Legal disclaim: I do not own the right of Uta no Prince-sama, or their character.
La Mantua Residence
Antonio is giving the news to Mary and Isabel about the diner with the Jinguji's; they were watching the sitcom "The Big Bang Theory." Mary of course happy, to meet and go outside, but Isabel not so much, but on the bright side at least is going to be someone that she know.
A week later
Ren, Soichiro and Seiko Jinguji, came separate vehicle to meet at the entrance of the restaurant to get inside to the schedule diner with the La Mantua.
Ren: Hello, Oba-san, Soichiro.
Soichiro: Hello Ren, thank you for joining us.
Seiko: Good Evening Soichiro. Well, thank you Ren for not posing in the last weeks in any gossip magazine in scandalous position, like leaving a hotel in the morning hours in arm of a woman for example.
Ren: I have been busy with Starish and modeling jobs.
Soichiro: Well, shall we?
Seiko: First I have to say something to both of you.
Ren/Soichiro: Okay
Seiko: This dinner is to show Antonio La Mantua that the Jinguji is a good decent family. Ren please don't make any attempt toward her except a friendly one, I heard that you and her are that; Friends.
Ren is not happy to hear that comment from his grandmother. That he know that she was after. He doesn't like it and is surprise that Soichiro haven't protested over her plan, but again he see his big brother's eyes glowing under those glasses and he know that he is favoring secretly the idea.
They got inside and see that Antonio, Mary and Isabel are already inside and in the table.
Soichiro: Good evening, sorry for being late.
Antonio: Don't worry you are in time. Please sit.
Soichiro: This is my grandmother Jinguji Seiko, my brother Jinguji Ren that I assume that you already know. [Looking at Isabel]
Isabel: Sure, hello nice to meet you all, you too Ren.
Ren: Hello, my mer . . . Isabel. I couldn't leave a chance to see again. [He grabs her hand and gives a kiss, looking at Soichiro to see any reactions.]
Soichiro: Oba-san, this is La Mantua Anotnio, La Mantua Mary and La Mantua Isabel.
Seiko: Is a pleasure and so happy to finally see you my child.
Isabel: The pleasure is all mines.
Seiko: I use to know your mother Mitsune. Our families are friends for many years. Even Mitsune was engage to one of my cousins Takashi, before your father stole her heart.
Antonio: Ohh, so Takashi is a Jinguji. So I'm starting to see the reason of Soichiro insistence to have this dinner.
Seiko: Yes, my son, Soichiro and Ren's father was really angry when the union didn't occur. But don't worry, he got married and have a family of his own. The Takashi or the Jinguji family guards no ill feeling for the incident. Is in the past either way. I always thought of Mitsune as a daughter, so her death hurt me and I always wanted to see her daughter, you Isabel.
They ordered their food and having some small conversations, like the moving the comparing the countries. Ren and Soichiro feel awkward Isabel is seated between them in a round table. Mary, Seiko, Antonio, Soichiro, Isabel and Ren in round the clock. Ren would notice that Soichiro would make conversation to Isabel and he would get involved and interrupt his brother and tried to make Isabel look at him.
Ren POV: I know that Seiko told him to not get involve between Isabel and Soichiro, but he can't. He is tired that the people keep pulling him away from her, like he is the plague or something that have to be shone away. Not to say that Soichiro wouldn't understand Isabel the way that he does. Or maybe he is afraid that his brother could learn more things of her that he could be left behind.
Soichiro POV: Damn Ren, what are you doing? It getting annoying that every time that they are talking and getting along Ren would interrupt and get her attention. Oba-san warned him, and still he look like he will do what he wanted. But the conversation that they had shared, she look really smart and humble and friendly woman. Antonio must be proud of her.
Isabel POV: The brother looked like they are fighting for my attention two small children fighting over just one toy. She wonder is their relationship as brothers is okay. Soichiro look more like a father to Ren than a brother may be the age difference. But the idea of two brothers against each other pained her heart.
Isabel excuse herself so she could go to the bathroom. Ren see the moment and while the rest of them are into the conversation he walk to the bathroom area and wait for her. The moment that he sees her getting out and he get close to her and embrace her.
Isabel: Huh? Ren, what are you . . .? [Ren suddenly kissing her, not being aware that someone was watching that unfold.]
Ren: I'm tire that many people get in my way, tired that they telling me no to pursued you. I don't want you to be with anyone. I'm interested in you, Isabel.
