394 I came here with sincerity (1/2)

If Akatsuki wanted to obtain Natsuya Yoruhana, he knew that Seiji Haruta would obstruct him.

He considered it quite easy to get rid of this trash from the Haruta Family. However, he didn't know how Yui Haruta would react.

Akatsuki didn't want to make the ”Qilin Girl” his enemy. Although he was confident in his own power, she was at another much higher level than him, and he knew that it would be nothing more than suicide to go against her. The last idiot that challenged this Qilin Girl directly was burned to death and left as nothing but ashes together with all of his Spirit-branded Retainers! There was even no need for a cremation!

Since he was uncertain what exactly Yui Haruta's attitude was towards her exiled younger brother, the best move for him would be to prepare for the worst-case scenario that she still paid attention to what happened to Seiji Haruta. He felt that was the wisest and most cautious move to make.

Not to mention, the Haruta Family consisted of more than just Yui Haruta.

It would be fine if Seiji Haruta had still been a pure piece of trash, but that was no longer the case.

On the day of the Winter Snow Festival, Akatsuki had personally witnessed the power that he displayed. No matter where Seiji obtained his power, power was power. A family member that displayed some rudimentary signs of power—the Haruta Family wouldn't possibly completely ignore him.

Among the seven major families, the Haruta Family was rather low-profile in Yin-Yang Master society. They took such a low profile that many people believed that they were currently weakening, or perhaps becoming weaker than the other six major families.

Akatsuki was uncertain whether these rumors were true or not, but even if the Haruta Family was weakening, they still weren't a family that any normal Yin-Yang Master family or faction would easily be able to antagonize and get away with it. At the very least, the Mitarai Family would be unable to do such a thing, as they weren't one of the seven major families.

At any rate, if he killed Seiji Haruta, he didn't know how Yui Haruta or the Haruta Family would respond. He felt that it would be too risky.

After taking that into consideration, he decided on his current action.

He heard footsteps approaching.

Akatsuki looked in that direction and saw the person that he had been waiting for. He showed off a polite smile.

”Good afternoon, Haruta-san.”

”…Good afternoon, Mitarai-san.”

Seiji looked at the dark-blue-haired handsome boy in front of him who was wearing a black windbreaker. He coldly and calmly greeted Akatsuki, then looked at the girl next to him.

She was a beauty who had shiny red short hair and light-golden eyes. Her skin was snow-white, and she had a cold look in her eyes and an expressionless face.

”This is one of my other Spirit-branded Retainers, Akasuzume Koogi.” Akatsuki indicated to the girl next to him.

The red-haired girl slightly bowed her head to Seiji in greeting, but didn't say a single word.

”What business do you have with me that made you come all the way here?” Seiji asked him directly after he finished glancing over at Akatsuki's Spirit-branded Retainer.

”I would like to have a discussion with Haruta-san.” Akatsuki smiled. ”It's a bit cold outside. May I have the honor of resting in your home?”

”For such a simple place to accommodate an honored guest like you would be far too inappropriate. Let's find another location outside to have a discussion at.”

”As you wish, Haruta-san. That's fine as well.”

”I would like to put what I have with me in my home, please wait for me for a moment.”

”Sure thing.”

Akatsuki made way for Seiji to enter his apartment.

Seiji walked up to his own door and knocked.

”Shika-chan, it's me, open up.”

The door opened.

”Brother…”

”Help me put these doujinshi products away… I'm going outside with them for a bit.” Seiji handed his paper sack to his adopted sister.

Shika took the sack and looked at her brother's face.

”Judging by he's attitude, he's probably only here to talk. It won't be a problem.” Seiji smiled and patted her on the head. ”Take good care of Reo-chan for me… There's no need to follow me. I'll come back by myself in a bit.”

Something flashed in Shika's eyes.

As Seiji retracted his hand, he turned around and walked back up to Akatsuki and Akasuzume.

The black-haired girl silently watched them leave together.

Seiji rode in Akatsuki's car. They went to a private room in a coffee café in the business district.