Vol. 1: Chapter 2 - Part 4

Volume 1: Chapter 2 – Part 4Author: Geraint

We rode in a luxurious car, with Himiko-san sitting beside me and two tall, muscular men in front—my temporary bodyguards. I stared out the window, waiting for us to arrive.

"We're here!"

Just like Himiko-san said, the place wasn't far from home. If I ever wanted to visit again, walking would be better. As I stepped out of the car, I noticed something odd.

"Huh? Why are you wearing glasses?"

"It's a disguise, Yuki-sama. That guy gets spooked every time he sees me."

"What did you do to him...?"

We arrived at a modest residence with a run-down dojo next door. Himiko-san pressed the buzzer by the small gate, and we waited for a response.

A minute passed. A breeze blew by. Nothing.

Annoyed, she pressed the buzzer again. Still no answer.

"That muscle-head hasn't changed a bit," she muttered, pressing the buzzer repeatedly.

Eventually, the door cracked open, and a small girl peeked out.

"Huh?"

She had shoulder-length black hair, black eyes, and wore a traditional dojo uniform—she resembled the angry girl from the photo.

"Hello. Is your dad home? We'd just like to speak with him—"

Before Himiko-san could finish, the girl shut the door and disappeared inside. Himiko-san's expression darkened, and the two guards behind us shrugged. One was a tall, bald black man in sunglasses, and the other a white man with silvery-white hair—also in sunglasses, making them both look intimidating.

They were actually my mom's personal bodyguards. Since she and Dad were on their honeymoon, they were assigned to watch over us for the time being.

"Come to think of it... I haven't asked your names yet. I'm Akitsuki Yuki, stepson of your employer."

"We've already heard of you from Ojou-sama. Name's Bob," said the black man, pointing to himself.

"You can call me Michael," the white man added.

"At your service, Bocchan!" they chimed together with a pose.

"These two are... interesting, Himiko-san. Where did Mom find them?"

"They lost their teaching jobs and Mia-sama hired them. Their personalities are as unique as their resumes."

The door creaked open again, and the small girl peeked out.

"Umm... is your dad—"

"Dad says he's not here! And he doesn't have any money!" she shouted abruptly, then disappeared inside again.

"Huh?"

"Nao-chan, what are you doing?!"

A middle-aged man in a dojo uniform appeared, picked up the girl, and bowed frantically.

"I swear I'll pay tomorrow! Just give me one more day!" he pleaded, until he noticed our confused faces.

"Huh?"

Realizing we weren't debt collectors, he straightened up, cleared his throat, and suddenly became intimidating.

"Ahem. What business do you have here?"

"The two guys behind me are here to collect your debt," I replied casually, pointing to Bob and Michael.

"HUH?!"

The man immediately dropped to the ground in a deep dogeza.

"I'm sorry! Please! Just give me one more day!"

"Pffffft! Hahaha!" I couldn't hold in my laughter.

"Yuki-sama, please don't tease him too much. He'll really cry," Himiko-san sighed.

"Who said I'm crying?!" the man retorted.

"It's been a while, Mizuno-kun."

The man blinked and stared at Himiko-san.

"Shi-Shiina?!"

"Correct!" Himiko-san smiled brightly.

"GYAAAAAH!" he screamed like a child and clung to his daughter in fear.

"Even though we're adults now, you haven't changed at all! Grow up already!"

"But—but my sword doesn't work on ghosts! I keep seeing them now, all because of you! This is your fault, Ghost Girl!"

"Stop calling me that!" Himiko-san's face turned red in anger.

After a deep breath, she calmed down and glanced at me. I nodded.

"Anyway, we came because you sent a letter requesting Shun-sama's son to be engaged to your daughter."

"Oh, that! If Shun has a son, I'm ready to marry off my daughter right away. I made a promise back when we were drunk."

He grinned at Himiko-san, but she looked away. So that's what happened after Dad broke up with her...

"It seems Shun-sama's son is interested."

His eyes lit up.

"Hoho! I see! I'm glad to hear that. When can they meet?"

"Not anytime soon. Shun-sama and Mia-sama are still overseas."

"Got it. Just let me know when they return. I'm sure my daughter will be thrilled. Hahaha!"

"Thank you very much," Himiko-san bowed and then gestured that we were leaving.

As they began walking away, the middle-aged man noticed me still standing by the gate.

"Huh? Aren't you with them?"

"Nope. I'm just a passing child interested in learning swordsmanship at this dojo."

He squinted at my face.

"Hmmm... You look familiar."

"Just your imagination," I replied, stepping back slightly. I forgot he had attended my parents' wedding.

"You idiotic Dad!"

A loud voice rang out, followed by a flying dropkick that sent the man tumbling.

A girl in a sailor uniform landed gracefully, then quickly bowed to me.

"I'm so sorry about my dad! Please forgive him!"

"It's okay..."

Before I could finish, she grabbed my hands and stared intently.

"You want to learn kenjutsu here, right?! Great! I'll give you a 50% discount on your first three months! Don't worry, I'll be your personal instructor—not this scary old dude."

She glared at her dad.

"I may not look like it, but I've mastered most of his techniques. You can count on me!"

Rumble~

Her stomach growled. She froze in embarrassment.

"Pffffft...!"

"P-Please don't laugh..."

"I'll join your dojo. Please take care of me." I smiled.

"Thank you very much!"

She turned around and covered her face, trembling in shame.

(To be continued.)