"Ara~"
Miori immediately let go upon hearing this, seemingly stunned.
Snap!
She flicked open her metal folding fan, covering her surprised, upturned lips, but her eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Mr. Yotsuba, I deeply apologize for my earlier rudeness..."
Miori bowed slightly and said softly, "To make up for it, may I invite you to lunch? And I'd like to offer you a high-paying position at Shiba Heavy Industries. What do you say?"
"Not a chance! Drop that idea right now, you vixen!!!"
Kisara shielded him like a mother hen protecting her chick.
"I wasn't asking you, gorilla. I was asking Mr. Yotsuba."
Miori looked past Kisara and continued, "Working under that gorilla must be quite inconvenient, no?"
"Not only is the workplace shabby, but the pay is pitiful. Why not come to Shiba Heavy Industries instead?"
"I, Shiba Miori, promise you not only a generous salary but also free access to all the weapons and equipment you need~"
She completely ignored Kisara's obstruction and shamelessly poached him right in front of her.
Originally, she had come to the IISO branch as usual to scout for promising new Promoters, but she never expected to stumble upon such a delightful surprise!
And under her archrival, Tendo Kisara, no less!
At first, she had indeed intended to provoke Kisara—after all, teasing Tendo Kisara was one of life's greatest pleasures for her.
But upon hearing about his ranking in the 8,000s, she could no longer stay calm. The idea of recruiting him for her company had already taken root in her mind.
Though Shiba Heavy Industries was the world's largest arms manufacturer, it lacked any notable Promoter teams.
Sponsoring those within the top 50 of the rankings was nearly impossible.
As for Yotsuba Mahiro, while an IP ranking in the 8,000s wasn't particularly high, this was just his initial placement after the evaluation—without even an Initiator.
If paired with a suitable Initiator, breaking into the top 100, or even the top 50, might not be a dream at all!
So, she was betting on Mahiro's future!
Besides that, she had a feeling—perhaps Mahiro was still hiding something. This intuition came from a woman's instinct.
Her intuition was usually surprisingly accurate.
"Stop ignoring me!"
Unable to endure Shiba Miori's disregard any longer, Kisara let out a furious roar.
For a moment, the gazes of everyone in the hall turned toward them.
But upon seeing Shiba Miori, they all quickly looked away, pretending they hadn't noticed anything.
Shiba Heavy Industries—they couldn't afford to provoke her.
"Ara, you're still here, Kisara."
Miori smiled at her, feigning surprise in her tone, though her face showed no trace of astonishment.
"My apologies, my apologies. Your chest is so big, I couldn't even see your face. I thought you were some escaped female gorilla from the zoo."
"!"
—Crack, crack.
Kisara's clenched fists, whitened from the pressure, emitted an inexplicable creaking sound from her bones.
Just how much force was she using to make such a noise? It was truly hard to imagine.
"Well, let's ignore that she-ape for now."
Miori paid no heed to Kisara's fury and instead clung to his arm.
"Hey, seriously, Mr. Yotsuba, why don't you come to Shiba Heavy Industries? If you're not satisfied with the previous offer, we can always negotiate~"
"No matter what, it'll definitely be better than what that she-ape can give you."
"And you know what? I heard that she-ape can't even afford to eat anymore."
Almost every word was laced with venomous sarcasm aimed at Kisara—and the worst part was, it was all true.
The first time they met, Tendo Kisara had been on the verge of collapsing from hunger.
However—
"Thank you for the kind offer, Miss Shiba. But I must apologize—as of now, I'm just a rookie without even an Initiator. I'm hardly worthy of your generosity."
Mahiro deftly slipped his arm free and took two steps back, maintaining a polite smile.
Please don't drag me into your war...
—Creak creak
From Kisara's direction came an eerie grinding noise—clearly, she was teetering on the edge of a rampage.
She deeply regretted not bringing Snow Shadow with her today. Otherwise, she would have already used Miori's blood to consecrate her blade.
This time, however, Miori didn't cling to him. She remained standing in place, still wearing that infuriatingly smug smile.
"It's fine. Shiba Heavy Industries can find you the most suitable Initiator... Besides, even the top-ranked Civil Officers started as rookies."
—Squelch!
Kisara, her head slightly lowered, made a sound like a blood vessel bursting. Her disheveled bangs completely obscured her darkened expression.
Silently, she walked to the side of the entrance and picked up one of the rods from the barrier.
"Hey, Mahiro-kun, don't you think the floor tiles look a bit too plain? They're missing the color of Miori's blood!"
She pointed the rod at her target, her eyes beneath her bangs completely devoid of light.
Though she had only known Mahiro for a few short days, he was already her treasured asset!
Especially that alchemy-like trick of turning stone into gold—it was absolutely crucial for the agency!
