Chapter 234: Who Agrees, Who Opposes?
It's here, finally here!
This most crucial moment!!
Everyone focused their attention on Maya, awaiting her next words.
"Katsushige, Yuuka, Miyuki, Fumiya."
Maya surveyed the group with a radiant smile.
The four people she had called by name in order of age unconsciously rose to their feet, standing slightly straighter.
"No need to be so tense, please sit down."
Maya raised her hand, signaling the four who had stood up to take their seats again, while adding:
"The four of you are the final candidates to become the next head of the Yotsuba Family. During the Spring Celebration that officially begins tomorrow, I intend to designate the next head and conduct the succession ceremony."
As she spoke these words, Maya was also observing their expressions.
Shibata Katsushige, Tsukuba Yuuka, and Kuroba Fumiya showed little change, and even Ayako beside Fumiya remained perfectly calm.
Only Miyuki seemed somewhat nervous, clutching her skirt and creating slight wrinkles in the fabric.
Seeing this, Maya smiled warmly and comforted her:
"However, I can understand how you must be feeling right now. If I were to make a sudden announcement tomorrow, your emotions might be even harder to settle."
"Considering this, I decided to inform everyone in advance about who will be selected as the next head of the Yotsuba Family..."
"Head-sama, may I say a few words?"
"Oh my, Fumiya, what is it?"
Maya was surprised because her speech had been interrupted, and of all people, by Kuroba Fumiya.
"Forgive my rudeness."
After bowing politely, Fumiya nervously stood up again.
"Since you've permitted me, I'll speak. The Kuroba Family intends to return my status as candidate for the next family head, and we recommend Shiba Miyuki to become the next head."
"Eh???"
Miyuki's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Fumiya.
The Kuroba Family had clearly been supporting Mahiro-nii-sama, so why were they suddenly supporting her?
Could it be... Uncle Kuroba?
Her mind immediately flashed to the image of that middle-aged man tightly wrapped in a black coat.
"Oh? How interesting."
Maya picked up her teacup and took a gentle sip, a patch of darkness appearing in the swirling tea.
Although she hadn't determined the candidate for the next family head herself, declaring withdrawal from the candidacy at this moment...
In a certain sense, this was an act of defiance toward Maya.
Not to mention, they were now supporting Miyuki.
Even Miya, as Miyuki's mother, furrowed her brow slightly upon hearing this.
But Maya didn't pursue the matter.
Facing Fumiya who had specifically chosen this moment to withdraw, she sent him a meaningful look.
And quietly asked:
"Fumiya, is this your idea, or Mitsu's?"
"..."
"This is the Kuroba Family's decision, Maya-sama."
Ayako, beside Fumiya, suddenly answered in his place.
Then she stood up and bowed slightly toward Maya in the main seat.
"Family Head-sama, please forgive my rudeness for interrupting."
"That's quite alright, but would you mind telling me the reason, Ayako?"
The corners of Maya's mouth curled up in a faint, pleased smile.
Not only was she not angry, she even seemed somewhat pleased, even a little delighted.
"I recall your Kuroba Family has always been on very good terms with little Mahiro. To suddenly support Miyuki instead—is there some reason for this?"
"There is no other reason, Family Head. This is entirely my own responsibility, based on my personal judgment to prevent Fumiya from continuing to support Mahiro-niisan."
Upon hearing this, the entire room collectively drew a sharp breath.
"Si-sister...?"
Fumiya was also thoroughly frightened, wanting to explain but stopped by Ayako's sharp gaze.
If this was merely suspicion before, now it was outright insubordination!
And judging by Ayako's demeanor, she intended to bear both the responsibility and Maya's wrath alone?
Yet the expected fury never came.
After listening to those words, Maya instead curled up the corners of her mouth in delight.
"What kind of judgment was it specifically?"
