The Heir I Dragged Into My “He’s My Fiancé!” Lie Is Somehow Playing Along!? - Chapter 1.6

A sake bottle and two cups arrived at the table.

(O-oh no…! The “who pours the drink” problem is happening!)

Alice instantly tensed up, but considering she was currently the one causing trouble for Kai as his guest, this dinner was essentially an apology, and Kai was older and her superior. While rapidly listing reasons in her head, Kai lightly picked up the sake bottle.

“I don’t really know Shirotsuki-san’s alcohol tolerance, so it might not be good for me to offer, but let’s have one cup anyway. Shall we swear brotherhood?”

“Um, I think Yumikura-buchou can be Liu Bei Xuande, but can I be Guan Yu Yunchang?”

“Is that your strong way of saying ‘I don’t want to be Zhang Fei’? Also, you’re surprisingly knowledgeable. Personally, I’d prefer Zhuge Liang Kongming.”

“But he wasn’t there for the Oath of the Peach Garden, right?”

“You really are surprisingly knowledgeable.”

They were about to go off track again. Alice took the poured cup with a “Thank you,” cleared her throat lightly, and prepared her voice.

“I think calling someone an ‘interesting woman’ is a compliment meaning ‘you can entertain people, what an entertainer!’ but I feel slight resistance when I’m called that. Same with ‘natural airhead’ or ‘mysterious girl’ or ‘you’re different.’ Even if the other person doesn’t mean any harm, it feels like they’re saying ‘you’re putting on an act and it’s obvious, but you don’t realize it yourself!'”

Kai was looking at Alice with a puzzled expression.

Half-doubting whether she was getting through, Alice continued speaking while thinking.

“It’s like a label, isn’t it? If someone said it after getting to know me deeply, that would be one thing, but being told that at a stage when they don’t really know me feels like being told ‘so basically, that’s your character.’ It’s like pressure, wanting me to occupy that position in that relationship. I know it’s selfish, but I dislike that.”

“Yeah. I think I get what you mean. I feel that way sometimes too. I don’t like being expected to be ‘flashy because you have the young master character.’ Oh, this sake is delicious. Goes down smoothly. Maybe our affiliated stores carry it. I’ll remember that.”

After finishing the sake in his cup, Kai poured himself a second drink directly.

He didn’t give Alice any opening to pour for him at all, which left an impression of ‘as expected.’

(Until now, I never thought about what kind of person the Prince was, but compliance-wise, isn’t he pretty perfect? He doesn’t try to make me feel indebted or show off how nice he is to women.)

The epitome of naturalness.

However, for Alice, he was still someone she didn’t really understand, so she didn’t know if this was Kai’s true self.

After all, she was the woman who got tricked and paid a million yen. She should probably doubt her own judgment of people.

With his eyes moist from alcohol, Kai prefaced with “This is about me,” and started talking.

“Earlier, I retorted to Shirotsuki-san on impulse, saying something like ‘I don’t want you to become woman-avoidant,’ but honestly, I do find the women who usually approach me troublesome. Being raised in Tokyo, coming from a wealthy family, having a high income, and regularly having opportunities to meet heavyweights in political and financial circles; people get strange expectations. Like thinking I have a regular club in Roppongi, that if I show my face I get escorted to the VIP room, that I have those kinds of connections, etc.”

“Ah… that is flashy.”

Even though they worked at the same company, Alice thought of Kai as someone from a different world, so she had never considered his lifestyle. But it was possible that women who thought they might have a chance viewed him that way.

“I myself have zero interest in that kind of play. I’m on the side that doesn’t understand when guys say at men-only drinking parties ‘it’s boring with just men, let’s call some women.'”

“I get that! I have a brother, and when I occasionally meet him, he says things like that. ‘Just guys is fine, it’s a hassle to be considerate of women!’ Or that he dislikes bars with women present.”

“That! Me too. But women who see me with the ‘flashy man’ image don’t consider that I might not be that kind of person. They actually say things like ‘take me to a club in Roppongi.’ Why? Sugar dating? Shouldn’t you expect something different from me? It really shocks me.”

Kai’s words seemed to contain no lies.

He looked like an ordinary guy in his twenties speaking honestly.

(Though to call him ordinary… he still looks incredibly, sparkly. Well, not flashy. Even if it’s prince-on-a-white-horse-level sparkle, it’s not flashy.)

