Saturday morning Eizan was laying in bed staring at the ceiling. He raised his hand into the air and stared at the back of his palm. “I guess I should tell her today.” He let out a long sigh and sat up. Looking around his trashed apartment he chuckled to himself. “I guess I should clean up first. I can’t have her thinking I’m a complete slob.”

Mio sat up from her bed and stretched her body while yawning. She glanced around her room and sighed. “I wonder when I can move back in with him. I never realized how constraining it is to live with my parents.” Its not like her parents actually burdened her with any responsibilities but she had gotten a taste of freedom that every teenager yearns for. Eating when ever you want, sleeping whenever you want, and lounging around without any judgment. Even if living on her own was considerably more work she enjoyed it. She started to blush. A certain young man entered her mind. Plus, she got to do other things her parents might be upset about.

Around twenty minutes later she came down stairs in a cute green dress and walked towards the kitchen. Her looking at her with a bright smile on her face. While Mio was slightly unhappy about being home her mother was the exact opposite. She was glad to have her daughter living with them again. Like most mothers she was not exactly ecstatic about her children leaving the nest. “Would you like something to eat?”

The blank look on Mio’s face slowly morphed into a small smile. “Sure.” She stared at her mother as she started to prepare her breakfast. ‘I guess it’s not all bad.”

She walked into the living room and found her father sitting on the couch watching the news on the television. She quietly sat down on the couch next to him. A small smile could be seen on Benjiro’s normally serious face. He wouldn’t express it openly but he was secretly happy that his daughter was home again. They both sat there watching the screen. They were interviewing a man on the screen. The interviewer started asking questions. “Mister Ascot it’s a great pleasure to have you on the show today.”

The slightly handsome man with a smug look on his face started answering the interviewer’s questions. Mio looked at her father. “Who’s that guy?”

Benjiro raised an eyebrow at her question. “Since when did you become interested in things like this?”

Mio shrugged. “I’m not really. I was just curious.”

Benjiro chuckled then started to explain. “He is a relatively new tech and finance billionaire. He has caused huge waves over the last few years. Over the last couple years his apps and financial acumen have earned him a lot of money. He started from basically nothing and has been really stepped up his game recently. It’s kind of been a meteoric rise as of late.”

“You make him sound amazing.”

“He is. It’s frankly unbelievable. I’ve even made a good amount of money myself following some his investments.”

Mio chuckled. “I didn’t think my father would be such a fanboy for some tech billionaire.”

Benjiro frowned. “When did my daughter get such a sharp tongue.”

Mio started to laugh. “Daddy, you’re funny.” Mio sat up a little and gave him a hug. She then stood up and bounded out of the living room leaving Benjiro stunned.

Kagami walked in with a cup of coffee seconds after Mio left the room. Looking at her husband’s strange expression she couldn’t help but giggle. “What wrong?”

“What the hell happened to my daughter over the last few weeks?” Benjiro sighed. “She was never this mischievous before. It must be that boys doing.”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Kagami smiled and shook her head. “She’s just growing up.” Kagami handed him a cup of coffee and kissed him on the cheek. “She’s right though. You are funny. That’s why I married you.” Kagami smiled mischievously and started to walk out of the room leaving Benjiro staring at her with a dumbfounded look.

“Are all the women in my life against me?” He tilted his head to the side staring at Kagami’s ample backside as she exited. “On second thought maybe, she gets it from her mother.” Benjiro chuckled. “On second thought, I feel a little sorry for that boy. He has no clue what he’s gotten himself into.”

Little did he know Eizan has experienced Mio’s mischievous side many times recently. Just like Benjiro, it sometimes leaves him at a loss.

Several hours later Mio was staring at a familiar library building that she used to frequent every weekend until recently. “I have missed this.” A bright smile on her face appeared making some of the men turn and stare. Mio never realizes when she is being stared at.

From behind her she heard a familiar voice. “You really should watch yourself when your outside. If people see you smiling like that, they can’t help but fall in love.”

Her head spun around like a swivel. Her eyes landed on Eizan and look of surprise appeared on her face. “E-Eizan. What are you doing here?”

He tilted his head to the side. “Can I not visit the library on the weekend?”

“Y-y-you can.”

Eizan chuckled as he approached her. He all of a sudden leaned in and whispered into her ear. “You’re cute when you are flustered.” Mio blushed. She thought to herself. ‘Damn this man.’ She glared at him as he separated himself from her with a slight blush on her face. He got a big smile on his face. “Well, I’ll see you inside.”

She stared at him as he walked inside. She stared at him for a few seconds with a dumbfounded look on her face. She whispered to herself. “Was that, ok? Aren’t we supposed to be avoiding each other?” She shook her head and looked around at the people who were staring at her. A slight blush appeared on her face again as she scurried into the library.

A few seconds later she entered and could see Eizan talking to the librarian and handing her a stack of books. She had completely missed the fact that he was carrying them. That’s how flustered she was. She couldn’t help but stare at him as she slowly approached. She thought to herself. ‘Just act normal. Remember to act like were not in a relationship.’ As she walked forward his and her eyes met and she couldn’t help but frown at the mischievous smile on his face. ‘What is he up to.’

“Oh, if it isn’t Sakurai. How are you this morning.”

She was still glaring at him. “I’m fine. How are you Hashimoto.”

Eizan chuckled at her response. “I’m good. I’m just returning some books as you can see.” He gestured to the stack of books on the counter.

Mio sighed. “I’m doing the same.”

The librarian had a confused look on her face. ‘What is going on between these two.’

Eizan leaned towards her and was glancing down at the books in her hands. He raised an eyebrow as he read the titles. “Business and finance books. That’s some heavy reading. I didn’t know you were so interested in the topic.”

Mio glared at him. “I took a part time job recently that involved a lot of financial knowledge. I thought it would be nice to learn the ins and outs of the topic. I wanted to understand what I was doing better.”

“Oh, that sounds like a smart idea. Would you like me to recommend you a few books on the subject.”

Mio got a small smile on her face. “I think I can find them myself.”

Eizan laughed. “I’m sure you can.”

The librarian kept glancing back and forth between them. Then she looked down at the receipt in her hand. “Ehem. Mister Hashimoto here is your receipt. Thank you for returning your books.”

He turned towards the librarian and smiled. “Oh, thank you. Sorry for the lover’s spat. My fiancé get’s a little upset when I interrupt her library time.” He winked.

Mio’s and the librarian’s mouths fell open. The librarian stuttered. “F-f-fiancé?”

Eizan chuckled. “Yea, for a few weeks now.” He turned towards Mio. He lifted his hand up and closed her mouth for her. He leaned in and kissed her cheek, leaving her stunned. “I’ll see you later, Mio.”

Mio nodded. “Mmm.”

They both stared at him as he walked away. She looked back at the librarian who was staring at her with wide eyes. “You’re engaged?”

Mio nodded. “Y-yea, I just didn’t think we were telling people yet.” She glanced back at Eizan as he entered into one of the isle of books. She tilted her head to the side in confusion. ‘Aren’t we supposed to be hiding our relationship?’