The car pulled into a villa, Western-style as well. He had originally thought the Fujiwara family's old residence would be a classic Japanese-style villa, but it turned out to be Western-style too.
After parking in the garage, the three of them got out.
Led by Chika and Toyomi, they entered the main house.
Ren truly had not expected to see all the elders and juniors of the Fujiwara family standing at the entrance to welcome him as soon as he stepped inside.
At the very front were not the two elderly men, but a middle-aged man in casual clothes with slicked-back hair, and beside him stood a middle-aged OL with long pink hair, whose figure was slightly on the slim side.
"Hello, Amamiya."
The man took the initiative to step forward and greet him, but Ren could not shake the feeling that the smile on his face carried a hint of danger.
"I am the father of Toyomi, Chika, and Moeha. You can call me Uncle Daichi, or just Uncle."
"Uncle... cough, Uncle Daichi."
Ren subconsciously prepared to call him Uncle, but noticed the man's smile grow even more dangerous, so he quickly changed how he addressed him.
He inexplicably felt as if he were meeting his in-laws.
The middle-aged woman at his side cast a helpless glance at her husband, as if Chika were about to be married off.
"Amamiya, please don't mind him. This idiot is overly sensitive when it comes to boys of the same age. Our three daughters have always been tightly guarded by this fool, and this is the first time our home has welcomed a same-aged boy."
"I am the mother of the three. You can call me Aunt Maho, but I prefer you just call me Aunt."
Compared to her husband's awkwardness, Maho was much more supportive of her daughters' relationship with the boy in front of her.
After all, when daughters grow up, they will inevitably interact with boys, and it is far better if the boy is reliable than not.
Furthermore, given her daughters' implicit relationship with Ren, it was basically a done deal.
Even if there was not a direct relationship yet, it was unlikely that any of the three would choose ordinary people as life partners, regardless of the circumstances.
Especially after today.
"And this is my father, Fujiwara Kenichi. And my father-in-law, General Fujiwara Shota."
The former was an elderly man with white hair and gold-rimmed glasses, with a kindly face that did not look like a politician's at all. There was no excessive sharpness in his eyes.
However, one could feel an extraordinary pressure emanating from him.
The latter also had white hair, but his spirit was better than that of an ordinary old man. His eyes were sharp, yet his aura was more peaceful than the former's.
"They are both Fujiwara."
Ren had not expected both elderly men to share the Fujiwara surname, which meant they were close relatives within the Fujiwara lineage.
"As for direct and collateral lines, of course, as modern people, we value science more. Even marriages within the same surname must be separated by five generations."
Seeing Ren's surprise, Maho gave a brief explanation.
"That is indeed quite scientific."
Ren nodded in understanding. No wonder they shared the surname. If direct and collateral lines were separated by five generations, they could not be considered close blood relatives, only that their ancestors were the same.
Fujiwara was a prominent surname in Japan. Otherwise, how could Chika's great-grandfather have stood at the highest point of the ruling circle?
From this, it could also be seen that prominent families with large surnames in Japan sometimes intermarried within the surname. However, unlike the unscientific inbreeding of the past that easily produced intellectually disabled or deformed children, marriages within prominent surnames at least maintained a relatively safe distance.
"That is natural. Although prominent surnames also value bloodlines, it is no longer as severe as in the early days. However, it is not easy to marry within a prominent surname according to modern science. The first requirement is that the family must have existed for a sufficiently long time."
"If the time is not long, it is impossible to separate five generations."
Maho's words were correct. Only prominent families that had existed long enough had the conditions to establish marriages separated by five generations, beyond the range of close relatives.
From this perspective, power in Japan had always rotated among certain prominent surnames.
Even if the highest governing position was not held by a prominent surname, the intricate relationships throughout politics were mostly intertwined with them.
This relationship was what people called the prominent surname faction.
"Let's go into the study first."
After a brief introduction of the family members, the next topics would be more private and not suitable to discuss outside.
The study in the villa was quite large. In addition to four-meter-high bookshelves on both sides, there were tables and chairs for reading and resting.
All the main members of the Fujiwara were present. The three sisters, Toyomi, Chika, and Moeha, sat together. The two elderly men sat in the back, and Maho and Daichi sat side by side.
Opposite them sat only Ren.
First, Maho stood up and bowed slightly.
"Amamiya, thank you for coming in person this time."
Knowing the other party's identity and still handling things so informally certainly required an apology.
There were still many people in Japan who believed in Shinto.
Although their numbers had decreased with changing times, some prominent families still had a strong belief in gods, such as the Fujiwara.
Knowing that certain spirits and monsters existed in the world, they also firmly believed that gods existed.
And the fact that such gods truly existed had already instilled sufficient reverence within the Fujiwara.
When Chika subtly revealed this earlier, the two elderly men had already considered seeking an audience.
But they felt that going on their own would be too presumptuous, so they waited for an opportunity.
"Aunt, you don't need to be so careful. After all, I am just an ordinary person right now."
Ren was a bit unaccustomed to such formal etiquette.
He had not thought of placing himself so high. At least for now, he was not standing that high.
"Propriety cannot be abandoned."
Maho shook her head slightly. It was fine for the god to treat them casually, but they could not be too casual, especially now that they knew so much.
Ren scratched his cheek. He simply did not like rigid etiquette, though he could understand it.
He adjusted his bearing slightly, and a spiritual finger lightly tapped the table.
"Thump."
Surging spirituality spread an extraordinary majesty, making everyone present feel a shock to their souls.
Correspondingly, a voice completely different from ordinary speech sounded, carrying an undeniable tone.
"Let's discuss propriety later. Let's talk about the main business first."
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)