Master, Please Accept Your Disciple's Bow!

"No, no need, right? I can handle this kind of thing. I'm very good at it."

Tsumiki hurriedly spoke up, somewhat flustered.

The sudden change had left her unable to react for a moment.

For some reason, this stepfather had suddenly come home, and she and her brother had also gained an Uncle.

From the looks of it, this stepfather seemed rather afraid of this Uncle.

"No need, little niece. Just sit down and wait to eat. From now on, leave all the cooking to him."

Hearing Tsumiki say she was good at cooking, Shinsuke Zenin felt even more dissatisfied with Toji.

Look at her. At such a young age, she had to attend school, take care of her younger brother, do laundry, and cook—she could do everything.

Meanwhile, this father spent all day fooling around outside and gambling.

"Don't let how your father looks fool you. He's actually very good at cooking."

He had forced Toji to learn all of it when they were children, precisely to prepare for a situation like this.

"Okay."

Tsumiki gradually accepted the situation.

If Megumi's father stayed, Megumi would probably feel a little less lonely.

Tsumiki had no objection to Toji staying. It was a good chance for Megumi to experience some fatherly love.

Meanwhile, Megumi seemed completely unconcerned. He was not very familiar with Toji as a father anyway.

As long as Tsumiki did not object, he had no objections either.

"Um... Uncle, I'd like to ask... did my mother not come back with you?"

Tsumiki suddenly asked.

She wanted to know where her mother was now, whether she was still alive.

"Well..."

Shinsuke Zenin froze, unsure how to answer.

He had already asked Toji this question on the way here.

The answer he received was that Toji did not know where Tsumiki's mother was either.

After all, he had only married into the Fushiguro Family because they were quite wealthy.

She was also divorced and had a child. She wanted to find a companion for her child, and seeing that Toji was not bad and fit her requirements, she chose to marry him.

After getting married, the children had companions, but for reasons unknown, the two went their separate ways and each did their own thing, rarely contacting one another.

This marriage seemed a little transactional.

"We don't know where she is either. Maybe she has something important to do and will come back after a while."

Shinsuke Zenin could only comfort her like this.

Tsumiki's mother and Toji unexpectedly saw eye to eye when it came to raising children. No wonder they had ended up together.

He should have Toji look for her later. A child being without a mother was a serious matter.

"I see."

Tsumiki revealed a faint smile, seemingly not overly concerned.

After that, Shinsuke Zenin chatted casually with Tsumiki and Megumi. Children were easier to fool, and before long, the two accepted the existence of this Uncle.

Starting today, they were people who had guardians to attend parent-teacher conferences.

Not long after, Toji finished cooking. His passable cooking skills greatly reduced the unfamiliarity between him and Megumi, so the purpose of this trip had barely been achieved.

There was still plenty of time. Their relationship would grow better and better, and they would become more and more like a family.

After eating and staying for a while, Shinsuke Zenin left. Toji returned to his old place to pack his things and officially moved in with Tsumiki and Megumi.

Under pressure from his Older Brother, he did not dare refuse.

By the time Shinsuke Zenin returned to the Zenin Family residence, the sky had already darkened.

Opening the courtyard gate, Shinsuke Zenin discovered two little brats sitting on the steps before the house.

They were the two Zenin sisters, Maki.

When Maki saw Shinsuke Zenin, she jumped in fright, scrambled to her feet, and hid behind Maki. Her eyes were full of fear. "Sister, it's that weird Cousin! Let's run!"

For some reason, Maki seemed very afraid of Shinsuke Zenin.

Seeing this, Shinsuke Zenin's mouth twitched. He strode over, ignored Maki, reached both hands under Maki's arms, and forcibly lifted her up. He said viciously, "Who are you calling a weird Cousin? When you see me, call me Cousin, understand?"

"Waaah... Sister... q-quick, save me! The weird Cousin is going to eat me!"

Maki was frightened to tears by Shinsuke Zenin. Her little legs kicked frantically, and tears and snot were scared out of her as if he were some man-eating beast.

This made Shinsuke Zenin fall into thought. Was he really that scary?

He knew Maki was timid, but not this timid, right? Could he possibly be scarier than a cursed spirit?

"Stop crying. If you keep crying, I'll really eat you."

"Sniff..."

Hearing that, Maki hurriedly covered her mouth and whimpered through her sobs. Though she was terrified and wanted to cry, she wanted even less to be eaten.

Originally, she had merely been afraid of Shinsuke Zenin. But today, Maki had asked their mother why the other members of the Zenin Family were so afraid of their Cousin.

She had happened to hear her mother describe Shinsuke as a monster.

At her young age, she naturally began to see Shinsuke as no different from a cursed spirit.

She warned herself that he only looked human. In truth, he was a monster.

"The next time you see me, you're not allowed to cry. Got it?"

Shinsuke Zenin spoke sternly.

"Mm-hm."

Maki covered her mouth and nodded hard, secretly deciding that she would never come here again, not even with her sister!

Only after seeing that Maki knew what was good for her did Shinsuke Zenin put her down.

Turning to look at the calm-faced Maki, he felt somewhat puzzled. This girl seemed far more mature than her younger sister.

Then again, in an environment like the Zenin Family, outcasts matured early.

"Tell me, what are you here for? I warned you this morning, didn't I?"

"I want you to teach me." Maki clenched her fists, her gaze firm.

She wanted to gain the strength to make the Zenin Family shut up.

She could not use Cursed Energy, much less go a step further and use a technique. She did not know how she could make those who mocked and bullied her fear her in the future.

But this Cousin before her definitely knew, because he too could not use Cursed Energy, yet he could make the Zenin Family fear him.

Even Naoya Zenin, who often mocked her, lost all the teasing in his eyes the moment he heard Shinsuke's name, leaving only respect and fear.

"Teach you what? How to become stronger?"

Shinsuke Zenin stared at her as well. Her eyes told him that Maki was serious.

"Yes! Become stronger! You can definitely make me stronger, right?"

Light shone in Maki's eyes.

Though she was only a little girl right now, she had already realized the importance of strength.

That sparked Shinsuke Zenin's interest.

"Not bad. I can see your determination, but... sorry, I have no interest in teaching little brats."

He refused. Teaching a little brat how to become stronger? What nonsense. Was he supposed to make little Maki train with him?

"Smack!"

Hearing this, Maki decisively dropped to her knees, startling Maki beside her, who was still sniffling.

"Sister, what are you doing?"

Maki ignored her. Instead, she looked at Shinsuke with bright eyes and kowtowed to him. "Master, please accept your disciple's bow!"

Her childish voice echoed through the courtyard, leaving Shinsuke Zenin utterly stunned. Had he traveled back to ancient times?

Why was she even kowtowing...