Chapter 26: A Day I Wish I Could Skip

A week passed. I was cleaning the house with Yui when the doorbell rang. Yui immediately opened the door, and she froze.

"M-Mika-san?" Yui stammered. "Why are you here?"

Mika smiled warmly, wearing a stylish model outfit and dark sunglasses. "Hello, Yui-chan. Is your brother here?"

I had just finished cleaning the bathroom when I saw Mika. She waved at me. "Hi, Akira-kun!"

For some reason, I had a bad feeling. The three of us sat down in the living room.

"Actually, there's something I want to ask of you, Akira-kun," Mika said, her voice a little shy. She clasped her hands in her lap.

"What is it, Mika-chan? Just tell me," Yui urged, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Mika took a deep breath. "I need your help, would you be my fiancé?"

"N-no way!" Yui shrieked in shock. "My brother is getting proposed to so soon by Mika-san?!"

"Hey, are you serious?!" I tensed up. "I'm not even ready for something like that!"

"Don't worry, you just have to pretend," Mika said. "And dye your hair. Tomorrow, come to this salon. We'll meet there." She then stood up and said goodbye.

"Yes! My brother is going on a date!" Yui cheered. I could only accept my fate. I just hoped that tomorrow would be over quickly.

The next morning, I arrived at the salon Mika had mentioned. A man in a neat suit greeted me.

"Akira-kun, come here!" he said. "Let me introduce myself, I'm Mika's new manager, Kagami. She asked me to give you a makeover."

After a few hours, my appearance had changed completely. My hair was dyed jet black, and I was wearing a stylish suit. When I stepped out of the salon, everyone stared at me.

"Could there be a famous artist here?" "Is he a new model? He's so handsome and cute with those glasses." "He looks just like a K-drama actor I watch!"

Kagami immediately pulled me into the car. "That's part of the plan," he said.

"What do you mean, part of the plan, Kagami-san?" I asked.

Kagami drove the car. "Actually, Mika is being forced into an arranged marriage with an official's son. Her father agrees, but her mother doesn't. Her father made the decision too quickly. That's why Mika-san came to your house. Only you can stop this engagement, Mr. Akira."

I was silent, resigned. I just wanted this day to be over.

We arrived at a beautiful traditional Japanese house. A servant asked us to wear slippers. I realized that the man who was supposed to propose to Mika had already arrived. Suddenly, my stomach began to ache.

"Um, Kagami-san, I'm feeling sick," I said, holding my stomach. "Can I use the restroom for a moment?"

Kagami pointed to the restroom. Inside, I overheard a conversation from the next room.

"Don't worry, Father," a voice said. "If Mika falls into my hands, you won't regret it. She will be the key to our votes in the election."

I clenched my fists. This guy was just using Mika's popularity and would consider her useless after they were married. I had felt this way in the past. I punched the wall hard, cracking it.

After leaving the restroom, I came out with a face full of rage. Kagami, seeing me, looked a little scared. He knew I understood the situation.

"Kagami-san, show me the room where we're meeting Mika," I demanded, my voice filled with emotion.

Kagami thought I was going to refuse the engagement. He tried to hold me back. "I know you're upset, but this isn't the right time, Akira-kun."

But I ignored him. I forced the door open. Inside, Mika was beautifully dressed. In front of her, her imposing father with white hair, Shonozuke Tanaka, stood proudly. Next to him, her mother, Koyomi Tanaka, smiled as she saw me.

"Hmph! Young man," Shonozuke said, his voice booming. "You're very brave to just walk in like that."

"Mr. Shonozuke-san," I said, my emotions overflowing. "I, Akira, want you to cancel this engagement."

My statement shocked everyone.

"Hey, kid, what do you mean?" one of the guests shouted.

I glared at him. "YOU, OVER THERE, SHUT UP!" My glare was so intense that the guests were terrified.

"Akira-kun?" Mika looked at me, her eyes filled with tears.

"Mika is just being used as a political tool! And I will not let her suffer for the ambitions of others! What kind of husband would let his wife suffer?!"

Mika's mother smiled in satisfaction. "Hoo, so that's it," she said.

"Sir, I beg you," I said again. "Cancel this engagement, or your daughter will suffer for the rest of her life! What kind of father would let his daughter suffer?!"

Shonozuke looked at me. "Boy, what's your name?" he asked, his heart beginning to soften.

"My name is Akira Motoyashu, and I came here to propose to your daughter!"

Everyone was stunned. The official's son was shocked. Mika looked at me with teary eyes. "Akira-kun... you don't have to go this far to defend me," she said, blushing.

Shonozuke laughed heartily. "Motoyashu, huh? I knew you looked like your grandfather and father!" he said. "Kurogame Motoyashu, it's true that your grandson is just like you said!"

"You know my grandfather?" I asked, curious.

"Of course! He's really..." Shonozuke laughed again. He then asked for the engagement ceremony to continue, which confused me. I signaled Kagami to get the car ready.

"Boy, you should have proposed to my daughter sooner!" Shonozuke laughed.

Suddenly, I grabbed Mika's hand, and we both ran like a bride and groom. "Wait, Akira-kun!" Mika exclaimed.

I looked back, giving her a sweet smile. Mika smiled, and she understood. We both got into the car. We managed to escape from the guards who were chasing us.

"So, what's your plan, Mr. Akira?" Kagami asked as he drove.

"I don't know," I replied, exhausted. "It's better if we go to my apartment now."

Mika sat next to me, still blushing. When we arrived, Yui was waiting. She was surprised to see Mika. "Is she going to stay over?" Yui asked.

Mika smiled. "Yes, I'll be staying here for a while."

Elsewhere, the official's son was furious with his father. However, Shonozuke just smiled. He had deliberately let me take his daughter. He just wanted to see how far my sacrifice for her would go.