Hello there, everyone. I felt like I had some explaining to do regarding Fujiwaka, but instead of putting it all in an author's note, I decided to write an interlude to explain everything. And I've written it as an interview. Enjoy.

Lenneko-chan, some readers were quite shocked when Fujiwaka hit his daughter like that. Eragonfan, for example, was convinced that the man thought of Emiko as 'his little girl'. Could you explain this?

Yes, I see how that could've caused some confusion. However, Fujiwaka does think of Emiko as his little girl. The thing is: the man is a control freak and addicted to the feeling of having authority. By standing up to him, Emiko questioned his authority, which caused Fujiwaka to freak out. The reason that he slapped his daughter, was remind her in a physical way who of the two of them is the one in charge.

So Fujiwaka doesn't hate Emiko?

No, absolutely not! He doesn't hate her, even though he'd have preferred a son instead of a daughter. Fujiwaka hates his wife for giving birth to a girl. But his wife was around in that scene, Fujiwaka just took some of his aggression out on Emiko.

Then how about Emiko's friendship with Mokuba? Like HeartlessRomantic183 points out, it would've made more sense if Fujiwaka had been overjoyed by that.

True. However, like Eragonfan suspected, Fujiwaka doesn't want any man to come anywhere near his daughter. At least no young and/or attractive man that Emiko might fall in love with. Not to mention that the idea of a man lusting after Emiko infuriates Fujiwaka. So when Nori told him about Emiko and Mokuba, all that Fujiwaka actually heard was 'Emiko + young man + "friendship" = I'm losing my little girl to some unworthy scumbag on legs that is raging with hormones and wants nothing more than to throw my little girl against the nearest flat surface to have his way with her'. The child (read: son) of Mokuba and Emiko would, hypothetically speaking, take control of the Fujiwaka company and most likely also a part of KaibaCorp. But to Fujiwaka, that would mean that another family gains control over his company. Control, remember? It's all about control when dealing with Fujiwaka.

Well, that explains something, I guess. But what about his rant about having his daughter be marries to a guy that he chooses and bla-bla-bla?

Like I said, the man is a control-freak. He'll only approve of any boyfriend for his daughter if he's sure that the guy in question is "worthy". So he wants to pick his daughter's boyfriend himself. It's all about control. Fujiwaka feels insecure if he's not in control, so if necessary, he takes control.

Could you tell something more about this wish of Fujiwaka for a grandson?

Certainly. As you already know, Fujiwaka was very disappointed that his wife gave birth to a daughter, so his daughter giving birth to a son is the next best thing. Fujiwaka isn't very modern, he has that mindset in which only sons can be heirs to their father's property. He wants his company to stay in the hands of a Fujiwaka, preferably one of his own branch of the family tree. Emiko's son would still be of Fujiwaka's blood, but Fujiwaka would want to adopt the boy as his own son. It's the authority and control thing again.

Would it not have made more sense if Fujiwaka and his wife had had a second child?

It would, yes, but like I said, Fujiwaka hates his wife. Their marriage was a political one, arranged by their fathers. Fujiwaka started to cheat on his wife as soon as she got pregnant. Being the arrogant jerk he is, Fujiwaka was convinced that the child would be male. When Saeko had a daughter, however, Fujiwaka's first thought was that the girl wasn't his. He thought his wife had cheated on him and he even wanted a DNA test to make sure Emiko was his child. Of course, as soon as that was all over and done with, Fujiwaka thought it to be his wife's fault that their child was a girl and he was convinced that she would only give birth to more daughters, so he didn't even bother trying for a son as a second child.

But Emiko's grandfather doesn't seem to be the kind of man to give his daughter away in an arranged marriage.

It's all about politics! The marriages of Emiko's grandparents were arranged as well. It's the power of tradition. The marriage of Saeko to Fujiwaka ensured a lot of benefits for both companies, so their parents agreed to it.

What about Nori? Emiko is related to him.

Yes, that's true. However, Nori is of one of the side branches of Saeko's family tree. Therefore, he's not bound to the family traditions. Plus, let's face it, Nori is somewhat the black sheep of the family.

How come that he didn't know that Emiko is his relative?

He has only limited contact with his family. Plus, there's Fujiwaka. He'd never let a family's black sheep near his daughter. Nori isn't of a high enough rank.

Then there's Hasako…

Quite a bitch, isn't she? Yes, she's Fujiwaka's favorite mistress and will stay with him for all of their lives, by the looks of it. Fujiwaka wants to hurt his wife and the best way to do that is by taking Emiko away from her and having the little girl call Saeko's husband's mistress "mommy".

How did Emiko find out that Saeko is actually her mother?

The girl's very smart. As she got older, she figured it out for herself.

How's the bond between Emiko and her mother?

They love each other with a passion and Saeko is also secretly happy that he daughter is good friends with Mokuba, but they are afraid to show affection because of Fujiwaka.

Something else, Lenneko-chan. You always try to update this story daily. However, it seems like you won't be able to be back with a new chapter tomorrow.

Yes, that's right. I have to go to an important meeting tomorrow regarding the school's yearbook and I'll also be going to a graduation party. Plus, my mom ordered me to clean up the mess that I call my room.

Then when can we expect your next installment?

That would be Sunday evening at the latest, as long as nothing unexpected comes up.

Last question: what should your readers do if they have any other questions about this story that we failed to ask you?

In that case they can always leave a review with their questions OR they can PM me, and then I'll answer their questions as soon as possible. Also, there might be other interludes with explanations and the like.

Lenneko-chan, thank you very much for your time.

Not a problem, come back anytime.

I sure hope to have made things clearer. See you in the next chapter!