A newbie's anime life diary

Chapter 17 What?! Marrying into another family?! (1/3)

"Ah...that feels so good..."

Wrapped in a towel, Xuehui sat alone in the artificial hot spring and took a deep breath.

"I have to say, this place is really big. With my meager earnings from writing, I'd probably have to save for years without eating or drinking to afford a house like this, and that wouldn't even be in full."

Although he had been inside the Ryougi family's mansion the whole time and hadn't seen it from the outside, Xuehui could tell from the few minutes he walked that this was no ordinary mansion.

And I heard this is Chiyoda Ward in Tokyo. Goodness, there aren't many luxury residential areas there to begin with, and the prices...

Anyone who wants to buy a house here must be out of their mind.

"I think I'll just stay in my own little place. I don't have that many people to help me manage it." Xuehui closed her eyes and felt the peace of the moment.

Half an hour later, after enjoying herself, she came out and changed into the clothes that Saeko Busujima had brought and left in the changing room. She then walked out of the bathhouse and followed Saeko Busujima towards the main house.

"Speaking of which, why haven't I seen Mina's father?" Thinking about the people he had seen here, most of them were servants, and he had indeed not seen the legendary Kurogiri Mikiya.

"Uncle Gan is currently a professor at the University of Tokyo. He's away on a business trip for academic exchanges these past few days and won't be back for a few more days."

What the hell? Professor, you didn't become a detective? (laughs)

Listening to Saeko Busujima's explanation, Yukiteru nodded, silently analyzing the situation. The background was different now, but he wondered if Kokutou Mikiya, or rather, the current Ryougi Mikiya, had become a one-eyed being like in the original work. He couldn't ask that question; if not, then he would need to reconsider some things.

Upon arriving at the main hall, Ryougi Shiki, Ryougi Mina, and Hiratsuka Shizuka were already waiting there, along with one more person: Isayama Yomi.

Looking at Ryougi Shiki in the main seat, Yukiteru frowned and asked, "May I ask how I should address you?"

Call her Sister Shi? It's obviously impossible.

"Just call me Auntie, though I might change how I address you later." Ryougi Shiki didn't seem to care about such things. She looked at Yukiteru and said, "Dinner's almost ready, please sit down."

Although she didn't quite understand, she nodded and sat down next to Hiratsuka Shizuka. On the other side was Isayama Yomi, and on the other side of Hiratsuka Shizuka was Busujima Saeko.

"It's been a long time, Senior Isayama."

“That’s true.” Isayama Yomi nodded to Yukiteru. “Although I knew you were here, I’ve been busy with things outside these past few days and only had time to come back this afternoon. Otherwise, I might have seen you lying there motionless.”

"I think it's better not to watch it. Just thinking about it now gives me the creeps."

I originally wanted to talk to Hiratsuka Shizuka next to me, but the food just happened to be served, so I had to postpone it.

"It's rare to have guests, so please don't be shy and make yourselves at home. Let's eat."

With the opening remarks from Ryougi Shiki, the mealtime officially began. Before them lay a Japanese meal, each dish small in portion but with a considerable variety and exquisite presentation.

As Xuehui picked up a piece of stewed meat and put it in his mouth to chew, he looked towards Ryougi Shiki.

She was eating slowly, but her gaze was mostly on Ryougi Mina sitting next to her. Although she didn't show much expression, she really looked like a loving mother.

Thinking back to her first encounter with the mother and daughter, Yukiteru felt it was best to discard her preconceived notions. The mother and daughter had a harmonious relationship, and it seemed that Ryougi Mina wasn't father-obsessed. Or perhaps she was, but not to that extent.

Xuehui had seen this kind of situation, which was different from his previous understanding, more than once, so he was quite relieved and didn't care anymore.

Although she said "do as you please," as a guest dining there, Yukiteru and Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't say much, only occasionally exchanging a few words quietly with Isayama Yomi beside her. The room was mostly filled with Ryougi Mina's voice.

After a hearty meal, the tableware was cleared away. Ryougi Shiki looked at the people sitting at the table and said, "Saeko, Yomi, take the young lady to rest. Don't let her fall behind in her studies tonight."

"Yes, teacher." The two girls stood up respectfully, took Ryougi Mina's little hand, and walked out of the living room while the little girl looked unhappy.

Seeing that Yukiteru and the other person were still left, Ryougi Shiki stood up as well: "Let's find another place to talk."

