My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 461: Chapter 164: Sazanoko: "I Will Never Fall for Mr. Tachibana" [6600]_2

The manual was turned to the page with Aoto’s name.

Looking at the name "Tachibana Aoto" written on the page, Chiba Shigetarou couldn’t help but grin and laugh out loud.

As for Aoto... the more Chiba Shigetarou observed him, the more satisfied he became!

After Aoto demonstrated strength and talent far beyond what he and Sazanoko had imagined, and seized the victory with overwhelming momentum during the recent Aizu Marquis Swordsmanship Competition, Chiba Shigetarou’s opinion of Aoto reached new heights.

To put it simply——Chiba Shigetarou found Aoto to be pleasing in every way.

Ah, a young man like this, not just looking good, with a great personality, and tall, but also promising both in martial arts and officialdom, is truly rare and hard to find!

Chiba Shigetarou pondered over and over, and the only flaw he could think of in Aoto was probably just that Aoto’s hair was rather unattractive, missing the neat and tidy Tsukushi haircut.

Compared to Aoto, the other "brother-in-law candidates" paled significantly in comparison.

After silly smiling at Aoto’s recorded name in the manual for a while, Chiba Shigetarou slowly restrained his smile, furrowed his brows slightly, and looked pensive, mumbling:

"How exactly can I enhance Mr. Tachibana’s relationship with Sazanoko..."

How to match Aoto with Sazanoko——Chiba Shigetarou had been contemplating this issue a lot recently.

Although he adored Aoto greatly, whether Aoto could eventually become his brother-in-law depended on whether Sazanoko would develop feelings for Aoto.

Though concerned about the marriage of Sazanoko, already 22 and still unmarried, Chiba Shigetarou never considered doing something as outrageous as "forcing Sazanoko to marry whoever".

He could introduce a hundred or a thousand excellent young men to Sazanoko, but she must ultimately settle down with the man she truly loves——this was the principle Chiba Shigetarou always adhered to.

What he could do was just help his sister find suitable candidates and then do his utmost to provide an opportunity and environment for her and the man he fancied to interact and see if they were compatible.

Chiba Shigetarou was not very adept at matters between men and women, so he was truly quite troubled and unhappy about creating an opportunity where Aoto and Sazanoko could interact and increase their affection.

If Aoto belonged to their Little Chiba Sword Dojo, Chiba Shigetarou could use his authority as a Deputy Master to artificially create opportunities for Aoto and Sazanoko to be alone together.

However, since Aoto was part of Shiwei Hall... this indeed left Chiba Shigetarou feeling somewhat at a loss.

——Why not just directly tell Sazanoko: "I think Mr. Tachibana is very good, would you like to try seeing him more"?

This idea had barely emerged in Chiba Shigetarou’s mind when he frowned and shook his head lightly.

——That seemed a bit too direct...

Chiba Shigetarou was pondering deeply when he suddenly heard a string of light footsteps approaching from outside his bedroom.

Their family consisted of seven members in total——besides himself, his sister Sazanoko, his father Chiba Dingji, and his mother, there were also three maids responsible for various household chores.

Familiar with the sounds each made by their footsteps long before, Chiba Shigetarou immediately recognized——these were Sazanoko’s footsteps!

Like a conditioned reflex, Chiba Shigetarou swiftly closed the "Prospective Brother-in-Law Manual" in his hand.

Intending to slip the manual back into the cabinet, he realized Sazanoko’s footsteps had already reached the door, so he could only hurriedly stuff the booklet behind his waistband.

At the same moment he tucked the booklet behind his waist, he heard Sazanoko’s voice from outside the door:

"Brother, may I come in?"

"Oh, oh oh, come in." Chiba Shigetarou straightened up.

Upon receiving permission to enter from Chiba Shigetarou, Sazanoko raised her fair hand and slid open the paper door of Chiba Shigetarou’s bedroom.

Since she was at home, Sazanoko’s attire was particularly simple.

Wearing an ordinary blue and white kimono, her unpinned waist-length hair draped down, and she wore no socks, revealing marble-smooth slender feet beneath her hem.

"What’s up?" Chiba Shigetarou directly inquired about Sazanoko’s sudden visit.

Even when facing her elder brother, Sazanoko maintained her lady-like elegance.

With hands folded gracefully in front of her, she replied calmly:

"Brother, father has something to discuss with you, he wants you to go to his room right now."

"Father wants to see me?" Chiba Shigetarou raised his eyebrows forcefully, "What’s it about?"

Sazanoko gently shook her head: "Father didn’t tell me."

"I see... alright, I understand."

Chiba Shigetarou got up swiftly, then habitually raised his hand to pat the fabric on his rear.

"I’m going to find father, please remember to close my room door for me."

After saying this, Chiba Shigetarou hurriedly dashed out of the room, turned right along the corridor outside the room.

Sazanoko simply watched Chiba Shigetarou’s receding figure for a few moments, then raised her hand to help close his bedroom door.

But right at that moment... Sazanoko’s peripheral vision suddenly glimpsed a small, slightly worn booklet at her feet.