Words I was Afraid to Hear

For some reason, after signing a contract with their companies, Xiu Jin had all the excuses to see Igarashi Aoi.

First, he was invited to City T by an international corporation. He contacted her and asked if she could show him around since he will basically be a stranger roaming around the streets.

Actually, Aoi did not feel disgust when he made this request since she had known that even though he could get drunk sometimes, his background was otherwise clean.

"You went into this high school?" Xiu Jin said amusingly, while alternating looks on the building and on her.

"Yes." she replied with a smile.

"How many boyfriends did you have?" He chuckled.

Aoi squinted her eyes on him.

Just then, a pickup truck stopped by them. A man in casual clothes went down and bowed towards them.

"Boss, your ride is here."

Xiu Jin's face lit up. They had been walking around and he was a bit tired. He was amused by the choice of car.

However, his smile faded when the man brought a bicycle down. Then drove away.

Aoi took the bicycle and sat on it. "Hop on." she offered.

"No way!" Don't get him wrong. He rides bicycles, but he would never ride a bike's back seat, especially when a woman he is interested in is pedalling.

Aoi frowned. "Keep up using your feet then."

She was about to push on the pedal when he pulled on the back seat.

"At least let me drive." Or pedal, if one would be technical about it.

Being an attractive woman, countless men had invited Igarashi Aoi to ride in their car, but each one failed to get an acceptance. This man had not only agreed to not take a car while sight-seeing, he is now offering to pedal her bicycle.

Seeing hesitation on her face, Xiu Jin spoke. "Don't worry. I won't be reckless." He had a gentle smile.

Her hesitation was not for her safety. This is her favorite ride, including all her cars and off-road vehicles.

"Hmmn. Okay." Surrendering to the attractive man, she nodded.

That day, they went around City T, viewing some shrines and eating candied apples on the streets.

Igarashi-san was shocked when he saw his daughter arriving in their courtyard, on a bicycle, behind Xiu Jin. He knew they had hit it off in City S, but he never would have thought that this young man will board a plane to see his daughter. On the other hand, his hardcore daughter seemed to have met the man who could tame her. Right then and there, he knew they would end up together.

So much for a simple bike ride!

"Xiu-san!" Igarashi-san greeted.

"Ah! Igarashi-san, konbanwa." Xiu Jin greeted back.

"Come in, come in..." Igarashi-san waved his hands, gesturing the young man to come inside the house. "Dinner is almost ready. My wife cooked today."

Earlier that day, Xiu Jin went and fetched Aoi so that she could 'show him around.' He had explained that he will be in City T for awhile. Thus, Igarashi-san planned to welcome him properly after their date-i.e. tour. Maybe he could welcome him into his family soon. The middle-aged man was delighted.

When Xiu Jin was removing his shoes to place them on the getabako, the fair hand of Igarashi Aoi placed a pair of slippers before him for him to wear. He had a gentle smile. "Thank you."

"Doo itashimashite*." Aoi quickly entered the house, concealing her smile that she had while biting her lower lip so her squeal would not come out. She felt like it was a date.

That night, the dining table was set like one from a restaurant. Her mother could really prepare a proper kaiseki ryoki.

Her father poured some saké in his cup. "Xiu-san, welcome to Country N!" He toasted with him.

Xiu Jin was very polite, even complimenting the Madam of the household for the good food.

Aoi's parents exchanged meaningful glances. Even though they lived in that decade wherein most people are conservative and arranged marriages were still the norm, they will support their daughter on whoever she will like for herself. However, their two sons may need to have a word or two with this man.

______________

After spending quality time with the girl who makes him happy enough to forget the matters with his first love, Xiu Jin went back to City S.

"Where have you been all this time?! Your engagement party is only a week away! How could you leave your fiancée just like that?!" Madam Xiu was furious. She really liked Su Linyu.

When she found out that her son Jin fancied a girl that summer, she immediately sent him to their branch company abroad.

"I told you you could prepare for it yourselves. Linyu is a good girl, but you knew that I had always seen her as a little sister." Xiu Jin looked indifferent. He knew about the engagement for a long time. If Xiaoyu did not marry someone else, he would have fought for her even if it means leaving his family.

"Xiu Jin! Get back here!" Madam Xiu was really mad.

However, he continued to climb upstairs and locked himself in his room, reminiscing his dates with Igarashi Aoi. She is a tough girl, but he knew he had a chance.

"You useless son!" She glared at his back and continued to frown even when he had gone to his room. She told herself, 'If I can get the girl you fancy raped and married off to someone else, I can make you marry the woman who is suitable to you!' A smirk appeared on her face.