"You've been investigating me?"
"Naturally."
Maya took a sip of tea before replying leisurely, "After all, you're an adjusted-type magician who emerged from the Fourth Research Institute. In essence, you're the Yotsuba family's property. It's only right that I oversee you."
"Are you serious?"
"Absolutely."
The moment those words fell, an invisible psion wave radiated outward, enveloping Maya's body—as if Mahiro could snuff out this fragile woman's life with a single thought.
"Mahiro-nii, don't!"
Miyuki noticed the anomaly and quickly grabbed his arm, urging him not to act rashly.
Even Ayako was stunned.
She didn't even know whose side to take—one was the revered Lady Maya, while the other was her most beloved cousin!
Maya lifted her eyes from the teacup and met his gaze again.
Though Mahiro couldn't discern the woman's true thoughts, deep within those pupils, he caught a glimpse of some indescribable emotion lingering there.
She seemed utterly unfazed by his threat, instead dropping an even more explosive bombshell.
"Though there is one thing that surprised me. That girl who just left—Mibu Sayaka. You've already claimed her, haven't you?"
"Even though little Minami is just as lovely. How did an outsider beat her to it?"
"Wha—?!?!"
Mahiro couldn't suppress the undignified sound that escaped him, his psion wave collapsing entirely in an instant.
"Ah..."
This sound came from Miyuki.
She covered her mouth as if frozen by the Domain of Ice Mist, yet her rapidly blinking eyes swirled with complex, shifting flames.
Her gaze darted back and forth between Mahiro and Maya, seeking confirmation.
As for Ayako, she couldn't make a sound at this moment. An inexplicable exhaustion, like a tidal wave flowing backward, surged through her limbs. With her head spinning, she nearly fainted on the spot.
That Mahiro-nii, who had taught her how to use magic properly since childhood...
Who had always protected her since she was little...
Had actually been taken by another woman?!
What kind of joke was this?!
If this was a dream, she desperately wanted to wake up.
"My, what an interesting reaction."
Maya deliberately covered her mouth with one hand, widening her eyes slightly in feigned surprise.
She acted as if she were playing dumb, as if to say, "Did I say something wrong?"
But in reality, she couldn't hide the corners of her lips, which were curling up wildly!!!
This woman—her sadistic sense of humor was as strong as ever!
"Aunt... is what you said true?"
Having seemingly calmed down, Miyuki pressed a hand to her chest and asked seriously.
"Miyuki, are you concerned?"
"Yes."
Miyuki nodded.
Not just her—Ayako was just as concerned.
But unlike Miyuki, she wasn't bold enough to question Maya directly.
However, neither of them even considered getting an answer from Mahiro himself.
This amused Maya greatly.
"If you're so concerned, how about you become Mahiro's wife, Miyuki? Oh, and Ayako too."
"Eh?! Th-That's...?!"
Miyuki panicked.
Though she understood that as a magician of the Yotsuba family, she had no right to choose her own marriage, being told to marry someone so suddenly—
Even if it was Mahiro-nii, this was way too abrupt!
In contrast, Ayako was far more decisive. She immediately stood up from the sofa and declared:
"I have no objections! Head of the family, I would be honored to marry Mahiro-nii!"
Mahiro: "..."
This farce had already made him rub his temples in exasperation.
"Yotsuba Maya... you really have nothing better to do, do you?"
"Oh? Is my dear Mahiro dissatisfied with this arrangement?"
As if she had anticipated his reaction, Maya leisurely sipped her warm tea, even changing the way she addressed him.
The tip of her raised foot swayed lightly, tracing a cheerful arc.
"This isn't about satisfaction! Do you really think this is the right time for jokes like this?"
"It's not a joke."
Maya set down her teacup, her tone calm.
"Kouichi—the current head of the Saegusa family—is desperate to marry off one of his daughters to you. Besides, you're now the most sought-after figure among the Hundred Families, the Eighteen Assistant Houses, and even the Ten Master Clans. You must be aware of that, right?"
"If I don't act soon, my precious Mahiro might just be snatched away~"
A forty-year-old woman pretending to be a maiden—
This phrase perfectly described Yotsuba Maya at this moment.
And of course, Mahiro understood what she meant. When Mayumi had confided in him about her family matters, he had already realized it.
Not to mention, magicians weren't bound by monogamy. In fact, to produce superior bloodlines and ensure the family's continuation, magicians often took multiple spouses.
Otherwise, how would those magician families have so many branch families?
But the problem was...
He glanced at Miyuki, whose face was already flushed red, then turned back to Maya.
"Enough. I don't want to argue about this here. If you want to monitor my life, fine—indulge your voyeuristic tendencies."
"But I have one condition: don't lay a finger on the people around me."
"Of course~"
Maya responded in a voice as sticky as honey.
"They're all my future daughters-in-law. Why would I harm them? If anything, I'll make sure to protect them properly for you."
"Tch."
Mahiro clicked his tongue.
"Fine. Now, let's get to my actual business. I need intel on the international criminal organization No Head Dragon."
"Oh?"
Maya raised her eyebrows in surprise, then smirked.
"You're faster than I expected. I thought it'd take you a few more days to figure it out."
"What do you mean? Don't tell me you had a hand in the Nine Schools Competition's underground betting."
"Giggle, as if. The Yotsuba wouldn't stoop to such lowly tactics."
Maya covered her lips with a delicate hand, laughing like silver bells.
"But I can give you the intel on No Head Dragon—on one condition. Answer me this: is this revenge for that Saegusa girl? For Miyuki? Or... for someone else close to you?"
As she spoke, her lips curled into a bewitching smile.
"What if I said it's for Miyuki? Would you believe me?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Miyuki looked at him with moved eyes.
Maya, however, only grew more amused.
"Of course I'd believe you. If it's my child saying it, why wouldn't I?"
"But more than that, it's about retaliating against those repeated provocations. Right?"
Before he could answer, Maya finished his thought for him.
This woman had already predicted everything he was going to say.
"Your answer satisfies me. Very well, I'll tell you. The East Japan branch leader of No Head Dragon is Douglas Huang—a trusted subordinate of their leader, Richard Sun."
"Speaking of Richard Sun, there's an interesting piece of intel that concerns you as well~"
Here, Maya paused deliberately, as if savoring the suspense, before taking a sip of tea and continuing.
"Kuro-sensei—Jiedo Heigu—is the leader of the international terrorist organization Blanche, and he has some... unclear ties with Richard Sun..."
"I don't care about that."
Mahiro cut her off bluntly.
"Just tell me the location of their Japan headquarters. That's all I need."
"Fufu, of course. I'll relay the relevant intel to Ayako and Fumiya. They'll assist you in this operation."
Hearing this, Mahiro glanced at Ayako—only to find her playfully blinking at him.
"However, this intel isn't free. I have a condition of my own."
"Figures... Go on."
"I need you to become the head of the Yotsuba family."
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan