Outside a villa in one of Tokyo's most exclusive residential districts, a woman dressed in an elegant kimono stood before the gates, a long line of maids arranged neatly behind her. Each of them carried large and small gift boxes in both hands. Together, they were clearly preparing to pay a formal visit to the Kuroda residence.
Although she wore the attire of a traditional married woman, her appearance was strikingly youthful—so much so that if she were to change into a sailor-style school uniform and be tossed into a high school, no one would find it strange to mistake her for a student.
And it wasn't just her looks. From the refined craftsmanship of her clothing, to the luxury car that had delivered her here, to the double-digit number of attendants standing behind her, it was obvious that this woman came from a family with formidable wealth and influence.
If Ren Kuroda had been present, he would have recognized her immediately. This unexpected visitor to his home was none other than Yamato Miku—the mother of Yamato Kyoka.
Ever since Ren had accompanied Kyoka to visit the Yamato family, Yamato Miku, as the prospective mother-in-law, had found herself growing more and more satisfied with this "son-in-law candidate" the more she looked at him.
Meanwhile, Yamato Kyoka herself had been suffering greatly.
Because Yamato Miku relentlessly interrogated her about "progress" every single day, Kyoka had reached the point where she didn't even dare go home anymore. Instead, she moved directly into the Countermeasures Division dormitory.
There was no other reason—her mother's questions were simply too savage.
Had they reached third base yet?When could she expect to hold a grandchild?When engaging in the critically important act of creating new life, which positions increased the chances of conception?
Questions like those.
Honestly, who could withstand that?
If Yamato Miku weren't her own mother—and if Kyoka weren't completely incapable of defeating her—Kyoka's Onikiri would have already been swung straight at her face.
Kyoka even deeply regretted her earlier decision to bring Ren home to meet her parents.No—if she had known her mother would be this satisfied with Ren, she should have brought someone else instead.
Like the slovenly Kamishiro-senpai.Or better yet, just dragged along Master Hakuba.
Surely, even if her mother were anxious about marriage, she wouldn't get so invested in a scruffy middle-aged man or a monk, right?
But Kyoka wasn't the only one dissatisfied.
Yamato Miku was equally furious at her daughter's complete lack of initiative.
In this rapidly changing world, only those at the upper echelons of powerful families truly understood just how exceptional Ren Kuroda's qualifications were.
And her own daughter?
In terms of age alone, Kyoka had already lost her advantage compared to girls from other exorcist families. And yet, she still didn't know how to be proactive at all.
Ren was an instructor at the Onmyo Academy—Kyoka's teacher. They were also colleagues in the same Countermeasures Division. Compared to any other competitor, the two of them were already spending time together day in and day out.
And yet—
Yamato Miku knew her daughter far too well.
In the path of swordsmanship, Kyoka was undoubtedly a genius. Surpassing her own mother was only a matter of time.
But when it came to romance?
Her daughter was a solid block of wood.
Yamato Miku was confident in the beauty and figure Kyoka had inherited from her, and from Ren's attitude during his previous visit, she could clearly tell that he held favorable feelings toward Kyoka as well.
But that alone was far from enough.
There were simply too many competitors—and among them were exorcist families whose power was not much weaker than the Yamato family itself.
And so, after spending several days carefully preparing gifts at home, Yamato Miku ultimately decided to pay a personal visit.
If her daughter refused to put in the effort, then she, as the mother, would simply have to work harder.
Besides, according to Yamato Miku's investigation, Ren Kuroda cared deeply about his family—especially his mother. She had him wrapped firmly around her finger.
If she could win over Ren Kuroda's mother—this woman named Kuroda Ayami—then wouldn't Kyoka's marriage to Ren be practically set in stone?
Ding-dong. Ding-dong…!
Yamato Miku straightened her kimono, ensuring every detail was impeccable. She then gestured lightly, and one of the maids stepped forward to ring the doorbell while Yamato Miku herself stood waiting at the entrance, posture flawless and manners impeccable.
Moments later, hurried footsteps sounded from inside. With a soft click, the front door opened.
What Yamato Miku saw was a woman with chestnut-colored long hair, a voluptuous figure, and a beautifully gentle face.
She appeared to be only in her early thirties, yet the aura she carried naturally inspired warmth and closeness.
"Oh? Are you another one of Ren's classmates here to see him?" the woman asked with a friendly smile."But he's been sent on a mission and won't be back for a while. I'm really sorry about that. If you tell me your name, I'll have him come apologize in person once he returns."
