Volume 8 Chapter 11 Kuga Family Visit
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The Exchange Battle had officially begun, and our group—Manaka’s—was confirmed as the opponent. Come this weekend, joint training would start at the Onigahara Dojo.
The final hurdle was formally introducing myself to the Exchange Battle opponent leader’s family. In other words, I had to go to the Kuga family home to pay my respects.
It was essentially the same protocol as when Strong-Females entered a Strong-Male’s group—you showed up to present yourself properly and establish the relationship from the start.
The Strong-Male leader visited the home of the opposing Strong-Female leader. And it was just the Strong-Male visiting alone. Since this was between students—sorcerers, not households—the Strong-Male’s parents weren’t supposed to get involved.
After school on Friday, I told Chifumi and the others that I was heading to the Kuga family home, then went alone to meet Manaka at our rendezvous point. My steps were heavy. Paying my respects meant speaking with the head of the household. And that person—I really wasn’t good with him…
I wasn’t in the mood, but it was too late to start panicking. First, I had to meet up with Manaka. The agreed time was approaching. I’d timed the train to arrive neither too early nor too late.
Our meeting point was the station nearest to the Kuga family estate.
It was six stops from my home station, in the 13th District—an area known for its old families. Most of the land and buildings around this station were owned by the Kuga family and their affiliates. A territory thick with the clan’s influence. For me last year, this area had been enemy territory—I’d been forbidden from setting foot here. A full year later, I was finally allowed to visit.
I spotted a familiar figure on the bench right outside the station ticket gates.
It was Manaka, dressed in her Shisei High School Academy uniform. She spotted me and stood up. I called out.
”Sorry to keep you waiting, Manaka.”
”Right on time, Minoru. Let’s go right away. I have a car waiting,” she replied, her tone crisp and refined.
Manaka made a gesture like she was smelling something, then turned sharply. Perfume? It was a nice scent signature. Wait—I didn’t smell, did I?
”This way,” she said.
I followed Manaka as she strode off briskly. In one corner of the station rotary, a bulky black luxury car sat, looking completely out of place among the surrounding pickup vehicles. Manaka headed straight for it.
As she approached, a young woman in a crisp suit got out from the driver’s seat. A sorcerer with an impeccable physique by this world’s standards.
Okuzora Shizuku. As her name suggested, she was from the Kuga branch family. She was a familiar face to us childhood friends—an older sister figure who’d played with us since we were kids.
She’d been attending Shisei High School around the time I recovered my memories of Japan, so she was now in her late twenties. After graduating from a university in the 13th District, she’d gone to work for the Kuga household. Back in middle school, chauffeuring Manaka had been part of her duties. It probably still was.
”Welcome back, young lady,” Shizuku said, her voice carrying the polished deference of a lifelong servant.
”I’m home, Shizuku,” Manaka replied.
Shizuku took Manaka’s bag and opened the rear door. Manaka climbed in first.
Then Shizuku turned to me, reaching for my bag the same way she’d done for Manaka. I hesitated for a second, then obediently handed it over.
”Minoru, it’s been a while. Please, get in,” she said warmly.
”Shizuku, it’s been too long. I’m in your care,” I replied.
Once I was in the car, Shizuku closed the door, circled to the driver’s seat, and pulled away smoothly. The car glided forward. As expected of a luxury vehicle—no vibration, almost no outside noise.
”Shizuku, where’s your father?” I asked.
”The head of the household returned earlier and is waiting for the two of you to arrive,” she answered.
”I see…”
”Do your best,” she added softly.
Inside the car, Shizuku’s manner and tone were the same as when she was that kind older sister from years past. That put me at ease. Within minutes, the car arrived at an impressive mansion.
The gates opened, and we drove onto the grounds.
The car pulled up to the front entrance. Shizuku got out first and opened the door for us.
Manaka and I stood together at the Kuga family entrance. Shizuku parked the car to the side and returned.
”This way, please,” she said.
