Fantasy Library.

Why is this the case in Chapter 514?
Kenshi Shrine, inner hall.

When Hitachi Mako followed Asatake Yoshino's trail to this place, Asatake Yoshino had already changed into her usual Chihaya and shrine maiden outfits and was performing the offering dance in the main hall.

"Ring—ring—ring—ring—"

The sounds of Kagura bells and Hoko bells echoed incessantly, and the majestic shrine maiden, her expression focused as if on a pilgrimage, danced gracefully with a taut face.

The dance was as beautiful and captivating as ever, making it clear that the person before them was Hoori's shrine maiden, a messenger of the gods.

However, Hitachi Mako keenly noticed that the offering dance, which Asatake Yoshino used to know so well that it was like an instinct, was being danced a little hastily and chaotically this time.

"call……"

Asatake Yoshino seemed to realize this as well, and as if she felt that such a dance was not worthy of being performed any longer, she stopped abruptly.

"This is... absolutely outrageous."

It's unclear whether this whisper was a self-reproach or a blame on someone else.

"Lady Yoshino." Hitachi Mako stepped forward at just the right moment, looked at Asatake Yoshino who was bowing her head and remaining silent, and said softly, "What's wrong with you?"

“…Moko.” Asagi Yoshino looked at Hitachi Moko, clutching her chest like a helpless child, and said blankly, “I don’t know why, but I feel a little confused.”

Facing someone she had grown up with since childhood, who was more like a sister or childhood friend than a bodyguard, Asatake Yoshino rarely shed her usual demeanor and showed her vulnerable side.

"Is it because of Lord Aizawa?" Hitachi Mako looked at Asatake Yoshino and said in a soft voice, like an older sister having a heart-to-heart talk with her younger sister, "Lord Aizawa seems to think it would be better to break off the engagement with Yoshino-sama. Is Yoshino-sama unhappy about this?"

"I--"

Chao Wufang opened her mouth, but couldn't come up with a coherent answer.

Is she unhappy?
It seems so...

But why is she unhappy?

Breaking off the engagement—wasn't this something I'd thought about from the very beginning?

Now that Mr. Aize has brought this up, why don't I feel as happy or relieved as I expected?

"I...I think I've become a little strange, Moko."

Asahi Yoshino's bewildered and helpless look elicited a look of pity from Hitachi Mako.

She knew that this was actually Yoshino Asagi's truest self.

Don't be fooled by Asagi Yoshino's usual composed and calm demeanor; it's all an act.

Asatake Yoshino's personality is indeed very serious. At first glance, she seems a bit cold, so much so that people around her think she is aloof and unapproachable. But that is just an act she puts on. If someone lived with her, they would easily see some of her flaws.

For example, in the morning, she would always be limp and weak because she was still half asleep. When Aize found out, she would immediately slap her face hard to wake herself up. This proves that she is actually very emotional and psychologically like a child in many ways.

She also often makes silly mistakes and occasionally messes up simple things, as can be seen from her stubborn actions on several occasions.

At the same time, she is also an unexpectedly somewhat slow-witted girl.

This is because she always puts her mission as a shrine maiden first, which makes her somewhat distant from those around her, to the point that she has never experienced the kind of relationships that ordinary girls have.

Despite her special status in Suiori and her beautiful appearance, as Asabu Yasuharu once said, despite being top-notch in every way, she doesn't feel special at all; on the contrary, she feels somewhat inferior.

She felt like a cursed child, and therefore deserved to be rejected.

She felt she had a heavy mission, so she couldn't afford to relax.

She dared not get too close to others, fearing that she might bring disaster and trouble to them.

In her eyes, the lives of ordinary girls are what she should envy the most; they are dazzling things that she cannot reach.

Therefore, she was actually an insecure person who was afraid of being alone, and she had no idea what was so special about her that made her worthy of being liked by others.

Therefore, Hitachi Mako knew better than anyone that the reason Asatake Yoshino was so opposed to the engagement with Aizawa was not because she felt that Aizawa was not good enough for her or that she was the one in a superior position in the relationship. Rather, she genuinely did not want to involve Aizawa in her affairs and wanted to keep Aizawa away from her and away from her, the source of all the trouble.

She wanted to break off the engagement to keep Aize away from Suizhi's curse and prevent her from touching dangerous things.

That's something she, as the current heir of the Chaowu family, needs to face; she shouldn't involve others or drag them into it.

