Chapter 235: How to Gather Hearts
The entire meal was enveloped in a state of terrified silence.
As one of the Yotsuba branch families, what great storms and waves hadn't they witnessed?
But this kind of murderous atmosphere at the slightest disagreement...
This was something they had genuinely never seen before, to the extent that even the Mashiba family couldn't offer any resistance.
Although the Mashiba family hadn't obtained candidate positions, their strength was still second only to the four candidates...
After the death of the Mashiba family's next head, the entire family suffered a thunderous blow—all their assets were reclaimed by the Yotsuba main family.
However, by the time other branch families learned about this incident, it was already after the Spring Celebration.
The next day, the Spring Celebration officially began.
This marked the commencement of the Yotsuba main family's head succession ceremony.
Just like the previous day, all branch families were present except for the deceased Mashiba family.
Although there were scarcely any congratulatory voices from the branch families—almost all the cheers came from the children—the voices of opposition had completely vanished.
After all, with the Mashiba family's precedent, they fully understood that Mahiro remained that cruel, merciless ultimate entity who could smilingly kill any of them.
However, Mahiro soon performed another bewildering move that left them utterly astonished.
"Little Mahiro, from today onward you're officially the head of the Yotsuba family."
"Mm."
Mahiro responded softly as he received the authority to manage the Yotsuba family from Maya.
But in the blink of an eye, he presented this authority before Miyuki.
"Mahiro-nii...?"
"Using my authority as family head, I now appoint Shiba Miyuki to succeed me as the family head."
"Ha——???"
Almost everyone was stunned.
Everyone's jaws dropped in shock.
And it was Miyuki, whom they supported the most...
Handing over the family head position to someone else less than a minute after receiving it?
If they had known this would happen, why go through all that trouble in the first place?
Was it just to deal with the Mashiba family?
But that wasn't all.
"In addition, starting today, Miyuki will serve as president of FLT Corporation, possessing full decision-making power and authority."
"My, my..."
Maya covered her surprised red lips.
"W-wait, Mahiro-nii!"
This time, even Miyuki couldn't remain seated calmly.
Being suddenly appointed as family head by Mahiro was surprising enough, but now he was entrusting her with the entire FLT Corporation too?
"Mahiro-nii, I can't do this, Miyuki isn't capable..."
"Don't worry, I believe in your capabilities, Miyuki. Besides, you have Tatsuya to help you, don't you?"
Although Tatsuya probably didn't understand these matters either, as a Guardian and FLT researcher, he could certainly help Miyuki resolve many troubles.
"But Mahiro-nii, Miyuki knows nothing about business management..."
Moreover, she was still just a student.
"That's not a problem either. Shiba Heavy Industries has now established close cooperation with the Kitayama family. After this busy period, Miori will have free time. I'll have her teach you everything you need to learn."
Nowadays, although Shiba Heavy Industries technically still belongs to Shiba Miori, it has essentially become the core business of the Yotsuba main family under Mahiro's lineage.
This had been Miori's intention from the very beginning. After learning about Mahiro's circumstances from Maya, she resolved to become his supporter and build this commercial giant that rivals Yotsuba's technological enterprises.
So in a way, could this be considered him enjoying the benefits of a comfortable arrangement?
Well, it certainly felt rewarding.
With things having reached this point, Miyuki could no longer find any words to refuse or evade the matter.
She merely felt somewhat ashamed and dreamlike, as if everything was too unreal to believe.
After all, she was still just a student at First High School.
Now she had suddenly become the head of the Yotsuba family—the strongest of the Ten Master Classes—while also steering Yotsuba's technological enterprises...
Although both Miya and Maya found Mahiro's decision surprising, neither sister voiced any objections.
It was clearly a long-planned move.
The only pity was the Mashiba family, which had become collateral damage in this process.
However, there was another matter that surprised them even more.
Katsushige, one of the former candidates for succession to the Yotsuba main family headship, had proposed marriage to his guardian, Tsutsumi Kotona.
Yuuka, who happened to be drinking water at that moment, choked dramatically.
She stared incredulously at her cousin who worked within the system.
Meanwhile Minami, who served as Miyuki's guardian with meticulous dedication, felt strangely moved upon hearing this.
She instinctively glanced toward Mahiro.
But Mahiro turned his gaze toward Maya instead.
Such matters were naturally best handled by professionals.
"Kotona... she's your guardian, correct?"
"Yes."
"I see..."
Maya rested her chin on her hand, adopting a thoughtful pose as her eyes gradually settled on the girl standing behind Katsushige.
With her long brown curls, she gave the initial impression of a delinquent girl.
But under Maya's gaze, Kotona shrank her shoulders like a quail, as if being watched by some terrifying presence.
Even though Maya was no longer the Yotsuba family head, her authority remained intact, and no one dared act presumptuously.
