It went without saying that the Shiba household was not the only recipient of Katsuto's invitation. Due to the physical realities of mail delivery, minor differences in arrival times were inevitable, but the Mitsuya household in Atsugi received theirs almost simultaneously with Tatsuya and his companions.
The letter was naturally addressed to Harutsugu, the next head of the family, who met the age and status requirements for the conference. However, as Gen remained the active head of the family, Harutsugu immediately visited his father's study to consult with him. Presenting the envelope, Harutsugu asked Gen to read it first. Gen picked up a nearby letter opener, broke the seal, and scanned the enclosed paper before handing it back to his son.
Wondering if the message was truly that brief, Harutsugu looked over the invitation. Sure enough, its contents were written in the direct, concise manner typical of the Juumonji family head. After reading it through, Harutsugu turned to Gen.
"Calling a conference for this coming Sunday seems rather sudden." "It does. So, what do you intend to do?" "I plan on attending... though something about this bothers me slightly." "Oh?"
Gen showed a faint flicker of interest at Harutsugu's words. Among the direct-line children of the Mitsuya family, Yugen—now head of the Kagurazaka family—was unquestionably the most adept at rhetoric and strategy. Mototsugu, too, was beginning to demonstrate a resolute spirit and a sharp intellect reminiscent of their grandfather, Gozo. By comparison, Harutsugu had a tendency to be a bit too gentle.
Gen waited patiently without pressing, allowing his son time to organize his thoughts. Sensing his father's expectation, Harutsugu paused briefly before speaking.
"The invitation lists Katsuto-dono, head of the Juumonji family, as the proposer. Yet given his character, if he were taking the initiative on a topic as delicate as anti-magic sentiment, he would surely have consulted the Kagurazaka or Kamiizumi families first. Having the leaders who preside over the Master Clan Conference act as co-sponsors would lend far more weight to any proposed measures." "So, because he did not take that step, you suspect Juumonji-dono was merely approached by someone else?" "Yes. Furthermore, while the methodology bears shades of the Saegusa family, it lacks their usual polish. If it were planned by Saegusa-dono himself, it feels unusually unrefined."
The Mitsuya family was officially set to take over the protection and surveillance of the Kanto region in place of the Saegusa family. Naturally, that meant keeping close tabs on the Juumonji family, who shared jurisdiction over the same region. Although Harutsugu did not know Katsuto personally, everything he had heard through his father suggested Katsuto was not the type to initiate a meeting like this on his own.
On the other hand, Harutsugu offered his candid view that the execution felt far too blunt to be the work of the Saegusa family head.
"I see. Put that way, your logic is sound... However, as this is not a matter for me to intervene in, I leave the decision to you." "Understood."
Leaving Gen's study, Harutsugu walked through the mansion with the letter in hand. He considered consulting his wife, but this was a matter best discussed among the Mitsuya bloodline. As he walked, lost in thought, a voice called out to him from down the hallway.
He looked up to see Mototsugu standing there in casual civilian clothes.
"What's wrong, Haru-aniki? You look like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders." "Mototsugu? What brings you here today?" "Just needed to consult the old man on a few things... but I can't very well ignore my older brother in distress. Let's call the sisters and talk this out." "Eh? Wait, hold on..."
Swept along by Mototsugu's swift decision-making, Harutsugu was promptly ushered out of the mansion. Their destination: the North Tower of the FLT Twin Tower Apartments in Machida, Tokyo—specifically, the shared living space where the Mitsuya siblings were assembled.
"——And so, my bad, Yugen." "I certainly didn't expect to be summoned on such short notice."
Facing Yugen's flat, unamused gaze as the apartment's owner, Mototsugu offered an embarrassed apology. Still, even if it had been an impulse on Mototsugu's part, Yugen was genuinely glad to see six of the siblings gathered together for the first time in a while—everyone except Shina.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"