I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School! - Chapter 43

43 President VS. Company slave, settled

My name is Tokimune Shijouin.

Once again, I realized that the boy in front of me was a peculiar being.

I asked him if he could be the kind of man who could support the daughter of the Shijouin family. A question that no normal high school student with no accomplishments in life could give a clear answer to.

That’s why I wanted to know how he would answer.

And then he started to talk about his plans. …His plan was so detailed, up to the point that it was overkill, but it was obvious that he was thinking about his future seriously.

(However, deciding on which university to go to already, or even which company to work for, is a bit… scary.)

But, when his plan is this detailed, it is unlikely that his feelings are just “thoughtless” or “a temporary crush”.

“No, I wouldn’t say it was lacking. To be honest, I thought you were more determined for the future rather than just talking with enthusiasm.”

“O-Oh, I see.”

When I replied, Niihama-kun looked a little relieved.

“But you’re pretty obsessed with white companies, aren’t you?”

“That’s… because I know a foolish adult… He worked like a fool without having the courage to quit his job at the black company, made his family sad, and died from overwork. I don’t want to be like that.”

(A man who died after making his family sad… A single parent family… is that what it means?)

So, it’s because of his past that he became a careful planner at his age. I see. Thanks, I’m relieved to know his roots.

“Then… do you mind if I also ask…?”

In the midst of this overbearing atmosphere, Niihama-kun raises his voice while sweat runs down on his cheek.

“Ah, this is a discussion between men, so say what you want. “

“I’ll take your word then,” Niihama-kun said, opening his mouth like a member of society.

“As for Tokimune-san, do you want Haruka-san to be in a position where she can utilize the rights of the company or wield influence in the family? And do you also want the person she goes out with or marries in the future to have a good family background or financial power…?”

That was the same question I had asked the old man of Shijouin’s main family back in the old days.

The old man’s response was, “That’s right, you greenhorn!” So when I got engaged to Akiko, I asked him, “Do you regret it? Do you regret that a greenhorn like me has won your daughter? So my answer was―

“No… she’s not really suited for that kind of thing. If she strongly desires it, I will consider it, but basically, I think she should be allowed to do whatever she wants. And I don’t care about the occupation or family background of the person she marries, as long as that person can make her happy… But!”

Niihama-kun suddenly brightens up at my words, but I restrain him by raising my voice.

“That’s only for those who are suitable in my eyes! I’m not letting any half-hearted man near Haruka!”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

I – Shinichiro Niihama, hear Tokimune-san’s threatening words echoing in my ears.

(Damn, this man has a really strong intimidating atmosphere around him! Well I’m sure everyone would if they have a cute daughter like Shijouin-san.)

But if I don’t get this father, who dotes on his daughter too much, to acknowledge me at least to some extent, this interview most likely won’t end well.

I have to make him acknowledge my feelings.

“This… may come out as a little bit cocky, but shouldn’t Haruka-san be the one to make the decision?”

“What…?”

“She might be naive, but she’s not stupid, and she’s not a child. I think she can judge whether a relationship is good or bad.”

I appealed to Tokimune-san as I got a little accustomed to the overbearing pressure in the room.

“I’m going to confess my feelings to Haruka-san sooner or later, and if she rejects me, …I don’t know how long it will take for me to get over my frustration, but that’s it. I don’t think Tokimune-san should have to go through the trouble of screening me out.”

However, even if she rejects me, I’m going to do whatever it takes to stop her from falling into ruin.

“If Haruka were an ordinary girl, that logic would be correct. But she’s too innocent if not borderline foolish! You say she is not a child, but she still is! That’s why, as a father, I must carefully filter out any man who approaches her!”

In response to my serious words, Tokimune-san’s tone became heated.

And the same goes for me, my words were filled with emotion.

“Aren’t you underestimating… Haruka-san too much? Certainly, I can understand why you would be worried about her overly honest nature, but it’s not too late to confirm her feelings first. Are you going to continue to eliminate all men who approach her with a menacing interview or are you planning to keep Haruka-san single for the rest of her life?”

“Urgh… Saying the same thing as my… wife…!”

Oi! So you’re already told by your wife!

Well, that aside…

“I don’t know if Tokimune-san will recognize me here today, but I’m just going to keep trying. Just like you once did.”

