Chapter 102

Iris’ Past (10) - Beginning of the End
"You are okay with it?!"

"I don't particularly mind."

Iris's response to Takuto's words was curt, but her cheeks had turned slightly red as she looked away. Next to her, Carls was grinding his teeth at his daughter's unexpected reaction.

Carls hadn't thought that Iris had any interest in Takuto in the first place. To be fair, even Iris herself hadn’t realized it.

That’s why Carls had used Takuto as a provisional fiancé to buy time and negotiate with his homeland to resolve the situation. But in the end, all he did was bring Iris's feelings to the surface. Although, in Iris's mind, it was only to the extent of not hating it. For her still-young heart, the emotions were too intense, and her feelings were being held back.

However, to an outsider, her reaction was obvious.

(What the hell... This means I really did just spark my daughter's love... But I won't let anything happen until she's 20. She's still a child... This must be a temporary thing.)

Carls used these comforting thoughts to calm himself down. After all, this engagement was supposed to be nothing more than a matter of convenience for both the Shishido and Field families.

However, Shizuka and Lim seemed to understand, but Gensai had no intention of letting it end as a mere formality. He couldn’t read Iris's response, but he could sense Takuto’s intentions, and he loved Iris like a granddaughter. Knowing he wouldn’t live much longer, he wanted to give her a little surprise.

If both of them wanted it, Gensai didn't mind the engagement. The only thing he wanted to end was a forced marriage between the families. If they desired it, he thought it best to let them be together quickly as a means of protection.

(I’d like to see my great-grandchildren, too.)

Sitting at the head of the table, Gensai was quietly lost in thought. He understood that his martial arts journey had come to an end, and that his own end was near.

He was diagnosed with a heart condition. At most, he had a few years left. The extreme physical exertion required by the Shishido style was no longer something his body could endure. Treatment was almost impossible. Perhaps Iris or Shizuka could do something over time, but…

(There’s no need for the young to waste their time on an old man. This is likely my fate. If my days continue like this, I have no regrets.)

"It's been decided, hasn't it?"

Mai had heard from Takuto about his engagement with Iris. She had already been rejected once. Rather, she was surprised they could even stay friends.

She never expected it to be decided so quickly, but she knew about Takuto’s family background—it was a family where a lover equaled a marriage partner.

"I knew it wouldn't work. After all, I can't compete."

This was what she felt when she first saw Iris. Although her expression was lacking, she was as lovely as a doll. She could easily pass as a noblewoman from the Middle Ages.

And on top of that, Iris herself was a wealthy heiress and a globally recognized genius in her field. Although currently, she was said to be living for her hobbies. Iris had built a computer room in her family's basement, made world-renowned inventions there, and even launched satellites. They just didn’t know about the shed she built for Momo.

Indeed, she hadn’t done anything publicly.

Mai curled up on her bed and cried a little. She had known it was impossible when she was rejected, and being angry at Iris wouldn’t make any sense. Mai thought of Iris as a friend and had treated her like a younger sister she couldn’t take her eyes off.

"I mean, what kind of life leads someone to become such a hopeless person? At least, she could’ve been a bit cuter."

She flicked her finger against Iris’s forehead in the photo of Takuto, Kazuhito, Mai, and Iris placed beside the bed. She remembered it was taken when they went to the amusement park.

Iris’s outfit back then was cute. However, Lim had spent two hours deciding on it. If you took your eyes off her, she'd immediately wander off somewhere. If something caught her interest, she'd have a serious look on her face, lost in thought, and wouldn’t return to reality. She even taught Momo a few acrobatic tricks. Sometimes, Momo looked like a butler. (According to Momo, he considered himself more of a knight or guardian.)

"It’s fine. I knew this from the beginning... In a little while, things will go back to how they always were. So, just for a bit..."

Maybe for a week or two, she’d be too down to look at Iris’s face. But she would bounce back. It wasn’t like they dated and then broke up! That’s what Mai told herself to think. She also admitted that life had been fun since Iris came along. As time passed, she believed things would return to the happy times with everyone like before... But that day never came.

