"Katsura..." Just as Hijikata and the others—even Kotaro Katsura—were stunned by that forced explanation, Sogo Doma began brainwashing him again. "I know you're softhearted and can't bear to see old grannies become sacrifices, but think about it: those grannies would be sacrificing themselves for all humanity. Oh, and there's one more thing to note..." Hijikata and the others: "..." There was more?
"Hm?" Kotaro Katsura looked equally bewildered.
"Most old grannies are widows..." Sogo Doma emphasized.
"..." Hijikata and the others were even more baffled. Was being widowed really something that needed to be specifically brought up?
"Urgh..." Their confusion did not last long before it was answered—after hearing Sogo's emphasis, Kotaro Katsura's entire face turned bright red.
"Th-that makes it even more unacceptable! Losing—losing their husbands is already pitiful enough. If they're—if they're sacrificed too, then how cruel would that be..." He stammered badly. Other than Sogo Doma, no one knew why Kotaro Katsura was reacting this way, until...
"But..." Sogo Doma urged, "Why not think of it this way? If you hire all those old grannies, wouldn't you get the chance to comfort those widowed women?" Hijikata and the others: "..." Wasn't the phrase "get the chance" a little questionable here?
"So that's how it is..." While everyone else grew even more confused, Kotaro Katsura suddenly looked enlightened. "So that's an option too. Those old grannies who have lost their husbands need me to comfort them. That's right—even old grannies have times when they want a shoulder to lean on!" Hijikata and the others were deeply shaken by those bold, uninhibited words...
"Mr. Katsura!?" Even Elisaki blurted it out in bewilderment. It was not as if she had never seen how Kotaro Katsura interacted with Chairman Minami at Otonokizaka Academy, and Sogo Doma had even said to his