The origin of Jinno Sumire's earlier words primarily stemmed from her father, Jinno Takashi, the head of the Jinno family.
As the current head of the Jinno family, Jinno Takashi had only one daughter, Jinno Sumire, under his care.
Jinno Takashi was deeply biased towards sons, believing that only a male could perfectly inherit the position of family head.
However, after all, he only had this one daughter and no other offspring, so Jinno Takashi had once decided to be flexible.
He thought that after Sumire got married and had children, he could pass the position to her first, and then to her son later.
But Sumire's first marriage was very unsuccessful. Not long after marrying, or rather, after only exchanging distant glances, her husband felt the pressure of being with Sumire was too great and ran off to who knows where.
Although Sumire didn't go into detail, Hikari also learned that her arranged husband at the time didn't even dare to consummate the marriage. Her only child, Jinno Ai, was conceived through methods like in vitro fertilization and surrogacy. [T/N: Of course.]
However, Hikari now knew that she currently had only one daughter.
As for having only one granddaughter, Jinno Takashi, who had always insisted on a male heir, naturally wouldn't accept it.
Therefore, over the years, Jinno Takashi had been pressuring the widowed Sumire, who was busy with family business, to remarry, wanting her to have a grandson to inherit the Jinno family's legacy in the future.
He even said that if this unfilial daughter of his didn't remarry and have a son, she shouldn't even think about inheriting the Jinno family.
However, the highly capable and somewhat aloof Sumire had high standards. Almost every man who came into contact with her felt pressured, so despite her stunning looks and perfect figure, few dared to pursue her.
And Sumire, who wasn't very interested in marriage and children to begin with, had even less desire to find a husband and start a family after her first nominal husband ran away.
She was already quite satisfied with her current daughter, Jinno Ai.
Thus, she didn't want to yield to her father's pressure to find a man she didn't like and have a son with him.
But Jinno Takashi also threatened her with her dream, taking control of the Jinno family, forcing her to remarry and have children.
So, Sumire came up with a plan: to find a reliable person to act as her fake husband and deceive her father, Jinno Takashi, so she could inherit the family business.
"And that reliable person I think of is you, Hikari-kun," Jinno Sumire stated.
After hearing Sumire's explanation, Hikari finally understood the purpose behind her keeping him back today.
Looking at the cold, beautiful woman kneeling across from him, her eyes fixed intently on him, Hikari's expression had long since returned to calmness.
He wasn't overly surprised by this sudden, bizarre situation, nor did he secretly rejoice at this earnest request from the high-ranking priestess.
After pondering for a moment, Hikari asked, "Aunt Sumire, why have you decided to ask me to play the role of your fake husband?"
Though Jinno Sumire was beautiful and well-maintained, appearing very young even nearing thirty and looking like sisters with her daughter Jinno Ai when standing together.
Hikari was much younger. As the dignified priestess of Ino Shrine and a high-ranking figure in the Jinno family, it was a bit strange for her to choose such a young man to play her fake husband.
Faced with Hikari's bold questioning, Sumire showed no displeasure; instead, she looked at him even more approvingly and explained softly, "It's simple. Because you're bold enough."
"Even when caught red-handed by me, her mother, kissing my daughter in the shrine, you didn't flinch. You even dared to look me straight in the eye."
"Call it boldness or shamelessness, I've never met a man with that kind of nerve before."
"And after getting to know you better, I feel you're reliable, Hikari-kun. Neither servile nor overbearing, with excellent looks too."
"From all aspects, only a man like you can help me deceive my father."
"After all, we're not really getting married, so we don't care what others think. We just need to fool my father."
"As for your age, makeup can take care of that. Your boldness is what's irreplaceable."
Sumire explained in detail.
"I see," After hearing Sumire's words, Hikari indicated he understood.
But looking at the cold, beautiful priestess kneeling opposite him, Hikari asked calmly, "I understand your thoughts, Aunt Sumire, but… why should I help you?"
Sumire seemed to have anticipated this question. Her pretty face remained equally composed as she replied, "Let me state upfront, I'm not trying to threaten you with this."
