Chapter 263: Keito’s Surprising Question

The soft pink kimono that Kasumi wore looked slightly wrinkled, her long hair was loose, and her eyes reflected deep concern.

“Darling… is everything okay?” Kasumi asked, her voice almost a whisper, yet enough to pierce Keito's heart.

Keito turned slowly.

His eyes gazed at his wife for a long time, not answering immediately, remaining silent with a vacant look.

Where Keito didn’t move at all, as if all his strength had been drained.

Kasumi stepped in, but before she could get closer, Keito turned his face away and quietly called, “Call Reiji and Karina here.”

Keito's voice was loud enough to be heard by another Anbu figure hiding behind the room's partition.

It took just a second for the shadow to disappear—its movement was so calm and silent, like the night mist swept away by the wind.

“I’m fine, darling…” Keito finally replied, his voice sounding flat, almost lifeless.

Kasumi stood still.

Her eyes stared sharply at her husband, then slowly approached, sitting beside Keito without saying a word.

Kasumi's delicate hand touched Keito's hand, and she could feel her husband's skin cold and stiff—a clear sign that Keito was holding back a lot inside.

“Don’t lie to me,” Kasumi whispered, softly yet firmly.

Keito merely stared ahead, as if he didn’t hear.

But Kasumi knew her husband was just too tired to respond.

...

...

...

Minutes passed.

Footsteps were heard from the outer corridor, the rhythm light yet steady.

Reiji slowly opened the sliding door and entered.

As soon as Reiji's gaze swept the room, he found Keito and Kasumi sitting side by side on the tatami mat.

By the door, Karina had arrived earlier, sitting in a seiza position but looking restless, her hands clenched on her lap.

Karina's face flushed when Reiji entered.

She hurriedly turned her face away, but the corners of her eyes still stole glances.

Reiji politely closed the door, then walked over to Karina's side and sat in a seiza position next to her.

Reiji nodded respectfully towards Keito and Kasumi.

“You're here, Reiji,” Keito greeted with a small nod.

Reiji responded to the greeting with confusion. “What’s going on, Uncle Keito?”

Keito stared at Reiji for a few seconds.

Then he leaned back slightly, taking a long pause before saying, “Before we begin, I want to ask you something… Reiji.”

Keito's tone sounded more serious.

Reiji's gaze sharpened, yet remained calm. “What is it?”

Keito took a breath. “What do you think of Karina?”

The question came without warning, making the atmosphere in the room suddenly tense.

Karina straightened her back immediately. “D-Dad?!”

Karina's high-pitched voice echoed off the wooden walls, and her face turned bright red.

She didn’t know what to do—her small hands were squeezing each other, and her eyes darted towards Reiji, who was only looking at Keito with a surprised expression.

However, Reiji did not laugh, nor did he show excessive shock.

He merely raised an eyebrow slightly.

Reiji knew that Karina liked him.

He had realized it some time ago—the way Karina stole glances, how nervous she got when they were alone, or how she was always the first to come if Reiji was hurt.

But... Karina was still eleven years old.

And Reiji, though still young, had strong morals.

Reiji was not a character in a cliché story who would welcome a child's love just because the girl was sweet and innocent.

In his previous life, as a Genius Shaman from Japan, Reiji had been involved with several women.

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