Chapter 0: The Unlisted Clause in the Brochure

The evening sea breeze drifted gently through the bamboo grove behind the house. The leaves rustled as if sharing secrets, while the hum of insects began to overtake the twilight silence.

Musashi Kanata sat upright on the veranda of the bamboo house.

Too upright.

He looked as if he were facing a high-stakes job interview rather than simply waiting for his own grandparents. His hands were placed firmly on his knees. Spine straight. Gaze fixed forward.

He had prepared himself for this conversation. Today was the day he would receive his answer.

The sound of a sliding door opening broke the tension.

"Oh, Musashi… you’ve grown so much, haven’t you?" his grandmother murmured. Her voice was soft, always carrying the warmth of a spring breeze.

Kanata turned his head slightly. "It’s been five years, Grandma."

"Hmm." His grandfather let out a short grunt. "You may have grown, but I hope you aren't as pampered as you used to be."

His tone was stern. But his eyes clearly told a different story.

"Oh, my sweet grandson, Musashi Kanata!" the old man suddenly continued, his voice shifting into a dramatic flair that completely contradicted his previous sentence. "Why did it take you so long to visit? Your grandfather missed you terribly!"

Kanata blinked. He didn’t remember his grandfather being this expressive.

The three of them moved into the living room. The wooden floor creaked softly as they took their seats in a circle on the tatami mats. His grandmother poured the tea with an elegant precision that felt almost… suspicious.

Kanata adjusted his posture, sitting at attention once more.

"Alright, Grandpa. I’m ready."

Silence fell instantly. It was too quiet—the kind of silence that precedes a falling bomb.

His grandfather stared at him with newfound gravity. "Kanata. Are you certain you can handle all of this on your own?"

"I am."

The answer was quick. Too quick.

His grandfather narrowed his eyes. "Keep this in mind. Running a hotel isn't as simple as you think. This is no longer just about money." He paused for a beat. "It’s about pride."

Kanata swallowed hard. In his mind, he had already mapped out the financial reports, the renovations, staff management, and rebranding strategies. He was prepared for all of it.

"Very well," his grandfather continued. "As of today, you are the official owner of UMINEKO HOTEL."

Kanata gave a firm nod.

"Furthermore… there is, of course, a requirement you must accept."

Without a second thought, Kanata replied, "Whatever it is, I’m ready!"

His grandmother’s smile widened.

That should have been the first red flag.

"In that case," his grandfather spoke in a strictly formal tone, "you must choose one of the three women working at UMINEKO HOTEL… to be your wife."

Silence.

The wind died down. Even the insects seemed to hold their breath.

"…Eh?"

Kanata tilted his head. And then—

"EEEEEHHHHH?!"

He nearly fumbled his teacup.

"YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! I CAME ALL THE WAY FROM TOKYO JUST TO BE TOLD TO GET MARRIED?!"

"I simply don't want my grandson to die alone," his grandfather replied with a perfectly rational tone. (Though internally, the old man was screaming: Finally, my grandson is getting hitched!)

"Kanata, dear," his grandmother chimed in, her voice gentle yet brimming with hidden enthusiasm, "Finally… finally, you’ll be getting married. I can’t wait to see little grandchildren running around the hotel."

"I haven’t agreed to anything!"

His grandfather cleared his throat. "The three women are already aware of this condition."

Kanata froze. "…What?"

"And they did not refuse."

Silence descended once more. Kanata’s brain failed to process the information. They didn’t refuse?

"Take your time to make the best choice," his grandmother said with a serene smile. "We are certain that… in the end, you will find your own answer."

Kanata pressed a hand to his forehead.

He had arrived with a simple plan: Get the documents. Sign. Go home. Nowhere in the inheritance brochure was there a marriage clause.

Outside, the sea breeze picked up again. It felt as if it were laughing at him.

And for the first time since setting foot in Shiosora—Musashi Kanata realized he might have made a massive mistake by coming to this island.