"Mrs. Yukinoshita, all the boys under eight years old in the courtyard are here..."
Inside the orphanage, dozens of small children stood in neat lines, clutching the edges of their clothes, heads bowed, their expressions uneasy. By their appearance, most were pale and malnourished, their clothes ill-fitting and worn.
In this dangerous world, plagued by all kinds of Monster disasters and rampant Ghouls and Demons, the number of ordinary people dying unnatural deaths was countless. It was a common occurrence for families to be destroyed, leaving behind an orphan. This had caused the social orphanages and welfare centers to be almost completely full. Even with aid from foundations like the Yukinoshita Family, the overcrowded orphanages could only just manage to stay operational.
In an environment where there were "too many monks and too little gruel," the general quality of the children growing up there was naturally hard to meet Mrs. Yukinoshita's discerning eye.
"I've already been through three orphanages..." Mrs. Yukinoshita's delicate brows furrowed slightly.
She was only following a divination to add a male heir to her household; she wouldn't invest much emotion or resources in this adopted child. However, she also wouldn't just adopt anyone into the Yukinoshita family.
Her gaze drifted, settling on the small boy at the very end of the line.
"Oh..."
The boy's cold, pale skin was strikingly noticeable in the queue. His naturally excellent features were perfectly coordinated on his young, childish face. Even though he wore the same ragged clothes as the other children, he possessed an uncommon, refined demeanor.
Even a person as particular and serious as Mrs. Yukinoshita couldn't help but show a hint of faint fondness in her eyes. The only issue was that he was shorter than the other children, which was why Mrs. Yukinoshita hadn't noticed him immediately.
"He's just a child, though. Feed him well, and he'll grow fine."
A few minutes later, in the director's office.
After asking about the boy's background and temperament, Mrs. Yukinoshita quickly made her decision.
"Asa, this is Mrs. Yukinoshita. She would like to adopt you. Are you willing to go with her?" The old director said with a kind smile after bringing Shiraishi Asa into the room.
Shiraishi Asa had grown up in the orphanage, was charmingly cute, and had a mature, stable personality, making him very likable. The orphanage staff all adored him.
Mrs. Yukinoshita? Hearing the familiar surname, Asa's heart stirred slightly.
He looked up at the mature young woman before him, who embodied beauty, affluence, and a strong, dominant presence.
"The Yukinoshita Family that Mrs. Yukinoshita controls has been sponsoring our orphanage. Asa, it is a great fortune for you to be chosen by Mrs. Yukinoshita," the old director subtly hinted to Shiraishi Asa. She, too, hoped he could enter the Yukinoshita household so he would at least have food, clothing, and security for the future.
'The Yukinoshita Family... is this really Yukinoshita Yukino's mother?' Shiraishi Asa quietly mused, looking at Mrs. Yukinoshita's slightly familiar face.
After he turned eight and his Incubus powers fully matured, his need for Yin Energy seemed to have increased significantly. In the crowded orphanage, he only had a short window every evening to absorb Lunar Yin Energy. This was nowhere near enough for his adult form. Hunting human females outside carried the risk of exposure, and it could also implicate Hoshino Ai and the orphanage.
Though he felt a deep affection for the orphanage that raised him, it was time to leave.
Going to the Yukinoshita home would give him a private room for his training. He could check in at a new location to get his system rewards. And for such a powerful family, the security measures shouldn't be bad...
After considering everything, Asa made his decision.
"I am willing."
He lifted his head and nodded seriously, meeting Mrs. Yukinoshita's eyes.
Looking into his clear, bright eyes, Mrs. Yukinoshita felt as if the little shota before her was the recipient of all of nature's favor. A strange flutter rose in her heart, and she suddenly felt an urge to hold him.
"Ahem..." Mrs. Yukinoshita suppressed the sudden emotional stirring. As the head of the Yukinoshita Family, she was too formidable and powerful to ever display her softer side in public.
"Mieko, process the paperwork."
At this moment, Shiraishi Asa took out his phone and called Hoshino Ai. The phone rang for half a minute, but there was no answer.
"Is she still performing?"
Asa could only text her the situation.
"I hope Ai doesn't suffer from insomnia without her human pillow."
After the paperwork was completed, Asa slung his small school bag over his shoulders and left the orphanage.
He got into the luxurious sedan, hugging his bag, shrinking obediently into the seat, and looking out the window. He looked like a kitten leaving its nest for the first time—full of curiosity about everything, yet utterly alert. It was a sight that stirred pity.
Mrs. Yukinoshita watched him from the corner of her eye. Her usually all-day-long tightly composed face softened ever so slightly.
"Put your bag on the seat." Her tone was as serious as ever, but her voice was much softer.
"Mhm." Asa obediently placed his school bag down.
This brought him a bit closer to Mrs. Yukinoshita. A slight twitch of his nose allowed him to catch the faint, elegant scent wafting from her.
He didn't know much about Mrs. Yukinoshita's personality. Before he could figure out her depth, Asa decided to continue playing the role of the obedient child.
Asa sat ramrod straight, not moving. He also did his best not to touch Mrs. Yukinoshita.
He hadn't forgotten the Hidden Abilities he possessed. Especially that LV3 Lewd Hand...
The one time he accidentally touched Ai, she let out a quiet gasp. That flush of crimson was something Asa could still vividly recall. For a woman of Mrs. Yukinoshita's age, a mature young woman, it was even more certain. Asa didn't want his new life to enter a weird new development before it even started.
The car ride was silent. Soon, they arrived at the Yukinoshita family residence.
"This will be your home from now on," Mrs. Yukinoshita said faintly.
She picked up Asa's school bag, stepped out of the car with long strides, and walked away.
Asa shifted his body to get out.
That's when an accident occurred.
Asa completely missed the step while exiting the car and tumbled straight forward.
'Holy shit, a Rito-style Fall...' The thought just registered.
Thud!
The next moment, Asa fell directly onto an incredibly soft body.
"Madam!" Mieko, the housekeeper who had just gotten out of the car, gasped. She was about to step forward to help Mrs. Yukinoshita and Shiraishi Asa up.
A soft, surprised little cry escaped from Mrs. Yukinoshita's lips.
Looking at Mrs. Yukinoshita's slightly flushed, beautiful face and her slightly parted red lips, Mieko froze on the spot.
This...
Is this really Mrs. Yukinoshita, who was always so powerful and never showed a single sign of a woman's vulnerability?