My stepsisters are sexy demons, and I must protect them-Chapter 73: Eight days to decide their own fate

~Taking part in a damn dangerous mission for HESPARC, led by my father? It all sounds so insane... What should I do...?~

Hakuto lies on his bed in the dorm room of the U.S. Division’s training center.

Of course, he’s been introduced under a fake name—no one knows he’s the son of the disgraced Shin Tendo.

To them, he’s just a particularly promising cadet.

His eyes stare at the ceiling.

He doesn’t know what to do.

The thought that his father might finally consider him ready for a mission like this fills his heart with joy.

But at the same time, fear gnaws at him.

It’s not his own safety that scares him.

Sure, that too—he’s still just a seventeen-year-old boy.

But what really weighs on him is Rika and Yuzu.

Hakuto knows how much they care about him.

How much they love him.

Just as he loves them.

If something were to happen to him... he doubts they’d be able to bear that kind of pain.

Even the thought makes his chest tighten.

The idea that they might lose him is harder to face than the danger of the mission itself.

To think things through calmly, he’s been granted eight days of leave.

Time he planned to spend in Rome, with Rika, Yuzu, Chantal, and Kagura.

He’s supposed to leave today, on a private jet kindly provided by HESPARC U.S.

His bags are already packed, resting beside the bed.

The first stop is Ashiya.

He’ll stay there for two days.

He wants to check on Itsu and spend some time with his dear friend.

It’s been months since they last talked.

The rest of the days, he’ll spend in Rome.

His thoughts are suddenly cut off.

The automatic sliding door to his room opens with a soft hiss.

Hakuto turns his gaze.

Standing on the threshold is Deputy Director Alexia Kendrow, dressed once again in her elegant black suit—the official uniform of her position.

«Good morning, Deputy Director Kendrow,» Hakuto greets her, his tone formal and respectful.

She gives a slight nod in return, then walks toward him with slow, graceful steps.

She presses a button and quietly closes the door behind her.

Hakuto watches her silently.

His eyes can’t help but drift to her large chest and curvy hips.

Even under that formal suit, Alexia’s beauty is undeniable.

But her authority instantly kills any fantasy he might have.

Alexia sits down on the edge of the bed, near his feet.

Her gaze meets his—strangely gentle.

Hakuto has always seen her with a stern, rigid expression.

Seeing her like this softens something inside him, even if just for a moment.

«I’m here to let you know that the private jet taking you to Ashiya first, then Rome, is almost ready for takeoff,» Alexia begins, her voice soft, matching her current expression.

«Thank you, Deputy Director Kendrow,» Hakuto replies, still formal and respectful.

«Also... I came because I want you to understand something clearly. You’re not an HESPARC agent. You shouldn’t feel obligated just because Shin asked you, or because you think you owe us something for what we did for you these past three months. The deal with your father was clear—special training for you in exchange for Velune. Both he and we kept our word. So now, no one owes anything. In fact, we’re the ones in your debt, for the fact that Shin agreed to lead this operation. I want you to take that into account as you think things over.»

Hakuto nods slightly, and Alexia gives him a faint smile.

«Hard to believe you’re Shin Tendo’s son—you only resemble him on the outside, but inside, you’re completely different people.»

Hakuto’s expression shifts—confused, but intrigued.

«Deputy Director Kendrow—»

«We’ve known each other for three months now, just call me Alexia,» she interrupts.

«S-Sure... uh, Alexia... I got the feeling that you and Shin have known each other a long time—since you were still a student at the HESPARC Academy, and he was a young professor... What kind of person was my dad? I mean, I basically know nothing about what he was like when he was younger, aside from him being the strongest Monster Reaper in the world for years and the few things he’s told me. I’ve never met anyone besides you and Chris who knew him back then... so, I’d really like it if you could tell me about him, that is... if you’re okay with it.»

Alexia swallows hard—her face instantly turns red, as if that question caught her completely off guard.

«S-Sorry, Alexia,» Hakuto jumps in, noticing her sudden change of expression.

«If I said something that bothered you or made you uncomfortable, I’m really sorry, that wasn’t my intention. I understand my father must’ve been... well, kind of a complicated guy, and not everyone has fond memories of him... From what little I know, because of his cocky attitude and the fact that he told me himself that he let his Monster Reaper title get to his head, I guess he wasn’t exactly popular with most of his colleagues...»

But Alexia shakes her head gently.

