Confrontation with Mother-in-Law (義母と直面, Gibo to Chokumen?) is the third chapter of Volume 3 of the third My Happy Marriage novel.
Summary[]
The next morning, Kiyoka leaves the villa for his investigation in the nearby village. Miyo is called by Fuyu to her chambers, where she is forced to change into a servant's uniform and assigned various household chores. She does them without a moment's pause, wanting to show Fuyu how serious she is about becoming Kiyoka's wife. Fuyu occasionally checks in and insults her. However, Miyo remains calm and diligent. Compared to the treatment Miyo received in the Saimori household, she is not subjected to violence here and the villa's housemaids Nae, Mitsu and Natsuyo would take turns assisting her and sometimes voice their opinions openly to Fuyu. Natsuyo praises Miyo's cleaning skills, not expecting an esteemed daughter of a well-to-do family to do an adequate job.
To Fuyu, Miyo doesn't meet her expectations as a suitable match for Kiyoka. She believes Miyo is taking advantage of her son's kindness. Fuyu's frustration grows when, despite forcing Miyo to work as a servant and insulting her, Miyo remains unfazed and resolute, expressing her determination not to give up as long as Kiyoka allows her to stay by his side. Fuyu feels that Miyo looks down on her, and in her anger, she raises her hand to slap Miyo. However, Tadakiyo intervenes, chastises Fuyu and puts her in her place.
Meanwhile, Kiyoka visits the shop from yesterday to ask for guidance to the shack. The shopkeeper takes him to a village youth who is the first to encounter the horned fiend. The man is trembling with fear while he retells the details of his encounter. Following instructions from the shopkeeper, Kiyoka then visits the shack on his own, which is deserted at the moment, and discovers a black cloak with the emblem of the Nameless Order.
Upon his return to the village, Kiyoka first stops by the shop and asks the shopkeeper and village youth to inform him of any movements. While on his way to the villa, he encounters a cloaked man and gives chase. After capturing the man, Kiyoka removes the man's hood and sees a face he doesn't recognise. Suddenly, the man's eyes gleam with a sharp light, his body flushes with intense heat, and his face goes blank. The man yells "perish" in broken speech and launches dead leaves at Kiyoka repeatedly. Kiyoka remains unharmed and successfully seals the man's Gift using a talisman. However, Kiyoka is left perplexed by the man's unnatural state, as if he were possessed by something inhuman rather than being a natural Gift-user. This is puzzling because Kiyoka's talisman only works on Gift-users, not inhuman entities.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Miyo Saimori
- Nae
- Fuyu Kudou
- Mitsu
- Natsuyo
- Tadakiyo Kudou
- Kiyoka Kudou
- Shopkeeper
- Village youth
Mentioned characters[]
Chapter Notes[]
- The unnamed village youth that the shopkeeper takes Kiyoka to is most likely the point of view character in prologue.
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