Am I being simulated by their love affair.

Chapter 401: Jun Matsueda's Life Plan
“I am Kazuaki Yamami and Maki Yamami’s father.”

The middle-aged man sitting opposite Jun Matsueda said this.

Just as the boy was about to speak, the man waved his hand, "You don't need to introduce yourself to me. We've already investigated you thoroughly."

"Hello," Jun Matsue could only greet her politely.

The two were currently sitting in the study on the second floor of the Yami family home, right by the floor-to-ceiling window. Matsueda Jun could see Yami Maki watering the lawn downstairs by looking down – it was obvious that her father didn't want her there.

The boy glanced at the bookshelf behind Kazuaki Yamami, where a birdcage hung, containing a pale yellow cockatiel with rosy cheeks, staring at him curiously.

"What would you like to call me?" the man asked again.

Jun Matsueda pondered for a moment, "Mr. Yamami?"

"You can call me uncle." The middle-aged man took another sip of tea. "You're someone Moji likes, and I don't want to seem too distant."

He poured the boy a cup of tea. "Do you like tea?"

"I like the taste and aroma of tea, but I don't know much about tea culture." Jun Matsue respectfully accepted the teacup.

“I understand.” The man nodded. “Compared to so-called cultural connotations, the most important thing is, of course, to enjoy the drink.”

"However, if I'm going to live with the Yamami family in the future, I need to understand this aspect."

"It's not out of any frivolous spiritual pursuit; it's just that, both within and outside the family, the tea room is a very important place for communication."

A very pragmatic person with a strong desire for control, he has already started to dictate his own future, Jun Matsue sighed inwardly.

Or perhaps, this is what the upper class should look like? He thought of his aunt from the Mochizuki family, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

It was both bitter and strong, and not really tasty.

After Jun Matsue finished his tea, the man continued, "I talked to Maki yesterday, and it's clear that you two are quite serious about each other."

"So I'd like to know, what exactly is your relationship with the Mochizuki family?"

Although Jun Matsueda had already thought about how to answer, he remained silent for a moment.

The bird in the cage hopped twice and chirped melodiously. The boy looked out the window; the girl on the lawn was nowhere to be seen.

"The orphanage I used to live in was sponsored by the Mochizuki family."

"From elementary school to junior high school to high school, I was able to live a life no different from most of my peers, which was inseparable from the help of the Mochizuki family."

The man nodded. "Judging from your past experiences, you are outstanding in both ability and character."

"The only regret is that you've become too entangled with the Mochizuki family." He sighed.

Jun Matsue waited quietly for the next part to be told.

“Matsueda-kun, I’ll call you that for now.” Yamami Kazuaki lifted his hands off the table and placed them on the back of his chair, shifting into a more relaxed posture.

"Although the Mochizuki family is dwindling in number, it must be admitted that they are exceptionally talented in business. Compared to our conservative families, their ideas may be more representative of the future."

"But we also have our own way of surviving—we value loyalty more than ability."

Jun Matsue felt the man's gaze fixed on his face again. "So, I don't really care about how you young people date, or why you haven't started dating yet."

"What I care about is whether you can truly become a member of the Yami family, whether we can trust you, accept you, and employ you."

“Our family has seen many geniuses, but the wealth we have today is not due to their geniuses.”

“What we need are the cogs, to ensure that each one doesn’t slip off the massive family structure. That is my duty as a parent.”

"Otherwise, with so many people in the family, the divorce case and property division alone would be enough to give us a headache."

"So you have to marry into the family and follow the rules, is that understandable?"

The boy nodded; from the other person's perspective, he could understand the idea. The Mochizuki family's business model was actually closer to that of modern Western companies, while the long-established Yamami family was the true representative of Japanese family businesses.

"For the same reason, if you want to be with Maki, you have to keep your distance from the Mochizuki family. If you get too close, it will arouse suspicion later."

"Besides, doesn't Mochizuki Haruka have a good impression of you?" The man's gaze sharpened.

“I understand.” Jun Matsue picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup of water.

Kazuaki Yamami placed his hand back on the table; for him, this was just the beginning.

"Since Matsueda-kun is still a high school student, I will naturally have more requirements for entrusting Maki to you."

"My advice is to stop playing in the band you're in at school until the end of your second year of high school. The Yamagami family doesn't need people who like to show off or be attention-seeking."

"Yes." Jun Matsuoka took a sip of tea, but the bitterness showed no signs of being diluted.

"Moreover, in this way, you can use your senior year of high school to learn social etiquette and business management, etc. I have seen your academic assessment, and these should be a piece of cake for you."

"Depending on your interests and how well you've learned the relevant material, you can be given an internship after graduating from high school to lay the foundation for taking on a job later."

"As for universities, I'll choose between the University of Tokyo, Waseda University, and Keio University. I'll see how other people choose, which will make it easier to build connections."

"Choose political science as your major. It would be a waste for someone with your looks not to become a politician. I'll ask the old man for his opinion later."

Jun Matsuoka sipped his tea, and even after finishing the second cup, Kazuaki Yamami's plans were still far from over.

These plans are mandatory and stringent, but the sincerity behind them is undeniable—these are resources that ordinary people dream of.

So even though he already felt the urge to resist, he patiently waited for the man to finish speaking.

"My wife will be back soon, let's stop here for now." The man picked up his teacup and moistened his throat.

"You don't need to work part-time anymore when you're in your senior year of high school. We'll cover your living expenses and tuition. You can just focus on studying what the family has arranged."

"If you find it too boring, you can have Maki teach you about social etiquette."

"It's a bit inappropriate to share an apartment with a girl. You should move out. Your family can arrange accommodation for you."

“Uncle Yamami.” The boy finally couldn’t help but speak, looking out the window at the neatly trimmed lawn.

"Did you go through the same thing, senior?"

“Of course, but what she needs to learn is different from what you learn.” The middle-aged man shook his head.

"Because she's not as capable as you."

Jun Matsue didn't know what to say; perhaps his senior was stronger than he thought.

“I know these demands are a bit harsh, but everyone in the Yami family has gone through this.”

As Yamami Kazuaki stood up, the contours of his face hardened in the absence of sunlight.

"I hope you can adapt soon."

Just as the man was about to leave the study, there was a knock on the door.

"what's up?"

Maki Yamami's voice rang out from outside the door, "Grandpa is here. He asked me to tell you."

Kazuaki Yamagami looked out the window and saw a figure on the lawn. The old man was facing away from the study window, basking in the sunlight.

Following the man's gaze, Jun Matsue put down his teacup and blinked in surprise.

He suddenly realized that the figure in the black linen kimono seemed somewhat familiar.

(End of this chapter)