"The Idea of a Woman Stealing Someone Else's Partner is Ridiculous," I laughed. But After Being Reborn, I Became a Victim of Such a Woman. However, My New Fiancée was Absolutely Amazing. - Episode 24

The discussion with the family heads ended successfully, and finally, my engagement with Kouga-san was officially confirmed between both families.

It was my first time seeing an engagement promise being made between families, and it felt really moving.

Both family names and our names were written on a document, and the heads of both families signed it as witnesses.

Then, all the agreed details were gathered together into a formal “contract,” which would be kept by both families until the ceremony.

The contract also included the timeline leading up to the ceremony, so we would use it as a reference while preparing.

Now I understood why everything was written in such detail.

Even with my past engagement to Arisugawa Kaname, we had signed a contract, and when it was broken, we had to go through the process of nullifying it, which took quite some time.

The contract wasn’t as powerful as a spiritual charm, but it was infused with spiritual energy, and the moment someone signed it, their spiritual energy became a part of it.

That’s why nullifying a contract required the signers to withdraw their spiritual energy, which took time.

It made sense.

If even one person opposed breaking the engagement, the contract wouldn’t become invalid.

In my case with Arisugawa Kaname, the decision was made without us being involved, and since my family’s powerful backer, the Kujou-no-Go family, took the lead in pushing for the annulment, the Arisugawa family, which wasn’t part of the Guardian Ten Clans, had no choice but to comply.

Technically, the Arisugawa family was a branch of the Juujo-no-Go family, but there was still a huge status difference between a branch family and the Kujou-no-Go main house, which was part of the Guardian Ten Clans.

If the Arisugawa family had sought support from the Juujo-no-Go family and they had gotten involved, my engagement would have dragged on forever—just like what happened with the Amagasaki family.

“Well, now that everything is settled, let’s finish with some casual conversation.”

“That sounds good. We don’t get opportunities like this often.”

“Ah, Kouga, you should take this chance to get along with Mai a little. You’re terrible at talking, so don’t make her struggle too much. Make sure to talk a lot so there are no misunderstandings.”

“Ugh…!”

“I’ll give you some spending money, so why don’t you go shopping at the market?”

“N-not necessary.”

Reiji-sama took out his wallet, but Kouga-san immediately refused.

He’s totally getting teased…

He must really hate this kind of teasing.

“A date? Go on, then. Mai-san, I’ll give you some spending money.”

“I-I’m fine!?”

“You should take it. You can’t expect Kouga-sama to pay for you.”

“Oh…! …Thank you…”

“Hehehe. Such a well-mannered girl.”

The money she handed me was 1,000 yen.

My eyes almost popped out.

In my previous life, this wouldn’t even be enough for a middle schooler’s allowance, but in this era, it’s worth about 20,000 to 30,000 yen.

This is a time when there’s a smaller currency unit called sen below the yen.

Scary, scary, scary—the Guardian Ten Clans main house is terrifying.

Their sense of money is completely out of touch!

“I heard that the trendy ‘cafés’ these days serve something called ‘omurice.’ You should try it. Oh, and the ‘pudding’ was delicious too.”

“Omurice… Pudding…!?”

“Yes, yes. I also recently discovered the taste of a bitter drink called ‘coffee.’ Reiji-san still insists he can only drink ‘café au lait,’ though.”

“No, no, café au lait is deep in its own way. The taste changes completely depending on the ratio of coffee, sugar, and milk. Even the type of sugar—white sugar, brown sugar, honey—makes a difference. And the amount of milk affects how smooth it is…”

“Yes, yes. Anyway, go spend some time with your fiancée and get to know each other.”

Kouga-san got a firm pat on the back.

Ah, I see. Reiji-sama has fallen into the depths of café au lait appreciation.

Café au lait is deep, after all.

The type of coffee beans, how they’re roasted, the richness of the milk, the amount and type of sugar—it all makes a huge difference in the taste.

Once you start chasing the perfect café au lait, there’s no end to it…

Wait.

…Is this… a date?

Well, we’re engaged, so I guess that’s normal.

A date… with omurice… and pudding… I want to eat them…!

“If… If it’s not a bother for you, Kouga-sama, I would love to go.”

But I made sure to say it gracefully—without sounding desperate!

To be honest, I’ve never gone to the market except for shopping for daily necessities!

With Arisugawa Kaname, forget dating—I never even talked to him before my engagement was broken at my own birthday party!

I didn’t even know cafés existed until just now!

But more than anything—omurice! Pudding! I want to eat them! I have to eat them!

Please, Kouga-san! Forget the date—just let me eat omurice!

I don’t even know how to make ketchup!

If I can ask the café staff for the recipe, now that I have an allowance, I can make omurice and pudding at home too!

Because in my poor Yuukizaka household, eggs are a luxury—we’re lucky if we can buy two eggs a week!

But if I say I’m making omurice for Kouga-san’s lunch, I can buy enough eggs to actually cook it!

And with the extras, I can make pudding for dessert!

Let’s go! Let’s eat omurice and pudding!!

“My daughter hasn’t been to the market for fun since she was ten. I’m sure it has changed a lot. Please watch over her.”

“I heard she’s had a tough time. I don’t think I can make it fun for her, but if she doesn’t mind…”

With my father’s words, Kouga-san finally agreed to go out.

Since we were meeting with the head of the Kujou-no-Go family, I had borrowed a kimono and hairpin from them, so I had to be careful not to get them dirty.

But my outfit was perfectly fine for going outside.

Immediately, a Kujou-no-Go servant brought a small purse for me.

Inside were a wallet, lipstick, and face powder—everything I needed.

Wait…

Did they plan this date from the beginning…?

“Let’s go.”

“Y-yes!”