Chapter 6 | “The Moment of Farewell and the Memory of an Older Sister”
“—I’m back.”
Kaguya-san had driven me to the apartment in a limousine, prioritizing my safety. Or rather, she’d insisted on it, leaving me no choice. Even now, Kanon-san’s overprotective streak hadn’t wavered.
“Welcome back. Are you alright?” Charlotte-san stood at the entrance, her face etched with worry, as if she’d been waiting for my return. The sight of her brought a wave of relief washing over me.
“Yeah, I got my request heard safely, and things are looking even better than planned. More importantly, how’s Emma-chan?” I asked, noticing Emma-chan’s absence. Normally, she’d come bounding to greet me.
“Emma’s sulking and fell asleep. Yesterday and today were… well, like that…” Charlotte-san’s voice trailed off.
“Ah, I really messed up, huh…” Emma-chan always looked forward to weekend playtime, but with errands keeping me busy yesterday and today, she must’ve sulked over our missed moments.
“Errands can’t be helped,” Charlotte-san said gently. “If anything, it’s a good lesson for Emma.”
“Thanks. I’ll wrap this up as soon as I can.” I flashed a reassuring smile, but instead of easing her, Charlotte-san’s expression clouded.
“Charlotte-san?” I tilted my head, puzzled.
“Akihito-kun, you look so… refreshed,” she murmured, her voice tinged with unease.
“Huh?”
“In the end, I haven’t been any help to you…” Her words hit me like a quiet confession. I was moving forward, leaning on others for support, while Charlotte-san stood on the sidelines. She must’ve felt left out, seeing me solve problems with everyone but her. I realized I’d feel the same if she relied on someone else over me. I’d been thoughtless.
“It’s okay,” I said softly. “Just having you by my side is enough, Charlotte-san.” I spoke earnestly, hoping to lift her burden.
But that was the wrong move.
“You’re not even letting me stay by your side…?” Her voice trembled with hurt.
She was right. I’d said her presence was enough, yet I’d kept her at arm’s length. No wonder she felt anxious or dissatisfied. Kanon-san had probably warned me about this very thing.
“Sorry, you’re right… I didn’t want you to worry, that’s all.”
“Not being told anything or being pushed away makes me far more anxious…” Charlotte-san’s words cut deep. If I tried to justify myself—saying I’d only consulted her when I thought it necessary—I’d just dig a deeper hole. It was my ego at fault. If she was unhappy, I should’ve talked to her properly.
“You’re right. Sorry.” I stepped closer, pulling her into a gentle embrace and stroking her head. “Shall we sit and talk?”
“Yes…” Her voice softened, and I led her to the living room. Normally, I’d sit first and let her settle onto my lap, but this time, I swept her up in a princess carry, sat down, and lowered her onto my lap in one fluid motion.
“Ah, Akihito-kun…” Her cheeks flushed.
“Just this once, right?” I teased, seeing her blush happily. Hopefully, this eased her frustrations a little. “I’m sorry for always making you sad, even though I’m your boyfriend.” I hugged her gently, my fingers brushing through her hair.
Charlotte-san shook her head, her cheek pressed against my chest. “It’s just me being selfish…” she mumbled, skillfully nuzzling closer.
“It’s fine to be selfish,” I said warmly. “You’re my girlfriend. I’d feel better if you told me everything honestly.” I’d do anything she asked, but without her words, I couldn’t always know her heart. “I’d rather you be selfish with me.”
“I might end up being selfish all the time…?” she ventured, testing me.
“That’s fine. I’d even say I want you to be as selfish as possible.”
“Even if I said, ‘Don’t talk to other girls’…?” Her eyes locked onto mine, half-serious, half-playful. The idea of a possessive lover demanding I cut off all contact with others wasn’t new, but her request felt uniquely bold.
I met her gaze steadily. “If that’s what you seriously want, Charlotte-san, I’ll try to keep it to a minimum, okay?” Completely avoiding it was impossible, but I could limit interactions for her sake. It’d be a shame for Karin, but if Charlotte-san was hurting, I’d make it work.
“I was kidding,” she said, an awkward smile breaking through. “I didn’t think you’d actually consider it.” Her kindness wouldn’t let her demand something so extreme, though her jealousy was real. “As long as you pamper me, I don’t mind if you get along with other girls.” She rubbed her cheek against my chest, content.
