I Was Possessed By An Unknown Manga

Chapter 171: And To Kyoto

“Wait, the President is getting engaged?”

Shocked by the news from the Vice President, I unwittingly widened my eyes.

“Yes. The fiancé is Fujiwara Sai, the second son of the Fujiwara family, from the same clan, and the apparent heir of the Fujiwara Group.”

Fujiwara Group.

I’ve heard of it.

It was one of the top three heavy industry companies in Japan.

At least, he was a much more fitting partner for the President than a commoner like me.

“The lady wasn’t keen on meeting him, but surprisingly, he took a liking to her. That’s how the engagement came about.”

I listened quietly to his story, then asked a question that puzzled me.

“But does an engagement usually proceed as quickly as roasting beans in a flash of lightning?”¹

The Vice President shook his head.

“Not at all. Rather, this is a quite special case. It’s like marking territory before someone else can take her.”

He must have liked her quite a bit.

“……”

After a moment of hesitation, I asked.

“Why are you telling me this, specifically?”

The Vice President then hardened his expression.

“Don’t tell me you’re asking because you don’t know?”

“Honestly, I thought you really disliked the idea of me being involved with the President.”

Especially since you always seemed to disapprove of the President’s kindness towards me.

But contrary to my expectations, the Vice President, his neck veins bulging, suddenly got angry.

“Foolish guy!”

“Uh.”

I flinched at the Vice President’s voice, which echoed loudly in the cramped room.

Regardless, the Vice President grabbed my collar and growled.

“It’s true that I personally dislike you. I hated seeing the lady I’ve served sincerely since childhood suffer because of someone as insensitive as you. But that’s a separate matter. I would do anything for the lady’s happiness, even if it goes against my wishes.”

It was a look I had never seen before.

Eyes that only someone willing to risk their life for another could have.

I realized the Vice President deeply cared for the President.

Actually, thinking about it, it was always like that.

His eyes were always following the President’s shadow.

I closed and then opened my eyes before asking.

“Are you telling me to stop the President’s engagement?”

Then, the Vice President replied with a brazen attitude.

“I never said that.”

“That’s what you’re implying right now.”

It seemed like he wanted someone else to do what he couldn’t; frankly, it felt a bit like a Nolbu attitude.²

Anyway,

“Does the President not know about this?”

The Vice President pushed up his glasses and answered.

“Right. This is all my own decision. Minami wouldn’t have imagined I would go this far.”

“You’re being obstinate.”

“…That’s not for you to say.”

“At least I’m known as a model student at school.”

After all, the never-ending incidents around me were due to events from the original work.

“Anyway, right now, you’re the only one I can trust. I can’t stop the lady’s engagement by myself.”

“Okay, then share the information first. I need to know whether I can do something about it or not.”

“…Alright. Thanks.”

Why has this guy been like this since a while ago?

The Vice President, who would not have spoken like this usually, sat down in front of the computer and opened a file that seemed organized.

“This is the map of the venue where the lady’s engagement ceremony will be held in two weeks.”

Sitting behind the Vice President in the cramped space, I began to listen to the detailed explanation while looking over his shoulder at the screen.

School trip.

Just hearing the name excites students.

Probably because they’re usually confined within the small space of a school, dreaming of a brief escape.

Especially when they become third-year students, with the atmosphere not allowing any play due to college entrance exam studies, many think of enjoying whatever leisure time is left.

Maybe for Japanese high school students, the second semester of the second year is the most shining moment in their youth.

“Ryu-chan!”

“Hello, Rika.”

On the day of the school trip.

Just like when we went to Imgan School last time, we gathered in front of the school playground.

Of course, this time, we gathered in one place for the purpose of checking attendance and facilitating long-distance travel.

Because you can’t take a bus from Tokyo to Kyoto.

“Has everyone gathered?!”

““Yes~””

In response to the call of Matsuda, our class teacher and grade head, the second-year students gathered in the playground answered in unison.

“Even though everyone is excited for the school trip, I hope no one gets hurt and everyone returns safely over the 3 nights and 4 days! If anything happens, refer to the emergency contact list and call any teacher!”

Just like last time, emphasizing safety, Matsuda then instructed everyone to board the tour bus.

