「 That’s nonsense 」
The head of the Kanou house, Kanou Noriaki trembles at the realization that he will be stripped of his position by the branch families.
「 The people below are sensible. They thought that Noriaki-kun was cruel to Sakurako-kun’s birth mother. They thought that it would be bad if the society, especially Kouzuki and I were to discover it, as the Kanou house has managed to survive with our support so they kept their mouth shut, knowing that if it came to light, it would jeopardize the survival of the house 」
Everyone in the Kanou house knew that Kanou Noriaki had an affair with a college girl, got her pregnant, took the child from her, and tossed her away.
Even Mariko whose mother was from the Kanou house knew about it.
However, the reason why Kanou house kept the secret from leaking outside is the sense of fear that if the society were to find out, their house will collapse.
「 Kanou house is a special family, and so no matter what happens Kouzuki, and I, and the nobility would save you…you were the only one having that illusion, Noriaki-kun 」
Just because he’s the head of a family that has a long history doesn’t mean that everything will be at his convenience.
Even if you’re the Kaan or Kouzuki house, who has strong resources and influence.
Kanou house doesn’t have anything but their status.
They’re a pitiful house that only receives assistance from other families.
The branch families are aware of that in their daily life.
They’re grateful to receive help from other family and they feel that there would be no future in their house if they were to betray those who help them.
Only the head, Kanou Noriaki thinks that it’s natural to receive assistance.
「 However, the crimes you’ve committed in the past have leaked to the Takahashi house, Sakurako-kun’s fiance. Then, Takahashi house told Kouzuki and me about it. The branches of your family and the few remaining vassals were upset. They figured that if left alone, you’ll bring more trouble 」
Old Kaan said.
「 Didn’t you find it strange, Noriaki-kun? Have you ever thought why your bodyguard, Shiranui-kun had to hire such third rate temporary bodyguards 」
Shiranui-san’s black suit subordinates are clearly inferior in skill.
「 Kouzuki and I have summoned you, and you had to enter a Kouzuki house’s hotel. Usually, you’d be able to borrow a decent bodyguard from Seibu or Kanzaki house, don’t you? The negotiations were handled by Kanou Eiko and Hidenori Kanou, branches of the Kanou house 」
「 ?! 」
「 I have a grasp on who’s connected to whom, doesn’t get along with whom, and that includes the branch families and vassals within the nobility. Unlike you, Kouzuki and I have to deal with people from all the nobility 」
Oh, I see. If your status is uniting the noble families, then you’ll have to be concerned about such things.
If Kaan house summons people who aren’t on good terms, then it would be a bad situation.
「 For example, Kouzuki and I don’t summon Seibu and Kanzaki house at the same time. If we do that, there won’t be a house left to lend you a bodyguard 」
Visiting the Old Kaan would bring each house in full security.
They will lose their leeway to lend Kanou house bodyguards.
「 However, the two branches of the Kanou house didn’t negotiate with the Seibu and Kanzaki house to rent a bodyguard. Borrowing means that you have to return the favor after. They both don’t want to work for Noriaki-kun whose status as the head of the Kanou house may get taken away. That’s why Kanou Eiko-kun nor Hidenori-kun didn’t make a move. Thus, Shiranui-kun looked for such people 」
The branch families have already started their rebellion.
「 Noriaki-kun, you don’t understand the troubles of people below you, and you didn’t care about your bodyguards as they could be anyone 」
Old Kaan speaks coldly.
「 There is a saying that “You may wear rags, but your heart is a fine dress,” A person who wears tattered clothes in public and is unconcerned about it isn’t a head of a noble family. If you are the head of an honorable house, then you must wear appropriate clothes, or the people below you will be ashamed. It is also the same in bodyguards. Coming to see me with such low-level bodyguards is the same as meeting me wearing rags 」
Once again, Kanou Noriaki proved that he’s not qualified to be the head of the family.
「 There is not a single person in the branch family or vassals that wants to defend you. Even Shiranui-kun would want to run away if he wasn’t your bodyguard 」
Yeah, true.
Shiranui-san was worried about the old Kaan-
-Compared to his own master
「 Uhm, w-what will happen to me? 」
Kanou Noriaki asks in shock.
「 I don’t know. The people from your house probably have an idea. During the Edo period, the lord they imprison would be confined by his vassals until death. If I recall, there was a feudal lord who wasn’t let out of his throne until the Meiji era 」
Old Kaan said and looked at Sakurako-sans’ mother.
「 Leaving that aside, Satoko-kun has something to tell Noriaki-kun 」
Sakurako-san’s mother isn’t actually her mother, but she hasn’t spoken much.
She keeps looking down with a gloomy face.