“What…?”

Tokimune-san erased the rage in his emotions and stared at me.

And I meet his gaze head-on, too.

“I saw an interview with Tokimune-san in an old magazine, you became the talk of the town when you joined the Shijouin family.”

After hearing the story of the Shijouin family from Shijouin-san during the cultural festival, I thought that I needed to know more about her father, Tokimune, for future reference, so I went to the library to do some research.

“In that interview, you said, “I was dating Akiko, to begin with, and hastened to expand the company in order to get the hard-headed Shijouin family to approve our marriage.” Although the way it was written at that time, people took it as a joke, but I thought that you really meant what you said.”

“…”

“You worked hard for the person you love and for the sale of your own dreams as well… Perhaps the name of the store, Senshuuraku Bookstore, was named after Akiko-san?”

Tokimune-san remained silent. And just continued to listen to me in silence.

“The same goes for me, I won’t spare any effort for the person I love. I can’t be as successful as you in the business world, but I love… Haruka-san’s happy, hard-working, and angry faces, and I’m confident that no one can match my desire to be next to her.”

The words just come out smoothly without thinking, because they are my true feelings.

“So, at least until… I confess to Haruka-san, please allow me to stay by her side! Please!”

As I sat down, I bowed my head deeply.

Then ― a moment of silence came.

I didn’t say anything else, and Tokimune-san stayed silent as well.

After a while…

“You said something… interesting that caught my attention…”

“Eh…?”

“Haruka’s angry face is it…? Can you explain to me under what circumstances you saw it?”

“Yes…? Well, it’s something that happened during the final exam…”

I briefly told him the story.

About the final exams and how Mitsurugi challenged me to a match.

And as a result, Shijouin-san lost her temper.

“Mitsurugi…? Is he the eldest son of that family? That’s fine. Anyway, so Haruka got mad at that boy for speaking ill of you, didn’t she?”

“Yes, she even said to him, ‘Don’t ever talk to me again! I’m quite surprised too.”

“Well, that Haruka…”

Tokimune-san looked distantly at the family portrait displayed in this room.

I can see the 5-year-old Haruka-san with her fairy-like cuteness.

“In the past, she was often envied by her peers… but even so, she never got angry at others and assumed the blame lied within herself. We tried to rectify that, but it didn’t help much, probably because of her innate personality.”

He sighed and Tokimune-san continued.

“If Haruka became that upset, then… she must have been influenced by you and feels that you’re important to her.”

And then, after a brief moment of silence, he looked straight into my eyes…

Before I knew it, the heavy intimidating atmosphere had vanished.

“I’m going to tell you the conclusion of today’s… interview.”

Heh..? The conclusion?

“I could tell that you were serious, but were a little stiff. It’s hard to evaluate because the conversation about your future plans was so thorough that I was both impressed and dumbstruck at the same time, but I’ll take that as a plus since I was the one who asked for answers beyond the average high school student. And I don’t understand how you were able to withstand my intimidation in the first place. Isn’t your heart too strong?”

“Um, that’s…?”

“It’s a minus that your overall impression is lacking in youth and freshness, but it’s a plus that you were able to express your opinion without being intimidated by me. Also, the fact that you researched my interview and used it as a basis for your final appeal was good. It made me realize once again that the person you are now is the person I used to be.”

Tokimune-san states plainly as if it was just an exam.

“To summarise, we can say that you are not a man that is harmful to my daughter… and that you’re not half-hearted.”

.

…Eh…?

So, that means…

“Ugh… Yeah… that’s it. This is something I originally asked my wife to pass on to you, but I think I should tell you now.”

Tokimune opened his mouth with a sense of reluctance and displeasure.

“That girl, as you said earlier, is naive, for better or worse, and from the perspective of her parents, there may be some danger. So… well, …please continue to support her!”

He said.

It seems it can’t be helped, but he allowed me to get close with Shijouin-san..!

“Yes! Thank you very much!”

“But don’t get me wrong! I only acknowledge you as a friend! I won’t allow you to do anything more than that!”

“Of course I understand! Yoshaaaaaaaaaa!”

“You’re definitely not listening!”

Tokimune-san screamed at me who took a gut pose unintentionally.