Then, led by the lady, the three of them went to a room next door that resembled a study.

"Please sit down." With that, Ryougi Shiki knelt down first and picked up the tea set placed in front of her.

Yukiteru exchanged a glance with Hiratsuka Shizuka, shrugged, and then stepped forward to sit down opposite Ryougi Shiki. With a hint of helplessness, Hiratsuka Shizuka also sat down; she already knew what Ryougi Shiki was going to say.

Ryougi Shiki seemed to really enjoy the tea ceremony, as she was meticulously preparing tea. Yukiteru didn't know much about it, and could only tell that her movements were very fluid.

A short while later, Ryougi Shiki poured a cup of tea for each of them.

Ryougi Shiki picked up the cup, took a sniff, and noticed a strong tea aroma. Drinking some tea after a meal is quite nice.

He took a small sip and asked, "Auntie, is there anything you want to say?"

"It's nothing serious." Ryougi Shiki said calmly, looking at Yukiteru. "I just want you to marry my daughter and become a son-in-law of the Ryougi family."

"Pfft! Cough cough cough..."

Yukihira nearly spat out his tea. After finally recovering, he wiped his mouth and looked at Ryougi Shiki incredulously, asking, "Marry into the family?"

Ryougi Shiki, holding her teacup, showed no displeasure at Yukiteru's rudeness and slowly nodded.

Raising his hand to rub his temples, Xuehui asked, "Um, let me ask you first, when you say daughter, do you mean Ryougi Mina?"

"I only have one daughter."

“But she’s only 12 years old!” Yukiteru already knew Ryougi Mina’s age, and his reaction was even stronger after confirming it again.

What kind of crazy thing is this?! I'm really not a lolicon!

“Age isn’t a big problem. You can get engaged first and get to know each other slowly. You can get married when Mina reaches the right age.” Ryougi Shiki sipped her tea, speaking casually as if she were talking about something insignificant.

It even includes a nurturing process?

"No, no, let me calm down first." Xuehui said that the car had been driven a bit too suddenly, and he needed to calm down.

Suddenly remembering something, he turned his head and looked at Hiratsuka Shizuka, who showed no surprise at all, and asked, "You already knew?"

Hiratsuka Shizuka nodded: "I already knew when I came this afternoon. I also found out some things you've been keeping from me."

"...You also know about the kidnapping back then?" Xuehui looked at Hiratsuka Shizuka nervously. Although he was somewhat influenced back then and his ferocity was aroused, there was no doubt that he was the one who did it. He was very worried about how Hiratsuka Shizuka would view him.

"Don't look at me like that." Faced with Yukiteru's uneasy expression, Hiratsuka Shizuka said she couldn't take it anymore. "I've looked into it a little and I know that this can't be entirely blamed on you. In fact, those guys had a lot of trouble of their own making, so I don't blame you. I know your personality very well."

"...Sister Jing, you really are a reasonable person."

Slightly relieved, Xuehui looked at Ryougi Shiki and asked, "Could you tell me why you want me to marry your daughter?"

Chapter 18 Two Choices, Choose One

Yukiteru is having a terrible headache right now. From Ryougi Shiki's tone, you can tell that she's serious about this.

He even had Saeko Busujima bring him back, and he didn't reject her daughter, Ryougi Mana, from contacting him.

Judging from his previous interactions with Ryougi Mina, this little girl is indeed a clever one. Yukiteru still can't figure out whether her expression when facing him is genuinely shy or just teasing him.

But one thing he was certain of was that Ryougi Mina definitely knew about his marriage proposal, and it was even possible that she was the one who suggested it.

However, her thoughts are completely unreadable.

The other person's personality even reminded him somewhat of Yukinoshita Haruno, but there were also some differences.

Yukinoshita Haruno always wears a mask, while Ryougi Mina completely reveals her mischievous side without any concealment.

Ryougi Shiki had clearly anticipated Yukiteru's question. Having served as the head of the family for so many years, she was quite direct and unreserved, saying, "My daughter has grown up, and I do need to start preparing for this. To be honest, there are several people on the previous assessment list, including some outstanding young juniors from prominent families."

"Then why was it me in the end?" Xuehui frowned, but he already had the answer in his heart.

"You probably guessed it, or rather, you sensed it."

They closed their eyes and opened them again, and the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception suddenly appeared before them.

The moment Yukiteru saw Ryougi Shiki's Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, his own eyes involuntarily activated, revealing their azure blue forms. However, he felt a sense of suppression at that moment.

