I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"Sorry sorry."

Qingdeng clasped his hands together and lowered his head.

"I've been so busy lately. A mountain of official duties and trivial matters are eating away at my time like termites. I really want to come and visit you as soon as possible. Please understand."

Kinoshita Mai raised her gaze and stared directly into Aoto's eyes.

"Hmph... Fine. Qingdeng, you are now the captain of the Fire Thief Division, a high-ranking and powerful position, so I understand that you are very busy every day... I will forgive you this time."

Although Kinoshita Mai said that, she didn't exude any "I forgive you" aura at all.

It was more like a test for Qing Deng: I did say "I forgive you", but Qing Deng, are you not going to say anything more to me?

Qing Deng saw through Kinoshita Mai's little scheme at a glance.

He smiled slightly, then took half a step forward, standing a little closer to Kinoshita Mai.

"Ah Wu, are you free today?"

Before he could finish speaking, Qing Deng suddenly stretched out his right palm and grabbed Kinoshita Mai's left hand.

Faced with Qing Deng's sudden taking of her hand, Kinoshita Mai's delicate body trembled slightly. And then... that was it.

She offered no resistance, letting Qingdeng take her hand. It was as if she was already used to physical contact with Qingdeng.

"I...I'm free this afternoon..."

Kinoshita Mai stammered in response.

"I'm glad you have time!"

Aoto extended his other hand and took Kinoshita Mai's other hand.

"Since you're free this afternoon, would you like to go out and have some fun with me?"

"Going on a trip? Where to?"

"Hmm... Go wherever you want. I'll keep you company today, as an apology for neglecting you lately due to being busy with official duties and trivial matters."

Upon hearing this, the sullen look on Kinoshita Mai's face vanished instantly.

"Well, it's a deal then... don't go back on your word!"

After saying that, Kinoshita Mai blinked hesitantly.

That hint of hesitation came quickly and went just as fast.

After a moment, Kinoshita Mai took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind.

Next, she made an extremely bold move—she pulled her soft hands out of Qingdeng's palms, and at the same time, she stood on tiptoe, wrapped her newly "liberated" hands around Qingdeng's neck, and pressed her entire weight onto Qingdeng's body.

"Hehe~~"

Qingdeng was enveloped by a soft, pleasant breath and a series of silly, clumsy laughs.

"Ha ha……"

Aoto chuckled softly to himself as he turned and hugged Kinoshita Mai.

As for what kind of relationship he has with Kinoshita Mai now... Aoto finds it hard to give a clear answer.

If Qing Deng had to describe it... he and Kinoshita Mai are currently in a relationship that is "just one step away from becoming a real couple".

Although Kinoshita Mai, like Sanako, has clearly stated that she does not want her future husband to have other women, the difference between Kinoshita Mai and Sanako is that she is particularly easily swayed and very easy to coax.

Sanako has an overly assertive personality; she always wants to be number one and is unwilling to be second to anyone. Ordinary sweet talk simply cannot move her.

Therefore, if Sanako were to throw a tantrum, Aoto really wouldn't know how to appease her.

Kinoshita Mai, however, is different.

Whether she's dissatisfied or angry, no matter what her mood is, as long as you say a few pleasant words to her, her mood will immediately turn from gloomy to sunny.

To give a vivid example... Kinoshita Mai is the kind of girl who, after being played by a scumbag, will keep saying, "He's not that bad, he just praised my cooking yesterday," while stubbornly defending the scumbag.

Kinoshita Mai's personality... destined her to be unable to resist Aoto's pursuit.

Qing Deng seized upon Kinoshita Mai's inability to refuse and her near-zero immunity to sweet words, using this as a starting point to launch a fierce offensive against her.

The methods Qingdeng used in his pursuit included, but were not limited to:

Suddenly he took Kinoshita Mai's hand; suddenly he hugged Kinoshita Mai; suddenly he put his arm around Kinoshita Mai and complimented her on her outfit...

In short: he tried various ways to get Kinoshita Mai used to his presence; he tried various ways to coax Kinoshita Mai.

And this girl really falls for that!

If you're too gentle with her, she might not appreciate it.

Being a little rough with her will actually make her eyes sparkle.

Aoto officially began pursuing Kinoshita Mai and Sanako after confessing his feelings to them.

In just over three months since he began pursuing her, Qing Deng has witnessed firsthand how Kinoshita Mai gradually "fell" under his "offensive".

At first, she was very resistant to his physical contact such as holding hands and hugging, then she only made symbolic resistance, and now... she not only no longer resists, but also takes the initiative to hug Qingdeng.

Aside from not having kissed or done anything more intimate, Aoto and Kinoshita Mai are practically a couple.

Unfortunately... Kinoshita Mai, though easily swayed and weak-willed, is exceptionally firm on matters of principle and refuses to back down.

