To put it harshly...
For large families like the Four Great Conglomerates, there was only one main heir to the throne. The highest authorities only cared about the single individual who would carry on the family business. As for whether the others lived or died, they did not care at all.
It was just like the people in the Shinomiya conglomerate, who throughout the entire day continually fought within their own internal ranks. They would not be satisfied before fighting down to the last drop of blood.
Sooner or later, trouble was bound to happen.
Therefore, Hiyori's mother, namely Yuna, brought her daughter out of the Shiina Family for the sake of avoiding the bad repercussions.
After all, Yuna only wanted to live happily together with her husband and child. Regarding family profits or that sort of thing, she did not care at all. It was just that this situation felt heavy for Mashiro, the daughter of her older sister.
Now, in the matter of the Shiina Family's throne of inheritance, the second child had been removed from the genealogy, the third child voluntarily gave up the rights to scramble over the inheritance, so the first child successfully ascended the throne smoothly.
Roughly, the situation was something like that.
Atsuomi placed Mahiru's personal information upon the desk. He had already decided what must be done.
He would "invite" Mahiru to his place, to be used as collateral so that Ryunosuke would be willing to submit to him.
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In an apartment that appeared quite worn-out.
This was Mahiru's place of residence.
Her husband had not returned for a long time, but she continually waited here and refused to leave.
She was afraid that if she left, her husband wouldn't be able to find her anymore.
Mahiru was currently boiling miso soup in the kitchen wearing a pink apron. This apron was a birthday gift that Ryunosuke bought for her in the past.
Even though their life at that time was incredibly poor, it felt truly happy and very sweet.
Tasting that memory, Mahiru's movements instantly halted. Two streams of clear tears dripped from her amber-colored eyes.
"I am indeed still unable to get used to living through the days without you..."
"My husband..."
Mahiru had already waited for around one and a half years. In the beginning phase of time, she always looked lifeless with a vacant gaze in her eyes. She did not possess the slightest hope in life, because Ryunosuke was everything to her. She only had him, and besides that, she had nothing else.
Meanwhile, the reward money amounting to 400,000 yen that Ryunosuke entrusted through a homeless uncle and was later handed over to Gintoki, had been spent entirely by Gintoki.
In the end, because he could no longer hold out, Gintoki came to Mahiru and demanded to be given food! Otherwise, he truly would die of starvation on the streets!!!
When Mahiru found out that the man knew Ryunosuke, her eyes which were originally vacant and lifeless instantly brightened slightly. She immediately asked where Ryunosuke's whereabouts were!!!
Gintoki merely scratched his head in confusion.
"I'm sorry, Little Miss. When I accepted this request, I didn't know your husband yet, so I also don't know where he is."
Mahiru, who initially had a glimmer of hope, the gaze of her eyes turned dim once more. However, from that moment on, Gintoki with a thick face began to freeload on food at her house, and she did not refuse him either.
Actually, Gintoki's main reason was because he was afraid this little girl would think short and end her life. This was completely not for the sake of a plate of food, absolutely not!
After that, Mahiru also accidentally found Kagura who was getting caught in the rain on a stormy day for the sake of searching for someone. She felt this girl was very similar to herself; equally having no place to live, and equally searching for someone of whom there was no news. Eventually, she brought her home.
The house that originally was only occupied by one lonely person, slowly began to become crowded. But still, that familiar figure was not there.
Mahiru's movements while washing bowls remained consistent, but tears of sorrow once again welled up in the corners of her eyes, as though ready to spill anytime.
Sadaharu approached and rubbed his body against Mahiru. Mahiru only snapped out of her daze, then stroked the big dog's head.
"Just making you worry, Sadaharu."
"Wuuu~" Sadaharu barked softly. Because of fear that Mahiru would think short, he continually watched over her here. If something undesirable occurred, he could straight away prevent it anytime. This was also an order from Gintoki, who was eating with a thick face in the living room.
Gintoki swirled the beer can in his hand.
Even though he was quite shameless, because he had already accepted the request, he had to carry it out to completion. He would protect this little girl until her husband returned.
Right at this moment, the doorbell rang. As usual, Mahiru went to open the door full of hope, hoping the person behind the door was her husband. Regrettably, when the door was opened, the figure that appeared wasn't the person she hoped for, but rather Shinpachi.
Shinpachi, whose spectacles were his actual body, scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Hello, Mahiru Anego. I came here to deliver money. Gin-san constantly freeloads on food and stays at your place for free, I truly feel uneasy. Sorry to trouble you."
After speaking, he straight away bowed to pay respects to Mahiru.
Mahiru said that it was fine, but the look of disappointment in her eyes could not be hidden at all.
Gintoki, who was eating dorayaki at the guest table, could not restrain himself from interrupting: "What do you mean by freeloading on food and staying for free? I'm only freeloading on food for free here, because I don't live here. Don't twist the facts, Shinpachi."
"What difference does it make?!" Shinpachi could not restrain himself from shouting in protest.
"Of course there's a difference. Freeloading on food is freeloading on food, freeloading on staying is freeloading on staying. That is a different JavaScript."
Gintoki still showed his relaxed and uncaring attitude as usual. Shinpachi could do nothing to face him. After uttering a word of excuse to Mahiru, he changed his shoes and walked into the living room.
Kagura hugged Mahiru's arm and stated she wanted to go along, because she didn't want to keep seeing those two smelly men at home.
Veins of anger instantly appeared on Gintoki's and Shinpachi's foreheads.
Mahiru had no other choice to face it, so she was forced to invite her to go together to buy vegetables.
Kagura began to feel happy. After all, she could buy several foods she liked while accompanying Mahiru shopping.
Mahiru let out a sigh with full resignation: (How could I possibly be that fragile? I won't go as far as committing suicide... Maybe...)
Mahiru herself wasn't even too sure. If Ryunosuke didn't return anytime soon, she might truly think short because of thinking her husband was already dead, then go below to join him.
Kagura and Mahiru walked while holding hands. Mahiru's other hand that was free carried the shopping basket, preparing to go buy vegetables together.
While thinking what food menu was delicious to cook tonight inside her head, Mahiru stepped out the door.
Gintoki and Shinpachi continually watched her departure from the house silently. Shinpachi said with a bit of worry, "Do we not need to follow them?"
Gintoki was still swirling the beer can in his hand. "No need to worry, that Kagura girl will protect her."
"That kid is very strong, you know."
"True enough." Shinpachi finally felt relieved. He then began to nag the Gintoki in front of him about how shameless he was because with a thick face he freeloaded on food and stayed at another person's house for free.
Gintoki corrected him again. "Only freeloading on food, not freeloading on staying. Besides, for whom am I doing all this? This is for the sake of protecting that little girl so she won't end her life!"
Shinpachi with full resignation pulled a chair from under the table and then sat down. "I know about that matter, but freeloading on food and drink at another person's house for free like this is indeed less than good."