'Is this what Megumin meant when she said her family is very poor?'
Wide-eyed, Satou Kazuma sat obediently at the table, staring blankly at Pious Saburo, who was voraciously devouring snacks, and Yuiyui, who occasionally nibbled on a treat.
Reaching down to pat the head of Komekko, who was by his side eating a snack with each bite, Kazuma chuckled awkwardly and said,
"You don't have to eat so quickly. I brought plenty."
"Huh?!"
Pious Saburo, mid-swallow, froze and turned to look at the seven or eight boxes of snacks piled beside him. He opened his mouth to speak but started choking instead.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
"Dear!"
Yuiyui, calmly sipping on her tea, sighed as she saw her husband's reddened face. Smiling apologetically at Kazuma, she raised the teacup and poured its contents into Pious Saburo's mouth.
"Phew~"
Clutching his throat, Pious Saburo let out a relieved breath and glanced warily at Yuiyui.
"Thank you, dear. You saved me. But… why do I feel like you've been a bit… irritable today? Is it just my imagination?"
"Hohoho~," Yuiyui said, covering her mouth with a hand. Her eyes narrowed as she smiled.
"Why would that be? My beloved husband—even though you earn no money, leave us drinking watered-down porridge every day, waste what little we have on useless inventions, and have a quick temper—you're still my dear husband. I'd never compare you to Kazuma-san, who brought us so much food."
"I see."
Scratching his head, Pious Saburo turned to Kazuma with a friendly smile that bordered on obsequiousness.
"Kazuma-san, I think I heard you mention that you brought more food besides what's here?"
"Please, don't be like this, Pious Saburo-san!"
Quickly pushing the overly friendly man away, Kazuma hastily retrieved the vast amount of food he and Megumin had purchased in Axel.
Thud, thud, thud!
The room filled with food almost to bursting as Kazuma pulled out box after box. Pious Saburo's family looked on in awe, their eyes sparkling as though beholding a divine figure.
"Dear, get our guest some tea! The finest tea we have!"
"Hohoho~," Yuiyui said, standing swiftly. She bowed slightly to Kazuma and said, "Kazuma-san, please wait a moment. I'll prepare tea right away, though all we have is plain tea."
"Papa~."
Komekko's big red eyes blinked as she clung to Kazuma's and Pious Saburo's clothing. Her voice was soft but full of wonder.
"Am I dreaming? Why does our house suddenly have so much food? Does this mean I don't have to drink that watery porridge with just a few grains of rice anymore?"
"Mm~."
Feeling a sting in his nose, Kazuma patted Komekko's head and said gently,
"Don't worry, Komekko. You won't go hungry anymore. I'll take care of you."
"Kazuma-san~!"
With a kind smile that didn't reach his glowing red eyes, Pious Saburo placed a firm hand on Kazuma's shoulder.
"You can have Megumin, but please stay away from Komekko. Otherwise, I can't guarantee what I might do~!"
"No, no, no! You misunderstand!" Kazuma waved his hands frantically.
"I only like Megumin. I see Komekko as a little sister. Please, Pious Saburo-san, don't get the wrong idea!"
"Ah, I see."
Laughing heartily, Pious Saburo's demeanor shifted instantly. Clapping Kazuma on the shoulder, he said,
"Kazuma-san, why didn't you say so earlier? I didn't expect you to care so deeply for my Megumin. For the food… I mean, for the love you share, I'll approve of you!"
"Dear! Please don't say such embarrassing things," Yuiyui called out as her pale hand reached through the open doorway, pressing down on Pious Saburo's head and silencing him. Sitting beside Kazuma with a warm smile, Yuiyui set a cup of tea before him.
Looking back at Aqua and Darkness, who were happily playing with Komekko, Yuiyui spoke softly.
"Kazuma-san, we knew the moment you arrived that Megumin had chosen you."
Gently stroking the sleeping Megumin's head as she leaned against Kazuma, Yuiyui continued with a smile.
"After all, I raised her. How could I not understand her feelings? Megumin loves you deeply, Kazuma-san. Every letter she sent home was filled with stories about you."
Kazuma's eyes widened in surprise as Yuiyui chuckled.
"She wrote about your first adventure, where she ended up covered in frog slime because of you. How you would carry her when her magic was drained, deliberately bouncing her on your back. She told us how you've given her so many precious memories and taken her to see things she never dared dream of."
Placing Megumin's hand in Kazuma's, Yuiyui smiled gently.
"She said you're her hero, even if you're a pervert who sometimes talks nonsense. You're still the man she loves most."
Kazuma, stunned, felt tears welling in his eyes. Tightening his grip on Megumin's hand, he said softly,
"Megumin… she sees me like that?"
Looking down at her peaceful face, he added,
"To me, Megumin is my most precious treasure."
Turning to Pious Saburo and Yuiyui, Kazuma spoke earnestly.
"Before, I was just a shut-in, too defeated by life to leave my room. But after coming to Axel and becoming an adventurer out of necessity, I met Megumin."
A small smile played on his lips as he continued,
"We spent our days together, adventuring and supporting each other. Over time, we came to understand our feelings for one another."
Raising his gaze to meet theirs, he declared,
"Megumin accepted me—a perverted, useless shut-in like me! We became a couple and decided to walk this path together."
Lowering himself to kneel before them, Kazuma bowed his head deeply.
"Please, give us your blessing. I want to protect Megumin forever."