The engagement between Iris and Takuto caused quite a stir in the Shishido family. To them, Iris's family was nouveau riche. Many opposed the engagement of Takuto, the next head of the Shishido family, who held significant influence in town, to Iris. However, Gensai’s influence was overwhelming, and with Takuto’s parents also in support, they couldn’t openly oppose it.

Moreover, Iris herself was a famous person. Her parents were also renowned intellectuals known in their academic circles. This left the opposition with no choice but to fall silent. Gensai was not one to miss taking advantage of this situation. He swiftly convinced the opposition and managed to get their temporary approval. It was still a precarious situation, but it was a matter of time before things would be settled.

Once it became known how close Takuto and Iris were, those who wanted to force an unwanted engagement would also be silenced. It might have been an old-fashioned matter, but ultimately, they only wanted to use the Shishido family’s money and local fame. If they provoked Takuto's anger, they would understand that their future could be jeopardized.

"So, Iris, I've taken a vacation. Where would you like to go for your birthday?"

It was three days before Iris’s 12th birthday. Carls had taken about a week off from the next day. Those who would be greatly troubled if Carls took a week off were clinging to him, half in tears, but Carls didn’t budge at all. He had already made it clear that he would definitely take time off on such occasions. There was no room for compromise.

"… You and Mom should go on a trip. You always sacrifice your time together for me."

"!!"

Carls's eyes widened, and after a moment, he hugged Iris tightly.

He never expected his daughter to be worried about them... Let alone suggest they use her once-a-year birthday for their sake.

Indeed, Carls and Shizuka never went on trips. When they lived in America, they were both devoted to their work. They hadn’t even gone on a honeymoon.

"Then, take me to the amusement park afterward."

"Oh..."

However, Iris was saying she wanted to join them too.

She demanded a tight schedule—spend three or four days traveling as a couple, then take her to the amusement park afterward.

Carls couldn’t help but smile wryly, but he couldn’t waste his daughter’s thoughtful gesture. Thinking that this was fine, he discussed it with Shizuka, and they decided to use the Shishido family’s connections to go to a hot spring.

Takuto's parents also decided to go to the same inn, so Iris was left in the care of the Shishido family.

She genuinely wanted them to enjoy their time as a couple. Also, Lim would be driving instead of Carls.

"Why me?! I have to pick out young lady’s clothes—"

"You can take a little break too. We'll leave Iris in the care of the staff. Let’s enjoy ourselves together... Besides, I don’t want to ride in a vehicle driven by Carls. It’s like having a grim reaper sitting next to you."

"……"

"I haven't done anything wrong!!"

Carls's sorrowful shout was ignored. Takuto’s parents also knew about Carls’s bad luck. He mustn’t drive. Of course, as long as he didn’t drive, nothing notable happened.

Rooms were booked for Iris’s parents, Takuto’s parents, and Lim, and they all headed there by car.

Iris watched the car until it was out of sight… until it turned several kilometers away, then she went back inside the Shishido family house.

The maids of the Shishido family got along with her fairly well, and Gensai kept any unpleasant people from getting close. Although she felt a little lonely, in a few days, they’d all be going to the amusement park. Iris swung her legs as she sat on the veranda, waiting for her parents to come back, feeling glad they appreciated her usual gratitude.

Four days passed quickly, filled with learning self-defense at the dojo and watching Takuto’s self-study. Four days are surprisingly short for a child. But her parents didn’t return.

They were supposed to be back around noon. Iris guessed that much from the traffic situation on the roads.

But even when the sun started to set, their car didn’t come back. Naturally, Iris never left the house. She wanted to be the first to greet them when they returned, so she brought out a bench and waited. A maid occasionally brought her drinks, but even as the sun went down, no one returned.

"I-incident!!"

Next to her, Gensai sat leisurely... Iris hadn’t noticed when he arrived. A maid, looking like she was about to cry, rushed over.