Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon - Volume 2 - Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - Meeting (1)

This was the base of the Anti-supernatural Special Task Force located in a corner of the Imperial City where the members of the unit were training hard on the training grounds of the compound.

Those who were gifted with abilities would hone their abilities by conjuring fire and water, while others who only had Paranormal Vision would train in the art of techniques and erecting barriers.

Countless shikigamis, swirls of fire, and water columns flying through the air on a hot summer's day was a very bizarre and unrealistic sight to behold, but it was just business as usual here.

And Kudou Kiyoka, the leader of the Anti-supernatural Unit, was making his rounds through the large training grounds, supervising the training of the troops.

"Uwah... Taichou!"

With a snap, the barrier set up by the new recruit to the unit was easily broken by Kiyoka with one finger.

"How will you protect yourself with such a weak barrier?"

Kiyoka sent that recruit an icy look.

"Practice at least 30 more times today."

"Y-Yes!"

The recruit jumped and took their position again.

All the while during his rounds, as the leader, Kiyoka would mercilessly crush the abilities and techniques summoned by the soldiers.

"What's this? Where's the power? Where's your spirit?"

"I'm sorry!"

"Your manipulation of the shikigamis is wholly inadequate. Start over!"

"Yes!"

"Do you think such monotonous attacks would work? You're lacking in imagination!"

"My greatest apologies!"

The talent one had for abilities and the use of techniques was largely dependent on what they were born with. However, that didn't mean they could simply neglect their training because of that. The reason they work hard every day was to prevent them from finding themselves in tough situations and getting hurt in actual combat.

And thus, Kiyoka came to be known as ruthless and merciless because of the relentless guidance he gave.

At that moment, his right-hand man, Godou, who had been inside the building, came out to inform Kiyoka who was stringently overseeing the training of the unit.

"Taichou~"

"What is it?"

"Major General is here to see you."

"...That's early."

Kiyoka's brows creased together slightly when he heard that his guest had arrived ahead of schedule. However, the other person was his direct superior, who was a very busy man, so it's not like he could complain too much about it.

Kiyoka left the supervision of training to Godou and hurried to the reception room.

"...I apologise for the delay, Major General Ookaito."

"Ah, I was the one who came too early. Sorry to interrupt your training supervision, Kiyoka."

"No, it's alright."

In the reception room, a large, rather boorish-looking man in a military uniform spoke with a wry smile while sitting on the sofa.

Ookaito Masashi, a soldier enlisted in the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff Office, with a rank of Major General at only forty years of age. Although he was still too young to join in the ranks of the heavyweights, he was the successor to the Ookaito family which has produced many military men, so he was someone with a promising future.

In addition, the Anti-supernatural Unit, which was treated as an outcast within the army in many ways, was formally under his command.

"Are you able to leave immediately? I thinking of heading straight to the Imperial Palace."

"Yes, no problem."

That was the plan, to begin with. Although it was a little early, it was still within an acceptable range.

Kiyoka briefly tidied up his appearance that had been slightly dishevelled from overseeing training. Then, he got on the vehicle that was driven by one of his subordinates with Ookaito and set out for the Imperial Palace where the Emperor resided.

The two of them had a good relationship both professionally and personally and could be considered kindred spirits. However, they were both often too busy and seldom had the window to chat leisurely. Hence, right now, there was no shortage of topics to talk about during the ride.

"I heard you got engaged, Kiyoka... How has it been since then?"

In response to this question he had very much expected, Kiyoka replied vaguely with a "Nothing much." Ookaito was undeterred by Kiyoka's lukewarm response and continued unaffected.

"For someone like you who refused to get married so much to make this decision, you must really get along, don't you?"

"...It's not like I was averse to marriage itself."

As the head of the Kudou family, not getting married was never an option. And it's not like he ever hated it, he just couldn't find the right person.

So in a sense, it could be said that he and Miyo, his current fiance, were just right for each other.

"But... it must've been hard for you, with all the various things that happened. And even so, you still chose her, so I thought that was quite something."

"Those things are not her fault."

"...It seems like the rumours of your dislike for women are completely and utterly wrong."

"Whatever."

Hearing his blunt answer, Ookaito let out a low throaty laugh.

The troubles that occurred between the Kudou, Saimori, and Tatsuishi-families of ability users-that occurred about a month ago were still fresh in his mind but the matter was finally settling down.

Of course, details of the commotion caused from the Saimori residence burning down did reach the ears of Ookaito.

The atmosphere felt a little suffocating and Kiyoka couldn't help but exhale lightly.

"Oh, Tatsuishi has already arrived?"

"Yeah... unexpectedly, they're taking their job quite seriously."

"That family can't lose afford to any more credibility so it's only natural."

Well, truthfully, if they didn't, they're only asking for trouble.

After the former head of the Tatsuishi family, Tatsuishi Minoru, committed a crime, his eldest son, Tatsuishi Kazushi, took over as the new family head.

It's just that this Kazushi was quite an idiosyncratic individual. Hence, the question was still in the air whether or not he would be able to support the Tatsuishi family whose reputation had been soiled. Neither Kiyoka nor Ookaito had much expectations for him, but surprisingly, he seemed to be fulfilling his role as the successor without a hitch. Apparently, he completed the various procedures well and was very cooperative when questioned by the police and the military.

Part of their business in the Imperial Palace was related to Kazushi, so he would be joining them today.

Before long, the car carrying Kiyoka and Ookaito soon passed through the gates to the residence of the most prestigious family in the country.

The large compound was surrounded by a moat, lush Sakura trees and Pine trees lined either side of the cobblestone paths. There were several palaces3 scattered throughout the place, each housing a member of the royal family. Kiyoka and Ookaito were visiting the largest palace which stood in the very centre of the palace grounds.

When the car stopped in front of the entrance, the two of them got off and stepped inside with familiarity for the place.

"This way please, your companion is waiting for you."

A servant opened the sliding door to reveal the figure of Tatsuishi Kazushi, who had arrived before them.

"Good day, Kudou-san, Ookaito-san."

A playboy-looking young man dressed in flashy kimono spotted Kiyoka and Ookaito and greeted them with a suspiciously broad smile on his face.