"President?"

Naoki raised his head. He didn't know if he would get used to being called that any time soon. "Yes?" he responded, looking at Tsuchiya, who had arranged the investor interviews.

"Could I speak to you a moment, in private?" He slanted his eyes towards the administrative assistant at the other desk.

"Certainly. Iwaya-san," he called to the older woman, "could you step out for a few minutes?"

"Of course, Irie-san," she bowed. "I will take this opportunity to see if Personnel has compiled a shortlist of candidates for the video position."

Naoki nodded at her then gestured to Tsuchiya to take a seat. "What is it?"

"That potential investor the other day—Oizumi from Hokuei-sha—has called back."

"Really?" He sat a little straighter. "Does this mean that we have a chance for funding?"

He shifted a little in his chair. "He didn't say so specifically, although he hinted that it could be forthcoming, with conditions."

"Conditions?" Naoki frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Ah," Tsuchiya looked even more uncomfortable, "I don't mean to ask personal questions, Irie-san, but do you have a girlfriend?"

Naoki blinked away the memory of Kotoko holding him tightly the night he admitted that his future had been sealed by outward events. "No, but you have aroused my curiosity."

"Well, the Chairman has taken a great liking to you. How would you feel about having a matchmaking dinner with his granddaughter?"

After getting the man out of his office with the promise that he would consider the matter, Naoki sat at his desk and rolled a pen back and forth across the surface. Taking control of Pandai was one thing, but this would be letting Pandai take control of him! His mind raced. Although he believed that eventually the company would pull through on its own, the funds would certainly expedite its recovery. Well, this was not a decision that he could make without informing his father. Plus, he looked at the clock, with this proposal (almost a literal one!) my concentration is shot for the day. I might as well drop by early to present Dad's daily update.

"Ah, Kotoko-chan," Mr. Irie patted her hand, "I'm sorry that our family troubles have prevented you from taking a vacation."

"Nonsense, Ojisan," she chided him, "as long as I've lived with you, don't try to say that I'm not part of the family too."

He chuckled. "That is certainly the case. You and Yuuki-kun especially fight like siblings."

"Yes," she admitted, "but only because he acts like a knucklehead at times."

Laughing, he agreed then looked down and fussed with the bedclothes a moment. "You know," he hesitantly began, "Mama and I always did think you and Onii-chan would make a good match. Has this time, troublesome though it is, brought you two closer together?"

Outside the room, Naoki cursed silently when his phone vibrated. He moved a few steps away to check the message. That persistent Tsuchiya! He had found a society photo of the Oizumi heiress and had forwarded it to him. "Is he trying to convince me to pimp myself out?" he muttered before closing the screen.

Meanwhile, back in the room, the conversation had continued but with a slight change of topic.

"Ojisan, you know that's not a question to ask someone who is dating another," Kotoko chided him gently.

Slightly deflated, he nodded. "I know, but Mother had such hopes… So," he managed a smile, "is this young man your true love?"

Kotoko's fingers twisted a strand of hair self-consciously. "I'm not sure. I feel comfortable with him, and it is easy to be by his side." She ducked her head and blushed. "I like his kisses, but they don't make my heart pound the way…" she broke off at the thought of the one kiss that she had experienced before dating Watanabe, "...I always thought it would."

Mr. Irie cleared his throat. "It may not be the place of an old fuddy-duddy like me who isn't even related to you, but that doesn't sound like the emotion you've been talking about the past few years, does it?"

She breathed out slowly. "What really bothers me is that, after all this time, he feels more for me than I feel for him."

Leaning against the wall next to the door, Naoki closed his eyes in pain. So, despite his hopes and patience, the recognition of his feelings was too late. Well, he shook himself mentally, being a genius didn't mean that you knew everything. He ought to congratulate Watanabe at some point on having the wisdom to see what he had been blind to, but right now... He stepped away. He was in no mood to speak to anyone. The update was going to have to be skipped for today.

"Thank you for letting me know, Iwaya-san." Kotoko inclined her neck forward in a bow as she concluded the brief phone conversation. She hung up the receiver and turned to Yuuki. "Your brother is working late this evening. So it's just you and me for dinner again."

