I really enjoyed reading this book—it was short, quick, and engaging. I loved the characters and how the story gradually unfolded.
However, in these episodes, I really disliked Fuyu and the way she treated Miyo. Miyo also seemed quite naive here, which was frustrating at times. But overall, the revelation at the end was something I was really looking forward to, and it didn’t disappoint!
Fave lines:
- "Blood relation, family ties—Miyo knew full well that these things did not guarantee someone would understand you unconditionally."
- "But now she also knew that it was impossible to build a trusting relationship with someone if you gave up on them immediately."
- "She wasn’t great at talking to other people in the first place.
Miyo lacked knowledge in many areas, had a narrow vocabulary, struggled to keep up with conversation, and couldn’t find the perfect words for a situation on the spot.
She hadn’t always been that way. But she had gone a great many years without talking to others at all, so her conversational ability had withered."
- Slowly, her fiancé’s beautiful face, like an artistic masterpiece, drew in close.
Wha—
She didn’t have enough time to process what was happening. The tips of both their noses were close to touching. When Miyo reflexively slammed her eyes shut, she felt something warm and soft brush up against her lips for a brief moment.
Opening her eyes in utter amazement, she was greeted with Kiyoka’s gentle smile, and a faint pink flush on his porcelain cheeks.
“So when spring comes…will you be my wife?”
“I-I will.”
“Thank you.”
I’ll remember this smile in front of me for as long as I live.
- Kiyoka���s and Mother’s personalities seem a bit similar, don’t they?
She couldn’t hold back a small giggle.
Back when Miyo had just arrived at Kiyoka’s house, there had been times he treated her coldly. Indeed, such rumors about his cold behavior were spread far and wide. But he was simply clumsy at expressing himself and was, in fact, a very kind man.
Once she understood that, even his occasional curt mannerisms seemed charming to her.
When she considered Fuyu might be the same way, it lightened her heart just a little.
Summary:
Miyo and Kiyoka traveled to Kiyoka’s family villa to investigate strange occurrences involving grotesqueries in the town. Upon arrival, they were welcomed by the staff, and Miyo was introduced to Kiyoka’s parents, Fuyu and Tadakiyo. However, Fuyu treated Miyo harshly, though Miyo remained patient and tried to appease her.
During their stay, Kiyoka ventured into town alone to fight a monster, while Miyo, left behind at the villa, was made to wear a maid’s uniform and assist with housework at Fuyu’s insistence.
Later, a desperate townsperson arrived at the villa, pleading for help as a fragment of the monster had taken hold of him. Kiyoka rushed back to town for battle, leaving Miyo behind. Despite Fuyu’s protests that a dying man had no place in the villa, Miyo stood her ground and attempted to help him using her Usuba powers. Fortunately, Arata, the head of the Usuba family, arrived as per the Prince’s orders and stopped her, warning that her abilities were still untrained and dangerous.
Meanwhile, Kiyoka encountered the leader of the group responsible for the town’s turmoil. The man attempted to recruit him, revealing the name of their true leader—Naoshi Usui.
That night, as Kiyoka and Miyo spent time together, Kiyoka’s feelings for her deepened. He kissed her, and they promised to marry in the spring.
The next morning, just before their departure, Fuyu begrudgingly gave Miyo a ribbon. Though she continued to speak unkindly, she acknowledged Miyo’s courage in standing up for herself and acting on Kiyoka’s behalf the previous night.
Upon their return to the capital, they were suddenly transported into an unfamiliar dimension. Miyo recognized it as a manifestation of the Usuba family’s ability, which controlled the mind. Arata had previously mentioned that Usui was also an Usuba and had once been betrothed to Miyo’s mother. However, the Usuba family ultimately arranged for her to marry into the Saimori family instead.
As they returned to town, Usui appeared before them and made a shocking revelation—Miyo was his daughter.