Nakahama

"I am a traditional woman. Dating doesn't stop with marriage. It just becomes different. Spicier, I'm inclined to say." She smirks behind her mask. "It has always been like that. We should not try to uproot the lifestyle our ancestors entrusted us with." Whether she's serious or not, no one can tell.

"Like many things it's only stressful if you see it as competition." He shrugs.

"Be it for the clan or for fun, I'm not taken, formally or informally, I don't owe anything to anyone, and they don't owe me anything in return. It's like gifts."

"I married a politician, and a former Otomo at that," Kazushi counters. "Under those circumstances, I assure you that dating ends fairly swiftly. In this era of constant surveillance and media immersion, discretion is rather more difficult than it once was. Easier to stay clear than to risk exposure and have an entire Imperial family after me."

"You're also In Love~ Kazushi-sama" Hinata snickers once again, before composing himself after making such a childish comment to his boss.

"I agree you're in a much more difficult position. But I don't think you're as heartless as you're making yourself out to be Kazushi-dono."

She shrugs. "I am the last bargaining chip of my family since all my siblings are married for years now. Still I'm too young and my family isn't desperate for alliances right at this moment." A second shrug. "We'll see how it goes. The future is a great mystery to see unraveling. I'm not sure that I believe in live in any way."