And Shiba Miori's blatant poaching, coupled with her mocking remarks, had thoroughly enraged her.
"President Kisara, calm down. Breaking things here means paying for damages."
Turning his head to see Kisara looking like she was ready to kill, Mahiro deadpanned his warning while subtly sidestepping further away to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
"Hah, calm down? Calm down?! Mahiro-kun, my rage is positively delighted right now!!"
Kisara panted heavily, clearly unable to suppress her fury—to the point where even her speech had devolved into incoherence.
"You vixen... Just you wait. I'll short-sell your company's stock into the ground, bankrupt your business, and then swoop in during the shareholders' meeting to make you all cry yourselves to death!"
"Don't be foolish. Shiba Heavy Industries is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section and is part of the Nikkei Tokyo 60, a cornerstone of Japan's foundational industries. Shorting our stock would be pure suicide. Besides, how much capital could the runaway daughter of the Tendo family possibly have? Going long on our company's shares would fill your pockets to bursting."
"I'd rather bite my tongue and die than buy your company's stock!"
"...So you're looking for a fight, is that it?"
"Prepare to meet your end."
Miori reached into the sleeve of her kimono and drew out her custom-made M1911 pistol, adopting the Shiba style with gun in one hand and iron fan in the other.
"I don't know what this Tendo style nonsense is—some upstart martial art barely a century old. Bow before the Shiba style."
Kisara retracted her rod to her waist, slowly lowering her stance into Tendo style's unique "Nirvana Mind Posture," coldly replying:
"Shut your mouth, you vixen! Save your mad ravings for hell."
The battle between them was imminent.
The hall grew thick with tension, then two female voices rang out simultaneously—
"Shiba Style: Twin Heavens Orange Butterfly Hell—"
"Tendo Sword Technique, First Form, Second Variation—"
As their clash began, the bodyguards assigned to protect Miori stood frozen in place, utterly at a loss.
Neither their young mistress nor the Tendo family's young lady was someone they dared interfere with.
The security personnel all retreated accordingly.
A battle between dragon and tiger was no place for mere mortals like them.
They were just working staff, after all...
...
...
...
The fight between Tendo Kisara and Shiba Miori ultimately ended without a clear victor.
Though Mahiro certainly enjoyed the show.
He secretly picked up quite a few sword techniques and moves, and watching women fight—nothing could be more entertaining.
Especially when they were two beautiful girls. It was a feast for the eyes.
While neither emerged as the clear winner, Kisara held a slight edge overall.
Even though Miori had been holding back and toying with her the whole time.
Considering Kisara's kidney issues and wielding only an iron rod from a guardrail, holding her own against Miori was impressive.
At full strength, with real swords, Kisara would likely have won outright.
After the farcical battle concluded, Mahiro headed straight home.
Perhaps for the first time in his life, he felt something akin to warmth for the concept of home—knowing someone was waiting for him there.
It felt unfamiliar, yet... not entirely unpleasant.
"I'm home~"
"...W-Welcome back, Master."
As soon as he stepped inside, he heard little Asaka's voice.
Accompanied by soft footsteps on the floor, barefooted Mibu Asaka emerged from the living room to greet him at the entrance.
There was no denying it—cleaned up, little Asaka was adorable. The makings of a beauty were already apparent, especially her waterfall of silky black hair cascading down her back. A white hairband would complete the perfect image from the original story.
However.
Since he'd thrown out those tattered clothes, little Asaka was now wearing his white dress shirt.
Though not as spacious as imagined, the garment still draped over the slender girl's frame like a dress, hanging loosely on her frail body.
Those crimson eyes no longer held yesterday's wariness or fear, yet they remained vacant and lifeless.
And most crucially, there was this form of address...
"...Listen, little Mibu, you don't need to call me 'Master' or anything like that—it makes me sound like some kind of pervert. If you'd like, just call me 'Brother.' Mahiro Brother. How does that sound?"
Having a little girl call him "Master" might be thrilling, but if outsiders heard it, they'd definitely call the police!
"Mahiro... Brother?" Asaka murmured the words hesitantly.
The term "brother" seemed unfamiliar to her, as if she were learning it for the first time.
"Yeah, that's right."
Mahiro nodded, bending down to gently stroke her long hair.
"I'm your brother, little Mibu is my sister, and this is your home. You don't have to be so formal around me."
The girl seemed to have grown accustomed to his touch, so she didn't tense or tremble. Instead, she simply stared at him blankly.
"...Brother... sister... home? I... I can have a home too?"
The girl hesitated, pointing at herself in disbelief. Clearly, the word "home" carried a vastly different meaning for her.
