Mash-Up Anime World: Adopted by the Sawamura Family

"Dad, did something happen?"

"Why do you and Mom seem… different today?"

"Something unexpected happened. We'll explain everything over dinner."

Soon, Sayuri, Spencer, and Akira finished preparing their signature dishes.

Eriri, who had never cooked before, could only stand by miserably, assisting where she could.

The four of them then worked together to decorate the dining room with soft lights and set up tall white candles on the table.

The living room echoed with the warm melodies of a vintage record player.

Akira poured wine for everyone.

The family raised their glasses with smiles and cheered:

"Cheers!"

During the meal, Spencer and Sayuri reminisced about Akira and Eriri's childhood antics.

Fond smiles appeared on their faces.

Much to Eriri's rage—because all the stories were about her embarrassing moments.

Akira, being an exceptional child from the start, had no blackmail material to use against him.

As the evening went on and the wine flowed, Spencer and Sayuri exchanged a serious look.

Then, they both turned to Akira and Eriri and solemnly said:

"Akira, Eriri, we have something important to tell you."

"Your mother/father and I… have divorced."

"The paperwork is already finalized."

A sharp clatter echoed through the dining room.

Eriri's chopsticks slipped from her fingers, landing on the table with a dull sound.

Akira sat frozen, his mind unable to process the situation.

Something's wrong.

This isn't how things are supposed to go.

This doesn't match my memories at all.

"Mom… is today April Fool's Day?"

"This is a joke, right? A prank?"

Eriri's voice trembled as she desperately searched her parents' faces for confirmation.

Tears welled up in her eyes, her last hope clinging to the possibility that they were teasing her.

"I'm sorry, Eriri. Today is not April Fool's Day. And this is not a joke."

"This is our official divorce certificate."

Sayuri pulled out a neatly folded document from her kimono sleeve and placed it on the table before her children.

"Mom… Dad… then why do you both look so calm?!"

Tears streamed down Eriri's face as she broke down completely.

Her pure, delicate face was quickly drenched as she cried uncontrollably.

"Because your father and I are not just husband and wife—we are also the closest of friends and partners."

"I understand the burden Alan carries in his heart."

"But this is a duty he was born into."

"I have no reason to stop him. I cannot stop him."

"The best I can do is wish him happiness in his future."

"Dad, Mom… so that's why you suddenly called me back from China."

"It wasn't just for a family gathering—it was because of this."

Akira's expression twisted into a bitter smile as he pieced things together.

Then, after a brief pause, he calmly analyzed:

"Something must have happened in Britain."

"Dad, were you summoned back to inherit the family title?"

Spencer took a deep breath before answering.

"My brother—your uncle—was in a terrible car accident a few days ago."

"His entire family… died at the scene."

"They are still awaiting burial. We have to return for the funeral."

"Your grandfather has called me back to take over as head of the family."

Eriri gasped, her body shaking violently.

Tears poured down her cheeks as she covered her mouth, sobbing uncontrollably.

It was too sudden.

Just days ago, her uncle, aunt, and cousin had been alive and well.

Now, they were gone forever.

"Dad… but why did you have to divorce Mom?"

"Couldn't we have all gone back to London together?"

Akira narrowed his eyes as a realization struck him.

"Wait… it's because Eriri isn't eligible to inherit the Spencer title, isn't it?"

"That's why Grandpa isn't just asking you to return—he's demanding that you remarry and have another heir."

Spencer sighed deeply, his face filled with regret.

"Akira… my greatest regret in life is not giving you the Spencer surname."

"Your intelligence and martial prowess are exceptional."

"You would have been the perfect heir to the Spencer family."

"But because you were not raised in the family…"

"No one within the Spencers would ever accept an outsider as the new head of the family."

Akira let out a soft chuckle.

"Yeah. My last name is 'Sawamura.' That alone says everything."

Spencer nodded.

"In modern times, female nobles can inherit titles…"

"But only if they meet strict requirements—physical fitness being one of them."

Akira sighed, already understanding the problem.

"So Mom and Eriri… lost on that front."

"Exactly."

"Sayuri's genes are very strong. Eriri inherited everything from her."

"My father is afraid that if this genetic trait is introduced into the Spencer bloodline…"

"Future generations would all be short in stature. And that would be the end of the Spencer name."

Spencer chuckled bitterly.

It wasn't his fault Eriri had only inherited his blonde hair—and nothing else.

"That old bastard is just discriminating against my height!"

"Every time I visited your family, I could feel them looking down on me."

Sayuri fumed, her tiny fists clenching in frustration.

"And then there's Eriri's English skills…"

Spencer sighed.

"Akira, do you honestly believe Eriri could ever master English?"

Akira hesitated.

Then, after a long pause, he shook his head.

"…It'd be pretty difficult."

Eriri wasn't just bad at languages.

She was completely incapable of learning them.

To her, any language other than her mother tongue was simply incomprehensible noise.

In a way, it was almost a unique talent.

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