Meet the Parents
—
Ichoshima Estate – Saturday Afternoon
The Ichoshima family estate was less a house and more a fortress carved into the side of a mountain. Towering gates of obsidian and gold opened to reveal a sprawling compound surrounded by enchanted sakura trees that bloomed year-round, their petals glowing faintly with mana.
Raijo stepped through the gates, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the grandeur with a casual air. He wore a black high-collared jacket, his white hair tied loosely behind him, and his signature calm smirk in place.
Waiting at the entrance was Yumi, arms crossed, lips curled into a smirk of her own.
"Took you long enough."
Raijo stepped in close, one hand sliding around her waist, the other brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Missed me?"
She rolled her eyes. "You're shameless."
He leaned in, brushing his lips against her neck. "Only for you."
From the balcony above, a deep voice thundered.
"Ahem."
They both turned.
Hiroshima Ichoshima stood there, arms crossed, golden eyes narrowed. He descended the steps like a god descending from the heavens, his presence bending the air around him.
"Hands off my daughter."
Raijo didn't move. "She's not complaining."
Yumi's eyes widened. "Raijo—"
But he was already stepping forward, squaring up with the man known as the Calamity-Class Hunter.
Hiroshima's aura flared, the ground cracking beneath his feet. "You think you're ready to challenge me, boy?"
Raijo's own aura surged in response — not just his, but the echo of hundreds of shadows within him. The sky dimmed. The wind stilled.
"I'm not here to challenge you," Raijo said, voice calm. "But if you want to throw hands, I won't hold back."
Yumi stepped between them, hands raised. "Enough! Both of you!"
She turned to Raijo, eyes wide. "You're not stronger than him—"
Then she paused.
Her eyes narrowed.
She looked again.
And realized something terrifying.
He's close.
In just three months, Raijo had climbed to a level that brushed against her father's. He wasn't there yet — but the gap was shrinking. Fast.
Hiroshima stared at the boy, then chuckled.
"Fine. You've got guts. I'll give you that."
He turned and walked back inside. "Dinner's in an hour. Don't be late."
Yumi exhaled, then turned to Raijo. "You're insane."
He grinned. "You like that about me."
She didn't deny it.
—
Dinner, Rivals, and a Violation
—
Ichoshima Estate – Dining Hall, Evening
The long obsidian table shimmered under floating lanterns, casting warm light across the room. Raijo sat beside Yumi, casually feeding her slices of grilled mana-beast meat while she rolled her eyes and tried not to smile.
Across from them sat Hiroshima, arms crossed, watching like a hawk. His wife, elegant and composed, sipped wine with a knowing smile.
The tension was thick.
Raijo leaned in, whispering something into Yumi's ear that made her blush. Hiroshima's eye twitched.
"Boy," he said, voice low. "Hands off my daughter at the table."
Raijo didn't even look up. "She's not complaining."
Yumi snorted, nearly choking on her drink.
Hiroshima leaned forward. "You think you're ready to challenge me?"
Raijo finally met his gaze. "Not yet. But you're not the only monster in this house anymore."
The room went silent.
Yumi's mother chuckled softly. "Boys and their pride…"
—
Then the door opened.
A tall figure stepped in, dressed in a pristine white suit, hair slicked back, eyes gleaming with arrogance.
Name: Kaito Renjou
Age: 22
Rank: S
Element: Wind
Build: Lean, athletic, with a model's face and a politician's smile
Aura: Sharp, fast, and cocky — like a blade that thinks it's already won
Hiroshima stood. "Raijo, meet Kaito. The man I selected for Yumi."
Raijo didn't move.
Yumi blinked. "You what?"
Kaito stepped forward, ignoring her. "No offense, kid," he said, eyes on Raijo. "But you're not built to handle someone like Yumi. She needs a man. Not a boy with a shadow fetish."
Raijo stood slowly, pushing his chair back.
"Say that again."
Kaito smirked. "You heard me. You want to prove something? Let's go. 1v1. No shadows. Just you."
Yumi stood. "Kaito, don't—"
Raijo raised a hand. "It's fine."
He walked to the center of the training courtyard, cracking his neck.
Kaito followed, confident.
—
Ichoshima Courtyard – Duel Grounds
The family gathered around. Even the maids paused their duties. The air buzzed with anticipation.
Kaito launched first — a flurry of wind blades, fast and precise.
Raijo dodged effortlessly, his body moving like smoke.
Then he struck.
One punch.
Kaito flew across the courtyard, crashing into a pillar, cracking it in half.
He staggered up, coughing blood. "Lucky shot—"
Raijo blurred forward, grabbed his collar, and slammed him into the ground.
Again.
And again.
And again.
The earth cracked. The wind howled. Kaito screamed.
Raijo stood over him, eyes glowing white.
"You're right," he said. "I'm not built to handle Yumi."
He leaned in.
"I'm built to own her."
Kaito passed out.
—
Aftermath
Raijo walked back to the table, dusting off his jacket. Hiroshima stared at him, unreadable.
Yumi sat down, arms crossed. "You're insane."
Raijo kissed her cheek. "You like that about me."
Her mother giggled. "I love this boy."
Hiroshima sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. You win this round."
Raijo smirked. "I win every round."
—
End of chapter 14