Webber the Kindergarten Principal Confesses to Shiki

The journey back to Japan was completely uneventful. There were no assassinations, no natural disasters, and naturally, no unexpected adventures.

When I returned to the mansion, I found Aozaki Touko giving Gray her introduction to magecraft.

When Aozaki Touko saw me, she walked over and said, "Gray's magical foundation is more or less complete. She's truly talented, and she should indeed be sent to the Clock Tower for a systematic education. It's just that this child's constitution is rather difficult to describe."

"Oh?" I asked curiously. "What kind of constitution?" Is it that sensitivity to spiritual bodies? Put simply, she attracts ghosts. And Gray is terrified of ghosts.

"Put simply, this child is extremely sensitive to spiritual bodies. She's very suited to practicing necromantic magecraft, but she seems to be afraid of ghosts."

"Now that you're back, I should be leaving as well. Araya Souren has dumped all his work on me, so I need to get back to my magecraft experiments."

"Need a recommendation? I can write a letter to my teacher. I'm sure she'd be happy to teach this child."

"No need. I have a better candidate. When it comes to teaching, that person loses to no one."

"What kind of person could earn such high praise from you? I really want to see for myself."

"You'll have the chance. You'll meet them then." With that, she waved and went to see Gray. When Gray saw me approaching, she trotted over as well.

Without the gray hooded coat, she had a face exactly like the Spiky-Haired King's when she was young, even down to the identical eye color. If I couldn't have the Spiky-Haired King, having her substitute was just as good. Once she grew up, that would make four Type-Moon girlfriends times two... I didn't even dare think about the other two.

Gray bowed to me properly. Instead of following the usual routine, I scooped her up and raised her high into the air, startling a scream out of her.

After setting her down, I gave her a head pat and said, "Teacher Touko said your magical foundation is nearly complete. I plan to send you to the Clock Tower for proper magecraft training. It's a little earlier than expected, but I believe you can do it. What do you think?"

Gray calmed herself and said, "I will obey all of Teacher's arrangements."

"That's good. I won't be taking you there myself this time. I'll arrange for someone to bring you over—the Teacher Waver you met before. I've already spoken to her. Also, make sure to become good friends with Rin, Sakura, and Reines."

Gray answered seriously, "I will."

I patted her head again and said, "You don't need to be so serious. Relax a little." Then I waved and went to see Aoi.

At that moment, Aoi was sunbathing in the courtyard. She was five months pregnant, but because of her status, she could no longer move about as freely as before. When she saw me, she tried to rise, but I stopped her.

I walked over, stroked Aoi's belly, and pressed my ear against it to listen. There was no movement. I had been overthinking it; after all, it had only been five months.

Looking at Aoi, I said, "You've worked hard." Her eyes moist, Aoi replied, "It hasn't been hard. When I think that this is your child, I feel even happier."

After a while of sweet nothings, I said, "It's a pity I can't give you a proper status or let you walk around openly. There are some rules even I can't break."

Aoi comforted me instead. "I understand. It's like with Sakura back then. I don't mind."

"Don't worry. One day, I'll break these shackles. It won't take long. I really hope it's a son, though. That way, I'll have an heir."

Aoi objected, "I still hope it's a daughter. She won't have to take part in the family's conflicts. She can have a happy childhood and live carefree for the rest of her life."

Son or daughter, they would both be my treasure. I did not leave until after dinner.

Although I felt sorry for Aoi, it was time to bring Shiki over. I still had to confess what needed confessing. Otherwise, if the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception came for me later, it would be no joke.

The next day, Gray set off. She boarded the plane with a nervous heart. I could imagine Waver's expression when she saw Gray. I also set out for Mifune City to pick up Shiki Ryougi.

Gray arrived before Waver. Waver's first reaction was, So that's the truth. Her second was, You bastard, did you really turn this place into a kindergarten? This is not the bus to kindergarten!

After Gray, Rin, Sakura, and Reines came together, the Clock Tower would produce the legendary contemporary F4. But that was a story for later.

After arriving in Mifune City, I went directly to Shiki Ryougi's home. Shiki Ryougi, who was still specially training her Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, excitedly ran over when she saw me—then drew her knife. Shouldn't this have been a hug???

I did not dodge. I let the tip of her blade stop just one centimeter away from me. Shiki lost interest and withdrew her hand. "Boring. You didn't even know to dodge."

I smiled awkwardly. "I trusted that Shiki wouldn't really stab me. Even if you did, there would definitely be a reason. Maybe there was an evil spirit on me, and Shiki merely wanted to stab it."

Then I pulled her into my arms. We had only been apart for half a year, but Shiki seemed much more open-minded now. Maybe when I confessed later, she would not stab me.

Shiki symbolically struggled for a moment before hugging me back. A brief parting made the reunion sweeter, after all.

We found a place to sit and talked about what had happened recently. Shiki said haughtily, "I can already use the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception skillfully. I also discovered that they can kill not only living and dead things, but even ghosts."

"It's just that seeing everything as lines is uncomfortable. When I'm not training, I have to wear glasses, which is very inconvenient."

I praised her. "That's amazing. Shiki will definitely become my capable right-hand woman and virtuous wife in the future."

When the moment seemed right, I confessed. "Shiki, I need to tell you the truth. I don't want to lie to you. I actually have another woman in Tokyo, and she's pregnant now. But don't worry, she's only an ordinary woman and won't interfere with us." Was that the sort of thing a scumbag would say?

Shiki did not say anything immediately. She looked at me for a while before saying, "Father taught me about this sort of thing. Father also has other women outside, and even illegitimate children. He simply never brought them home."

"After we get married, Father may choose a child with good aptitude from outside to bring back and continue the family line. After all, my brother doesn't have much talent. Perhaps he can only go into business. Though with your financial support, going into business might have a better future than becoming the family head."

"So Shiki isn't angry—" Before I could finish, her small knife flashed and sliced away several strands of my hair.

Shiki asked in return, "What do you think?"

I carefully moved the knife aside. "You're not angry. You definitely aren't angry."

Shiki snorted and withdrew her knife. Then she suddenly hugged me, her voice mixed with sobs. "If you ever betray me, I will definitely die together with you."

I hugged her back. "I won't. Shiki will forever be the only one in my heart." I passed. This felt amazing.

"Come live in Tokyo with me this time. You should get familiar with life over there." Shiki agreed. She packed up that very day, and we hurried back to Tokyo. After all, there was not much left here for her to miss.