That makes sense. Although their abilities are the same, the newly awakened eyes do indeed look like those of a newborn in front of the other party.

Hiratsuka Shizuka looked into Yukiteru's eyes, which were gleaming with an inexplicable light. She had only heard about it before, but now that she saw it, she truly realized what she had come into contact with.

Retracting her Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, Ryougi Shiki looked at Yukiteru and said, "The Mystic Eyes of Death Perception are a type of Mystic Eye that cannot be inherited and has an almost non-existent probability of awakening. And you, who have awakened these eyes, are undoubtedly the best candidate to be the husband of the next head of the Ryougi family."

After a pause, Ryougi Shiki continued, "The Ryougi family holds a certain position in the inner sphere of Japan, ranking among the so-called four great families. However, only one of our four families participates in official organizations, while the other three have established their own organizations and cooperate with the government, which serves as a kind of balance. Therefore, we need to continuously consolidate our strength to prevent being squeezed out. Although I am here, the younger generation of our Ryougi family has not yet grown up, and the older generation has already semi-retired, so we urgently need to absorb some fresh blood. For the sake of the family, and for Mina to have a good future, based on the results of our investigation, you are the most suitable candidate."

After listening to the whole conversation, Xuehui felt that there was a lot of information.

It's estimated that the Ryougi family's current status is largely due to the overpowered character Ryougi Shiki, but its core strength is perhaps lacking compared to the other families she mentioned.

And at her current age, she is undoubtedly very suitable to be the partner of the next head of the family. Two previous owners of the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, even if a third does not appear, it is estimated that in Ryougi Shiki's plan, this time is enough for the family to develop and not be threatened by competitors.

Of course, these are just Xuehui's guesses. Everything may be the safest approach taken by the other party. How could a family head who has led the family's development for more than ten years not have some insurance?

At this point, although Yukiteru could understand Ryougi Shiki's thoughts, he still shook his head: "I'm sorry, please forgive me for refusing. Although this is a great opportunity for me, I already have someone I like, and I will not agree to marry your daughter."

Hearing this, Hiratsuka Shizuka, who was standing to the side, did not show much expression, but she was indeed relieved.

"you sure?"

After hearing Yukiteru's refusal, Ryougi Shiki stared intently at him.

“He has already made himself very clear, is there any need to ask?” Hiratsuka Shizuka said from the side, leaning forward slightly.

"It's alright, Shizuka-nee." After tugging at Hiratsuka Shizuka's hand to reassure her, Yukiteru said, "That's right, I won't agree to something like that."

“I think so too.” Unexpectedly, Ryougi Shiki did not make a fuss, but instead nodded lightly.

This caught the two of them off guard.

Where did your initial determination go? Why isn't it firm at all?

Ryougi Shiki said, "When I first heard Mina tell me about her precognitive dream, I made many guesses. Marriage is just one of them, but because of your eyes, I put this consideration first. Since you don't agree now, I won't force you, even though Mina seems to have made up her mind about you."

It's been decided... Can something like this really be decided by imperial decree?

Xuehui said she couldn't understand the thoughts of a 12-year-old girl.

But shouldn't we indulge in a little self-admiration at this moment?

“Since you don’t agree to this proposal,” Ryougi Shiki continued, “I have another suggestion, which was originally my first choice. You have awakened the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, and I won’t let someone like you go easily. So, how about becoming my disciple, like Saeko and Yomi?”

Become Sister Shi's disciple?

Doesn't that mean you've found a powerful backer?

Thinking about this, Yukiteru couldn't help but feel a little tempted. Compared to Hiratsuka Shizuka's suggestion to return to the Hiratsuka family, this suggestion was clearly more appealing to him. Moreover, the Ryougi family was an inner-side family, and he could obviously learn a lot here.

At this moment, Hiratsuka Shizuka said, "I'm afraid you have more than just that in mind."

Ryougi Shiki did not deny it, and nodded: "If she becomes my disciple, she will have more time to spend with Mina in the future. This way, I can explain it to my daughter. Whether it works out in the end or not, it's up to her."

She's really good at managing her finances; Shi-jie is quite different now that she's the head of the family.

Having become her disciple, he was essentially a member of the Ryougi family. Regardless of whether he would marry Ryougi Mina in the future, he would definitely stand by the side of that future head of the family.

It was a perfectly legitimate and aboveboard scheme, but Xuehui had no chance of refusing it.