Volume 4 Chapter 19-2 The Thief Should Die, Part II
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Yuzura quietly restrained the head of the Kanbe family, who was about to call out.
”It’s okay”
”Hmm.”
Kanbe Taro grimaced, but in the end, he followed his nephew’s judgment.
Yuzura couldn’t help but smile, noticing how much Taro’s attitude towards the “rascal of Osaka” had softened.
His respect and gratitude towards his mother’s brother had grown even larger over these two days.
”Now, although this is a gathering set by the proxy, since you have all gathered here, may I ask for your company for a while?”
Kazuramichi Tadayuki, taking his seat with slow movements, faced no objections to his words, which were merely a form of confirmation.
”Is that alright?”
”It’s been a while since all the heads of families have gathered.”
By the time Shiun Toumi spoke, everyone understood what Kanbe Taro intended to say.
The power dynamics within the 8 families were about to change shape clearly from this moment onward.
Realizing his fate, Touin Soji looked up at the ceiling and let out a deep sigh.
”Then, Touin-dono, Touin Soji-dono. I would like to hear from you in detail about the incident at Mitake and your future plans──may I?”
Kazuramichi Tadayuki smiled faintly, the corners of his mouth twisting up.
His eyes, sharp as if looking at prey, were no less keen than his son’s.
Many secretly nodded at Kirino’s mutter, “This is why Kazuramichi…”
Later, when the announcement was made regarding Touin Soji’s retirement as an exorcist and the succession of the Touin family head, the reaction in the Kansai region was surprisingly subdued.
* * *
”Forgive me, Naoshi.”
After the meeting, Tadayuki, once again leaning on Yuzura’s shoulder as they exited the Bureau of Onmyō facility, spoke before Naoshi, who was bowing outside.
”If I were to blame your actions, I couldn’t deny Touin’s fault. I used that occasion for that purpose.”
”No, that’s not it…! There’s nothing for you to apologize for, I was just a fool for acting like that.”
”Don’t say that. You think of Kansai too, don’t you?”
”No, I’m sorry for causing you trouble…”
”It’s nothing; this is my duty as the head. Touin will change generations, taking the blame for the ‘foolish decision.’ That old man will find it harder than death. Please understand this.”
”──Huh?”
As Naoshi felt embarrassed, Tadayuki placed a hand on his taller son’s shoulder.
”Dismissing the acting role is only temporary; the position of the head remains unchanged. The Kazuramichi family will be passed on to you──understood?”
”Of course. I have no intention of yielding that to anyone, no matter what they say.”
Satisfied with the strong reply, Tadayuki nodded and smiled.
”And to be honest, when I heard Yuzura-dono’s story, I felt a bit relieved. There were still things you could do.”
”My lord…”
”Above all, you are still rational, right? Perhaps it’s the blood of Shizuka. If it were me or my father in our youth, we would have ambushed him when he arrived by car.”
”How should I put that──”
”Just joking.”
”Hah…”
How far could this go?
The father and son, having interacted as the head and his deputy for a long time, seemed to weigh each other’s words heavily.
Yuzura, who had been listening to the whole exchange, chuckled softly.
”Ah, I’m sorry, please don’t take it the wrong way. I just remembered something similar happened before.”
Having been friends since childhood, he was one of the few who knew the Kazuramichi family’s past and the true faces of the head family.
”Is that so?”
”Yes, back then Naoshi had a face just like now, heh.”
There had been more than one occasion when he envied the awkward exchanges between the serious Naoshi and his clumsy father.
He also clearly remembered his friend’s slightly guilty expression upon realizing this.
”──Still, you’re laughing too much.”
Finally speaking in his usual tone, Naoshi received a mischievous smile from Yuzura in return.
”What? You should be grateful I didn’t burst out laughing at your demure self back there.”
”If I did that, I’d really take you down.”
”Oh my, how terrifying, resorting to violence so quickly. Didn’t you say you’d reflect on that?”
