“That’s great!" Yahiko replied approvingly. "It’s as expected of the daughter of the Ito family. You aren't arrogant or impetuous and you did not forget your original goal!" 3
Although Nanako was speaking to her father over the phone, she subconsciously bowed slightly towards the east as she said respectfully, "Thank you for your praise, Eminent Father! I will continue to work hard!" 2
Yahiko hummed before he said, "By the way, Nanako, did the chairman of Kobayashi Pharma, Kobayashi Jiro, go over there and ask to see you?" 7
"Yes, Eminent Father!"
Yahiko replied, "You are not young anymore. You should not continue staying away from the opposite sex all the time. I have made contact with this young man, Jiro, before. He is only two years older than you and he is a very promising young man. It isn't a bad idea for you to have more contact with him in the future." 6
Nanako hurriedly replied, "Eminent Father, I do not have any thoughts about the affairs and relationship between men and women now. I will not be focusing 0 n this aspect for the next few years either. I want to represent Japan in the next Olympic Games and also the subsequent Olympic Games. If I start dating and falling in love, then this will only affect my training
and my focus in the competition. I hope that you can understand where I am coming from, Eminent Father." 7
Yahiko replied, "You are still too young and you do not understand that you can't always have your cake and eat it too. Things will not always go your way and you will not always get everything that you want. Falling i n love and getting married will not ruin your future plans.” 9
Nanako said earnestly, "Eminent Father, I cannot agree with what you have just said. Practicing combat and fighting is just like sailing against the current. If I do not continue advancing forward, then I will only be retreating going further backwards. If I want to become a top master in combat and fighting, then I will have to spend all the available time I have on my training. If I do not work hard and focus on my training at this time, and if I choose to waste my precious time on love and marriage instead, then I am afraid that I will never become a top master in combat and fighting in this life." 7
Yahiko reprimanded Nanako gently, "Combat and fighting was originally meant to be treated as your hobby from the very beginning. I did not expect you to devote all of your time and energy on it."
"You need to understand that no matter what it is, you are still the eldest young lady of the Ito family. As the eldest young lady, you should maintain the demeanor and characteristics of a young lady. What is the point o f you fighting with others in the ring every day?" 6
Nanako replied firmly, "Eminent Father, combat and fighting is my life’s pursuit! If it is necessary, I am even willing to give up on love and marriage for combat and fighting!”
"Nonsense!"
Yahiko was suddenly very furious as he said, "You are the daughter of Ito Yahiko. The blood of the Ito family runs through your veins. How can you say that you will give up on carrying on the lineage of the Ito family just for the sake of combat and fighting? Don't you think that you are letting the ancestors of the Ito family down?" 2
"I..." Nanako was speechless and at a loss for words. 1
When she heard her father's words, she felt a little guilty inside. So, she hurriedly said, "Eminent Father, I was wrong. It is not that I am not considering
marriage at all. However, I am really not ready to think about marriage at this point of my life. It is still too early for me to think about it. Please try to understand me, Eminent Father!" 5
Yahiko replied coldly, "I do not understand you and it i s impossible for me to understand what you are thinking. However, I do not want to talk to you about life over the phone anymore. Both of us, father and daughter, can talk more about life when we see each other face to face after you come back from your competition." 1 "But right now, Kobayashi Jiro is already there to visit you. As the eldest young lady of the Ito family, you are representing the Ito family's image and reputation. How can you just avoid meeting him? If word about this matter gets out to the public, they will say that the Ito family knows nothing about etiquette at all!" 5
When Nanako heard this, she had no choice but to say, "I was not thoughtful and considerate. Please forgive me, Eminent Father. I will change my clothes and meet Kobayashi Jiro now..."
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