Chapter 260

The parents’ blood pressure continued to rise.

The girls mysteriously left Ash alone.

However, Ash didn’t have time to rest even after sitting down at the lobby right after getting out of bed; two unexpected people came almost immediately. They were Ai Aida’s parents—Kentaro Aida and Ayumi Aida.

“Uncle, Aunt, hello.”

Ash greeted them politely, feeling good about the parents who raised such a good daughter. But he was puzzled; why did they look so tense when looking at him?

Ayumi Aida nudged her husband with her elbow, and Kentaro Aida, as if waking from a dream, turned his attention to Ash.

“Ash-san, right?” The middle-aged man, who used to get along fairly well with Ash, now appeared unusually anxious. “Mana is learning something from you, isn’t she? Her abilities have improved?”

“Yes, and she learned it very well—better than me.” Ash accepted the tea offered by Ai Aida with a calm demeanor and took a sip. “I don’t have much left to teach her. You should be proud of having such a capable daughter.”

In truth, he admitted to himself that his teaching skills were poor and that everything he knew about being a hero was mostly self-taught.

“Oh, of course important—!” Kentaro almost slammed the table in agitation, but restrained himself since he was still a guest. “Since Mana is now very concerned about you, we naturally worry as parents.”

“How interesting—a relationship between you and Mana?”

What exactly is it? I am also searching for the answer myself.

If I had to say…

“She is like a lifesaver to me—someone very important.”

After all, without her brave act to save me last time, I might have been back at the starting line.

“What do you think of Mana, then?”

“I quite like her.”

Without any hesitation, his answer almost stopped their hearts dead.

“Cough cough!” Kentaro couldn’t help but cough. While an abnormal response would have been worse, Ash’s answer clearly unsettled them.

“My dear daughter, I know you are talented; Rikka, Arisu, Makoto—they’re all wonderful kids that you’ve brought together.

But this time, aren’t you… a bit too impressive?

Different from before, your old dad and mom find it hard to cope.”

“What about your relationship with Rikka and others? It seems you get along well with Ai’s friends too.”

Mana, don’t blame Dad for these questions—all for your happiness!

“How does this relate to my relationship with Rikka?” Ash pondered briefly before concluding.

“Surely they hold similar importance to me?”

In response, Aida slapped himself, while Ayumi subtly relieved him.

“While we adults shouldn’t meddle too much in young people’s affairs, I suggest you temper things a bit—so, are you a student or already a working adult?”

“To be precise, I am more a traveler. I hardly have a fixed profession.”

Of course, whatever I do, I am confident I can match anyone.

“But if I had to define what I actually do, technically, I’m a scientist.”

Although I only picked up tricks from other geniuses and hold no official certification. Let’s say I made my own transformation belt.

This news initially alarmed the parents, but they started to relax slightly hearing this.

“So, one last question!” Fearing for their daughter, the worried father leaned in towards Ash. “If we accept her true feelings, we’ll stay out of it, but—”

“Are you treating her just as a game? Are you actually in a normal relationship with her?”

“Ah?! What relationship?”

Ash extended the word in confusion.

“Why talk about relationships—I haven’t married her, so why bring it up?”

Could this be another setup involving a monster hunting new brides? Should I feign marriage with Ai to distract the monster?

Not sure if past experiences made Ash misinterpret the situation, he was stuck on these complicated matters.

“Already thinking about marriage?”

It’s no wonder that the Aidas were startled. The real issue was Mana’s attitude towards Ash and her current actions, causing concern for them both.

Meanwhile, something similar was happening elsewhere.

“Adding this, sigh, there’s too much.”

Ai placed her items onto a truck under Four-leaf Family Company and waved at Arisu, who had just finished her task.

“Thank you so much, Arisu, for helping out.”

“Not at all, I am glad to help both Ai and Ash.” Arisu wore her usual elegant smile, while Sebastian bowed deeply beside her, his hands over his heart. “My wish is your will, Miss.”

“There’s someone not quite happy with this,” Mana added as she finally placed down her last item and slightly pouted, barely containing her discontent.

Her eyes from behind the glasses nearly blurted out, “Why not me?”

“Don’t worry, Six Flowers, this time I won’t ignore you again.” Mana swiftly returned to her pouting friend, reassuring her. “You are my oldest and best friend, no one compares to you.”

“Hmmph.” Despite her disapproval, Six Flowers’ tone betrayed her inner thoughts.

“Cough, cough, I’m not jealous—I am concerned about something else.” Arisu coughed and redirected the conversation.

“What kind of feelings do you have for Ash?”

“I like him,” replied Mana instantly.

However, a sound of heavy objects falling echoed near them.

“?”

Ai looked at her without concern.

“Mana, consider this more carefully?”

“No matter how many times, it remains the same.”

She felt especially connected to Ash after finally mending ties with him.

Ai tilted her head in confusion.

“Mana, that’s not what I meant.”

“Ai, no jealousy—just worry. This goes fine for you, Makoto, Arisu, Regina, Akuri, but not for Ash!”

“Why?”

“Obviously because you’re a girl and he’s a boy!”

A man!

He is a man!

…

Instantly blushing, her gaze flickered with uncertainty, and Ayumi struggled to contain her surprise as she pressed her heated face with her hand. Steam rose from her head as her heart raced.

“Ahh, this…”

“I’m still a student, affecting everyone negatively! This…”

“Although not dislikes… But it’s just not right!”

Finally, amidst the others’ gazes, Ai muttered inaudibly, clutching her face tightly.

“I don’t know either,” she whispered.