The story begins with an eight-foot-tall lady surrounded by ghost story ladies.

The three exorcists behind Jinguji Saya simultaneously felt that pressure.

That was not the kind of aura that ordinary evil spirits could emit.

That's the aura of a predator at the top of the food chain, looking down at its prey.

Sweat beaded on the forehead of the middle-aged male exorcist, while the other's hands began to tremble.

Only Saya Jinguji herself remained seated in her chair, her expression unchanged.

She even raised her eyes and met Lady Bachi's gaze for a moment.

But there was no fear in his eyes, only a calm that said, "I've seen it all before."

"This must be Mr. Natsume's shikigami."

"That's... truly amazing."

The eight-foot-tall lady did not respond.

Her three-meter-tall, voluptuous figure emerged completely from the shadows, the hem of her white mourning dress trailing on the ground, the fabric at her chest stretched taut, outlining a breathtaking curve.

Her gaze passed over Jinguji Saya and landed on Natsume Bon'u.

His gaze held a questioning tone, a hint of dissatisfaction, and a barely perceptible trace of grievance.

It's as if it's saying:

Are you going to be someone's fiancé?

Natsume Fanyu felt that gaze.

He sighed inwardly.

"Okusan, calm down."

"It's just negotiation."

The eight-foot-tall lady did not return.

She stood behind Natsume in an almost assertive manner, her ample figure, barely visible beneath her white mourning clothes, pressed very close to him without touching him.

But anyone who sees this image will come to the same conclusion...

This man is hers.

The room was silent for a full five seconds.

Then Natsume Fanyu spoke.

"As that Jinguji-san's fiancé?"

"That is indeed a very good method..."

At this point, his tone changed:

"However, I'm truly sorry..."

"I'm not interested in a rich young lady like that who would throw me into Tokyo Bay to feed fish the moment we meet."

Jinguji Saya's eyes flickered slightly upon hearing this.

The expressions of the three exorcists became somewhat subtle.

Having been with the Jinguji group for so many years, this was the first time they had ever heard anyone describe that young lady in such a tone.

What made them even more uneasy was...

There was no disgust or sarcasm in Natsume Fanyu's tone, only a simple "not my type".

It's as natural as saying "I don't eat cilantro".

"After all, I still prefer someone more mature and sophisticated."

Natsume Bonyu continued, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Jinguji Saya.

Then his gaze stopped.

It wasn't because I saw anything I shouldn't have seen.

Rather, it was because he realized something in that instant...

If we only consider the words "mature" and "charming," the woman in front of me is probably at the pinnacle of her age group.

This statement is not an exaggeration at all.

It's just stating the facts.

Because Saya Jinguji is indeed that kind of person.

Her beauty isn't the kind that's stunning at first sight, but rather like a fine wine whose flavor can only be appreciated over time.

Especially her impeccably tailored kimono; it was precisely this impeccable style that made one unable to help but think...

What kind of scene lies beneath those layers of fabric?

What would that waist, cinched by the silver-gray belt, look like if it were loosened?

What breathtaking curves and undulations would extend from the collarbone exposed at the neckline down into the depths of the kimono?

Natsume Fanyu withdrew his gaze and coughed lightly.

"Of course, Mrs. Saya, please don't misunderstand."

"While Mrs. Saya is indeed a master in this regard, but..."

He didn't finish speaking.

Because Jinguji Saya stood up, walked to Natsume Bon'u's side, and stood with him by the window.

The frost that had condensed when Madam Bachi appeared still lingered on the windowpane, blurring and obscuring their reflections.

Immediately afterwards...

Then Jinguji Saya's voice was calm, but she said something startling:

"If Mr. Natsume doesn't mind that I'm a widow..."

"I would love to be your wife."

The air in the room seemed to freeze.

The pupils of the three exorcists simultaneously dilated to twice their normal size.

Not because of shock.

It's because they've followed Jinguji Saya for so many years and have never heard her speak in this tone before.

There was no joking, no probing, no perfunctory "I'm just saying nice things" in his tone.

There was only a calm, almost solemn seriousness.

It was as if she was saying something she had long wanted to say but finally had the chance to.

Saya Jinguji didn't look at the expressions of the three exorcists; her gaze remained fixed on Natsume Bon's face.

The warmth in those eyes had increased even more than before.

It's not fiery passion, it's unwavering conviction.

"or..."

She continued, her tone remaining calm.

"You can also choose to accompany Rin, along with her mother."

together.

It is not "one of".

They were together.

The moment those words were uttered, the white mourning clothes on Madam Bachi moved without any wind.

The frost on the entire windowpane shattered in an instant.

The three exorcists turned pale.

Because they both sensed...

The aura emanating from the eight-foot-tall lady was no longer at the "warning" level.

It is "killing intent".

But Jinguji Saya did not back down.

She even turned her head slightly to glance at Madam Bachi.

There was no provocation, no fear in that glance.

There is only one kind of honesty: "I know you care about him, but I am also seriously trying to win him over."

Then her gaze returned to Natsume Fanyu's face, and her voice lowered, so low that only the two of them could hear it.

"and..."

"The way Mr. Natsume looked at me just now didn't seem like he was 'uninterested'."

Natsume Fanyu remained silent for a long time before finally speaking:

"Mrs. Saya, are you joking with me?"

His voice was calm, so calm that no emotion could be detected.

But those who know him will know...

When Natsume Fanyu speaks in this tone, he is usually thinking seriously.

But it's not about considering the feasibility of becoming Saya Jinguji's husband.

It wasn't about considering the feasibility of Rin Jinguji and her daughter being together.

Instead, he was pondering how someone in this world could make such an absurd, almost insane suggestion with such a serious, almost solemn tone.

Jinguji Saya was clearly not joking.

Her expression remained unchanged from beginning to end.

Dignified, composed, and resolute.

"No, Mr. Natsume, I'm serious."

"Moreover, this is not only my idea, but also Rin's father's only entrustment before his death, and it has always been the family rule of the Jinguji family."

"Anyone who can resolve the matter of the fetal spirit can take over everything in the Jinguji family if they are willing to join the family."

"This is a rule established by the successive heads of the Jinguji family."

"The Jinguji family prospered because of the fetal spirit, and also suffered because of the fetal spirit."

"The one who can resolve this predicament is the master of the Jinguji family."

"Regardless of status, background, or..."

She paused for a moment.

"Regardless of the method of taking control."