We entered the house, changed from shoes to slippers, and followed Shizuku through the Kuga family residence. Manaka walked silently behind me, at an angle. She hadn’t changed out of her uniform—apparently she planned to meet the head of household as she was.
The Tatemiya family estate had more land, but our buildings were modest. The Kuga family mansion, on the other hand, was enormous and grand. The luxury was on a completely different level. I walked down the long hallway, glancing sideways at the magnificent Japanese garden visible through the corridor windows.
Shizuku stopped in front of a certain room.
”Please wait here. I’ll inform the head of household and the mistress that Tatemiya has arrived,” she said.
Shizuku opened the door and I entered, Manaka following.
A reception table and sofa. I sat side by side with Manaka at the lower seat. Shizuku left us there.
”I’m getting nervous… I might throw up,” I muttered.
”Honestly… pull yourself together,” Manaka said with a sigh.
”Ugh…”
Less than a minute after Shizuku stepped out, there was a knock on the door.
”Come in,” Manaka called.
The door opened to reveal a man and woman entering. I stood and bowed.
”Thank you for taking the time to see us today,” I said.
”It’s been a while. I’ve heard about your activities since you entered high school,” the man replied, his tone warm but assessing.
”I’m honored,” I said.
The man—who looked youthful enough to be in his early thirties despite being well over forty—wore traditional Japanese attire and had a friendly demeanor. This was Kuga Soji, the current head of the Kuga family and the strongest sorcerer in the 13th District.
”Minoru, it’s been a long time,” the woman said.
”Madam, it’s been too long,” I replied.
The woman in the kimono was Manaka’s mother, Iroha. A matriarch who supported the Kuga family from behind the scenes.
The two of them together gave off a radiant aura of beauty (by this world’s standards). I forced myself to stand firm against the pressure, and was gestured to sit.
Once everyone was seated, Shizuku served tea to all, bowed, and left the room. As the door closed, the head of household spoke directly to me.
”About the Exchange Battle. I heard you’ve chosen Manaka as your opponent. Is that really okay with you?” Soji asked.
”Yes,” I answered flatly.
My answer was just one word. I added no explanation or reason.
Soji nodded, then turned to Manaka.
”And Manaka, is Minoru acceptable to you?” he asked.
”Yes,” she answered, her voice equally clipped.
Manaka’s answer was also one word. This was what we’d decided beforehand—say nothing extra, no room for slip-ups.
A moment of silence. Then the head of household sighed.
”…Hmph. Fine. I approve. Your two groups will battle each other. You’re both satisfied, and the family has no objection. That’s that,” Soji declared.
”Thank you,” we said in unison.
Both Manaka and I bowed our heads.
There was no fixed etiquette for this exchange. We just had to report it. Mission accomplished. I wanted to leave as soon as possible.
The head of household, sensing our eagerness to escape, grumbled.
”Honestly, Manaka is secretive and stubborn. Who does she take after, I wonder?” he mused.
”You, perhaps?” Iroha interjected with a knowing smile.
”Haha. Can’t argue with that,” Soji conceded.
The mistress, seated beside him, had lightly needled him. The head of household chuckled wryly. The mistress pressed on.
”And I hear you’re up to something behind the scenes now, as well,” she said, her tone deceptively light.
”What are you talking about?” Soji asked, feigning ignorance.
”Search your own heart, dear,” she replied sweetly.
The mistress’s words were sharp.
”Oh, scary, scary. Iroha, you’re on Manaka’s side, aren’t you? This is a losing battle,” Soji said with a sigh.
The head of household picked up his teacup as if to brush off the conversation and took a sip.
As he set it down, the atmosphere shifted.
”I didn’t think much of you when you were a child. To me, your value was nothing more than being the Strong-Male of that family. But you’ve changed. You’ve disciplined yourself. You’ve proven your change through action, not just words. I acknowledge that. Before you entered high school, I had even begun to think you showed promise—that I might reconsider my plans and trust you with my daughter,” Soji said, his voice heavy with meaning.
”Yes,” I replied.
”And yet…” he continued.