So she still didn’t love me being close to others, but her acceptance meant I wouldn’t pull away from those ties either. If I did, she’d overthink it. Her slight possessiveness was, in its own way, endearing.
“I love pampering you, Charlotte-san,” I whispered in her ear. “You’re adorable when you cling to me.”
“…!” She let out a wordless squeak, squirming as her face flushed. Covering her cheeks with both hands, she shook her head, overwhelmed. My shy girlfriend was just too cute.
“Akihito-kun, you’ve got a mean streak, teasing me on purpose…” she huffed, cheeks puffed out, still blushing.
“It’s what I really think,” I said sincerely.
“That just makes it more embarrassing…” She buried her face in my chest, unable to handle more.
“You’re the most important to me, Charlotte-san, and I think you’re the cutest. That’ll never change.”
“S-See, you’re definitely trying to embarrass me…!” She tapped me playfully in protest, and I smiled. Messing around like this was pure joy.
“So, who’s cuter, Emma or me?” she asked suddenly, a mischievous glint in her eye, likely aiming to stump me.
“Cute means different things here,” I replied smoothly. “Emma-chan’s cute like a little kid or a younger sister, while you’re cute as a romantic partner, Charlotte-san.”
“…That’s cheating,” she pouted, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. I’d prepared that answer for Emma-chan’s sake, but it came in handy here. Charlotte-san probably cared about it too, in her own way.
“Both of you are incredibly important to me,” I added.
“Thank you… I care about you so much too, Akihito-kun…” Her blush lingered as she gazed at me with warm eyes, then closed them, offering her lips.
But I didn’t kiss her. Once I did, her switch would flip, and we’d lose our chance to talk. “Before that, there’s something I’d like to discuss.”
Her shoulders slumped in disappointment. “D-Don’t look so sad! It’s a quick talk, I promise,” I said hurriedly, trying to cheer her up. It was my fault for breaking the mood. “If there was a way to overwrite the bad rumors about me but I chose to do nothing, what would you think, Charlotte-san?”
I had my answer but wanted her perspective, especially since she felt left out. Her expression shifted to seriousness, and she smiled softly. “I’d respect your decision. I’m sure you have your reasons. No matter what path you choose, Akihito-kun, I’ll follow you. It’s a phrase I’ve said too many times, but if there are hardships ahead, let’s overcome them together.”
Her unwavering trust warmed my heart. Her emphasis on together was a gentle nudge to rely on her more. “Thanks. I’ll go with what I believe in. And from now on, I’ll consult you properly.” With that, I surprised her with a sudden kiss. She stiffened briefly but soon melted into it, leaving herself in my hands.
◆◆◆
From then on, with help from Akira, Riku, Kousaka-san, Shimizu-san, Miyu-sensei, and even Kanon-san and Kaguya-san, I began working on a video. Karin wasn’t great at filming, so I didn’t ask her. Since Charlotte-san was involved, I kept her off-camera but asked for her support instead. I considered Nikaidou-san’s influence but decided against it, as we weren’t close yet.
Filming with schoolmates was simple in a classroom, but coordinating with Kanon-san and Riku was trickier. The hardest part was editing—I was no expert. Once the video was complete, thanks to Kanon-san’s help, Charlotte-san and I headed to President Himeragi’s place, leaving Emma-chan with her mom to avoid any fuss. Everything was ready.
“—Bringing your girlfriend to meet me on a Saturday? I’ve got work, you know,” President Himeragi snapped, his slicked-back hair and mustache framing a face twisted with irritation. His blunt dismissal stirred something dark in me.
“Father, isn’t that attitude a bit much, even toward your own son?” Kanon-san, seated to my right, shot him a sharp look. I sat in the center, with Kanon-san on my right, Charlotte-san on my left, and President Himeragi directly across, claiming the seat of honor farthest from the door.
He snorted, glaring down at me. “Hah, my son? I haven’t acknowledged you as a Himeragi yet, have I?”
