SCIAW: Chapter 190/191

Chapter 190: Giving the Right to Choose

Hayasaka nodded slightly, it was a standard move.

Expose the situation early to prevent disaster.

Once news of the land's appreciation spreads and draws the attention of various conglomerates, the government likely won't be able to carry out the original plan so easily.

The Hatamoto clan is done for.

Hayasaka was certain of it.

She knew the Hatamoto family had staked everything on this one piece of land, they couldn't afford to lose.

If this gamble failed, not only would the family's position as a conglomerates crumble, but they might even fall into an irreversible decline.

But Hayasaka Ai had no interest in the future of the Hatamoto clan.

Her only mission was to protect Kaguya.

If the Hatamoto clan tried anything foolish during this return trip, she wouldn't hesitate to personally send out the order to annihilate them.

"Amamiya-san, are you really not going to warn them?"

"…"

Ren fell silent for a moment, collecting himself.

"I'd like to, but will they listen?"

Just thinking that they might not believe it is enough to discourage him from speaking up.

But… if even one person out of the whole bunch listened, maybe some things could change.

"Hayasaka, you've seen what the Hatamoto family is like."

"If I tell them the pillar of their family is going to die, do you think they'll set off fireworks to celebrate?"

Hayasaka Ai believed that those who were purely profit-driven definitely would.

Most large families didn't have anything resembling real familial affection, she knew this better than anyone.

Because the Shinomiya family was just like that.

"Where is Natsue Hatamoto?"

"She's Gozo Hatamoto's favorite granddaughter, right?"

Ren fell silent again, then turned to look at Hayasaka Ai.

"Hayasaka, do you think I should tell her?"

"I think it's worth a try."

Hayasaka voiced her thoughts without hesitation.

"This is just like the nature of people you explained to us in the beginning, Amamiya-san."

"…"

Ren was briefly taken aback, then smiled.

Human nature—he had just been talking about it, and now the words were being turned back on him.

"Heh… I've really been taught a lesson. But you're right, Hayasaka-san."

"I taught you well, and it really would be hypocritical of me not to act on it myself."

"Besides, this entire story revolves around human nature, maybe this is a good test before I move up."

"Respect people's right to choose, which means we have to give them the right to make that choice."

"Forget the others. Just one person is enough. Giving her the right to choose is enough."

"But doesn't that make me the bad guy?"

"Yes. From her perspective, you'll be an awful, terrible villain."

Hayasaka Ai's response made Ren smile even wider.

"Ah… I'm a social recluse, so being disliked really bothers me."

"But it's fine."

Even if he ended up being the bad guy, it would still be a fresh experience.

"Let's wait and see how the news plays out."

"Understood."

Hayasaka crossed her hands in front of her abdomen and gave a polite bow.

"I know of a quiet room that's perfect for a conversation."

"Alright. Thanks, Hayasaka-san."

"No problem."

The room Hayasaka mentioned was indeed very quiet. It was more like a private lounge, with a table, some tea, and a large bed.

The doors were specially made with excellent soundproofing.

It was pretty obvious what this room was usually used for.

Ren glanced around helplessly.

"Does this room really look appropriate for the situation?"

"Hayasaka, are you seriously planning to make Shinomiya faint in this kind of room?"

She wouldn't faint anymore, Ren had built up more tolerance but she'd definitely be too embarrassed to say a word.

Fortunately, for now, it was just being used as a conversation room.

Knock knock knock!

A few moments after the knock, the door opened.

"Come in."

Hayasaka Ai entered first, followed by Natsue Hatamoto.

She wore a light, ocean-blue dress. It wasn't particularly eye-catching, but Amamiya Ren's sharp eyes noticed it was probably custom-made.

"Excuse me, what did you want to speak with me about?"

Natsue Hatamoto looked confused and uneasy at being called here alone, especially after noticing the bed in the room.

Ren noticed her gaze and waved his hand casually.

"Hayasaka, don't leave. I don't want Miss Hatamoto thinking I'm going to do something to her."

"Understood. Amamiya-san, you're exactly right."

"That's not what I meant!"

Just that one comment was enough to expose Natsue Hatamoto's frail and helpless demeanor, giving Amamiya Ren a headache as he glanced at Hayasaka Ai.

Things were complicated enough, and this girl had to make everything more tense.

"Miss Hatamoto, please have a seat."

"To be honest, I'm not sure you'll believe what I'm about to tell you."

That sentence piqued Natsue Hatamoto's curiosity.

Would she believe it?

Driven by curiosity, she couldn't help but ask:

"May I ask… what's going on with my grandfather?"

Ren looked deeply at her, then got straight to the point.

"It's about your grandfather. He's already set foot on the road to death."

Natsue Hatamoto's expression changed. She froze on the spot, panic written all over her face.

But in addition to the fear, she grew more suspicious of the boy in front of her—her guard rising beyond just surface-level wariness.

"Wait! How do you know something's happened to my grandfather!?"

Ren expected this reaction.

"Of course, I learned about your grandfather through certain means."

Then, he pointed at Hayasaka behind him.

"The maid behind you is actually a top-tier lady. Her status is far above yours."

"Also, this ship is Shinomiya's. Do you really think we'd let your group on board without investigating everything thoroughly?"

That explanation was enough to make Natsue Hatamoto slightly more convinced.