Thinking with her alcohol-slowed mind, Alice nodded deeply. “Mm-hmm.”

“I understand. I’d also find the Oath of the Peach Garden more relaxing than going to a mixer.”

“It’s not relaxing. The Oath of the Peach Garden isn’t something you do casually after work. Having sworn brothers increase endlessly is troublesome, so I’m stopping here. Just Shirotsuki-san is fine.”

After speaking quickly, Kai tilted his cup slightly.

“Calling me ‘Shirotsuki-san’ is so distant. You said you’re Guan Yu, didn’t you? He’s useful, you know.”

While saying something silly, Alice also tilted her cup. The sake was delicious.

It was sake she’d had before, but she thought it was the most delicious she’d ever tasted.

(Suddenly, I feel so much more relaxed. Like a weight’s been lifted from my shoulders. I guess I really was scared of having a one-on-one drink with Prince Yumikura. I was solely focused on having to take responsibility, but he was an unknown person.)

Thoughts like what intentions Kai had for being here.

What did he think of her?

No matter how lively the conversation seemed, she had been tense, thinking Kai might just be a smart person humoring her, that they might not actually get along, that he might not actually have any interest in her.

But at this moment, she suddenly felt “It’s okay.”

“Just thinking about clubs in Roppongi is scary, isn’t it? I definitely wouldn’t want to go.”

“Exactly. My hobbies are cooking and games, I’m super indoorsy, so on holidays I absolutely don’t want to leave home. I pretty much ignore invitations too. If some old guy tries to take me out drinking saying ‘When you’re there, the girls get happy,’ I’ll normally cut the contract. ‘I’m not doing pillow business, you know.’ I also hate being made to cross dangerous bridges by being connected to people with shady compliance. Since the company’s involved, I’m careful about that.”

“Sounds like you. It’s important to firmly refuse strange offers. Also, I understand that people with indoor hobbies who draw clear lines between work and private life tend to be strict about those things too.”

“Personally, I don’t want to waste time. I don’t want to drink bad sake. I only want to drink delicious sake like today.”

“Surprisingly, your taste is quite commoner-like, huh?”

Alice meant it as a compliment, but Kai glared at her.

(Huh, did that bother him? Which part?)

Was it not okay? Tilting her head, Alice stared back at Kai, whose gaze remained locked.

It was Kai who looked away first.

“Shirotsuki-san, I think you’re pretty drunk. I’ll see you home.”

“I’m fine! It’s a great location, just a fifteen-minute walk from the station.”

“That’s far. I can’t let you go home alone in that state, so just let me take you. I won’t say anything about coming up to my place or anything.”

Alice insisted she was usually alone, but even after paying the bill and leaving the restaurant, Kai wouldn’t relent, insisting “I’m definitely seeing you home.”

Realizing that if they kept arguing the last train might leave, Alice started walking toward her home.

Kai walked beside her, neither too close nor too far, muttering “The road’s dark,” “There’s no one around.”

“The Prince is noisy. Living alone in Tokyo is like this for everyone. Does the Prince live in a tower mansion?”

“I live in an apartment since leaving home. I have work documents and luggage, so it’s not a one-room, but I chose it prioritizing kitchen usability.”

“You really do like cooking, huh…”

She hadn’t doubted it, but it felt a little strange. Alice believed that if you could take it easy, you should, and she considered cooking for oneself while living alone inefficient, so she rarely did it. The idea of making it a hobby didn’t quite click.

Without thinking, she murmured, “Cooking, huh… haven’t done it in a while,” and Kai, as if hearing it, said casually,

“If you’re free this Saturday, the day after tomorrow, want to come to my place? I’ll cook. After watching you today, I roughly know your preferences.”

“Eh—, to the Prince’s house? Me? Why?”

“Because we’re dating? I was declared your fiancé by you today, and I just formally accepted, so I’m your boyfriend, you know.”

“Eeeeeeh?!”

“Your voice will echo through the residential area, keep it down a bit.”

Though she said “Yes,” Alice’s mind was spinning in panic.

(Boyfriend? The Prince is my boyfriend? It’s true he never denied the dating declaration, and he said he’d date with marriage in mind… but why?)

Under a streetlight, Alice looked up at Kai and asked,

“You don’t really know me, right? You probably only know me as the woman scammed out of a million yen, so why did you decide to date me?”

