Mahiru took Chrome Dokuro by the hand, led her to a chair at the dining table, and gently pressed her down by the shoulders.
"Now that you're here with us, we're family. You don't need to be shy. And my name's Mahiru."
A little overwhelmed by the welcome, Chrome Dokuro turned and looked up at the kind older girl, whose gentle manner reminded her of Ichinose. "Mahiru," she said softly.
Mahiru smiled at being addressed so warmly and said nothing.
She had officially accepted Chrome Dokuro as one of them.
What else could she do?
Was her man going to stop finding other women?
Obviously not.
Asuna was generous about it too. She sat quietly in her chair and poured herself some tea.
Morishita Ai had no objections either. Chrome Dokuro would be under her care anyway...
And Ichinose certainly didn't mind. She had suddenly gained such an adorable little sister.
Only Amasawa rested her head on the table and pouted. She clearly had a problem with it.
Kagura was another matter. She hadn't officially joined their circle yet, much less become Akasaka's wife. She had no standing to object.
Once everyone was seated, Akasaka began explaining Chrome Dokuro's situation.
He told them about the girl's past: the car accident, her parents abandoning her at the hospital, and the loss of her internal organs and right eye.
Everyone turned to look at Chrome Dokuro. She seemed even more pitiful now.
Even Amasawa's hostility faded a little. She sat up instead of lying across the table.
Akasaka got straight to the point and looked at Mahiru seriously. "She's one of the Mist Guardians I found for you. The other one is too dangerous. I don't dare let him appear in front of you. He'll show up during the competition, so don't