His tone remained steady. He wasn’t scolding me, exactly, but somehow I felt like a fish on a cutting board. The image in my mind was of a man who could do whatever he wanted with me, and it wouldn’t matter if I resisted.
”Manaka seemed enthusiastic too, and then she turned down National High School at the last minute. And now she’s rejoining at this timing… I can imagine what happened, what the reasons are, but I won’t ask about that now,” Soji said.
”Thank you,” Manaka said, bowing her head.
”Manaka, if you want to push through your will as the eldest daughter of Kuga, you must acquire the power to back it up. It’s fine for now, while you’re under my protection, but you’re not yet ready to shoulder the Kuga family’s future,” Soji said sternly.
”Yes,” she replied.
”Minoru. You need to show more of your own will. Kindness and cowardice are not the same thing. What happened between you and Manaka—wasn’t that something you could have resolved through your own will and strength?” Soji asked.
”That’s…” I started.
”You don’t need to answer now. Show me your thinking through your actions going forward. I’m expecting good things,” he said.
”Yes,” I replied.
The atmosphere in the room softened.
”That’s the end of my lecture. Conversely, we’ve also caused you trouble. There’s the matter of Sanuki and Kaharu’s daughter, and Utsui’s son… I appreciate how you handled everything,” Soji said.
”No, it’s nothing, really,” I replied.
Utsui’s son—was that about Risa calming down after she won her match? Did that really affect even the Kuga main family members?
”Let’s consider this a write-off, a balancing of those pluses. How does that sound?” Soji asked.
”Thank you,” I said.
”I approve of your participation in the Exchange Battle, as the Kuga family head. That concludes this matter. …Now, I hear you’re currently training in the dungeon Kinpira Palace,” Soji said.
”Ah, yes…” I replied.
The head of household began talking about dungeon exploration. It seemed he was offering information—more generous than I’d expected. Seizing the opportunity, I presented a gift from a well-known Western-style confectionery shop in the 13th District. The mistress seemed delighted.
All in all, about thirty minutes passed. When the conversation naturally wound down, the head of household checked his watch and stood.
”I have another engagement. I’ll take my leave now,” Soji said.
”Yes, thank you for your time today,” I replied.
”I hope the Exchange Battle turns out to be meaningful,” Soji said.
The head of household extended his hand to me. I hurriedly stood and shook it, then he left the room. The mistress, who had been quiet until now, spoke.
”That man was absolutely thrilled about this, you know. He was so happy that Manaka was mending things with Minoru—or rather, maybe things were never really broken between you? Either way, he’d always thought highly of you, Minoru, so he was deeply disappointed a year ago. And when Manaka went to Shisei High School, the Utsui family gained momentum and caused all kinds of waves…” Iroha said.
”Mother, that conversation…” Manaka started.
”I can’t say it too loudly, of course. But if I weren’t supposed to talk about it, he wouldn’t have left me here to do just that. He knows I’ll have this kind of talk—it’s part of his calculation,” Iroha said with a knowing smile.
”If you say so…” Manaka replied.
The mistress continued.
”Two troublesome issues were resolved. And it was you—a classmate of the daughter he cares about—who resolved them. You can see why he’s taking such an accommodating attitude, can’t you? Besides, if his beloved daughter asks for anything, he’d go to any lengths. That’s what parents do,” Iroha said warmly.
”Mother… Father… thank you,” Manaka said.
The mistress smiled, accepting Manaka’s gratitude.
”And I’m personally happy that I might be able to revive the mom friends’ gatherings with your mother. I’ve missed our talks,” Iroha said.
”Ah, yes. I’ll let her know,” I replied.
”Please do,” she said.
The parents’ social connections had been interrupted too. They’d been close before, so this would restore things. Thinking about it this way, Manaka’s decision to attend Shisei High School had caused ripples in so many places. Now was the turn for repair.
”Manaka, why don’t you take Minoru to your room?” Iroha suggested.
”It’s a mess. Not right now,” Manaka replied quickly.
”Oh? Is that so…?” Iroha asked with a hint of amusement.
