"Not at all."
Byakuya shook his head. "So what's been troubling you lately, Kiyoko-nee?"
"There is something... Actually, my family keeps pressuring me to get married."
Kiyoko didn't hesitate to share what was weighing on her mind—the constant pressure to marry.
"Marriage pressure, huh..."
Byakuya immediately understood why Kiyoko was feeling stressed.
Once you reached a certain age, being nagged year after year by family and relatives about marriage was genuinely exhausting.
Especially since Kiyoko-nee was already in her thirties...
Setting aside Japan, even back in China, anyone—male or female—who reached this age would face endless pressure from family and neighbors alike.
Byakuya had assumed that a strong, accomplished woman like Kiyoko, well past her younger years, wouldn't be bothered by such things. But it turned out... even she grew weary of constantly being lectured about marriage...
Though somewhat surprised, he also found it very relatable.
"I live alone, but aside from getting an earful every time I visit home, my family calls to nag me regularly too. It's been getting more frequent lately..."
Kiyoko took a drink, looking somewhat dejected.
"Haven't you told your family how you feel directly, Kiyoko-nee?"
Byakuya asked.
"Of course I have. But it still doesn't stop them."
Kiyoko's tone carried a hint of resignation. "I've told them more than once that I have no intention of getting married."
In the original story, Kiyoko Aura had indeed remained unmarried her entire life.
"Traditional values are hard to shake. Everyone believes marriage and children are simply expected. There's no helping it..."
Byakuya sighed.
Though he'd only been eighteen when he transmigrated, even before that, his family had already started pressuring him to date. So he could somewhat empathize with Kiyoko-nee.
But this couldn't be entirely blamed on tradition. After all, reproduction and survival were instincts for all living creatures. Among all species, only humans were special enough to consciously decide whether to reproduce—other creatures didn't have that luxury.
"Yes, as you said, that's just how traditional values work."
Kiyoko downed the remaining half of her drink in one go.
After a moment, she spoke again. "What if... I pretend I'm currently dating someone, just to shut them up?"
"Pretending like that... won't it eventually be exposed?"
Byakuya couldn't help but point out.
"Yes, which is why I'd need someone who could play along when emergencies arise."
Kiyoko said evenly.
As she finished speaking, her gaze turned to Byakuya.
"...?"
Byakuya looked puzzled.
What did Kiyoko-nee mean by suddenly looking at him like that...?
"Among the people around me, you're the only suitable one..."
Kiyoko stated plainly. "But if this would trouble you, just forget I said anything."
She couldn't possibly bring just any man home to pretend to be her boyfriend.
Even a fake boyfriend had to be someone she found acceptable. Otherwise, she might as well not bother at all.
"It wouldn't trouble me, just... a bit unexpected..."
Byakuya replied.
He wasn't opposed to this.
Compared to Eto's publicity stunt situation, Kiyoko's request was purely for occasional emergencies.
For instance, if her family suddenly visited, or if they demanded she bring her boyfriend home—it was meant to handle situations like those.
"Among all the men I know, you're the one who makes me feel most comfortable. Though that might be because you remind me a little of my late brother... Does that surprise you?"
Kiyoko said calmly.
"A little, but I understand now."
Byakuya said.
"Since you're not troubled by it, I'll be counting on you from now on."
Kiyoko's tone was sincere.
That "counting on you" carried deeper implications...
"Mm. Likewise."
Byakuya nodded.
"By the way... didn't Akira come with you?"
Kiyoko suddenly brought up Akira Mado.
"Akira... She can't hold her liquor at all, so I didn't invite her. Otherwise, she'd be passed out after just a few drinks, and I'd have to carry her home again."
Byakuya explained.
"Is that so?"
Kiyoko swirled her glass. "But actually, I'm not great with alcohol either. You might have to carry me home later... Would that bother you?"
"..."
Byakuya fell silent for a moment. "Of course it wouldn't bother me. But since your tolerance isn't great, maybe drink a little less, Kiyoko-nee? Besides, drinking too much isn't good for your health."
He certainly wasn't bothered by Akira either—she just really couldn't hold her liquor.
At the same time, he felt relieved he hadn't invited Akira along. If both Akira and Kiyoko-nee got drunk, that would be a real headache...
"It's fine. I only drink at most once a month. If I didn't have some free time coming up, I wouldn't have invited you out for drinks today."
Kiyoko said. "But thank you for the advice. At least let me indulge a little tonight."
"Mm."
Byakuya nodded slightly.
He wasn't some strict, uptight person. If Kiyoko-nee wanted to drink, let her drink.
At worst, he'd just have to carry her home later...
...
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