"No, no, it's fine! I can handle this, really—I'm good at cooking!"
Tsumiki quickly spoke up, flustered.
The sudden change had left her overwhelmed. For some reason, this stepfather of hers had suddenly returned home, and now she and Megumi had gained an uncle on top of that.
And from the looks of it, this stepfather seemed genuinely afraid of that uncle.
"No need, little niece. Just sit back and relax. From now on, all the cooking will be his responsibility."
Jinsuke's displeasure toward Toji only grew when he heard Tsumiki claim she was good at cooking.
Look at her—at such a young age, not only attending school but also caring for her little brother, handling laundry and meals like a pro. Meanwhile, her so-called father wasted his days gambling and fooling around outside.
"Don't let appearances fool you. Your father is actually very skilled in cooking."
That skill, of course, was something Jinsuke had beaten into Toji as a child — precisely in preparation for moments like this.
"…Alright then."
Tsumiki slowly accepted it. If Megumi's father stayed, maybe her little brother would feel a little less lonely.
She had no objections. In fact, she hoped Megumi could experience at least a shred of fatherly care.
Megumi, on the other hand, seemed indifferent. After all, he had no real bond with this man called his father. As long as Tsumiki didn't object, he had nothing to say.
"Um… Uncle, I want to ask… my mother, she didn't come back with you, did she?"
Tsumiki suddenly asked. She wanted to know where her mother was now—whether she was even still alive.
"…That…"
Jinsuke froze, unsure how to answer. He had asked Toji about this on the way here, but Toji had claimed he didn't know either.
After all, his marriage into the Fushiguro family had only been because they were wealthy.
Her mother was divorced and raising children alone; she had been looking for a partner to help, saw Toji as "good enough" and married him.
Once the children had companionship, the two adults had quickly gone their separate ways, rarely keeping in touch. It had been less a marriage of love than one of convenience.
"We don't know where she is. Maybe she has something important to do and will be back after a while."
It was all Jinsuke could say to comfort her.
Tsumiki's mother and Toji had surprisingly been aligned when it came to caring for the kids, which explained how they'd managed to get along at all.
Eventually, Jinsuke figured, Toji should go and find her — children without a mother was no small matter.
"I see."
Tsumiki smiled faintly, not showing much concern.
After that, Jinsuke chatted with Tsumiki and Megumi. Kids were easy to win over, and before long, both had accepted his presence as their uncle. From now on, they'd actually have a guardian at parent-teacher meetings.
Soon, Toji finished cooking. His surprisingly decent skills lightened the distance between him and Megumi. In that sense, Jinsuke's goal was more or less achieved.
The days were long. Sooner or later, the bond between them would grow, more and more like a real family.
After eating and resting a while, Jinsuke left. Toji, under pressure from his brother, went back to pack his things and formally moved in with Tsumiki and Megumi.
By the time Jinsuke returned to the Zenin estate, the sky had darkened.
When he opened the courtyard gate, he saw two little girls sitting on the steps — Maki and her twin sister Mai.
The moment Mai spotted him, she panicked, scrambling to her feet and hiding behind Maki. Fear filled her eyes.
"Big Sis, it's that scary cousin! Let's run!"
For some reason, Mai seemed utterly terrified of Jinsuke.
Jinsuke's mouth twitched. Striding forward, he ignored Maki and reached out, grabbing Mai under her arms and lifting her off the ground. His voice turned harsh:
"Who are you calling scary? When you see me, call me Cousin. Understand?"
"Waaaah! Big Sis, help me! The scary cousin is gonna eat me!"
Mai burst into tears, kicking her legs desperately, snot and tears running down her face as though Jinsuke were some man-eating beast.
Jinsuke was left dumbfounded. Was he really that terrifying?
He knew Mai was timid, but this seemed excessive. Was he really scarier than a curse spirit?
"Stop crying. If you don't stop, I really will eat you."
"Mmff…!"
Hearing that, Mai instantly clapped her hands over her mouth, muffled sobs escaping as she shook. She was terrified and on the verge of crying harder, but the fear of being eaten silenced her.
Originally, she had only been afraid of Jinsuke. But earlier that day, Maki had asked their mother why the Zenin clan members were all afraid of their cousin. She'd overheard their mother describe Jinsuke as a monster.
So, in her young mind, she had come to believe he wasn't human at all — just a monster that happened to look like one.
"Next time you see me, no crying. Got it?" Jinsuke said sternly.
"Mm-hm!"
Mai nodded frantically, still covering her mouth. In her heart, she vowed never to come here again—not even with her sister.
Satisfied, Jinsuke set her down. He turned to Maki, whose expression was calm. That alone sparked his curiosity. This girl seemed far more mature than her twin.
But of course — growing up in the Zenin household as an outcast, one had to mature early.
"So, what are you doing here? Didn't I warn you this morning?"
"I want you to teach me." Maki clenched her fists, eyes unwavering.
She wanted power—the kind that would shut the Zenin clan's mouths.
She couldn't use cursed energy, let alone techniques. She had no idea how she could possibly make those who mocked and bullied her fear her.
But this cousin of hers must know. He too had no cursed energy, yet the Zenin clan feared him.
Even Naoya, who often mocked her, lost all smugness the moment Jinsuke's name came up — replaced only by respect and fear.
"Teach you what? To get stronger?"
Jinsuke studied her. Her eyes told him she was serious.
"Yes! To get stronger! You can make me stronger, right?"
Maki's eyes sparkled with determination.
Even as a little girl, she already understood the importance of strength. That much intrigued Jinsuke.
"Not bad. I see your resolve. But… sorry, I'm not interested in teaching kids."
He refused. Train a little brat to get stronger? What a joke. What was he supposed to do, make a tiny girl like Maki follow his brutal regimen?
Smack!
Without hesitation, Maki dropped to her knees. The motion startled Mai, who was still sniffling beside her.
"Big Sis, what are you doing?"
Ignoring her, Maki fixed her bright, determined eyes on Jinsuke and kowtowed once.
"Master, please accept your disciple's bow!"
Her tender voice echoed through the courtyard, leaving Jinsuke stunned.
Had he traveled back to ancient times?
Since when did people still kneel and kowtow like this…?