Volume 6 Chapter 19 The World of Blue and White
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”That’s love, plain and simple,” Shiun Suzuri said.
While Kazuramichi Naoshi was off fulfilling his obligations, Suzuri delivered that definition with absolute conviction. The venue was a guest room in the Touma estate—the unofficial headquarters for what had become their “Maiden’s Council¹.”
The topic on the table was Kurosu Tamane, who had recently made a whirlwind departure back to Shikoku.
At the station ticket gate, everyone—except the man himself—had sensed the shift. She had left with her impressive aura as intact as when she’d arrived, yet her attitude toward Naoshi had undergone an unmistakable transformation.
”Well, you certainly didn’t hold back saying it,” Haruno remarked.
”I don’t think anything is decided yet,” Ako replied. “Tamane has always been fond of my step-brother.”
While Haruno accepted it as a fact, Ako showed a somewhat negative view. Whether Suzuri’s sudden defensiveness should be seen as jealousy or a reaction to Naoshi’s usual behavior was up for debate.
Haruno glanced at Mana; the two cousins shared a synchronized, puzzled tilt of their heads.
”Mana, let’s hear your opinion,” Suzuri prompted.
”She seemed a lot quieter than when she first got here,” Mana said, straightening up. “But don’t you think that’s just because she saw Naoshi in action? Professional respect for his work?”
”Hmph… I suppose,” Suzuri muttered.
As she spoke, Mana held out a plate of rice crackers. Suzuri took one and tore the seal with a sharp snap. The table was a battlefield of sweets—Japanese wagashi² and Western pastries packed so tightly there was hardly room for a teacup.
”I can see that,” Haruno added. “I already knew he was impressive, but even my impression of him changed after this.”
”My step-brother is nothing if not diligent,” Ako said with a trace of pride.
In terms of scale, the recent incident didn’t match the night march on Tokyo Bay, but in terms of sheer quality, the Gyuuki³ they faced was a top-tier threat. Naoshi’s performance there was being hailed as a distinguished service on par with Yukinojo’s.
”Tamane knew what my step-brother was like before,” Ako continued. “The shock of seeing the man he’s become probably hit her harder than most.”
”I guess?” Haruno asked.
”Makes sense,” Mana added. “Since there’s less of a gap in ability between her and Naoshi than there is with us, she’d feel the reality of his power more acutely.”
When laid out like that, it seemed perfectly reasonable. Naoshi had been close with her for years; it wasn’t unnatural that her sense of distance would shift once she viewed him with awe.
Suzuri, however, remained unsatisfied, chewing her rice cracker with grim intensity.
”But speaking of that,” Haruno said, leaning in, “isn’t the real trouble just beginning? It’s one thing for Yuki, but Naoshi hasn’t officially picked his primary wife yet, has he?”
The atmosphere in the room turned instantly frigid.
The source of the tension was, unsurprisingly, Suzuri.
”—Within the Kazuramichi family, it is virtually a settled matter that Suzuri will marry in,” Ako stated, as if reading a ledger. “In terms of family status, we are both of the Eight Families⁴. It is a perfect match.”
The pressure in the air immediately weakened as Ako spoke.
”You should all just consider me the practical fiancée!” Suzuri declared triumphantly.
”Heh, must be nice,” Haruno said with a sigh of genuine envy.
”Unless something extreme happens, I don’t see this being overturned,” Ako added.
”Then why is it still ‘undecided’?” Mana asked.
”It’s the family business,” Haruno replied heavily. “You never know what might happen.”
Suzuri’s face soured. “I’d appreciate it if you both stopped saying such ominous things.”
”Is there actually a chance of someone else swooping in?” Mana asked.
”Within the Kansai district, honestly, no one has better credentials than Suzuri,” Ako admitted. “It would only happen if my step-brother had a very strong personal preference otherwise.”
”Surely Naoshi wouldn’t have a change of heart now?” Haruno asked.
”No. Absolutely not,” Suzuri asserted.
Suzuri’s powerful assertion was mainly born of desire, but Ako didn’t deny it.
”Wait, then why are you so worked up, Suzuri?” Haruno asked.
Suzuri slammed her fist onto the table. “Because he already has four mistresses!!”
Beside her, Ako maintained a perfectly deadpan expression while flashing double peace signs.
”Ah… right. That,” Haruno said.
”That’s… rough, isn’t it?” Mana asked.
”Between me and the others, he only has two days off a week!” Suzuri wailed. “If he adds even one more person to the rotation, I’m going to lose my mind!”
”Ako, what’s the current… roster?” Mana asked quietly.
”The widow of a deceased distant relative who was an exorcist, and a first-grade exorcist from Shiga who is the same age as her,” Ako recited. “The others are commoners. He’s seeing a girl from a local vocational school, but he keeps the family away from them.”
”So they’re all older than you, Suzuri?” Haruno asked.
”Please don’t say it…” Suzuri groaned.
”Naoshi always did seem to prefer older women,” Haruno mused.
Suzuri’s teeth ground together with an audible click.
”On the bright side,” Ako noted, “both my step-brother and Yukinojo have a tendency to view younger girls as objects of protection rather than romance.”