Charlotte-san’s expression flickered, as if she wanted to retort. I caught her hand, shaking my head silently to calm her. We couldn’t let emotions take over. The more we reacted, the more he’d exploit it, perhaps targeting Charlotte-san’s response to drive a wedge between us. There was no need to bite.
Kanon-san took a deep breath and faced him. “Let’s get to the point. You’re aware of the bad rumors about Akihito spreading on SNS, right, Father?”
“Hmph, I don’t care.”
“Is that really what you want to say? Aren’t you the root cause of it all?” The rumors stemmed from an incident at a national tournament in middle school, caused by the man sitting smugly before us—President Himeragi. He’d upended my life, Akira’s, and Kanon-san’s without a shred of remorse.
“I just took payment for taking him in. What’s the problem?”
“Payment? That’s not true, is it? Didn’t you target him from the start to use him, even crushing the orphanage where Akihito lived?”
“Huh…?” Her words caught me off guard, and I turned to Kanon-san, stunned.
“The timing was too perfect, so I investigated. Sure enough, Father had ties to the orphanage’s owner and applied pressure.”
Why hadn’t I seen it? The pieces had fallen too neatly for President Himeragi. He hadn’t taken me in for my value—he’d orchestrated it all, stripping away my home to make me his pawn. What a despicable man…
“And if that’s true, what’ll you do? Sue me?” He didn’t flinch, even with his deeds exposed.
“We’re not that stupid,” Kanon-san replied coolly.
“Heh, figured. You lot should just quietly—”
“—But we’re not letting this slide either.”
“What…?” For the first time, President Himeragi’s brow furrowed.
“Kanon-san, leave the rest to me,” I said.
“Yes, please.” She nodded, stepping back.
I pulled my phone from my pocket and showed the screen to President Himeragi. “If you watch, you’ll see—it’s a video I made with my friends.” It featured Riku, who knew my past; Akira and Kousaka-san, who knew both past and present; Shimizu-san and Miyu-sensei, who knew me now; and ended with Kaguya-san, dressed as a maid, revealing the truth from three years ago, closing with footage of my soft confinement. We used Kaguya-san instead of Kanon-san to avoid misinterpretations, framing it as a maid’s exposé.
“This contains testimonials about my character, plus an accusation and evidence of what you did three years ago,” I stated flatly.
“Hahaha, are you an idiot!?” He burst into laughter. “A student’s video—what’s it going to do? You think people will pity you? They’ll laugh at you for challenging a corporation!”
“Is that really the case?” I opened a video site on my phone and showed him Riku’s channel, with over three million subscribers. “He’s a soccer player, not just a streamer. Even on this platform, he has this many fans, plus more from TV. Fans defend their favorites fiercely, and in that world, many believe what they say, no matter what others think. His young fans will spread it on SNS in no time—just like my rumors did.”
I held his gaze, calm and unwavering. “And one more thing. People online love tearing down the successful. If they hear about your scandals, President Himeragi, they’ll pounce, especially since you dragged students into your schemes. Society won’t forgive that. As the one who tarnished the company’s image, you’d have to take responsibility.”
I knew the internet’s power firsthand. With the current attention, we could reach countless people, gaining sympathy and allies beyond Riku’s fans, thanks to Kanon-san’s evidence and Kaguya-san’s betrayal of her employer. Riku’s fanbase tipped neutrals our way, as people often followed the crowd. Without him, we’d just be pitied, as the president claimed. But with these advantages, the video could jeopardize his position.
“So, you’re threatening me?” His eyes narrowed.
“No, it’s a negotiation.”
“Negotiation, huh? Even if I agree, you’ll release the video once you get what you want, right? It’s your only way to clear your name. So why bother listening?”
“…By the way, don’t you realize? What you’re about to do will hurt Kanon too.” He smirked, probing for a weakness. “You’d betray someone who’s supported you with her allowance since you were kids. Can you do that?”
He’d dug deep into my past, betting I’d falter over Kanon-san. The old me might have. His earlier dismissal might’ve been a bluff.
“Unfortunately, Kanon-san and I came here resolved. If this negotiation works, I’ll ignore the rumors. But if it fails, I’ll release the video without hesitation, even if it troubles Kanon-san. My priority is my future with Charlotte-san. I won’t hold back for rumors.” I’d wrestled with betraying Kanon-san’s kindness but chose to protect my future with Charlotte-san. With her support, I had no room for doubt. If the rumors persisted, I’d accept them for Charlotte-san’s sake. My schoolmates were on my side, and I’d discussed safety with Kanon-san. Together, we’d face anything.
