Regarding her husband, Akina felt grief and also very guilty.
Back then, for a moment, she didn't know if joining the chat group was a good thing or a bad thing, and she even blamed herself for telling him about it.
But at the same time, it was also the path her husband had chosen.
He was just one of the losers in the process of pursuing the strongest.
When her husband left, he took some gold with him, worried he might not have money there.
Upon arriving in that world, he excitedly headed to Totsuki Academy intending to further his studies, but was turned away due to age.
Finally, he decided to become a teacher at Totsuki Academy, but unfortunately, his skills weren't up to par. So, he started learning from other chefs outside, constantly challenging others to improve his own strength.
He thought that once he improved his skills, he could prove his strength and potential in front of Nakiri Azami!
With this conviction, he frantically started challenging major restaurants.
After winning streak after streak, he encountered a Noir Chef.
Lured by the promise that winning would grant him entry to Totsuki Academy, but wagering his hands and the inability to cook forever in a Shokugeki, he ultimately lost.
After returning, he lost all hope in life.
Having married into the family, he felt he had no dignity to continue living with his wife. After enduring much gossip within the Hinatsuru Family, one day he wrote a suicide note and took his own life...
Now, over half a year had passed. The chat group had grown from the initial two people to the current nine, and Akina had long since come to terms with it.
Ai felt the same.
Perhaps because she had moved on, Ai didn't feel resistance towards her mother's suitors; instead, she felt curious.
She wondered what kind of person was Kaito, willing to give away such a beautiful, large jade chessboard?
And it was specifically given according to her interests!
This was quite a generous gesture!
"Sigh... Alright, Ai, tidy up. Look at you, throwing your homework everywhere as soon as you arrived."
"Oh, is Brother Kaito coming soon?"
"No, we're going to have a video call soon, and you'll play against him through the video, using the chessboard he gave you."
Akina sighed, let her daughter tidy up her notebook, then straightened her daughter's clothes, and opened her phone again.
She connected the phone to the TV in the room to play chess via video call.
[Akina]: Kaito-san, I'm ready here.
[Kaito]: Okay, then let's begin.
On Kaito's side, he also took out his laptop, turned it on, and connected his phone for projection.
This way, the larger screen allowed him to see more clearly, and conversations were relatively easier.
Fortunately, Kaito had self-studied Japanese during university to watch some educational materials and play some fun games.
Now, he didn't need the chat group's automatic translation and could handle the upcoming video call.
"Hello, Mrs. Hinatsuru. Nice to meet you."
"I-I am too, Kaito-san."
The video connected. Kaito's eyes lit up at the sight of Akina in her brown kimono.
'She was indeed more beautiful than in the anime, and she possessed a unique, mature charm. Wonderful.'
At the same time, this thought emerged in Akina's mind.
'Just looking at his photo, I thought Kaito-san was handsome. But I never expected that seeing him via video, he would be even more handsome than his photo?'
'This guy must have chosen his ugliest photo and uploaded it as his avatar, right?'
Also attracted by Kaito's looks, Akina's voice trembled a bit during the greeting.
She regretted it.
'Why did I agree to a video chat with Kaito-san!'
'Was this man even allowed to exist in this world!'
"Woah—!!"
"Are you Brother Kaito? No, are you big brother! Big brother, you're so handsome, more handsome than anyone I've ever seen!!!"
Ai stuck her head out from behind Akina. Seeing Kaito on the TV screen, she was immediately amazed.
'Come to think of it, this was not an uncle at all; he was clearly a big brother!'
'Indeed!'
'Indeed!'
'This big brother was definitely trying to woo Mom, and Mom was definitely interested too!'
'Clearly just a big brother's age, but I was told to call him uncle.'
'This was probably so that later, when they finally got together, it would be easier for me to change to calling him Dad!'
'Hmph, hmph, Mom, I've seen through your little tricks!'
'I never expected Mom to like younger guys. Isn't this what the books call, the old cow eating tender grass!'
'Yep, yep!'
'That's it, no mistake!'
'That's my mom for you.'
"Hehe, are you Mrs. Hinatsuru's daughter, Hinatsuru Ai? It's nice to meet you. Do you like the chessboard I gave you?"
"I love it, I absolutely love it!"
"Hahaha, then it was worth the effort I put into making it for you. I also hope you can use it to become the strongest player. What do you think?"
"Oh!!!"
'I, Hinatsuru Ai, am so fired up right now!'
Hearing Kaito say this, Ai's eyes lit up, and she also felt a sense of pride.
'So, it was also thanks to his persuasion that she was allowed to learn Shogi!'
'This big brother is just too good!'
"Hinatsuru Ai, is it okay if I call you Ai-chan?"
"Of course, you can even call me Ai-chan!"
Ai nodded excitedly. Akina beside her looked at Kaito, then at her daughter.
Thinking back to Misuzu's talk about the son-in-law matter,
She had to admit, she was tempted again.
Earlier, she just thought it was a good idea, but now she felt she should do something.
Otherwise, it would be a real pity to lose him.
Not just for her daughter's future happiness.