Chapter 5: Unconscious Complex
The most crucial point in the strategy of paving the way was, after all, obtaining the family’s approval.
In short, it was important to appeal that she was getting along splendidly with Kazuma.
Yayoi had thoroughly investigated Kazuma’s family structure beforehand and was well-acquainted with his adoptive mother, biological mother, older brother, older sister, younger sister, and younger brother.
And among them, the most important person was Satsuki Honoka, the adoptive mother who had built Kazuma’s foundation.
Convinced that if she could win Honoka’s favor, she could instantly get ahead of the other women, Yayoi went to greet Honoka.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time, Satsuki Honoka-sama. My name is Tennoji Yayoi. I hope you will keep me in mind from now on.”
To Yayoi, who bowed politely and gracefully, Honoka replied.
“My, how very polite of you. Did you say Tennoji-san? Could you perhaps be the daughter of the Tennoji Zaibatsu?”
“Yes, that is correct. However, I am but a young girl who merely bears the Tennoji surname. Please, feel free to call me Yayoi from now on.”
“You don’t need to be so formal. I don’t mind whatever intentions you may have.”
Honoka, unlike Kazuma, was not an idiot.
She had seen through Yayoi’s calculated scheme: why she had come to greet her, why she had gone out of her way from the Second Area to meet Kazuma—all of it was designed to win Kazuma over.
“Well, anyone could figure that much out with a little thought.”
“You have my admiration. Yes, it is as you say. I have come because I wish to become close with Kazuma-san.”
“Honesty is a good thing.”
Honoka had a favorable impression of Yayoi for answering truthfully without lying.
If Yayoi had lied here, Honoka would likely not have permitted a relationship with Kazuma.
Because one cannot trust someone who tells lies.
If it’s a kind lie to avoid hurting someone, that’s a different story, but deceiving and trapping people is unforgivable.
“So, the fact that you’ve come to me means there’s something you want to ask, right?”
“Your quick understanding is helpful. As I mentioned earlier, I am the daughter of the Tennoji Zaibatsu. This might offend you, but I took the liberty of investigating your son.”
“And? Did you find out anything?”
“A little about his character.”
“You’ve investigated him quite a bit, haven’t you? Have you already come to a conclusion?”
“As I said earlier, I wish to become close with him, and eventually, with marriage in mind—”
Just as Yayoi said that much, Alicia and Charlotte burst in.
“Wait a minute~~~!!!”
“I can’t just let that remark slide~~~!!!”
Although she had anticipated it, Yayoi, now with the American Witch and the French Holy Maiden intervening, looked at the two with a composed expression.
“Oh my, what might you mean by that?”
“I’m the one who will marry Kazuma!”
“I am the one who will be united with Kazuma-san!”
Incidentally, Kazuma was currently enjoying an aerial stroll with the children in the helicopter Yayoi had arrived in.
Therefore, he was completely unaware of what was happening on the ground, let alone involved.
If Kazuma had remained on the ground, a harem would have undoubtedly formed in a heartbeat.
A heated battle among the women unfolded over Kazuma, and the ground was in an uproar.
“Did something happen?”
“Yeah. Apparently, the women are battling over Kazuma.”
“Seriously?! Man, how popular is that guy…?”
“You don’t know? He’s the talk of the world right now.”
“The Strongest Civilian who appeared like a meteor at the Academy Battle Tournament.”
“On top of that, he’s the handsome guy whose mochi-pounding video with the King went viral.”
“It’s blowing up on social media…! Isn’t he trending at number one?!”
“We know his personality and stuff, but to those who don’t, he’s a handsome guy with a promising future who’s close to the King. Women all over the country won’t stay silent.”
As the men said, Kazuma had been the center of attention since the Academy Battle Tournament.
He made a spectacular debut by defeating Souji, hailed as the strongest student, in the Academy Battle Tournament, and the recent mochi-pounding revealed his close relationship with the King to the public.
