Inside the Yamato family's reception room, several cups of fragrant tea were arranged neatly before the four people seated together.
Kuuka and her parents all sat formally in seiza, kneeling upright with practiced composure.Ren Kuroda, on the other hand, simply couldn't get used to that posture—so he sat cross-legged alone, sticking out like a sore thumb.
As a family with both wealth and influence, the Yamatos naturally didn't serve ordinary tea.Under normal circumstances, Ren would've been thoroughly enjoying it—
—but with the two people sitting across from him, it was impossible to relax.
Once everyone had settled, they exchanged formal introductions to get better acquainted.
And it was right after that—
When Ren learned that Kuuka's father—the head of the Yamato family—was literally named Yamato Ienushi—
He instantly sprayed the tea straight out of his mouth.
All of it landed squarely on Yamato Ienushi's face.
As a result, the Yamato family head's impression of Ren plummeted straight through the floor.
But honestly, this really couldn't be blamed on Ren.
It was just that naming your son "Family Head" was…Well—exceptionally distinctive.
Exactly how desperate had Kuuka's grandfather been for his son to inherit the position, to give him a name like that?
Compared to Yamato Ienushi—who hadn't shown Ren a single friendly expression since they sat down—
Yamato Miku, now changed into a refined kimono and seated beside her husband, seemed extremely pleased with Ren.
She'd been fussing over him nonstop, asking if he was cold, if the tea suited his taste, if he'd eaten enough.
It was common knowledge that most people felt a sense of rivalry toward good-looking members of the same sex—
—but toward the opposite sex, the reaction was often the complete opposite.
The Yamato family urgently needed new descendants, but they weren't about to accept just anyone—especially when Kuuka herself possessed such outstanding looks and talent.
Just Ren's appearance alone earned him a great deal of bonus points in Miku's eyes.
And beyond looks—
There was his strength and talent.
The earlier "bathroom incident" had been awkward beyond words, but thanks to it, Miku now had a clear understanding of just how terrifying Ren's strength truly was.
She had never imagined that someone so young could be that powerful.
For years, Miku had firmly believed her daughter to be among the very best of her generation.
Because of the strict rules of the Kūsuhane Clan, she hadn't been able to teach Kuuka her own family's sword techniques—
Yet Kuuka, due to her circumstances, had mastered a sword style no weaker than theirs.
With Kuuka's displayed talent and comprehension of swordsmanship, Miku had always believed her daughter would one day surpass her and become a true grandmaster.
Before meeting Ren, she had been convinced Kuuka stood at the pinnacle of the younger generation.
But today's events shattered that belief completely.
The boy sitting before her looked several years younger than Kuuka—
Yet his attainment in swordsmanship left even her shaken.
Born into the Kūsuhane Clan, Miku had trained with the sword since childhood.Her family specialized in slaying yokai through swordsmanship—every member was an elite.
And yet—
Even so—
During that brief clash in the bathhouse, as a bona fide Sword Master, she had felt no confidence whatsoever in defeating Ren.
After a long stretch of back-and-forth questions and answers, Miku's satisfaction with Ren only grew.
By now, the way she looked at him—
It was unmistakably the gaze of someone evaluating a son-in-law.
Meanwhile, every time Yamato Ienushi or Kuuka tried to speak, they were immediately silenced by a razor-sharp glare—
forcing them to shut up and quietly watch the interaction unfold.
The contrast was stark.
Miku was icy and stern toward her husband and daughter—
—but in front of Ren, she performed a flawless display of emotional whiplash.
Smiling warmly.Gentle concern.Endless hospitality.
It was so dramatic that even Ren began to suspect she might have ulterior motives.
"Ren," Miku said sweetly,"From what you've told me, you and Kuuka have known each other for quite some time now, and understand one another well."
"Our whole family is very satisfied with you."
"So let me ask—when are you two planning to get married?"
PFF—!
Ren once again sprayed tea straight out of his mouth.
The Yamato family head—who had just changed into fresh clothes and barely sat down—
now had tea leaves splattered all over his face again.
"You brat—are you targeting me on purpose?! Believe it or not, I can make sure you never walk out of the Yamato estate today—!"
After being sprayed twice, Yamato Ienushi finally snapped and nearly flipped the table—
—but immediately felt a deathly gaze from beside him.
His rage froze solid.
