"Give me time."

The answer that Fumiko uttered in almost a whisper drowned the room in a pit of uncertainty.

Uncertainty about the future that this choice would hold.

A few hours earlier everything seemed to have happened in slow motion. For everyone, except for her.

I would've encouraged her to choose Shibasaki. He's cool and collected. Apparently they are childhood friends, according to Seichiiro, so it makes sense that she'd choose him. At least she has him to trust. I wouldn't want to stay with a total stranger either, and it's probably awkward to have the whole 'I have to marry you' thought lingering amidst everything too.

Shibasaki looked understanding, he doesn't look like much of a talker. So he must be a listener, right?

Hayami decided I'd be better to give her a few days or even weeks to let her think over everything and choose a candidate carefully.

After everyone cleared out of the room Hayami and I had a little discussion about when I would have to submit a 'task' Miss Yanemoto and her future partner.

"You have until next week."

Ugh.

Well I'm going to go with the thought process of Ren Shibasaki being the one whom Fumiko chooses.

I am currently sitting at my new desk, trying to think about what to have set up for them. They know each other, so maybe something a little more intimate? Fun? Something to warm them up to each other. We wouldn't want poor Shibasaki in the friendzone.

Hmm I wonder...

"Amemori?" I hear one of my colleagues call after me. My head turns swiftly, after she snapped me out of my thoughts. "Yes?", I answer.

"Mr. Kougami wants to speak to you."

I get up and walk over to Kougami's, now, old desk. As I approached it, he packed his things to move into the next place Hayami had for him.

"You wanted to speak to me?"

He looks up abruptly, after loading one last binder in the medium cardboard box. "That's right, follow me.", He throws me a sideways glance and starts walking out of the office.

We go to an empty meeting room. When he stepped in he turned on the lights and held the door open to me. When I got in, he closes it behind me.

"This is about the marriage program isn't it?", I begin, "If you have any requests, or complaints, I would much appreciate it if you kept them to yourself."

"You coordinated this too. As a candidate, I have the right to speak to you...", He speaks calmly, the same as I. "I just want you to convince Hayami that this is a bad idea, why does Fumiko have to marry some stranger within a year? It's not fair for Sanno just to reveal himself and burden her after he dies."

"Whether it's fair or not, has nothing to do with it." I pause and close my eyes. Then realizing that Yamato had just addressed Miss Yanemoto by her first name.

"First name bases? Are you two...childhood friends too?"

That's right... I remember Hayami mentioning it in his office. It made sense, the fact that he got worked up about the whole thing. He wants to protect her.

"That's right." He nods making a sour expression. "....and that's why I want you to not force her into this."

What other choices do we have? It's for not us, it's for Mr. Sanno.

The air conditioning turns turns off, making the room silent and somewhat intimidating. The lights flickered a bit and my eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim lighting. If somebody saw us in the room they'd probably think it was an office romance rendezvous.

I tilted my head to the side, and smile. "If you're so worried, why don't you marry her instead?"

He steps forward as his face scrunches up with anger. "This isn't what this is about. Besides, she's like a sister to me."

"Right. That's what they all say." I shrug. "Think about it though, it's a good idea,"

"...additionally, you'd become CEO.", I hear a familiar voice from the door, which opened slowly revealing Hayami. He walks to my side and faces Yamato with confidence in his words.

"I'm not going to give up. I'm going to get her a lawyer, and I swear...I'll free her from this stupid game.", He finishes as he stomps out of the room bitterly.

I smile to myself and laugh out loud, catching Hayami off guard. "What is it?"

"I was right about choosing to work under Mr. Sanno. Things are about to get even more interesting in this 'game.'"

I'd like to see you try, Mr. Kougami.