Onmyoji, a nobleman in Heian-kyo

Page 694

The two long red threads he held in his hand filled him with complex and indescribable emotions.

"One for myself, and one for my sister."

No need to say more.

Emperor Shijo knew very well that he could not escape his marriage to Fujiwara no Michiyoshi's granddaughter, so he had no choice but to accept it.

As for my older sister? She will probably marry the head of the family after the New Year.

He hopes nothing goes wrong this time.

The addition of Kagura and the appearance of the evil god... put immense pressure on the older sister who was preparing.

Fortunately, the ladies in the inner palace often visited her sister, and they also exchanged gifts during the New Year.

This made the older sister and everyone in the family understand that the head of the family had not neglected the matter of the marriage.

Although my father is currently an assistant officer in the Outer Guard Office and the head of the household, his status is more powerful than many of the five officials with real power.

But that doesn't mean the father can relax, since there are always people who want to replace him.

It is not impossible for something like someone to marry a woman to the head of the household in advance.

Even if it's a tiny thing, once it happens, the situation will change drastically.

It's likely that some people who are interested know how the father's promotion channels work, so it's highly probable that they will keep a close eye on him.

Back to the residence.

Shijou Tei then met his mother and sister; unsurprisingly, his father did not return.

Because his father's duties as an officer were quite demanding, he often returned late at night, escorted by others.

"Huh, it's a red thread, from Lord Enmusubi?" Mother Junko asked curiously, looking at the red thread on Shijou Tei's hand.

Shijou Tei replied, "Yes, Lord Enmusubi enthusiastically promoted it, so I bought it on a whim."

Runzi rolled her eyes: "Aren't you going to buy one for Mom too?"

“Okay, okay, I’ll go to Lord Enmusubi’s place to buy it again tomorrow,” Shijou Tei said hurriedly.

Consort Zhen, with an inquisitive attitude, took the four red threads handed to her by the Emperor, examined them quietly, and said nothing.

Runzi chuckled and said, "We can use it on our wedding day."

"mom, Mom, Mom!"

Consort Zhen cried out in embarrassment and anger, waving a red thread around in her delicate hand.

Runzi smiled and glanced at her daughter with amusement before turning back to her son.

How was your work today?

Upon seeing this, Consort Zhen quickly quieted down, touching her face with both hands as if trying to suppress the sudden heat rising within her.

Shijou Tei: "Today is much busier than yesterday. Many people have been given a day off from work, and some yokai seem to be gradually becoming more peaceful, unlike before..."

Without hiding anything, Shijou Tei told him what he knew.

Since his mother and sister, being noblewomen, rarely went out, he naturally acted as their eyes, recounting everything he saw to relieve their boredom.

"What about Ah Ba?"

"...Today we returned to the Outer Guard Office, but in practice, there was not much difference from usual."

Despite his strange emotions, Shijo Tei answered his mother's question.

Runzi gave a soft "hmm" and didn't ask any further questions.

In reality, Junko just wanted to remind her son to get along well with Hikigaya.

In her opinion.

Hikigaya is a very honest and kind girl, and she happens to work in the same government office as her husband, and she is also incredibly strong.

It seemed like a perfect match no matter how you looked at it, and even the retainers of the Shijo family hoped that one of their daughters could marry Hikigaya.

Even being a concubine would be a good thing.

Of course, given that Hikigaya and his colleagues had encountered many suitors, Junko decided to bring up the matter with her son again at a good time.

Let's put it aside for now.

At the same time, Horikita Manabu had indeed just persuaded some of the maids who had introduced him to concubines to turn away.

He appeared calm on the surface, seemingly unfazed by such incidents, but inwardly he was still somewhat shaken.

He didn't want to offend anyone too much.

Unfortunately, if their expressions, tone of voice, and manner weren't so stiff, those people wouldn't back down.

"That's right, it only costs ten coins. It won't work if it's unrequited love, but it's a rare opportunity, so you can't go wrong buying it now!"

Ok?

Horikita Manabu silently watched as a city girl-looking girl carrying a very large bag recommended some products to her younger sister Suzune and several of her colleagues.

What's going on? He didn't quite understand.

Unlike Ayanokoji, Hikigaya, and Shijou Tei, the others were informed about the matter of the Goddess of Love by acquaintances.

Horikita Manabu, who returned later, missed being reminded.

Suzune originally intended to wait for her brother at the door and remind him, but the God of Fate caught her, along with Kikyo Kushida and Honami Ichinose who were beside her.

"Hey, look! Is this handsome young man also buying a red thread that can connect people to their destiny? It's only ten coins!"

"elder brother!"

"Learn from adults!"

Horikita Suzune, Kushida Kikyo, and Ichinose Honami all learned how to greet others from Horikita.

When Horikita Suzune saw her brother, she quickly went to greet him and quietly explained the situation of the Goddess of Mariya with apologetic words.

The God of Destiny?

The gods of Takamagahara?

Horikita Manabu was quite surprised, but still politely bowed to Enmusubi-shin.

"Lord Fate God."

"No need to be so polite, I'm a businessman now," said the God of Fate with pride.

Horikita learned to be silent; doing business in one's own residence is probably not a good idea.

"Oh, oh, oh, I can already see the thread of fate on your body! I'll give you this red thread of destiny for free—"

Suddenly, the Enmusubi statue saw something in Horikita Manabu and shouted excitedly.

I was thinking to myself, "Great! I've finally found a couple that seems like they can make it work!"

Compared to others who barely have any luck in finding a partner, Horikita Manabu stands out too much!

Therefore, we absolutely must make this pair a reality!

"I'll just pay..."

After hesitating for a second or two, Horikita Manabu slowly spoke.

The God of Fate immediately refused:

"How can this be? You're my best candidate for a believer—well, anyway, I saw you contacting a certain woman, so you'd better hurry up and get married~"

"...I have no plans to get married for the time being."

"Hey, hey, this won't do. I can see that your future wife is very lucky for her husband. It would be such a waste if you didn't marry her soon!"

"..." Horikita was silent.

He didn't really want to talk anymore.

This deity is clearly trying to introduce him to a wife, pair him up, and then have them both become believers...

However, he had no intention of getting married.

Just as the words say.

But Horikita Suzune was different. She immediately thought of Tachibana Akane, who was born in this era into the declining Tachibana clan and belonged to a minor branch.

Akane Tachibana took good care of her and her brother at Fujiwara Sari's residence, and Horikita Suzune regarded her as her sister-in-law.

Given her noble lineage, she is indeed very suitable to be her brother's wife!

"Brother, why don't we listen to what the Goddess of Fate has to say?" Horikita Suzune whispered to Horikita Manabu.

Kikyo Kushida and Honami Ichinose, who had noticed the change in Enmusubi's attitude from beginning to end, took their leave with dry laughs, taking the initiative to avoid her.

Seeing the situation developing in an increasingly strange way, Horikita Manabu sighed inwardly. Under his sister's hopeful gaze and the expectant gaze of the God of Fate, he nodded slightly...

the other side.

Kyosuke Kosaka had finished eating and was taking a bath and chatting with his partners.

"The red thread of fate from the Goddess of Fate seems to be very useful. I feel like I can sense some of Kyosuke's situation," Su Chang said with great enthusiasm.

Kyosuke Kosaka, who was teasing Megumi, was immediately speechless. He tried to remain natural and said casually: