Hiro put away the purple cross-shaped Purple Flame Priest's Crucifix, casually erased the surrounding traces, and pushed open the familiar front door.
Clack.
The moment it opened, a blonde girl came into view at the end of the entryway.
Their eyes met.
Asia's anxious expression instantly turned to surprise as she went thump-thump-thump toward him.
"Hiro-kun, Koneko's familiar told me you got engaged! Is that true?!"
"No. Just a rumor."
Hiro replied flatly, glancing at Asia's eyes, where relief and unease were mixed together.
Koneko-chan was unusually calm when she followed behind. So she sent her familiar to pass the message instead, huh? But could the white-haired girl in the original story even talk... or did she use some other method?
"Asia, you're back pretty early today. Don't you have a request at the Occult Research Club?"
Hearing him mention it, Asia's expression stiffened slightly.
"About that... I think it should be fine."
After hearing from Koneko-chan that you were getting engaged, who would still be in the mood to deal with requests?
Even Rias-buchou had hurriedly announced a "temporary disbandment" before leaving for an unknown location.
Recalling Rias's vague words-No, I can't wait. It has to start today-Asia felt an inexplicable unease, as if something big was about to happen.
But since Rias wouldn't do anything that would harm Hiro, Suguha Kirigaya, or anyone else, Asia suppressed her curiosity and didn't think further.
"There's still some time before dinner. Go to my room and take those manuscripts for post-processing. I'll go check on Suguha."
As he walked past Asia, Hiro sensed three auras coming from the Kirigaya mother-and-daughter room and gave his instructions.
In reality, neither Yasuko nor the Kirigaya family treated Asia like a maid.
But in name, Asia was still the "helper" Hiro had invited back from Great Britain for manga work.
"Yes, I understand."
Asia nodded and agreed.
Click.
She entered Hiro's room.
He, meanwhile, pushed open the door to the Kirigaya mother-and-daughter room.
The sound of arguing immediately reached his ears-along with his own mother trying to mediate.
"Just like that, Mom, you agreed to Onii-chan marrying a woman he doesn't even know? They only met today!"
"Exactly. In terms of background, appearance, personality-Miss Lala is flawless. Besides, Hiro only said he needed time. He didn't explicitly refuse. Why can't it be? And Suguha, aren't you a bit too invested in this? Could it be that you-"
"Now, now, Midori, Su-chan, don't fight. Can't you two talk properly?"
It hasn't even been ten minutes since I left.
That Deviluke family really brought me a lot of trouble... even if the reward was tempting.
Cough.
Hiro lightly cleared his throat.
The sound wasn't loud, but it was enough.
The three women stopped speaking and turned toward him.
"Hiro-kun."
"Hiro."
Kirigaya Midori and Yasuko both looked a little awkward, probably because Hiro had seen an unseemly scene.
As for Suguha Kirigaya-
The moment she saw him, all the dissatisfaction and indignation vanished, replaced by the joy of seeing a savior.
"Onii-chan!"
She immediately abandoned her mother and aunt, cheering as she rushed over.
When she was just over a meter away, Suguha leapt up and threw herself into his arms like a child who hadn't grown up yet.
Mentally, at least.
Physically, that was another matter.
"Mom is too much! She supports you marrying that woman you don't even know! Even though Asia-san is so amazing-gentle, virtuous, good at cooking, and helps you with everything-she's supporting an outsider instead!"
Pfft.
Hiro caught Suguha steadily.
Listening to her complaints, he gently patted her back in comfort.
"Suguha, don't be angry. Aunt Midori was just stating her opinion. It wasn't anything excessive. In the end, who I date, get engaged to, or marry is my decision. I won't be influenced by anyone else."
"Who knows-maybe one day I'll fall in love at first sight with a certain girl, get married quickly, and even have children."
As he comforted Suguha in his arms, Hiro's thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Given that volume just now... did Asia, who's only two doors away, hear all of that? And since when did Suguha become such a hardcore Asia-fan?
"Love at first sight?"
Suguha lifted her head, looking straight into his eyes with confusion.
"Can Onii-chan really fall in love with another girl at first sight? I can't imagine it."
Hiro released the arm holding her, looked down at her, and shrugged.
"Who can say?"
Hiro-kun falling in love with another girl at first sight...
Imagining Hiro quickly falling for someone else, marrying her, and starting a family, an inexplicable discomfort rose in Suguha Kirigaya's chest.
The last time she felt something like this was last year, when she was eliminated in the semifinals of the junior high kendo tournament.
Is this regret? Unwillingness? Or something else?
Her eyes grew slightly unfocused as she watched Hiro step forward to speak gently with her mother and aunt.
Could it be... just like Mom said... that the reason I care so much is because I have unrealistic expectations of Hiro-kun?
If that's really the case... what should I do?
Suguha Kirigaya's thoughts slowly became confused.
If there are any errors in the text, please take a minute-or a few tens of seconds-to leave a comment in the comment section.
The image was originally intended for the cover.
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