Born as a cursed child, abandoned heartlessly by her parents, with no place in the world to call her own—Mibu Asaka had always harbored an unresolved bitterness toward other children who took their parents' love for granted. The concept of "home" was something she yearned for deeply, yet it was also a source of profound pain.
She longed for it, yet feared it—terrified that "home" would cast her out once more.
"Of course you can. I already told you, this is your home now."
"R-really? I... have a home now... Thank you... thank you..." Asaka whispered in response.
Yet, for some reason, her eyes had already welled up with glistening tears, blurring her vision. Without even realizing it herself, they began to trickle slowly down her cheeks.
The girl reached up, lightly touching the warm liquid on her face, puzzled.
Huh? That's strange.
Why was she crying?
Back then, no matter how badly she was beaten, no matter how severe the injuries, she never shed a tear...
But now—
Why was this happening?
Why did her chest hurt so much...?
It was so strange...
"Don't cry. It's just a small thing. From now on, I'll protect you properly as your brother."
"...To you, it might be a small thing... but to me, it's anything but small... Thank you... really, thank you..."
Unable to hold back any longer, the tears that had pooled in Asaka's eyes burst forth like a broken dam, streaming down her face uncontrollably.
Just like any ordinary child, she began to sob uncontrollably, her cries unrestrained.
She had fully accepted Mahiro's kindness.
That long-empty, fragile heart of hers was finally filled with something new—a new meaning. For the first time, a flicker of emotion surfaced in her lifeless gaze.
Her world, once an endless expanse of gray, was now painted with dazzling, vibrant colors.
The heart once shattered by darkness has now pieced itself back together.
The girl could no longer maintain her usual facade of strength in front of Mahiro. For the first time after being abandoned, after enduring countless hardships, she finally broke down in tears.
Like a wounded little beast, she was reborn.
When alone, she could silently endure all the pain, licking her wounds in solitude.
But now—
From this moment on, the self she had always relied on was no longer the only one. There was someone else she could lean on.
No more shivering from cold or starving;
No more enduring endless torment;
She could cry when her heart ached;
She no longer had to bear her wounds alone...
The person before her, who had appeared like a deity to save her, had now become her new pillar of support from this day forward.
'This is... so wonderful...'
Beyond "wonderful," the girl couldn't think of any other words.
If this was a dream, she hoped she would never wake up.
At this moment, Asaka completely let herself go.
"Cry, cry. All the suffering of the past is behind you now. A bright future awaits you, little Mibu."
Watching the girl sob uncontrollably, Mahiro crouched down, opened his arms, and gently embraced the petite girl.
The moment his touch reached her, her body stiffened for an instant—an instinctive reaction urging her to push him away and flee.
But she quickly suppressed her wary heart, realizing once again that the person before her was different from those who had beaten her in the past.
He was her savior, the deity who had rescued her from suffering, her hero!
Gradually, she relaxed, even reaching out her arms to tightly wrap around his neck, bursting into loud sobs.
And so, the girl named Mibu Asaka, just like the meaning of her name, left the pain of the past behind in the darkness of night, embracing a brand-new life under the dawn's morning glow.
...
...
...
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, a year had passed.
"Yotsuba boy, come play with me~ Big bro will show you a uniquely wonderful experience~"
"Yotsuba-kun~ Would you like to play with big sis today? Big sis can take you to a realm of ultimate bliss~"
The Big Bird Spin Spin Bar on the first floor and the nightclub on the second floor were, as always, eager to solicit his business.
Unfortunately, Mahiro wanted nothing to do with any of it—or rather, he actively avoided it.
After firmly expressing his refusal, under their disappointed gazes, Mahiro made his way to the third-floor office.
"President Kisara."
"Oh, Mahiro, you're here."
His boss, Tendo Kisara, was sitting at her desk as usual, though she seemed incredibly busy. Her delicate fingers never stopped typing on the keyboard, not even sparing a moment to look up.
She had even put on glasses.
According to her, they weren't for nearsightedness but rather blue-light-blocking glasses to reduce eye strain.
Nowadays, Kisara exuded the aura of a capable businesswoman.
Well, such a change was only natural.
The current Tendo Civil Security Corporation was nothing like its original iteration. Thanks to him, the agency's reputation had skyrocketed, boasting the ability to complete any commission.
Clients came in an endless stream, and they had even accepted several direct requests from Seitenshi.
Not only was the agency thriving, but business was booming throughout the entire building—whether it was the bars and nightclubs downstairs or the loan companies upstairs.
After all, everyone had their own needs. Some clients, after completing their commissions, would head downstairs for some fun.
Those short on cash could simply go upstairs to apply for a loan.
"Mahiro-sama, here you go."
"Oh, thanks, Asaka."
"You're welcome..."
Mibu Asaka brought over a cup of hot tea and placed it neatly in front of him before standing upright beside his sofa.
