"Thank you very much."
Artoria Lancer felt a bit strange, but she still nodded politely in gratitude.
For some reason, she felt that this young man's attitude toward her was slightly different.
It must be her imagination.
That's what she thought. After all, he was the son of a good friend and had readily agreed to become her daughter's swordsmanship teacher. He must be a very upright child.
"Alright!"
Artoria clenched her fist slightly, showing an expression of excitement.
"What are you all making noise about so early in the morning? Can't a person get some sleep?"
Just as they were talking—
Footsteps sounded from upstairs.
Shortly after, another Artoria walked down the stairs.
She rubbed her drowsy eyes and grumbled impatiently.
"Oh my, are they twins?"
Raikou covered her mouth in surprise as she looked at the two identical Artorias before her.
"No, actually, they're not twins..."
Artoria Lancer gently waved her hand, denying the assumption with an elegant demeanor.
The second Artoria took a moment to wake up fully, her somewhat cold gaze sweeping over the two unfamiliar guests in the house.
Then, her eyes locked directly onto Eiji.
"You?"
She instinctively spoke, a hint of aversion flashing in her gaze toward Eiji.
Unlike the first one, she had no ahoge on her head, and her face lacked any noticeable expression. She seemed to be a rather cold girl.
"She is Artoria Alter, my third daughter. You can just call her Alter."
Artoria Lancer stepped forward with a smile and introduced her to Eiji and Raikou.
"Do you know Eiji?"
"I've only met him once."
Miss No-Ahoge quickly concealed her expression and responded flatly.
"I'm going to wash my face first."
She had no intention of elaborating further. After speaking, she walked straight to the bathroom without even greeting the guests.
"Sorry, this child isn't very talkative and is a bit introverted, but she's not a bad kid."
Artoria Lancer looked at the two apologetically.
"It's no problem at all. Children having different personalities is a good thing."
Raikou was very understanding and immediately became even more curious. "You said she's your third daughter—so what about your first and second daughters?"
"Artoria is my second daughter."
Artoria Lancer looked toward Artoria beside her and signaled with her eyes. "She and Alter are both second-year high school students at Type-Moon Academy, and they are the same age."
"My eldest daughter is older than them. She has already started working and left early this morning for her job."
"But isn't today the weekend?"
"The station had mandatory overtime today. She's a police officer."
"A police officer? That's amazing!"
Raikou immediately praised her. "Your three daughters each have unique personalities. I'm really envious!"
She was a complete child fanatic.
Although Eiji and Souji were great, having more children would only make her happier.
"No, I don't just have three daughters."
Artoria Lancer's face suddenly flushed red. Under their curious gazes, she explained a little shyly.
"I actually have five daughters. There are still two more sleeping upstairs—they haven't woken up yet."
"Five…?!"
Raikou was so envious that she practically had an out-of-body experience.
I get it now!
Eiji suddenly realized—
This is the Five Equal Ahoge!
Even the mother is an ahoge self-substitute!
Who is their father, anyway?!
To have exclusive access to so many ahoges all at once…
That's just too enviable—no, I mean, that's just too fortunate!
"Auntie, may I ask where Uncle is now?"
Eiji asked her with an innocent expression.
"My husband… he's not in the country."
Artoria Lancer's expression suddenly turned unnatural.
"Alright, alright, let's have some tea first. I'm quite confident in my tea-making skills."
She placed the steaming hot tea in front of them and urged them to drink.
This was clearly an attempt to change the subject.
It was obvious she didn't want to discuss her husband any further.
There's something suspicious about this family!
Eiji was intrigued.
Doesn't this mean… there's an opportunity to wield my hoe—no, I mean, an opportunity to show some care for a lonely housewife?
Sigh, where else can you find someone as warm-hearted as me?
"Well then, I'll take my leave now."
After finishing her tea, Raikou stood up from the sofa.
"Aren't you staying a little longer?"
"No, I only took half a day off from the store manager, so I have to return to work."
Raikou politely declined Artoria's invitation and then reminded Eiji, "Ali, make sure to teach Lily swordsmanship properly—don't slack off!"
"Of course!"
Eiji solemnly agreed.
"I'll walk you out."
Artoria Lancer got up and accompanied Raikou to the door.
"Hey."
Now that only Eiji and the two Artorias remained in the living room, Miss No-Ahoge suddenly stood up and signaled to Eiji with her eyes.
"Come with me."
After speaking, she walked straight upstairs.
"Junior, do you and Alter not get along?"
Beside him, Artoria quickly finished the remaining waffles, munching them down one by one while curiously asking Eiji.
"It's probably just one-sided on her part?"
Eiji shrugged.
After all, an innocent and pure-hearted young man like him would never have any ill intentions toward anyone.
***
Upstairs.
A total of six rooms were arranged in two rows, facing each other. From the nameplates on the doors, it was clear they belonged to six people.
Miss No-Ahoge stopped in front of her room, opened the door, and then coldly gestured for Eiji to come in.
Straight into her bedroom?
Is it progressing this fast?
Eiji's gaze swept over the nameplates on the doors. Then, raising an eyebrow as if he had confirmed something, he followed her into the room.
"What do you need from me?"
Miss No-Ahoge's room had a rather dark tone. There was no girly pink aesthetic, and everything was placed very neatly—even the quilt was folded perfectly, without any hint of messiness.
"Just to be clear, if you're here to pick a fight, I'm not interested."
"…No, though I do have that intention, that's not something to talk about at home."
Faced with Eiji's firm stance, Miss No-Ahoge fell silent for a moment.
She seemed to struggle internally, looking extremely unwilling to talk about this matter in front of Eiji.
"Me… having subordinates outside… can you not tell my family about it?"
Hmm?
Hmmmm?
Eiji suddenly caught on.
"Oh, I see now. Hahaha."
He suddenly burst into hearty laughter, a bright smile spreading across his face.
"I get it—you're hiding the fact that you're a delinquent from your family, aren't you?"
"…Yes."
Under his strange gaze, Miss No-Ahoge's face turned red with shame and anger.
I really didn't want this guy to know!
But if he accidentally let it slip, that would be even worse, so I have to warn him properly.
Seriously, why did he have to be the one chosen as my second sister's swordsmanship teacher?!
This world is so unfair!
"Of course, of course. I can help you with that!"
Eiji flashed a devious grin.
"But, you know, every request in this world comes with a price, right?"
***
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