Miyajima Kiichiro understood.
He knew what kind of people his daughter and son were.
If it weren't for the young man in front of him backing her up, Tsubaki would probably have been ruined by that beast. Miyajima Sosaku was indeed his flesh and blood, but wasn't Tsubaki as well?
Moreover, he had long been disappointed in Miyajima Sosaku, and Tsubaki had always been the closer one... He was old now, and often reminisced about his youth. Ultimately, letting Tsubaki handle Miyajima Sosaku was the best outcome.
The affairs of Miyajima should, after all, be resolved by Miyajima themselves.
Miyajima Kiichiro was quite satisfied with this outcome.
No, it would be more accurate to say he was extremely satisfied.
And he also knew in his heart that the person who brought about this "outcome" was the young man before him.
Miyajima Kiichiro looked hesitant.
Then, as if making up his mind, a glimmer of light flashed in his old eyes.
He suddenly pulled back the blue and white striped bedsheet on the hospital bed.
Then, respectfully, he performed a dogeza, pressing his head against the bed.
Miyajima Kiichiro's back, which had always been so straight, bowed into a humble posture at this moment.
His trembling lips did not utter another word.
But at this point, Hayato naturally understood what the old man wanted to express.
"Alright."
Hayato smiled charmingly.
Miyajima Kiichiro then raised his head, thinking that his gratitude had reached the young man's heart, and was about to lie back down when he heard the young man say again: "What's so great about kneeling on the bed? Go kneel on the floor."
Miyajima Kiichiro:...
However, Hayato didn't actually do such a heartless thing; after saying that, he added: "But I'm afraid it'll shorten my life, so let's forget it."
Miyajima Kiichiro then gave him a glance that was both melancholic and frustrated.
"In any case, thank you for protecting Sakura and Tsubaki... Now, even this old man has to admit that you are indeed a reliable young man. Entrusting the girls of Miyajima to you is indeed a good choice."
Hayato scratched his face, a little embarrassed, and asked: "Which one are you talking about?"
"Which one...?" Miyajima Kiichiro was startled. He pondered the meaning of the question, and not long after he understood, he slapped the bed board: "Beast—"
"Alright, alright." Hayato consoled: "You can't beat me anyway, so save your strength and rest your body."
His words were reasonable and convincing, but Miyajima Kiichiro, to show his attitude, still stubbornly glared, his eyes bulging like light bulbs: "You, if you..."
Hayato interrupted him,
"One more thing, I borrowed your family's 'Quick Blade Ichimonji'..."
There were quite a few people on Snake Mound George's side, and they chose an open area. If he were surrounded, even Hayato probably wouldn't be able to escape relying on a wooden sword... Plus, Miyajima had ready-made good weapons, so he picked up a bargain. "It's an ancestral treasure, so I figured I should mention it to you," Hayato said.
Miyajima Kiichiro nodded.
After the impact of the previous few events, this had indeed become the most insignificant matter.
"No problem," Miyajima Kiichiro said, "This sword will eventually be passed down to Sakura. If you become a son of Miyajima in the future, Sakura's will be yours..."
Hayato rubbed his chin, "Really?"
Miyajima Kiichiro smiled: "The prerequisite is that you have to win Sakura's heart..."
It was clear that Sakura did indeed like this young man, but "liking" and "loving," and "loving to the extent of wanting to marry," were different levels. As an experienced person, Miyajima Kiichiro understood this well. Young people still had a long way to go—at least that's how it seemed to him.
"That's good," Hayato smiled, "I need to find an antique master to appraise the value of those two swords... You know, old man, I've always been poor."
"Beast—!"
Miyajima Kiichiro yelled this at the top of his lungs.
Miyajima Sakura happened to push open the door to the ward, a little uneasy: "Are you arguing?"
From her perspective, Grandpa had never liked Lin-kun, and he would easily argue with Lin-kun.
"No," Hayato smiled faintly.
The premise of an "argument" should be a back-and-forth, right? How can a one-sided output be called an "argument"?
"Sakura, come here..." Miyajima Kiichiro immediately saw that his innocent granddaughter was still unaware of the recent events. He beckoned Sakura over.
Miyajima Sakura nodded, and obediently walked to her grandfather's side.
"Look at this beast... No, look closely at this young man," Miyajima Kiichiro said.
..."Mmm."
Miyajima Sakura didn't understand what he meant, but she still followed her grandfather's instructions and quietly looked at Lin-kun in front of her.
"From now on, you must treat him well," he instructed his granddaughter.
Miyajima Sakura nodded, somewhat at a loss.
Strange.
Grandpa actually told her to treat Lin-kun well. Did Grandpa suddenly change his personality? ← This matter will be dealt with later... Eh? "Treat him well"? Does that mean she hasn't treated Lin-kun well enough before? Where?
Miyajima Sakura was slightly confused.
But what does it mean to treat Lin-kun well? Miyajima Sakura didn't quite understand.
"Old man, seeing your solemn expression, I wouldn't know you were about to take in..." Hayato sighed helplessly.
Miyajima Kiichiro quickly stopped him: "Hey!"
He knew the words after Hayato's ellipsis were definitely "grandson-in-law," and Miyajima Kiichiro was indeed thinking that. But, his granddaughter was standing right there, aren't you ashamed? Is this something you can say?
..."...a god-grandson," Hayato said.
Miyajima Kiichiro:...
What was that term from the manga he read before? "Flag-pulling." This brat has amazing flag-pulling skills.
"Am I going to have to call you 'big sister' from now on?" Hayato asked Miyajima Sakura.
You brat! You absolutely cannot say that—Miyajima Kiichiro was in a hurry. He could tell his granddaughter definitely had a good impression of this kid. Wouldn't saying that shatter her resolve?
He cautiously looked at his granddaughter.
What he didn't expect was that after hearing the address "big sister," his granddaughter, if not crestfallen, was certainly overjoyed, even indelicately flaring her two small nostrils, the hot air she exhaled seemingly taking the shape of a heart...
"Mhm!" Miyajima Sakura nodded very vigorously.
Miyajima Kiichiro couldn't understand what kind of romantic games these young people were playing.
He wore a helpless expression, as if he had seen through the vanity of the world: Play however you want, you guys. When you're tired, just destroy yourselves.
"Where's Tsubaki?" Miyajima Kiichiro asked.
"Mom is hospitalized in the ward downstairs..." Miyajima Sakura said.
In their small family of three, two were hospitalized. Miyajima was certainly boosting this hospital's performance.
"What?" Miyajima Kiichiro was startled: "What happened to her? Was she attacked by Snake Mound or Sosaku...?"
"No, it was by me." Hayato continued to point to his nose with his thumb.
"!!"
Miyajima Kiichiro was stunned: "Beast—!!"
Miyajima Sakura, meanwhile, blinked her eyes, completely unaware of what the old man and the young man were talking about.
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