I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 24 Bet
"Little Leaf,"

"What exactly happened that made them insist on dragging us here?"

In the practice room belonging to the young lady Nagisa Ichiyo, four girls sat in a circle, and Tennyo Eiryo finally found an opportunity to ask a question.

Although she enjoyed being with 'Little Leaf', she also understood that she shouldn't step into this mansion: because the owner of the mansion didn't welcome her—or rather, completely ignored her presence.

Faced with this question, Nagisa Ichiyo hesitated slightly before giving a direct answer.

"Not long ago, a terrorist attack occurred in Arakawa Ward and Machiya-cho."

? !
"Terrorist attack?"

Arakawa Ward?

Upon hearing such explosive news, everyone's first reaction was disbelief.

However, when they recalled the scene of a large number of luxury cars and even helicopters picking up students in front of Huangying School, they all realized what was going on.

"So that's how it is,"

"Wasn't it said that it was just an earthquake?"

Class monitor Nao seemed thoughtful, while Amamiya Akira still found it hard to understand.

Leaving aside the fact that terrorist attacks are as distant as clouds in the sky for the 'Reiwa generation', the government has already issued a notice that an earthquake has occurred in Arakawa Ward and Machiya Town.
"Of course, it's to prevent panic,"

When asked about this, Akihi Yu, who was standing next to him, immediately took over the conversation.

"Do you expect government officials to come out and bow, saying: 'A terrorist attack occurred in Arakawa Ward, and we failed in our oversight.' Private Marseille, click click click click~~"

Of course, as the mastermind behind it all, Akihi Yu knew very well that it was neither an earthquake nor a terrorist attack.

It was a supernatural event he orchestrated!

"That's it,"

Tiannv Ying nodded.
Regardless of the government's motives for covering up the truth, it is not something a poor orphan like her can criticize.

Even if Nagisa Ichiyo hadn't spoken up, they would still be kept in the dark.

"Thanks, Little Leaf."

She grabbed the young lady and playfully rubbed her face against her.

"But I still need to take care of the shrine my grandfather left behind."

"no!"

The young lady, whose face was flushed from being rubbed by Tiannv Ying, refused on the spot without the slightest hesitation.

"It's dangerous outside right now, I can't leave you alone."

"My father specifically instructed me yesterday to have the driver pick me up immediately after school; I was a little resentful at first, but now it seems..."

Did Father have already secretly received word of this at that time?
After all, a terrorist attack occurred today.

Thinking of this, Nagisa Ichiyo placed her hands on Tenjou Ei's shoulders.

“Stay here, Ying.”

"Just for my sake, I don't want to see you get hurt."

This estate is not just 'old' in appearance; it also has a well-equipped and exceptionally sturdy basement that can withstand aerial bombing: eighty years ago, American bombers personally came to test its quality!

"But, I."

Seeing the two beautiful girls getting close and intimate, Akihi Sora and Nao, the class president, both looked on with gossip. Akihi Yu walked outside.

"I'm going outside for a walk, you guys chat."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Yeah, it's definitely more comfortable outside."

Walking in the courtyard filled with various flowers, Autumn stretched lazily.

Four beautiful girls are certainly pleasing to the eye, but when they get together, they will definitely talk about girls' topics: Qiu Riyu, isn't it a waste of the scene to have a man standing there?

Besides, given Qiu Riyou's perception, there is another restless person in this manor.

"Mrs. Zhu,"

Hearing the sound behind her, the lady, who had been standing frozen in the garden, came back to her senses.

"Sorry, I was a little distracted just now. Are you Akihi Yu?"

"Yes, is Madam admiring the flowers?"

Akihi Yuu wasn't surprised that the other party knew her name.

The other party is, after all, the wife of a major tycoon. If she didn't even have this much intelligence capability, that would be truly strange.

"No, I was just moved by the scene."

"Life is like this flower; in the blink of an eye, it withers, falls, and disappears."

Akihi Yu expressed her incomprehension regarding her wife's "melancholy and sorrow in autumn".

While secretly spreading his abilities and honing his skill proficiency, he also had to outwit the government, playing multiple roles to create a scene of 'spiritual revival'. Who had time to shed tears for fallen flowers?

"Feel sorry,"

"That's how it is with older women, I hope you don't find it amusing."

Noticing Akihi Yu's expression, the dignified Mrs. Nagisa took the initiative to change the subject.

"Yu-kun, you and Xiao-ying go to the same school?"

Yes, same grade.

After Akihi Yu answered, Nagisa spoke gently.

Have you considered your future career plans?

Ok?
Why are you suddenly asking about work?
The topic jumped so quickly that even Qiu Riyou was taken aback.

"I haven't considered it yet, but—there's no need to consider it."

With two years left until graduation, Akihiru was confident that in two years, he would already be considering physically traversing the universe. Working was absolutely out of the question; no one would dare hire him. He couldn't very well open an Ichiraku Ramen and sit back and watch the world turn upside down, could he?
"It seems that Yu-kun has already made detailed plans for the future."

