"Mom, this is Tsukishiro Yanagi. She's my most capable right-hand," Hoshimi Miyabi introduced her.
And she really was. Tsukishiro Yanagi handled Section 6's personnel management, mission follow-ups, feedback, and a whole pile of other duties.
Section Chief Hoshimi Miyabi had a rather… special personality. Asaba Harumasa was far too laid-back and freewheeling. Soukaku's temperament was basically that of a loud, carefree kid.
Putting all that together, the overwhelming majority of work arrangements ended up falling on Tsukishiro Yanagi's shoulders. With her rigorous, serious, and meticulous way of doing things, she was, in a sense, the only "normal person" in Section 6.
In terms of overall capability, Tsukishiro Yanagi was an outstanding executive who handled matters cleanly and efficiently.
"Vice Section Chief, you really do get busy whenever Miyabi isn't around," Miyabi's mom said with emotion.
How could she not know what her own daughter's personality was like?
Compared to when she was little, there was basically no change at all. She was only suited for fighting. Management? Forget it.
Without a highly capable adjutant, Section 6 would probably be a complete mess.
"My combat ability isn't as good as the Section Chief's, so I contribute more on the management side," Tsukishiro Yanagi said with a modest smile.
She was already used to it. There was no helping it. Section 6 was full of "problem children." If you just let them do whatever they wanted, who knew what kind of trouble they would stir up?
The Section Chief, with her overwhelming combat power, just needed to go on a rampage in the field. As for all the post-mission reports and paperwork, those could be left to Yanagi.
Miyabi's mom nodded. Tsukishiro Yanagi really was the one who had it hardest. Almost everything that needed handling was piled onto her.
"Miyabi, by the way… what is your father doing these days?"
"As for Father, he entered politics over the past few years."
Miyabi's mom nodded again. If she could become Hoshimi Soichiro's wife, she naturally was not some clueless decorative vase.
Entering politics really did have a lot of benefits. With a Void Hunter daughter, Soichiro had no need to go fight.
…
At the entrance of the Hoshimi family residence.
Koji and Hoshimi Miyabi stood in front. Miyabi's mom stood behind them, completely blocked from view. If you looked from the front, it was hard to notice her presence.
"So, Miyabi… you've even brought a man home."
Soichiro, who had been called back home by Hoshimi Miyabi, saw Koji and raised an eyebrow. His expression gave nothing away, like the calm before a storm.
Could it be that his daughter had a boyfriend?
Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
With his daughter's personality, how could she possibly find a boyfriend?
Hoshimi Miyabi had no idea what kind of image she had in her father's mind.
"Father, he's my boyfriend, Koji." Hoshimi Miyabi's cheeks flushed faintly as she introduced him openly.
Crack!
It was as if the sound of something shattering echoed in the air. Koji looked at his father-in-law. Soichiro could no longer keep that calm, breezy expression on his face.
Tsk, tsk. As expected, most fathers were hopelessly doting on their daughters.
If he said something like, "Hey, old man, would it be safe if I drew a ring of fire at the front gate?" right now…
Soichiro would one hundred percent draw his sword on the spot.
"How did you meet?" Soichiro steadied his emotions and looked Koji over with a scrutinizing gaze.
He was worried his daughter had been tricked by sweet talk.
Because he was too shocked, he did not even notice Miyabi's mom behind them trying not to laugh, her shoulders shaking nonstop.
This was the first time she had ever seen her husband like this.
"We met today," Hoshimi Miyabi answered without thinking.
Soichiro: "?"
Hearing that simple, direct answer, he completely lost his composure. They met today, and she had already confirmed they were boyfriend and girlfriend?
Wasn't that a little too hasty? Even love at first sight usually was not confirmed that fast, was it?
"Mr. Soichiro, let me introduce myself. I'm a traveler from the Outer Ring."
Koji held back his laughter. If he laughed right now, Soichiro would absolutely crack even harder.
A traveler from the Outer Ring?
In other words, unemployed. Soichiro frowned. He did not insist on matching family status. His daughter could choose for herself. But at the very least, the guy had to have some ability, right?
He did not think much of them.
It was still not too late. Since they had just met today, a peaceful breakup would be the best outcome for everyone.
"Father, you're not thinking of handing Koji a check, telling him to name his price, and then making us break up, are you?" Hoshimi Miyabi asked.
"Ahem, ahem…"
Soichiro choked. That really was slandering him. He genuinely was not thinking that.
"No. If little brother Koji needs it, I can offer some compensation," Soichiro said.
"Sure. I've got a person I want to give you. How much money can you pay to buy them?" Koji asked with a teasing smile.
"A person?"
"Kid, you're joking, right? The Hoshimi family doesn't do human trafficking."
Soichiro said it with a speechless look. He had zero interest in anything so blatantly illegal.
At that moment, Miyabi's mom stepped out, smiling in a way that looked gentle but clearly was not.
This future son-in-law really did have a wicked sense of humor… but she also wanted to mess with Soichiro a little.
"So, what about me?"
Soichiro saw the figure that had haunted his dreams for years. He stumbled backward several steps, his footing slipping. He almost fell to the ground.
His wife… was still alive?
How could a dead person come back to life? That violated the laws of nature.
"Don't recognize me? Or is it that over these years, you found a new sweetheart?" Miyabi's mom asked with a warm smile.
Of course she knew he had been alone all these years.
"No… how could I? I've been alone this whole time." Soichiro's survival instinct exploded, and he answered quickly and urgently.
He had not wanted to find another partner. Besides his feelings for his wife, he had also been thinking about his daughter. He did not want to disappoint her.
"Mr. Soichiro, you still haven't said it. How many Dennies are you willing to pay?" Koji cut in.
"Uh…"
Soichiro froze. His wife was not something that could be measured with money.
Did the Hoshimi family lack money?
Of course not. With so many powerhouses in their lineage, and with both the third-generation head and this generation's Hoshimi Miyabi being Void Hunters, their finances were rock-solid. They were comfortably a top-tier elite family.
"I'm kidding. With a girlfriend like Miyabi, why would I want money?" Koji said.
"What?! You mean Miyabi only agreed to be your girlfriend because you saved my wife?"
Soichiro knew the trope. A life-saving favor repaid with a lifetime. And with his understanding of his daughter Hoshimi Miyabi, she really could do something like that.
If he had known, he would rather have just given Koji endless Dennies.
"Father, I plan to try being with Koji. If it doesn't work out, you can compensate him with some other things later," Hoshimi Miyabi said.
"…"
"Fine. We'll do it your way." Soichiro let out a quiet sigh. Truly… this was a blond delinquent coming to steal his precious cabbage.
(End of Chapter)
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