24: Kujou Sakurako

"If you're jealous, just admit it. Why say you're exhausted?"

"Why does big brother feel so much like a manga protagonist?"

"A plot where a maid just falls from the sky shouldn't happen in real life!"

"So why is it happening right in front of me?"

Eriri couldn't comprehend it.

"If Akira wasn't outstanding, would you still like him?"

"Of course! I've spent so much time with him. How could I not like him?"

Eriri answered naturally, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Akira is your brother, yet you still like him."

Eriri instantly went silent, covering her face in her mind.

She really was a degenerate, no doubt about it.

"Mom, you tricked me again!"

"Relax. If Akira is the protagonist, then as his sister and childhood friend, you're definitely the number one heroine."

"A man can have many wives, but a sister is one of a kind."

Sayuri consoled her daughter in true otaku fashion.

"Mom, are you saying that Akira is walking the true harem route?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"Since childhood, girls have been lining up around him."

"For example, tonight, many of the childhood friends he knew growing up will be attending the banquet."

"Imagine Akira showing up with his new maid, Snow. Don't you think some drama is bound to happen?"

Sayuri grinned mischievously.

Eriri's perfect, cute face followed with an equally devious smirk.

She might be jealous, but she was far more interested in watching the chaos that would unfold around her heartbreaker of a brother.

Setagaya Ward.

A traditional Japanese estate nestled between lush hills and running waters.

Tonight, it was ablaze with lights and lively with chatter.

A paved road extended through the forest, leading up to the entrance where a prominent sign read:

[Private Property. No Trespassing. Intruders Will Face Consequences.]

Sayuri, Akira, Eriri, and Snow arrived in a black Toyota Crown arranged by his grandmother.

Right on time, at six o'clock in the evening, they stepped into the banquet hall as the last guests to make their entrance.

Akira, carrying his sword in his left hand, strode forward to where an elegant, cold-faced woman with flowing black hair was supporting a silver-haired elderly lady.

He lowered his tall figure slightly, offering a warm smile as he spoke gently:

"Grandmother, I'm home."

Kujou Seiko, the matriarch, looked at the grandson she'd watched grow up.

His once youthful face had now matured into one of striking handsomeness.

Releasing herself from her attendant's support, she grasped Akira's right hand with an emotional expression.

"It's good that you're back."

"You're not planning to wander off again, are you?"

"No, I'm done traveling. I've learned everything I needed."

"My master said that the rest of the road is mine to walk alone."

"Though I'll return to Longguo every year for the New Year's Festival."

Hearing his confirmation, Seiko introduced him to the gathered guests:

"This is my grandson—Akira Sawamura."

"He has recently returned from his studies in China."

"Although he was adopted by my daughter, Sayuri, I had initially planned to grant him the Kujou surname."

"If not for Sayuri's strong objections, he would have been a direct heir of the Kujou family."

"Madam, your grandson is truly remarkable, refined, and handsome."

"The Sawamura family will surely flourish under his leadership."

Praises came from every corner of the hall, as if words of admiration cost nothing.

"Now, I have another important announcement."

"This is Kujou Sakurako, a member of a Kujou branch family from Hokkaido."

"She lost both her father and younger brother at a young age."

"I've watched her grow up, and today, I am officially betrothing her to my grandson, Akira."

"Their future children will inherit the Kujou name and lineage in Hokkaido."

"As for their marriage, that will be their own decision."

Akira's mouth fell open in shock.

"Grandmother, isn't this a bit sudden?"

"I'm several years older than Akira..."

Sakurako's usually cold expression turned faintly red, her gaze lowering to avoid Akira's eyes.

"Sakurako, you only need to answer one thing—are you willing?"

"I... I am willing."

She whispered shyly, her voice barely audible.

At that moment, a displeased voice cut through the air:

"Madam Kujou, have you forgotten something?"

Shimizu Masato, the current head of the Shimizu family, stepped forward with his son, a cold glint in his eyes.

"Sakurako is already betrothed to my son."

"The head of the Kujou family in Hokkaido arranged their engagement years ago before his passing."

"Now, you want to unilaterally annul it?"

"That is completely unreasonable."

"Sakurako's father and brother passed away young."

"The Hokkaido Kujou line is without an heir."

"But their lineage cannot end here."

"This decision was made collectively by the entire Kujou family."

"Besides, the so-called engagement was nothing more than a verbal agreement between you and Sakurako's father in childhood."

"Your so-called marriage contract carries no legal weight."

"As for Sakurako's mother, that greedy and foolish woman has long since been expelled from the Kujou family."

"She has no guardianship rights over Sakurako, and her signed agreement is invalid."

Seiko would never allow the ancestral assets of the Hokkaido Kujou branch to fall into the hands of the Shimizu family.

If the wealth must be consumed, it would be by their own kin.

"Madam Kujou, the dead should be honored."

"I was a close friend of Sakurako's late father."

"I have to fulfill my promise to him."

"The Shimizu family will not back down so easily."

Masato spoke righteously, as if his motives were pure.

Everyone in attendance, however, knew the truth.

The Shimizu family simply wanted to claim the massive land holdings of the Hokkaido Kujou branch.

Yet in this setting, no one would dare take a side too soon.

READ 30 CHAPTERS AHEAD AT p @ treon. com/KyokaSuigetsu

(replace @ with a)