“As I’ve said repeatedly, because you’re interesting. Not in a ‘what an interesting woman!’ kind of way, but more like thinking ‘this person would probably say my cooking is delicious,’ that kind of feeling.”

“I have no particular dislikes or allergies, and I can enjoy even my own not-very-delicious cooking, so, well, yes. I don’t complain about food others make.”

She didn’t know if it was the right answer, but while stating her own view, they arrived at her apartment building.

“This is it. Thank you very much for today. You can get back to the station by just taking the main road, but please don’t get lost.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll catch a taxi around here.”

Hearing him say it so casually, Alice found herself convinced. “Yeah, I guess.”

(Maybe he was being considerate of me. He could have taken a taxi from the station and come here directly, but maybe because he thought I’d fuss about payment. I made him walk for fifteen minutes.)

They had already argued at the izakaya. Against Alice, who intended to pay the full amount as an apology fee, Kai firmly refused, saying “I ate more,” and they split the bill.

Most likely, that was the reason he didn’t take a taxi, Alice convinced herself of her own reasoning.

Kai looked down at Alice, tilted his head slightly, and asked,

“Will you be okay at the company all day tomorrow? I think things are still hectic.”

“Ah, that’s fine. If I show weakness and take time off now, I might end up holed up after Monday. Thinking that, having no plans on the weekend is worrying too, so maybe I should accept your invitation. I also think I grasped your preferences after watching the Prince eat today, so I’ll bring some sake or something.”

“Thanks. I’ll contact you later.”

As Kai took out his smartphone, Alice also took hers out of her bag, and they exchanged contact information.

Just when she thought today was finally over, Kai murmured, “Hey.”

“About Saito-san… are you really okay? You were dating, right? Not hung up on it?”

“I’m fine. Originally, it was like an accidental meeting during overtime. Bumping into each other while picking up something dropped, kissing like ‘this must be fate or something,’ then going for drinks and starting to date, that’s all. We never had overnight dates or anything, so there’s no chance of something like ‘discovering pregnancy after breaking up’ or anything.”

By now, she disliked the idea of people thinking they’d been deeply involved, so she ended up making a slightly forward statement.

Kai frowned slightly and muttered, “Kiss…?”

“You did?”

“…Yes. Only that one time, which became the trigger for dating.”

“Shall we do it too? Since we’re dating from today, let’s make the conditions match.”

“That’s a bit…”

Weird atmosphere? Alice took a step back.

Kai continued looking down at her with his frowning face. Being tall and handsome, he had a corresponding intensity.

“If you don’t kiss me here, if something happens and Shirotsuki-san dies in an accident later, the last person you kissed would be Saito-san. I think I’m better.”

“Please don’t kill me!”

You don’t have to say something so alarming! Thinking that, Alice glared at Kai.

On the other hand, she did think she’d hate it if that man were her last kiss.

(But kissing on the same day you start dating, on impulse that shouldn’t happen. No, it does happen. It did. Saito Akihisa, you bastard. The Prince wants to match the conditions. No, we’ve both been drinking, so our judgment is off. This isn’t normal. Rejected.)

While worrying about how to convey her conclusion, Alice bowed her head.

“I’m the woman who failed on impulse and ended up with a million-yen debt, so I’d like to be careful about that.”

“…Understood.”

Noticing that Kai still held his smartphone in his hand, Alice quickly brought her own phone close and lightly bumped them together.

“…Kiss… between phones.”

“What’s that. I want to be a smartphone now.”

Kai laughed as he said that, and just as Alice breathed a sigh of relief, he said brightly, “Well then.”

“Thank you very much for today. You really helped me.”

“Yeah, yeah. Next time on Saturday. Go inside quickly. I’m leaving too.”

Without further dawdling, Kai promptly started walking. After seeing his back off, Alice headed toward the apartment entrance.

＊＊　＊

Despite saying he’d catch a taxi, Kai walked briskly and aimlessly for a while before suddenly stopping.

He looked down at the smartphone still clenched in his hand, checked the time, and muttered.

“Drinking from right after work until just before the last train. She was completely composed the whole time, but then she goes and acts cute for just five seconds at the end. What is she, a little devil? Way too cute.”

Whether from drunkenness or not, he realized everything he thought had come out of his mouth, and Kai started walking again with fierce momentum.

But he accidentally walked past the station, sighed, and cursed at his phone, “You bastard.”