Ayano Kannagi trusted her intuition completely.
On the mystic side, the stronger one's power, the closer their intuition aligns with fundamental truths.
It was said that truly powerful beings could directly read information from humanity's collective consciousness, accurately predicting individuals' futures.
While Ayano couldn't accomplish such feats, making basic judgments about someone's character was well within her capabilities.
And her intuition had clearly marked Nobuyuki Sugou as a villain.
As for Yuuki's mother, who arranged this engagement...
Although she didn't know the details, Ayano Kannagi was aware that Asuna Yuuki's mother had risen from humble beginnings in a small town through sheer hard work to become an elite university professor.
But being a professor didn't necessarily mean having good judgment of people.
At the very least, Ayano believed that Yuuki's mother's discernment couldn't possibly compare to her own, blessed as she was by the Spirit King of Fire.
She didn't want her best friend to suffer for a lifetime by marrying some scumbag just because her mother didn't care enough.
"Anyway, Asuna, you can totally trust my instincts. The guy your mother picked for you is absolutely, positively terrible."
"So don't hesitate—just reject him outright. If you can't, I'll do it for you."
"Isn't that... inappropriate?"
Asuna Yuuki hesitated at this. As the daughter of a branch family under the Kannagi Family's offshoot, the Yuuki household, she had indeed heard rumours about the main family's direct descendants possessing terrifying power. Sometimes, even her father secretly envied them, saying they were born with innate superiority.
In fact, her friendship with Ayano Kannagi had been encouraged by her father, though they had eventually become genuine friends because of their compatible personalities.
From this alone, Asuna understood just how much respect her father held for the young lady of the Kannagi household.
So if Ayano were to forcefully reject the proposal on her behalf, her father might actually concede.
While Asuna was still conflicted, Ayano cut straight to the point:
"What's inappropriate? You're just worried about your family's opinion, aren't you? If you don't like him, why force yourself to please them?"
"Anyway, I'm making this clear—just say the word, and I'll get this marriage called off! I refuse to believe that in this modern age, there are still parents who think they can decide their daughter's marriage for her!"
Hearing Ayano's words, Asuna couldn't help but feel both exasperated and deeply moved.
'But Ayano, isn't the meaning behind your words a bit too obvious?'
'Are you openly calling your father Jūgo Kannagi an old-fashioned conservative?'
Thinking this, Asuna Yuuki sighed before smiling at Ayano Kannagi:
"Ayano, thank you for your support."
"However, things haven't reached the point where I need your help to forcibly cancel the engagement."
The Kannagi family's direct descendant ordering branch family members to break off an engagement would somewhat affect Ayano's reputation within the family, so Asuna didn't want to damage her friend's standing this way.
She felt the situation could still be resolved more amicably:
"I'll try talking with my mother first. If she disagrees, then I'll come to you."
If her mother refused, she could say that Ayano of the main family opposed the marriage as well. Though borrowing someone else's authority wasn't ideal, Asuna wasn't foolish either - naturally, she didn't want to marry someone she disliked. A tactful refusal with appropriate compensation would suffice.
Seeing Asuna's stance, Ayano couldn't insist further.
At least until Asuna truly asked for help, she couldn't intervene.
"Then consider it carefully yourself."
"Mmm," Asuna responded quietly.
Just then, Nanase Kudō asked curiously:
"But while Asuna's situation still has room for discussion, what about yours, Ayano?"
"That legendary bigshot from the Hidden Management Department probably isn't someone easily refused, right?"
Nanase then looked curiously at Yukari Shinomiya:
"Actually, we still don't even know who that important person is, do we?"
"I couldn't find any information either," Yukari said, somewhat frustrated. "Their security clearance seems extremely high. My contacts at the Metropolitan Police Department and Cabinet are all tight-lipped, not daring to say a word."
'So your connections extend to the Cabinet and Metropolitan Police Department now...'
Ayano hesitated to speak. She'd always thought Yukari's information-gathering abilities were unreal, but now she understood just how absurd they truly were.
Yukari sighed: "Pity I don't have any friends in the Hidden Management Department, or I could help you investigate, Ayano."
Hearing this, Ayano suddenly stood up:
"That's it!!"
"What's it?" X3
The three - Asuna, Nanase and Yukari - exchanged confused looks.
Ayano grinned mischievously:
"Yukari, you don't have Hidden Management Department friends, but I do!!"
"I can just ask that guy directly who the bigshot wanting to set me up is!"
"Huh?" Yukari stared at Ayano with a strange expression.
Since when did clumsy, instinct-driven Ayano have such connections?
Yukari was extremely curious, as she firmly believed Ayano would inevitably mess things up - she had that special talent.
But seeing Ayano's determined expression, Yukari decided not to comment.
Let the child hit a wall first!
A crying Ayano curled up on her lap would be adorable, wouldn't it?
...
Hidden Management Department, Luo Shu's room.
A buzzing sound echoed - his silenced phone vibrating. Reaching for his phone on the bedside table, Luo Shu glanced at the message:
[Ayano Kannagi: There's something important I'd like to consult you about. If possible, could we meet up?]
Seeing this, Luo Shu's expression showed mild surprise:
"This girl is actually looking for me? Interesting... I have a feeling that something good might happen. Might as well meet her."
After replying with [Sure, where?], Luo Shu turned towards the golden-haired hamster burrowed under the blankets:
"I've got something to do this afternoon, so let's call it a day for work, Eriri."
As soon as he finished speaking, a dishevelled, blushing head emerged from the blankets, gnashing her teeth fiercely:
"What do you mean by 'call it a day for work'?!"
"So your so-called work is just bullying me, is that it?"
"Yep." Luo Shu shamelessly admitted and added, "Tomorrow during work, do your hair in twintails. I must say, you look really cute with them."
"Get lost!!"
"I won't let you play with my hair anymore, absolutely never!!"
"Then remember to rest. See you tomorrow~"
Luo Shu completely ignored Eriri's words. After all, with this girl, you had to interpret her words in reverse to understand her true thoughts.
As he changed clothes and stepped out, Luo Shu heard Eriri's furious shout:
"Don't come back tomorrow!!!"
"Yes, yes, I'll definitely be here on time tomorrow."
Waving his hand dismissively, Luo Shu checked the address on his phone before leaving with evident satisfaction.
After Luo Shu left, Eriri poked her head out from the sheets, muttering "That damn guy..." before gritting her teeth, wrapping herself in the blanket, and tiptoeing cautiously towards the bathroom.
Once freshened up, Eriri quietly opened the Divine Pantheon's main group chat and clicked into the smaller group she shared with Utaha and others:
[That bastard keeps coming over every day recently to mess around. It's so annoying!!]
[Utaha: Piss off!]
[Megumi: Somehow, I feel like Senior Eriri is bragging to Senior Utaha? Or is it just me?]
[Kisara: She totally is!! Damn it!! How many times is this now?!]
[La Folia: Eriri, have you tried any of the positions from that book I gave you last time?]
[Eriri: I didn't use any!! Not a single one!!]
[La Folia: Oh? Seems I'll have to prepare a new textbook for you then!]
Instantly, Eriri's face turned crimson. She immediately closed the group chat and muttered awkwardly:
"Maybe I'll just go back to sleep..."
Once she woke up, all this embarrassment would surely vanish!