"If Mahiro-niisan becomes the Family Head, then the Yotsuba Family will arrange a fiancée for him. Family Head, you once promised me that I could become Mahiro-niisan's wife, yet this promise was never fulfilled."
"Therefore, I absolutely cannot allow Mahiro-niisan to become the Yotsuba Family Head!"
Ayako's explanation left everyone present speechless.
Even those on Mahiro's side were no exception.
Esdeath glanced at him with playful interest, while Kisara shot him an angry glare as if saying, "You wouldn't even spare someone this young?!"
As for Seitenshi, though she watched him with a smile, that smile carried a somewhat "nuclear" kindness.
This was giving him a bit of a headache.
He clearly remembered this incident happened during the first-year Nine Schools Competition, when he thought Maya was just joking.
But he never expected Ayako took it seriously!
And had been looking forward to it all this time!
However, she wasn't wrong—once he assumed the Family Head position, an arranged engagement would inevitably follow.
Because magicians typically advocate early marriage.
Unless one had special circumstances like Maya or Itsuwa Mio, remaining single for life was absolutely not permitted.
Although Mahiro wasn't single and had enough girlfriends to form a reinforced female company, none had ever stood by his side as an officially recognized wife.
In a way, Ayako's decision actually resolved a potential conflict for him.
"I see... So, the Kuroba Family didn't decide to recommend Miyuki as the next Family Head due to recent influences from the Spring Celebration Assembly. Is that correct?"
"Yes. That is precisely what I mean."
"Pfft..."
Maya couldn't help but laugh, even shedding tears of amusement, dabbing them away delicately with a handkerchief.
Meanwhile, her elder sister Miya, watching Ayako's elegant demeanor, seemed to see a reflection of Maya herself.
Not only in appearance, but even in personality.
She resembled Maya more like a daughter.
"Family Head, I also have something to say."
"Oh? Katsushige? What do you wish to say now?"
Maya asked with a smile.
"Yes."
Shibata Katsushige, candidate from the Shibata Family, stood up and bowed very seriously.
"As the next head of the Shibata family, I also recommend Miyuki Shiba."
"Oh?"
Maya glanced at Katsushige, who had bowed again and returned to his seat, then smiled with great amusement:
"How interesting. And what about you, Yuuka?"
Maya shifted her gaze to the woman sitting near the end of the candidates' seats who had remained silent and expressed no opinion throughout.
"To answer the Head, I also withdraw my candidacy, but I recommend Yotsuba Mahiro."
Her response was somewhat unexpected to Mahiro, yet within expectations.
He had originally thought the Tsukuba family would side with the other branch families, but perhaps his earlier conversation with Yuuka had made a difference?
However, the other branch families had no knowledge of what transaction had occurred between Mahiro and Yuuka, and they all looked at her with questioning eyes.
As if looking at a traitor!
Yet Yuuka paid no mind to these gazes, accepting them all indifferently.
"And your reason?" Maya asked.
To which Yuuka stated plainly:
"Head, if I don't choose to support my cousin Mahiro at this moment, wouldn't I be missing my chance?"
"You mean you want to owe young Mahiro a favor?"
"No, merely adding flowers to the brocade, Head."
If the competition for the head position were solely among the four of them, even if Miyuki had a high chance of winning, she would have spared no effort to contend for it.
But that wasn't the case.
There was an additional candidate: Yotsuba Mahiro.
She didn't believe she was qualified to compete with this cousin who was the bane of all magicians.
Nor did she believe the bond between Head Yotsuba Maya and her son Mahiro was as weak as the other branch families claimed.
After all, even Misaki Island had been unconditionally given to Mahiro and left to his development.
Wasn't that clear enough?
"And what about you, Miyuki? What is your opinion?"
Maya turned to the last of the four.
Miyuki's expression had shifted from initial tension to calm and determination.
It hadn't shaken her, unlike some inexperienced young girl.
