Especially when she listens to your every word, treats you as her whole world.
He just didn't know how to respond. Though in others' eyes he might barely qualify as a romantic playboy, left and right in his arms and feet in two boats, all of that was passive experience. When it came to love, he was still a green recruit.
Kaito was indeed slow-witted, but slow didn't mean stupid. In this world, the only girl who would want to kiss you besides your mom was someone who liked you. And clearly, Sakiko wasn't his mom.
So, the answer was obvious.
Sakiko liked him. Maybe she'd already liked him secretly for a long time, without him knowing.
But Kaito couldn't respond. Not because he deliberately avoided it, but because the timing when he realized this was too awkward. He couldn't just go up to Sakiko and say "Actually, I was awake the whole time when you secretly kissed me last time." The little secretary might die of embarrassment and want to execute an eighth round of midair flying-Sakiko.
To the students at Shuka Academy, Kaito was always aloof, always indifferent, always keeping others a thousand miles away, a standard iceberg-type male god. But only those close to him knew he wasn't cold at all, not indifferent, definitely not an iceberg. His true nature was a bit protective, a bit of a homebody, maybe even a little naggy?
In truth, he hadn't even figured out how to face Sakiko's feelings, just like he didn't know how to face that kiss from Kita and Nijika. As long as the girls didn't bring it up, he just acted like nothing had ever happened.
In love, he was always so clumsy. Always pushed forward by others, like a frog on a lotus leaf in Lake, bouncing forward only when poked.
It wasn't like Kaito hadn't thought of changing, trying to learn to take initiative, but it really touched on his blind spot.
"Come in," he finally sighed and stepped aside.
Since he didn't know how to face it, he could only let things take their course.
Speaking of which…
Kaito wasn't too sure, but thought, 'Based on Sakiko's personality, last time she already kissed me many times while I wa sleeping. Tonight… she probably won't be that bold again, right?'
———
Sakiko let out a nervous breath.
It was already very late. The bright moon outside filtered through the curtains. The pale glow, like fine snow, faintly lit the figures on the bed.
Mutsumi and the president were both sound asleep.
Her gaze fell on the president's peaceful sleeping face, from his brows and eyes to his Adam's apple, and finally resting on his beautiful lips like pale cherry blossoms, just like before.
Gulp!
In the silence, the girl clearly heard the sound of her own throat swallowing.
[T/N: Here we go again.]
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