My System Always Wants to Force Me to Confess
Chapter 105: Everyone’s an Artist, No Need for Formalities

Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Everyone’s an Artist, No Need for Formalities

Wait, isn’t this reaction a bit off?

Your arranged partner is an R18 manga artist, and part of the Minotaur Sect no less! Aren’t you at least a bit embarrassed or distraught? Instead, you asked me if I’m a Minotaur!

Shirakawa Sawahei suddenly felt that his arranged partner, Hinata Rion, might have some issues as well.

He sensed the underlying meaning in Dubian Ichiro’s words and asked back, "You just said ’also’... Do you actually know about Miss Hinata’s profession?"

"Of course, I know." Dubian Ichiro grabbed Shirakawa Sawahei’s hand, delightedly saying, "I didn’t expect Rion to find a fan to help her manage the store. It must be joyous to work with an artist you admire."

"You’ve misunderstood that part." Shirakawa Sawahei calmly withdrew his hand, resolutely stating, "I’m not her fan."

"No no no, Mr. Shirakawa, there’s no need to hide it. Actually, I’m also an artist. When I studied abroad, I frequently sold doujinshis online..."

Dubian Ichiro thought he had found a kindred spirit and enthusiastically said, "Unfortunately, the online experience can’t compare to Comic conventions... Mr. Shirakawa must get to attend them often back home."

Shirakawa Sawahei: "..."

Didn’t expect you, this outwardly wholesome socialite second-generation rich, to be such a die-hard otaku.

"Just to ask... Do you and Miss Hinata draw the same type of doujins?"

"Not really." Dubian Ichiro said regretfully, "In fact, that’s precisely why Rion and I have differences."

"Your childhood friendship was also broken over a sect dispute?" Shirakawa Sawahei said with a weird expression.

"Sect...? Sort of... I draw same-sex doujins..."

Shirakawa Sawahei recalled the moment he grabbed his hand, and his expression froze.

"...Where did you study abroad, Mr. Watanabe?"

"Eh... in the United Kingdom..."

Shirakawa Sawahei: "..."

Damn, I knew it...

Noticing Shirakawa Sawahei’s stiff face, Watanabe Ichiro explained, "Mr. Shirakawa might misunderstand, I’m not a BL artist... I draw Yuri."

As he spoke, Watanabe Ichiro couldn’t help but straighten up, visibly proud of this identity. Hearing this, Shirakawa Sawahei slightly relaxed, "So... it’s because you draw Yuri that Miss Hinata has differences with you?"

"Probably. Actually, we were very close as kids; we even made a wish together to become the world’s greatest manga artists."

No wonder they’re Neon people, always aiming for the ’world’s greatest.’

"How did differences arise between you then?"

Watanabe Ichiro sighed, "Maybe... it was when I once told her, ’Since I haven’t seen real Yuri, I can’t grasp the feeling of a lemon-scented love. Why not find a girlfriend and experience it firsthand for me?’ "

"After hearing that, Rion looked at me with a strange gaze... and then we argued."

"..."

Shirakawa Sawahei couldn’t help but view Watanabe Ichiro with an expression reserved for idiots, to which he quickly responded, "Yes, yes, exactly that kind of look! Mr. Shirakawa, how did you know?"

"Maybe just a coincidence." Shirakawa Sawahei internally sighed for this rich and privileged turtle: "Did she also call you brainless..."

"Yes, yes!! Mr. Shirakawa! Did Rion tell you?" Watanabe Ichiro asked excitedly.

"...No."

Watanabe Ichiro solemnly admired, "You must be a fortune teller."

Shirakawa Sawahei didn’t answer that foolish question and asked instead, "Since you and Miss Hinata have had disagreements, why did you choose to go straight to an arranged meeting?"

"Normally, wouldn’t you start by repairing the friendship first?"

"I intended to, but my parents said Rion was getting on in years, possibly ready for marriage. If I delayed any longer, I might lose my chance... so I decided to start as lovers and slowly mend the relationship later."

Shirakawa Sawahei responded with an "Oh," thinking this strategy seemed quite familiar.

Love after marriage? A high-class artist’s little R18 wife... is that how it goes?

"Mr. Shirakawa! Since you know Rion, can you tell me if there’s someone she likes now?"

Shirakawa Sawahei hesitated slightly, "Probably... not."

Watanabe Ichiro sighed with relief, "That’s great, I was worried I’d missed out on her after studying abroad."

You’ve probably thought too much about it—being a manga artist isn’t as sought-after as you imagine.

"Mr. Shirakawa... could you possibly tell me when Rion will return?"

Shirakawa Sawahei’s expression was a bit stiff, "...I’m not sure."

Watanabe Ichiro replied dumbly, "Could she be nervous because we haven’t met in so long?"

"I’m a bit nervous too... Mr. Shirakawa, do you think I should keep waiting?"

Shirakawa Sawahei internally wondered why everyone thought he was experienced in romance. Do I really look like a relationship guru?

"Maybe just let it be; girls are generally shy." Shirakawa Sawahei said tactfully.

"Exactly what I thought!" Watanabe Ichiro’s face lit up with the excitement of finding a soulmate: "Do you think I shouldn’t be so direct?"

"Would inviting her to a movie be more subtle?"

"Or maybe a concert... I heard a master is coming to Neon for a concert; I’ll see if I can get two tickets."

Shirakawa Sawahei questioned, "Miss Hinata and you have similar interests; just choose what you like. Concerts... don’t seem too reliable."

"Got it." Watanabe Ichiro nodded, "Thanks for the advice, Mr. Shirakawa."

Shirakawa Sawahei paused for a moment, feeling something was off.

I seem to have forgotten the employer paying me, Hinata Rion, and ended up advising Watanabe Ichiro...

"In any case, you should go back today," Shirakawa Sawahei suggested, "Think of a plan before meeting Miss Hinata."

"Understood!" Watanabe Ichiro nodded with appreciation, "No wonder Rion values you; Mr. Shirakawa’s insight and knowledge surpass many adults."

"Please continue guiding me in the future!"

"I appreciate your guidance..."

They shook hands again and returned to Enheikou.

"Have you finished chatting?"

"Yes, Mr. Shirakawa and I had a talk."

Enheikou thought Shirakawa Sawahei had subtly informed Dubian Ichiro of the arranged meeting’s failure and asked with a smile, "Is everything alright?"

"Of course, Mr. Enhei, let’s go."

They waved and smiled at Shirakawa Sawahei as they left. When they finally got into a car and disappeared down the street, Shirakawa Sawahei turned to Koyama Haruko, "Miss Koyama, could you call the manager back now..."

Koyama Haruko smiled, "Mr. Shirakawa, you did amazingly, truly the talent the manager values."

"Even if she values me, she doesn’t trust me." Shirakawa Sawahei sighed, "She probably feared I’d switch sides, so she had you report back to her."

Koyama Haruko did not deny it, "Mr. Shirakawa, your observation skills are indeed sharp."

"It has nothing to do with observation. I could just guess it."

Ise Yu Yuzhijin poked their head from the back kitchen, "Mr. Shirakawa... is that guy gone?"

"He’s gone."

The slacking-off girl sighed in relief, stepping out in a cute lace apron. She said, "I didn’t expect Sister Yin to be so unfortunate, having to be pestered by such a troublesome guy."