”Is that actually a good thing?” Haruno asked.
”I suppose the fact that we don’t have to worry about his eyes wandering to anyone younger is a relief,” Ako replied.
”Are you worrying about that already, Ako?” Mana asked.
Ako’s eyes went dark. “…My step-brother is inevitably soft toward anyone he considers a younger sister type.” After a pause, she whispered, “Honestly, I think he’s only going to become more popular from here.”
”Tell me about it,” Suzuri sighed. “My entire view of men was destroyed by my first love.”
”Your eyes, guys… look at your eyes,” Haruno muttered.
”We’re all in the same boat,” Mana added.
”But wait,” Haruno said, switching gears. “They say the ‘sister figure’ is the type of woman you don’t want anywhere near your boyfriend. From their perspective, aren’t we the threat?”
”I’ve also heard it’s the classic way to get rejected,” Mana countered.
”The worst…” Suzuri groaned. “We need to name names and devise countermeasures for each one.”
”Suzuri, are you living with the values of the Warring States period? Are you okay?” Haruno asked.
”Is Kansai really that harsh of a place…?” Mana wondered.
Haruno exhaled slowly. “But honestly, I’m still jealous of you two. Naoshi is the type who actually takes responsibility if he crosses the line, right?”
”And that’s exactly why the enemies increase without limit!” Suzuri cried.
”‘Enemies,’ she says…” Haruno muttered.
”Still, I think it’s better than having nothing but the choice of being chosen or not,” Mana pointed out.
Suzuri froze. As someone who had spent years agonizing over her position, that hit close to home.
”B-but if you’re going to say that, Yukinojo would never do something like hooking up with commoners!” Suzuri countered.
”Wait, is that Naoshi’s vibe?” Haruno asked. “Just picking people up?”
”If it was someone he rescued or something…” Mana suggested.
”No, it’s not like that,” Ako clarified. “She’s more of an escape from the industry. Considering the sheer mental toll of being the one the family relies on, I think we should turn a blind eye to a few flings… probably.”
”See! If you keep enabling him like that, the mistresses will increase forever!” Suzuri wailed.
”There, there,” Haruno soothed. “I guess being the primary wife is its own kind of hell.”
”I’ll get you a refill of tea, Suzuri,” Mana offered.
”Thank you…” Suzuri moaned.
”But regardless of the man himself,” Ako asked, “isn’t there any talk like that for Yukinojo? Is the Kanto district really that quiet?”
”Nah, the political blood-hunting is even more blatant now that the family restrictions are loosening up,” Haruno explained.
”Even so, my brother is the way he is,” Ako said.
”Serious, stiff, a total wall,” the girls agreed.
”I almost envy that,” Suzuri muttered.
”Don’t,” Haruno said. “With Yuki, we’re not even sure he’ll actually marry us. I have this constant ‘spiritual feeling’ that he’s going to be blindsided by an arranged marriage one day.”
”Oof.”
”Which is why,” Haruno said with a glint in her eye, “the plan is simple. We use Naoshi—since he’s so close to Yuki—to lead him astray.”
”Use him as the wedge to break down Yuki’s defenses,” Mana added.
”And then use that as leverage to mess with Naoshi. It’s a perfect plan,” Haruno concluded.
”It’s a deal,” Ako said. “Let’s keep in touch.”
”Agreed.”
”No objections!”
”I look forward to working with you all,” Mana smiled.
”After all,” Ako said, “knowing what the other is up to is something that would definitely interest both my step-brother and Yukinojo.”
”It’s a bit irritating that it works that way,” Haruno sighed.
”If they find out we’re talking, they’ll definitely pester us for info on each other,” Mana noted.
”—Well,” Mana added with a look of realization, “isn’t that just how men are?”
The three girls nodded in solemn agreement.
—
Summary:
The girls of the Touma estate convene for a ‘Maiden’s Council’ to discuss the shifting dynamics following the Gyuuki battle. They analyze Tamane’s newfound attraction to Naoshi and the growing competition within his harem. The group eventually forms an alliance to manage both Naoshi and the equally difficult Yukinojo.
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Character Insight:
Suzuri’s anxiety as the primary fiancée is highlighted, showcasing her struggle with Naoshi’s existing mistresses. Ako exhibits a cold, protective intelligence, while Haruno and Mana act as observers who eventually join the tactical alliance.
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Behind the Scenes:
The chapter explores the social hierarchy of the ‘Eight Families’ (Hakké) and the cultural divide between the Kansai and Kanto exorcist districts.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Tamane – The strongest and only First-Class exorcist in Shikoku. Known for her ability to handle multiple opponents simultaneously. A 21-year-old First-Class Exorcist and university student. Stands at 147cm with bronze-tanned skin and long black twintails. Wears sports brand tracksuits and carries a Boston bag. Loves beautiful people and weighs ‘three carrots.’
• Haruno – A cheerful, talented exorcist close to Yukinojo, related to Naoshi; confident, proactive, and supportive of her friends. Touma Yukinojo’s cousin. A second-class exorcist and daughter of the Kusurugawa family, one of the influential figures in Kanto.
• Mana – Yuki’s step-sister, involved in romantic or social pursuits with Naoshi.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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