Who's in Favor? Who's Opposed? (5K) (Continued)

Upon hearing this, the entire audience gasped in shock.

"Sister, older sister...?"

Fumiya was also quite frightened and wanted to explain, but Ayako's gaze stopped her.

You have to understand, if it was just suspicion before, now it's outright insubordination!

And judging from Ayako's expression, is she trying to shoulder the responsibility and Maya Yotsuba's anger all by herself?

But the expected anger did not materialize.

After hearing those words, Maya actually smiled happily.

"How exactly is this judgment made?"

"If Brother Mahiro becomes the head of the family, then the Yotsuba Family will arrange a marriage for the Yotsuba Clan. Head of the family, you once promised me that I would become Brother Mahiro's wife, but you have never fulfilled that promise."

Therefore, I absolutely cannot allow Mahiro -nii to become the head of the Yotsuba Family!

"..."

Ayako's words left everyone present speechless.

Even the people on Mahiro's side are the same.

Esdeath looked at him with a hint of amusement, while Kisara glared at him angrily, as if to say, "You won't even spare such a small child?!"

As for the Seitenshi, although he looked at him with a smile, that smile was somewhat veiled in malice.

I have a bit of a headache.

He clearly remembered that this happened during the first-year Nine Schools Competition, and at the time everyone thought Maya joking.

But to my surprise, Ayako actually took it seriously!

And we've been looking forward to it!

However, what she said makes sense; once one assumes the position of head of the family, a suitor will inevitably arrive.

Because magicians generally advocate for early marriage.

Unless there are special circumstances like Maya or Goze Mio, being single for life is absolutely not allowed.

Although Mahiro is not single, and his girlfriends could easily form a reinforced all-female company, none of them have ever appeared by his side as a formal wife.

Rather, Ayako's decision, to some extent, resolved his underlying contradictions.

"I see... So, the Kuroba Family didn't decide to recommend Miyuki as the next head of the family because of the recent Spring Festival celebration. Is that right?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I meant."

"Giggle..."

Maya couldn't help but laugh out loud, even laughing until tears streamed down her face. She picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped them away.

As the Yotsuba Miya sister, Ayako's elegant appearance and seemed to see the figure of Maya.

They are not only similar in appearance, but also in personality.

She's more like Maya's daughter.

"Master, I also have something to say."

"Oh? Seung-sung? What are you trying to say now?"

Maya asked with a smile.

"Yes."

Shibata Katsushige, the candidate for the Shibata, stood up and bowed very seriously.

"As the Shibata head of the Shinba family, I also recommend Miyuki Shiba."

"Oh?"

Maya glanced at Katsunari, who bowed again and returned to his seat, and smiled with great pleasure:

"That's really interesting. And what about you, Tsukuba Yuuka?"

Maya shifted her gaze to the woman sitting near the last seat of the candidates, who remained silent and offered no opinion.

"Master, I will also give up my candidacy, but I will recommend Yotsuba Mahiro."

Her answer surprised Maya somewhat, but it was also within her expectations.

I initially thought the Tsukuba Family would side with the other branch families, but perhaps Mahiro conversation with Tsukuba Yuuka earlier had an effect?

However, the other branch families were unaware of the specific deal between Mahiro and Tsukuba Yuuka, and they all looked at them with questioning eyes.

It's as if I'm looking at a traitor!

However, Tsukuba Yuuka accepted all these gazes without a care.

"So what's your reasoning?" Maya asked.

But Tsukuba Yuuka said bluntly:

"Master, if I don't choose to support my Mahiro at this time, won't I be missing an opportunity?"

"Does this mean you want to Mahiro a favor?"

"No, it's merely icing on the cake, Master."

If the competition for the position of family head were to be decided solely among the four of them, even if Miyuki had a high chance of winning, she would still do everything in her power to secure it.

But that's not the case.

There's now Yotsuba Mahiro.

She didn't feel qualified to compete with her cousin, who was the bane of all magicians, for a position.

I don't think the bond between the head of the family Maya Yotsuba, and her son Yotsuba Mahiro, is as weak as that between other branch families.