We all took a bus from school to the train station, then planned to take the Shinkansen to Kyoto.

Following the others onto the bus, Rika spoke cheerfully.

“The school trip is going to be fun, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”

Then Sasha, who was getting on behind, said.

“Karen, being in a different class again, will probably sulk about having to play alone.”

Rika, with an ambiguous expression, scratched her cheek.

“Ahaha…”

Honestly, I think it’s inevitable to be in different classes.

Wasn’t Karen’s low popularity in the original work due to her ambiguous role, like now?

In a harem-style romantic comedy, there’s always at least one heroine who inevitably becomes a background character.

“By the way, Rika, how is your group’s membership?”

“Oh, me, the Class President, and Sasha-chan…”

“Hello! Hello!”

Interrupting the conversation and linking arms with Rika and Sasha was Hattori, who had recently transferred.

“This is Ayame here.”

“Hehe~ I’ll be counting on both of you for the next 3 nights and 4 days.”

True to her typical insider character, Ayame looked back and forth between the two, speaking in a friendly tone.

Anyone would think they’d been friends for ten years.

Rika seemed troubled but didn’t seem to mind Ayame clinging to her.

Probably because Rika also likes making friends.

Watching the three of them happily, I quickly took my seat upon hearing Mr. Matsuda’s voice telling us to sit down as we would be departing soon.

Due to my large size, the very back seat of the bus was always my fixed spot.

Satoru, who was in my group and sitting next to me, muttered.

“Sitting there, you kind of look like the final boss in a school action story…”

“Do you want to get hit?”

This guy had a rare talent for inviting trouble while sitting down.

After about 20 minutes on the bus to the nearest train station from school, we waited there for the Shinkansen.

Actually, this was my second time taking the Shinkansen.

Since I’ve been in this body, I haven’t had much reason to go far.

I had naturally taken the Mugunghwa-ho and KTX, but the Shinkansen felt a bit different.

Perhaps because it was an early morning departure, the station was crowded with people waiting for the Shinkansen.

Fortunately, the car we were boarding was almost exclusively reserved for our school students.

Being able to chat freely without considering other passengers was a significant advantage.

Since it takes a fair amount of time to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, it would be quite stressful to whisper and be conscious of others’ gazes.

“Everyone~ Please line up in an orderly manner~! Remember that we represent our school outside~!”

Meanwhile, our assistant class teacher, Ms. Mizuki, was sweating bullets trying to manage the unruly students.

Well, thank you for your hard work.

I muttered to myself and checked the messenger on my smartphone.

9:27 AM.

The Kyoto-bound train would soon arrive at the platform.

The three-minute time frame was too short to go to the restroom, but there was definitely something I could do with this spare time.

It was choosing an ekiben.³

“I’ve come to see you again, Ms. Saionji.”

“…You’re really persistent, aren’t you?”

“I, Fujiwara Sai, am a man who doesn’t know how to give up.”

Kumiko, looking at the self-assured, gray-haired prince with eyes full of disdain, soon sighed softly and asked.

“I still can’t read your true intentions. That’s why I can’t understand. Why would you want to be engaged to me? There are many better women out there than me.”

“It seems you’re under a misconception. The standard for a good woman varies from person to person. And by my standards, I have yet to meet a woman better than you, Ms. Saionji.”

“…You’re shameless.”

“In two days, we’ll be fiancés, so how about opening your heart a little? Ms. Saionji.”

But Kumiko did not answer his question.

Silence was her greatest form of resistance.

Even Kumiko’s stubborn demeanor seemed adorable to Fujiwara Sai, who smiled broadly at her before turning away.

“Then, I’ll see you at the engagement ceremony next time.”

Click!

After he closed the door of the president’s office, Kumiko clutched the hem of her skirt and muttered to herself.

‘I’m sorry, Yu-seong.’

1. ED/N: A common expression in Korea used to describe doing something very quickly or hastily. ?

2. ED/N: Based from a Korean folktale about two brothers, Nolbu and Heungbu. Nolbu is known for being selfish and mean. The term is used to describe behavior that is greedy or unsympathetic, much like Nolbu's character in the story. ?

3. TL/N: Station bento ?