บท 5: In the Shadows of Affection

In the hushed corridors of the Yotsuba estate, Maya and Miya stood side by side, their gazes fixed on the infant Tatsuya playing quietly behind a thick glass wall that was non reflective. The air was thick with the unspoken acknowledgment of the child's significance to their family, a significance that extended far beyond his tender years.

"Look at him, Miya," Maya's voice was soft but laced with a calculating sharpness. "Our little Tatsuya is growing well. He carries our hopes, albeit in ways he can't yet understand."

Miya, her hand resting on her noticeably pregnant belly, watched Tatsuya with a mixed expression of pride and eerie detachment. "Yes, sister. And soon, he will have a companion. My daughter, blessed with the best of my abilities and none of her father's weaknesses."

Maya's gaze didn't waver from Tatsuya, but her lips curled into a subtle smile at her sister's words. "Indeed, Miya. A sister for Tatsuya, one who will be everything he is not. It's almost poetic, isn't it? He will need a guide, a leash of sorts."

Miya's eyes glinted with a cold, maternal pride. "A leash, yes, but one so sweet, so alluring that our little dog will never wish to break free."

As they spoke, their words were a tapestry of dark intentions and twisted affection.

In her mind, Maya mused further, 'This nephew of mine, he's remarkable truly if there is god he must had listen to my prayers. He could be my greatest asset, a whip to bring this family under my control. But for that, he must remain unaware, pliable.'

Miya, stroking her belly, thought to herself, "My children, the perfect pair. The destroyer and the controller. Tatsuya will be the weapon, and my darling daughter, will be the hand that guides him."

As they stood in the ornate, shadowed room, watching Tatsuya with calculating eyes, Maya and Miya's conversation took a turn towards the broader affairs of the Yotsuba family.

"Speaking of control and future plans, Miya," Maya began, her eyes glinting with a scheming light, "have you heard about Mitsugu's wife? She is expecting, and that fool is so blinded by his pride and ambition."

Miya's eyes sparkled with cold amusement. "Ah, yes. Mitsugu, always so eager to prove himself. He dreams of elevating his branch above ours, foolishly thinking his unborn child might one day lead the Yotsuba."

Maya's laugh was soft but filled with scorn. "He's a puppet dancing on our strings. He believes that by aligning his branch with the main family through his offspring, he can gain power. Little does he know, his wife's indiscretion has already sealed his fate."

Miya nodded, her voice dripping with disdain. "The affair with her advisor was a fortunate twist. Mitsugu is unaware that his dreams of power are built on a foundation of sand. When the time is right, we will reveal the truth, shattering his ambitions and asserting our dominance."

"The moment he attempts to seize control using his child, we'll expose the affair. His child, not of pure Yotsuba bloodline, will have no claim," Maya continued, her tone cold and calculating. "It will be a delightful spectacle, watching his dreams crumble."

Miya's eyes narrowed. "And in the chaos that follows, we can maneuver more of our loyalists into positions of power. Mitsugu's downfall will be a warning to others who dare to challenge us."

"Speaking of manipulations and hidden truths, Miya, your husband seems to be quite the character himself. It seems his secretary is more than just an aide in his professional affairs," Maya remarked, her voice dripping with contempt.

Miya's expression remained impassive, but a flicker of distaste crossed her features. "Ah, Tatsurou. His indiscretions are an open secret. That man has always had a weakness for temptation. It's almost pitiable how he falls for such obvious traps."

Maya scoffed, her disdain palpable. "Pitiable, indeed. A man of his position, ensnared by a secretary. It's almost laughable how easily he's been led astray. You'd think someone in his standing would be more discreet or at least have better taste."

"The secretary, too, is no innocent flower," Maya continued, her voice laced with scorn. "She's a cunning one, playing the role of the devoted assistant while weaving her web around him. It's a classic tale of manipulation and foolishness."

Miya sighed, a sound of resigned acceptance. "It's fortunate, in a way. His lustfulness keeps him distracted and malleable. He's too entangled in his own web of lies to interfere in our plans."

Maya nodded, a cold smile playing on her lips. "Exactly. Let him play his games. It only makes it easier for us to manipulate him when needed. As long as he remains oblivious and entangled in his affairs, he poses no threat to us."

Maya's gaze returned to Tatsuya, and her thoughts drifted to the role he and Miyuki would play in their grand scheme. "These children, Tatsuya and Miyuki, will be central to our plans. Miyuki, especially, will be instrumental in keeping Tatsuya in check. Her superiority complex, carefully nurtured, will ensure her absolute control over him."