”This guy, seriously…!”
Tadayuki couldn’t help but smile at the exchange between the two young men.
”──Yuzura-dono, I will continue to rely on you for Naoshi.”
”Of course. But that’s not something you need to ask. I will return the favor just as he does for me ── that’s what friends are for, right?”
”Ah, yes, indeed. You’re absolutely right. My son has found a good friend; I’m grateful for that.”
”──Well then, I suppose I think the same way.”
Naoshi nodded, looking somewhat reluctant under his father’s gaze.
Both shared a little laugh at that.
After a bit of light-hearted chatting, they parted ways with Yuzura and the father and son set off home.
Inside the moving car, Tadayuki adjusted his expression and spoke up.
”──Naoshi, thinking back over these ten years, you have worked hard for the family. But because of that, you’ve only known a narrow world. Today’s cooperation with Shiun and Kanbe was possible thanks to your efforts; you could stab Touin yourself if you wanted, not just through me.”
”Yes, I realize my inexperience.”
”This is a great opportunity. You should take a month or 2 to explore outside.”
”Uh── would that really be alright?”
”That much, Yoshiya and I can manage. Besides, it’s a good chance for others to appreciate you.”
After speaking in a tone that made it hard to tell whether he was serious or joking, Tadayuki added as if he just remembered, “Oh, by the way, I’d like to borrow Shikioni just in case. Is that okay?”
”Of course , that would ease my mind as well.”
”You’re quite the hardworking one. When Ako heard about it, she was impressed.”
”Yes, please use me as you see fit. The person will surely be delighted.”
Later, the sight of Kurikoma, exhausted from overwork, and the family members diligently caring for him became a new part of daily life in the Kazuramichi household.
Later, Kurikoma was exhausted by excessive work and his family, who were cared for him with great effort, became the new normal for the Kazuramichi family.
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Summary:
Yuzura restrains Kanbe Taro from speaking out, and Taro follows Yuzura’s judgment. Yuzura notices that Taro’s attitude towards him has softened over the past two days.
Kazuramichi Tadayuki takes his seat and asks for the gathering’s company for a while. There are no objections, and everyone understands what Kanbe Taro intends to say.
The power dynamics within the 8 families are about to change, and Touin Soji realizes his fate. Kazuramichi Tadayuki smiles faintly, and his sharp eyes seem to look at prey.
Later, Touin Soji’s retirement as an exorcist and the succession of the Touin family head are announced, and the reaction in the Kansai region is surprisingly subdued.
After the meeting, Tadayuki apologizes to Naoshi for using the occasion to blame Touin. Naoshi feels embarrassed and apologizes for causing trouble.
Tadayuki reassures Naoshi that the Kazuramichi family will be passed on to him and that he should not yield to anyone. Naoshi responds strongly, and Tadayuki is satisfied.
Tadayuki shares a joke with Naoshi, saying that he would have ambushed Touin if he were in his youth. Yuzura chuckles, remembering a similar incident in the past.
Yuzura teases Naoshi about his serious expression, and Naoshi threatens to take him down. Tadayuki smiles at their exchange.
Tadayuki expresses his gratitude to Yuzura for Naoshi’s benefit and asks Yuzura to continue to rely on Naoshi. Yuzura agrees, saying that friends are there to support each other.
Naoshi nods, looking reluctant under his father’s gaze, and they share a laugh. After a brief chat, they part ways with Yuzura.
In the car, Tadayuki speaks to Naoshi about his narrow world and the importance of exploring outside. He suggests that Naoshi take a month or two off to do so.
Tadayuki asks to borrow Shikioni, a person, just in case, and Naoshi agrees. Tadayuki mentions that Ako was impressed with Naoshi’s efforts.
Later, Kurikoma becomes exhausted from overwork, and the Kazuramichi family members care for him diligently, becoming a new part of daily life in the household.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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