The decline of the once-prominent Isayama exorcist family was as pathetic as it sounded. Counting Kenmei, the total population was only five (excluding servants).
Kenmei's mother, Hatsune Kamo, had two older brothers: the eldest, Naraku Isayama, and the second, Yuu Isayama.
Naraku had stronger talent for Cursed Energy than Yuu, and Yuu's personality was cowardly. So, Naraku naturally inherited the family headship. Currently, he was a retired Grade 1 Sorcerer due to injury. Meanwhile, Kenmei's second uncle, Yuu, was still only a Grade 3 Sorcerer despite his advanced age.
Naraku had no children. He had originally considered adopting one of his sister's children—Kenmei or Sakura—as his heir. But neither had any talent for Jujutsu, so he adopted Yomi Isayama instead.
Although Yuu Isayama's strength was lackluster, he contributed to the family line by having a daughter.
This was the "Sister Mei" Kenmei had mentioned to Yomi earlier.
Their mutual cousin, Mei Isayama.
Yuu's talent was garbage, but his daughter's was excellent. She became a Grade 1 Sorcerer by exorcising two Grade 1 Cursed Spirits solo. Since she attained a high rank in the Association two years earlier than Yomi, it was normal for her to have some savings.
Kenmei had always wondered if the family's decline was related to their names. How could such a small family gather names like "Naraku" (Hell), "Yomi" (Underworld), "Yuu" (Darkness/Secluded), and "Mei" (Darkness/Pluto)? But as the youngest, he couldn't say anything—especially since his own name, Kenmei, also contained the character for "Darkness" (Mei).
Kenmei's second uncle didn't live with Naraku in the ancestral home in Nakano, Tokyo. Instead, he had moved to Setagaya.
Incidentally, Kenmei lived in Nerima, so he had to cross two wards to reach Mei's house.
When Kenmei arrived at the old mansion, a figure was already waiting for him.
Dressed in an elegant pale blue kimono embroidered with orchids, with long white hair pinned up and adorned with a white butterfly ornament, the young woman exuding a Taisho-era beauty was Mei Isayama.
She held a small white parasol to shade herself from the sun, looking quite graceful.
Mei's naturally cold face carried a hint of the seriousness of an eldest daughter, but also a touch of warmth for a relative she hadn't seen in a long time. She watched her cousin approach, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.
As a child, Kenmei had been a little afraid of Mei. He didn't know why her face was always so cold, so he spent more time with Sakura and Yomi.
"Sister Mei, long time no see."
Kenmei spoke first.
Meeting again, things had changed drastically. What Kenmei knew made him feel uneasy.
Growing up was hard. When they were kids, the four of them were close in age and would whisper secrets to each other innocently.
But now, standing amidst the blooming wisteria at the gate, Mei felt illusory to Kenmei—ethereal, as if she might turn into a blue butterfly and fly away at any moment.
But because he hadn't seen her in so long and was recalling their childhood, Kenmei didn't want to break the "reunion" atmosphere with his first sentence.
"Yes, long time no see, Kenmei-chan."
They exchanged simple greetings.
"Come in, Kenmei-chan."
Kenmei followed Mei inside. The courtyard was comfortable, with lush greenery, a small pond, and a water wheel creating a charming Japanese garden atmosphere.
"Where's Uncle?"
The reason Kenmei had asked Yomi to inform Mei before visiting was that he didn't like this uncle—or rather, they didn't like each other.
Years ago, Yuu Isayama had strongly opposed Kenmei and Sakura returning to the Isayama family and receiving the family name. Although they were his sister's children, being ordinary humans without Jujutsu talent was a tragedy. He believed it would be better for them to stay far away from the Jujutsu world and live as ordinary people.
There was no need for them to get involved with the sinking ship of the Isayama family. Naraku agreed, so Kenmei and Sakura were largely left to fend for themselves, which was why their lives had been tough. But the family didn't interfere much.
"Father went to visit an old friend. He won't be back for a while."
"So, Kenmei-chan, you don't have to worry about him suddenly appearing."
Mei spoke calmly. She knew Kenmei didn't care for her father.
Hearing this, Kenmei smiled helplessly.
Eventually, they sat down on the open terrace near the garden. A servant brought over sliced watermelon.
"What's wrong, Kenmei-chan? Isn't watermelon your favorite?"
Mei pushed the plate closer to him, looking puzzled.
Looking at his favorite fruit, Kenmei remained unmoved. Although faint, there was a lingering scent of decay on the girl sitting next to him.
After calming himself, he finally looked at Mei and chose to lay his cards on the table.
"Sister Mei, can you tell me..."
"Why you want Yomi dead?"
Hiring the "Heavenly Tyrant" meant she had no intention of letting Yomi Isayama live.
"Yomi has always respected you and looked up to you as her role model."
The person who spent over 8 million yen to hire Toji Fushiguro to assassinate Yomi was this quiet girl sitting next to him.
Mei Isayama. She didn't look like someone who would hire a hitman.
When he heard her name from Toji, Kenmei felt nothing but absurdity. He never thought the drama of "family infighting" would happen in his own home.
If Yomi died, Mei would be the first in line to inherit the family.
As Kenmei said, Yomi idolized Mei. That was the main reason he couldn't tell Yomi the truth.
"Kenmei-chan, although I don't know how you found out..."
Mei didn't deny it. She simply stated a fact calmly.
"I regret to say, that's just the kind of person I am."
A gleaming blade suddenly approached Kenmei's neck, as if to behead him.
"Why did it come to this?"
The next second, a steel blade far faster than hers pierced straight through Mei's chest from behind. Foul blood stained her elegant kimono red.
It was Toji Fushiguro. He spoke to Kenmei in a mocking tone.
"Boss, you're chatting with a Cursed Spirit, calling it 'Sister this, Sister that.' Doesn't it give you the creeps?"