Chapter 1424. Next Mission / The Sense of Normalcy

Grandfather

!!

Matsumoto Maki and Miki are trembling as they saw their grandfather from inside the limousine.

Their faces show fear.

I have some doubts.

Why are they so afraid of their grandfather?

Earlier, the siblings mentioned that they want to reconcile with their grandfather.

How is it possible that theyre so afraid of someone they feel kins.h.i.+p with?

Nii-san forgot about it

Luna replied to my thoughts.

Why?

Nii-san, you were scared of your Father and Mother before, werent you?

My parents?

My blood parents?

They abandoned me, so I abandoned them too.

Recall your childhood, Nii-san

Luna said.

Right

When I was a child, no, even just six months ago.

I was afraid of my parents.

They just took control of me, putting me in that narrow s.p.a.ce in the kitchen.

I never had a conversation with my mother.

My father never complained about mother, and just let me continue the terrible life shes giving me.

I was afraid of my parents when I was young.

I still remember that feeling.

Nii-san, you do remember why you were afraid, right?

Thats

Logic doesnt go through them

I speak out.

I had no idea what they were thinking. I didnt know what they want to do with me, or why they were tormenting me

I get to sleep on the kitchen sofa, have only one box of personal items, and minimum food. It was a big house, but all the rooms except for the kitchen were Mothers rooms, and I wasnt allowed to enter anywhere else.

Why did mother do that to me? Why did Father just let it happen.

And above all that, I was scared because I had no idea what my parents wanted to do with em.

Then, eventually, my parents abandoned me, left that house, and never returned.

Its the same with Matsumoto-san

Luna said.

They dont understand what their grandfather is thinking, thats why theyre afraid

I see.

Miki-san and Maki-san both had talents in music, and they want to continue their studies even after their father had died.

Despite that, Elder Matsumoto wants to stop his granddaughters from studying music.

Talking about going to normal school, sell their late fathers violin, and other high-pressure absurdities.

As I recall, both sisters were even told to become pharmacists in the future and work at the drugstore he owns.

The Matsumoto siblings cant understand their grandfather.

Theyre relatives, so they want to be in good terms, but thats still different. They are afraid of what they dont know

Luna looked at the sisters and said.

So thats how ordinary people feel and think.

Earlier, Minaho-neesan told me to learn how to treat normal people.

Ive been feeling less normal in the past six months.

Both the Black Forest and Kouzuki houses lifestyle has made me a bit numb.

Then

Kurose-san

I look at my recently hired personal bodyguard.

Yes?

Tell me the situation from your point of view

She has sharp senses. She doesnt miss the context.

Im sure that she has much better information a.n.a.lysis than me.

Can you infer what the Elder Matsumoto is thinking?

Kurose Anju;

Hes still half in doubt. Hes doubting if we really do belong in the Kouzuki house

She sees the expression of Elder Matsumoto from few meters away.

Anything else?

If there really was someone from the Kouzuki house, then hes thinking to make the most out of this business opportunity

And the basis for that is?

Elder Matsumotos background as a businessman would hate to miss such an opportunity. I think that he feels strongly that losing this opportunity means defeat

Hes someone who built up a large drugstore chain in his generation, so hes always positive when it comes to business.

He thinks of everything as victory and defeat.

If he can make a connection with the Kouzuki house, then hes already thinking of what kind of new business they can develop

He might also get to know not only the Kouzuki group, but also the Kouzuki house, the family that ties the n.o.ble houses together.

Positive att.i.tude leads to imagination of more possiblities.

For now, hes showing interest on us

Yes, thats for sure

Kurose Anju a.s.serted

Then.

Onii-sama, I think its time for me to appear

Ruriko smiled.

Everyone, line up

Shou-neechan gave instructions from outside.

At the same time, coming from the three convoy cars of Kouzuki SS.

Men in black uniform come out all at once.

Ten men in black suits line up to protect the limo.

!!!

Elder Matsumotos gaze became intense.

This limousine has one-way mirrors, and so

Elder Matsumoto cant see whats inside.

Shou-neechan walks to the limousine in front of the Benz.

Going to Rurikos seat.

Ruriko-sama, this is Matsumoto Hiroki-sama

She bows in front of the windowpane and told Ruriko.

Buoooon.

Ruriko lowers the windowpane.

Then.

Thank you, Seki-san

She gracefully thanked Shou-neechan and looked at elder Matsumoto.

Im Kouzuki Ruriko

She doesnt bow to Elder Matsumoto.

She just names herself.

Whats this?

Elder Matsumotos confused as to why the person from the Kouzuki house in the limo, is a middle school girl.

Hes clearly showing a face that this is contrary to his expectations.

He doesnt feel like he cant open business talks with Ruriko.

Im here as Grandfathers proxy

Ruriko brings the head of the Kouzuki houses name.

Proxy? No, but

Elder Matsumotos confused.

He still thinks that Rurikos no match for him as shes a middle school student.

Its a luxurious limousine, Jii-chans personal bodyguard, Shou-neechan, and ten men in black uniform. Then Kyouko-san, who names herself as an employee of the Kouzuki houses organization.

He knows from experience that this isnt a normal situation.

Today, Ruriko-ojousama wants to talk to Matsumoto-sama about his grandchildren

This time, Kyouko-san, disguised as Chemin Koda, goes to the window next to Ruriko.

Standing on both sides of Ruriko together with Shou-neechan.

My granddaughters? Maki and Miki?

Elder Matsumotos surprised.

Yes, theyre both in the limousine as well

Shou-neechan said with a smile.

Why? How are my granddaughters with Kouzuki house?

Ruriko doesnt respond.

Instead, Chemin Koda speaks.

