Bedroom.
"Mom, are you sure you're feeling all right?"
Shiba Miyuki was still worried about her mother's health.
"I can't say for sure, but at least it's a lot easier than before."
Shiba Miya wasn't happy, however. On the contrary, she was concerned about Miyuki.
She could tell that Miyuki was deliberately changing the subject.
"Miyuki, can you tell me about the deal you made with that person?"
"…"
Miyuki's expression went rigid.
She realized she probably couldn't hide it any longer.
Lowering her head, she found herself momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
Seeing this, Shiba Miya offered:
"Shall I ask, and you answer?"
"Mm."
Miyuki nodded.
"Is it about money?"
"No…"
"Does it have something to do with the Yotsuba family?"
"No…"
"…"
Shiba Miya stopped her questioning.
Just from those two answers and Miyuki's embarrassed look, she basically understood.
"So… the price is you?"
"…"
Miyuki nodded, feeling as though she could no longer face her mother.
She bowed her head even more, her fingers twisting together anxiously.
It was unexpected, yet also felt inevitable.
After all, her daughter was clever as ice and beautiful as snow.
For a moment, Shiba Miya didn't know what to say.
Taking a deep breath, she continued:
"Miyuki, do you know this person well?"
"Um… I guess you could say… we're friends?"
All right.
Miyuki herself wasn't sure what their relationship really was.
They had only actually met once.
"Friends, maybe…"
Shiba Miya couldn't help rubbing her forehead. Things seemed more complicated than she had expected.
On the one hand, the deal was already made.
And she truly had been miraculously healed.
She didn't want her daughter to be in a difficult position, but she also didn't want her becoming someone who breaks her word.
Because of that, Shiba Miya was willing to offer her own life in exchange.
But given how far Miyuki had already gone, she wouldn't agree to that.
If Miyuki knew that man well and actually liked him, Miya wouldn't mind trying to persuade her daughter and match them up.
But now…
"Miyuki, tell me honestly. What impression do you have of that man? What do you think of him?"
"Eh?"
That question caught Miyuki completely off guard, leaving her mind momentarily blank.
She had never actually considered it before.
Seeing her at a loss for words, Shiba Miya followed up:
"Your first impression?"
"My first impression… he's really mysterious."
He's the owner of a chat group that spans several different worlds, mysterious and powerful.
"What about his character?"
"His character… I guess he's helpful to others?"
Miyuki wasn't sure if it counted as "helpful" that he liked teaching and assisting people.
But even when there was no deal involved, he often answered basic questions for other members of the chat about their own worlds.
"What's he like personality-wise?"
"Free-spirited and cool, but sometimes has a sense of humor."
Normally, Rei Ao was calm and spoke his mind, but he could joke around with the others in the chat group if he felt like it.
And one more thing—
Miyuki pressed her lips together, her voice turning heavier:
"He's also a total pervert."
"?"
Shiba Miya looked at her daughter in surprise.
Knowing Miyuki, if she met a pervert, she'd normally be cold, scornful, and full of disgust.
But here she only seemed slightly annoyed. That was out of character for Shiba Miyuki.
A spark flickered in Shiba Miya's eyes: Perhaps there was still a bit of hope.
…
After a moment of reflection, Yotsuba Maya's eyes were filled with unconcealed shock as she looked at Rei Ao.
Through the chat group, she had learned of Rei Ao's identity:
He was the master of a group that linked different worlds, someone who could travel between them by making trades.
She finally understood why he was here: it was part of the agreement with Shiba Miyuki.
But as for the details of that deal…
Click!
Just then, the bedroom door opened.
Only Shiba Miya came out.
She walked gracefully over to Rei Ao and bowed.
"Rei Ao-san, thank you for healing my damaged body."
From Maya's point of view, the healing effects were obvious.
Not only was Miya's complexion visibly healthier, but she also moved more freely.
Her sister no longer looked like someone whose body had been drained by overusing magic.
Before Rei Ao could respond, she knelt down just like her sister had moments ago.
Shiba Miya pleaded, "Rei Ao-san, I, Miya, ask that you change the terms of your agreement with Miyuki."
"No,"
Rei Ao replied bluntly.
"…"
Shiba Miya lifted her head but didn't back down. She spoke in earnest:
"Rei Ao-san… if you wouldn't mind, please let me take Miyuki's place."
"Sister? What in the world are you saying?!"
Yotsuba Maya's expression changed drastically.
That was unthinkable!
Shiba Miya didn't care what Maya thought.
This was the best solution she could come up with, aside from repaying the debt with her own life.
Pointing to her cheek, she continued:
"Look, I resemble Miyuki a lot. She's too young, doesn't understand anything, and can't satisfy you. I—"
Rei Ao raised a brow and interrupted:
"You're very experienced, then?"
"I…"
As though it was something difficult to admit,
her expression twisted, and she said with difficulty:
"I… Even though I'm married, my marriage is only nominal. I'm still…"
"Oh? So that's how it is?"
Rei Ao sounded surprised.
He hadn't known that Shiba Miya's marriage was a sham.
"Sigh…"
Yotsuba Maya heaved a deep breath at this point.
"It's true, Rei Ao-san."
Noticing Rei Ao's curious look, she offered an explanation:
"One day, out of the blue, a newborn baby appeared in Sister's room: that was Miyuki. Logically, an unknown child like that should have been handed over to the proper people. But the Yotsuba family discovered that Miyuki possessed tremendously strong magical talent and wanted a legitimate reason to keep her as part of the family."
At that, Rei Ao suddenly understood:
It was part of the Yotsuba family's plan to make her Miya's daughter.
But to do that, Shiba Miya had to have a husband.
"And so the family selected Shiba Tatsurou as Sister's husband, to join the Yotsuba household.
In reality, they're only husband and wife in name, never in truth."
Yotsuba Maya glanced around the empty room and sighed:
"He's never even set foot in here."
~~~
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