For example: Qingdeng is not allowed to touch her body indiscriminately.

On one occasion, when Aoto was embracing Kinoshita Mai, he was so moved that he unconsciously raised his hand, wanting to measure Kinoshita Mai's development with his hand.

Here, Qingdeng must first make a defense: his action at the time was by no means lustful! It was merely a momentary infatuation!

As a result, Kinoshita Mai dodged her hand when it was only halfway raised.

Her reasoning was impeccable, leaving Qingdeng no room for rebuttal: "Grandma told me that this kind of thing must be done on the wedding night..."

For example, she firmly opposed the idea that she was not Qingdeng's only wife.

In order to realize his dream of "living happily with the girls he loves", Qing Deng tirelessly and countless times used various methods, such as direct explanation and indirect hints, to instill in Kinoshita Mai the rationality, legitimacy and greatness of his dream.

However... Kinoshita Mai remained completely unmoved.

No matter what Aoto says or how he explains, Kinoshita Mai's attitude remains the same—

"No, no! I've got enough of Tachibana Aoto's wife! I don't want to share you with other women! Especially that Chiba Sanako!"

Perhaps because they were rivals in love, or perhaps simply because their horoscopes didn't match, Kinoshita Mai disliked Sanako intensely and often displayed blatant hostility towards her in front of Aoto.

However, Kinoshita Mai's dislike for Sanako wasn't the kind of dislike where she wished Sanako would suffer misfortune, but rather a kind of... hard-to-describe feeling.

To put it simply, Kinoshita Mai views Sanako... somewhat like she views a rival whom she absolutely does not want to lose to, no matter what.

In short, on the issue of whether Aoto could have two women, Kinoshita Mai has always maintained a firm stance of "resolute opposition".

Qingdeng's dream of "harmonious and respectful relationships with all the women" remains a long and arduous journey...

These kinds of problems can't be rushed. For now, we can only slowly build a relationship with Kinoshita Mai.

Aoto and Kinoshita Mai embraced for a moment, until they were both warmed and touched by each other's body heat and breath, before reluctantly letting go.

"Ms. Kinoshita, did you buy new clothes?"

Aoto shifted his gaze, looking Kinoshita Mai up and down, his eyes shining with surprise.

"Hehe~ You found out."

Kinoshita Mai seemed quite pleased that Aoto had discovered she was wearing new clothes.

With a beaming smile, Kinoshita Mai stretched out her arms and spun around twice.

"How is it? Does it look good? Does it suit me?"

Qingdeng nodded vigorously, his tone resolute:

"Yes! It looks great! It suits you perfectly!"

Although during his pursuit of Kinoshita Mai, Aoto seized every opportunity to praise her clothes, feet, and everything else, all his words were sincere.

As the saying goes: beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Qing Deng didn't lie to please Kinoshita Mai. He genuinely thought that every part of Kinoshita Mai was beautiful, and that she was still incredibly charming even when she was just wrapped in a tattered blanket.

Qing Deng's praise just now was not exactly perfunctory, but it was by no means particularly grand either—but that was enough.

This level of praise was enough to make Kinoshita Mai grin like an idiot for a long time.

"Hehe~ Thank you~~ I also think this outfit suits me very well!"

Kinoshita Mai raised her hands and cupped her face, which was rapidly turning red with embarrassment.

Faintly visible are wisps of translucent steam rising from above its head.

She became a "steam princess".

"This is a new dress my grandma gave me! That's why I like it very much and cherish it!"

"Grandma?" Qing Deng raised an eyebrow.

—Kinoshita Rin...?

Kinoshita Mai once mentioned to Aoto that her grandmother's name was "Kinoshita Rin".

"Yes!" Kinoshita Mai nodded obediently. "This dress is a gift from my grandma!"

Kinoshita Mai recounted in detail how her grandmother had planned to visit her in Edo during the New Year, but had to break her promise due to work. As compensation, she sent this red dress, whose value was evident from the fabric and stitching, to Edo.

After listening, Qing Deng nodded:

"Ah Wu, when you described your grandma, I always thought she was a scary person, but I didn't expect her to be so gentle..."

"Grandma is usually quite strict and intimidating, but I know that she's just cold on the outside but warm on the inside! Her personality is much gentler than she appears!"

After saying that, Kinoshita Mai showed a proud and happy expression.

—Is that Ah Wu's grandmother...?

Qing Deng let out a long sigh of relief.

As long as Aoto still wants to marry Kinoshita Mai, then Kinoshita Mai's family will inevitably become something Aoto will have to deal with.

Kinoshita Mai's grandmother is the kind of person who would personally choose and give her granddaughter a new kimono as an apology... Upon learning this, Aoto couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

For Qing Deng, he was naturally pleased to see that the woman's family members were all easy-going and kind people.