Starting With The Sefirah Castle In The Anime World-Chapter 247: Straightforward Hayasaka Ai

The canary didn't want to resist. It simply knew it couldn't—and that it didn't have the qualifications to.

From a young age, the canary had been taught to sacrifice itself for its caretaker. Combined with its environment and upbringing, it never even considered rejecting its gilded cage.

At the very least, the canary understood one thing clearly—everything it received was not for its own sake, but to benefit the breeder.

Perhaps this could be interpreted as a human rights issue.

But the canary had enjoyed the privileges. And once you've received such benefits, the time always comes to pay the price.

Just like that often-quoted line from Lord of Mysteries:

All the gifts of fate are secretly marked with a price.

Once you receive those gifts, it means you'll eventually have to pay more.

So Ren could completely understand what Sonoko meant.

"All the gifts of fate are secretly marked with a price... right?"

"Yeah."

Sonoko nodded softly.

"We, the third generation, enjoy a wealthy lifestyle, but we'll also shoulder the future burdens of the family. However... sometimes fate shifts."

As she spoke, Sonoko smiled and pointed to herself.

"Because my fate was changed by you, my sister's fate changed too."

"Your sister's fate... was she supposed to be married off?"

Ren still remembered that Ayako Suzuki was originally set to be married for strategic reasons. He asked with curiosity:

"So, is your sister still expected to marry out now?"

"Of course not. With the current state of our family, why would we let my sister be married off? Now that I've set foot on the mystic path, if she still marries out, who will take over the family business? Me?"

In the past, Sonoko might have followed her parents' arrangements and stepped into the family business. But now, things had changed. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

After transitioning from the mundane world to the mysterious one, she had obtained extraordinary power. Even if she were willing to return and handle family matters, her parents would not allow her to waste time and potential in such ordinary pursuits.

"No wonder your parents think that way."

Ren nodded, now fully understanding Sonoko's parents' perspective.

Though Sonoko was the intended heir, her role as a newly Awakened made her no longer suitable to face the public as a conventional successor.

Still, the family business needed a next-generation leader. As Sonoko's blood-related sister, Ayako naturally took the role. Under such conditions, there was no longer any need to marry her off.

"Your sister might also be pulled into this world by you eventually."

Ren considered the possibility quite high.

Especially considering the diary gave out rewards based on the holder's will, the odds of Ayako joining the supernatural path increased significantly.

"Yeah, I think so too."

Sonoko agreed. She felt there was a strong chance she would pull her sister into the mystic side as well.

"But that's for the future. At the very least, it hasn't happened yet. If I can't make it happen by myself... can't I ask you for help?"

"You mean the boons? That's definitely possible."

Ren thought it over. There wasn't any issue with that.

Compared to sequence paths, the boons system was far more stable. While it could be retracted instantly if necessary, that also meant the risk was much lower.

Unless it was a case like Lumian's, where the Giver had a permanent connection, most gifted powers could be taken back at any time.

And the concern about the gifted person becoming more aligned with the Giver—well, that was not really a problem. Belief itself also caused the same effect.

Which of those fanatics in the Aurora Order didn't exhibit such alignment?

"So, with both me and my sister on the mystic path, how could my parents still expect her to marry off like before? Wouldn't that be like sewing wedding clothes for someone else?"

"That's why my sister's kind of miserable now. She's being dragged around by our parents to study business management. She hasn't had a proper rest in a long time."

Thinking about her sister's recent hard work, Sonoko couldn't help but feel genuinely happy for her.

It was far better than becoming a caged canary.

"Your sister must be happy too, right?"

"She is. It's not that she hates managing the family business—she just never had the opportunity before. Now that she does, of course she's excited."

Sonoko smiled as she looked at the boy in front of her. This was her boyfriend. It was because of him that everything had changed.

She thought back to the kiss they shared on the cruise that made their relationship official, and her face turned slightly red.

"Ren, we're dating, right?"

"Yes."

"We haven't done anything a couple usually does for... a week, right?"

Ren blinked. Then he remembered—it really had been a week.

Looking at Sonoko now, he realized he needed to be more proactive.

He pulled Sonoko into a hug. This time, his hands didn't tremble, and his body was no longer stiff like the first time.

"Sonoko... this is my first time dating someone. If I ever seem neglectful, please remind me. I'm really... not very good at taking the initiative."

Sonoko's face turned red again. Did that mean, from now on, she had to be the one to ask when she wanted something?

"Then, I'll..."

Ahem!

A sudden cough broke the mood completely. Startled, the two instinctively separated.

They turned and saw Kaguya standing there, arms crossed, wearing a red two-piece swimsuit and looking none too pleased.

Standing behind her was Hayasaka, dressed in a black bikini with white lace. With an amused expression, she made a scissor-hand gesture toward Ren.

"Hey, Kaguya, your swimsuit looks really nice too."

Seeing that his second girlfriend was clearly displeased, Ren quickly complimented her without thinking.

Kaguya in a red swimsuit didn't have a particularly voluptuous figure, but her slender frame was still well accentuated. While she wasn't curvy, she was undeniably cute.

Hearing the compliment, Kaguya's mood visibly improved.

"Thank you for the praise... Ren."

But as she looked at Sonoko and imagined the comparison between herself and the other girl, Kaguya couldn't help but feel slightly downcast.

They didn't look all that different in regular clothes. Why was there such a stark contrast in swimsuits?

"Amamiya-san, compliments like that are not enough for a jealous Kaguya-san."

Hayasaka, standing behind her, chimed in dryly.

"Please clarify—are you perhaps dissatisfied with Miss Kaguya's figure?"

"H-Hayasaka!!!"

(To be continued.)