"Eriri's future husband?" Emma's expression seemed to freeze for a moment before she immediately exclaimed in astonishment:
"That child... is Eriri's partner?"
"When did this happen?"
"I remember speaking to Eriri on the phone last month, and she never mentioned this person at all..."
Hearing this, Sayuri Sawamura seemed thoroughly delighted by Emma's reaction as she said with a smile:
"It seems Eriri managed to keep even you in the dark~"
"Kept me in the dark?"
Emma's face twitched slightly as she couldn't help but glance at Eriri. 'With this child's intelligence, she could fool me?'
Feeling puzzled, she looked at Eriri again before turning back to Sayuri and asking quietly:
"What exactly is going on here? Wasn't the boy Eriri had feelings for before that child called Tomoya Aki?"
"That was years ago."
Sayuri wore an expression as if Emma was telling some outdated joke as she smiled and said:
"Since junior high, Eriri hasn't been in contact with Tomoya at all."
"As for Luo Shu..."
Sayuri paused briefly before looking at Luo Shu with a somewhat pleased smile:
"He happens to be a student at Toyogasaki High School just like Eriri. They met at school and seem to be in the same club. After spending time together back and forth, problems arose."
"Hmph, that child has somehow improved at hiding her thoughts recently. She even managed to keep me in the dark."
"A fellow student..." Emma's expression became slightly uncomfortable upon hearing this.
She never would have imagined that someone like Luo Shu would still be a student and actually attending the same school as Eriri.
Such information simply didn't exist outside. Had it been deliberately suppressed by the SDS?
"Yes, I never imagined that child would start dating while still in high school. Given her personality, I thought it would take much longer, perhaps even after she turned thirty."
"To be honest, if Luo Shu hadn't actively encouraged Eriri to confess to the family, I wonder how long I would have remained in the dark."
At this point, Sayuri Sawamura's tone became noticeably downcast:
"Originally, I wanted to give Robert a pleasant surprise."
"After all, you and I both know how difficult it is for someone like Eriri to find a suitable boy. Now that she's finally found one, this had to happen..."
Hearing Sayuri's despondent tone, Emma's expression twisted imperceptibly.
So, on the very day she'd planned to fake her death and escape, Luo Shu's visit had actually been a son-in-law's first formal meeting with his prospective in-laws?
Meaning it wasn't that Luo Shu had discovered her as a Hidden Management Department operative and come to arrest her? Just a social call?
How could this be...
Emma suddenly realised she might have completely misread the situation.
She'd assumed someone as important as the Director of the Hidden Management Department wouldn't visit the Sawamura household without reason, so she'd automatically assumed her cover might be blown.
When soldiers approach a bandit's hideout unannounced, of course, the bandits would first suspect an arrest operation - it's only natural to become defensive.
But if you consider the soldier might simply live nearby, from a god's-eye view, the bandits would appear overly paranoid.
The most awkward, most delicate part being... she was that bandit.
At this realisation, Emma's face contorted slightly.
A Demigod would fall for a timid, tsundere idiot girl whose only redeeming feature was her looks?
Emma was finally comprehending the absurdity of reality.
Were it not for her absolute confidence in the Arcane Art of Pride concealing Eriri's true nature, Emma might have suspected Luo Shu had discovered something.
But if he'd found nothing, and this was purely romantic... Emma's expression began twisting again.
However, considering she was in the presence of both the shrewd Sayuri Sawamura and the unfathomable SDS Demigod Luo Shu, Emma quickly composed herself, adopting a faintly pleased expression:
"Don't grieve too much, Sayuri."
"Though Robert's death was sudden, you must still hold the family together!"
"Hold the family together?"
Sayuri seemed reminded of something, glancing very deliberately at Luo Shu before smiling:
"I suppose I won't need to hold it together for much longer."
Taking a deep breath, she continued:
"I plan to have Eriri and Luo Shu marry in May."
Emma's expression became visibly strained:
"Isn't that rather rushed? Robert has only just passed..."
"Moreover, you barely know Luo Shu. Such a short time makes it difficult to understand someone truly. Don't make impulsive decisions you might regret."
"You should be more cautious, Sayuri."
The wedding is set for May, and today is already April 20th.
Meaning there are only about 10 days left until the wedding?
Doesn't that imply Eriri will have a Demigod accompanying her, possibly even providing close protection, during this period and perhaps even now?
Wouldn't that... cut off certain ideas she might have?
Regarding this, Emma immediately wanted to advise Sayuri Sawamura to reconsider.
At the very least, they should delay the timeline—preferably by over two months, or even half a year.
But before Emma could say anything more, Sayuri Sawamura touched her cheek, her tone softer than ever before:
"I'm not being impulsive. In fact, I think this timing is just right."
"After all, ever since Robert left, it's been Luo Shu who's been tirelessly helping our family. Even this morning, it was his support that carried me through."
"And according to Eriri, there's apparently a girl named Utaha Kasumigaoka at Toyogasaki High School competing with her."
"If such a wonderful young man were snatched away by someone else... that would be truly unfortunate..."
"You see, I've waited so long for him to finally appear."
Hearing Sayuri's words, Emma's expression shifted slightly as she frantically considered how to handle the situation.
No, she had to change Sayuri's mind—or at least buy some time...
Emma subtly moved closer to Sayuri, and as she did, her nose twitched faintly.
Suddenly, she caught a strange, faint scent—one that was nearly imperceptible unless standing very close to Sayuri.
And that scent was... the fragrance of erica flowers? Coming from Sayuri herself?
Then, Emma noticed the implications in Sayuri's earlier words.
'It's always been Luo Shu helping her?'
'Even this morning, it was his support?'
'I've waited so long for him to finally appear?'
'If such a wonderful young man were snatched away...?'
Emma narrowed her eyes, studying Sayuri's expression carefully—and realised that the emotions there weren't purely maternal joy for Eriri's sake.
The moment this realisation struck, Emma's face stiffened almost imperceptibly.
At that moment, Sayuri seemed to notice something. The erica flower hidden in her sleeve was crushed tightly in her grip, ground repeatedly between her fingers.
Then, Sayuri turned to Emma with a smile.
It was a smile that sent Emma's emotions spiralling like a rollercoaster.
A smile brimming with allure...