"So that's how it is…"
Hearing this, Inosuke, Akaza, and even Mitsuba simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.
Good, good…
As expected, besides Kotoha (his mother) who was a bit of a ditz, how could anyone possibly fall for a creature like Douma…
"What is it with those strange expressions?"
Finally realizing that the three's reactions were somewhat off, Shinobu was full of confusion.
"Is there something wrong with Director Douma?"
"No, there's no problem, it's just…"
Glancing at Mitsuba and Akaza, Inosuke hesitated for a long time, then finally raised his hand to cover his face and said in a low voice, as if speaking of something very embarrassing:
"Douma, he's actually my father… stepfather."
"Eh?!"
Upon hearing this, not only Shinobu, but the other two girls who didn't know—Kanao and Koyuki—were also stunned.
However, Inosuke wasn't finished yet.
"And then, Lady Ume, I actually usually call her aunt as well…"
"Huh?!"
"Additionally, Lady Ume is actually Aunt Mitsuba and Uncle Hakuji's distant cousin…"
"Hey! Wait wait wait! What's going on? What is this situation? How did you all suddenly know each other?"
This sudden revelation of familial relationships directly overloaded Shinobu's brain.
What did it mean that her favorite director was actually her sister's boyfriend's father?
And what did it mean that her favorite actress was actually her gir… good friend's distant cousin?
Was this world actually so small? How did everyone inexplicably become acquaintances?
"Mitsuba, could it be that I also have some special relationship hidden that I don't even know about?"
To Shinobu's sudden question from behind her—her brain clearly overheating—Mitsuba deliberately replied in a carefree, dismissive tone:
"How could that be~ It's all coincidence, just coincidence~"
"Mm, it is indeed quite a coincidence."
Akaza also nodded in response.
However, this sudden coordination between the siblings instead aroused Shinobu's suspicion.
"No no no! With that tone of yours, could it be that I really do have some kind of relationship?"
Facing her question, Mitsuba and Akaza directly chose… to not hear it.
"Perfect, I've actually never watched any of that guy Douma's movies before. Taking this opportunity, old lady, why don't we go watch it together?"
Akaza actively proposed.
It seemed he was in quite a good mood today, to the point where he was even willing to watch Douma's movie.
"That works too. What do you think, Inosuke?"
Mitsuba turned to ask.
"I have absolutely no problem with it."
Inosuke said indifferently.
"Me too. Occasionally coming home late once, Father probably won't mind… probably."
Koyuki also nodded and said.
"Then it's decided! Since we've all decided! Then let's all head to the cinema together!"
"Hey! Don't suddenly ignore me!"
"…"
After many years, the famous international director Douma once again collaborated with his ace partner Lady Ume on a new movie.
The content of this movie mainly revolved around a daimyo family from the Sengoku period of Japan.
The protagonist of the story was the youngest sister among the three children of this family (played by Lady Ume).
The movie vividly told how this young sister struggled to survive in that oppressive and heavy feudal family.
And after her parents passed away one after another, how she—with the help of her close friend (played by Yae)—outwitted her two older brothers, cleverly gathered retainers, and exposed family conspiracies.
Ultimately sitting in the position of family head as a woman, becoming a legendary story of dominating an entire nation!
Mm, very strong sense of déjà vu.
Honestly, the moment she saw this movie synopsis, Mitsuba already somewhat didn't want to watch it.
Not only that, she suddenly really wanted to have Nakime use the Infinity Castle to drag Douma back from across the ocean and beat him up on the ground.
Damn it, no wonder that guy suddenly became interested in her experiences as a human two years ago, pestering her in her mind all day asking endless questions…
So he had been waiting for this!
[Forget it, since we're already here, let's treat it as watching that guy Douma's creative imagination…]
"You guys hand all your things to the staff to put away first. I'll go buy the tickets."
In the cinema lobby, instructing the people behind her, Mitsuba walked straight toward the crowd lining up to buy tickets.
It had to be said, the combination of Douma and Lady Ume—these two demons—truly had high popularity in this island nation.
Late at night, there were still quite a few people queuing at the cinema waiting to buy tickets to watch his movie.
Standing at the back of the line, Mitsuba tilted her body and peeked at the crowd ahead.
Mm, at this current speed, it would probably take another ten-plus minutes before it was her turn. There was still enough time.
Speaking of which, the person in front was so tall, really blocking the view…
After this small internal complaint, Mitsuba finally raised her head and looked at the couple standing in line before her.
It was currently early spring, yet these two were unusually wearing thick trench coats and fedora hats, giving people a feeling of being very covered up.
From the way the two held each other's arms, one could easily deduce that they were definitely a married couple.
Among them, the wife had a petite figure, her long hair tied up and hidden in her hat.
The husband had a tall stature, that deep crimson long hair simply tied up and hanging behind him.
[Wait… deep crimson long hair?]
Suddenly guessing the identity of the couple before her, Mitsuba immediately put on dead fish eyes, raised her hand and unceremoniously tugged on the bundle of long hair before her, saying:
"Long time no see, my dear brother. What brings you here at night?"
Yes, this couple covered up so tightly was precisely her congressman brother Tsugikuni Michikatsu, and her sister-in-law Tsugikuni Nakime.
"Mitsuba?"
Her long hair suddenly tugged, hearing the familiar voice behind her, Michikatsu and Nakime subconsciously turned their heads, simultaneously asking in surprised tones:
"Why are you here?"
"That's a long story…"
Just as Mitsuba wanted to begin explaining, Akaza and Inosuke also led the other three girls over, having handed all the things they bought during the day to the staff to put away, walking toward this direction together.
"Old lady, have you bought the tickets… Hm?! Kokush… no! Brother, why are you here?!"
"Great-uncle?!"
"Hakuji, Inosuke? And these ladies are…"
"Uh, they are…"
"Eh?! Could you be Congressman Michikatsu from the newspapers?! Mitsuba's brother?!"
With the sudden addition of Akaza and the others, the situation on site became somewhat chaotic for a moment.
Mm, or perhaps one should say… lively?
…
(Meow meow meow~ The people haven't all arrived yet meow~)