Chapter 12: Contract Marriage

Narumi had ordered her lawyer to bring the document so that they can sign it before the press conference.

"Mr Kizaki, thank you for preparing the documents on such a short notice." She said.

"That's alright Miss Narumi." Kizaki replied. He brought out the document and dropped it on the table in front of Narumi and Daiki.

He sat down and smiled for a while. "Let me go through this so that the both of you can understand it. This is a contract marriage which will last for a year and two months, the both of you have to try your best to convince the media and the public that you are a happy couple." Kizaki looked at Narumi, then Daiki. "And since Daiki has said that he doesn't want any payment for this, he won't get anything after the contract ends."

Daiki nodded. He didn't feel like changing his mind at all.

"So please sign it." Kizaki said before handing Daiki the pen first. He took it from him with a firm hand and signed the document, then passed the pen to Narumi, who did the same.

"Here are your rings. Please exchange them." Kizaki said as he opened a box and handed the rings to them. They exchanged it while the old man clapped. He adjusted his glasses and smiled. "Congratulations! You are now married for just a year and two months. Although if things change, you can get married like a normal couple."

"There's no need for that because it won't happen. This is a contract marriage and it will last for its assigned time frame." Narumi said firmly. She was annoyed about everything, but there was no other way.

Daiki could feel tears forming in his eyes, but refused to shed them. He had feelings for Narumi but unfortunately you can't force a person to like you back.

'After this is over you won't see me again.', he thought and tried not to cry.

"I'll take your leave now." Kizaki stood up and extended his hands to Daiki for a handshake. "Good luck with the press Mr and Mrs Tsukumo." he smiled at them and left with a cheerful goodbye.

The moment the door shut behind him, Narumi sighed. The first problem has been solved and now it was time to deal with those noisy reporters.

"The press conference will start at 10 o'clock. We need to try to convince everyone that we have been married for four months." She said sternly.

"Don't worry, I know that, ma'am."

He put a fake smile on and went outside so he stay in the garden while Narumi went to her study room so that she could wrap up some important work.

Yuki, on the other was in her room. She wasn't pleased with the contract marriage decision, but there was nothing she could do. Akiko tried to her best to calm her down and reason with her.

"Mom, please stop being upset." She muttered.

"Aren't you seeing what I can see?" Yuki asked. Her hands were in fists and her nails were digging into her palm. She was clearly angry right now, and the stress was slowly getting to her.

"Tell me what you can see, mom?" Akiko replied. Her voice was low and quiet.

"Can't you that Daiki likes your sister? This marriage will hurt his feelings because it will grow from liking to loving. He will be in love with a person who doesn't feel the same way."

"Mom, calm down. I know that, but what if things change during this one year?" Akiko asked. Her eyes sparkled with a lot of hope and positivity.

"What do you mean?" Yuki frowned.

"This fake marriage is supposed to last for a year and two months, but what if they end up falling in love with each other?"

Her question caught Yuki off guard. Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened.

"Do you really think that your sister can fall in love with Daiki?" Yuki asked her. It was obvious that she was skeptical about it, but she couldn't help feeling hopeful, too.

"It's possible. There's nothing wrong with them getting together." Akiko said softly. She wanted her mother to be happy and to stop thinking way too much.

"I guess so." Yuki muttered. "I'm sure the lawyer has arrived."

"He has already left." Akiko smiled.

"Oh, wow, so that means I'm now a mother-in-law." Yuki chuckled, but her smile faded away.

"What's wrong, mom?"

"Can you please check on Daiki? I have a feeling that he may be sad about something."

Akiko nodded. "You're probably right. I'll go find him. Bye mom and please be ready for the press conference."

"Oh, by what time?" Yuki asked.

"Around 10 o'clock."

With that, Akiko left her mother's room and went to Daiki's room to look for him. She didn't find him there.

'Where is Daiki?' she wondered to herself. She went to the living room but till no sign of him.

'Could he be outside?' she thought to herself.

With that, she left the front door to search for Daiki in the garden and luckily she found him sitting on the swing chair. His head was tilted backwards and his eyes closed.

He must have fallen asleep without noticing. She walked toward him and gently shook him awake. He blinked several times before he noticed her standing in front of him.

"Hi Daiki."

"Hi." he replied. His expression didn't show any signs of happiness, but traces of sadness. His voice sounded hoarse and weak.

She sat down next to him and smiled. "You are now my brother-in-law."

"For a year and two months." Daiki said sarcastically. He looked at the ring on his finger and sighed.

"You are a good person, but there's one problem that you have."

"Yeah? And what would that be?"

Akiko smiled at him. "You like to lie to yourself."

"...What do you mean?"

She turned to him and put her hands on his shoulders, smiling warmly. "Please don't tell me that you don't like my sister!" She laughed at him while Daiki stared at her blankly.

"I don't." He mumbled and averted his gaze.

"Liar." Akiko giggled as he kept silent.

"I don't know what you are talking about." He mumbled once more.

Akiko leaned closer and patted his head. "Come on, let's go back inside now."

"Wait." Daiki stopped her midway when they stood up.

"Yes Daiki?"

He was silent for a while. Then he sighed again and looked away. He fidgeted with his fingers for a bit, then took a deep breath.

"I have decided something and since you are my friend, it's only right to tell you." He mumbled.

"Okay..."

He hesitated for a moment but then continued, "After the time frame for this marriage is over, I will leave Tokyo."

"To another city?" Akiko asked.

Daiki sighed. "No, I will be leaving Japan forever."