Thanks to that, Kazuma’s name was currently as well-known as that of a bestselling idol at the height of their popularity.
“Well, once they know the reality, some of them will probably give up on Kazuma…”
“That’s just his personality and behavior. Otherwise, he’s so high-spec it’s like, ‘please marry me’ level.”
“It’s a mystery why he’s never had a girlfriend until now…”
It was a sad fact. Kazuma’s ‘years without a girlfriend’ equaled his age.
He couldn’t get a girlfriend due to issues with his words, actions, and personality, and the changes in his values and mentality from going to another world also had an impact.
To be specific, he was quick to make judgments and move on.
If they were an enemy, he’d kill them; if an ally, he’d get along with them; if indifferent, he wouldn’t get involved—Kazuma had become able to make such snap judgments.
Therefore, if he judged that he was disliked, he would either distance himself or be distanced.
If you antagonized him, your life would be forfeit, but depending on how you handled things afterward, your relationship with Kazuma could be repaired. However, if you stepped on a landmine, your life was forfeit.
“So, what is it you want to ask?”
Gathered around Honoka were Alicia, Charlotte, Yayoi, and other women.
Some held affection for Kazuma, while others seemed to be participating out of curiosity.
They began to ask Honoka, who knew Kazuma best, various questions.
“Yes! To put it bluntly, what’s Kazuma’s type of woman!”
“Maternal women. When he was little, he often looked enviously at mothers with children, so it’s likely that due to the fact he was abandoned, he unconsciously seeks out such women.”
“Could it be, that’s his fetish?!”
“He used to hide a few books like that. I don’t know now, since he probably looks at them online.”
The moment Kazuma’s fetish was exposed, some of the women recoiled.
However, the women who were genuinely fond of Kazuma mentally noted it down as valuable information.
“How can we get closer to Kazuma-kun?!”
“He’s a friendly boy, so just talking to him normally is enough. Whether it develops into romance from there is up to you all.”
“Why is Kazuma-kun so multi-talented?”
“This is a facility where we care for many children. So, we educated them to proactively tackle chores and cooking. In that regard, Kazuma is a bright student. He could do anything if taught. But he’s not a genius, so he can’t become truly top-tier.”
“He’s skilled at cooking, housework, laundry, cleaning, sewing, and DIY, but wasn’t it hard to teach him?”
“No. In fact, he was the easiest to teach. As you probably know, Kazuma is easily carried away, so if you flatter him, he’ll readily do what you say. So, if you praise him by saying ‘Amazing!’ or ‘So cool!’, he’ll do it. And if you provoke him by teasing, ‘You can’t even do something this simple~?’, he’ll get fired up. So he’s easier to handle than the other children.”
Indeed, if Kazuma was provoked with “Can’t you do it?”, he would easily work, saying, “I can do this much!”
Kazuma, who was a handful in his childhood, has now grown into a person so easy to manage that one can easily hold his reins.
“Has Kazuma-kun never had a girlfriend before?”
“He hasn’t. There was a nice girl, but that idiot messed things up in various ways, so it never developed.”
Too many instances come to mind…
In that instant, the inner thoughts of the women perfectly aligned.
The women who already knew of Kazuma’s blunders nodded in understanding.
“What do you look for in a woman who would marry Kazuma-san?”
“Nothing. If he chooses someone, I’ll respect it and won’t oppose it. But, if she betrays him, she’ll just have to be prepared for the consequences.”
If Kazuma were to cheat or have an affair, Honoka would undoubtedly deliver an iron fist punishment and socially obliterate him. Naturally, the same would apply to the other party.
“Among these girls, who do you think would be good for him to end up with?”
“As I said earlier, I don’t have an opinion on that. It’s his choice.”
Just then, the helicopter carrying Kazuma returned, and the Q&A time with Honoka ended.
Unbeknownst to him, Kazuma’s reputation had been tarnished.
Kazuma, completely unaware that he was now known to have a mother-complex disposition, tilted his head in confusion at the strange looks he was receiving from the women.