Kaito understood the cause and effect now.
Actually, the expansion of Hinatsuru Inn wasn't originally Akina's intention.
It's just that the conditions happened to be right, and the Hinatsuru Family wanted to grow bigger and stronger, so she agreed and used the enormous cash she obtained from the chat group for the expansion.
In this day and age, sometimes money isn't enough to solve things quickly.
You need approvals and reviews, right? At the same time, when buying land, you need to negotiate with local villagers, which slows down the progress even more.
So, to speed things up, her cousin naturally took risks.
Not just her cousin, other members of the Hinatsuru Family also used other underhanded means.
Because of this, the man pursuing Akina helped her, and even helped a lot.
Being able to go this far for her indeed meant bearing great pressure.
If it were an ordinary person, they would have been kicked out long ago. Only because his family background was large enough did he dare to take the risk to help Akina.
"Don't worry, I didn't think much of it. I was simply praising your charm."
Seeing Akina's anxious expression, Kaito chuckled lightly twice, comforted her, and then began to think about how to help her.
Or rather, how to deal with the man pursuing Akina.
Simple and crude: make him have an accident.
Or make him commit suicide.
Anyway, this kind of thing is very common in the world.
Using slightly more subtle means would be to make him voluntarily withdraw, and also dare not cause any trouble, and certainly dare not continue coveting Akina.
The former might very likely implicate Hinatsuru Inn, while the latter would allow everyone to pretend nothing happened: you do your thing, I do mine, and I'll remember the help you once gave.
Generally speaking, Kaito would prefer the former method, but considering Akina, he chose the latter.
"How about this: tomorrow, you have him come over. I'll speak a few words with him personally and get him to give up pursuing you."
"Huh? I-is this okay?"
Hearing that Kaito was willing to help her, Akina felt genuinely excited from the bottom of her heart, and also felt a sense of security.
It was as if, as long as Kaito was by her side, no matter how dangerous, even if it was the end of the world, she wouldn't need to worry. It was reassuring.
"There's nothing wrong with it, is there?"
Kaito didn't idiotically say something like 'we're chat group friends', etc. He simply said this sentence.
Akina was also clever; she quickly grasped something from these words.
Thinking back to life on the island, the changes in Sayuri and Shodai, and their actions that practically screamed 'I'm pursuing Kaito', she had actually long known something.
Generally speaking, she would very much disapprove of this.
But when she carefully considered it, she felt her thinking was wrong.
Just like one night when Mika told her that Kaito was destined not to be constrained, and his side would only have more and more women.
That was Mika's answer to her question.
And her question was: why did she change her mind and start liking Kaito, even competing with Shodai and the others, yet they coexisted peacefully?
So...
After returning from the island life, Akina called Ai over.
Driven by inner feelings, she tried to find out Ai's feelings towards Kaito. After receiving only respect and admiration, her initial thoughts gradually changed.
Now, Kaito was willing to help her, standing in front of her to shield her from wind and rain, which stirred ripples in her heart.
Maybe...
She could now understand Mika, and even the very proactive Shodai and Sayuri.
Looking up at Kaito's handsome and charming, yet not lacking composure, face, she really seemed to be getting more and more attracted.
"Alright... then I'll leave it to you, Kaito."
Her mindset had changed.
Akina bowed her head to express thanks, and at the same time, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up. When she looked up again, she revealed a smile that only appeared when she felt happy.
"No need, you're worth my doing this."
"...Mm!"
She's happier than ever before.
Like returning to first love, the accelerated heartbeat was both hard to adapt to and exciting.
Unfortunately, Ai, the daughter, returned, breaking the slightly rippling atmosphere.
"Mom, the Shogi Association asked me to give this form to Brother Kaito."
"Form?"
Akina sighed helplessly, glanced secretly at Kaito, then quickly turned her head and reached out to take the form Ai handed over.
"I see, it's just some standard rules for playing Shogi."
"Hehe, it seems they're afraid I don't understand the rules for professional players, right?"
Kaito rested his chin on his hand and took the form. It indeed listed some rules and requirements for playing Shogi.
For example, time requirements, not being allowed to maliciously interfere with the opponent.
Like suddenly making a very loud sound when placing a piece, causing the opponent's train of thought to be interrupted, etc.
The Shogi Association, considering that Kaito had never participated in official professional player competitions in Japan and might only play on online software, thoughtfully prepared this form and had Ai, who happened to be at the press conference scene, deliver it.
After all, currently only the Hinatsuru Family could contact Kaito.
"Modify a few rules."
"First, regarding time: I can place my pieces within the standard time limit, and exceeding it will still incur penalties. However, Kazuryu Yaichi can have an interval of 10 minutes for thinking and placing his pieces."
"Second, accommodate his physical needs as much as possible. When necessary, allow people off-stage to assist him, help him wipe sweat, replenish nutrients, etc. I won't need that; just pour me a cup of tea."
"Third, Kazuryu Yaichi can retract his moves 10 times."
These conditions weren't Kaito's idea, but Baal's.
She hoped this young man, crowned with the title of Ryuo, could bring her pressure.
If he defeated the opponent in one go, what fun would that be?
Besides that, Baal's deeper consideration was to enhance Kaito's image.
Let his mysteriousness and power infinitely amplify!
After all, giving the opponent such favorable conditions wasn't that just elevating the impression of Kaito's strength?
If Kaito could still win under these conditions, it wouldn't just embarrass the entire Shogi Association; it would also greatly increase Kaito's status in Japan.
Having also heard about Akina's situation, she would naturally think of ways to help for Kaito's sake.
And this might be one good way.
"Tell them: I am looking forward to a game unprecedented and earth-shattering, just like the challenges I faced in my younger, more vigorous days."
"Failure and mistakes are not scary. I give him the opportunity to correct and adjust his state. Therefore, he must give me his surpassing limits strength to play this game of chess well with me!"