Dual System in Daily World

"What are you trying to do?"

Before Eriri could speak, Utaha fired the first shot, glaring at her with an unhappy expression.

Eriri let out a bitter laugh and retorted,

"Shouldn't I be the one asking that? Didn't you consider any of the actual circumstances when you said all that just now? 

This is a company retreat. 

Forcing the two of us, complete outsiders, into the schedule—regardless of how weird that sounds—don't you think that would make Chisato feel troubled?"

"Two points," Utaha said, putting down her tea and raising two slender fingers.

"First, with our current relationship with Chisato, I don't think we're outsiders.

Second, as the head of a company, it's normal for Chisato to have last-minute schedule changes. 

No one else has the right to judge.

Besides, we're not asking to join them for the entire schedule. My minimum request is just for Chisato to come rest in our room at night. 

That way, neither he nor his employees would have any complaints."

Eriri looked at her, gave a cold laugh, and grabbed the two fingers Utaha had raised.

"And have you thought about this? Even if you weren't so forceful, your minimum request would've been granted anyway. 

With Chisato's personality, even after what I said, do you really think he'd just abandon us?"

Utaha frowned.

"What twisted logic are you spouting now?"

"Haa—"

Eriri sighed deeply with one hand over her face.

"We both want the same thing deep down. But the way you go about it is just so blunt and forceful. 

Can't you try being a little more tactful? Don't you know that everything needs balance? If you keep yanking on the kite string like that, it's going to snap eventually."

"The connection between me and Chisato isn't some kite string. If anything, it's a steel cable. There's no snapping it."

"What are you so smug about?! Even if that's true, you're still just using his feelings for you recklessly. 

But love—love can deepen over time or slowly fade. We're not even twenty yet—who knows what the future holds? 

So even if you know Chisato will spoil you no matter what, don't abuse that.

Love and giving go both ways. You should think more from his perspective. That's the best way forward!"

Eriri spoke quickly in a low voice, occasionally glancing toward the balcony in case Chisato finished his call and came back.

Utaha, unusually, stayed silent through her whole rant.

She didn't fully agree with Eriri, but she couldn't deny that there was some truth in her words.

She pulled her fingers back from Eriri's tight grip and looked away.

"…You sound like someone's mom."

It seemed like a random complaint, but for Utaha, that was already a substantial concession.

"Yeah, I actually did learn that from my mom. Even though our situations are different, it really gave me some insight."

Eriri saw her point had gotten across and let out a small breath of relief.

"So when Chisato comes back, don't say anything. Leave the talking to me."

"…"

Utaha said nothing, lips pursed, but Eriri—knowing her well—understood that this silence meant agreement.

Such a stubborn girl.

Having convinced Utaha and come to a short-term agreement, the two of them quietly resumed sipping their tea.

When Chisato finished talking business with Seika and returned to the living room, Eriri tugged him down to sit beside her on the sofa.

He had originally intended to respond to the very obvious request Utaha had made earlier.

Just as she had expected, if it was something she truly wanted, Chisato would give in—even if it was difficult—so long as it wasn't illegal or immoral. 

His feelings for her were that deep.

But just as he was about to speak, Eriri beat him to it, sharing what she and Utaha had agreed on:

"We talked it over, and Chisato, you really don't need to worry about us. 

Focus on your employees—we know you're at a critical moment in your career, and we don't want to hold you back. 

We'll look up local travel tips online and have fun on our own. So don't stress over adjusting your plans for us."

Chisato immediately turned to look at Utaha.

She was calmly drinking tea, expression composed, with no hint of resistance on her face.

It really did seem, just like Eriri said, that they had reached a consensus while he was on the phone.

He looked back at Eriri, who was smiling gently and supportively.

He understood, of course. This outcome was the result of Eriri's efforts to persuade Utaha.

And this made things easier for him. 

Otherwise, tagging them along at the last minute would definitely require an explanation to others, and coordinating the group afterward would've been a headache—especially since Utaha and Eriri weren't familiar with Kesshoku Band or Seika. 

That kind of forced mingling would require him to play mediator constantly or it would end in disaster.

So really, all he had to do now was nod along and avoid all that unnecessary hassle.

But—Chisato couldn't quite bring himself to agree that easily.

Reflecting on the past half month, he had paid very little attention to Utaha and Eriri.

Even during Christmas and New Year's—dates that girls typically care a lot about—he had been so wrapped up in work that he had completely neglected them.

All he managed to do was make a phone call on the day itself and arrange for a flower shop to deliver bouquets as an apology.

But that kind of patchwork gesture, while easing the situation slightly, could not eliminate the guilt he felt inside for not being by their side for so long.

Especially when he recalled those few days after New Year's Day. 

Through a video call, Chisato saw Eriri with a fever patch on her forehead, looking pale and lethargic. 

During the call, she occasionally furrowed her brows and suddenly showed signs of pain.

When he asked her what was wrong, she wouldn't say. She just smiled and brushed it off.

After telling her to rest well, Chisato ended the video call—and only then did it belatedly dawn on him that those few days had coincided with those days for Eriri.

Headaches, fever, and monthly period pains—yet her important boyfriend couldn't be there for her.

Even something as simple as handing her a cup of warm water?

How utterly incompetent of him...

Chisato made up his mind.

"No, the two of you should come along with me. This is my fault. I haven't properly spent time with you in a long while. 

Now that my work has finally come to a pause, how could I justify going off on a trip by myself?

Tomorrow, I'll introduce you both to everyone at the company. Let's formally get to know each other."

Chisato held both Utaha and Eriri's hands at once, his expression gentle and sincere. There was no sign of reluctance.

Eriri shook her head at once.

"But won't that cause trouble for you?"

"There won't be any trouble. You already know Hitori, and the others at the company are all really nice people. 

They're around the same age too, so I'm sure you'll get along quickly. It'll be lively. And besides, you were bound to meet them sooner or later, so don't overthink it. Just trust me."

Chisato leaned in and rested his forehead against Eriri's.

"Oh, I understand… But if there's ever anything difficult or troubling, you absolutely have to tell us, okay? 

For the whole trip, make sure the focus is on them. No matter what happens, Kasumigaoka and I don't mind, because in the end—we're family."

"Don't worry, there won't be any problems."

"We'll head out together tomorrow morning. Oh right—did you book the same flight as me?"

"It should be the same. There's only one direct flight to Sapporo tomorrow morning, after all…"

With that, it was settled.

Off to the side, Utaha watched as Chisato and Eriri affectionately brushed their noses against each other. 

Her eyes revealed a flash of surprise.

It really had turned out just as Eriri had said—after so much roundabout effort, things had circled back to her original wish.

Regarding Eriri's methods, Utaha's feelings were briefly complicated. But she soon straightened her back, lifted her chin, and returned to her usual composure.

Thinking it over, what Eriri had done wasn't all that elaborate. Overall, it could be summed up in four words: playing hard to get.

If she herself were willing, Utaha could also achieve her goals using similar means.

She just found that kind of approach too troublesome, so she hadn't done it.

It wasn't that she was dumber than Eriri, or that she failed to consider things as thoroughly.

She simply wanted to reach her goal in the most efficient way possible.

In the end, it was just a difference in personality that led to different ways of doing things.

She leaned toward rationality, while Eriri leaned toward emotion.

Utaha thought about all this, and couldn't help but nod to herself.

Yes, that was exactly it.

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No it wasn't.

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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta

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