Chapter 10: Gaining Grandpa Oda's Approval 1
Holding the duck necklace tightly on my chest, I ran around the academy led by Senior Qingshui.
I was wearing Shimizu-senpai's suit jacket, which was big enough to cover the dress I was wearing.
I don’t know what would happen if Hideki told everything clearly. Maybe like Hasunuma said, people would target me even more than before!
But I didn’t feel scared. The necklace on my palm gave me enough strength.
"Hideki told you to wear the necklace he gave you." Hasunuma said as he helped me put on the necklace and handed me over to Senior Shimizu. "Go! If that guy can learn to love this, it must be because of you."
Hasunuma actually doesn’t know the courage this sentence gave me!
Yes, I am the special one for Hideki! Although I am just an ordinary guy, but because of this, I become full of hope and courage.
But things did not go as I wished. As if it was a irony to me, I stood outside the venue under the protection of Senior Shimizu, and waited until there was no one in the venue and Hideki did not show up.
Hideki was still the King of the Night, almost without dispute, and even though he had rejected those girls before, he still got the title. But...even so, his absence still caused people to talk.
If it were seen by an unrelated person, it would probably be just like that! Just like the girls from the fan club who left without waiting for Hideki, although they had doubts in their hearts, they quickly integrated into the activities and left in groups after it was over.
However, I did not leave, and neither did Senior Shimizu.
"...Where did Hideki go?" I asked while standing in the shadow of the tree.
Because he was afraid that I would be surrounded after Hideki explained the situation, Senior Shimizu asked me to stand here so that he could take me away immediately even if something really happened.
But now, the advantage of this place is probably that it uses shadows to cover the disappointment on my face.
"That guy won't break a promise easily, even though he has that annoying personality of pretending to be popular. But because of this, he will take the promise more important than anything else. Because it affects whether others will hate him or not!"
"Hey..." I turned my head to look at Senior Shimizu and found a suspicious expression similar to shyness on his face.
Is Shimizu-senpai also worried about Hideki like Hasunuma-senpai? Does that mean that what he did to me before was actually to bring Hideki and I together?
"Senior is very introverted..."
“Huh?” This time it was Senior Shimizu who looked at me. He looked a little surprised. “Senior, you are worried about Hideki! Your expression has already explained it. It was because of this before!”
“……” The senior looked at me silently for a while, then rubbed my head hard.
"Ahhh..." I looked at him dizzy.
"Shouldn't you be suspicious of that guy in your current situation? If you think about it carefully, he is a guy who treats girls rudely and coldly, but can be dealt with with tenderness and a smile! It's not appropriate for you to forgive him so easily!"
After Senior Shimizu let go of my hand, I finally managed to stand up. Indeed, Senior Shimizu was right. If I were in any other girl who liked Hideki's situation now, I would probably be feeling very nervous!
I was worried whether Hideki really liked me, or whether he changed his mind halfway and wanted to go back to a life surrounded by people. I also felt that I should think so.
But now the only thing I am worried about is Hideki's safety. Could it be that he can't come because something happened to him?
"I... I don't doubt it..." I smiled at the senior, "I haven't told Hideki anything yet... I like him, and I expect him to prove that he likes me... But even if I haven't said it yet, I already know my feelings for Hideki."
"Although Hideki is not here now, as someone who likes him, all I can do is believe in him!"
"You...are indeed...the girl that Hideki likes..."
As soon as Senior Shimizu finished saying this, his cell phone rang. After he answered the call, his expression became a little serious.
"Hey...what's wrong?" I asked hurriedly when I saw Senior Qingshui hung up the phone.
"It's Hasunuma," the senior said to me, "Hideki was taken away."
"I was really careless for a moment. The bet has been discovered!" The handsome young man named Shangquan Huang, who called himself the Emperor of Phoenix Light as soon as they met, although he had an ordinary appearance, but according to the introduction of Senior Lianzhu, he was the number one emperor among the emperors of Fengcheng.