It's worth noting that even Yotsuba Mahiro was given to Mashima Island unconditionally and allowed to develop freely.

Isn't that clear enough?

"And what about you, Miyuki? What's your opinion?"

Maya looked at the last one of the four.

Miyuki's expression gradually changed from initial tension to calmness and determination.

It did not sway her, who seemed like a naive young girl who had never seen the world.

"Aunt, I'm still a bit far from being the next head of the Yotsuba Family. Neither my magical power nor my magical skills can compare to Mahiro -nii... Therefore, I've decided to support Mahiro- nii as the head of the Yotsuba Family."

!!!

Miyuki's words shocked all the branch families who supported her.

We were ready to fight to the death, why did Your Majesty surrender first?!

That's probably how they felt right now, having been cruelly betrayed by Miyuki Shiba!

However, when he looked at Yotsuba Mahiro, his eyes held a great deal of hostility.

To let this experimental subject with tainted blood become the head of the Yotsuba Family?

Stop joking!

However, they forgot that the original Yotsuba Family originated from the Fourth Laboratory...

Moreover, it is completely different from the other Ten Master Clans, and is the only achievement of the Fourth Laboratory.

"Yes, I understand."

Maya nodded slightly with a calm expression, while Yotsuba Miya looked at Miyuki with encouraging eyes, as if to say, "Well done."

"Well then, let me just announce the conclusion. What do you all think?"

Having said all that, how could they possibly say anything else!

Even if they knew the outcome, they still had to wait for Maya to say it herself before they could think of a way to refute it.

"Since no one objects, I will now announce the conclusion: I have decided that my child, Yotsuba Mahiro succeed as the next head of the family."

As expected.

That makes sense.

But this decision did not displease the faces of those who had split up, and they all looked gloomy.

However, Maya ignored them and looked at Ayako alone, saying:

"Ayako."

"Yes, Master."

"There's no need to be so nervous or worried."

Maya smiled and comforted him, "I will keep my promise to you. I will definitely make you Mahiro's wife."

"R-Really?! Your Excellency, I am deeply humbled and grateful!"

Ayako almost thought she was hallucinating!

I was so happy I almost jumped for joy.

She was finally able to fulfill her long-cherished wish; she was finally able to surpass Miyuki by one step!

However, Miyuki was in a somewhat gloomy mood.

She was naturally happy that her brother Mahiro, had been appointed as the head of the family, but...

She also wants to marry Mahiro- nii!

But how do I bring it up...?

"Little Mahiro, is there anything you want to say?"

Mahiro, who was watching the show, was suddenly called on.

"Say something... Hmm, I do have something to say."

Mahiro for a moment, but instead of standing up to talk to Maya like the others, he remained seated, becoming increasingly relaxed and at ease.

His gaze slowly swept over the members of the branch family, and as he sensed their resentful eyes, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"I know that many of you may resent my position as head of the Yotsuba Family, but I am a very democratic person. If you have any objections, please speak them now."

Mahiro acted very generously.

The members of the branch families looked at each other in confusion, none of them knowing what he was up to.

But just because they dare not be the first to act doesn't mean they aren't reckless.

"I object!"

Suddenly someone stood up.

The speaker was from the Mashiba Family, with whom he had the deepest grudge, and the next head of the Mashiba Family.

As for his name, Mahiro couldn't remember it anymore, or rather, it was a stranger to someone who would soon no longer belong to the Yotsuba Family.

He doesn't need to remember names.

"You're not an experimental subject from the Fourth Laboratory Institute. Like those other modifier guardians, you're just part of the Yotsuba Family's estate. What right do you have to sit in the position of family head!"

The head of the Mashiba Family spoke frankly.

But what he didn't know was that his words offended more than just Yotsuba Mahiro.

Even Shibata Katsushige's face darkened.

Is the Adjustment Body merely a family asset of the Yotsuba Family...?

"Does anyone else have any opinions? Everyone is welcome to speak freely."

Mahiro remained calm and composed, neither annoyed nor angry, and inquired about the others.

However, the more this happened, the more frightened the people who had separated from the family became.

You know, a dog that bites doesn't bark!

So they all shut their mouths and didn't say a word.

"Is that all?"