Running up to Sato's feet, Shin-chan braced one hand against his leg and let out a breath, looking like he had finally been saved.
"Not bad, kid, getting a young lady to chase after you at such a young age!"
Sato sighed with some emotion as he looked down at the little sweet potato head by his feet.
This kid had always been the typical mischievous type since he was little, even a bit absurd, naughty, foul-mouthed, precocious, and also a little pervert…
Sometimes, he even wondered if someone with this kid's personality would ever find a girlfriend in the future.
But now it seemed the Nohara family had always had good luck in romance. Just like Sato's unreliable-looking father, Ginnosuke, who had also married their once stunningly beautiful mother. Although she now had the appearance of a middle-aged woman, judging from old photos, she had been quite beautiful in her youth.
Hearing this, Shin-chan looked up at him and spread his hands. "Sato, you know I don't like kids, I like older women!"
Sato's mouth twitched as he pinched Shin-chan's cheek.
"Call me uncle!"
"Uncle!" Shin-chan immediately gave in from the pain.
At that moment, Shin-chan's other friends also gathered around and greeted Sato.
"So you're Shin-chan's uncle!"
"Are you the one picking him up today?"
"Yeah! Shin-chan's mom had something urgent to deal with today, so I came to pick him up."
Sato smiled as he spoke to the group of little kids in front of him.
Soon, he noticed that the child who seemed to be the young lady was also walking toward them.
Shin-chan's expression immediately changed, and he quickly tugged at Sato's clothes. "Let's go, quickly."
"Hm?"
Sato lowered his head and gave Shin-chan a meaningful smile. "I haven't met your new friend yet."
"Huh?!"
Black lines instantly filled Shin-chan's forehead as memories of being tricked by Sato again and again since childhood flashed through his mind.
"Th-then I'll go first!"
"Go? Where are you going? Stay put and wait for me!"
Sato smiled. He had finally found someone who could make this kid afraid. How could he let it go so easily…
"Hello, are you Shin-chan's uncle? My name is Suotome Ai, Shin-chan's classmate!"
"Nice to meet you, please take care of me!"
Suotome Ai came up to Sato and bowed respectfully.
From her, one could see the etiquette of a young lady, but not the arrogance. Perhaps… it was because he was Shin-chan's uncle?
And the surname Suotome seemed rather remarkable.
Aside from major native political families like Fujiwara and Minamoto, the most renowned were conglomerate families like Shinomiya and Suotome. Among them, apart from the strongest Suotome Group, there didn't seem to be any other families in Japan with the surname Suotome.
If she really was from that Suotome family, then it was indeed something extraordinary.
After thinking it through, Sato smiled at Suotome Ai. "Hello, I'm Shin-chan's uncle, Nohara Sato."
"Let's go already!"
Shin-chan whispered from behind Sato.
Sato stood still, letting Shin-chan tug at him.
He looked at Suotome Ai with interest. Although the Suotome family was indeed powerful, that was only on the surface.
Beneath this peaceful world, extraordinary forces were lurking. Various factions were intertwined, far more complex than they appeared. The seemingly powerful Suotome family was still formidable, but far from invincible as ordinary people imagined.
Besides, he was an S-rank powerhouse, one of the very top existences in the world. Facing the Suotome family, he could naturally remain calm.
"Uncle is picking up Shin-chan today, is Mother feeling unwell?"
Suotome Ai asked with concern.
Mother…?!
Who was she talking about? Sister-in-law?!
Suotome Ai's sudden words left Sato momentarily dazed. He glanced toward Kuroiso (Mr. K) and Kazama Toru behind her.
Seeing his questioning look, everyone nodded in unison.
That's right, no need to guess, it's exactly what you're thinking!
Sato took a small breath and turned to look at the little sweet potato head squatting behind him, staring at ants. What kind of spell had this guy cast on this young lady?!
"Well… why do you call Shin-chan's mother 'Mother'?"
"Because Ai will marry Shin-chan in the future!"
Suotome Ai said it as if it were only natural. Her calm and matter-of-fact tone made it seem like that was simply how the future would be.
Turning to look at Shin-chan again, Sato found that he had rarely become this withdrawn.
"Uncle, do you think Ai can become a daughter-in-law of the Nohara family?"
"Uh, this…"
Sato broke into a sweat. How was he supposed to answer that?
Marriages involving such big families were never that simple. Even if she could be with Shin-chan, it would probably require him to marry into her family. For a free-spirited child like Nohara Shinnosuke, that was likely impossible.
Wait, wait!
Why am I thinking so far ahead? I'm not even married yet!
Sato suddenly snapped out of it, his expression turning strange.
"Young lady!"
Kuroiso couldn't help but speak up.
"Kuroiso, if I remember correctly, last weekend you broke one of Father's treasured antique swords, didn't you?"
Suotome Ai turned and glanced at Kuroiso indifferently.
"Young lady, please proceed as you wish!"
Kuroiso immediately surrendered, cold sweat dripping down his face.
H-how did the young lady find out again?!
At that moment, Suotome Ai glanced at her small wristwatch, then bowed to Sato. "Ai still has a piano lesson later, so I'll take my leave for today. I will visit you in the future, Uncle!"
After speaking, she looked at Shin-chan behind Sato. "Young Master Shin-chan, see you tomorrow!"
Nohara Shinnosuke, who had been withdrawn just moments ago, instantly perked up and waved energetically at her.
"See you tomorrow!"
"Vroom…"
With the roar of engines, Suotome Ai left in her private car.
Sato sharply noticed that after the long luxury car drove off, many ordinary cars also emerged from the surrounding alleys.
Looking at the energetic Nohara Shinnosuke, Sato suddenly said, "How about you just accept Ai, Shin-chan?"
"Huh! I like older women!"
"Maybe you could have her build you a castle full of Koala's March biscuits as a betrothal gift."
"A castle… of Koala's March biscuits?!"
"Yeah."
"…"
Behind them, Kazama Toru and the others were full of black lines. Just now, it sounded like they heard… a betrothal gift?!