Although everyone in Hoori was concerned about Yoshino Asatake's marriage and the continuation of the Asatake family, Mako Hitachi knew that Yoshino Asatake had never actually considered these things.

She never even considered making a contract with anyone or spending her life with anyone; marriage was simply not within the scope of her thinking.

Therefore, as Yoshino Asatake grew up, even though people started visiting her and she was constantly being set up on blind dates, she refused them all without hesitation and never thought about getting married.

She should have been happy when Aize proposed to break off the engagement, or at the very least, she should have felt relieved. However, contrary to her usual behavior, she got angry and left on the spot, causing the atmosphere to drop to freezing point.

As a result, after leaving the scene, she couldn't understand why she was angry or why she suddenly became so confused.

That's why she said she had become strange.

But... "This is not strange at all, Lady Yoshino." Instead of being worried about Yoshino's condition, Hitachi Mako said with a sense of relief, "This proves that in your heart, the engagement with Lady Aizawa is no longer something that must be dissolved."

"Your behavior is actually telling you that you are not happy about breaking off your engagement with Lord Aize."

"On the contrary, you were very unhappy that Lord Aize proposed to dissolve the engagement, which is why you acted this way."

Hitachi Mako's words, which sounded like she was analyzing things with a child, made Asatake Yoshino pause in surprise.

So, I was indeed feeling unhappy?
But why?

Why should you feel unhappy?
“For Lady Yoshino now, the engagement with Lord Aize is no longer something to be rejected,” Hitachi Mako said carefully. “Lady Yoshino knows better than anyone that Lord Aize has become an integral part of our lives and our mission. He is a partner who fights alongside us, a trustworthy man who makes us feel safe.”

"Lady Yoshino must have gotten used to having Lady Aize by her side by now, right?"

"Therefore, when Lord Aize proposes to dissolve the engagement, you will subconsciously think that this person is going to distance himself from us and end our relationship."

"You feel repulsed and disgusted by this, which is why you are angry and anxious."

In fact, Hitachi Mako did not tell Asatake Yoshino that in the other's heart, Aizawa's position was gradually becoming special.

The evidence is that, in any situation where Aize might appear, no matter where, Yoshino Asatake would subconsciously look for him first.

When Aize was around, she would often turn her gaze to him, sometimes even staring at him without realizing it or reacting to it.

At the same time, whether it's during meals, showers, or even when doing homework or reviewing lessons, Yoshino Asatake will always ask Mako Hitachi to notify Aizawa immediately so that he can come over to eat together, or go take a shower first, or even inquire about whether Aizawa's studies are going smoothly and whether he needs any help.

These are things that Yoshino Asatake would never have shown to others before.

Not only did Hitachi Mako discover this, but Sou Amane and Asatake Yasuharu also discovered it, and even Kurama Genjuro may have discovered it.

That's why everyone thinks there might be something going on between the two.

Who knew Aize would say that today...

Lord Aize probably hasn't even noticed that Lady Yoshino's attitude towards him has become quite special, right?
While Hitachi Mako was thinking this, Asatake Yoshino was also seriously reflecting.

She felt that what Hitachi Mako said made sense.

My thoughts have indeed changed. I no longer want to distance myself from Aize or want him to leave, just like before.

On the contrary, she no longer wants Aize to leave.

The thought of Aize breaking off their engagement and leaving her side made her feel uneasy.

"Why is this so?"

Asatake Yoshino still didn't understand why she was experiencing such an emotional change, revealing her obtuseness.

Seeing this, Tsutachi Mako felt that she had to find a way to give them a push.

Then, Hitachi Mako's eyes lit up, and a lightbulb suddenly went off in her head.

"Lady Yoshino," Hitachi Mako suddenly said, "would you like to come to my house?"

"I have something I want to show you."

Upon hearing this, Asahi Yoshino was taken aback once again.

"what is this?"

Asahi Yoshino's question was met with an overly bright smile from Hitachi Mako.

"These are shoujo manga from my collection."

…………

Meanwhile, Aize had already left the living room and walked out of the Chaowu family's residence.

"Master~~~"

Cong Yu suddenly appeared out of nowhere and flew to Aize's side.

"What?" Aize glanced at Cong Yu and said irritably, "Didn't you leave?"

"I'm making room for you and An Qing," Cong Yu said, hands on her hips. "Have you finished talking?"

"What did An Qing tell you?"

Cong Yu's question made Aize's eyes flicker.

"Marriage...?"

Aize murmured, his expression unusually complicated.

(End of this chapter)