"I recall Kotona is a second-generation adjusted body from the 'Bard Series'... However, the genetic factors of the 'Bard Series' remain unstable and cannot produce normal offspring. Are you certain about this decision?"
"Yes, my father has already discussed this matter with me. Moreover, I've heard the main family possesses methods to repair genetic defects, so..."
Katsushige didn't dare continue speaking further.
He had touched upon a forbidden subject, and Maya's eyes had narrowed.
Though not exactly sharp, her expression conveyed clear displeasure.
Or rather, the matters Katsushige had brought up had genuinely upset Maya.
One could clearly feel the intense psion waves spreading imperceptibly around her.
How arduous and dangerous it had been for Mahiro to create the genetic medicine for her condition...
Though she hadn't witnessed it personally, she understood this quite well.
At the very least, she had already spoken with Sumire, who specialized in creating potions.
She personally hunted monsters with world-destroying power just to obtain a single vial of blood.
Even after the reagent was completed, she did not hesitate to experiment on her own body...
Though the world considered Maya a cold-blooded, ruthless madwoman, what they didn't know was that Maya was also a mother.
Even if her relationship with Mahiro had become distorted, she still deeply loved this child, who represented her most forbidden territory!
Katsushige's actions had precisely stepped on her forbidden territory!
"Aunt..."
Miyuki looked at Maya in surprise.
"Miyuki, don't interfere."
The speaker was Miya, who casually sipped her iced tea.
Her calm voice carried a stern tone.
"..."
Miyuki didn't mean to interfere—she just didn't understand why Aunt Maya had suddenly become so furious.
"Katsushige wants to ask Maya for the potion that Mahiro brought back."
Tatsuya explained expressionlessly from the side.
"What?!"
Miyuki covered her mouth in astonishment upon hearing this.
The Shibata family... How dare Katsushige be so bold!
Clearly, even Miyuki knew how precious that potion was. As for the guardian Minami, when she looked at the members of the Shibata family, her eyes already carried a dangerous glint.
For a moment, the atmosphere became tense and hostile.
Feeling the hostility directed at him from all sides, Katsushige was now drenched in cold sweat.
But.
He couldn't give up!
"I know my request is too presumptuous, but I still beg for your permission, Maya-sama!"
Katsushige lowered his head even further, almost folding himself in half.
Until now, no one had stepped forward to speak for Katsushige—no one had the courage to do so.
Or rather, those with the capability and courage were already filled with hostility toward the Shibata family.
Finally, a somewhat flippant voice broke through the heavy atmosphere.
"Now now, we're all relatives here. Why must we make things so tense?"
The speaker was naturally Mahiro, who sat there with his legs crossed, a gentle smile hanging on his lips as he observed the people before him with interest.
He then turned to Maya and said, "Don't you agree, Mother?"
Perhaps because of how he addressed her, Maya seemed genuinely delighted, breaking into a radiant smile.
"Alright, alright. I don't want to play the villain... And as an adjusted body, early death isn't necessarily guaranteed."
Whether intentional or not, Maya mentioned other defects besides the inability to bear children normally.
Just like how Honami, Miya's former guardian, died young due to exhausted magical power.
Her gaze subtly shifted toward Miyuki and Minami, leaving Miyuki feeling puzzled.
She didn't understand why her aunt was looking at her while saying these words.
But the smile on Maya's face deepened as she spoke in a light, airy tone:
"If it's as the main family head, then this is indeed not something one can decide on their own."
"!!!"
Miyuki's body trembled slightly. What was her aunt trying to do by suddenly saying such things?
Was she going to marry her off to someone else?
She had no idea.
Maya continued: "But for branch families, you don't need to worry about that. Since the family head has already been decided, with the succession passing from little Mahiro to you, Miyuki, I'll have a word with your father later."
"Really?! Thank you so much!"
"However, let me be clear upfront—I can't do anything about Kotona's physical condition. The medicine belongs to little Mahiro, and the person you should be asking isn't me, but little Mahiro."
A mischievous smile flashed across Maya's face.
She knew that aside from the Kuroba Family, Tsukuba Family, and Miyuki's group, none of the branch family members would ever swallow their pride to beg Mahiro for help.
She intended to teach these people a lesson—one about understanding their place in the hierarchy!
Indeed, upon hearing Maya say she couldn't make the decision, Katsushige's face showed an expression of stunned disbelief.
Then, looking at Mahiro's expression which seemed smug in his eyes, Katsushige's face instantly turned bright red.
Ask him to humble himself and beg that brat who came out of the laboratory?!
Impossible!
However, if he wouldn't beg, naturally someone else would.
Thump!
Kotona stepped forward and knelt directly before Mahiro, performing a perfect dogeza.
"Lord Mahiro, I beg you to help us. For old times' sake, please help me and Katsushige..."
Mahiro: "..."
This sudden kneeling, this dogeza—he completely failed to react in time.
Wasn't this...
A bit too smooth???