"We're discussing our daughter's marriage," Miku said calmly."If you insist on causing trouble, you may go watch television over there."
"When a conclusion is reached, we'll inform you."
The Yamato family head was defeated.
As the head of the Yamato clan, he was majestic and imposing before others—
—but at home?
His status ranked dead last.
He wanted to rise up, to declare who truly ruled this household—
—but reality was cruel.
Even if ten of him were tied together, he still wouldn't beat his wife.
Thus, forced to swallow his humiliation, Yamato Ienushi shot Ren a venomous glare—
and obediently shuffled off to watch TV.
Watching this scene unfold, Ren swallowed hard.
At that moment, he finally understood why Kuuka—despite being so outstanding—had remained single all this time.
Even if outsiders were reluctant to marry into the family, surely there were plenty of suitable men within the Yamato clan itself—
So why had no one proposed?
Now he knew.
One look at Yamato Ienushi's position in the household—
then at Kuuka, whose temperament was eerily similar to her mother's—
—and Ren instantly understood everything.
The Yamato clan specialized in support roles.
Yet both Yamato Miku and Yamato Kuuka were monstrously strong swordswomen.
Marry a woman like that—
—and your household status would become exactly like Yamato Ienushi's.
Under Miku's relentless questioning, Ren could only shoot a desperate look toward Kuuka, silently begging for help.
Marriage?What marriage?!
This "boyfriend" identity was fake to begin with!
And how had things escalated straight to wedding plans already?!
How impatient was this family?!
For a brief moment, Ren even felt that Yamato Miku was frighteningly similar to his own mother, Amano-in Ayami.
"Mother… I think—"
"I don't need what you think," Miku interrupted coldly."What did you promise us before? And look at your age."
"In a few more years, your spiritual power will pass its peak."
"For the sake of producing children who inherit your excellent talents, these matters must be arranged early."
"This boyfriend you brought back—I'm very satisfied with him."
"So you needn't worry about anything else."
"Go watch TV obediently. Your elders will take care of the rest."
Kuuka didn't get a single full sentence out before being shut down.
Under her mother's overwhelming pressure, she could only obediently go sit beside her father—
throwing Ren a good-luck-you're-on-your-own look on the way.
"You see," Miku smiled warmly,"Our family has no objections. So, Ren-kun—when do you plan to marry Kuuka?"
No objections my ass—Ren screamed internally.Aside from you, everyone clearly objected!
Of course, he didn't dare say that aloud.
Under Miku's smiling gaze, Ren felt like he was sitting on needles.
In the end, he decided he had no choice—
He was about to apologize to Kuuka and confess that the whole boyfriend act was fake—
When Miku suddenly changed the topic.
"This isn't something you can decide alone, anyway," she said casually."I'll visit your mother personally another day, and discuss the matter with her."
By the time Ren found himself standing at the gates of the Yamato estate—
arms full of return gifts—
he honestly didn't even know how he'd gotten there.
From start to finish, his mind had been completely blank.
Somehow, he'd been dragged along by Yamato Miku's pace—
And somehow—
He'd become Yamato Kuuka's 'fiancé'.
Kuuka herself looked just as awkward.
She hadn't expected things to spiral this far either.
Her family liked to urge marriage—but not usually this aggressively.
After the two of them left—
Yamato Ienushi, who'd been watching television, suddenly turned toward his wife.
"I don't believe you couldn't tell that kid was just Kuuka's stand-in."
"They're obviously not in that kind of relationship."
"So why push this so hard?"
Parents, after all, understood their children best.
With their understanding of Kuuka, they knew Ren was most likely just brought in as emergency backup.
Miku smiled faintly.
"I've raised my daughter for over twenty years. Compared to a certain unreliable father, I know her far better."
"Perhaps they aren't lovers yet—but from their interactions, I can see it clearly."
"Kuuka has feelings for that boy."
"Otherwise, when have you ever seen her act so close to a man her age?"
"And besides," Miku continued softly,"the help she brought back this time is truly outstanding."
"Outstanding enough that even I can't find a single fault."
"He's not even twenty yet—but in that brief exchange in the bathhouse, he gave me the unmistakable feeling that I couldn't defeat him."
"If it had been a true fight to the death…"
"The one who would die—would most likely be me."
She smiled.
"No wonder he's ranked so high."
"So the title 'The Redeemer' isn't just propaganda after all."
"This time, Kuuka truly found herself a remarkable man."