While the new wife was out of the room, the maid Koyuki stepped forward and bowed to Shiina Asahi.
"Asahi-san, I have something to tell you—about Mahiru."
At that name, the smile on Asahi's face vanished, his gaze turning cold.
"Speak."
He sounded impatient, but he still chose to listen.
Koyuki sighed. "The Miss won't take the living allowance I transfer. The money on her card hasn't been touched."
Asahi's expression grew even colder.
"Then forget it. If she doesn't want it, I'm not eager to give it."
Koyuki: "…"
"Tell that woman to handle it. If she won't, then you do it—Koyuki, you're her legal guardian."
"I've already done too much for this family. I've sacrificed decades of my life. Now I just want to live the life I want, and so does that woman. That's why we divorced."
"As for the child… we both know it isn't her fault, but we simply can't bring ourselves to like her. So there's no need for you to keep doing extras."
"Yes, I understand."
Koyuki said no more, bowed, and left.
As for Shiina Sayo? She probably held the same attitude.
The Miss is so pitiful. Two parents who won't act like people—both of them have thrown her away.
Koyuki could only hope they wouldn't regret it someday. She, for one, believed in Mahiru. How could anyone not like an angel like that? The truth was, under the pressure of the family, Shiina Asahi and Shiina Sayo were already sick inside.
After Koyuki left, Asahi's phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, his face darkened. He took a deep breath and answered.
"Hello, this is Shiina Asahi."
A roar blasted through the receiver.
"Are you out of your mind? What's wrong with Sayo? You dare divorce her? And marry some other woman? You even went overseas to do it in secret?"
"There's nothing wrong with her—we just don't have feelings. That one night ruined her and it ruined me."
Sayo was beautiful and feminine, but you can't force love.
"Besides, she has someone she likes—same as I do."
"…"
The old man on the line fell silent for a long time, then sighed.
"Then you can't inherit the position of family head. And Sayo will lose her eligibility as well."
Asahi gave a cold laugh.
"I don't care, and I'm sure she doesn't either. We're not going to let our lives be destroyed by the family."
He was a person first and a clan member second. Not everyone coveted the privileges of a family. He just wanted a peaceful life.
The old man sighed again; there was no persuading this boy.
"Fine. You brats are grown and stubborn—so many years together and still no feelings. Stubborn as usual."
"I won't belabor the point. You and Sayo lose your eligibility. That leaves only Mahiru—and Mashiro."
"But Mashiro's a blank slate who only knows how to paint. She can't handle family affairs. Why can't you ever measure up?"
"Forget it. I'm done lecturing you. I've got a job for you. Mashiro will be coming from the U.K. to your area soon. You will settle everything for her—or else… you know the consequences."
Asahi: "!!!"
"Why me? Doesn't she have her cousin, Chihiro Sengoku?"
Patriarch: "This is the family's decision. You don't have the right to object. And remember this—Mahiru has inheritance rights."
"What about Minatsu and Mafuyu? They're my daughters too!"
Asahi couldn't help asking.
"But they have nothing to do with Sayo. You still don't get it—Sayo is the legitimate Shiina bloodline."
Asahi shut his mouth.
"I understand. If Mashiro comes, I'll arrange everything."
If I stick Mashiro together with that daughter I can't stand, won't that solve both problems at once? Two headaches, one move. Asahi briefly felt like a genius.
…
Mahiru knew nothing of what was happening in the Shiina household—not that her "bargain-basement" father planned to foist a "life-inept" little sister figure on her for company.
Shiina Mashiro—of Sakurasou—was a world-famous painter. She was like a blank sheet of paper; from childhood she'd done nothing but paint, and she lacked basic life skills. Cute, yes, but a classic "three-no" girl—expressionless, listless, and laconic—trouble written all over her.
If someone like that inherited the family headship, the Shiina clan would probably be done for in short order.
Of course, if Mashiro's future husband proved extremely capable, the role could pass through him instead. It all depended on the choices of the heirs.
The old men, it seemed, had never considered a scenario where both heirs chose the same man.
Back to the point.
After breakfast, Mahiru went to school with Hayashi Maki. The angel upstairs, however—Gabriel—didn't show; she didn't come along.
They only learned at school that she'd called in sick.
Hayashi Maki was intrigued. Angels get sick?
Don't tell me… she's already started sliding and is skipping class to play games at home? That fast?
He was speechless. Was the true, virtuous angel about to disappear? Then again, maybe that was for the best. There aren't really angels who devote themselves to making everyone happy.
He preferred angels with a bit of selfishness and humanity. What he wanted was an angel who was kind only to him and made him happy—not a selfless one who was gentle to everyone.
He was a petty man that way. If someone was already his, she wasn't allowed to be gentle to anyone else.
Just then he felt someone's gaze. He looked up and met Mahiru's eyes. She gave him a warm smile and, blushing, turned away. Hayashi Maki grinned. They were practically a married couple and she was still this shy. Adorable. He loved it.
Speaking of his angel—he'd forgotten to check, but her ability seemed to have improved!
Last night, Mahiru's mana seed had blossomed. That meant she was no longer an ordinary person but a true demon follower. As a follower—his guardian, his wings—she would naturally be strong.
Accordingly, Hayashi Maki's Super Regeneration evolved into Super Rebirth—an upgraded form. As long as there was a spark of mana—his own or a follower's—even if his body were destroyed, he could reconstitute a new one from mana. No more fear of being cut down; even if it happened, he could return. (Of course, better not to be cut down at all.)
Mahiru felt it too. Beyond the physical strength, there was a strange new sense. If she calmed her mind, she could perceive certain special energies.
She could also feel the link between herself and Hayashi Maki—as if, with a thought, she could draw a bit of his energy to use.
She hadn't tested what, exactly, she could do yet.
In fact, her awakened power was healing. She could apply it to herself—vitalizing her cells—or to others, speeding the recovery of wounds.
With that ability, she was an angel indeed. Healing was rare among demon followers; most of them leaned toward dealing damage and were better suited for combat.