Madam Nagisa's gaze swept across Akihiro's face, revealing a composure that exuded an air of complete control: a composure she had only ever seen on the faces of certain important figures.

Is it confidence or arrogance?
She had originally planned to suggest that Qiu Riyou work at a company under her family's control.

Since the other party is so confident, let him experience the harsh realities of society first. But before that:
"Yu-kun, what do you think of Xiao-ying?"

?

The conversation abruptly shifted from work to 'relationships,' leaving Akihi Yu somewhat unable to keep up with the other person's train of thought.

"Tiannv may seem carefree and easygoing, but she actually cares a lot about other people's feelings and is a kind and sensitive girl."

After thinking for a moment, Akihi Yu gave a vague answer.

"So,"

"Does Yu-kun have any plans to date Xiao-ying?"

"Mrs. Nagisa, please forgive me."

"I thought you would say something like 'Stay away from Nagisa-kun'."

Originally, Qiu Riyou thought that something like "This is XXX million, leave my daughter's side" would happen; who knew that this lady would not play by the rules and would directly act as a matchmaker after a few words. No, she should be called a "fate god".

Do I look like that kind of person?

Lady Nagisa rolled her eyes at Akihiru and sighed helplessly.

"Actually, Xiaoying and Yiye are sisters."

"Don't misunderstand, Xiaoying is not my daughter, but the daughter of my husband's mistress."

? ?
Upon hearing this news so suddenly, especially since it came from Nagisa Ichiyo's mother, Akihi Yu couldn't help but raise his hand and rub his temples.

"Mrs. Zhu, you're truly something else in your circle."

"Uh, what does this have to do with me?"

“It doesn’t matter, but as a mother, I want to see my daughter happy.”

"Yiye really likes Xiaoying; she truly considers Xiaoying a sister, so—"

After going around in circles, Mrs. Nagisa once again asked Akihi Yu earnestly.

"Does Yu-kun have any plans to date Xiao-ying?"

"With marriage as the premise."

What is all this about?
Although Akihi Yuu and Amane Ei are friends, both in the past and now.

But being suddenly pressured to get married by the other party's "parents" is both funny and frustrating.

"Madam, isn't it too early to talk about these things now?"

"And if I may be frank, what Tiannv wants most is family."

The relationship between Tennyo Ei and Nagisa Ichiyo is undoubtedly that of true sisters; moreover, the way Tennyo Ei looked at Nagisa-sama was filled with fear and longing. Akihi Yuu is not blind, so how could he not see the meaning behind it?
"I'm sorry, Yu-kun."

“I know what Xiaoying wants, but this family is not up to me.”

Mrs. Nagisa spoke apologetically. As a traditional conglomerate family, the owner of this manor was the man who had not yet appeared, Nagisa Ichiyo's father.

"Understood,"

It turns out it wasn't a vicious stepmother, but rather a cold-hearted scumbag's script.

"Mrs. Zhu, how about we make a bet?"

Having gained control of the conversation, Mrs. Nagisa first frowned, but then her curiosity was piqued.

"Please say,"

"It won't be long before your partner begs you to let Tiannv come here."

"If I win, please take good care of Tiannv as her 'mother'; if I lose, you can ask for anything."

? !
impossible--

Lady Zhu's first reaction was that it was absurd.

She is also from a prestigious family, with a powerful conglomerate behind her: even if she agrees, the rest of the two families would never allow an illegitimate daughter to enter their homes.

Besides, Mrs. Nagisa herself knew her husband's personality better than anyone else.

He didn't even see the woman who gave birth to Xiaoying one last time.

To describe them as heartless and ungrateful would be no exaggeration.

If it weren't for the fact that he also doted on Yiye, their marriage would have been a mere formality long ago.

"Of course, this is a secret between us."

Autumn Haru added,
"Please keep this a secret, Madam."

Qiu Riyou dared to say this not because she believed the lady upon first meeting her, but because:

Curse Seal - Extinction of the Root of Tongue Calamity
The technique itself isn't difficult; the challenge lies in imprinting it onto someone else.

How could a normal ninja just stand by and watch someone cast a curse mark on them?

But Lady Nagisa is just an ordinary person, and the function of this cursed seal is very simple: as long as she tries to say or write any information about Akihi Yuu, she will be instantly controlled by the cursed seal!
"Although I don't know where your confidence comes from, but—"

After carefully looking the spirited young man up and down, Madam Zhu nodded.

“If my husband can accept Xiaoying, I will naturally treat her as my daughter: even if it’s just for Yiye.”

"It's a deal,"

Facing the right hand that the autumn sun stretches out to him,
Lady Zhu smiled and extended her right hand as well.

"nature."

The dark curse mark silently emerged from Qiu Riyou's fingers and traveled up the lady's arm.

The art of eradicating the root of tongue-related calamities: Engraving!
(End of this chapter)