The Carnivorous Maidens Living with Me - Chapter 36 & 37

Chapter 36: Storming the Shirasaki Dojo ~ I Was the Only One Who Thought I Could Win

When Hazuki suddenly showed up, I got caught up in the moment and said okay.

But even when she said she convinced her parents, I couldn’t believe it.

“Hazuki, can you call your parents first? And let me talk to them.”

“S-Senpai, you don’t believe me?”

“Honestly, no. A family running a karate dojo wouldn’t just let their only daughter move out like that, right? Plus, you said your parents are overprotective.”

I’d heard Hazuki’s family runs a karate dojo and her parents are super protective.

That’s why they taught her karate and loaded her with self-defense gear.

“Fine. But it’s pointless, you know?”

“We’ll see after I talk to them.”

Deep down, I thought she was lying.

Even if it was true, I had a plan.

Puru puru puru… gacha

“Hello, Dad? Thanks for dropping me off earlier! Um—”

She was at the house just now?

Then they’d expect a greeting, right?

It’s a stranger’s house!

“Senpai… here.”

“Oh, uh, thanks.”

I took the phone, still skeptical.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Shoma Kamizuki, a student at the same high school as your daughter, Hazuki Shirasaki. I wanted to talk about her situation—”

I introduced myself formally, ready to dive into the main issue, when…

“So you’re Shoma Kamizuki-kun. I’ve heard about you from my daughter. I’m Genkichi Shirasaki, Hazuki’s father.”

The voice that came back was commanding, full of dignity.

His name sounded old-school and cool, I couldn’t help but think.

“I’ll say it again: I’m entrusting my daughter to you! You’re someone I can rely on!”

“Wha—huh?”

That sneak attack was so unexpected, I let out a dumb noise!

“No, no, no, hold on! You’re moving too fast!”

“You saved my daughter. Twice, no less.”

“Huh?”

“Most of what she talks about is you, Kamizuki-kun.”

Genkichi-san laughed, hoh hoh hoh.

I realized a phone call wasn’t going to cut it, so I decided to take drastic measures.

“Uh, sir, would it be okay if I visited your place now? There’s some misunderstanding… or rather, I want you to understand who I am.”

“Hm, a marriage greeting, eh? Come right over, I’ll be waiting!”

“What? No, that’s not—”

Pu pu pu

The call cut off.

And so did my brain.

After a moment, I snapped back, told Sofia and Hazuki we were going to the Shirasaki house, and asked them to come along.

Having both of them there was the key to my plan.

Following Hazuki’s directions, we arrived at the Shirasaki house.

I’d bought a box of my favorite yokan and senbei as a gift beforehand.

“Whoa, that’s impressive.”

“It’s huge!”

The Shirasaki house was massive, as you’d expect from a karate dojo.

Its samurai mansion vibe could easily be featured on TV.

We were seated in the living room they led us to.

“Here I come!”

A burly, bearded gentleman in a kimono strode in.

A step behind him was a stunning woman in a calm purple kimono.

She must be Hazuki’s mom.

Her hair, pinned up with a hairpin, was striking.

Her soft expression and loving smile—Hazuki definitely takes after her.

“Thank you for making time despite our sudden visit. I’m Shoma Kamizuki. It’s not much, but please accept this!”

“Oh my, how polite! I’ll gratefully accept it!”

Hazuki’s mom took the gift with a smile.

“Hm, seeing you in person, you’re courteous and a fine man! Well-built, too! I’m Genkichi Shirasaki, and this is my wife, Tsukimi.”

At Genkichi-san’s words, Tsukimi-san gave a graceful bow.

“Um… sorry to jump right in, but I wanted you to know who I am.”

“Go on!”

I put my hand on Sofia’s shoulder, sitting to my right.

“This is the woman I’m dating, Sofia Kisaragi.”

Sofia’s face was stiff, probably from nerves.

“And… how do I put this, I’m also dating your daughter… Hazuki-san!”

I decided to be honest.

My plan was to make them think a guy dating two girls isn’t trustworthy enough for their daughter!

A traditional, dignified family like this would surely object!

“I’m indecisive, unable to fully commit to either girl’s feelings. That’s only going to hurt your daughter. So, letting her live with me might not be the best idea…”

I glanced at Hazuki, who was looking down.

Yeah, I must seem pathetic to her.

The Shirasaki parents were silent.

If this frees Hazuki from my curse…

That’s what I was thinking when—

“Pfft, hahahahaha!”

“Giggle… Fufufu.”

The Shirasaki couple burst out laughing.

Confused, I looked beside me—Sofia and Hazuki were hiding their faces, laughing too.

“Man! You’re even more impressive than Hazuki said!”

Oh… this is déjà vu.

I flashed back to my talk with the Kisaragi family.

Chapter 37: Hazuki’s Feelings ~ I Already Knew Everything, Though

Everyone except me is doubled over laughing.

I’m the only one feeling left out.

Even Tsukimi-san is hugging her daughter, chuckling.

