The Start of a Friendship!

“ What do you say, Sakamoto-San? Will you accept my terms or not?”

…

Josiane wanted to get answers to her questions, but the twenty-four hours requested from Ryuji was kind of suspicious for her. What would he ask her as a request? Numerous requests popped through her head, but none were entirely exact.

“ If you refuse to accept my terms, you won’t get to know why I’m acting this way. It’s up to you!”

…

“ I accept your terms and conditions, Fujimiya. I don’t have a choice if I want to get answers to my questions, right?”

…

“ Now that we’ve come to an agreement, I’m ready to answer all questions you might have for me.”

…

“ First question: Why have you acted as if nothing happened earlier?”

“ That’s because nothing major happened. You were speaking your mind to the girls, and although I was hurt, those were your true feelings, so I didn’t give it any thought.”

“ Next question: Why is it so essential for you to earn my forgiveness?”

“ Because I’ve hurt your feelings and I want to make up for it by earning your forgiveness. There are no ill intentions behind my actions.”

“ Last question:“ The reason you want to get close to me, is it just to be forgiven, or, is there another hidden motive?”

“ In the beginning, it was just to earn your forgiveness, but as days went on, I became curious, and I wanted to learn more and more about you. In short, I simply want to be your friend, a friendship I’ve rejected due to my misunderstanding.”

…

(He was honest with me, so I shall listen to his request now, right?)

“ You asked for twenty-four hours of my time, didn’t you? What do you want from me?”

(What kind of request is he going to pop up?)

“ I want nothing much from you, Sakamoto-San! I’m just asking that you spend a day with me, that’s all, in which I’ll be showing you the true Ryuji Fujimiya. That’s all I want from you, and nothing more than that.”

(What does he mean by“ Show me the true Ryuji Fujimiya? I’m confused.)

“ Will you give me that chance, Sakamoto-San?”

“ I already promised you, so I shall not refuse you.”

“ Thank you!”

Ryuji grinned at me joyfully as I finally accepted his request. I think the meaning of his words started to make sense to me in a way, although I was still very confused nonetheless.

“ Are you free on Saturday?”

“ Yes! I don’t have any plans on Saturday.”

“ Good, then I shall pick you up on Saturday. What’s your home address?”

Ryuji asked for my home address, which I gave him without a fuss. I was in a daze from all that had just taken place. When Ryuji left, I was still there, unable to budge a muscle.

As the day came to an end, I met up with my friends and told them everything that had happened. They were just as confused as I. They went as far as to think that Ryuji was up to something to win me over. As for me, my opinions were pretty much vague on the topic as I didn’t know what to think.

“ You seem happy, Ryuji. Did something good happen?”

Anthony was very curious as to his friend’s joyful grin, to which he told him all he’d been keeping from him for the past days.

“ Do you seriously want to be friends with her?”

“ Of course! Why would I say so otherwise?”

…

“ What is it, Anthony? Are you unsupportive of my decision?”

“ Not at all! I’m 100% together with you on this. It’s just that with your sudden enthusiasm, you haven’t thought of Sasaki. What will she think when she’ll get to know that you’re getting close to another girl?”

“ I don’t care about that, Anthony. Just for a day, I think I have the right to be my true self. I deserve that at least, don’t you think?”

…

“ If it’s that hard, why do you keep torturing yourself? Why don’t you face your father head-on?”

“ You know the answer to that, Anthony. Let’s go home!”

At the Fujimiya Estate, Ryuji thanked Thomas Albertini for his suggestive advice. Seeing him this happy, Thomas was also happy that his advice had helped him in solving his issues.

“ Where will you be bringing her on Saturday?”

…

“ Don’t tell me you haven’t thought of anything, young master?”

“ That’s—----------------------”

“ Don’t you worry about anything, young master! I shall give you ideas on what to do on that day.”

“ Thanks, Albertini-San! What would I do without you?”

Things were looking well for Ryuji, who was planning everything for his special day with Josiane until—------------------------------

“ Good evening, Sir!”

Sasaki promptly showed up on Friday night, putting Ryuji in a difficult spot.

“ Hello there, Sasaki!”

“ Is Ryuji in his room?”

“ Yes!”

“ Is it okay if I go see him?”

“ Why do you even ask? Is he not your fiancé?”

“ Yes, he is! Then, I shall go see him.”

(What is Sasaki-San doing here? I hope she won’t ruin things for the young master.)

Sasaki reached Ryuji’s room and knocked on the door. At the time, Ryuji was looking at places to take Josiane on their special day. Thinking it might be his father knocking, he put his laptop away.

“ Enter!”

“ Ryuji, I’ve missed you.”

(Sasaki? What does she want? Why is she here?)

“ What brings you here so late at night, Sasaki? Is there something you need?”

“ That’s so mean! Aren’t you pleased to see me?”

…

“ Why wouldn’t I be? I’m just surprised that you would come to visit so late at night?”

…

“ Is that all there is?”

Sasaki was doubtful of Ryuji’s answer. She’s been noticing changes in her fiancé that were seriously starting to worry her.

“ Why would I lie to you?”

“ You’ve been acting very differently since the last few days. Is there something I did wrong? Why are you acting so coldly towards me?”

…

“ You’ve got it all wrong, Sasaki! I’ve been very preoccupied lately and might have acted oddly because of it, but it’s nothing you should be concerned about.”

“ Okay!”

“ You might have come here for a reason, haven’t you? What is it?”

“ Are you doing something particular on Saturday?”

…

“ On Saturday! Why do you ask?”

“ If you’re not doing anything in particular on Saturday, could we spend the day together?”

…

Ryuji was lost for words as to what to answer his fiancé. He was facing a dilemma at that very moment. He couldn’t annul his plans with Josiane nor could he reject Sasaki. What’s the best solution?

As he was looking for a solution, his savior appeared before him, and he couldn’t be more grateful for his sudden appearance.

“ I’m afraid the young master might not be able to join you on Saturday.”

?

“ Albertini-San?”