"Mm, that's right, I didn't."
"Why not?"
Eriri was very concerned.
Sayuri answered leisurely,
"Because first impressions aren't always accurate."
"???"
Eriri was completely lost.
Seeing her daughter's confused expression, Sayuri chuckled softly.
"You are your father's only daughter. You know how much he cares about you. If I had just told him outright that 'this boy is Eriri's boyfriend,' he would've been heartbroken on the spot.
So, it's better to take things slow.
Let Chisato come over a few more times, let your father get used to him, and once he has built enough of a good impression, then we can tell him the truth."
Hearing this, Eriri finally understood.
"So, in other words, we need to make sure Dad really likes Chisato first..."
"That's right."
"No wonder, Mom, you've been subtly praising Chisato at the dinner table."
"..."
Sayuri smiled slightly, keeping her wisdom and efforts hidden.
Seeing this, Eriri slowly moved closer to her, smiling ingratiatingly while hugging her arm.
"Mom~"
"Hmm~ Eriri, it's been so long since you acted this cute and spoiled with me. I almost missed it. Alright, tell me, what kind of mischief are you up to this time?"
"What mischief could I possibly have? I just want to know why you're not angry at all about me keeping this from you and why you're even helping me get past Dad's approval~"
"The most straightforward reason is that I can tell you truly like Chisato, and he clearly feels the same about you.
Based on my observations and overall judgment, he is outstanding, both in appearance and personal qualities, so I have no reason to oppose it.
"As for the fact that you two were reckless enough to sneak a taste of the forbidden fruit in your second year of high school...
Honestly, when I first found out, I was a little angry. But then I thought back to how your father and I did something similar at your age and kept it secret from your grandmother.
So, in the end, I didn't see a reason to be upset. Eriri, you're my daughter, not an idiot. You know how to take responsibility for your choices.
As long as you don't end up with an unexpected pregnancy, everything is fine..."
At this point, Sayuri lifted Eriri's chin and looked at her with extreme seriousness.
"You two did use the contraceptive methods they teach in health class, right?"
"Of course!"
Eriri's face turned red as she hurriedly responded.
"Then that's fine."
Sayuri's tone instantly lightened again.
"Mom, is that really the only reason you're helping us?"
"There are other factors as well. People are influenced by those around them. Ever since this semester started, you've changed a lot.
You've started making your bed, your grades have improved, you've even started cooking, and sometimes you even prepare lunch for your father...
These are all positive changes. I feel like they must be related to your relationship with Chisato.
A girl is often influenced by the person she loves, and the qualities of both individuals can rub off on each other."
That's how I see it. If you had started going downhill instead—staying up late, smoking, drinking, and letting your grades drop—then after learning about you and Chisato today, I definitely wouldn't have been so lenient.
I would have teamed up with your father to make sure you two broke up, no matter what."
"So... because of how I've been behaving recently, you decided to support me..."
"That's right. Since being with him has only made you better, I'm happy for you. Why would I create obstacles for you?"
"Mom~"
Eriri hugged Sayuri tightly.
"Alright, alright, no need to get this emotional."
Sayuri patted Eriri's wrist, signaling her to let go.
"When Chisato and your father were here earlier, I didn't have a chance to say this, but do you realize that you currently have an invisible time bomb by your side?"
"Invisible... time bomb?"
Eriri's heart skipped a beat. Holding onto a guilty conscience, she instantly imagined countless possibilities but still acted as if she didn't understand.
"Mom, what do you mean?"
"My dear daughter, you're way too slow on the uptake. Based on past events, I already figured it out, but you still haven't noticed?"
Sayuri freed her hands and began kneading Eriri's cheeks.
"Mom, stop messing around and just tell me what you mean!"
"Sigh... should I call you too innocent and naive, or should I say you're completely defenseless..."
Sayuri let out a small sigh before speaking seriously.
"I'm talking about your other friend—Kasumigaoka Utaha."
"!"
Eriri couldn't help but be shocked.
The moment her mother mentioned Utaha, her heart plummeted as if she were on a free-fall ride, instantly racing at over two hundred beats per minute.
"Wh-what about her?"
"Oh~"
Sayuri squinted slightly as she observed Eriri's expression.
"Judging by your reaction, I guess you're not as oblivious as I thought. You've noticed something, haven't you?"
"Mom, just say what you mean already!"
"Utaha once secretly played a recording for me. It had your voice in it..."
Sayuri's words led Eriri to recall that incident.
At the time, the two of them had just discovered Chisato's presence and had not yet reached an agreement, so they had been scheming against each other in secret, trying to cause trouble for one another.
One of Utaha's tactics had been secretly recording Eriri's words and then bringing them to Sayuri to maliciously tattle.
If she remembered correctly, the recording contained a particularly misleading line—
"School swimsuit, sailor uniform, bunny girl outfit, office lady attire... If I make up my mind, I guess I wouldn't mind trying them on, even if it's a little embarrassing..."
"...When I first heard that you actually said something like that, my mind went blank.
Plus, Utaha claimed she accidentally recorded it while discussing book royalties with her editor, so I didn't think much of it at the time. I just went straight to you for a talk.
"But looking back now, the person you were speaking to back then was Chisato, wasn't it?
And the fact that Utaha deliberately cut the beginning and end before playing it for me, misleading my thoughts—her intention should be clear, don't you think?"
Sayuri patted Eriri's head, who had already fallen into a dazed state.
"Utaha has feelings for Chisato and seems to have the intention of replacing you.
You need to be on guard. After all, she's indeed an outstanding and beautiful girl. No matter what happens between the two of you in the future, you can always come to me for help.
I'll always be on your side."
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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