Career or romance?
This was the question Sayuri Sawamura wanted to ask Luo Shu.
Originally, Sayuri hadn't been concerned about the girls around Luo Shu.
Middle-class background (Utaha Kasumigaoka), mysterious origins (Kisara), some family influence (Yukino Yukinoshita) – none were problems.
The only one with a higher status than Eriri was Mira Tsubakihara, but that girl would clearly need to take in a husband, meaning she could only maintain a lover's relationship with Luo Shu at most.
Eriri was different because she could allow the Sawamura family to become the Luo family.
But if it involved that Supreme Chairwoman, that woman called the Enchantress, then things changed.
With her support, becoming a major figure in the mystic side, even leading the colossal SDS organisation, wasn't impossible.
Moreover, though she'd never met her, Sayuri knew Chairwoman Lacus Clyne was one of the world's greatest beauties.
Beauty and career – both could be obtained.
Choosing the Chairwoman would mean this outcome.
That's why Sayuri hadn't directly asked Luo Shu to choose between career and romance.
After all, Eriri couldn't compete with the romance option.
So...
Sayuri looked at Luo Shu expectantly, her eyes full of hope.
What she hoped for went without saying.
"There's no conflict."
Luo Shu shook his head, seeing no contradiction between career and Eriri.
Fish, bear paws and lilies – all could be obtained.
"No, there is conflict."
Hearing this unwelcome answer, Sayuri steadied her teacup and said unhappily:
"I want Eriri's name on the marriage registration. As for others... just don't let me see them... Well, seeing is fine, just don't bring them home."
Meaning the legal wife only needed to be Eriri – having more lovers didn't matter.
Sayuri thought she was being very generous, but the final decision rested with Luo Shu.
So after steadying her teacup, she didn't move, ready to choose whether to drink or not.
Drinking would mean further discussion was possible, but holding the cup without drinking would be sending the guest away.
Having secretly studied Chinese hospitality customs before Luo Shu's afternoon visit, Sayuri thought this way.
Hearing this, Luo Shu was amused:
"Then she'd need to suppress Utaha with one hand and our Chairwoman with the other."
Of course, behind the scenes, she'd also need to restrain Kurumi Tokisaki, control Hagoromo Gitsune, and finally spar with Megumi Kato.
However, considering one shouldn't say too much to avoid displeasing Sayuri, Luo Shu only mentioned two people she was likely familiar with.
This was Luo Shu's mercy.
After listening to Luo Shu's words, Sayuri Sawamura sighed, set down her teacup, and said with a sorrowful expression:
"So this is an unwinnable situation?"
Even if she stepped in personally, victory wasn't guaranteed...
Should she consider pulling Eriri out and having her take the normal path? Sayuri thought about it but ultimately dismissed the idea.
Though she hadn't crossed the threshold into the mystic side herself, she understood that entering was easy while leaving was difficult.
Having a connection with a powerful, multinational mystic organisation's influential director from the start was already the best possible scenario.
With the Sawamura Family's resources, at most, they could only establish ties with England's knight candidates or Japan's shrine lineages—entry-level inheritances at best.
Compared to the SDS, rumoured to have a Demigod at its pinnacle, the gap was like that between a village's wealthy household and the royal family.
The disparity was so vast that making a choice seemed pointless.
Yet the thought of Eriri being relegated to a lesser position left Sayuri unwilling.
Though she might have spoiled her, that girl was still her own flesh and blood—how could she be treated so lightly?
But facing that Enchantress, whose reputation even she had heard of, Sayuri truly lacked confidence.
Even if she stepped in as a substitute, she probably couldn't win...
"Actually, Madam's worries are meaningless."
As he spoke, Luo Shu reached out, took hold of the handle of the teacup Sayuri had set down, lifted it, and took a sip before saying:
"Because your flower has already been plucked by me!"
Sayuri froze.
She stared blankly as Luo Shu drank from the same cup she had used, her lips parting slightly before she finally realised something.
Luo Shu calmly finished the tea, only to hear sniffling when he looked up.
Seeing Sayuri's tear-filled eyes and pitiful sobbing, Luo Shu felt his scalp prickle.
Why was she crying now?
Couldn't she be a bit more reserved? You're the elder here!!
His face stiff, Luo Shu wanted to stop her but found himself at a loss for words after his earlier bold declaration, leaving him frozen in silence.
"So cruel... Little Luo Shu is so cruel, taking my treasure without even asking."
Watching Sayuri wipe her tears while speaking, Luo Shu found himself in an awkward spot.
Yet despite this, he remained stubbornly silent.
He strongly suspected the woman was acting, and responding would mean admitting defeat.
"Madam seems rather emotional. Perhaps I should visit another time."
After finishing his tea, Luo Shu made to stand, but the moment he rose, he met Sayuri's resentful gaze.
Unconsciously, he shuddered under her stare and awkwardly—yet politely—asked:
"Madam, is there something else?"
"Call me Sayuri."
Luo Shu didn't respond, merely watching as Sayuri wiped away her tears and regained her usual composure, though her eyes remained slightly red and puffy.
"Where is that child now?"
"The place you visited last time." Luo Shu added, "Undergoing life-preservation training."
He then emphasised a key point: "Under the guidance of a female Demigod from the department."
"Little Luo Shu is so wicked," Sayuri suddenly accused with deep resentment. "Are you implying that even without status, Eriri would live well by your side?"
Luo Shu smiled without answering, simply standing there in silence.
Seeing this, Sayuri looked thoroughly vexed before finally saying:
"Let's leave it at that for now. Tomorrow—no, the day after tomorrow—we'll talk again."
"These next two days, I need to probe—no, ask Eriri about her thoughts."
As she spoke, Sayuri Sawamura added in a low but audible mutter: "If I'd known it would come to this, I might as well have let Eriri choose Tomoya."
Luo Shu pretended not to hear the complaint, though he chuckled inwardly.
Let Eriri choose Tomoya Aki? Could she even make that choice?
"Then I'll take my leave."
Luo Shu turned without hesitation, exiting the living room, striding through the garden, and leaving through the main gate.
Just as he reached the long slope, a figure approached from the opposite direction.
Luo Shu paused, eyeing the golden-haired, blue-eyed man with a well-groomed beard, clad in a black suit that exuded mature masculinity.
The man noticed Luo Shu as well, offering a slight nod in greeting.
Returning the gesture with a mix of envy and admiration, Luo Shu continued past him.
"...Leonard Spencer Robert."
Luo Shu murmured the name, sighing enviously at the thought of the lady inside before walking away without another word.