"Aunt, at present, I am still some distance from being the next head of the Yotsuba family. Whether in magical power or technique, I cannot match Mahiro-nii... Therefore, I have decided to support Mahiro-nii as the next head of the Yotsuba family."
"!!!"
Miyuki's words shocked all the branch families supporting her.
"We were prepared to fight to the death, so why has Your Majesty surrendered first?!"
That was likely their sentiment at this moment, feeling brutally betrayed by Miyuki!
But when they looked at Mahiro, their eyes held much more hostility.
Let this experimental subject with tainted blood become the head of the Yotsuba family?
Don't be ridiculous!
However, they forgot that the original Yotsuba family itself originated from the Fourth Research Institute...
And unlike the other Ten Master Clans, it was the sole achievement of the Fourth Research Institute.
"Hmm, I understand."
Maya nodded faintly, while Miya beside her looked at Miyuki with encouraging eyes, as if saying "well done."
"Then, I will now announce the conclusion directly. How does that sit with everyone present?"
Having reached this point in the conversation, how could they possibly have anything else to say!
Even though they already knew the outcome, they still had to wait for Lady Maya to announce it verbally before they could think of ways to refute it.
"Since no one holds any objections, I shall now announce the decision. The next family head will be my child, Yotsuba Mahiro."
Expected.
Reasonable.
But this decision didn't sit well with the branch families, whose expressions all darkened.
However, Maya paid them no mind and instead turned her gaze solely to Ayako, saying:
"Ayako."
"Yes, Family Head."
"No need to be so nervous or worried."
Maya smiled reassuringly: "I will keep the promise I made to you earlier. I will definitely make you Mahiro's wife."
"R-really?! Family Head, I am overwhelmed with gratitude! Thank you so much!"
Ayako almost thought she was hearing things!
She was so happy she nearly jumped for joy.
She could finally fulfill her long-cherished wish—she had finally managed to get one step ahead of Miyuki!
Meanwhile, Miyuki felt somewhat downcast.
She was naturally happy that Mahiro-nii-sama had been designated as the family head, but...
She also wanted to marry Mahiro-nii-sama!
But how could she bring it up...
"What about you, Mahiro? Do you have anything you'd like to say?"
Mahiro, who had been watching the proceedings, was suddenly called upon.
"Something to say... Well, I do have something in mind."
Mahiro thought for a moment, but unlike the others, he didn't stand up to address Maya. Instead, he remained seated, looking increasingly relaxed.
His gaze slowly swept over the members of the branch families. Feeling their resentful stares, the corners of his lips curled into a faint smile.
"I know that all of you here probably hold a great deal of resentment toward me becoming the head of the Yotsuba family. However, I'm a very democratic person. If any of you have objections, you may voice them now."
Mahiro appeared very magnanimous.
The branch family members exchanged puzzled glances, none of them understanding what he was up to.
But just because they didn't dare to be the first to speak up didn't mean no one would.
"I object!"
Someone suddenly stood up.
It was the next head of the Mashiba family, the one with whom he had the deepest grudge.
As for his name, Mahiro couldn't remember—or rather, for someone who was about to cease being part of the Yotsuba family, there was no need to remember his name.
"You're not an experimental subject from the Fourth Research Institute. Like those adjusted-body guardians, you're merely Yotsuba family property. What qualifications do you have to sit in the family head's position!"
The Mashiba family head spoke bluntly.
But what he didn't realize was that his words offended not only Mahiro.
Even Katsushige's face darkened.
Adjusted bodies... merely Yotsuba family property?
"Does anyone else have any opinions? Feel free to speak your minds."
Mahiro remained unruffled, maintaining his calm smile as he inquired about others' views.
However, the more composed he appeared, the more it frightened the branch family members.
After all, it's the silent dog that bites.
So, all of them kept their mouths shut, not uttering a single word.
"Is that all?"
Mahiro regretfully pursed his lips, then turned to Maya and asked:
"Since the nomination has been made, can I exercise the family head's authority now?"
