Scandalously Expecting His Child(84)

                “You shouldn’t be,” Hiro objected. “I thoughtlessly caused you                     and Scarlett, and at the time Hashimoto-sama and Megumi-san, a terrible                     scandal.”

                He grinned as he gathered Scarlett to his side. “From where I’m                     sitting, what you did was part of a sequence of events that led to me being                     here, the happiest man in existence.”

                Scarlett raised her hand. “Happiest woman in history                     here.”

                Though they’d just said the truth, she was clearly unable to                     bear seeing her friend beating himself up over this and she needed to make him                     exonerate himself. He felt the same way. Even if Hiro’s actions could have                     caused untold damage, they hadn’t. And what he and Scarlett had now was so                     unbelievable, he could forgive anyone anything.

                “And then you were only defending your beloved,” Raiden added.                     “Saving her from a fate worse than death—marrying a man who loves another while                     she loves you.” He grinned widely at Megumi, then at the still-chagrined man.                     “So that makes you a hero in my eyes.”

                “You might both forgive me in your magnanimity, because somehow                     my actions caused you only temporary distress. But that things were resolved so                     spectacularly was no thanks to me. So I reserve the right not to forgive myself,                     and to be forever at your disposal, should you require satisfaction.”

                “Just take that get-out-of-jail-free card, Hiro. I will no                     doubt need one from you at a future date.” At Hiro’s reluctant nod, with one                     last smile, Raiden turned his gaze to his uncle. “Not that I’m not thrilled for                     this unexpected opportunity to see you again, but I really thought I never                     would. So what brings you here? Whatever you needed, you know I’m forever at                     your disposal and I would come to you wherever you are.”

                “I had to be the one to come to you to make the offer,”                     Hashimoto said.

                “What offer?”

                “When you terminated the marriage adoption, I felt disgraced                     and wanted to forever cut any ties with you. But then I remembered how I worried                     about you when you were under threat, and realized I already consider you                     family. The real disgrace would be to cling to pride and put gossip and public                     censorship ahead of true relationships.”