Love coach! (Pink Trigger's Power >39)

... Love coach, I finished shamelessly, thumping a hand to my chest. With my help, Jessica would be picking up boys-

"Love coach?!" both Natsuhi and Jessica shouted, looking equally shocked.

... Ahem. That was a joke. Romantic tutor was the appropriate term. As I was saying, um, with my help, Jessica would find a worthy suitor in no time and have him eating out of her hands with her romantic sophistication.

Jessica still looked quite red. Natsuhi, on the other hand, had calmed down a bit, exhaling a held breath. "Mr. Player, please, don't tease my daughter like that... she has a condition..." Natsuhi scolded me, looking like she had a bit of a headache coming on, herself.

"Mom, is this for real?" Jessica asked, looking like she hated my guts already. "Dad's gonna get this guy to turn me into a proper marriage-worthy heir or something right now? Right before this conference?"

"Jessica, please!" Natsuhi scolded her now, raising her voice just slightly before clearing her throat. "Mr. Player, if my husband has put his confidence in you, I'll do so, as well. Jessica... you will also heed Mr. Player's instructions."

"Uh huh," Jessica muttered, glancing out the window listlessly. She turned her head back to me, lowering her eyebrows. "Mr. Player, I notice you've got no ring. What advice am I gonna get from such a distinguished older gentleman who ain't even married, huh?"

Ouch, Jessica. I still love you, but that one stung a bit. Of course, I didn't say so. I knew any kind of arranged marriage would be the talk that would turn Jessica off faster than anything, so it was no surprise she was cold towards me.

Natsuhi was more than happy to take offense on my behalf. "Jessica, that is incredibly rude!! Apologize at once!"

Jessica did so, half-heartedly, and changed from watching the window to watching the clock.

I must have been staring listlessly at her, feeling a bit mopey due to her cold shoulder (and me, a man of my age!), because Natsuhi eventually cleared her throat, making it clear something was supposed to be happening here. "Mr. Player, why don't you explain a little bit of your history?"

My history with love? I asked Natsuhi that.

"S-sir!" Natsuhi sputtered, shaking her head. "I beg your pardon, I meant-"

"No, no, you asked! Now he's gotta tell. Spill the beans, Mr. Player!" Jessica asked, seeming more interested in this topic now that her mother was shying away.