”Yes… ahem. Minoru. Anyway, that concludes today’s visit,” Manaka said, making it clear she wanted me gone.
”Oh? But I’ve already prepared dinner for you, Minoru. You’ll eat before you leave, won’t you?” Iroha asked.
”Uh… yes,” I replied uncertainly.
I wasn’t staying overnight tonight. Pape might have prepared dinner, or might not. I wasn’t sure.
As I hesitated, the mistress rang a bell. Shizuku entered the room.
”Prepare dinner, please. Enough for three,” Iroha instructed.
”Understood, madam,” Shizuku replied.
Shizuku left at once. About ten minutes later, she returned to say it was ready.
In the end, I ended up having dinner at the Kuga family home. The head of household had gone out for a business dinner, so it was just the mistress, Manaka, and Shizuku.
Manaka’s younger siblings weren’t present tonight. There were various complicated reasons.
After the meal, Shizuku drove me home in the car. Manaka, still in her uniform, came along for some reason.
”Then, we’ll see each other at Onigahara Dojo,” Manaka said.
”Yeah. Thanks for today,” I replied.
”Not at all,” she said.
”Shizuku, thank you as well,” I added.
”Please come visit again,” Shizuku said warmly.
I watched the luxury car drive away.
When I turned around, Kotoha was peeking from inside the gate, her face full of excitement. She was dying to hear all about it.
”Big bro! Welcome back!” she called.
”I’m home,” I replied.
”That was Manaka-chan just now, right? Did you make up?” she asked eagerly.
”Yeah, something like that,” I said.
I managed to shake off my clingy sister’s questions and escape to the annex. But Kotoha, unusually, followed me all the way inside. She made it clear she wasn’t leaving until I told her everything. So I summoned Mom. Pape brought her, and she dragged Kotoha away.
Still, thinking back on today, everything went too smoothly. It had followed the best-case scenario we’d anticipated. That was a good thing, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d missed a trap somewhere.
I mulled it over in the bath, but I couldn’t pinpoint the source of my unease. Overthinking it?
Well, first thing was the joint training at Onigahara Dojo the day after tomorrow. For the Exchange Battle—and to not disappoint the head of household—I needed to make sure everything went properly.
—
Summary:
Minoru visits the Kuga family home to formally pay respects and confirm the Exchange Battle arrangement. The head of household, Kuga Soji, tests him with pointed questions but ultimately approves, while his wife Iroha reveals the family’s private approval and warmth. Minoru senses everything went too smoothly, leaving him uneasy about unseen complications ahead.
—
Trivia:
Minoru was previously banned from the Kuga district for a full year.
Manaka originally turned down National High School, causing family friction.
The Utsui family’s influence grew when Manaka chose Shisei High School.
Risa’s victory against Utsui’s son helped calm political tensions.
Kuga Soji is the strongest sorcerer in the 13th District.
The joint training at Onigahara Dojo begins the day after tomorrow.
Manaka’s room is supposedly too messy to show.
The Kuga family still maintains a traditional Japanese garden.
Minoru feels he may have missed a hidden pitfall despite everything going according to plan.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Onigahara – Onigahara-san is a stern, disciplined mentor from an influential sorcerer family and Mitsuki’s aunt. Dedicated to her lineage’s legacy, she manages logistics and drives the family microbus for dungeon training. She maintains hierarchical bonds with dojo students and remains involved in the group’s situation after a pickup, potentially having received word from Manaka’s father.
• Manaka – Manaka Kuga is an elegant, sharp-featured Shisei High student, authoritative circle leader, and strategist for the top-tier Kuga family’s Founding Strong-Females. Minoru’s refined yet direct childhood friend, she uses a short staff for spatial/air-shaping sorcery. Known for her aristocratic bearing and “-chan” honorific, she manages security, led a year-long deception, and orchestrated an exchange battle request.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• M – A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• Kuga – Worn on Manaka and Marin’s garments to symbolize kinship, the Kuga family name carries heavy social weight and authority. This distant lineage, marking the farthest point from the narrator’s home, has a strained relationship with the Tatemiya family due to Minoru being abandoned by Manaka. A family member working as hotel staff also reports Anri’s visit to the sealed dungeon.