The mood’s lightened up a bit, which is nice, but I stare into the distance, thinking:

“They’ve completely trapped me.”

After a good laugh, Genkichi-san spills the truth.

“We knew everything from the start. That Hazuki forced her way in, that you already had a girlfriend, and that you protected them at school.”

“As I thought. Haa, I feel kinda drained.”

I nod, not surprised.

And just like the Kisaragi family, where the women are strong…

“This is a bit off-topic, but… I’m guessing… was it you, Tsukimi-san, who taught Hazuki those binding techniques?”

“Oh! You figured it out. That’s right.”

“The Kisaragi family’s women are strong too, so I had a hunch. I was hoping I was wrong, though.”

Am I just a magnet for matriarchal families?

“By the way, Kamizuki-kun, have you heard why Hazuki fell for you?”

“Haa… I can kinda guess, but honestly, I don’t remember.”

“Hm. Mind sharing that guess?”

I talk about what happened a year ago when I met Sofia.

How I’d just moved here.

How I was focused on building relationships.

How I met Sofia during that time.

My routine at work, the gym, and the park.

Setting up my neighborhood network.

I figure I probably met Hazuki somewhere in there.

“Pretty much spot-on. Hazuki, is it okay to tell him?”

“Yes.”

What followed was Hazuki’s story from back then.

When she was in her third year of middle school, she hated karate.

She snuck out of the dojo and cried in the park.

She was teased for doing karate as a girl.

She wanted to be more feminine.

Then, I gave her some snacks.

I listened to her until the end.

And he showed her a video of a Japanese woman who won the world championship in karate kata.

“This woman’s cool, right? Her graceful stance is beautiful, and her kata’s so flawless, you can’t look away.”

I said that to the sad girl while showing her the video.

“If you hate karate, you should say so, but you can still do girly stuff while doing karate. Like… uh, sorry, I’m drawing a blank.”

“Um, but you make snacks and stuff, right?”

“Yeah, it’s kinda a hobby. Cooking’s not just for women anymore. Plus, I don’t like the idea of dumping all the housework on women.”

“And, you know, my brother did karate too, so I get it, but I think mastering something doesn’t have to be just one thing. Try different stuff! You’ve got plenty of time. Plus, if you get strong at karate, you can shut up those kids who teased you. In a match, of course!”

Others might think it was no big deal…

But for Hazuki, it was a precious, irreplaceable memory.

“Wait a sec! That kid back then was Hazuki? I remember it too. But… uh…”

I remembered the moment.

But she looked so different from the Hazuki now.

“Fufu… this was Hazuki back then.”

Tsukimi-san brought out a photo.

Back then, I just thought she was a girl with slightly long hair.

She was way shorter, and honestly, I thought she was an elementary schooler.

I mean… her chest wasn’t…

“I’m just floored by the mysteries of womanhood. I never would’ve guessed that was Hazuki… So that’s why you joined the cooking club?”

“Yes… I chose the same high school as Senpai, studied hard, kept up with karate, and had Mom teach me cooking.”

So Hazuki was chasing after me this whole time…

Guess I’ve gotta make up my mind.

“Alright, I get it! If Hazuki feels that strongly about me, I can’t ignore it. I’ll take her on, officially.”

Wait, why’d I say it like a marriage proposal?

Feels like I’m digging myself a deeper hole.

“Excellent! I’m counting on you!”

“Hazuki-chan, strike while he’s sleeping!”

“Yes!”

“No, not ‘yes’!”

As things started wrapping up, a question popped into my head.

“Genkichi-san, Tsukimi-san! I’ve got a question…”

“Hm?”

“Hazuki’s your only daughter, right? I don’t know what the future holds, but is it okay for her to follow me? I mean… I’m not super familiar, but what about the dojo?”

I figured an old dojo would have a successor issue.

If they’re entrusting their only daughter to me, that’s gotta be a concern.

“Good point! Thanks for worrying. But no issue there. Remember that women’s karate champion from the story? She said, ‘If you’re closing the dojo, I want to take it over.’ She’s my disciple, you see! Haha!”

“How convenient!”

Talk about a plot twist.

We were connected somewhere along the line.

“And… Hazuki doesn’t need to worry about being a successor. My wife and I want her to love freely, that’s our stance!”

“Really? No offense, but that’s surprising.”

“Embarrassing story, but my wife and I eloped…”

“Wow!”

Sofia’s eyes go wide.

Genkichi-san laughs, hohoho, looking a bit shy, while Tsukimi-san blushes faintly.

“And we’ve always dreamed of opening a ryotei together! If Hazuki’s living happily, it’s the perfect chance!”

They hold hands as they say that.

They’re such a tight-knit couple.

This samurai mansion setup would make a killer ryotei.

“So, Kamizuki-kun… no, my son-in-law! I’m entrusting my daughter to you!”

“Leave it to me!”

After that, we were treated to dinner at the Shirasaki house, reminiscing and thinking about the future as we chatted.