Daily Life, Far-Reaching Fame, Arrangements

When I returned to the Genji Estate, practically everyone who could come had gathered at the gates to welcome me. There was really no need to make such a grand display, but the Elder Council wanted the Tohsaka family to see my standing within the clan.

When the Elder Council saw a stunning beauty and two little beauties get out of the car and give me looks every man understood, I naturally understood what they meant. But this was not the time to explain.

Two elementary school girls and one widow—what could I possibly do? Play the long game or become Cao Cao? I, Genji, was an upright gentleman.

After getting the Tohsaka mother and daughters settled in, I finally took a bath for the first time in ages. It had been nearly two years since I had last soaked in one. It felt incredible.

Not long after I got in, the door opened. Looking closely, I saw Fujino enter. Even wrapped in a bath towel, her figure was already starting to take shape. I was having a hard time keeping my gun down.

"Big Brother, let me scrub your back." Without waiting for my agreement or refusal, she stepped into the bath and slowly came toward me.

Just as I was agonizing over whether to accept or refuse, the door opened again, and Rin's voice came through. "Mom, Sakura, look at this huge bath! Come on!" She ran in and jumped into the water. After popping back up, she noticed Fujino was there too. "Eek, the perverted lolicon is here too!" Then she dove back underwater.

She poked her head out and shouted, "Mom, Sakura, don't come in! The perverted lolicon is already in there—you'll get seen naked!"

Aoi Tohsaka entered wearing a bath towel and said, "Rin, that was very rude. How can you run around like that? Watch your words too." Then she slowly approached and asked, "We're not disturbing you two, are we?" She then entered the bath together with Sakura.

My brain completely crashed, and I reflexively replied, "Not at all. The bath is big enough for everyone."

Then I realized I had said something wrong. Inviting my future mother-in-law to bathe together? This development was getting way out of hand.

Yet Aoi Tohsaka really did walk in, and she even moved closer to me. Now not only was I at a loss, Fujino was too.

Fujino's thoughts were simple: Big Brother is too outstanding. Another rival has appeared. Damn it, I was clearly here first.

Sisters, mothers, older women... no one taught me about this. What should I do? I was originally planning to win Big Brother over today.

Aoi Tohsaka spoke up. "Thank you for taking in my two daughters and me, Shi Kai. After learning that my husband had died, I contacted my family as well, but their attitude left me completely lost. If you had not taken us in, I truly would not have known what to do."

As she spoke, tears flowed from her eyes. "I know about the original contract as well. But after my husband died, it could have been voided at any time. Yet you were still willing to honor it. Thank you so very much."

I immediately said, "The contract was only an excuse. Since Sakura is my fiancée, taking care of you is simply my responsibility. It's no trouble at all. Stay as long as you want. I'll also arrange Rin and Sakura's schooling. Leave everything to me."

No, I couldn't keep the gun down anymore. Time to run. I decisively said, "I'm done washing. You all take your time." Then I slipped away in a flash.

After bathing, I did not return to my room. Instead, I summoned the Elder Council for a meeting. The moment I entered the conference room, countless flattering voices greeted me. I said directly, "There's no need for flattery. Let's get to business."

The former clan head spoke. "After this Holy Grail War, the Tohsaka Household and the Matou Household are practically finished. We have taken over Fuyuki City's ley lines, along with the ownerless assets of the Tohsaka and Matou families."

"The Einzbern Household has no intention of competing with us. Our plan is to find someone with some ability and send them there with a few clan members to establish a branch of the Genji Clan."

"Although the original contract mentioned using the Tohsaka Household to nominate the Genji Clan, while we would help them win the Holy Grail War, Tokiomi Tohsaka's death has turned it into our unilateral annexation of Fuyuki City."

"We no longer need outside help to become a first-rate magecraft family."

"The way people address you outside has changed as well. In Japan, you have gone from being the hope of the Genji Clan to a rising star of Japan's magecraft world. Your name has spread throughout the entire Japanese magecraft community."

"Now, no matter which magecraft family you visit, they would treat you as an honored guest. Many families want marriage alliances with us, and some clan heads even want to marry their talented direct descendants to you."

"I have temporarily refused those offers. Your eighteenth birthday is coming soon, Clan Head. When your coming-of-age ceremony is held, if you take a liking to a girl from any family, we can arrange the match. The original contract was effectively voided when Tokiomi Tohsaka died. Making Sakura Tohsaka the clan head's wife would be rather beneath your status."

"And it would invite contempt from other families. After all, if a clan head's wife comes from a weak family, she will be looked down upon. She would also become a thorn in many people's eyes. I believe you understand what I mean, Clan Head."

"But the final decision is yours to make. We are merely offering our advice."

A man is innocent, but possessing a treasure makes him guilty. Those who wanted to rise would do everything possible to drag her down. And Sakura was not someone who liked to fight for things. I would consider this carefully.

A widowed mother and orphaned daughters with no support really would face greater danger. "Is there anything else? If not, this meeting is adjourned."

After the meeting ended, I did not return to my room. Instead, I went to the study. Reading again after so long did not calm me down. I had bragged too much in the bathhouse, and I did not know how to explain things to them.

They would accept it if I told them, but there would inevitably be some resentment. I needed to give them suitable compensation. Where should I start?

After a sleepless night, I decided that a short pain was better than a long one. I went to find Aoi Tohsaka and her two daughters and told them what had been discussed at the meeting.

Rin immediately jumped up. "Are you trying to abandon Sakura?" She rushed over to punch me, only to be pulled back by Aoi Tohsaka.

Aoi Tohsaka asked, "Then how do you intend to arrange things for us? Will we affect you by staying here?" Aoi Tohsaka, Rin, and Sakura all stared at me.

Adults really were easier to communicate with. She got straight to the point with a single sentence.

I said, "You staying here will not affect anything. You can stay as long as you want. I am mainly concerned about your safety."

"The Tohsaka Household is in trouble now—that is simply the truth. Perhaps in another ten years, when Rin and Sakura become great mages capable of standing on their own, things may change. But if Sakura becomes the clan head's wife now, I am afraid she will be in danger."

"Sakura is still my fiancée. She simply cannot have the title, at least not for now."

After saying that, I pulled Sakura into my arms. "I'm truly sorry. Some things are not mine alone to decide. Can Sakura forgive me?"

The sensible Sakura immediately replied, "I never blamed you from the beginning, Big Brother, so there's nothing for me to forgive." Rin added from the side, "When I become a great mage someday, I'll help Sakura win her title back."

Finally, Aoi Tohsaka knelt in a deep bow and said, "Thank you so very much. If there is anything you need us to do, please tell us at any time."