"Well... that grandpa is not an easy person to deal with. I heard that the Oda family is going to hold the legendary daughter-in-law selection banquet today!" Senior Amakusa leaned back on the sofa, with a rare lack of smile in his phoenix eyes.
"Of course he was very angry, especially after learning that Hideki had spent a lot of money to buy clothes for a certain girl. Grandpa didn't pay much attention to Hideki's attitude in the past, because Hideki had never been serious about any girl around him - but this time it was different. He originally thought it was just a bet to help the other party improve her grades, but Hideki actually refused to participate in such a blind date party! Tsk, he would have loved it before!"
Hasunuma still had that expression as if he was calculating something.
"Did Xiaoshan find out about the ninja under your command?" Kamiizumi Emperor said to Hasunuma.
"Such a small matter can still be done. I just received a text message from Xiaoshan saying that Grandpa is planning to put Xiushu under supervision. Maybe he will be sent to the American branch next semester... Things have become a big deal!"
Lianuma bit his fingertips rarely. Although he was not particularly familiar with him, it was obvious that the Dark Emperor was also a little nervous.
For a moment, everyone present had different opinions. Senior Ren Jian was shouting about how terrible his grandfather was, but he immediately stopped talking when the eldest lady glared at him.
Then everyone started to discuss how to let Hideki regain his freedom. I couldn't get a word in and could only listen to their opinions until Senior Shimizu suddenly asked me.
"Xiao Liu, what do you think we should do now?"
When I realized that Shimizu-senpai was asking me, the surroundings had become quiet and everyone was looking at me, waiting for my response.
"Indeed, I should ask you. That guy was locked up by his grandfather because of you." Hasunuma also stared at me, "Maybe you are the only one who can solve the problem."
"I, I want to go! I want to find Hideki!" I said this after thinking about it seriously.
Yes, I will go find him. For the unspoken words “I like you”, I will also go find Hideki.
"Ms. Oshima, that grandfather is just like a demon. He is a guy who will not easily give face to others. You have to face such a person to see Hideki. And even if you face Grandpa Oda, you may not have the chance to see Hideki. If you are not careful, he will be sent out of the country in two days!"
"I... I don't know what the outcome will be, but, but... I know I have to go -"
I spoke with all my strength, and my voice, which had always been so soft and quiet that it would be ignored even when I introduced myself in the classroom, became sonorous and powerful, echoing in waves in the magnificent hall of this Fengcheng school.
"I... want to see Hideki. I have something to tell him. For this, no matter what I have to face, I will definitely do it!"
Everyone looked at me quietly until Emperor Shangquan stood up.
"I see..." He said to me, "Since you said so, how can we, as Hideki's friends, stay out of it? Come on, we'll take you to his house."
"Yes, we'll take you there!"
Senior Hasumi, Senior Shimizu, Senior Amakusa, and the eldest lady...all the friends I met at Huanghua College gave me courage with their encouraging eyes.
——I’m going to look for Hideki.
Going right now!
Although I was mentally prepared, I couldn't help but grab Ajinzai when I saw that what I was facing was not a simple villa, but a noble old house surrounded by a large wall that had a history.
Since I was going to meet Hideki, everyone was giving me advice. Senior Hasunuma even suggested that it would be best for Xiaoshan, who was hiding inside, to come out and meet me, and let me in disguise as a maid.
However, I did not accept this advice.
"I want to meet Hideki the way he wants to be met."
When I said this, I seemed to see a smile flash quickly in Emperor Shangquan's eyes.
I once again stroked the necklace hanging on my chest. I don’t know when it started, but the gift that Hideki gave me has become a source of strength for me when I’m nervous.
Just like the little duck my mother taught me to make, she supports me, encourages me, and gives me the courage to face things and fight for them.
Everyone was looking at me from behind, and Shimizu-senpai seemed to be worried about me and asked me if I needed someone to accompany me. But I rejected his offer - I thought this was my war, and it had nothing to do with Hideki in this big house.
