Chapter 264: Is It Still Too Early?

A witch from England who secretly loves Reiji.

A girl of samurai descent who invites Reiji to elope.

Even a half-demon creature who once tried to seduce Reiji for his spiritual power.

But none of that could compare to Karina for Reiji.

“Karina is a good girl,” Reiji finally replied, softly yet firmly.

“Where Karina is very caring, always worried about the little things, even though she can be a bit clumsy and... a little silly. But Karina has a sincere heart and always wants to help.”

Karina looked down deeper.

The tips of Karina's ears were now red.

Kasumi looked at the girl with a faint smile, while Keito nodded slowly, still gazing at Reiji. “So... do you like Karina?”

That question felt like a bow shooting an arrow straight into Karina's heart.

The girl looked up suddenly, her eyes wide as she stared at her father. “D-Dad…!”

Karina's face was now as red as a ripe tomato, her body almost trembling with embarrassment.

Reiji sighed slowly.

He knew this was not just a casual question.

Perhaps Keito was testing Reiji's heart.

Maybe this was also a form of trust.

But regardless, Reiji had to be honest.

“I like Karina…” Reiji said.

Karina stared at Reiji, her round eyes widening instantly.

Her mouth slightly opened, filled with hope.

“… as my good friend,” Reiji continued, without hesitation.

The hope in Karina's eyes extinguished in an instant.

She looked down, and for a moment, the room felt very quiet.

...

...

...

“So that's it... Don't you have romantic feelings for Karina as a man?” Keito finally spoke up, slowly but firmly, his gaze probing as if trying to delve into the depths of Reiji's heart.

Keito's voice sounded calm, but it was not without weight.

He sat leaning against the wall with an upright posture, his left hand resting on his knee.

Meanwhile, his right hand held a warm cup of tea, steam still rising slowly into the air.

Keito's face showed no anger, nor did it convey pressure.

What radiated instead was the sincerity of a father—a head of a family wanting to understand the future that might belong to his daughter.

Reiji paused, his eyes widening slightly, as if he did not expect the direction of the question.

He blinked slowly, as if ensuring he had not misheard.

Then, with a restless movement, Reiji turned his body slightly towards Keito.

Reiji's breath was heard exhaling softly, his left hand scratching the back of his neck in an awkward forgotten gesture.

“Uhm... Uncle Keito, we are only eleven years old, eleven years!” Reiji repeated with emphasis.

His voice sounded a bit higher, like a child's protest confused by the adult world.

“Regarding whether I love Karina or not... isn't that a bit... uhm, too early?” Reiji continued, looking at Keito, his forehead furrowed, and his eyebrows raised as if seeking certainty from the logic he held firmly.

Reiji's eyes then stared blankly for a moment at the polished wooden floor beneath him.

The atmosphere in the room shifted to silence.

The night wind passing through the window gap swayed the soft white curtains and brought with it the aroma of green tea and camphor wood from the old shelf behind them.

Keito simply smiled gently.

He looked at Reiji for a few seconds, then chuckled softly, his laughter deep and gentle, like distant thunder behind the mountains.

“You're right! Haha!” Keito said, bowing his head slightly, his shoulders shaking a bit as he laughed.

But Keito's laughter was not mocking; it was more like the laughter of a father who recognized the logical innocence of an honest child.

Reiji straightened his posture again, then let out a long sigh as if releasing the tension from his chest.

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