Bab 162: Chapter 162: Asakami Fujino (Part 2)
Pain is the sensation that an organism experiences when subjected to harmful stimuli. It is the internal warning system of an organism that can elicit defensive reactions and serves a protective function.
What would happen to a person if they lost their sense of pain?
This would mean that the person loses alertness to harmful stimuli. Without alertness, they would be unable to avoid danger, ultimately leading to self-destruction. Even without self-destruction, the personality of someone who has lost their sense of pain would be abnormal.
Personality, in medical terms, is defined as "phenomena corresponding to an individual's response to external stimuli." A person's emotions, whether gentle or hateful, cannot be generated solely based on internal factors. The heart only functions when it receives external stimuli, which is why pain is experienced. For example, people often use the phrase "no pain" to describe cruelty.
If a person were to lose their sense of pain from the beginning, it would be difficult for their personality to develop. Without understanding pain, they would not understand joy, and all other emotions based on it would not exist. What remains is likely only numbness, akin to being a walking corpse.
It can be imagined that when a person who lives like a walking corpse encounters a different sensation in their life, it would be a great temptation for them. Even if this sensation is not pleasant, it is an essential part of life that cannot be obtained.
Asakami Fujino is just like that. When she heard that Shinji could help her regain her sense of pain, she knew she couldn't resist this temptation.
Early the next morning, Fujino arrived at the Matou family's annex.
At that moment, Byakuya, Shinji, and Sakura were having breakfast in the dining room, while Fujino quietly sat on the sofa in the living room, her gaze crossing the space and firmly fixed on Shinji.
As an experienced person in dealing with women, Byakuya was particularly sensitive to their gazes and subtly touched his son's arm, signaling him.
"So quickly bringing one back? Impressive, just as expected from my son."
"Oh no, not at all. I still have much to learn from you in this aspect, Father. I should strive to bring back several at once," Shinji modestly pretended.
The unscrupulous father asked, "How did you deceive her?"
"By my face, by being handsome," the unscrupulous son replied while tousling his bangs. "Sakura, is your brother handsome?"
"Handsome!" Sakura answered without hesitation. "Brother is the most handsome."
The unscrupulous father nodded seriously. "Indeed, You owe your current reputation to this handsome face of mine."
The unscrupulous son couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, deal with my stepmother's situation first."
The unscrupulous father retreated. "Alright, tell me, what's the matter?"
"Before answering that question, I want to ask you, Father, just how bad is the situation with the Asakami family? Is there any hope left?"
Upon hearing Shinji's question, Byakuya couldn't help but sneer. "Hope? How can there be hope? They have all sorts of bad debts and non-performing assets. Even if they were to declare bankruptcy tomorrow, it wouldn't surprise me."
"No solutions at all?"
"Unless someone is willing to invest money, but compared to the expenses, the returns are too low. Even the branch family of the Asakami, the Asagami family, is only willing to take on the Asakami family's debt under the condition of acquiring all the land under their name and having Miss Funjino's mother remarry. This is because the Asagami family itself is in the construction business, and the current head, Kouzou Asagami, has ulterior motives regarding Miss Fujino's mother."
"I see."
Shinji's pensive expression made Byakuya feel that something was amiss.
"Son, you're not trying to make me engage in a loss-making business, are you? It would take the Matou family years to make up for such a loss."
"Of course not." Shinji shook his head. "You just mentioned that Kouzou Asagami has ulterior motives regarding Fujino's mother, right? What does the Asakami family say about it?"
"While there hasn't been an official response yet, they are likely to agree. Sigh, the entire Asakami family has already fallen apart," Byakuya sighed, feeling somewhat sentimental about the ancient family of the mysterious world, the Asakami family, crumbling.
"That's good then, Father. I have a favor to ask of you." Shinji narrowed his eyes and glanced at Fujino in the living room. "Since the Asakami family has resorted to selling women to repay their debts, selling one or selling two doesn't make a difference."
"You want Miss Fujino?" Byakuya understood without Shinji needing to say anything more.
A certain light filled Shinji's eyes, not driven by a mere desire for women but something deeper, more complex. It seemed to be a mix of goodwill and ambition.
"Yes, if there are other individuals in the Asakami family with ESP abilities similar to Fujino's, we can consider taking them in."
"ESP?"
As a member of the Matou family, Byakuya was well aware of what ESP abilities meant.
ESP, also known as superpowers, refers to functions that humans originally did not possess, which cause what is commonly known as supernatural phenomena.
Unlike magecraft, individuals with ESP abilities can cause supernatural phenomena as naturally as breathing. For them, it is a matter of course that they can do such things. They only realize they are different when it is pointed out to them from an external (common knowledge) perspective.
"The people of the Asakami family have ESP abilities? Why have I never heard of this?"
"That's because the Asakami family intentionally blocked the information, as the origin of these abilities is not honorable. The Asakami family was originally a well-known family of demon hunters, but they started raising captured 'demons' as guardian deities. As a result, the Asakami bloodline, which was supposed to be the bloodline of demon hunters, became diluted with the influence of the demons. The decline of the family is also related to this. 'Demons' possess the power to distort nature, and individuals with the demonic factor may exhibit superpowers. Fujino is one such person. Ironically, even though they introduced the 'demons' themselves, the people of the Asakami family taboo this power and are unwilling to let the outside world know. Once such individuals appear, they go to great lengths to suppress them. Father, you can see how the Asakami family has fallen apart in every sense."
However, while the Asakami family shunned "ESP abilities," the Matou family did not. Magi are all extraordinary individuals, and they are willing to accept not only ESP abilities but also "otherworldly" (non-human) beings if it benefits them.
Nevertheless, magi are still human and have aspirations for growth. However, there are only a few magi, and the principle of maintaining the mystery of magecraft creates an invisible barrier between magi and ordinary people. In this context, absorbing entities that are not magi but are still connected to the mystical becomes an excellent choice. Many historically renowned magi families have recruited individuals with abilities, and Shinji also wants to strengthen the Matou family using this method.
Understanding his son's intentions, Byakuya quickly gave his response.
"I'll go talk to the Asakami family later. As long as you think it's worth it, we can spend as much money as needed. I think Miss Fujino is a good person, and she's not much younger than you. Let's consider her as your fiancée in advance."
Sakura's displeasure was evident in her pouted mouth, and her eyes filled with a sense of injustice made Byakuya feel uneasy.
Meanwhile, Shinji, the only one capable of soothing Sakura, paid no attention to her reaction. He left the dining room with a light-hearted step, not forgetting to leave a parting remark: "I'm full, take your time with your meal."
PS: That disloyal rascal.
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