“Hmm… Alright, let’s hear this negotiation.” Realizing my resolve, President Himeragi leaned back, ready to listen.
“I have two requests. First, don’t interfere with me, the Bennett family, or Kanon-san ever again, including canceling any fiancée arrangements made without permission.” This was absolute. He could meddle with the Bennetts or force Kanon-san’s obedience as his daughter, so we needed his promise. That’s why I’d consulted Kanon-san about using the video as leverage instead of releasing it. Kanon-san’s fiancé was set, but she disliked them and had no intention of marrying. We had to end that here.
“Second, don’t touch Kaguya-san.” Her help was obvious, and since she prioritized Kanon-san, he might target her out of spite. We had to protect her too.
“If you agree, we won’t release the video.”
“I see…” He fell silent, weighing his options. Our demands were basic rights, not a major blow. He might agree—
“I’ve been underestimated, haven’t I?” Of course, it wouldn’t be easy. “You forgot I’ll do anything for my goals. You should’ve negotiated outside. Did you think you’d leave this mansion unscathed?” Unable to talk us down, he clapped twice, signaling someone. I braced for butlers to rush in—
“—Haven’t you forgotten whose daughter that girl is?” A beautiful woman with shimmering silver hair and a charming smile entered, her movements elegant. Her clear, soothing voice was unmistakable.
“Onee-san…?” It was the Onee-san who’d cared for me as a child, older but still youthful.
“Mom…? Why are you here…?” Charlotte-san’s words hit like a shockwave.
Mom…? Onee-san was Charlotte-san’s mother…? The pieces clicked—why Charlotte-san resembled the woman I admired, why a refined girl lived in my apartment, why Kanon-san reached out to me as a kid. They’d orchestrated it all.
“You’ve grown so much, Akihito-kun,” Charlotte-san’s mom said warmly, smiling. Flustered, I looked away. Charlotte-san glanced between us, stunned.
“Uh, it’s been a while…”
“It really has. We’ve got a lot to catch up on, and I owe you explanations… But first, there’s something I need to say.” She stood before me, placing a hand on my cheek. “I came to keep my promise. It took nearly ten years, though.”
Her bright smile warmed me, but I was too shy to meet her gaze. “I thought you’d forgotten…”
“No way I’d forget. It’s a precious promise I made with you.” My chest tightened, but I held firm. We weren’t done yet.
“Now, there’s a mountain to talk about, but we’ve got something to settle first.” She turned to President Himeragi, whose smugness had vanished, replaced by panic. Just who was she?
“President Himeragi, you wouldn’t dare harm my precious daughter, would you?”
“N-No way, of course not! I was just about to scold my daughter and son for saying outrageous things!” His groveling was pathetic, even calling me his son to curry favor.
“It didn’t look that way. Oh, and I have something for you to see.” She mirrored my earlier move, showing him her phone. A gruff man’s voice and hers played—likely the man Himeragi dealt with three years ago, spilling every detail. “It took effort, but once he let his guard down, he happily told me everything, not noticing I was recording. With Akihito-kun’s video, this will ruin your reputation alongside his.”
She pressed him mercilessly, sharp and capable. “Even Father can’t defy Charlotte-san’s mom,” Kanon-san whispered. “She’s a major client, and we’re in a weaker position.” No wonder he was shaken. If the Himeragi conglomerate was beneath her, Charlotte-san’s mom was a titan, making Charlotte-san an extraordinary ojou-sama.
I glanced at Charlotte-san. She looked confused but squeezed my hand tighter, anxious. I let her hold on, grounding her.
“What’ll it be? Fight us, or accept Akihito-kun’s terms?” Charlotte-san’s mom smiled, awaiting his choice. She was a devil on our side, and I watched quietly.
“…Fine, I’ll accept the terms,” President Himeragi relented, seeing the odds against him.
“—Of course, you’ll apologize sincerely to Akihito, right?” Kanon-san’s final jab forced him to bow in humiliation—a little secret we’d keep.
