I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

“You didn’t treat me differently just because I’m an ordinary girl. Instead, you said you liked me… Saying I was ‘overwhelmed’ might be an exaggeration, but it really surprised me.”

"After all, you see."

Souji chuckled as he stretched out his arms, striking a pose that seemed to say, "Show me everything."

"In terms of looks, figure, family background... I can't compare to Sanako and Ms. Kinoshita."

"I'm neither as cute as Ms. Kinoshita, nor as pretty as Sanako."

"She is neither as petite and charming as Ms. Kinoshita, nor as graceful as Sanako."

"Ms. Kinoshita has never revealed her family background to me, only mentioning that she was an adopted orphan. But judging from Ms. Kinoshita's daily conversation, I guess... no, I'm certain: the family that adopted Ms. Kinoshita is definitely not a small or humble family."

"Not to mention Sanako, she is one of the most outstanding young ladies in the martial arts world, even in the whole country. She is proficient in everything from music, chess, calligraphy, painting, embroidery and weaving. She is both literate and martial. She is the embodiment of the word 'Nadeshiko'."

"And I... am just the daughter of an ordinary low-ranking samurai."

"Not only did I not have a distinguished background, but I also lost my parents at a young age and was raised entirely by my older sister."

"Besides that, I haven't received a very good education. Forget about etiquette and art, I don't even know all the Chinese characters, and I can't even read the Analects of Confucius fluently."

"My only notable strength is my swordsmanship."

"In terms of feminine charm, I am no match for Ms. Kinoshita and Sanako."

"So, when I heard you say, Tachibana-kun, that you like me, Sanako, and Kinoshita-san, I was really surprised."

"I have this feeling of 'How could someone like me be worthy of being compared to these two girls?' Hahaha..."

"Ah, it seems we've gone a bit off-topic. Haha, let's get back to the main point."

The commander straightened his posture, then took a deep breath, his eyes sparkling with a gentle light.

"In short—Tachibana-kun, if you don't mind... I'm willing to cook miso soup for you for the rest of my life!"

"Then...go do what you want to do, don't worry about me."

"Your willingness to marry me has already filled me with immense joy and honor. I will not... nor dare I ask for more."

After saying that, Souji gave a sweet smile.

Although she hid it well... Qingdeng could still detect the forced smile in the corners of her mouth, her eyebrows, and other places.

Especially when Souji mentioned "having a bad background and losing her parents at a young age," Qing Deng, with her excellent eyesight, clearly noticed that her eyebrows and the corners of her mouth drooped slightly, and a faint sadness appeared in her eyes.

In an instant, Qingdeng's face was filled with surprise.

This was the first time he had ever seen Souji show such a lack of confidence... or rather, such an inferiority complex.

Souji, who is synonymous with "optimism" and "cheerfulness," actually has an inferiority complex?

At first glance, it seems incredible.

But after careful consideration, one is surprised to find that it is not impossible.

Souji rarely talks about his family in front of outsiders.

Even if it's mentioned, we won't talk about it much.

She would always laugh and gloss over any topic related to family and relatives.

Over time, Aoto unconsciously overlooked a cruel fact: Souji's family of origin... was a tragedy.

I have hardly ever experienced fatherly or motherly love.

She lived with her two older sisters, who were not much older than her.

Growing up in such an environment, it goes without saying that the family was struggling financially.

Compared to physical suffering, the mental anguish was probably even more agonizing for Souji.

Don't underestimate the impact of parental love on children.

Happy people are healed by their childhood throughout their lives; unhappy people spend their lives healing from their childhood.

The absence of parents can easily lead to personality defects and even psychological distortions in children during their growth.

This is why people from families where parents have lost their children often turn to crime and commit crimes.

Despite coming from an unfortunate family, he was not defeated by the hardships of life, but instead faced life with a positive and sunny attitude... People like Souji are extremely rare.

However, although Souji usually appears energetic and says that "the misfortunes of my childhood have not affected me at all," judging from the droopy eyebrows and downcast lips she showed just now... the truth seems to be quite different.