Not because she trusted him, but because her grandfather had explained to her before that the Shinomiya family represented wealth and power. They had no reason to target the Hatamoto family, they weren't even in the same league.

And if they said they'd investigated everything… it made sense.

She didn't believe the Shinomiya family would ever allow unvetted guests on board.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 191: Trust Me in Return

After calming down, Natsue Hatamoto looked once more at the boy in front of her.

"Sir, what exactly did you mean by what you just said?"

"Ren. Just call me Ren."

Not knowing his name would make things awkward, so Ren gave it without hesitation.

"As for what I said earlier, the meaning is pretty straightforward, just take it literally."

Seeing that he wasn't going to elaborate, Natsue Hatamoto grew more anxious.

"Please, explain in detail."

"Miss Natsue Hatamoto, are you aware of your family's current situation?"

Natsue was a little taken aback by the sudden question but still gave a slight nod.

"I know. Grandpa told me a bit about the Hatamoto family before. Right now, we've hit a dead end. He's been working hard to find a way to turn things around."

"Lately, Grandpa's mood has been pretty good. He told me he found a way to reverse the Hatamoto family's decline."

Ren nodded slightly. It seemed Miss Hatamoto had indeed been told the truth, at least enough to understand the stakes.

"It's true. Your family found a potential breakthrough, through the adopted son of the Takasugi Conglomerate."

Speaking of the Takasugi Conglomerate, Ren had nearly forgotten about that already-fading name, if not for the Hatamoto family surfacing today.

The last time it came up was during the wedding of Ran and Sonoko's elementary school teacher.

"In order to quickly increase liquidity, your family has been aggressively liquidating assets recently."

"Even some items that were once considered important to the family have been sold."

"If your grandfather continues to operate like this, I believe he does have a real chance of turning things around."

"But… only if he's still alive by the time this entire plan is completed."

Natsue's heart clenched. So in the end, this still came down to Grandpa's safety.

Having lost her parents, she couldn't accept the idea of losing another loved one, especially not her grandfather, the one person she still regarded as true family.

"Is someone trying to harm Grandpa because of this?"

Ren waved it off.

"Not exactly. Your grandfather's been good at keeping it secret. Thankfully, the rest of your family isn't too sharp, they haven't picked up on the Hatamoto family's recent situation."

"The problem lies with your engagement."

"My engagement…? Could it be… Takehiko?"

Natsue's expression shifted. She couldn't imagine doing anything to hurt Grandpa, so the only possibility was Takehiko?

Ren didn't answer directly but instead looked to Hayasaka.

Hayasaka Ai gave a slight bow.

"Miss Hatamoto, based on our investigation, your fiancé's father is named Zaiki."

"Zaiki…?"

Hearing the surname, Natsue frowned. It sounded familiar, she felt like Grandpa had mentioned it before, but in what context?

Hayasaka hadn't expected her to remember, it had happened quite a while ago.

"Zaiki was once a company president. Due to mismanagement and crushing debt, he ultimately committed suicide."

"His son's name is Zaiki Takehiko."

"He changed his family registry a few years ago and took the name Nakahara Takeshi."

When she heard the name "Nakahara Takeshi," Natsue froze.

Then slowly, she lowered her head.

"I see…"

She looked like a balloon that had been punctured. After learning the truth, she finally understood why Grandpa had mentioned someone named Zaiki. So that was his way of warning her about why Takehiko had been so persistent.

Grandpa had known Takehiko's true identity all along.

But for her sake, he never explained it outright. He even allowed her to get engaged to Takehiko.

Because he knew, once she found out the truth, she'd definitely reject the engagement.

Grandpa didn't want her to be put in that position, so he kept quiet.

Now, Natsue finally understood why Grandpa's mood had been so unstable ever since the engagement.

It was all because of Takehiko.

"So, it really is Takehiko?"

Natsue's previously fragile demeanor vanished, replaced by a rare firmness, as if she'd made up her mind.

"He's the root of it all, isn't he?"

"…"

She didn't say anything more but of course, it was Takehiko.

"One last question. Why are you telling me this?"

She had been planning to ask how he knew all this, but now it no longer mattered.

"Miss Hatamoto, try picturing your relatives."

Natsue instinctively pictured them in her mind.

"Would they be saddened by the death of the person holding the reins of the Hatamoto Conglomerate?"

Natsue tried very hard to think positively, but it didn't work.

Her aunt and uncle would never be saddened by Grandpa's death. They might even be happy about it.

The very thought made her heart ache.

"I respect the choices and fates of others."

"But Hayasaka reminded me, this is human nature. That's why I have the right to offer others a choice."

"Miss Hatamoto, you have the right to choose."

After taking a deep breath, Natsue looked at him, her gaze filled with doubt.

"But… why are you telling me this?"

"What can I possibly give you in return?"

She couldn't understand what she had to offer in exchange.

Ren simply smiled.

"If you really want to repay me… then believe in me."

That confused her even more.

Believe? In what? Some kind of ideology?

Believe in… a person?

"Miss Hatamoto, you've been here long enough. It's time for you to return."

Hearing Ren's words, Natsue subconsciously nodded.

"If you've made a decision, be sure to stay close to your grandfather."

"And if you ever face something you can't overcome… maybe believing in the power of faith wouldn't be a bad choice either."

The power of faith?

Natsue didn't fully understand what he meant, but she gave a small nod anyway, silently taking his words to heart and locking them away in her memory.

(To be continued.)