After marrying, Akina Izumi devoted herself entirely to her family life, becoming what you might call a full-time housewife. But that didn't mean she was just a decorative figure at home—on the contrary, she was Kaneyoshi Izumi's capable partner.
In the beginning, when Kaneyoshi first joined the company and encountered some business troubles, he would talk them over with Akina. She, in turn, would offer suggestions she thought were practical—and more often than not, they worked.
It's not surprising. Ryu Hishinaga was a successful businessman, and though he never formally taught Akina the tricks of the trade, she grew up in the Hishinaga household and was naturally exposed to the intrigues and social dynamics of the business world. She understood more than the average person.
This is exactly where a family's influence on a child becomes clear.
What's more, Akina and Kaneyoshi were naturally compatible—they always understood each other's intentions without needing to say much. It wasn't something cultivated over time; it was simply how they were.
To put it dramatically: they were soulmates.
Everyone has a soulmate, but finding that person takes a great deal of luck. To be fortunate enough to meet them—even if it costs half your life's worth of luck—is not unusual.
It's just that most people aren't lucky enough to ever meet their soulmate.
Back to the topic: communication issues were almost nonexistent between the Izumi couple, and even if any arose, they would be resolved quickly and perfectly.
So when Kaneyoshi said what he did, Akina immediately understood what he meant.
Kotomi Izumi had only just entered high school, yet she was already drawing the attention of many prestigious families. And since hierarchies existed even among elite families, which one wouldn't want to reach higher and elevate their standing in high society?
Marriage alliances between powerful families were a strategic way to become in-laws, forming unbreakable bonds and providing insurance and opportunity for future generations.
So it wasn't surprising—such alliances were actually very common. Beyond the benefits, many aristocratic families clung to the belief that their bloodlines were supremely noble. If their children married outsiders, it might dilute their "purity."
But let's be real: it's the 21st century. Even among the elite, most don't go as far as those old-time nobles did, keeping everything strictly within the family.
Well... most don't.
These days, elite families typically aim to form alliances with others of equal or greater status.
"Your bloodline is noble. So is mine. Together, we're even nobler. Yay!"
Families like the Izumis and Hishinagas were rare in high society. Naturally, plenty of people wanted to marry into either one.
Back when Kaneyoshi and Kazuma Izumi were still in high school, a dozen family heads had shown up at the house with their daughters in tow. Their mouths said they were dropping by to pay respects, but everyone knew they were scouting husbands.
They were all waiting for Kaneyoshi to reach his senior year before making a move. Jumping the gun would make them seem desperate and put them at a disadvantage—not to mention, it would look bad if word got out.
These family heads were practically begging the Izumi boys, saying, "Want a wife? Just say the word—we'll send one right over!"
Among the pampered daughters of noble households, many had fallen for Kaneyoshi at first glance—from his photo or even just his profile.
He was gentle and considerate, yet unwavering and witty. Many accomplished figures, upon first meeting the young Kaneyoshi, couldn't help but remark: "The ambition in his eyes is awe-inspiring."
Most importantly, the Izumi family had truly exceptional genes. From top to bottom, the men were handsome and the women beautiful.
Kaneyoshi's defining trait from childhood to adulthood? Striking good looks.
Kazuma was handsome too, but compared to his older brother, he had a rebellious streak. While Kaneyoshi was gentle and composed, Kazuma was sharp-edged and brash. Back in elementary school, he constantly pulled the pigtails of a particular girl.
But to be fair, he only ever pulled one girl's pigtails—from first grade all the way through sixth. As for her name? Kazuma never said. Most of the Izumi family only knew that he liked to make that girl cry and then chase her around. Strangely, he seemed to enjoy it.
That didn't stop some girls from falling for Kazuma's bad-boy charm and rugged appeal.
Side note: Kaneyoshi wasn't just gentle. He simply knew how to hide his edge.
Just as the heads and heiresses of numerous elite families were preparing to formally raise the topic of marriage alliances—
The ever-composed Kaneyoshi suddenly went public with his relationship with Akina right after graduating high school, and brought her home to Yamanashi to meet his parents. It was a lightning-fast move.
Every young lady who had secretly admired Kaneyoshi instantly saw their hopes dashed. If Akina had come from an ordinary background, it might have played out like a cliché girls' romance novel, with scorned heiresses confronting the heroine and threatening her to leave the male lead.
In fact, several of them weren't willing to give up so easily. They planned to pressure Kaneyoshi's girlfriend behind the scenes, hoping she'd walk away on her own. Some family heads even turned a blind eye—after all, a chance to marry into the Izumi family couldn't be squandered.
But the moment they learned that Kaneyoshi's girlfriend's surname was Hishinaga, those same unflappable elites turned pale with fear.