Upon realizing this, Qingdeng pursed his lips in annoyance—he regretted his past naive thoughts.

Previously, he had always assumed that Souji was a "human angel" who knew nothing of sorrow or distress, and whose smile could not be clouded even by the tragic experiences of her childhood.

Naive...so naive...

At this moment, Qing Deng belatedly realized that the idea he had been holding all along was far too naive.

Even a "human angel" like Souji cannot escape the influence of her family of origin and will feel inferior about her background...

He keeps referring to himself as "someone like me"...

I'm ashamed to put myself on the same level as Kinoshita Mai and Sanako...

I feel I'm not qualified to offer my thoughts or opinions to Qingdeng...

Qing Deng gazed intently at the commander.

In a short while, he transformed his overflowing emotions into his voice:

“…Ms. Okita, you seem to have misunderstood something.”

"Eh?"

The commander looked puzzled.

The next moment, confusion turned into surprise.

"ah!"

Qing Deng opened his arms and pulled Souji into his embrace without saying a word, then reached around her back and gently stroked her.

"Although you belittle yourself to the point of worthlessness... in my eyes, the 'light' you possess is in no way inferior to that of Mai and Sanako."

"?!"

Because he was being held tightly by Aoto, Souji struggled to peek his little head out from between Aoto's arms and looked at him with a surprised expression.

Meeting the gaze of the commander, the lines of Qing Deng's face softened.

"After realizing that you were more than just a 'friend' to me, I've been thinking about one question: When did I start liking you?"

Even for a long time after I discovered your true gender, I still considered you my most important friend.

"I still haven't figured out the answer to this problem."

"However, on another question, I received a very clear answer—what is the reason that I have fallen in love with you?"

Qingdeng's cheeks relaxed further, as did the corners of his mouth, and he continued the conversation with a beaming smile:

"The answer is surprisingly simple—I'm captivated by your smile."

"A smile?" Souji stared, mouth agape.

"Hmm. Ms. Okita, hasn't anyone told you that your smile is beautiful?"

"Well... indeed, many people have said similar things..."

The commander muttered.

"Look, you have advantages besides swordsmanship."

"But! Can having a nice smile be considered a virtue?"

The commander-in-chief argued urgently.

"Ms. Okita, your smile is more than just pretty."

Qingdeng quietly shook his head.

"Besides being beautiful, your smile has a peculiar magic. I don't know what others think, but whenever I see your smile, I always feel happy without even realizing it."

"Let me think of a better way to describe it... Ah, yes! Infectiousness!"

"Ms. Okita, your smile is so infectious! It can subtly influence other people's emotions, making sad people less sad and happy people even happier."

"You are like the sunshine...wherever you are, there is warmth."

"I have been touched by your smile countless times."

"Your smiling face and your lively and cheerful personality have captivated me."

"Therefore... stop belittling yourself like that, stop referring to yourself as 'someone like me' all the time."

"I'm not so magnanimous as to like a useless guy who's good for nothing but his looks and swordsmanship."

"Be confident, Okita Souji... No! Okita Tsukasa possesses a captivating charm that can dazzle and enthrall Tachibana Aoto!"

"I admit: the reason I wanted to marry so many girls was to satisfy my personal desires."

"However! Before my personal desires can be fulfilled, there is a prerequisite that must be met: all of you must be genuinely willing to marry me!"

"I hope that after you marry me, in the years to come, and even as you approach the end of your lives, you will all sincerely feel that being my wife was a great blessing!"

"If this condition is not met... I would rather remain single for the rest of my life!"

"If you feel wronged by having to share a husband with other women, just say so. I won't mind."

I will not be discouraged by any of your answers.

"I will continue to work hard."

"I will make myself stronger."

"I will make you like me even more."

"One day... I will make you all willingly cook miso soup for me for the rest of your lives!"

Aoto tightened his arms around Souji.

The force was so great that it seemed as if it wanted to meld Souji into its own body and become one with her.

After Qing Deng finished speaking, silence enveloped him and the commander once again.

In this tranquil moment... Souji raised his head as his emotions overflowed.