Hideki's childhood experiences were so miserable, but he still decided to choose me. He picked ordinary me from so many outstanding girls because he thought I was different...so, I should be truly different.
Hideki fought against those desires in his heart and got rid of the past. I can also be that brave person. I will no longer hesitate and fear every relationship. I will no longer escape or wait. Now I have friends and my favorite Hideki.
I can do it - to face anything -
After taking a deep breath, I placed my finger on the doorbell and pressed it down hard.
At this moment, I only have you in my heart, Hideki ...
However, even though I had made all the preparations, when the door opened and the neatly dressed and solemn-looking butler appeared in front of me, I couldn't help but feel extremely nervous.
Not to mention the pressure of what I saw when I followed them into the mansion - so... so scary...
Originally, I thought that Hideki’s residence at Huanghua College was already exaggerated, it was basically a villa, but I didn’t expect that his own home was the real essence of exaggeration.
The wooden mansion looks like a historical relic from the outside. Even the carvings on the pillars in the corridor are absolutely exquisite. It is even more terrifying when you walk into the corridor inside the room. The carpet is so thick that your footsteps cannot be heard on it, and the decorations placed next to it make it even more incredible.
The decoration in Fengcheng is already very luxurious, but it is still basically a modern product. The knives placed on any flower stand here can be seen as antique treasures, and they are even covered with glass covers. It seems a bit unfair to say that they are valuable.
There are many more things like this. When I sat down on the sofa, the glass cup that poured me flower and fruit tea was obviously an extraordinary treasure.
I didn't dare to pick it up and drink it! I was sweating profusely, thinking, if I accidentally broke it, it would be terrible...
When I was thinking this, the housekeeper said to me, "Miss Yadao, the young master cannot see you for the time being. This is the eldest master's study, and he will be here soon."
"I...ok...ok..."
My hands unconsciously grasped the cloth duck tightly.
Grandpa Oda is indeed a very scary person - probably ten times scarier than Hideki! He is an old man who looks very similar to Hideki, which makes people wonder if Hideki will look like this when he is older.
But the scary thing is that you can hardly read any emotion from Grandpa Oda's face.
"So, you're the girl who made my grandson dare to talk back to me!"
Grandpa Oda came to me with a cane. I stood up for politeness, but his tall figure made me feel as if he was being held tightly by something.
But I know that at this moment, I absolutely cannot retreat easily.
"…Hello, Grandpa! I'm Ryuu Yashima!" I straightened my chest and introduced myself in a clear and loud voice.
"Hmm... you still have some courage. Sit down! Otherwise, it will look like an old man like me is bullying you."
I sat down with Grandpa Oda, the sweet scent of herbal tea lingering around me, but I couldn't relax at all.
"Little girl, do you hear the music?" Grandpa Oda asked a strange question after sitting down. I was stunned and listened carefully. Sure enough, there was beautiful music coming from a distance.
Seeing me nod, Grandpa Oda snorted and laughed - this was exactly the same as Hideki.
"That was a dance held to select girls with the same qualifications as my grandson Hideki. The girls who were able to attend the dance all had good backgrounds and received excellent education. You, little girl, sitting in front of me, do you have the same qualifications as them?"
"I, I didn't!" I sat up straight, constantly telling myself not to be easily defeated by my grandfather's aura.
"Oh! I thought you were so amazing! Then can you tell me? Compared with those girls dancing at the banquet, what is so special about you that you deserve me to let my grandson come to see you?"
too horrible……
I looked at Grandpa Oda's wrinkled face. He was definitely not a kind old man. Although he was very old, his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. When he stared at people, it was hard not to feel guilty under his gaze.
But I have nothing to feel guilty about.
I sat upright and answered Grandpa Oda's questions seriously.
"Grandpa, I'm so sorry. I never thought of myself as a great person. On the contrary, I always thought of myself as a very ordinary person, even though I have many shortcomings compared to others."
Maybe it was because I was too honest! My grandfather seemed to be surprised by my frankness right from the start, and he didn't say anything, but just listened to me.
