thefictionvixens Chapter 102 Dilapidated Building
Chapter 102 Dilapidated Building
Kazusa didn't know what Kazusa Kanzato and Ayato Kanzato talked about during their time alone. All she knew was that after that day, Ayato Kanzato became that gentle older brother again, willing to play with her.
Although he doesn't always have time, and most of the time he's stuck in the shrine dealing with government affairs, Suzume has started to enjoy taking care of Ayaka to pass the time.
Kayo Kamisato was also able to free up more time to take care of her sick husband.
However, the head of the Shinri family's illness kept recurring without improvement. Five years passed, and his complexion only got worse, which frightened both Kazuki and Kazuki.
The smell of medicine permeated the Kamisato family home grew stronger and stronger, and eventually even Kamisato Hanayo became bedridden. The number of documents on Kamisato Ayato's desk also increased.
The study became a forbidden area, and He Que was no longer allowed to enter.
Twelve-year-old Suzume has already vaguely realized that she is no longer suitable to go to the Kamisato family, but she can't bear to part with Kamisato Ayato, because this guy has learned to deceive Kamisato Hanayo and Aya, and has used his mealtimes to deal with government affairs.
She began to study how to make food more convenient so that Ayato could fill his stomach as quickly as possible during breaks from handling government affairs.
Kujo Takayuki merely chuckled at this, but his eyes were filled with satisfaction.
He Que couldn't figure out what he was thinking, so she continued to run around the house, secretly praying that the storm would pass quickly and everything would return to its original peaceful state.
But fate is often cruel. The head of the Kamisato family passed away on a rainy night. Kamisato Kayo fell ill and never recovered from the shock. The young Kamisato Ayato took over as head of the family and began to truly take charge of everything in the Kamisato family, including the group of covetous retainers.
When Suzume saw Ayato Kamisato again, it was at the funeral of the former head of the Kamisato family. As the youngest daughter of the Kujo family, she attended the funeral with Takayuki Kujo.
The long-unseen Ayato Kamisato skillfully maneuvered among a group of adults, each with their own hidden agendas, without batting an eye, dealing with all sorts of probing questions.
He Que stood behind her father, timidly looking at this unfamiliar Ayato.
Kujo Takayuki chuckled and said to her, "See that, Suzume? This is what happens when you have no one to rely on. As the head of the clan, you can only offer a salute to your retainers. Should we say he's willingly fallen into depravity or has some self-awareness?"
He Que struggled to understand the meaning behind his words: "What do you mean by father?"
Since it was the Kamisato family's territory, Kujo Takayuki didn't explain his words, but instead led her towards Kamisato Ayato's direction.
The status and position of the Tenryo Magistrate were extraordinary, and the appearance of Kujo Takayuki immediately silenced the guys from less privileged backgrounds.
Ayato Kamisato's expression softened slightly, but he didn't naively believe that Takayuki Kujo was simply there to help him out. He spoke with a more cautious tone: "Lord Kujo."
"Young Master Kamisato".
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Kujo Takayuki chose this name.
Ayato Kamisato had no objections.
Kazuki, unusually clever, sensed the undercurrent beneath the calm conversation and suddenly stepped between the two, blocking Ayato Kamisato's path.
Under the scrutinizing gazes of everyone, she smiled sweetly at Kujo Takayuki and said, "Father, may I speak with Ayato for a few minutes?"
Kujo Takayuki wouldn't refuse such a small request from Suzume, especially since he had already achieved the purpose of his trip.
He readily agreed, taking along a whole bunch of guys who wanted to connect with him, but before leaving he corrected one harmless little mistake: "Watch your address, He Que."
He Que pursed her lips, reluctant to agree, but she didn't dare to defy her always authoritative father.
She took Ayato's hand and led him out of the hall, which was filled with the smell of incense ash. They found a quiet spot in the courtyard and sat down. "Let's rest here for a while, Lord Shazam-no-Gyō."
Ayato Kamisato rubbed her head.
The friendly gesture reassured Heque somewhat.
However, she suddenly didn't know what to say. After all, her outburst was a subconscious act, and her mind was still blank after the impulse.
Fortunately, at this moment, Ayato Kamisato would rather have some quiet time than exchange pleasantries.
There was a hint of weariness in his eyes. He unconsciously leaned closer to He Que, who immediately sat up straight, trying to make him more comfortable.