Why are you so skilled at this?
Though Kotona was older than him, she had been his junior at the Fourth Research Institute. They weren't particularly close, having only exchanged glances a few times.
"Hey! What are you doing?! Get up!"
"No! Don't! Katsushige, don't you understand? In the entire Yotsuba family right now, only Lord Mahiro can help us!"
Kotona practically screamed these words with all her strength.
Yet her forehead remained pressed firmly against the floor, showing no intention of lifting it.
Mahiro: "..."
Is this some kind of melodramatic evening soap opera?
For some reason, Mahiro felt the situation was becoming increasingly bizarre.
While the two were arguing incessantly, Mahiro had already approached Kotona, slowly crouched down, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Sis Kotona, lift your head. I never said I wouldn't help you."
"...Really?"
"Of course. Although I detest that man, at the very least, as fellow adjusted bodies, I'll help you."
Hearing his words, Kotona grew very excited, but before she could even utter words of gratitude, Mahiro added:
"However, helping you doesn't come without a cost."
Upon hearing this, Kotona's heart tightened involuntarily.
She saw Mahiro stand up and return to his seat of authority, while a shimmering light gathered in his hand.
As the light faded, a metallic syringe appeared in his palm.
This scene left the branch family members utterly stunned.
Materializing something out of thin air?
"It's alchemy," Tatsuya explained.
Yet, even with his abilities, he couldn't clearly decipher Mahiro's activation sequence, only vaguely discerning its outline.
"Alright, the medicine you need for Kotona is right here. However, Katsushige must come personally to take it from my hand."
"!!!"
Everyone present understood what he meant.
If Katsushige walked over and accepted the medicine from his hand, it would be equivalent to bowing to him!
"Sis, get up. We're not begging him! I refuse to believe this world only has such a despicable person who can solve your problem!"
Suddenly, a young man beside Katsushige stepped forward, helped Kotona—who was kneeling on the ground—to her feet, and immediately headed for the exit.
That was Kotona's younger brother, Tsutsumi Kanata, also a second-generation member of the Bard Series. Both siblings served as guards for the Shibata family.
As the family head, Katsushige remained silent, indicating his tacit approval of this action.
He even prepared to leave with them.
"Is this really alright? Kotona only has about ten years left to live..."
Mahiro's voice forced the three to halt their steps.
The condition of Kotona was something he could discern with his eyes alone—it was no fabrication.
Seeing them stop and turn around, Mahiro meaningfully looked at Katsushige and murmured:
"Mr. Katsushige, you don't want Kotona to die like this, do you?"
".....!"
A direct hit to the weak spot!
For Kotona, Katsushige would even give up his position as the head of the main family—how could he let her die like this?
"Katsushige-nii, don't believe that guy's words! How could Sis only have ten years left?"
"...."
Yet Katsushige stood still, silent.
Because Mahiro was telling the truth. He had once taken Kotona to a professional institution for examination, and it was confirmed she only had ten years left.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have lowered his head to plead with the main family.
"So? All you need to do is walk over, take the medicine, and Kotona will be saved."
Mahiro's voice was like the whisper of a demon, lingering in Katsushige's heart.
But the next moment, Katsushige suddenly calmed down, gently adjusting his glasses.
"What you want is for me to bow my head, right?"
"Mhm, I don't have those twisted tastes like in those cheap videos. Though forced fruit can quench thirst, I'm not thirsty..."
Scum!
A capital S-C-U-M!
That was the branch family's unanimous assessment of him.
To utter such filthy, vulgar words in this kind of situation.
Seitenshi, Kisara, and Alpha all simultaneously facepalmed in exasperation.
They could all tell Mahiro had no such intentions, yet he insisted on playing the villain.
Only Katsushige remained unmoved. He slowly took steps, walking toward Mahiro one by one.
Finally, he stood before him and, under everyone's gaze, picked up the medicine.
"Thank you. I, Shibata Katsushige... no, the entire Shibata family, owe you a favor."
"You're welcome. Just remember not to cause me any more trouble after you're healed."
Mahiro didn't forget to add a mocking smile.
However, Katsushige said nothing more and simply turned to leave.
Nothing more needed to be said. As a branch family member, the Shibata clan would no longer raise any objections against the Yotsuba main family—or more specifically, against Mahiro.
Complete submission.
Even Maya greatly admired his approach.
First, he used the Mashiba family as an example to warn others, delivering a slap to all branch families as a deterrent. Now, he was offering the Shibata family a carrot to win them over.
While violence could solve problems in the simplest way, unless there was an irreconcilable conflict like with the Mashiba family, it wasn't the ideal approach.
Otherwise, winning people over and strengthening the family's unity was the best method.
"So, Yuuge-nee, what's your answer?"
After the Shibata family left, his gaze fell upon Yuuka.
Yuuka responded with a resigned smile.
"At this point, do I even have any other choice?"