Isabel: [Pull away from him. Eyes wide open.] No.
Ren: No?
Isabel was in shock, and moves back to the table and ignore Ren the rest of the diner. She feel like the friendship that she offered him was a game for him. He is interrupting his brother conversations, sneaking to kiss her in the back hall. She really sees him as a boy that want the toy that his brother have interest in playing, or the kid that want to climb the tallest tree even thou many tell him not to do it. She felt no connection in that kiss, only wants, no love. She can't accept his confession.
At the end of the evening Seiko enjoyed the time meeting the La Mantua and so far her grandsons had behaved the best they can.
Seiko: So Isabel, I was wondering is your seeing anybody. A young and beautiful woman like you must be engage by now.
Isabel: No, ma'am. So far I have been so focus in the classes.
Seiko: Education is important; I bet you are top of your class.
Isabel: Well, I have a year to graduation. Since I came here I taking some classes in W University that can be credited at Yale and still graduate on time.
Soichiro: I heard your taking laws. Right?
Isabel: Yes.
Seiko: So are you going to live officially in Japan.
Isabel: I want to be here for a while and see the place that my mother was born and lived until she got married. Eventually I have to go back for the graduation and I still don't know what to do.
Antonio: So far I hope that by that time you can tell me that you fall in love and planning a wedding.
Isabel: Dad!
Mary: Honey, I think that theme is not for here. I bet Mrs. Jinguji doesn't need to listen to this.
Seiko: Ohh, please call me Seiko. I had a very lovely evening and I feel that we know for a while and you all have given this old lady a day.
Antonio: And we are thankful for the invitation.
Seiko: Beside I know what Antonio is going through. Soichiro here is single and I have been begging him to find wife. At my age I want to see that my beloved grandchildren are as happy as I was when I marry my late husband. I want to see some baby walking in the house.
Antonio: See! That's what I want to see that my daughter met a nice and reliable man and be married.
Mary: Honey, I know the sentiment, but is up to Isabel and Seiko I bet that Soichiro as handsome as he is will have no problem getting a woman attention.
Ren: I could volunteer to become Isabel's fiancé.
Seiko/ Soichiro: Ren!
Antonio made a sour face that many can't understand that statements was one that he couldn't stomack.
Seiko: My young grandson can really be a jokester.
Antonio: I'm sorry Mrs. Jinguji but I know the fame of him and any respectable father wouldn't like his daughter associate with him. The only reason that I have been tolerant knowing that they have a friendship is that I have trust that Isabel will not fall for such type of men.
Ren is hurt that the father of the woman that is attracted too is attacking him in such a way. They don't know him well and are pushing him away without a moment to prove the man that he can be worthy of her.
The night come to an end, the party leaves to their respective houses.
Seiko: Ren, I'll give you a ride home.
Ren: Okay [He knows what would lead now. He gets to her vehicle.]
Seiko: Ren, please explain your action of this night with Miss La Mantua
Ren: What are you talking about, Oba-san? I know her and you told me to the friend with her.
Seiko: To be friendly, you acted like a small child fighting over a toy. Let me get myself clear in case that you missed the first time; I want to get Soichiro and Isabel together.
Ren: Why Soichiro? Why not me?
Seiko: Ren, I could have considered you. But you saw that back there. Your "reputation" has won a dislike at Mr. La Mantua. Your actions have caught up to you and you heard what he said. What respectable father would let his daughter be with a womanizer? So far, it's a miracle that any of your conquest hasn't come to the house claiming to be pregnant or expecting to get engage from you.
Ren: But I could change with the right woman.
Seiko: Why you have to wait for a woman for you to change? Do you really want her that much? To the point marry her and quit Starish?
Ren: You want me to quit Starish?
Seiko: Did you know that Antonio La Mantua is looking not only a husband for his daughter but a successor to take over the company when the time comes. Or what did you thought that you could be an idol all your life?
Ren: . . .
Seiko: If you really want her, you have to win her. You have to make some changes in your life, if you can't then you have no business with her and move aside. Soichiro manage to convince us to let you go to that school and to have this "career" to let you pursuit this music of yours. I keep thinking that you are taking advantage of Soichiro kindness and running wild.
Good old Oba-san, strong, stern and wise. She at that age still is able to see thing that many could have missed, the benefit of age and status inside the family. Ren got to his place and lay in the bed thinking about all that had happened so far.
A/N: Going everything slow. Are Ren feeling really love or something else? Do Isabel can open up to love?