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"Thank you so much for that." Aunt Lartoria felt a little odd but still gave a polite nod of gratitude.
For some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that this boy's attitude toward her was somewhat… different.
But it must be her imagination. After all, he was the son of a good friend, and he had so readily agreed to become her daughter's sword technique teacher. Surely, he was an upright young man.
"Alright!" Artoria pumped her fist slightly, her face lighting up with excitement.
"What are you all yelling about this early in the morning? Some of us are trying to sleep!"
Just as they were chatting, Footsteps sounded again from the second floor.
A moment later, yet another Artoria descended the stairs. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she grumbled irritably as she came down.
"Oh my, are they twins?" Minamoto Yorimitsu covered her mouth in surprise as she stared at the two Artorias.
"No, actually, they're not twins…" Aunt Lartoria waved her hand gently, denying the notion with elegant composure.
The second Artoria blinked the sleepiness from her eyes, her cold gaze briefly sweeping over the two unfamiliar guests in the house.
Then, her eyes locked directly onto Ryoji.
"It's you." The words slipped out instinctively, a faint trace of hostility flashing in her eyes as she looked at him.
She had no ahoge sticking out from her head, her face expressionless, giving her a distinctly colder vibe than the first girl.
"She's Artoria Alter, my third daughter. You can just call her Alter," Aunt Lartoria explained with a smile as she stepped forward to introduce her.
"You two know each other?"
"We've only met once."
Ahoge-less Alter quickly smoothed out her expression and replied blandly.
"I'm going to wash my face."
She clearly had no intention of elaborating further. Without waiting for Aunt Lartoria to say anything, she turned and headed straight for the bathroom, not even bothering to greet the guests.
"Sorry about that," Lartoria said apologetically. "She's a bit quiet and introverted, but she's not a bad kid."
"It's fine, it's fine. Kids come in all sorts of personalities, that's a good thing." Yorimitsu was gracious and forgiving, though her curiosity was visibly piqued. "You said she's your third daughter… then who are your first and second?"
"Ria is my second daughter."
Lartoria glanced at Saber standing beside her, signaling with her eyes. "She and Alter are in the same year at TYPE-MOON Academy, senior high. They're the same age. My eldest daughter is older than both of them. She's already working and left for work early this morning."
"But isn't today the weekend?"
"I heard her department needed her to work overtime today. She's a police officer."
"A police officer? Amazing!"
Yorimitsu's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Your three daughters all have such different personalities, how enviable!"
She was a complete child enthusiast.
Sure, Ryoji and Souji weren't bad, but nothing delighted her more than being surrounded by more kids.
"No, I don't just have three daughters."
Lartoria's cheeks flushed red as she explained shyly under everyone's gaze.
"I actually have five daughters in total. The other two are still asleep upstairs."
"Five…?!"
Yorimitsu practically vibrated with envy, her excitement palpable.
'I get it now!' Ryoji's eyes widened in realization.
This was the Quintuple Ahoge! Even their mom was an ahoge who'd stepped in as her own substitute! But who in the world was their dad? Someone who could single-handedly 'collect' this many ahoges?!
That was beyond envy, no, that was pure bliss!
"Aunt Lartoria, if I may ask… where's Uncle right now?" Ryoji looked at her with wide-eyed innocence as he asked.
"My husband… he's not in the country." Lartoria's expression flickered, suddenly a little unnatural.
"All right, all right, let's have some tea first. I'm quite confident in my tea-brewing skills."
She placed steaming cups of black tea in front of everyone, gently urging them to drink.
It was obvious she was changing the subject, clearly, she didn't want to continue discussing her husband.
'Looks like this family's got secrets!' Ryoji felt a thrill run through him.
'Doesn't this mean… there's a chance for me to swing my hoe, no, no, show some care for a lonely housewife?!'
'Sigh… where else can you find such a kindhearted guy like me these days!'
"Well then, I'll be taking my leave." After finishing her tea, Minamoto Yorimitsu rose from the sofa.
"Won't you stay a bit longer?"
"No, I only asked the shop manager for half a day off today. I have to get back to work."
Yorimitsu politely declined Madam Lartoria's invitation, then turned to remind Ryoji:
"Li, make sure you teach Ria sword technique properly. No slacking off!"
"Of course."
Ryoji promised earnestly.
"I'll walk you out."
Lartoria stood and escorted Yorimitsu to the door.
"Hey."
Once only Ryoji and the two Artorias remained in the living room, the ahoge-less Alter suddenly stood and gave him a pointed look.
"Come with me for a moment."
Without another word, she headed straight upstairs.
"Kouhai, do you and Alter not get along?"
Saber, seated beside him, popped the remaining waffles one by one into her mouth, asking curiously.
"It's more like… she doesn't like me."
Ryoji spread his hands innocently.
After all, a pure and virtuous young man like him would never harbor harmful intentions.
Second floor.
A total of six rooms were neatly lined up in two rows. The nameplates on each door made it clear these were bedrooms for six family members.
Alter stopped at her door, opened it, and with a cold wave of her hand, beckoned him inside.
Straight into her bedroom?
Whoa, things are moving fast!
Ryoji's eyes flicked across the nameplates one by one, eyebrows raising in a "just as I thought" expression, before following her inside.
"What do you need me for?"
Alter's room was painted in darker tones, devoid of any girlish pink. Everything was meticulously tidy, even the blanket on the bed was neatly folded. Not a trace of disorder.
"Let me make this clear first: if you're here to cause me trouble, I'm not interested."
"…No. I was planning to, but this isn't something I should say at home."
Confronted with Ryoji's firm stance, Alter fell silent for a moment.
There was a struggle on her face, along with deep reluctance, she clearly didn't want to reveal this to him.
"…I have a little brother outside. Can you not tell my family about it?"
Huh?
Huhhh?
Ryoji blinked, realization dawning.
"So that's how it is… hahahaha."
He suddenly burst out laughing, a bright grin spreading across his face.
"I get it. You're living a delinquent life out there, and your family has no idea, huh?"
"…Yes."
Her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment and anger under his teasing gaze.
I really didn't want this guy to know!
But if he let something slip, that'd be a disaster. I had to warn him.
Seriously, why was this guy chosen to be my sister's sword instructor?! The heavens are blind!
"Relax, relax, I can help you out."
Ryoji's grin turned wicked.
"But you know… every favor in this world comes at a price, right?"
(End of Chapter)