No one could say anything. Setsuna’s words left no room for comments or arguments.
They looked at Yuugo for his reaction, and he seemed to be anguished over what she said.
And as Melt and the others felt something close to jealousy, because Setsuna had known him for a much shorter period of time but understood him better, she spoke.
“Accepting my proposal would be very advantageous to you right now. Love can grow as we stay together. For my goals, for you and the people around you… Won’t you accept, Yuugo?”
Setsuna was right, if Yuugo agreed, he would attain the position of future husband of the daughter of a noted family in Yamato.
He would rise up from number one scum in school instantly, and all the malice being thrown around him would be blockaded.
Accepting Setsuna’s proposal would give him a lot, and free him from worries.
From that point of view, there was no reason to say no, but… Yuugo let out a small sigh, and shook his head with a gentle smile on his face.
“Sorry, I’m glad you value me that much, but I can’t accept.”
Yuugo spoke with a bland tone, and Setsuna silently turned to him. And as she looked straight at him, she asked an obvious question.
“…May I ask why? I want to know why you would reject such a good proposal.”
“Hn… I’m sorry to respond to a question with a question, but do you want your husband to be the kind of person that would agree to that here? Would you love for your entire life a guy that relies on someone else’s influence that sort of fell onto his lap?”
“…!!”
Setsuna trembled when she heard that question.
Her eyes were wide open with surprise, and as Yuugo stood with a somewhat serious expression, she burst out laughing.
“Hahahahahahaha! Ha~hahahahaha!!”
“S-Setsuna…?”
“I-is she okay? Did being rejected by Yuugo break her…?”
Her cool attitude turned into a mad laugh, prompting everyone to go beyond surprise and into concern.
Setsuna continued laughing, and she spoke to Yuugo while wiping tears from the corners of her eyes.
“Yes, you’re right. To be honest, I figured you would say no… And I’m relieved that you did. You really are interesting, Yuugo Clay. I thought so when you declined my invitation in the insectary, but you really won’t be won over simply with influence. I’m sure this is part of why the hero prospects find you to be a nuisance.”
“I’m glad I met your expectations. But even if we’re not lovers, let’s be friends, Setsuna!”
“Yes, let us start with friendship, Yuugo.”
Setsuna put emphasis on the word start, as she grabbed Yuugo’s outstretched hand.
As they shook hands, Yuugo also looked at her and spoke.
“Yes. I have a favor to ask as a friend.”
“Oh? And what might it be? If it’s something a friend can do, I will try my best.”
Setsuna interpreted it as a condition to be met to be his friend, and braced a little.
Yuugo then stated his very simple, but very important request.
“…Try not to hurt people, friend or not. I know you don’t like to waste time and effort and stuff like that, but… I don’t like seeing my friends hurt people.”
“…How kind. Sweet like candy. But… I understand, and I will be careful.”
“Thanks!”
Setsuna understood this was about the rude way in which she spoke to Claire earlier.
Perhaps he was watching out for his former fiancee, or maybe he really just did not like that, but… Setsuna found that to be a simple request, and spoke after letting go of his hand.
“I assume you realize this, but I have no intention of giving up on you. If you don’t like the idea of love blooming after becoming my fiance, then I will make you like me. In fact, that would be easier to understand.”
“Yes… W-well, I don’t know how to respond, but I understand!”
Yuugo was confessed to and said no, so he was at a loss about how to treat Setsuna, but… He would go along with what she said about starting as friends, and treat her as a friend.
This ended the conversation with the combat miko who brought with her a lot of confusion and a big ruckus, but… The after shocks would surely continue to be felt.
The others present all had a lot on their minds, and would show various reactions later.
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Yep, saw it coming from miles away. What good is there to obtain something you absolutely didn’t earn? But at least now Yuugo finally noticed his rep problem and will work towards fixing it rather than keep trying to downplay his actions.
Ok one down, two more to go
The bit I don’t understand about the Clay family is: they are supposed to have many children.
Yet, for some reason, none of the other children has moved to protect Phi. Even if he is weak and an outcast _inside_ the house, outside the house he should be protected for the sake of family name.
That aside, I’m waiting to see how Melt will change now that someone is making moves against Yuugo, and in a very straightforward way that would leave no doubts in his mind 🙂
First of all, he’s a bastard child. Second of all, his expertise isn’t exactly that known because he tagged along Yuugo before and after his memory loss so there’s absolutely zero incentive to cover for him from his siblings who are too busy dealing with the Clay’s family succession war right after Yuugo got disowned. And finally, about the sake of family name, the only thing that matters to them is for Phi to not stain the family name otherwise he’s free to do whatever, including following Yuugo around despite said guy no longer being part of the Clay family.
That makes sense, thanks for that.
Now you mentioned it, not even the father did anything about it. If I have to guess in a meta sense, either the author forgot Clay family is a major noble family or he didn’t know how to include the family into the story.
Another new member!