DN : [414] Family

In the beginning, Kensei Kanase initiated the Faux Angel Project not to create weapons but to give his daughter the strength to protect herself.

He was a father—but not a good one.

While his intentions might have been noble, his failing lay in never asking Kanon what she truly wanted.

As August stood face-to-face with Kensei, his patience wore thin. If it weren’t for the concern that killing the man might leave a scar on Kanon’s heart, August wouldn’t have wasted words. He’d have struck Kensei down without hesitation.

“Kensei Kanase, relinquish Kanon’s guardianship. You can continue with your work, and I won’t interfere.”

“You’re not here to stop my project?” Kensei’s voice held a note of surprise.

“No,” August replied firmly. “I’m here to take Kanon.”

“So, you care about her?” Kensei asked, a mix of curiosity and defiance in his tone.

“More than you do,” August shot back.

Kensei ignored the insult, but his expression betrayed his inner conflict. His methods were flawed—his actions obsessive—but his love for Kanon was genuine.

“Wait a moment,” Kensei said, narrowing his eyes. “August, are you saying you came all this way just to secure Kanon’s guardianship?”

“Hmm? What of it?” August responded, raising an eyebrow. “Why, Natsuki-chan, are you jealous?”

“Don’t call me ‘-chan,’ you creep!” Natsuki snapped, already exasperated.

August’s reply was as shameless as ever. “Admit it, I have a way with girls—Kanon included.”

“Why am I even here?” Natsuki muttered, rubbing her temples. She felt her patience evaporating by the second.

As their banter continued, Kensei studied them, his gaze lingering on Natsuki. The witch’s reputation preceded her, and if she was associating with August, perhaps handing Kanon over to him wasn’t as reckless as it first seemed.

“Enough of this,” August said, his tone turning sharp. “Kensei Kanase, what’s your decision?”

“And if I refuse?” Kensei challenged.

“Then I’ll have you thrown in prison and claim Kanon’s guardianship legally,” August replied, his confidence unwavering. “One way or another, Kanon will be under my care.”

Kensei sighed, realizing resistance was futile. “Very well. I’ll relinquish guardianship and explain everything to Kanon, but I have one condition.”

“Name it,” August said, his gaze unwavering.

“Protect her. Ensure she’s safe and happy.”

“That goes without saying,” August replied without hesitation.

Kensei nodded reluctantly, his resolve giving way. For the first time in years, he felt the weight of his decisions lift. He wasn’t abandoning Kanon—he was trusting her future to someone stronger.

With that, August left Magus Craft, satisfaction etched across his face. He had secured not only Kanon’s guardianship but also Beatrice’s allegiance, making the trip a resounding success.

Meanwhile, Natsuki glared at him, her mind a swirling mix of frustration and disbelief. “This guy is a shameless lolicon,” she thought. After all, August had singlehandedly disrupted lives and claimed guardianship of a young girl, all in a single day. While she understood there was more to the situation, his methods were downright infuriating.

“Hey, Natsuki-chan, I’ll leave the paperwork to you,” August said with a smirk.

“Go to hell. I’m not doing your dirty work,” she snapped.

With that, Natsuki activated a teleportation spell and disappeared in a flash of light, unwilling to spend another moment in his presence.

August simply chuckled. He wasn’t surprised by her abrupt departure. After all, he was starting to understand the witch’s fiery temperament.

By the time August returned to Saikai Academy, the school was bustling with its usual lunchtime activity. At the junior high division, Kanon Kanase was eating her bento when a message from Kensei popped up on her phone.

The message was brief: due to ongoing research, Kensei would be traveling abroad for an extended period. During his absence, he had arranged for someone to look after her. That someone was none other than August.

Kanon stared at the message in shock.

Ever since her mother’s passing, Kanon had learned to adapt, to be considerate, and to avoid being a burden to others. Whether in the orphanage or as Kensei’s adopted daughter, she had always chosen to endure quietly.

“Kanon-chan, is something wrong?” Nagisa Akatsuki, sitting at the adjacent table, noticed the change in her friend’s demeanor.

“No, it’s nothing,” Kanon replied, forcing a smile. “Just thinking about something.”

“Are you sure? If you’re feeling unwell, I can go with you to the infirmary.”

“Thank you, but I’m fine.”

Relieved, Nagisa smiled. “Alright, but take care, Kanon-chan. Your health is important!”

With a polite nod, Kanon finished her meal. But her mind was elsewhere, racing with questions. She needed answers and resolved to confront August directly.

Moments later, Kanon found herself standing in front of Natsuki Minamiya’s office. Gathering her courage, she knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Natsuki’s voice called out from inside.

Kanon stepped in hesitantly. Her eyes scanned the room but found no sign of August.

“Junior high student Kanon Kanase?” Natsuki greeted her.

“Miss Natsuki, is August-niisan here?” Kanon asked, her voice soft yet determined.

“He’s not back yet,” Natsuki replied, sensing the girl’s unease.

“Did he go somewhere?” Kanon pressed.

“Yes,” Natsuki said simply.

The confirmation solidified Kanon’s suspicions. She’d guessed as much but needed to be sure.

“You’ve received Kensei’s message, haven’t you?” Natsuki asked, her tone unusually gentle.

“Yes,” Kanon admitted. “Miss Natsuki, what’s really going on?”

“I don’t know all the details,” Natsuki replied honestly. “But what you need to understand is that August is your guardian now.”

“And my father?”

“He’s fine,” Natsuki assured her. “He transferred guardianship to August voluntarily.”

Kanon Kanase nodded slowly, her head lowering until her face was hidden from view.

After her mother’s death, Kanon never had the chance to see her again. She carried her mother's last name and, as a child, had often asked where her father was.

But no answers came—not even as her mother lay on her deathbed.

When Kensei Kanase adopted her from the orphanage, she immediately noticed the shared last name and the familiar color of his hair, matching her mother's. She didn’t need to be told—they were family.

Now, she felt the pain of loss all over again. No matter the reasons behind it, she had once again been separated from someone she could call family.