「 Satoko? 」
Noriaki-san looked at his wife with a dumbfounded face.
「 I haven’t told you but Father called me from his home 」
「 Kanzaki-san? 」
Then that means that Sakurako-san’s mother came from the Kanzaki house.
「 Yes, Father asked me to divorce you and return to the Kanzaki house 」
「 !!! 」
「 He also told me to bring Noriyasu with me 」
「 Hey! Noriyasu’s my child, he will succeed the Kanou house 」
Oh, I see.
Sakurako-san had a little brother. I heard that during the party.
Sakurako is a child of an affair, but the heir’s son, her brother, is Noriaki-san and Satoko-san’s child.
The wife had been enduring her title as the wife of the head of the Kanou house.
「 There’s no way your son can inherit the Kanou house at this rate!! 」
Noriaki-san’s wife shouted.
「 There’s no way the branch families would allow that!! 」
「 Unfortunately, unlike in the past, you can’t keep the foolish head of the family locked up in a cell. If you make your son the head of the family, you may have some influence on him, manipulate him to take revenge on the branch families and vassals who have disgraced you. That’s what they fear 」
Old Kaan said.
「 Then, who will succeed me as the head of the Kanou house?! 」
Noriaki-san shouts.
「 Who knows. I’ll listen to what the Kanou house will say and then Kouzuki and I will coordinate with them. That’s not something for Noriaki-kun to be concerned with 」
Old Kaan speaks coldly.
「 Well then, Noriaki-kun, that’s the end of our meeting. From here on, you can return home by yourself. We will send Satoko-kun to her home in the Kanzaki house. As for your son, Noriyasu, he’s already in the Kanzaki mansion 」
Kanou house’s branch family and servants have abandoned Noriaki-san.
Noriaki-san’s son is taken to the Kanzaki house before he could make a scene.
「 Please wait! I can’t agree with this!! 」
Noriaki-san told old Kaan, but…
「 I’m saying that my meeting with you is over. Boy, open the door. You can only unlock this from the inside 」
Kaan-san told me.
「 Yes, I’m on it 」
I hold the knob of the door leading to the bodyguards’ room where Shirauni-san, Rei-chan, and Taichi-san are standing by.
「 Wait for a second, I’m not yet done!! 」
I ignore the shouting Kanou Noriaki and unlocked the door.
Click.
The electronically locked door opened right away.
Then I opened it up.
「 Is it over? 」
Kaan-san’s bodyguard, Yamada Taichi-san, who Momoko-neechan nicknamed “Hans Cristopher Anderson,” smiled at me.
On their feet are the three black suit bodyguards Shiranui-san brought with him.
「 Uhm, these people were rude to Fujimiya-san so I had to punish them 」
Taichi said calmly.
Rei-chan smiled wryly.
Well, these guys must’ve ridiculed Fujimiya Reika, who’s popular because she appears on TV.
Then, Yamada Taichi-san knocked them with his fists.
「 I-I’m very sorry 」
Shiranui-san says in shame.
He’s the one who hired these three, so that’s how it is.
The temporary bodyguards in the black suit looked down on Kanou Noriaki, their employer. They also looked down on their temporary superior, Shiranui-san. And by extension, they looked down on Rei-chan and Yamada-san punished them.
「 I don’t really care. I only used my fist, but if Fujimiya-san were to use her cane, then there would be dents in their head by now 」
「 I won’t do that 」
Rei-chan said while smiling wryly.
「 Shiranui-kun, please take Noriaki-kun home 」
Kaan-san told Shiranui-san.
「 Certainly, Kaan-sama 」
Shiranui-san bows his head.
「 My subordinates will take these three out 」
Rei-chan told Shiranui-san as she looks at the fainted men in black suits.
「 We’ll talk to them so they don’t cause trouble in the future 」
You mean using the backside of the Kouzuki SS to threaten them so they never work as freelance bodyguards again.
「 I apologize for the troubles 」
Shiranui-san bows his head to Rei-chan.
Then.
「 Well, Noriaki-sama, let’s come home 」
「 N-No! I-I will never accept this! I can never accept this! I’m..I’m the head of the Kanou house 」
He shouts.
「 I was to inherit the Kanou house from the time I was born!! I’m not like the rest of them! I’m special! I can’t let something like this take away my position as the head of the house! This can’t happen! Isn’t that right? Shiranui!!! 」
Knowing that the old Kaan and his wife don’t agree with him, Noriaki asks his servant.
Unfortunately, Noriaki-sama, your era has ended.
Shiranui-san said.
「 Shiranui!!!! 」
「 I will accompany you to the end, now let’s go 」
「 No! No! Nooooooo!!! 」
Kanou Noriaki screams like a child.