"Well... although the formal succession ceremony is tomorrow, it's just a simple formality. You can do as you see fit, Mahiro-kun."
Maya granted his request.
Because she understood Mahiro's intentions perfectly, and Mahiro didn't hold back in the slightest.
He directly addressed the head of the Mashiba family:
"In that case, please leave, Mashiba family. By the authority of the Yotsuba family head, I hereby revoke the Mashiba family's branch status. From this moment on, the Mashiba family has no further connection with the Yotsuba family."
Dominant!
Utterly dominant!
So dominant that all the branch families were stunned, wondering if they had misheard.
Wasn't this supposed to be a democratic free speech session? How could a branch family be dismissed over a single disagreement???
And the Mashiba family, who held such an important position at that!
In reality, this was Mahiro's version of democracy.
You could speak—that was your freedom, and you could say whatever you wanted.
But whether he listened or how he listened was entirely his business.
Not to mention, this was the Mashiba family, who had the worst relationship with him and had numerous petty grievances during their time at the Fourth Research Institute. They had walked right into the line of fire, so he was bound to seize the opportunity to make an example of them.
"What did you just say...?!"
The Mashiba family representative clenched his fists, glaring at Mahiro with eyes wide in fury.
His face had turned the color of liver in rage!
"Was I not clear enough?"
Mahiro put on an innocent expression.
"Alright, since you didn't understand, I'll repeat it once more—"
"I said you can get lost now. You are no longer a member of the Yotsuba family. Get out of the Yotsuba estate, get out of Misaki Island."
"Is that clear enough for you?"
"Who do you think you are?! How dare you decide the fate of a branch family so arbitrarily?!!"
"Ha... It seems you really are deaf. Didn't you hear? My mother Maya just announced that I am inheriting the family head position. Who do you think I am? Could it be... your father?"
Not the slightest bit of courtesy.
Given the history between him and the Mashiba family, there was no need for any courtesy.
Not resorting to violence directly was already giving face to the Yotsuba family.
"Now, you can take your people and get lost, before I change my mind."
"Are you sure?"
The Mashiba family head sneered coldly: "You'd better not forget, the Fourth Research Institute and the Mage Prison are both managed by our Mashiba family..."
"So what? You can have those worthless scraps if you want them."
What a joke.
Never mind that he held Muroto Sumire, the ultimate intellectual trump card.
Now he also had Eta and Sherry—with the three of them working together, could they not build a research institute superior to the Fourth Research Institute?
After all, many of the Fourth Research Institute's past reports were still stored on Shishima Island!
"You... Aren't you afraid of offending the investors of the Fourth Research Institute?!"
"Enough. Since you don't want to leave on your own, I'll give you a push—"
"Take action!"
Before the words had fully left his mouth, someone moved even faster—
Esdeath's heel lightly tapped the ground.
The frost that billowed forth spread rapidly across the floor, freezing the head of the Mashiba family and their guardian into blocks of ice in the blink of an eye.
And in the next instant, Alpha appeared beside the ice blocks.
With a casual wave of her hand, she shattered them to pieces. Ice crystals scattered through the air like drifting snowflakes before gradually vanishing.
Graceful yet natural.
Ethereal yet decisive.
After clearing away the trash, she returned to Mahiro's side and stood behind him once more.
"Well, does anyone still have any objections now?"
The dissenting branch family members could no longer utter a single word.
They had no desire to replicate the Mashiba family's disastrous precedent, especially since Lady Maya showed no intention of intervening on their behalf.
She simply sat there quietly, watching the scene unfold with a faint smile.
"Excellent. Since no one objects, let's begin the meal. I'm quite hungry."
He even patted his stomach—having skipped lunch, he was indeed a little hungry.
Thus, he ordered his subordinates to start serving the dishes.
But the problem was...
Although every dish was a delicacy, for some of those present, they might as well have been chewing wax.
They had no mood whatsoever to savor these exquisite dishes...