"Aunt, it's been a long time since I last sent my greetings."
Inside the room, Tatsuya Shiba, having answered the phone, immediately greeted the noblewoman on the other end of the line.
"Yeah, Tatsuya. I'm relieved to see you're alright. Oh, and Miyuki too. But it really is a disaster. We had a rare holiday, and this happened." Maya Yotsuba looked at the screen with a smile, but to Tatsuya Shiba and Miyuki Shiba, it seemed as if Maya was staring directly at them.
"No, this kind of disaster is certainly not something we want to encounter," said Tatsuya Shiba.
"So, Tatsuya, what's your opinion on that child?" Maya Yotsuba abruptly changed the subject, leaving Miyuki Shiba slightly distracted. But Tatsuya Shiba already understood Maya Yotsuba's meaning and replied directly, "I believe we shouldn't make blind judgments before we understand his background and purpose."
"Is that so? That's your conclusion." Maya Yotsuba replied.
" Miyuki."
Upon hearing Maya Yotsuba call her name, Miyuki Shiba immediately responded.
"As the head of the Yotsuba Family, I now give you a task," Maya Yotsuba said.
"A mission, is it?" Miyuki Shiba asked in confusion.
"Yes, it's a mission," Maya Yotsuba said seriously. "It's also an order."
Upon hearing Maya Yotsuba's words, Miyuki Shiba immediately tensed up. If it were just a task, Miyuki Shiba would have the option to accept or refuse. But with the word "order" added, she only had one option: accept and carry it out.
"I require you to get as close to Liu Yunyi as possible and establish a relationship with him. Of course, you can decide what kind of relationship you choose. But the option of becoming his enemy is not included. Do you understand, Miyuki?" Maya Yotsuba said.
"... Yes, I understand, Head of the Clan," Miyuki Shiba replied. Moreover, she changed her form of address, using the respectful title appropriate for the head of the clan.
" Tatsuya, while you're on a mission in Miyuki, you'll continue to serve as a guardian. At the same time, you'll also act as an assistant on the mission. Is that alright?" Maya Yotsuba asked Tatsuya Shiba.
"Yes!" Tatsuya Shiba's answer was much more decisive.
However, Maya Yotsuba understood very well that Tatsuya Shiba's reaction was not out of respect or obedience, but because the mission was primarily Miyuki Shiba's responsibility, which was why he accepted it. If she had directly given Tatsuya Shiba such an order, the result would probably have been quite different.
" Tatsuya, and Miyuki, come to the main house after you return from Ogasawara. Remember to avoid being seen by others. We'll continue the rest when we're face to face. Understand?" Maya Yotsuba gave another instruction before hanging up.
After the communication screen was turned off, Miyuki Shiba immediately lowered her head. Her right hand was tightly gripping her left arm, and the force was so great that it even left red marks on her skin.
" Miyuki!"
Seeing his sister's self-harming behavior, Tatsuya Shiba immediately stopped her from continuing.
"Brother... why..." Miyuki Shiba's emotions were extremely unstable. There were Psions swirling around her, and slowing magic was unconsciously released.
Tatsuya Shiba pulled her into his arms and gently stroked her head to soothe her.
" Miyuki, don't overthink it. Your aunt gave you the freedom to choose your relationship with Yunyi, not because she had any ulterior motives. You should understand that," Tatsuya Shiba advised.
"Yes, Miyuki knows. But this time it's Yunyi, so who will it be next time? And brother, won't Aunt really betroth me to someone else in the future? If that happens, Miyuki doesn't want it!" Miyuki Shiba's emotions were already on the verge of collapse.
Seeing his sister in this state, Tatsuya Shiba felt a pang of pity. He was contemplating whether, if he took advantage of this return to the main family to completely defeat or even kill Maya Yotsuba, Miyuki wouldn't have to endure this anymore.
However, the answer is pessimistic. Even if he could kill Maya Yotsuba, he wouldn't be able to subdue the Yotsuba Clan as a whole. If he couldn't do that, even killing Maya Yotsuba would only make the Yotsuba Clan group completely hostile to the siblings.
"I'm sorry, brother, for making you worry about Miyuki. Please don't worry, brother, I will continue to be patient until you are ready." Miyuki Shiba buried her head in Tatsuya Shiba's chest, her tears soaking his clothes.
At the same time, Yunyi and Mayumi Saegusa returned to their room. However, there were two little quails in the room, looking around curiously.
"Hey Kasumi and Izumi, are you two on a treasure hunt?" Yunyi asked the two little ones helplessly.
"Hehe~" Kasumi Saegusa chuckled mischievously, "I thought there would be more things in the room after you and Brother Yunyi got together, but it seems like there aren't any."
"Ouch, that hurts!"
She had barely finished Kanon when Mayumi Saegusa gave her a merciless tap on the head.
" Kasumi, do you know what you're saying?! What kind of nonsense is going on in your head?!"
"And Izumi too, you wouldn't think the same way, would you!?"
Seeing that Mayumi Saegusa was a little angry, the two little ones instantly turned into little quails.
Yunyi found this scene amusing, but just as Mayumi Saegusa was about to warn the two little ones, Yunyi stopped her.
"Alright Mayumi, they're still children. It's understandable that they're interested in those things."
Hearing Yunyi's advice, Mayumi Saegusa glared at him fiercely. But before she could say anything, Yunyi turned his gaze to the twins.
" Kasumi and Izumi, my relationship with Mayumi is acknowledged, so I'm not afraid for you to know. But this matter is not to be mentioned to outsiders. I think you two can do that, right? Otherwise, I'll have to use magic to erase some of your memories," Yunyi said with a light laugh.
Although his tone didn't show any particular emotion, the twins trembled slightly. The two little ones huddled together, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at Yunyi.
"Alright, just remember not to tell anyone. Now let's get down to business," Yunyi suggested.
He wiped the smile off his face, which immediately put Kasumi and Izumi at ease. For the two of them, they'd rather face Yunyi's serious, cold, or even poker-faced demeanor than see that smile he'd just had—it was simply too frightening.