Then.
「 By the way, Noriaki-kun 」
Kaan-san calls him.
Noriaki turned back right away.
「 Don’t you have something to tell Sakurako-kun? 」
Kaan-san said and everyone looked at Sakurako-san.
Kanou Noriaki looked at Sakurako-san, then…
His expression is filled with hate.
「 Sakurako, this is your fault! 」
As soon as Noriaki-san said that, I…
「 !!! 」
I slammed Noriaki-san with my fist.
As part of self-defense, Michi and Edie taught me the right spots to make sure they faint in a single blow.
「 Muee! 」
Noriaki fell on the ground feebly.
「 Father!! 」
Sakurako-san shouts.
「 Don’t worry. From the way he was hit, he only fainted, and there’s not much damage on his body 」
Yamada Taichi-san said with a smile.
「 Bring him, Shiranui-kun 」
Old Kaan told Shiranui-san.
「 If he still acts up after regaining consciousness, then use drugs 」
「 Kaan-san, instead of using drugs… 」
Yomi’s just in the other room.
「 No, don’t use that. Using the old methods is what’s necessary here 」
Kaan-san speaks lonely.
「 This isn’t a rare sight. Abolishing a foolish head is common 」
He stares at the unconscious Noriaki-san.
「 The decline of the Kanou house was because of the previous generation. In the previous generation, Noriaki-kun’s father was a man with too much pride, but he wasn’t a bad man. He misjudged the changing times and lost the Kanou house’s fortune 」
The number of noble families continues to decrease.
If they don’t continue their prosperity for a hundred years, then they’re not nobles. Jii-chan said that.
Some houses, such as Mariko’s Torii house, have grown after the war, but they still need years of polish.
On the other hand, some noble families have been around for hundreds of years that just disappeared due to the failure of their heads at that time.
Therefore, more noble houses disappear than increase.
「 Noriaki-kun seems to have inherited only the bad parts of his father. His house doesn’t have the same power as before and yet he acts like he’s the head of the Kanou house when we were called the big three. It’s Kouzuki and my fault for allowing that 」
Kaan and Kouzuki house have provided generous protection to the nearly-collapsed Kanou house.
Kanou Noriaki continued his misunderstandings.
「 That was his last chance. If Noriaki-kun were to apologize to Sakurako-kun, to genuinely apologize for making Sakurako-kun’s birth mother and Sakurako-kun suffer that much, then I thought that he might not need to be imprisoned. However 」
Kanou Noriaki didn’t even apologize to Sakurako.
And he put the blame on the whole problem on her.
Therefore.
「 What a fool. I’ve known him well since he was a baby. Kouzuki, the late Kanou and I have celebrated the birth of the heir 」
Now he had to punish the son of his late friend.
Kaan-san’s showing a heartbroken expression.
「 I’ve had enough. Bring Noriaki-kun out of here 」
「 Yes 」
Shiranui-san carries the collapsed Kanou Noriaki.
「 Only his body continued growing, his mind stopped 」
Shiranui had been Noriaki-san’s bodyguard since childhood.
「 This is Fujimiya, come in 」
Rei-chan speaks to the extension phone and Yamada Taichi-san opens the door to the corridor.
There is already ten uniformed personnel from the Kouzuki SS standing by.
「 Kanda-kun, accompany Shiranui-san on their way back to the Kanou house. Tomita-kun and everyone else, bring these three out. Kudou-san’s down there so give them to him. Let Kudou-san deal with them 」
Kudou-papa’s going to deal with these three.
「 Roger 」
Kouzuki SS staff follow Rei-chan’s instructions.
「 Well then, excuse us, Kaan-sama, everyone 」
Shiranui-san told us.
「 Shiranui-kun, you’re not Noriaki-kun’s personal bodyguard but Kanou house’s bodyguard so we shall meet again 」
Kaan-san told Shiranui-san.
「 No, Kaan-sama, I don’t have the stamina nor strength to be a bodyguard anymore. I will leave the rest to the next generation and retire 」
「 I see. That’s unfortunate, but if that’s your wish then it can’t be helped 」
「 Yes, I’m sorry to say 」
Shiranui-san told old Kaan, then…
「 Sakurako-sama, please take care of Shie 」
He bows his head to Sakurako-san.
「 Unlike me, my daughter is Sakurako-ojousama’s personal bodyguard 」
Sakurako-san…
「 But, I… 」
Her father’s kicked out of his seat and her mother and brother will return to their home.
She has no idea what will happen to the Kanou house in the future.
Even her future.