"Auntie can tell that Ai-chan likes you and wants to be with you. And if you want to be with her too, my opinion as her mother is quite important, right?"
"If you help me solve this headache of mine, I'll naturally think more highly of you and be more willing to let you become my future son-in-law."
"Of course, I truly don't mean to threaten you. As long as Ai-chan likes you enough, you don't let her down, and you're worthy of her, even if you don't agree to help me, I won't stand in your way."
"And also, if you're willing to help Auntie, Auntie will give you appropriate compensation."
"Money isn't an issue. Given my status, I assume you don't doubt that, right?"
After hearing Sumire's words, Hikari nodded, "Yes, of course I don't doubt your ability to provide money. However, money isn't very useful to me either."
Sumire's willow-like eyebrows furrowed slightly. Thinking of Hikari's demeanor, she wasn't surprised. Leaning forward slightly with sincerity, she asked, "Then what kind of reward do you want, Hikari-kun?"
Her ample bosom was too voluminous, and the slight bend at her waist caused the collar of her priestess uniform to gape open, revealing a tempting expanse of fair skin before Hikari's eyes.
After instinctively glancing at the captivating sight, Hikari politely averted his gaze and said with a smile, "As for the reward… I just want you to help me with a few small favors, Aunt Sumire. They shouldn't be a big deal for the Jinno family."
Noticing his gaze, Sumire realized her posture was somewhat improper. A faint blush colored her cheeks as she covered her chest and straightened up, asking as if nothing had happened, "What favors?"
Hikari waved his hand, "No reward without merit. Let's solve your problem first, then we can talk about the reward."
Hearing his words, Sumire smiled radiantly, "Alright, that's the attitude I expected from you. As long as it's nothing too difficult, Auntie can promise you in advance that even if the plan to act as my husband doesn't go smoothly, I'll help if I can."
"Good, thank you in advance then, Auntie," Hikari smiled and extended a hand.
"No need, it's Auntie who should thank you," Sumire also extended her slender, fair hand and shook his.
The hands of a noble, dignified beauty who avoided manual labor felt incredibly soft, giving Hikari the sensation of holding a young maiden's delicate hand.
Feeling the burning warmth from the young man's palm, the long-widowed priestess couldn't help but rub her legs together slightly beneath her robes. Her usually cold face suddenly revealed a smile, like an ice-cold snow lotus, breathtakingly beautiful.
———
The night was deep. After finalizing the cooperative plan with Jinno Sumire, Hikari left Ino Shrine, escorted by a young shrine maiden.
He had already reached an agreement with Sumire: he would start playing the role of her fake husband tomorrow.
He would accompany her to meet her father, Jinno Takashi, the head of the Jinno family, to secure Sumire's stable inheritance rights.
In return, Sumire promised to fulfill his small requests after the matter was settled.
Hikari's requests were actually simple. He wasn't short on money, but in Ino Village, there were people and matters he cared about.
Such as Miyuri and Sayoko, and also Arisa.
Whether it was Arisa from a foreign land or the two aunts who had taken care of him since childhood, they were now considered his people. If he had the means, Hikari naturally wanted their lives to be better than they were now.
However, while Hikari could directly give them money, provide many conveniences, and make their lives more comfortable, they might not be able to accept it without hesitation.
From the perspective of aunts like Miyuri and Sayoko, aside from in bed, they, as the older ones, felt they should be taking care of Hikari, so they might not accept his money or such offerings.
The Jinno family's dominant position in Ino Village was unquestionable. As long as he maintained a good relationship with Sumire, even a little help from her could greatly improve Miyuri and the others' lives.
With Sumire looking out for them while he was in Tokyo, he could also feel more at ease.
Thus, he was naturally happy to strike a deal with Sumire, the shrine priestess whose status in Ino Village was extraordinary.
Contemplating that he would meet Jinno Takashi tomorrow, Hikari wondered if he should prepare anything.
But then he remembered that Sumire had told him to just arrive at the shrine on time tomorrow; she would handle the preparations for him.
