Maidens of Cygnus - Volume 3 - Chapter 2.5

Interlude – Temptation

The funeral of Yuuri Garmaev, Japanese name Karube Yuuri, who helped people who wished to defect to Japan from the New Soviet Union in Siberia, and himself defected to Japan, concluded with no issues. The wife and daughter of the deceased, who had no time to rest from the funeral proceedings and condolence calls from others and had been imprisoned in a light sense of despondency, were overwhelmed by the grief that was now descending upon them.

“Mom, looks like my university friends are coming in a bit. I’ll be out for a while, okay?”

“It’s already late, so be careful. Also, thank your friends for their concern.”

“Yeah, okay.”

Not ‘apologize for worrying them’, but ‘thank them for their concern’. Thinking that way of putting it was very motherly, Ayana went out harboring not-so-small feelings of guilt.

The reason being that meeting her ‘university friends’ was a lie.

About five minutes of walking later, a young woman of about the same age stood on the side of the road.

When she saw Ayana, she raised her hand a bit and began approaching her.

From her appearance, she did look like a university friend, like Ayana had told her mother.

“Since you’ve come, I take it you’re willing to lend us your help, am I correct?”

However, the first thing she said to Ayana was not something someone would say to a school friend.

“...What you said about the support, are you sure?”

“Yes, of course. Though your father left the country, he was still a compatriot. If his surviving family is having trouble, it is only natural to lend a hand.”

Truth be told, trouble was creeping up to Ayana’s family.

It is not something that will trouble their life today or tomorrow. But if they stand and watch without doing anything, her grandfather’s company will likely not even last five years.

Her mother is economically dependent on her grandfather. If the company goes bankrupt, their life will be in clear trouble. If she graduates from university and can safely get a job, she intends to look after her mother. If disaster strikes earlier than expected, she is also prepared to quit university and work. But if the management of her grandfather’s company can be revised, that would be the best outcome.

Though it is a medium sized business, the company has a certain structure. Ordinarily speaking, it is not something a single person can take care of by themselves.

But the financial power this woman holds is much more than a single person’s. Far from a single person, the organization supporting her in the background surpasses even large international corporations. With the help she is offering, there is no doubt her grandfather’s company will be revived.

“I really won’t have to do anything illegal, right?”

But still, Ayana had no intentions of getting involved in crime.

“Yes, of course. We only want to get closer with that girl, a relative of a compatriot.”

Even Ayana understood what she said wasn’t what she was really thinking. This woman’s organization wants that girl to become their associate because she has properties of a great magician.

Ayana doesn’t think it will lead to a happy future for that girl.

However, Ayana was feeling she didn’t need to worry that much.

Their parents may have had a relationship, but that girl is a complete stranger to Ayana.

“...Understood. Specifically, what should I do?”

For Ayana, the lives of her relatives were more important than the future of others.