[FMMISM] Chapter 4: Sajyou Ayaka

As a renowned mage family in Japan, the residence of the Sajyou family was quite spacious.

However, what truly stood out within the residence was its garden.

By coming out of the washroom, opening the door ahead through the connecting corridor, continuing along the corridor, and opening the glass door at the end, one could reach the garden.

It was built by the late mistress of the Sajyou family, a witch from England.

Within this garden, lush vegetation and vibrant flowers flourished, alongside numerous pigeons bursting with vitality.

In fact, these freely roaming pigeons were actually sacrifices for Hiroki's witchcraft.

Hiroki once said, "You can't separate witchcraft from sacrifices. After all, the pain felt by sacrifices is the source of witchcraft's power." 

At this moment, just as Ragna pushed open the glass door to the garden, the pigeons scattered as if they had seen a fierce predator.

Surprisingly, one gray pigeon flew straight toward him and landed on his shoulder.

"Looks like you're the only one who wants to get close to me, huh..."

Ragna stroked the gray pigeon on his shoulder before calmly calling out its name.

"Good morning, Yahweh."

"Coo, coo, coo!"

Raising its neck, the gray pigeon let out cheerful 'coo' sounds.

"Are you eager to go to Fuyuki too? Alright, I'll take you when the war starts."

"Coo, coo!"

After Yahweh flew off, Ragna turned toward the glass door, where someone was watching him.

"Are you talking to the pigeons again? Father said you're not allowed to talk to them."

Ayaka, officially listed as Ragna's aunt on the family register, approached him with an air of superiority.

"Although I don't know what trick you used, even if you deceived Father and Sister, you can't fool my eyes. You, who always sneaked into my garden, must be a demon."

Ayaka gazed at Ragna with her clear, watery blue eyes, leaving him somewhat entranced.

In truth, to make Ragna stay with the Sajyou family, Manaka used magecraft to influence—or rather, to hypnosis her own father.

However, she didn't pay much attention to her honest and obedient younger sister, who was unaffected by her magecraft, which eventually led to Ayaka being the only one in the family who noticed something was wrong.

Manaka, the eldest daughter of the Sajyou family, was a versatile genius who managed the family efficiently.

While Ayaka, the youngest daughter, admired her elder sister and studied magecraft, she also helped out with family chores.

As for Hiroki, since he was a father, not only did he provide for the family but also willingly assisted his two daughters with family chores, so domestic and virtuous that he hardly seemed like a typical Japanese man.

In contrast, Ragna never did chores, stayed out all day and night, and frequently asked Manaka for money. In the eyes of normal people, he was undoubtedly a parasite in the family, which made it understandable for Ayaka to dislike him.

However, even though Ragna understood his actions, he still felt an inexplicable sense of heroism and thought, 'Hmph, I'm silently safeguarding humanity in places you don't know about (like nightclubs). If not for me calming my Beast desires, your peaceful life would have ended long ago.'

"Who exactly are you? What's your relationship with my sister?"

Gazing at Ragna, Ayaka asked with a sharp look.

Since Hiroki once told Ayaka that Manaka didn't need the garden, Ayaka always considered it her treasure. Evidently, Ragna's frequent strolls in the garden intensified her dislike, leading her to confront him now.

Watching Ayaka's disdainful attitude, Ragna answered with a mischievous tone.

"Well, the story about being an adopted son is a lie. My true identity is Manaka's biological son."

"Biological... son?"

Ayaka's expression stiffened as she muttered.

Ragna wasn't entirely lying.

Before he transformed from a mass of black mud into human form, he had only devoured two people.

One was Manaka, and the other was himself.

In other words, this body he had made was 50% from his mother and the other 50% was himself.

'Wait, doesn't this mean, I'm the father of myself? 

'Hail Mary! Father, Son, and Spirit, the Trinity of unified existence, even science fiction wouldn't dare to use such an exaggerated setting!'

'Wouldn't you agree, God?'

As Ragna was busy with his own musing after realizing his origin, Ayaka spoke again.

"I... I don't believe it! How could my sister possibly have a child? You must be a demon lurking in my home."

Upon hearing this, Ragna snapped out of his musing and raised his eyebrows.

"So... what do you plan to do with me?" 

"Hmph, don't be scared now!" Ayaka said smugly. "Once I save enough allowance, I'll buy holy water and a cross from the church by mail order and purify you!"

"Pfttt, hahaha... spare me please!"

Ragna instantly burst into laughter and pretended to beg for forgiveness.

If it were genuine holy water sold by the Holy Church, it might actually affect him. For example, mixing it into food could probably cause diarrhea or an allergic reaction.

"Sparing you might not be impossible though..." Ayaka muttered and suddenly turned slightly shy.

Seeing her weird demeanor, Ragna became interested.

"O Noble Mage, would you spare me?"

"Well... there's a condition..."

"What is it?"

As Ragna asked, Ayaka hung her head low.

After about five seconds of silence, she finally lifted her face, showing a hint of shyness.

"Pat my head like you did to my sister earlier... If you do that, I'll acknowledge that you're my sister's child."

"Huh?" Ragna froze and looked confused. 'Shouldn't this kid hate me?'

It was well known that in the Sajyou family, the eldest daughter had a son complex, while the youngest daughter had both a father complex and a sister complex.

Considering Ragna, who had gained her father's trust and her sister's doting, Ayaka should be hating him at all costs.

"Why?" Ragna asked instinctively.

Upon hearing his question, the blushing Ayaka answered with annoyance.

"Because you're a boy, right? I also want to experience what it's like to have a boy touch my head! My father has never touched my head, so let you take his place for once! Just this once, I swear, it's just this once, you understand!"

"Ahh... I see..."

Ragna nodded vaguely, then instinctively reached out to pat Ayaka's head.

"Mmm..."

Ayaka squinted her eyes contentedly, enjoying his gentle touch, but gradually, she felt her head getting warmer.

Ssst-Ssst-Ssst-Ssst!

Ayaka lifted her head, displeased with the boy who was vigorously rubbing her head.

"I feel a subtle malice just now... Am I imagining things?" Ayaka muttered.

"It's your imagination. What you're feeling from above your head is sincere warmth." Ragna replied with an earnest face.

At a young age, Ayaka was still quite innocent and naive, so she easily believed his explanation and lowered her head timidly.

"Oh, by the way, next time... could you teach me how to talk to the pigeons?" Ayaka asked shyly.

"Oh, sure thing. Once I'm done with things in Fuyuki, I'll come help out."

Upon hearing his answer, Ayaka's expression brightened.

"Hmph... Well, I guess I can't really do anything about you. From now on, I'll make a special exception and let you into my garden... Um, after all, you're my nephew."

===

After breakfast, an attractive apron fairy, Manaka, was hard at work in the Sajyou family's kitchen.

Her movements were graceful and her posture was elegant.

Her blue sleeves were rolled up high, revealing dreamy foam on her fair skin.

Even though Manaka was merely washing dishes, from an onlooker's perspective, it seemed like a scene from a fairy tale.

"Ragna touched my head... Heehee, that's a first."

With her beautiful face faintly blushing and her cherry-colored lips parted slightly, she giggled cheerfully.

"Hmm... How can I make him touch my head again?"