Chapter 176: Why Didn’t You Say So?

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The middle-aged man followed the little girl into the dilapidated shrine.

He watched the girl's peach-red hair, her small, chubby form, and his body trembled, his eyes filled with a desperate longing. "I—I can't hold back much longer…" he muttered.

The man, Makihisa Tohno, was a prominent figure, the head of the wealthy Tohno Conglomerate. But that was just a façade. His true nature was that of a Half-Demon, his blood tainted by the essence of an Oni.

And the Oni's bloodline wasn't something an ordinary human could contain. The Tohno family were known for their short lifespans, their minds and bodies eventually succumbing to the Oni's influence, transforming them into monstrous demons, their lives ending in a frenzy of madness.

Makihisa, now middle-aged, knew his time was running out. He was nearing the breaking point, the Oni's blood threatening to overwhelm him.

Everyone feared death, but for Makihisa, a man at the height of his power and influence, the thought was unbearable. That was why he'd come here, to the Fujou Shrine.

"We're here, Uncle," the little girl said, her amber eyes widening with fear as she saw Makihisa's predatory expression. She instinctively took a step back.

Makihisa stared at the girl, his gaze hungry. He knew she was his target—one of the Fujou twins, inheritors of the family's unique ability.

The Fujou family's power was [Synchronization], the ability to transfer their life force to others, healing or enhancing them.

And this power was precisely what Makihisa needed to suppress the Oni blood within him.

He—had to acquire the Fujou twins. With their power, he could secure the Tohno family's prosperity for generations.

Clang!

...

The little girl, terrified by Makihisa's intense gaze, flung open the door to the reception room and rushed inside.

She ran into the arms of a woman with long, black hair and delicate features, her gentle presence radiating a traditional Yamato Nadeshiko aura—Aoi Zenjou.

"What's wrong, Kohaku-chan? Why are you so scared?" Aoi asked, her voice soft and soothing.

"It seems they've taken a liking to you. Perhaps they sense your—'motherly nature', Aoi," came a voice with a grin.

Makihisa's eyes narrowed. Three adults sat around a tea table in the reception room—a man and a woman, clearly a couple, and a nervous-looking, middle-aged man sitting opposite them.

Makihisa recognized the man. It was Akira Fujou, the current head of the Fujou family's branch, the twins' uncle, and the one who held their custody—Makihisa's business partner.

Kohaku buried her face in Aoi's chest, nuzzling her.

"Kohaku, that's embarrassing…" Her twin sister, Hisui, identical to Kohaku except for her sapphire eyes, giggled, watching her sister's actions.

"I want a hug too!" Hisui reached out her chubby little arms.

"Of course." Aoi smiled and pulled Hisui into a hug, one twin on each side.

The girls giggled, rubbing their faces against Aoi's stomach.

Having recently lost their parents, the twins instinctively clung to Aoi, drawn to her 'maternal warmth'

...

"Ah, Tohno-san. My apologies. Allow me to introduce you. These are the Kasuganos. They're considering adopting Kohaku and Hisui," Akira said smoothly, his voice ingratiating.

Makihisa's expression hardened at the word "adopting." He glared at Akira, suppressing his anger, and sat down at the table.

Akira had anticipated this. He'd orchestrated the entire scenario.

The Fujou family, once prominent, had fallen from grace after his sister broke a taboo, giving birth to the twins. As the head of the family, Akira now lived a life of—'relative poverty'.

And after his sister's death, the twins, blamed for the family's decline, had become a burden. He'd abandoned them at this dilapidated shrine.

But a few days ago, he'd received inquiries from both Haru and Makihisa Tohno, expressing interest in adopting the twins. He'd seen an opportunity.

If they were so eager to acquire the girls, he would—sell their custody to the highest bidder. The Tohno were wealthy; they could afford it.

As for the Kasuganos—they were clearly not well-off. They'd likely seen the twins' living conditions and taken pity on them.

He wouldn't have even met with such—lowly commoners if not for their usefulness in driving up the price. Once Tohno made a suitable offer, he would get rid of these—'peasants'.

"What do you think, Aoi? They seem to like you. Shall we adopt them?" Haru asked, turning to Aoi with a smile.

Kohaku and Hisui froze, their small heads turning towards Aoi, their eyes hopeful.

"But—I have no experience raising children…" Aoi said, her voice laced with uncertainty, her face a mix of apprehension and doubt.

Kohaku and Hisui's eyes filled with tears.

Aoi's resolve crumbled at the sight of their 'sad, watery eyes'. She hugged them tightly. "Don't cry. Call me Mama."

The twins' tears vanished, replaced by bright smiles as they nuzzled Aoi.

Makihisa glared at Akira, his face darkening. He knew he'd have to pay a price for the Fujou bloodline.

"Ten million yen," he said coldly. "That should be enough, Fujou-san."

"What are you talking about, Tohno-san?" Akira feigned confusion. Ten million was more than he'd hoped for, but seeing as Tohno had offered it so easily, he knew it wasn't his limit.

"One hundred million yen, Fujou-san. Consider the Tohno family's influence." Makihisa's eyes narrowed.

"Ahaha! Of course! I understand the Tohno family's power. It's—wonderful that you're willing to adopt them."

Akira turned to Haru and Aoi.

Aoi, holding the twins, frowned. Even—she could understand the situation now.

Haru's eyes narrowed slightly.

"So, it was just a matter of money? Why didn't you say so?"

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