Ayato Kamisato chuckled softly in her ear.
The tranquil and peaceful atmosphere lasted only a moment. Ayato Kamisato closed his eyes for a short rest, but the image of Takayuki Kujo reappeared in his mind.
He could certainly see that Kujo Takayuki's intention was to demonstrate his power over the retainers of the Kamisato family, thereby highlighting his own current weak position.
The young successor had no room for resistance and could only obediently watch his subjects flatter others.
His hand tightened, and he felt conflicted about the existence of the sparrow once again.
On one hand, he knew that Suzume was innocent and had even protected him from beginning to end, but on the other hand, he felt disgusted and repulsed by the power that her surname represented, which was eyeing the Kamisato family.
Ayato Kamisato thought he had to make a choice, whether to accept or stay away, and he could not afford to hesitate any longer.
*
For Suzume, Ayato Kamisato's dilemma manifested as her polite refusal at every subsequent meeting. However, unlike before, although she couldn't see Ayato Kamisato, Ayaka Kamisato would personally come to greet her each time.
"My brother went to the Konoe residence today and will probably be back very late. Will Miss Kujo continue to wait?"
This wasn't the first time Suzume had heard Ayaka Kamisato say this, but the family in her words had been changing. According to her, Ayato Kamisato had been moving between various branches of the Kamisato family recently and rarely stayed at the Kamisato residence.
She did try to wait for someone to come back, but unfortunately she fell asleep while waiting. As a result, she was scolded by her older brother, Kujo Masahito, for not coming home at night. Unfortunately, she still didn't get to see Ayato Kamisato.
The latter went out early in the morning again, and Suzume only heard from Ayaka Kamisato that he had come to see her once.
While wondering if her sleeping posture was terrible, Kazusa tried to interrupt her incessantly chattering older brother: "Why does the Commissioner of the Society never get a break? Father, who is also one of the Three Commissioners, can just wander around at home every day."
Kujo Masahito's lips twitched at her disrespectful words, and he couldn't help but remind her, "Don't say that in front of Father."
He Que wasn't stupid; upon hearing this, she glared at him with displeasure.
Kujo Masahito shrugged, giving her a look that said, "Father and the Shaman Magistrate are of course different. The Kamisato family is like a dilapidated house; it will collapse with the slightest touch. The Shaman Magistrate naturally has to work hard to maintain this dilapidated house. As for Father, he's the one who's always being begged by others, so there's no need for him to put in any effort."
He Que seemed to understand but not quite: "Then what should we do if we want the company magistrate to be like Father?"
This involves Kujo Masahito's blind spot. In fact, in his view, Ayato Kamisato, who was just a teenager, could never possibly support the precarious Kamisato family.
He Que was still waiting for his answer, her eyes filled with anticipation and trust in her elder brother.
Kujo Masahito was somewhat reluctant to give this answer.
He felt extremely uncomfortable and tried his best to get rid of this hot potato: "Why don't you go ask your father? He should know more about these things than I do."
Kazusa was actually a little afraid of Kujo Takayuki, but she really wanted to help Ayato Kamisato, so after hesitating for a long time, she finally went to find Kujo Takayuki.
Kujo Takayuki gave him an unexpected answer.
"I gave you a solution a long time ago, Suzume. Do you remember what I said at the funeral of the former head of the Kamiri family? He just lacked a powerful enough ally."
For some reason, Suzume remembered his conversation with his older brother earlier and blurted out, "Father, could you help the magistrate and make him a pillar of the Kamisato family?"
Kujo Takayuki's eyes were dull, and he lowered his head as if he had a headache, but the corners of his mouth that he could not suppress were upturned under the shadow of his palm.
He said, "I am powerless to do anything about it. The three magistrates are mutually restraining each other. Even if I wanted to interfere in the internal affairs of the Sha Magistrate, the Hiiragi family of the Kancho Magistrate would not allow it, unless—"
"Unless what?" He Que asked anxiously.
"Unless the Kujo family and the Kamisato family can become one family."
(End of this chapter)
作者说:感谢在2024-06-07 01:22:02~2024-06-09 03:10:12期间为我投出霸王票或灌溉营养液的小天使哦~
Thank you to the little angel who watered with nutrient solution: 3 bottles of Isatis indigotica;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!