When she thought of that outcome, Maki could no longer maintain the sorrowful look on her face.
"This… what should I do?"
Ren looked at Maki calmly, without any trace of sympathy, but offered suggestions in a timely and composed manner.
"Actually, as long as the Shijo family maintains its current relationship, everything should be fine. After all, there's a major difference between Kaguya and the Shinomiya family. I think Miss Shijo should know very well, Kaguya doesn't really want to bother with your family."
Ask her aunt for help?
That option did flash through Maki's mind, but it didn't last long.
She shook her head slightly.
"My parents have already tried that. I don't think they can accept such a choice."
"And even if my parents were willing to accept it, I doubt my aunt would."
"The Shijo family only has one option now, and that's to break through this predicament on our own."
The Shijo family's problems must be handled by the Shijo family.
Only the Shijo family can change its own fate.
"If that's the case, then there's only one path left for you."
"Of course. For someone like you, the only way to change your family's fate is… through yourself, right?"
A single word surfaced in Maki's mind.
She paused for a moment, then nodded as if it were only natural.
"Yes. In this situation, there's very little I can do. If marriage can change things for the family, then it's the natural course."
Ren simply nodded in response.
"So, you've always been prepared for this?"
"Of course. As children of the Shijo family, we've always been prepared to sacrifice for the family's sake. It's the same for me, and for Mikado."
"Even if there's a boy you like?"
At that moment, memories of that boy flashed through Maki's mind. But in the next second, she nodded without hesitation.
"Yes. Even if I have a crush on someone, it doesn't change anything."
"When it comes to the boy I like, it's a one-sided feeling. He doesn't like me. He likes my friend."
"All I can do is give them my blessing."
"But I'm not like Nagisa. I have to shoulder the prosperity of my family. If marriage is a part of that responsibility, then I'll choose marriage without hesitation."
After hearing her words, Ren couldn't help but laugh.
"Haha… What a solid answer."
"As expected, you're a lot like Kaguya. The two of you have very similar personalities."
"Kaguya knew she had already enjoyed everything, so she couldn't reject the idea of marriage. And you're doing it for the future of your family."
"Different reasons, same decision."
"You two really are alike."
As Maki turned her head, the world around her suddenly became distorted. Her consciousness grew hazy and sleepy.
But before she completely lost consciousness, she heard a few words.
"Thank you for your answer, Miss Shijo."
"If you ever need help again, contact me. If it's something I can do, I'll give you the assistance you need."
The next second, Maki's eyes snapped open.
She sat up abruptly, realizing she was back in her own room. Her luggage was there, and the satellite phone was placed on the bed.
Everything that had just happened felt like one long, vivid dream.
She remembered the name and the entire conversation she had with him.
It was all clear in her mind, but as she regained full awareness, the memory of the conversation started to blur.
Maki quickly gathered herself, then reached for the satellite phone and dialed it.
"Mikado, something happened to me. There are things I can't fully remember. Please help me recall them."
While her memory was still fresh, she hurriedly recounted the entire conversation she had just had.
So, who was this person you spoke to?
When she tried to say his name, Maki was sure she remembered it clearly. But some parts were vague now.
Not only had the man's face become blurry, even his name was growing indistinct.
"Could it have been drugs?"
"If it was, do you think I'd still be able to talk to you , brother?"
"It felt more like a dream. But that dream was so real."
After saying that, Maki paused for a moment.
"…Is the situation within our family really like I said in the dream?"
Their parents never thought that way. The family had been fighting for so many years, suppressed all that time, but the internal conflicts weren't so severe that the entire Shijo family would fall apart.
And this time, the 'test' wasn't something their parents decided alone. It was a discussion that involved the entire family. Everyone agreed on the conditions and compensation. The goal was to assess the true condition of the Shinomiya family.
Also, the Shijo family's situation wasn't so dire that they'd need to form an alliance out of desperation.
After hearing his sister's words, the Emperor on the other end fell silent for a moment, then helped clarify things.
"You were there when we talked about these matters, so why did your memory go fuzzy?"
This feels more like the effects of a hallucinogen. I'll send someone to pick you up at the Tokyo port and get you examined immediately.
Sister, don't leave your room until you disembark. Also, don't eat anything onboard. I'm worried someone may have used hallucinogens.
After ending the call, Mikado on the other end didn't relax at all. On the contrary, his expression darkened.
He clenched his teeth as he spoke.
The last thing he wanted was for his sister to get hurt. But judging from what happened, it was clear she had run into something abnormal.
He believed every word his sister said about the dream. He knew she wasn't the type to say such things lightly—especially not when marriage was involved.
He firmly believed it wasn't just a simple dream.
Now, he had to figure out who was behind the attack on his sister.
For a brief moment, suspicion flashed in his eyes—but he quickly suppressed it.
"No. Kaguya wouldn't attack someone like my sister who poses no threat. And she definitely wouldn't use such underhanded means just to vent her anger."
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