He scowled slightly out of habit but made no cutting remark as he wondered what else could be going wrong for his Onii-chan.

Iwaya Shinobu raised an eyebrow in inquiry after she hung up. "Was that all you needed, Irie-san?"

"Yes, thank you," he said in a toneless voice before nodding towards the door with a slight smile. "Now hurry home to your family before the trains get too crowded."

"Irie-san," she drawled, "the trains don't frighten me. What is of concern," she looked at him with the stern eyes of a mother, "is that you are worrying yourself to a breakdown like your father over this company. Don't stay too late, and remember to eat."

He gave her a slightly more genuine smile. "Yes, Mother." After she sniffed and exited, his figure drooped in the chair. Yes, the company's condition was troubling, but his main endeavor the past few days was trying to force some distance between himself and Kotoko. This brief break of time, he hoped, would allow him to shore up his cool exterior enough to hide his aching heart.

Several days later Naoki braced himself when his visitor's name was mentioned. Standing, he strode from behind the desk and met him, hand extended. "Watanabe! It's been a while! What brings you this way?"

Releasing his hand, his friend eyed him closely. "I thought I would visit you in your new environment. Kotoko told me about the upheaval caused by your father's illness."

"Yes," he masked a wince at the mention of her name, "lots of plans were changed. Here, sit!" He indicated two visitor chairs that faced each other. After a brief hesitation, he asked, "How was your holiday?"

"It went well. Our family has a second home near the shore."

"I know Kotoko was sorry to have missed it, but we certainly appreciate her help at the house, with Mother practically a resident of the hospital as well."

"Yes. I haven't seen her yet due to conflicting schedules. I brought her a special piece of jewelry back from the shore."

"Oh." Naoki's eyes dropped. "I'm sure she'll be happy to receive it."

"Well, it's not as if she's not expecting it, but," he gave his friend a serious look, "let's talk about you."

"What?" Naoki gave a dry laugh and spread his hands. "Here I am, as just about everyone predicted, running the family business."

"Kotoko indicated that you had found another interest before all this came crashing down on you."

He waved it away. "I know my duty."

Watanabe paused, not knowing what else to say. Both he and Naoki appeared relieved when the door cracked open. "Irie-san!"

"Yes, Tsuchiya-san?" Naoki asked in a clipped manner and waved his hand to tell him to get on with it.

"Um," he glanced at the other man in the room then decided to speak freely, "Oizumi-san has set up the marriage meeting for a week from Saturday, if that meets with your approval."

Naoki closed his eyes briefly. "I have nothing else planned, and I will make sure that Mother clears her schedule as well."

"Very good, Irie-san." He bowed and backed out of the room.

"Marriage meeting!" Watanabe exclaimed as soon as the door was closed.

"Yes," Naoki said, "with the granddaughter of a potential investor."

"Duty is one thing, but sacrificing your entire future for the company—! They're asking a bit much of you, Irie."

"It's my choice," he replied, "and my responsibility. My headstrong ways caused my father's first attack. I can't repay him by letting his company fall in bankruptcy."

"Things are that bad?"

"They're pretty grim. Although we could pull out eventually, this will shorten the recovery time."

"But still—! You should have the right to marry someone you love."

"It doesn't look like that's in the cards for me, does it?" he asked wryly. "At any rate, she's easy on the eyes, based on the photos I've seen of her." He glanced at the clock. "I have an appointment in a few minutes. Let me stretch my legs by showing you down, and you can tell me how your third year of pre-law is going."

When they reached the ground floor, the two walked outside and shook hands. "I don't think you're making the right decision, but I wish you the best of luck, Irie."

"Thanks, Watanabe. Don't be a stranger."

Naoki thought he had brushed through that conversation fairly well. He was glad that Watanabe held him no ill will and thankful for the heads-up about the new stage in his relationship with Kotoko. Although he might have wished that things had turned out differently, he thought that Kotoko would be happy with him. He returned back inside, not noticing a young woman staring after him.

"Irie?"