The moment Kuroda Ayami saw Yamato Miku, her first thought was—
She's so beautiful…
Then, after snapping back to herself, she judged from Yamato Miku's appearance that this woman probably wasn't much older than Ren. Naturally, she assumed she was another of his classmates.
Ever since Ren had been away this past week, Ayami herself wasn't sure what was going on, but the number of visitors to the house had noticeably increased.
Most of them were Ren's "classmates."Some were refined young ladies whom she and Shuki had saved previously.
Still, this was the first time Ayami had seen a "classmate" arrive with such overwhelming pomp.
Just the maids alone numbered more than ten. And the mountains of gifts they carried had nearly filled the courtyard.
"You must be Kuroda Ayami, Ren Kuroda's mother," Yamato Miku said with a graceful smile."I believe you may have misunderstood. I didn't come today to see that child, Ren. I came specifically to speak with you."
"And although I'm honored by your compliment, I'm not nearly as young as I appear. I am Yamato Kyoka's mother, the current matriarch of the Yamato family—my name is Yamato Miku. I look forward to your acquaintance."
After her flawless introduction, Yamato Miku bowed deeply, her movements so perfect that Ayami—still stunned by the revelation—panicked and hurried to respond.
Part of her flustered reaction was due to Yamato Miku's overly formal etiquette. The other part was because Ayami was genuinely shaken.
She knew Yamato Kyoka well—after all, Kyoka had visited Ren before. And as far as Ayami knew, Kyoka was actually a few years older than Ren.
And yet her mother looked this young?!
If Yamato Miku stood beside Kyoka, they would look more like sisters than mother and daughter!
"I know this is difficult to believe," Yamato Miku said calmly, smiling as though she had anticipated the reaction."But since you also come from an exorcist family, you've likely heard of certain lineages whose cultivation methods preserve youth by maintaining high spiritual output."
"But those details aren't important. I came today to discuss matters concerning Ren and Kyoka."
"Would you not invite me inside for some tea? And please—these are merely small tokens of our Yamato family's sincerity. Nothing of great value. I hope you won't refuse."
As expected of the Yamato family's matriarch—the woman who kept the Yamato family head firmly under control.
Although Ayami and Yamato Miku were likely similar in age, from the very first meeting, Yamato Miku's presence completely overwhelmed Ayami.
Ayami was clearly the homeowner, yet without realizing it, the flow of the situation had already fallen into Yamato Miku's hands.
And just as the maids began to move uninvited, carrying the gifts toward the interior of the Kuroda residence—
A figure dressed in a maid's outfit suddenly appeared behind Ayami.
With nothing more than a subtle movement of her finger, the Yamato maids froze in place, their bodies stiff and unmoving.
The moment Yamato Miku saw Shuki, the gentle, traditional smile on her face faltered briefly. Then, as if recalling something, she laughed softly.
"I assume you are the yokai Jorōgumo Shuki—the one ranked two hundred eighty-eighth in the Shikigami Registry?"
"It seems the Shikigami Bureau truly is nothing but a group of incompetents. Your youki is hidden beautifully, but as a sword cultivator, I can still sense an extreme level of danger emanating from you."
"A shikigami capable of giving me this feeling is certainly not someone who should be ranked a mere two hundred eighty-eighth."
"So tell me, Miss Shuki—did you conceal your true strength during the shikigami evaluation? Or have you really grown this much in such a short period of time?"
After Yamato Kyoka brought Ren home, Yamato Miku had ordered a thorough investigation into everything related to him.
That naturally included his shikigami—Jorōgumo Shuki, Nurikabe, and several Red Oni.
What Yamato Miku hadn't expected was this—
Just a few months ago, Shuki's youki had barely reached B-rank.
And now, she could actually pose a threat to Yamato Miku herself.
Sure, the recent spiritual energy vortex had bestowed gifts upon the world's inhabitants—but this kind of growth was still excessive.
"My strength is not something Madam Yamato needs to concern herself with," Shuki replied coolly."But there is one thing I'm very clear about."
"This is Lord Ren's home. You are guests here—nothing more."
"Until Lady Ayami grants her permission, I suggest all of you conduct yourselves properly."
Just as Yamato Miku sensed danger from Shuki, Shuki herself had felt an intense sense of threat from this woman from the very beginning.
And it should be noted—
With the blessings from the spiritual surge and Ren's ascension as a Demon King seed, Shuki's youki had already reached A+ rank.
Even in this chaotic era, that was enough to qualify her as a minor yokai queen.