บท 50: Chapter 50 : Matsumoto House's Christmas Party
As Akiyama spoke words laced with passion, Midori's mind, like a silk weaver's loom, unwittingly began to embroider a future. A future where she and Akiyama stood side by side, woven together as husband and wife, their children's laughter echoing through the halls of a small, sun-drenched house. The dream every Ojou-sama cradled close in the tender dawn of the Meiji Era, blooming in the fertile soil of Akiyama's fervor.
"Yes," she heard herself saying. "Akiyama-san, if you are serious about me, then I am also going to consider you seriously as a future second husband."
Akiyama looked so happy that he might just cry on the spot. He took Midori's hands to his lips and kissed them reverently.
"Your hands are cold," he said. "You should go back inside the academy now."
"Mhm."
"I am going to call you later."
"I will be waiting for your call."
The warmth of Akiyama's farewell lingered on Midori's skin long after his retreating figure vanished through the academy gates. His every wave was akin to a brushstroke of tenderness, leaving ripples in her heart.
With each backward glance he threw Midori, his eyes whispered promises of stolen moments and shared laughter, his smile a sunrise chasing away the shadows of her past.
Never before, in either life Midori remembered, had a man touched her soul with such gentle grace, and yearned for her affection with such fiery passion.
Her goal after transmigrating into the Meiji Era had been solely to survive and lead a peaceful life. Now, it seemed that she might actually find happiness.
With Akiyama Kinoshita.
Midori was so absorbed in her thoughts that she almost disengaged herself mentally from the conversation she had with Arata during lunch.
"Midori-chan, are you listening to me?" Arata asked for the third time, his tone getting wearier and wearier with every time.
"Hmmm? I am sorry, Onii-chan, please repeat it again?"
"I am saying that the Matsumoto family is holding a Christmas party for the first time this year. The goal is no doubt to entertain the Western friends and business partners that choose to remain in Japan this year."
"Oh."
Arata raised an eyebrow at Midori.
"Christmas is..." He began, but Midori quickly stopped him. "I know what Christmas is."
Arata took a deep breath.
"Good. The party begins at seven in the afternoon, and is supposed to last until midnight. I suggest we go there early before other guests arrive and surround Kiyoshi Matsumoto-san."
"Mmm."
"Midori-chan..."
"I am listening, Arata-Niichan. Let me think for a while."
She still wanted those fifty Life Points, but maybe she was not going to need them anymore.
If things went well with Akiyama, then she shouldn't be in danger of losing any Life points or in need of gathering more.
Maybe she was good the way she was.
Why risk an encounter with the dangerous protagonist of "Dream Of The Ancient Period"?
Midori's hesitation was not lost on Arata's keen observation. To be honest, he was relieved that Midori changed her mind.
"It's alright if you don't want to meet him anymore, Midori-chan. Inspector Serizawa and I will go and question him ourselves."
"But Onii-chan, you said yourself that Kiyoshi Matsumoto is a prominent figure. We need to be very careful when we move around him."
"That is correct."
"You can't just go up to him and ask him about his involvement in the murder case," Midori arched her brows at Arata. "That is too dangerous."
Arata shot Midori a resigned smile and raised a hand to caress the latter's cheek.
"We will be very tactful, I promise. No matter how great the Matsumoto family is, they are not immune against the law. We are no longer living in the Edo period. Lawless killing is no longer tolerable."
Midori pulled her lips into a thin line and shot Arata pitiful looks.
This was Arata Takigawa, the elder brother who chose the dangerous profession as a police officer to track his beloved younger sister.
He was such a decent character, but he had no chance against the protagonist.
If he faced Kiyoshi Matsumoto in the Matsumoto family's lair, it was not going to go well -- no matter how careful or how tactful he presented himself.
If anything, should things go horribly wrong, Arata was someone whom the newly established Tokyo Police Department would sacrifice.
If he was lucky, he might get demoted.
If he was unlucky, his life might be destroyed by one of the two most powerful families in Tokyo, Matsumoto of the East.
He was never going to land a job ever again. Or get married.
He might even lose his life and become a cannon fodder.
Midori clawed into the dining table.
Not in her novel.
She was not going to let that happen.
Arata did not deserve such a fate, one or other way.
"Nii-chan, let's go together," she said with full determination. "I am not connected to the police. I am a commoner. Kiyoshi Matsumoto will not be wary of me."
It was Arata's turn to scrunch up his face.
"Midori-chan, I admire your candor and appreciate your help -- we all do, but it's really alright if you want to back out. This should not be your burden to bear. You already helped us out a lot with the tattoo."
Midori grinned.
"Nii-chan, don't worry about me. I know what to do. Besides, if anything goes awry, you will be there to protect me, right?"
"Of course," Arata replied in a helpless tone.
"Then it's a deal. We are going!" Midori said in a cheerful tone.
She was going to put up her best performance tonight.
The 50 Life Points and Kiyoshi Matsumoto's confession must be hers by tonight!
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