«Your father was—and still is—a good man. Sure, sometimes he’s a bit too full of himself and thinks he’s some kind of big shot, but he’s always been willing to risk his life to protect others, and I know that firsthand...»

Alexia lets out a deep sigh.

«It’s been almost twenty years, so... what’s the point in keeping it secret anymore...?» she mutters under her breath.

Then, she locks eyes with Hakuto, her gaze firm.

«...I don’t know if it was because of his selflessness, his courage, or maybe just because to my young eyes he looked like a hero, an idol... but one thing’s for sure: I was in love with him.»

Hakuto’s eyes go wide.

«Y-You... were in love with him...?» he asks, clearly surprised.

Alexia gives a soft, almost nostalgic smile.

«There’s nothing to be shocked about, you know? Every girl at the academy fell for him—and I won’t deny that womanizer took full advantage of that... But still, I always had this feeling... that I was special to him. Even though he fooled around with lots of students, and apparently had some kind of thing going on with the head of the medical division at the time, I was convinced he had feelings for me too. Now, twenty years later, it’s clear he was just enjoying himself... and that what I felt was nothing more than a teenage crush mistaken for love.»

That confession about her past with Shin triggers something in Hakuto. A series of dates, fragments, and connections start swirling in his mind, forming a thought that seems completely irrational—yet grows stronger by the second.

«Alexia... this might sound like a really strange question, but please don’t think I’m crazy, and I’d like you to answer as honestly as possible...» he begins, his tone suddenly so serious that Alexia looks at him, visibly concerned by the shift.

«Of course, tell me, Hakuto.»

Hakuto lowers his gaze, half-closing his eyes, as if a heavy guilt weighs on him just for voicing what he’s about to ask.

«A-Alexia... are you... my mother?»

Deputy Director Kendrow jolts so hard she nearly hits the ceiling—never in her wildest imagination did she expect that question.

Her face turns bright red, her eyes wide in shock.

She freezes for a moment, staring at Hakuto as if needing confirmation that those words really came from his mouth and weren’t a hallucination.

But his serious, slightly embarrassed expression makes it clear he meant it.

«W-What?! No, Hakuto... why would I be your mother?!» she stammers, more flustered than him.

Hakuto lets out a long sigh.

«I figured you weren’t, but since you two had that... let’s say, close relationship less than two years before I was conceived, it didn’t seem like such a stupid theory, that’s all...» he says, clearly uncomfortable talking about something so personal.

The look Alexia gives him grows even softer—almost full of compassion.

«So... you never knew your mother? And Shin? He’s never told you anything about her?» she asks gently.

Hakuto shakes his head.

«Dad just said she died right after I was born.

But... there’s never been a single photo of her in the house. No memories. No grave to visit. When I was younger, I didn’t notice things like that, but now...»

«You think your mother is still alive?» Alexia finishes his sentence.

Hakuto nods.

«More and more each day, I’m convinced of it. Actually, I’m almost certain. But my dad won’t say a word. Which makes me think he and my mom must’ve had a really nasty fight. Something that pushed him to keep her away from me... or her to leave us behind. Whoever that woman is, whatever the reason... I want to find out who she is. I want to hear from her mouth why she left her own son behind...»

«And once you know... what are you going to do?»

«I guess I’ll figure it out after I hear her out. Even just finding her already feels like an impossible mission...»

Alexia moves closer to him, now sitting beside his chest.

Her thigh brushes against his side.

Then, she lifts her hand and gently places it on his cheek.

Her eyes are glistening as she caresses him softly.

«It may not be much, but I promise I’ll do everything I can to help you find her. Unfortunately, when it comes to a womanizer like Shin, things get really complicated. But if I consult the archives and rely on my flawless memory, I might be able to give you the name of a few women who were around Shin around the time you were conceived—or just before. Maybe some of his fellow Monster Reapers or staff from the HESPARC Academy.»

«T-Thank you, Alexia... really, thank you...» Hakuto whispers through a sob.

She rises from the bed and extends her hand toward him.

«Come on, let’s get moving. Our private jet is about to leave,» she says.

«Our... jet?» Hakuto echoes.

«It just so happens I have a meeting with the Deputy Director of HESPARC Japan. Would’ve been a waste to take two separate flights to the same destination,» she mutters.

«...Or do you not like having me around?» she adds with a piercing glare so sharp it makes Hakuto’s whole body tremble.

«N-No, Alexia... I’m really glad you’re coming,» he stammers.

Alexia smiles at him again.

«Let’s go.»

This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