"An older woman brings prosperity… As expected of a mature, older woman. Aunt Sumire is really reliable."
With that sigh, Hikari stopped overthinking and walked leisurely home.
———
"Master, you're back!"
As soon as Hikari entered, he saw Arisa, the blonde, blue-eyed foreign beauty, greeting him in a pristine maid outfit. Her submissive, eager-to-please demeanor made his eyes light up.
This exotic beauty from Russia truly loved this role-playing thing.
Playing along, Hikari smiled, "Yes, I'm back. Speaking of which, how should you welcome your master home? Have you forgotten?"
"A-Arisa re… remembers!", Hearing his words, Arisa's cheeks flushed slightly. Her delicate hands gripped her skirt hem and lifted it up.
Truly an obedient maid, she was wearing a rare, bare package.
Hikari laughed, wrapping his arm around her slender waist and taking the opportunity to stir up trouble.
He entrusted the flames ignited earlier at Ino Shrine, first by Jinno Ai's teasing, then by inadvertently witnessing Sumire's ample assets, to Arisa to extinguish.
And Arisa, in her role as a maid, cooperated fully, serving Hikari with utmost obedience and compliance.
———
Early the next morning—
When the sun was already high, Hikari woke up comfortably from bed.
Arisa beside him was still sound asleep.
Last night's service had clearly exhausted her.
Glancing down at the torn maid outfit underfoot, Hikari considered buying Arisa a higher-quality set another day.
Having already enjoyed a full night of service from the maid Arisa, Hikari didn't disturb her to get up and busy herself.
He simply made himself breakfast, left a portion for her in the fridge, and headed out.
Originally, remembering his appointment with Sumire, Hikari intended to go straight to the shrine. But checking the time, he realized it was still early before his scheduled meeting with Sumire, so he dismissed the idea of arriving early.
Opening his phone, Hikari found messages from both Aoi and Suiren.
The two sisters were actually urging him to visit their home.
Recalling that he had indeed promised these childhood friend sisters, Hikari immediately gathered his things and headed towards the address they sent. The new home where Aunt Touka had moved.
About half an hour later, Hikari arrived at the location Aoi had sent.
It was a house with two separate courtyards, front and back. The front yard was spacious, with a few planted trees and a water-featuring rockery.
Seeing the gate closed, Hikari sent Aoi a message.
Soon, two graceful figures quickly emerged from the house.
"Hikari-kun!"
"Hikari-onii-chan, you're here!"
Aoi and Suiren, one after the other, almost simultaneously arrived at the gate, happily greeting Hikari.
"Aoi, Suiren-nee, good morning," Hikari also smiled and greeted the sister duo.
It must be said, perhaps inheriting the same beautiful genes from their mother, both Aoi and Suiren were quite stunning.
Aoi was pure and charming. Her usually expressionless face now wore a smile, appearing cute and lovely. The sailor uniform she wore accentuated her youthful, girlish charm. Her straight legs beneath the pleated skirt were clad in smooth black stockings, long and shapely without a single flaw.
Meanwhile, the already-graduated Suiren, though bearing some resemblance to Aoi, was noticeably more mature, looking like a graceful, grown beauty. The gentle smile on her face seemed to speak of her immense capacity for tolerance.
Beneath her beige knitted sweater was an astonishingly full, rounded bosom, even larger than the already well-endowed Aoi's, making it quite eye-catching.
Though Suiren's long skirt below was very loose and relaxed, it couldn't hide her perky, peach-shaped buttocks.
Beneath the skirt hem were calves clad in white stockings, straight and slender.
One sister in white stockings, the other in black; one pure and adorable, the other mature and voluptuous.
Both sisters smiled brightly at him, the contrast making Hikari feel somewhat dazzled.
"Hikari-kun, I thought you'd come find me last night," Aoi said, looking at Hikari with a hint of resentment.
"Haha, it's good that Hikari-kun is here now. Come on in and sit first," Unlike her impatient younger sister, Suiren, as the big sister, was very accommodating.
Led by the sisters, Hikari crossed the yard and headed towards the house.
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