Your granddaughters sister, Matsumoto Maki-samas attending a music high-school, doesnt she? many of the young ladies attend to such schools

Its different from the usual Kyouko-san, shes explaining with an old lady voice with a slow and calm tone.

One of Maki-samas friend in school talked to Toii-sama from Torii electronics, and then Torii-sama told Kouzuki-sama

Torii electronics?

Following the Kouzuki house, Elder Matsumoto reacts name of the world-cla.s.s electrical equipment manufacturer mentioned.

The wife of the president of Torii electronics is from the Kanou house, a n.o.ble family. They have a close relations.h.i.+p with the Kouzuki house

Chemin Koda explains.

Torii-samas daughter is also in the car

Shou-neechan said.

Its my turn now

Mariko told me and then opened the windowpane.

Then.

Im Torii Mariko

She greets Elder Matsumoto politely.

Mariko doesnt bow either. She just named herself.

T-Then, I-Is Maki and Miki in that car?

Elder Matsumoto asks.

We cant continue our conversation here, we have a room in the hotel so lets move there

Chemin Koda speaks in a low tone.

But

Thats what Kouzuki Ruriko-sama wants

Theres no way the daughter of the Kouzuki house would want to have a discussion in the parking lot.

She needs a proper place to have a discussion

Do you understand?

Behind the dark rimmed gla.s.ses of Chemin Koda is Kyouko-san putting pressure on Elder Matsumoto.

I understand, lets change locations

Thank you

Ruriko-sama, Torii-sama, please come down

Shou-neechan opens the limo.

At the same time, the men in black uniform of Kouzuki SS took formation.

Ruriko and Mariko got off the car gracefully.

Everyone too

Shou-neechan gave us the cue, so we got off too.

Dont worry. Were here with you

I told the Matsumoto siblings.

You dont have to worry

Luna also told the sisters.

Y-Yes

!!

I got off with Kurose Anju following behind me. Luna and Marika, then the Matsumoto siblings, with Igaras.h.i.+ Izumi come off the limousine.

Michi also got off Minaho-neesans Benz and joins us.

Maki! Miki!

Elder Matsumoto saw his granddaughters and spoke.

Hey, youwhy

He tries to approach his granddaughters, but

Okay, thats as far as youll go

Kinosh*ta-san got out of the drivers seat of the limousine and intercepts the approach of Elder Matsumoto with her flail.

Hey! Im their Grandfather, move!

Elder Matsumoto shouts at Kinosh*ta-san, but

Im a bodyguard of the Kouzuki house

Kinosh*ta-san doesnt move.

Meanwhile, the Matsumoto siblings, Ruriko, and I are completely surrounded by the men in uniform.

Now elder Matsumoto cant approach his granddaughters.

Saito-kun and Togusa-kun, stay here. The remaining people will come with us guarding Ruriko-ojousama and everyone

Shou-neechan declares the no-contact form command to the bodyguards.

Matsumoto-sama, your driver will stay. Do you understand?

Shou-neechans a professional bodyguard.

Her strong att.i.tude gives elder Matsumoto no room to complain.

I understand, he will stay

Elder Matsumoto reluctantly accepts.

Then, lets move to he room

Gachari, gachari, gachari.

The flails a heavy metal ball chained to the end of the long handle.

Kinosh*ta-sans weapon is really intimidating at times like this.

Shes between the bodyguards escorting us and elder Matsumoto.

Kinosh*ta-sans walk gets her flail to make sounds.

Elder Matsumoto cant approach us.

Furthermore, to keep elder Matsumoto from running away, Shou-neechan, Chemin Koda, and Minaho-neesan are on his side.

Even when riding the elevator, elder Matsumoto rides a separate one.

Then, we got up to the 23rd floor.

Stand by here, Is.h.i.+-kun

The men in black stands in front of the room.

Shou-neechan opens the door with the key card she received from the hotel employee on the way to the hotel.

Matsumoto-sama, please come in

Umu

Elder Matsumoto got in first, and we followed suit.

Its a Western room with the size of 20 tatami mats.

This looks like a room usually used for rental conference, or small parties.

The desk has a U-shape.

Matsumoto-sama, please sit here

Elder Matsumotos desk only has one chair.

All the remaining chairs are arranged on the other side.

Theres enough distance that Elder Matsumoto and his granddaughters can talk.

Ruriko-sama, and Torii-sama, goes to this seat, the Matsumoto siblings will sit here

Shou-neechan a.s.signs everyone to their seats

Next to the Matsumoto siblings are Marika, Igaras.h.i.+ Izumi, Luna, and then me.

Michi stands next to Ruriko as her guard.

To my side are Kurose Anju and Kinosh*ta-san, and theyre standing.

Shou-neechan, Chemin Koda, and MInaho-neesan are standing in front of us, between elder Matsumoto and his Granddaughters.

The security here is perfect.

However.

After seeing the situation, hes calmed down a bit

Kurose Anju whispers after seeing elder Matsumotos state.

This situation?

An old man versus many.

The situation seems to be at our advantage, but

To him, we look like a bunch of women and children

Luna whispers.

I see.

Since we left the men in black outside

The only person elder Matusmotos dealing with are women, and me.

Even among the adults. Theres one who look old, Kyouko-san as Chemin Koda, then

Minaho-neesan, Shou-neechan, and Kinosh*ta-san are women at their 20s.

Mariko, Marika, and I are at our first-year.

Ruriko and Michi are middle schoolers.

Lunas a grade schooler.

Thats why he thinks he can get the upper hand and get the conversation to his pace.

He looks at us and feel that wa y.

Can we start now?

Elder Matsumoto speaks up.