「 No, Sakurako-ojousama, you have the dignity of the Kanou house. You have been the young lady of the Kanou house and will continue to be in the future 」
Shiranui-san said with a smile.
「 Shiranui-san 」
「 Now if you’d excuse me 」
◇ ◇ ◇
Shiranui-san brought Kanou Noriaki-san.
Rei-chan and Yamada Taichi-san closed the door again.
Now, the people left in the room are;
Katsuko-nee, old Kaan, Momoko-neechan, Misuzu, Sakurako-san, Mariko.
Then, Sakurako-san’s mother, Kanou Satoko-san.
「 Grandfather, what will happen to the Kanou house from here on? 」
Momoko-neechan asks her grandfather.
「 We can find a replacement for Noriaki-kun’s honorary position and in foundations, but for now, Satoko-kun. Take over for now 」
「 Me? 」
Satoko-san’s surprised.
「 Even if you return to the Kanzaki house, it’ll shame you if you have no personal income. As for Noriaki-kun, we will announce that he’s ill and will undergo long-term treatment. Therefore, nobody will find it strange even if Satoko-kun takes over the position Noriaki-kun had 」
「 But, Father told me to divorce him 」
「 I’ll have them prepare the divorce papers with Noriaki-kun’s seal. You can divorce him anytime. That is unless Satoko-kun has found a new man you want to associate with, but I don’t think you should divorce just yet, for the sake of your son 」
Kaan-san said.
「 Either way, you should be away from the Kanou house for a while. I’ve found out from my research that many in the Kanou house suffer the same disease as Noriaki-kun 」
People who have too much pride because they can’t forget their old glory.
「 I feel that the people inside Kanou house can’t reform from the inside. Therefore, I’ll bring reformers from your parent’s home, Kanzaki house, and Mariko-kun’s Torii house 」
「 My house? 」
Mariko’s surprised.
「 Your mother is from the Kanou house. She is Noriaki-kun’s sister, and so it won’t be strange of Torii house were to help the Kanou house in their plight 」
「 But, Torii house isn’t from the nobility 」
「 Kouzuki and I don’t mind if Torii house takes over the Kanou house. This happen often way back then. The idea of a new family coming into an old family who lost its momentum and carrying on the name and the bloodline 」
Kaan-san looked at Satoko-san.
「 We also talked to Kanzaki house. The Kanzaki house may want the Kanou house’s name but they don’t have the resources to swallow them as a whole. Rather, Kanzaki house is more interested in developing a relationship with the Torii house 」
Torii house doesn’t belong to the nobility, but they have financial power.
「 All it took is for Kouzuki and me to say “Then Torii and Kanzaki house should work together to revive the Kanou house,” and they agreed. From here on, the Kaan and Kouzuki house will no longer provide support to the Kanou house outwardly. If we can make it so other families can reach the Kanou house only through the Torii and Kanzaki house, then the people in the Kanou house will follow obediently 」
I see.
Kanou Noriaki had plenty of leeways because he thought that Kaan and Kouzuki house would save him if he’s in trouble, but…
From here on, they can’t ask for help unless it goes through the Kanzaki and Torii house, then…
There will be less rash behavior.
「 Grandfather, if the Torii house is willing to take over the Kanou house, then… 」
Momoko-neechan speaks to her Grandfather.
「 The next head of the Kanou house can be Mariko, right? 」
「 Eeeeeeeh!!! 」
Mariko shouts.
「 Isn’t that right? Your mother is from the Kanou house, so if Mariko were to join the Kanou house as an adopted daughter and become the head of the family, then Torii and Kanou house will be united 」
「 Then, if Mariko-kun takes in a son-in-law from the Kanzaki house, then everything will be settled. Maybe Noriyasu-kun from Satoko-san will do 」
Her mother is a daughter of the main house, and her father is the head of the Torii house, so Mariko;
If she marries Noriyasi, whose father is Kanou Noriaki, and whose mother is from the Kanzaki house…
「 I don’t want that! Noriyasu-kun is still in elementary!! 」
Mariko said.
「 If you don’t want Noriyasu-kun, then there should be more suitable boys in the Kanzaki house so you have plenty of candidates 」
Kaan-san said.
「 I don’t want that, it’s troubling 」
Mariko just swore to be my woman forever one hour ago.
「 Besides, if I were to become the head of the Kanou house… 」
Mariko looked at Sakurako-san.
「 What will happen to Sakurako? 」
Right, her father’s kicked out of his seat.
Her mother and brother are coming back to their home.
However, Sakurako-san…
She’s not Satoko-san’s daughter, and Kanzaki house knows that.
So where should Sakurako-san live from here on?
Is there a place for Sakurako inside the Kanou house where major reform is taking place?