Luckily, I have an unexpected day off~!
I wonder . . . Will this scene make you curl your toes, or cringe in disgust? 🧐
Please click the link on your right, and throw some alms at this pitiful Auntie. *blush*
[Part 2]
Ugh . . . I'm sorry, Grandmother. The sutra won't enter my mind . . .
After that, the memorial service for her second death anniversary began, but aside from the chief priest Katou-san, Hazekursan also showed up for the sutra chanting, so I was not able to quietly listen. Since Hazekursan was facing another disciple, our eyes would not meet yet still . . . I could not bring myself to raise my face.
After sutra chanting, we visited the grave and held a memorial service at the grave tablet, we then moved to the temple hall to partake our meal. About 30 relatives arrived and each went to their designated seats.
Chief priest Katou-san who performed the memorial service sat at the head of the table near the altar. I looked around and felt relieved that Hazekursan was not present.
Sometime after the meal started, I saw my parents and my uncle affably chatting with the chief priest.
Hah~ Looking closely at Uncle, isn't he drunk? Whoa, whenever Uncle becomes drunk, he starts talking about unnecessary things…… While concerning myself about that, our eyes met by chance.
"That's right, Kano, you still haven't married?"
Ah, it's here…… Whenever he touches alcohol, he would always say this……
"Uncle, stop asking about that every time you drink. In such a place……"
Feeling fed up, I lightly glared at Uncle. However, Uncle kept talking incessantly without paying attention to my objection.
"Why don't I introduce you to some guy?"
"No, thank you."
Father, who was casually listening to the conversation between Uncle and I, interjected at this point.
"Kano, you don't want to get married?"
Don't tell me that Father is going to participate . . .
"It's not like that. It's because I am satisfied with my life right now!"
"But still……"
"It's true! You should worry about Tasuku more than me."
"Why me?!"
Shifting the topic to my brother, I managed to overcome the situation. Apparently, Uncle wants to introduce young girls from his company, so whenever he's under the influence of alcohol, it often leads to this conversation. I'm really sorry.
When the gathering was gradually coming to an end, I stood and nimbly went to the restroom.
―The vegan cuisine was delicious but somehow, I felt tired.
I want to go home now.
Wiping my hands with a handkerchief, I left the restroom when suddenly, Hazekursan appeared before me. I was too surprised that I jumped back.
"―!? Wha―?!"
Why is he here―?!
"Thanks for your hard work today."
Disregarding that I was staring at him in shock, Hazekursan lifted his back from the wall and bowed courteously. He was not wearing his formal clothes but has changed instead into ordinary clothes.
"No, it is I who should say so. Thank you very much."
Pretending to be calm as I also thank him, Hazekursan gently smiled.
"Your brother also came. He looked very much like you."
"Really? I do not quite understand it, though."
"……Although you looked lovely in that light blue once piece dress you wore sometime ago, the mourning dress also suit you very well. With how you look right now, I want to take you to my room."
"……Ha……?" [T/N: coughcoughcough]
At the still smiling Hazekursan's bold assertion, I blushed fierily again.
"Please stop saying strange things. Do you always tell such a thing to female parishioners, Hazekursan?"
"Oh, are you vexed? It is my first time saying such a thing, and to you."
I am really annoyed when Hazekursan shrugged his shoulder a little. He's lying……
"I wonder. You've dated several women before, right?"
This person must be certainly rich in experience, I thought as I tried to trick him into telling the truth.
"Yes."
See? He confessed quite easily.
"However, there is no woman who I wished to spend my life with. All this time, it was the women who approached me."
What was that?! Aren't you super popular!?! I involuntarily sighed.
"That's why I'm all the more . . ."
"And so, it is my first time to charm a woman. To be honest, I do not understand well. Kano-san, what should I do to make you believe that I am serious?"
"………"
Even if he told me, I also do not know. Firmly keeping my mouth shut, I stayed silent. Hazekursan, who looked a little troubled, peered into me.
"Won't you tell me anything?"
"I-I don't know! Because it is my first time to be in this kind of situation."
In response, Hazekursan extended his hand, somewhat gesturing about something. He then fixed his gaze on me.
"If you would grant me permission . . ."
"To what?"
"Can I hug you?"
―Huh?! My eyes became as round as saucers when I heard his crazy request. But as soon as I realized his request, my body felt hot.
"……What―! Rejected!!"
I shook my head, glaring at him. But Hazekursan did not change his expression.
"A kiss then?"
"I-Impossible!!"
I promptly answered without hesitation. At my reply, Hazekursan's shoulder trembled with laughter.
"You really are indomitable. I guess it is not easy to win your heart, Kano-san."
Despite saying that, I can feel some complacency in his attitude. No matter how I refuse him with various reasons, I'm sure I'm going to be dragged into Hazekursan's pace. I can feel it . . . Ah, I want to escape. Can I go home now?
"Excuse me. I should return now."
I turned away from Hazekursan, but just as I turned on my heels to return to the banquet, my arm was suddenly grasped.
"Eh? What……"
"Since you refused when I asked for permission, I had to somewhat resort to a forceful means."
As he whispered to my ear, my body was wrapped in Hazekursan's embrace in a blink of an eye.
―Wh-What should I do?! I am being hugged……!
The moment I realized this situation, my body solidified like a stone.
"That day when I chanted sutras, I was lucky to be able to support you, but I remember you were thin."
While whispering, his palm gently stroked my back. As if handling a fragile thing, I almost entrusted my body to him. But now, it is impossible.
"Re…… Please release me!"
I tried to twist myself to escape from his arms.
"Did you hear the sound of my heart?"
After asking that, he gently pressed my head against his chest. I forgot about resisting for a moment and listened to Mr. Hazekursan's heart.
…………Huh, isn't it beating quite fast?
Unintentionally, I looked up at Hazekursan, and my gaze collided with him.
"……Really, how pretty……"
"Eh?"
"At this rate, if I make you mine……"
Hazekursan managed to mutter while looking at me with an enchanting gaze. Hearing that, I stiffened again for a moment when I came to my senses.
"WhWhat are you talking about?!! Can a m-monk say such things?"
"Monks are also human beings. At least in our sect, love is not a taboo. Even my parents are also in a love marriage."
What he said was certainly plausible and I could not retort. At that lapse, Hazekursan hugged me more tightly.
―Isn't this somehow dangerous?
I-I have to escape as soon as possible…..!
"P-Please let me go!"
Feeling the danger to my body, I put some strength in my arms and pushed Hazekursan, but he is unyielding.
"Kano-san, will you seriously consider marrying me?"
"Please stop teasing me already."
Such a handsome man who never had a hard time with women, I want to refuse him for disturbing my peaceful everyday life.
"I am serious."
"It-It's detestable!!"
The moment I said that, Hazekursan's hold loosened. I took the opportunity and strongly pushed Hazekursan with both hands.
"……Please, never show up in front of me again."
Hazekursan, who was surprised, was rendered speechless. I turned on my heel and returned to the banquet without looking back. I then snatched my bag.
"I am going to walk home."
After declaring to my family, who stared at me in puzzlement when I came back with a menacing expression, I left the temple to escape.