As they watched Tatsuya, their thoughts and plans weaved around him like invisible threads, binding his future to their ambitions. In their own twisted way, they loved him.

n the secluded parlor of the Yotsuba estate, Maya and Miya continued their clandestine conversation, scheming on how to subtly manipulate the elder members of the family.

Maya leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper. "To truly sway the elders, we need to appeal to their... less noble desires. Discretion is key, of course."

Miya nodded in agreement, a hint of distaste flickering in her eyes. "Yes, the provision of women... though it leaves a sour taste, it's an effective tactic. We need to ensure these women are not just any ordinary companions but skilled in the art of influence. They should be able to extract information as well as provide... comfort."

"Ayako's establishment in the city," Maya suggested, referring to a high-end, discreet service known only to a select few. "Her girls are trained to be both discreet and persuasive. They can be our ears and eyes, subtly steering the elders' opinions in our favor."

Miya considered this. "And what of the financial incentives?"

"We could bolster their personal accounts, but direct money transfers are too blatant," Maya replied. "Instead, let's fund their pet projects, the ones they're passionate about but lack the resources to pursue. We'll position it as the family's investment in their valuable insights."

"Like Elder Sato's interest in magical artifact restoration," Miya added, catching on. "If we support his endeavor, it becomes a testament to his legacy, and he becomes more amenable to our suggestions."

"Exactly," Maya confirmed with a nod. "And for Elder Fujimoto, we could sponsor that cultural exchange program he's always talking about. It would appeal to his sense of prestige and influence in the magical community."

Miya's expression turned thoughtful. "These actions must appear as gestures of respect for their lifelong dedication to the family, not as bribes."

"Of course," Maya agreed. "Every move will be cloaked in the guise of honoring their contributions, masking our true intent. They'll feel valued and heard, unaware that they're being led by the strings we pull."

In the dimly lit nursery, Maya and Miya stood beside Tatsuya's crib, their expressions unreadable as they gazed down at the infant. Tatsuya, only seven weeks old, lay there, his tiny hands occasionally twitching in his sleep.

"Look at him, Miya," Maya whispered, her voice a blend of cold calculation and faint, uncharacteristic tenderness. "So small, yet he carries such a burden."

Miya, standing by her side, remained silent, her gaze fixed on her son. The air in the room was heavy, laden with the unspoken truths of the Yotsuba family and the destiny that awaited Tatsuya.

Gently, almost lovingly, aunt Maya reached down and lifted Tatsuya into her arms. As she cradled him, something unexpected happened. Tatsuya, looking up into Maya's eyes, uttered a single word, clear and distinct: "Mama."

The word hung in the air, startling Maya. Her usually impassive face softened, a look of shock and a hint of warmth flooding her eyes. "He... he just spoke. At seven weeks old..." she murmured, her voice laced with disbelief and a rare, choked emotion.

Miya, equally shocked, could barely find her words. "This... it's unheard of. A child his age shouldn't be able to..."

Miya found herself grappling with a whirlwind of thoughts. 'This is unbelievable. A child, especially one so young, speaking? It defies all we know about development.' But more than the shock of Tatsuya's precociousness, it was Maya's reaction that left Miya profoundly unsettled.

'After what happened at the institute... after all the pain and the walls she built around herself, I never thought I'd see her show such tenderness. Not since...' Miya's thoughts trailed off, the memories too painful to fully revisit.

She watched as Maya, usually so distant and severe, looked down at Tatsuya with a hint of something akin to maternal affection. 'Is it possible that he's broken through her barriers? That this child could bring out something in her that's been long buried?'

Their astonishment echoed through the control center, where the Yotsuba's surveillance team monitored the estate. The guards and staff were equally dumbfounded. "It's a miracle," one guard exclaimed, while another muttered, "No, it's unnatural, almost monstrous." Whispers of divine intervention and dark omens filled the room, a cacophony of awe and fear.

In the midst of this chaos, Tatsuya's mind was remarkably calm and calculating. He understood the gravity of his actions and the need to ingratiate himself with the two most powerful women in his life. 'This will surely put me in their good graces,' he thought, a plan forming in his infant mind. 'And perhaps, it might even win me Maya's affection.'

Tatsuya knew of the tragic incident in Maya's past, the kidnapping that had left her traumatized, leading to Miya's drastic measures to erase her painful memories. He was aware that these actions had left Maya more emotionally hard, especially towards her family. His early speech was a calculated move, after all.

As he lay in Maya's arms, Tatsuya couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph.

'Let's return to grind, after all I have one more ally now'