After welcoming Akina and the others into the house, Akina was quite fascinated by the Suzhou-style villa, even thinking about renovating her own place like this when she returned.
Later, when facing Yunyun at the dining table and then again at the tea table after the meal,
Akina remained composed throughout.
When it came to acting, wasn't every woman a bit of a drama queen?
Since Kaito wasn't ready to come clean and didn't want to complicate things, she naturally played along to help him out.
Even though she couldn't be openly affectionate with Kaito, she believed there would be opportunities.
After all, Akina had learned about the Jade Chamber from Kie.
Of course, she had felt jealous and complained at the time, but ultimately accepted it.
She couldn't not accept it; she could only sigh and continue chatting with Kie.
"Sister Akina, when Yunyun and I visit your inn sometime, you'll have to give us a big discount, okay~"
Yunyun felt helpless. No matter how she asked or tried to infer her relationship with Kaito, she still hadn't figured it out.
Naturally, even if it were true, she would have to accept it. But she couldn't help feeling a bit jealous and resentful, and it was that feeling that made her curious about Akina's relationship with Kaito.
"Of course, you're welcome."
Akina nodded lightly with a smile, finally breathing a sigh of relief inside.
This Yunyun was indeed tenacious.
Fortunately, they had coordinated their stories beforehand: Kaito had traveled alone in Japan, stayed at her hot spring inn for a while, met her daughter Ai, etc.
Then, while playing Go, they became master and disciple, leading to their current relationship.
Hmm...
"Haha, alright, stop prying, Senior."
"I'm not prying, I'm just curious how many boats you can juggle!"
"Saying that, we might not be able to stay friends."
"Who's your friend? I'm your lover now!"
Yunyun gritted her teeth, emphasizing the point, then hammered Kaito with her little fists a few times before sighing and flopping onto the sofa.
Tired, she gave up.
This man had changed. He was no longer the junior she knew.
But she was still happy he had become even more handsome. After all, what woman didn't like looking at a handsome guy? What woman wouldn't be happy that the person she liked was the most handsome man in the world?
"Daddy! Why is Ginko-nee's hair white?"
Pat-pat-pat, just as Kaito had extricated himself to get a glass of water, Hisui came running, holding Ai's hand.
Facing his daughter's question, Kaito smiled and crouched down, stroking her hair.
"Well, she was born that way!"
"Oh, like albinism? But Ginko-nee doesn't look like she has albinism, does she?"
'Oh? Hisui knew about albinism?'
"Haha, the world is full of wonders. Some people even have heterochromia."
"That's true! Ginko-nee must be of mixed heritage, so it makes sense she's so beautiful! It's just that she doesn't like talking to us much."
"Hehe, she's just shy."
"Yeah, yeah!"
Ai nodded vigorously beside her.
Ginko, shy? She wanted to argue but knew she was definitely a Tsundere!
"Alright, go play now."
"Okay~ I'm going to play Go with Ginko-nee."
"Go on, go on."
So Hisui continued to run off excitedly with Ai.
In the distance, Raiden Shogun's expression relaxed a bit.
'Finally, finally!'
'Finally, I was free from Hisui's clutches!'
Did anyone know what she had been through while Kaito was away!!!
She was the Raiden Shogun!!
How could she possibly deal with a child!!
That was more Beelzebul's thing!
But now she was stuck in a child's body, constantly being treated like a kid!
Even Yunyun treated her that way!
"Cough, brother-in-law... that Hinatsuru Akina woman... are you really not going to tell Yunyun the truth?"
Beelzebul emerged from the snack room with a pile of snacks. Seeing Kaito alone, she came over curiously to ask.
Although she was willing to help Kaito with the act, it would eventually come out if it went on too long.
Since her sister could accept it, and even she had accepted it, why was he unwilling to tell Yunyun?
"Well... that's... she's a bit different from you all."
Kaito scratched his chin awkwardly, unsure how to explain.
Perhaps it was because he valued Yunyun too much, so even though he was usually bold, he was too scared to reveal the truth, only thinking about letting her accept it gradually.
That made sense. Yunyun had too many "buffs" stacked on her, making Kaito treat her with such caution.
But Beelzebul was right. When it was eventually exposed, it would have to be faced.
"Hmph, just admit you're being a coward. I don't know what you're thinking anyway. It's just that you've always..."
"Always what?"
Beelzebul hesitated, her face reddening slightly, perhaps unconsciously recalling a certain scene.
"Cough! Nothing! I'm taking the snacks over!!"
"Hehehe, why run? You haven't finished your sentence!"
"Don't, brother-in-law! Don't you already know what I'm going to say?"
"The bystander sees more than the player. Maybe I don't know?"
With Kaito grabbing her hand, Beelzebul was at a loss.
This was the real Kaito. Since he was so shameless, why make things so complicated and make her act?
Why not just say it outright?
'Wait!'
'Could it be that her brother-in-law wasn't just involved with Hinatsuru Akina? Could there be...'
'Others out there?'
'And maybe a lot of them?'
'And that's why...'
'He needed Yunyun to accept it gradually?'
'Damn it!!!'
In that instant, Beelzebul understood.
At the same time...
She saw the way Kaito was looking at her...
"Brother-in-law, you wouldn't... you wouldn't even spare me, would you?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
Kaito played dumb openly, neither explaining nor offering a righteous rebuttal.
"This is wrong, this is wrong. Brother-in-law, this won't do."
"What won't do? Say it clearly. I hate riddles the most."
"It won't do, brother-in-law, it won't do!"