CM Chapter 25

Chapter 25 – Meet Again

Chapter 2, Part 1.1

Novel Title: ひとりじめ (Completely Mine)

Author：椎崎 夕 (Shiizaki You)

Illustrator：小山田 あみ (Oyamada Ami)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 細川 湊 (Hosokawa Minato -MC) & 荻原 浩志 (Ogiwara Koushi -ML)

*Please read at knoxt.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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“I’m sorry. I already have someone I like. Therefore, I can’t date or marry you, Hosokawa-san.”

With a small bow, she lowered her head. Minato looked down at her, who stood next to him in an elegant furisode.

He had met her for the first time just two hours ago. He had sensed she was a confident girl during the lunch with their respective companions, but he hadn’t expected to hear such a declaration as soon as they were alone together.

He had admired how straightforward she was, but perhaps she thought he hadn’t since he didn’t respond at all. Her neatly tied hair slowly lifted as she looked up at him, peeking at him with a gesture like a little bird shyly poking its head out of its nest, making Minato involuntarily smile.

Hearing children’s excited voices from behind, Minato urged her to step aside and make way.

The walking path around the hotel’s expansive Japanese garden, which was said to be one of its selling points, was long and winding in various places. Under the clear sunlight, they waited until the children who had cheered ran ahead of them and disappeared behind a mound. Then, Minato spoke quietly.

“Then, shall I decline from this side? Or would you prefer to be the one to refuse?”

At his calm reply, she lowered her beautifully shaped eyebrows.

“…You’re not angry?”

“Would you have preferred me to be angry?”

Minato asked the question knowing full well that he wasn’t at all interested in this blind date. After being repeatedly requested and then almost coerced into it by his boss, the head of the tutoring school where he worked, Minato had ended up agreeing reluctantly. The head had even resorted to tears to get him to comply. Therefore, Minato had made sure to get a promise from him that he could refuse if he didn’t like the person.

As she walked as Minato had suggested, she glanced at him a few times.

“My aunt said that in situations like this, it would be rude to just not meet the person at all. If I absolutely had to meet, I should make up a good reason to decline. But after meeting you, I feel like it would be wrong to make up a reason to refuse.”

“To be honest, I’m not planning to get married yet. So there’s no need to worry about it. —Well, how about I refuse on my own grounds, and you can say that we’re just not a good match, like it’s something that doesn’t sit well with you?”

“That would be too rude to you, Hosokawa-san. It’s okay, I’ll just say that I have someone I really like.” She responded sharply, and Minato smiled at her determination.

“I hope things work out with the person you like.”

“Thank you! But actually… the truth is, I’m not really being noticed by him. He still treats me like a little sister. He’s an adult, really cool, and super popular, so there are a lot of rivals.”

Her earlier bold declaration now seemed like a lie, and she lowered her head in uncertainty, the hairpin still in her hair. Seeing her with her head drooping reminded Minato of the times when one of his students at the tutoring school would slump after a drop in grades. He searched for words to say.

“If you don’t want to give up, then you’ll have to take action.”

She suddenly raised her head. Although she was nearly a decade younger than Minato, in her early twenties, her large eyes stared up at him with an intensity that reminded him of a high school girl he taught.

“Do you think so?”

“To break free from being treated as a younger sister, some kind of turning point is necessary. However, I believe that being treated as such also comes with the advantage of staying close.”

“I understand that. I don’t want to be seen as a younger sister forever. But if I can’t be his lover, I’d rather stay like this… That’s why I insisted on having today’s matchmaking meeting here.”

While the first part of her explanation made sense, the latter half was incomprehensible. Encouraging her to continue with a look, she earnestly spoke further.

“He should be here today for work. I thought if I dressed up and showed him a different side of me, maybe something would change.”

Her thoughts were entirely consumed by him; her cheeks flushed, and she appeared utterly enchanted.

Though her reasoning was endearing, it wasn’t something one should say to a matchmaking partner. As Minato pondered whether he should advise her as an elder or simply laugh it off, her eyes widened abruptly. Her gaze fixed on something beyond his shoulder.

“There he is! Over there! Ah, he’s walking away… Hey, wait, Ogiwara-san, over here! I’m right here!”

She shouted in an unusually high-pitched voice, jumping on the spot. Startled by her behavior, Minato froze upon hearing a certain name. The next moment, he laughed at himself.

It’s a common name, nothing unusual about it. Ten years have passed, and yet he still overreacted like this.

Chiding himself, he glanced back lightly. Standing about fifteen meters ahead on the promenade was a tall man, and their eyes met.

Minato couldn’t move, as if cemented in place.

The man held a professional DSLR camera, seemingly in the middle of a photoshoot. Though his body faced a small hill, he turned his head to look towards Minato.

What caught Minato’s attention first wasn’t his refined features but the raw intensity in his expression. His piercing sharpness had a hint of cynicism, an air of playfulness that was accentuated by his light brown hair and eyes with faint pigmentation.

… When he smiled, his visible snaggletooth softened his impression, almost transforming him into someone else. Minato had witnessed that change countless times ten years ago. He also remembered how well-proportioned he looked from afar, and how his shoulders and arms were sturdier and more supple than they appeared.

… Why is he here?

Before Minato could think of an answer, he turned to the woman beside him and spoke quickly.

“Well, I’ll be on my way now. Please take your time and enjoy it with him.”

“But my aunt told me to take a walk with you.”

“If you don’t mention it, she won’t find out. I’m sorry I can’t see you off, but take care.”

After bowing slightly to her confused expression, Minato started walking back along the promenade. Then, a familiar voice stopped him.

“Hosokawa-sensei.”

Minato froze mid-step, immediately regretting not ignoring it. Recognizing the girl’s startled face and the approaching footsteps, Minato scrambled to figure out how to handle the situation. By the time he turned back, the tall man, who had seemed distant, was already close.

His shoulders, chest, and back looked broader and more solid than in his memory. Up close, his features appeared more mature and rugged.

And yet, Minato couldn’t help feeling he hadn’t changed. He was still the Ogiwara he had fallen for, and he felt an inexplicable pull toward him.

This isn’t good, a voice inside him warned. He desperately tried to restrain himself, crushing the overwhelming nostalgia and ache in his chest.

“Who might you be? Have we met somewhere before?”

Feigning ignorance, Minato asked with a touch of confusion. He furrowed his brows noticeably. After a few moments of silent observation, he spoke.

“Ogiwara Koushi. …Though I suppose you might not even remember my name.”

“…Ah. It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“It has been decent… You seem to be doing well too, which is good to see.”

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*Translator’s Note: Oops… hell no. Minato won’t survive that manipulative jerk. He won’t be able to escape this time. -K

*GLOSSARY: 

-Furisode = a traditional kimono for young women.

Illustration 7:

Next update: [Random Days]

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