Chapter 499. The Miserable Half-Demon
「Having learned much, Shirogane Miyuki was immensely grateful to Kikyo.」
「However, when he asked her why she was so weak today, what injury she had sustained, and whether he could help, Kikyo hesitated. She clearly had something difficult to speak of, and since she did not wish to lie, she ultimately remained silent on the matter.」
「That night, after the two had retired to their respective rooms, Shirogane tossed and turned, unable to sleep. His mind was filled with the desire to repay her kindness.」
「Rising the next morning, he pulled the Village Chief aside for a private conversation, hinting at whether there were any wild herbs nearby that could be gathered.」
「"Wild ones? Not really. However, Jinenji's family grows a vast field of medicinal herbs; you can go there to pick some."」
「Faced with the Chief's answer, Shirogane looked troubled. "But... Chief, I don't have any money right now, so..."」
「He had intended to negotiate with the Chief to see if he could act as a middleman to sell the items in his school bag to the nobility, offering thirty percent of the profit to the village.」
「To his surprise, before he could voice this thought, the Chief was already smiling and stroking his beard. "Don't worry, Jinenji's herbs are free."」
「"Free!?" Shirogane was stunned. He raised a doubt: "Does that mean Jinenji's family isn't short on money?"」
「"How could that be? If they weren't short on money, why would they stay in a tiny village like this? Life in the city is much more comfortable." The Chief waved his hand. "Anyway, just go and pick them with an easy mind."」
「Shirogane wanted to ask more, but the Chief seemed reluctant to discuss it further. After giving him directions, the Chief departed.」
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"Ah..."
In a village, walking out of a thatched hut, the massive Jinenji—standing some two or three meters tall and looking rather simple-minded—looked up at the broadcast of the future alongside his elderly mother. Both mother and son were somewhat at a loss. In the original future, would they really have lived a better life? They felt a deep sense of trepidation...
Meanwhile, in the Shuchiin Student Council room on distant Earth, someone was even more anxious.
Shinomiya Kaguya was already like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bowstring.
Every time she saw her President say even a single word to Kikyo, she would jump, fearing some progress in their relationship. Although the situation appeared very safe for now, Anastasia had managed to "overtake on the curve" even when starting with mutual dislike. Who knew if a similar scene would occur here?
If Shirogane Miyuki's broadcast had been the first, and no one had seen Hikigaya Hachiman's video, Kaguya's mood certainly wouldn't be like this. She would be worried about whether the President's life was secure; she would be moved to tears by his low quality of life in the Sengoku period; she would care for him beyond measure.
Alas, Yukinoshita's precedent was fresh in her mind, and Fujiwara Chika was constantly reminding her from the sidelines.
Consequently, she couldn't help but wonder if she would become the second Yukinoshita. This worry occupied her thoughts constantly, to the point where her "romance brain" dominated her entire being, suppressing all other emotions. In this state, she was like a tightrope walker, nearly dying of anxiety.
"President, I—"
Pursing her lips, a flash of determination crossed the face of the high-born Shinomiya Kaguya. She turned toward her President and prepared to speak.
Just then, her phone rang—ring-ring-ring—shattering her "do-or-die" attempt.
Kaguya had no choice but to answer. She felt as though the world was conspiring against her. "Who is it at a time like this, argh... Eldest Brother? Second Brother? Father?"
Her frustration multiplied instantly after answering, pushing her toward a breakdown. The callers were her family—the men of the Shinomiya house, the very people who usually shared no genuine familial affection with her. The purpose of their call was to instruct her:
"Confess immediately! Hug Shirogane Miyuki tightly, kiss him, love him! Our Shinomiya family must latch onto this 'thigh' with everything we've got!
The rise or fall of the Shinomiya family is in your hands! Catch Shirogane Miyuki, secure your husband! Soaring to the heavens is no longer a dream! We believe in you, Kaguya!"
While these words annoyed her—since she liked the President for himself, not because he was the third protagonist or for some utilitarian reason—her mindset didn't collapse, nor did she develop a rebellious streak.
The real reason she was suffering was: 'I want to do exactly that right now! Why did you have to call and interfere with me at this moment? Heavens!'
Staying with these "insects" who couldn't read the timing, let alone reviving the Shinomiya family, she might not even get the chance to confess to the President.
"..."
In stark contrast to her, Shirogane Miyuki let out a sigh of relief when he saw her interrupted.
He could guess what Kaguya wanted to do: take advantage of the fact that he hadn't yet "dallied with flowers" to quickly solidify their romantic or even marital status.
Personally, he was more than willing.
Right now, his heart belonged only to Kaguya; he loved her deeply. The problem was, the "future him" might not! If even Hikigaya Hachiman could have a change of heart, who was Shirogane Miyuki to claim he definitely wouldn't?
Therefore, until the dust settled at the end of the broadcast, Shirogane did not want to make such a commitment. Doing so might harm both parties; it wouldn't be good for him or for Kaguya.
Hadn't Yukinoshita been "certain of victory" at the convenience store, only to be crushed in the end? He didn't want Kaguya to suffer such a miserable fate.
Use history as a mirror. Shirogane Miyuki wanted to do his best to avoid the issues exposed in the previous two videos and not repeat the same mistakes. In this regard, it could be said that Hikigaya Hachiman and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka were both his seniors and his teachers.
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「Following the path pointed out by the Chief, Shirogane Miyuki arrived at a certain location.」
「It was a place somewhat distant from the village, quite secluded. There was only a single thatched hut where Jinenji's family lived—no neighbors, quite lonely.」
「Near the hut were several acres of medicinal fields, planted with herbs that were clearly meticulously cared for. At the edge of the fields, the owner was resting. Jinenji's family consisted only of a mother and son; the father had passed away long ago.」
「The mother was human, the father was a demon, and the son was a half-demon (Hanyo). This was information Shirogane had gathered from the villagers on his way here. At the time, all he saw on the villagers' faces was a hint of fear, rejection, and hatred.」
「"So this is... a half-demon."」
「Looking at Jinenji, who stood a full three meters tall, Shirogane couldn't help but let out an exclamation filled with shock.」
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