Shinji Matou at Your Service-Chapter 884 - : The Precocious Mana

Ayako was completely stunned, her entire body stiffened in shock.

She was only seventeen years old. Although Japan was quite liberal in terms of gender dynamics, and it was rare for women of her age to be inexperienced, Ayako was one of those rare exceptions. Despite being a striking beauty with a bold and straightforward personality, and impressive combat skills, she had never dated anyone, let alone had any further experiences.

Now, she was suddenly thrust into the role of a mother, skipping all the steps in between. Even someone as carefree as her couldn't accept this.

Awkwardly and with a forced laugh, she stammered, "Li-little sister, I-I'm not your mom."

"No, you are my mom," the little girl insisted stubbornly.

"I'm not," Ayako was on the verge of tears.

Unexpectedly, the little girl's reaction was even more exaggerated than her. While Ayako was about to cry, the little girl started shedding tears immediately.

"Mommy, do you not want me anymore?"

"Gaah!!!"

Ayako was genuinely at a loss for what to do.

She couldn't bear to continue denying it when the girl was crying so heartbrokenly. But there was no way she could admit it either. She truly didn't know this little girl and had no idea why she was clinging to her leg and calling her "mom." For the first time in her life, she was utterly at a loss.

Seeing how upset the little girl was, Shinji felt a bit guilty and whispered, "Why not just go along with it?"

Ayako turned and glared at him fiercely.

"How can I? I was only a few years old when she was born—could I have had a child?"

"Uh, twelve or thirteen, it's just barely possible," Shinji teased.

"Matou Shinji!!!"

Ayako's gaze became even more hostile. Not only was he not helping, but he was also making things worse.

The little girl seemed to be scared by her intense reaction, and her crying grew louder and louder.

"Mommy, Mommy, please don't abandon me!"

Her voice was so piercing that it immediately cut through the archery club's dojo, passed through the walls, and reached the ears of all the archery club members who were diligently practicing. Everyone stopped what they were doing and followed the sound to investigate.

And so, everyone saw the little girl clinging to their club president's leg, calling her "Mom."

In that instant, no one could remain calm.

Not everyone had the presence of mind to think about the girl's age and the biological age of a mother. One of the simpler-minded members blurted out, "President, you have a daughter?"

Immediately after, Shinji heard the sound of many hearts breaking.

As mentioned earlier, Ayako was a remarkable beauty. Naturally, she wasn't without admirers. At least half of the archery club members had feelings for her or admired her—regardless of gender.

Suddenly learning that their goddess had a child was enough to leave them all unable to think straight.

Equally heartbroken and stunned was Ayako herself. You idiots, use your brains! This child isn't mine. No, I don't even have a child!

Fortunately, this state of shock didn't last long. A voice, as soothing as a heavenly melody, saved the hearts and minds of the stunned students.

"Mana?"

Although it was just two syllables, a single word, the little girl instantly stopped crying. The sorrow on her face and the tears in her eyes vanished without a trace, replaced by a bright, beaming smile in the next moment. She also let go of Mitsuzuri's leg and ran toward the person who had spoken.

"Auntie Sakura."

Normally, a sixteen-year-old girl being called "auntie" would get angry, but Sakura wasn't angry at all. Instead, she smiled warmly and reached out to pick up the little girl.

"It's you, Mana. It looks like you've grown a lot taller."

"Auntie Sakura has grown taller too," Mana said, laughing happily as she wrapped her arms around Sakura's neck.

This time, it was Shinji who was thrown off balance. He stared at Sakura and the little girl hugging her, dumbfounded.

"Wait, you're Mana? Ryougi Mana?"

"Yes," Mana huffed, giving Shinji a contemptuous look.

"You didn't recognize me at all, and you call yourself my future master."

"Well, you've changed a lot. The last time I saw you, you were only two years old, and your hair wasn't this long. I just didn't recognize you right away. Considering all the gifts I've brought you over the years, forgive me, okay?"

As Shinji explained, he carefully studied Mana. Since he was often away, he hadn't seen Mana as much as Sakura, Fujino, or Kirie, and even less than the reclusive Justeaze.

Compared to the last time he saw her, Mana's features had become more distinct, and she had begun to show traces of both her father, Mikiya, and her mother, Shiki.

Mana was the typical child who had inherited the best traits of both parents. She wasn't as cold as Shiki or as overly gentle as Mikiya; instead, she struck a perfect balance between the two. Her appearance was also a blend of Shiki's sharpness and Mikiya's restraint, leaving behind only an innocent and adorable face.

Of course, she wasn't without her quirks. Both Mikiya and Shiki were overly mature in certain ways, and Mana, having inherited this trait, had also become very precocious—as evidenced by the way she had just played Ayako, and how she instantly shifted gears upon meeting Sakura, something no ordinary four-year-old could pull off.

But despite her precociousness, she was still a child at heart and easier to deal with for someone like Shinji, who had the benefit of his memories from another world. With the promise of gifts, Mana's haughty attitude quickly softened.

"Alright, I forgive you, future master."

"Forgiveness is a virtue, my future disciple."

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Shinji deliberately put on a serious expression, and master and disciple exchanged a smile, as if they had reached some sort of understanding.

Then, Shinji turned to Ayako whose eye was twitching with a not-so-pleasant expression.

"This is a friend's child. She's a bit of a handful, so don't take it to heart—Mana, apologize."

"Okay."

In this aspect, Mana resembled her mother in that she was straightforward and didn't beat around the bush. When it came time to apologize, she immediately got down from Sakura's arms, bowed at a ninety-degree angle, and obediently said to Ayako, "I'm sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me."

Although Ayako was upset about being pranked, she wasn't so petty as to hold a grudge against a four-year-old. She waved her hand and said, "It's fine, just don't pull this kind of prank again. But why did you call me Mom in the first place?"

"Because Auntie looks a lot like my mom. You two could be sisters. Oh, how about I call you Little Mom from now on?"

Mana blinked her big eyes, her face full of expectation.

"Little Mom!"

Shinji couldn't hold back a laugh, once again earning a glare from Ayako. Sakura and the other club members couldn't help but smile as well.

Finally, Ayako could no longer suppress her bubbling emotions. The stress of the budget issue, the conflict with the student council president, her rivalry with Rin, and Mana's prank all surged up together.

She planted her hands on her hips and yelled loudly, "This is none of your business! Get back to practice, all of you. Today's target is two hundred points—no leaving until you reach it! Anyone slacking off will have to do double!"