• K – A student from East Middle who followed N to National High School out of care, successfully remaining pure through N’s protection until a misunderstanding involving Anonymous Student 0008 led to her capitulation.
• Strong-Females – A social designation within the world’s hierarchy.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• Chifumi – Eldest daughter of the Takino residence, this 160cm, J-cup kimono-clad sorcerer is Minoru’s childhood friend, Lead Majo, and trusted partner. Sporting a long brown side-tail, her bright, casual personality bridges his group with Manaka’s companions. Wielding a staff with flowing ice/water magic, she manages household admin and rearguard combat while secretly protecting him from the truth.
• Shisei – An acquaintance involved in high-profile activities.
• Minoru – The protagonist and narrator is a black-haired Demon reincarnated from Japan, standing 183cm with sharp eyes. Pragmatic yet internally hurt, this eldest Tatemiya son wrongly believed his childhood friends abandoned him. Serving as ‘master’ to a mixed female group, he uses inherent spatial manipulation sorcery to command a handgun and subjugated monsters like Pape in mid-guard combat.
• R – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.
• Okuzora – Miyoshi’s family name.
• Shizuku – Job: Kuga family servant/attendant; Relationship: Branch family member; chauffeur; Note: Childhood acquaintance of narrator.
• Tatemiya – Tatemiya is the family name of Minoru, a pragmatic protagonist in a world with reversed beauty standards. He leads a strong-female harem with analytical detachment, treating interactions as transactions. Strained by Manaka abandoning Minoru, the family has tense ties with the Kugas. Associated with a symbolic residential gate, the name connects to Manaka’s father’s social circle.
• Soji – Job: Head of Kuga family; Relationship: Father of Spirit energyka; Husband of Iroha; Note: Strongest sorcerer in 13th District; friendly but assessing demeanor.
• Iroha – Job: Matriarch of Kuga family; Relationship: Mother of Spirit energyka; Wife of Kuga Soji; Note: Warm but sharp-witted.
• N – A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
• Kaharu – Miku Kaharu is a former classmate undergoing instruction who carries the Kaharu family name. Distinctive in her outward appearance, she participates in group strategies and follows her peers during the descent. As an active observer and participant, she utilizes both Wind and Water attributes to navigate the Erosion Game, maintaining close tactical relationships with her group members.
• Sanuki – A former classmate and Dark-attribute sorcerer undergoing instruction who maintains a formal, compliant attitude toward leadership. Associated with guiding others while facing family troubles similar to Kaharu’s, this woman is scheduled to visit Minoru’s room to resolve friction and facilitate group mingling.
• Risa – A curious humanities student (167cm, light brown semi-long hair, H-cup, black eyes) and the youngest Naruse sister. Playfully assertive and protective of Minoru’s group, this mid-guard sorcerer has no inherent magic but wields magic pistols and Hinoki’s power. When Asunaro takes control, her eyes turn red, enabling fire and lightning sorcery. She is also known to bake cookies for Tatemiya.
• Pape – A Mannequin-type monster with a special nature. She serves as the boss of the shallow layer of the Commercial District dungeon. She has evolved from a lazy Torso into a diligent servant who prioritizes cleaning and proper attire. She aspires to become a butler and is influenced by Hinoki-sama’s power, which has made her fond of caregiving through clothing. A monster created as a dungeon boss who has spent many years in that role. Their monster history is exceedingly long. They follow rules properly and play cat’s cradle with Clam.
• Kotoha – Minoru’s high-spirited, long-haired younger sister is the inquisitive, fourth-grade eldest daughter of the Tatemiya estate. She acts as a coordinator for her younger sisters and helps manage household tasks like the rice cake ceremony. Deeply protective of her brother’s social life, she often interjects in his conversations and belongs to a close friend group that includes Shoma.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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