A Mistake, Held in Your Arms ~ I Don’t Want to Marry My Matchmaking Partner, So I Will Offer My Virginity to You ~ - Chapter 13.2

Kiyoe’s eyes widened in shock.

“……What did you just say?”

“We’ve found a colony of Seirensos. We’ve already obtained permission from the landowner. We’ll begin cultivation research immediately. I promise we’ll establish a stable supply.”

Hina met Kiyoe’s gaze head-on without retreating a single step.

Beside her, Keiichiro slowly began to speak.

“Mother. I will create medicines with Hina and build a new Saotome Pharmaceuticals. And I will spend my life with her. As for the engagement with the Katsuragi family—I must ask to dissolve it.”

The firmness in his voice sent ripples through the atmosphere of the room.

“How could… even you… This is the end for the Saotome family…”

Kiyoe’s voice trailed off weakly. Her usually upright posture seemed to shrink before their eyes, as if she might collapse at any moment. The hands resting on her lap appeared to tremble slightly.

This was the woman who had carried herself with more pride and strength than anyone else.

Now she turned her back on Hina, hanging her head as if surrendering everything.

But—that was exactly why Hina had to say it.

“I won’t let that happen.”

Feeling heat rise through her entire body, Hina bit her lip, gathered her resolve, and lifted her face.

It was the Saotome family who had given her a place to belong back then.

If Keiichiro hadn’t taken her medicine, if Kiyoe hadn’t sought her out, if Yamane hadn’t come for her—she wouldn’t be standing here now.

Stepping before Kiyoe, Hina continued.

“I promise you. I’ll never let the Saotome family end. I’ll carry on the will of the Great Inner Chambers as well!”

No tears fell. Her voice didn’t waver.

Simply pouring her heart out with complete sincerity.

Hina’s gaze locked directly with Kiyoe’s eyes.

Kiyoe bit her lip and said nothing more.

Eventually, as the conversation reached a pause, Yamane arrived with Keito in tow.

Perhaps shy around strangers, Keito immediately hid behind Hina.

“And this child is…?”

Kiyoe asked while furrowing her brows.

“…My son.”

“What did you say…!? Don’t tell me the rumors about a ‘secret child’ were… true!?”

Undisguised shock and confusion colored Kiyoe’s voice.

“It’s true. That boy… is undoubtedly my child.”

When Keiichiro made the declaration, Kiyoe’s complexion changed.

“Great Inner Chambers. You may reprimand me as much as you wish later. But for now… may we speak with Keito?”

Perhaps sensing that emotional outbursts wouldn’t be appropriate before a young child.

Kiyoe closed her mouth and nodded.

Hina knelt down to meet Keito at eye level.

“Keito. There’s something very important I need to tell you.”

After this preface, Hina continued gently.

“You have a real father. I’m sorry for keeping it from you until now. Your father is… Keiichiro-sama.”

Keito blinked rapidly before looking up at Keiichiro standing right beside them.

“Kei-ichiro… daddy…?”

Though he tilted his head curiously, his voice carried unmistakable happiness.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t tell you until now. But from now on, I’d be so happy if you called me Dad.”

Keiichiro gently stroked Keito’s head.

While Keito still didn’t seem to fully grasp the situation, his earlier unease had completely vanished.

During their two months together at Yunoya, the two had already become father and son without needing words.

The truth had merely given form to what already existed.

Watching this exchange between parent and child, Kiyoe finally spoke.

“…May I ask one thing?”

“Of course.”

Hina straightened her posture.

“This child’s name… would you tell me again?”

“—His name is Keito.”

At the name, Kiyoe’s eyes wavered slightly.

Named with one character from Keiichiro’s name, carrying the wish that he would soar toward the future with kindness in his heart—this was the name Hina had given him.

Then Keito looked up at Kiyoe and asked in his adorable voice:

“Who… this person?”

As Hina and Keiichiro searched for words, Yamane cheerfully came to their rescue.

“This is your grandmother, Keito-kun.”

“W-wait, Yamane-san, that’s—”

Hina instinctively tried to stop him.

They hadn’t even received permission for marriage yet—was it appropriate to casually introduce her as “grandmother”? Doubt flickered through her mind.

“…Grandma?”

The childish voice echoed through the room.

Keito gazed directly at Kiyoe with innocent eyes.

Kiyoe’s eyes widened dramatically.

For a moment, she stood frozen as if at a loss for words.

Then she murmured softly:

“…You look alike.”

Her voice held neither anger nor irritation. Just quiet emotion spilling from her heart.

“You look exactly like Keiichiro when he was little.”

In the next instant, a gentle smile—one they’d never seen before—appeared on Kiyoe’s lips.

This wasn’t the dignified face of the Great Inner Chambers, but that of a grandmother.

“—Grandma is fine. Nice to meet you, Keito.”

Hina was speechless.

When she glanced at Keiichiro, his eyes were equally wide.

“Mother… does this mean you’ll permit our marriage…!”

Keiichiro stepped forward, his voice trembling.

Kiyoe lowered her gaze slightly and murmured as if to herself:

“…What exactly have I been looking at all this time?”

Her voice carried an ambiguous tone—somewhere between regret and remorse.

“Looking at this child’s face… suddenly all those trivial matters don’t seem important anymore.”

Hina felt warmth slowly spreading through her chest.

Tears began welling up in her eyes.

“However—”

Kiyoe’s voice tightened slightly, making Hina and Keiichiro look up sharply.

“If you two are to marry, there is one condition.”

Her solemn tone made them both hold their breaths.

The atmosphere grew tense as they braced for some impossible demand.

“…Your wedding must be magnificent. Something worthy of the Saotome family head.”

Kiyoe’s eyes softened slightly as she spoke.

“Make it more splendid than anyone else’s. Look happier than anyone else. Show the world something you can be proud of.”

At these words, Hina’s chest swelled with warmth.

It felt like a long-closed door had finally opened.