After a year of trials, Asaka had undergone a tremendous transformation.
Compared to a year ago, she was practically a different person.
Physically, she was no longer as gaunt as before. Instead, she had grown into a well-proportioned, lovely young woman.
Her waist-length black hair was meticulously cared for, adorned with the pure white hairband he had given her. A white ribbon tied the upper part of her cascading locks, giving her an elegant and gentle appearance.
But as for her personality...
It was equally... no, drastically different.
Gone was the timid, tearful girl from before.
Now, Asaka was quiet, reserved, and carried an air of icy detachment.
If one were to disregard height and physique, judging solely by demeanor, she now resembled an icy, mature beauty—completely unrecognizable from her former self. There was no trace left of the girl who would wail like a child.
As for why she had become like this, the blame lay squarely with Mahiro himself.
After registering as partners with IISO, though Mahiro didn't want her to go out and fight, he still hoped she would have some ability to protect herself.
Given her talent in kendo, he had asked Kisara to teach her all combat techniques.
But unexpectedly, little Asaka seemed to have flipped some strange switch while training in kendo with Kisara.
Her personality became meticulous—even strict—like a tiny samurai.
Of course, this was only around others. In front of Mahiro, she remained the same little Asaka, a girl embodying the grace of a Yamato Nadeshiko.
"By the way, Mahiro, there are no assignments for you today~"
Kisara, having finally finished her work, looked away from the computer screen, removed her glasses, and set them aside before continuing:
"The last request was already taken by Satomi. It's just a simple Gastrea cleanup in a residential area."
"Another Gastrea? And in a downtown home?" Mahiro took a sip of tea, his brow furrowing.
"Yep. This makes the tenth case this month~~~"
Kisara stretched luxuriously in her office chair, showcasing her enviable figure, then sipped the tea little Asaka had brought her before adding, "Though this time, it's closer to the outskirts."
"Is that so..."
Mahiro hesitated slightly.
He knew the main plot was supposed to unfold around this time, but he couldn't be certain anymore.
After all, the original story hadn't mentioned so many Gastrea attacks happening beforehand!
"Speaking of which, where's Enju? She must've gone with Satomi, right?"
"Mhm, they went together."
Kisara nodded, then suddenly changed her tone. "But you know, your relationship is pretty weird~ Satomi is technically Enju-chan's Promoter, yet she gets along way better with you and barely pays him any attention~"
Over the past year, Aihara Enju and Rentaro hadn't exactly hit it off.
Though Enju had regained her naturally lively personality, she showed little enthusiasm toward Rentaro. Instead, she clung fiercely to Mahiro, the first person to ever call her by name.
Every night, she would come over to his place to sleep... No, scratch that—she had practically moved in by now.
Her relationship with Rentaro had settled into that of mere coworkers.
Oddly enough, Rentaro himself didn't seem to mind the arrangement.
"Honestly, I should've just assigned Enju-chan to you from the start. Your ranking would've shot up even higher."
Kisara sighed lightly. "And then Mibu-chan could've been my secretary."
Currently, Mahiro's ranking stood at 970th, yet his influence far surpassed even Tokyo's top-ranked 275th Promoter.
The reason was simple: Mahiro had climbed to this position entirely on his own, and he had never failed a single request.
A true lone wolf at the peak.
The moment Kisara finished speaking, little Asaka visibly stiffened, shooting her a faintly resentful glance.
It was already regrettable enough not being able to fight alongside Mahiro-sama.
And now, President Kisara actually wants to sever the bond between me and Mahiro-sama!
How unpleasant!
Mahiro couldn't help but chuckle lightly. "Come on, if little Enju were to follow me, I wouldn't let her fight either. Besides, Satomi would have to wait for IISO to assign him a new Initiator."
"I heard the last Promoter who got assigned an Initiator had to wait for months."
"And most importantly, my little Asaka wouldn't be willing to work as your secretary either."
"Indeed."
Asaka nodded solemnly with great emphasis. "I am a warrior. In life and death, I am the blade that belongs solely to Mahiro-sama, cutting through thorns to pave the way forward—even if it means breaking in the process!"
"Your relationship is quite something~"
Kisara propped her chin on her hand, studying the pair with a scrutinizing gaze.
Mahiro couldn't help but sigh softly.
"Asaka, how did you end up becoming so stiff and formal? You won't even call me 'big brother' anymore—it's not cute at all."
"Back then, you used to cling tightly to the hem of my clothes even while sleeping, always acting so timid and frail, hiding behind me whenever we walked down the street..."
"—Mahiro-sama! Please don't bring up such things anymore! That's all in the past!"
Asaka let out an adorable, flustered cry, cutting him off.
Immediately, cheerful laughter filled the office.
This was the Asaka he knew and loved...
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