Akiizuki Kōzō stood at the elevator entrance, wearing a sharp suit and holding a black briefcase.
He was on the thinner side, his hair combed meticulously; he looked like a standard office worker.
However, his face was exceptionally pale, and his entire being exuded an air of decadence.
He saw the image of his wife throwing herself into a young monk's arms, yet he showed no sign of anger or jealousy.
On the contrary, he felt an inexplicable urge; his lost physiological functions showed signs of recovery. This feeling was just like when he first saw the Akizuki Airi sisters at school.
At that moment, when his gaze fell upon Akizuki Airi, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he stopped thinking.
"Airi! You're back!"
Akiizuki Kōzō dropped his briefcase and ran toward Airi with open arms.
He had lost his physiological functions as a man during a previous experimental accident.
It wasn't until he saw the Akizuki Airi sisters at school that he felt a certain urge.
That was why he pursued Akizuki Airi's mother and married her—to get close to the Akizuki Airi sisters.
The moment Akizuki Airi saw her stepfather, her small face turned white, and her body trembled uncontrollably.
She quickly hid behind Shino, tightly clutching his monks robe, shivering like a frightened little rabbit.
Akiizuki Kōzō's movements came to a sudden halt, his arms hanging awkwardly in mid-air.
A flash of gloom crossed his face, but he quickly regained his smile, though it looked somewhat forced.
"Airi, what's wrong? Don't you recognize Daddy?" He lowered his arms, his voice carrying a deliberate tenderness.
Akizuki kayoko stood up from Shino's embrace, hurriedly tidying her messy hair and clothes.
Her cheeks were flushed from her earlier loss of composure, and traces of tears still lingered in the corners of her eyes.
"Kōzō, you're back."
Her voice was still hoarse from crying.
"This is Great Master Shino; he was the one who saved Airi."
She turned to Shino and explained, "This is my husband, Akiizuki Kōzō."
Akiizuki Kōzō bent down to pick up his briefcase and bowed deeply to Shino.
"Great Master Shino, thank you very much for saving Airi. Please come in and sit for a while, so I can express my gratitude."
Shino nodded in agreement, resting a hand lightly on Airi's shoulder to give her comfort and strength.
Akizuki Airi stayed close to Shino, her small hand never letting go of his monks robe.
After entering the apartment, Shino's gaze swept across the interior.
It was a typical Japanese home with simple furniture.
Akizuki kayoko brewed some tea and brought it to the coffee table.
"Great Master Shino, please have some tea."
Her voice was soft and her movements graceful—the image of a typical Yamato Nadeshiko.
Shino took the teacup, but his gaze fell on Akiizuki Kōzō.
He quietly activated his Dharma Eye to observe this seemingly calm man.
In the vision of the Dharma Eye, Akiizuki Kōzō was entwined with dark red Karma, coiling around him like poisonous snakes. This kind of Karma usually stemmed from the desecration of life and twisted desires.
The sins upon this man were even heavier than he had imagined.
"What kind of work do you do, Mr. Akiizuki?" Shino asked.
Akiizuki Kōzō pushed up his glasses, a professional smile appearing on his face.
"I am a professor at the Chemical Research Laboratory of Kohoku University, mainly focusing on experiments related to hormone secretion."
Shino nodded slightly, understanding in his heart.
"I heard you rescued Airi from the hands of gangsters; I am truly grateful."
Akiizuki Kōzō's gaze lingered on Airi for a moment, an emotion Shino couldn't quite decipher flashing in his eyes.
"There is no need for thanks; it is what This Poor Monk should do."
Shino gently stroked Airi's hair; the girl seemed exceptionally at ease by his side.
Akizuki kayoko sat properly to the side, her hands folded over her knees, occasionally stealing glances at her husband's expression, worried he might be angry because of the scene earlier.
"Madam , I have a request."
Shino set down his teacup and looked directly into Akizuki kayoko's eyes.
Akizuki kayoko was slightly taken aback, then nodded for him to continue.
"Airi went through a great shock this time, and she has now developed a dependency on me."
Shino's tone was calm but left no room for doubt.
"I would like to request your permission for Airi to stay with me for a few days, so I can help her adjust her state of mind and get through this period."
Upon hearing this, Akiizuki Kōzō's lips pressed into a straight line.
"This..." Akizuki kayoko hesitated, looking at her daughter who was clinging to Shino, then at her husband's unpredictable face.
Akizuki Airi looked up, gazing at her mother with pleading eyes.
"Mom, please."
Akizuki kayoko took a deep breath and nodded as if she had made up her mind.
"Alright, since Airi trusts Great Master Shino so much, I agree." Her voice was soft but firm.
"After all, Great Master Shino is a man of the cloth; I believe he will take good care of Airi."
Akiizuki Kōzō's fingers unconsciously gripped the sofa's armrest, his knuckles turning white.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he only managed to squeeze out a forced smile.
"Since my wife has agreed, I have no objection."
When Akizuki Airi heard her mother agree, a sweet smile appeared on her face.
She stole a cautious glance at her stepfather, then quickly lowered her head, leaning even closer to Shino.
"Then, we shall take our leave."
Shino stood up, holding Airi's hand.
Akizuki kayoko rose to see them off, her eyes full of reluctance and worry.
She crouched down and hugged her daughter tightly.
"Airi, listen to Great Master Shino, okay?"
Akizuki Airi nodded vigorously, her small hand gently patting her mother's back.
"Don't worry, Mom, Airi will be good."
The moment the elevator doors closed, Akizuki Airi let out a long sigh of relief, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted. She looked up and gave Shino a brilliant smile.
"Brother Shino, thank you."
...
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