They quickly intervened, halting their daughters' plotting immediately. If the girls protested? Grounded. No more outings.
While the brokenhearted heiresses wasted away in sorrow—"sickly pale, coughing from behind the curtains without even meeting him once"—
Those who had set their sights on Kazuma breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness I liked the younger brother. At least I had a shot. Unlike them, I didn't get rejected before I could even make a move.
Of course, most of those pampered heiresses had a bit of a temper from being spoiled. Normally, they would never take a setback lying down. But with Kaneyoshi's girlfriend being Akina Hishinaga, they didn't dare complain. Even if they were seething inside, they had to smile sweetly and play nice.
"You two are such a perfect match!" they'd say through gritted teeth, pretending to be good girlfriends.
After all, their families might have been wealthy, but in the face of the Izumi and Hishinaga clans, they were nothing but small fry.
Unhappy?
Suck it up.
Try to steal a Hishinaga lady's man? You might as well give up your designer lifestyle and get ready for exile.
While those who liked Kazuma were feeling smug and quietly urging their parents to approach the Izumi family about marriage—
Kazuma suddenly dropped a bomb.
"Women will only slow down my APM!" he declared, like a hero destined by fate. He didn't even try to hide it. He came clean to his father:
"Dad, I want to go pro in the LJL!"
As the head of the family, Yakken Izumi absolutely refused to let his second son enter professional esports. Like most from the older generation, he was a bit traditional in thinking. Playing games in your free time? Fine. But becoming a professional gamer? Absolutely not.
So Kazuma left home in defiance and joined the GMK team.
Everyone thought he was just being immature and that after a few losses, he'd come back home with his tail between his legs. But no one expected him to awaken a seemingly innate talent—in the qualifiers, he dominated and led his team to victory.
In Group B, during a critical match, Kazuma's Rengar pulled off an insane clutch play, securing a triple kill and turning the tide against a U.S. team, sending them packing.
In the quarterfinals, GMK stormed through. During the semifinals, Kazuma picked LeBlanc. After outplaying the enemy Yasuo in lane, he pulled off a miraculous double kill at 1 HP, eliminating a full-health Caitlyn and Riven.
He turned despair into hope!
That moment had the entire arena roaring in awe.
His stunning outplay was recorded as one of the greatest highlights in that year's LJL semifinals. The entire global esports scene began to take notice of this newcomer—not even at the usual "prime age" for pro play—yet already a rising star in the LJL.
Everyone remembered his ID: GMK·Secretive!
And then came the biggest stage of all—Worlds.
Kazuma chose Vayne.
Picking Vayne at Worlds was a daredevil move—like walking a tightrope. You either carry or crash and burn. No in-between.
Every League player knows: when you lock in Vayne, your relationships shift dramatically. Play her well? You're the enemy's sworn nemesis. Play her poorly? You're your team's sworn nemesis.
Kazuma specialized in clutch cleanups, but that came with huge risks.
Just when people thought he was getting cocky and GMK's dream run was about to end...
His Vayne delivered. Flawlessly. Time and again, he forced enemy mistakes, hunted down the opposition, and eventually led his team in storming through bot and mid lane. Their nexus crystal exploded amid a flash of twisted light.
GMK had won the Summoner's Cup!
And the next year, after returning the Cup, GMK made another miracle run—from the play-ins all the way to the grand finals—and hoisted the Summoner's Cup again!
That year, a new dynasty was born: GMK.
GMK·Secretive—Kazuma Izumi—became a two-time League of Legends World Champion!
His incredible back-to-back achievements left the heiresses who had once admired him in despair. They thought he'd come crawling back in a year... only for him to rise like a god, win two world titles, and prove his esports talent beyond all doubt.
Now they were left wondering: How long will we have to wait before he retires and returns home?
Did the Izumi family know about all his achievements over the years?
Of course they did.
The family matriarch, Harumari Izumi—Kazuma's grandmother—would always sit in front of the computer to watch the matches. She didn't understand the game, nor what all the tiny figures on screen were doing.
Her eyes only searched the screen, waiting for her son's face to appear.
Whenever Kazuma won, she would cheer—not because of the gameplay or tension—but simply because her son had won.
Everyone in the Izumi household had watched his matches at some point. As the media coverage and prize money increased, their views shifted—from seeing esports as a frivolous distraction to praising him.
"I always knew he was born for this!"
"Every field has its stars."
"Japan's first two-time League of Legends world champion is from the Izumi family. This kid is a monster!"
Still, they all avoided talking about it too openly, for fear of angering Yakken Izumi.
In short, once other families realized that marrying into Kaneyoshi Izumi's generation was a lost cause, they started looking at the next generation instead.
And who would that be?
Naturally, Kotomi Izumi and Aimi Izumi.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:
Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven