The Yukinoshita family is undoubtedly one of the busiest families in Chiba Prefecture during the end of each year. They are not only the organizers but also the main participants in the social activities at the banquet.
More than an hour after the banquet began, the Yukinoshita family finally wrapped up the phase of pure greetings and pleasantries. If it weren't for the snacks that Haruno distributed to everyone before the banquet started, they probably wouldn't have managed to hold on until now.
"I'm not hungry yet; I'll just go back to the house and rest for a while," Yukinoshita Haruno said. Instead of joining her family to get something to eat, she headed straight to the lounge.
Upon opening the door, Haruno found her junior classmate Hikigaya slumped ungraciously on the sofa. He had already sat up, but upon seeing Haruno enter, he lay back down.
"Hikigaya-kun, you look a bit lazy like this. You're completely different from the handsome and elegant person you are outside," Haruno teased as she walked over to sit next to Hikigaya, her skirt brushing against his ahoge.
"This is the benefit of wearing a kimono, Senior. If you were in a dress, you wouldn't be able to enjoy it like I do. You should be jealous!" Hikigaya said boastfully.
"I really envy you, Hikigaya-kun. People like us, no matter what kind of clothes we wear, can't lie here as freely as you do. Even with this spacious sofa, I can only sit in one corner," Haruno replied. Though she was dressed beautifully as she had been the previous year, her expression was as serious as when she first met Hikigaya Hachiman.
"The sofa is spacious... but you can only sit in one corner. Senior, do you think I'm taking up space by lying here? I'm very sorry; I'll get up now. You can sit anywhere on the sofa," Hikigaya said as he started to stand.
However, Haruno pushed him back down.
" You lie down! "
Haruno said in a somewhat exasperated tone . She found that she was sometimes really dominated by this junior.
" By the way, junior. You must be very tired today. Do you want me to give you a little reward? "
Haruno looked at Hachiman lying on the sofa and suddenly had an idea.
" What kind of reward is that, Senior? Tell me about it. "
Hikigaya asked curiously.
However, Haruno did not tell him, but patted her thigh first.
" Want to try it? I've been working out, I guarantee you'll be very comfortable. "
Haruno said in a somewhat seductive tone.
——————
Yukino was following her father and mother, taking small bites of her food. At that moment, she was indeed a little hungry.
"Is it really okay if my sister doesn't come to dinner?" she asked, still worried about her sister's condition.
"Mom and Dad, let me take some food to the lounge for my sister. She must be feeling bad right now," Yukino suggested. After receiving a nod from her mother, she began to place food on a new plate and walked toward the lounge.
"Tell me, dear, what do you think? According to our country's laws, it would be difficult for Mr. Hachiman to marry both of our daughters at the same time. How about I try to submit a bill to Congress to see if it can be passed?" Mr. Yukinoshita asked, his tone a mix of seriousness and jest, which earned a playful eye roll from Mrs. Yukinoshita.
"Alas, this is not something I can decide. If Hikigaya-kun wants to go into politics or become a business tycoon in the future, then marrying one of our daughters would be no problem. However, if he is determined to become a writer, then marrying into our family may not even be feasible. Our family is powerful, but we can't offer any support to Hikigaya-kun in the literary field," Mrs. Yukinoshita explained, revealing that she had been troubled by this matter recently.
"From your perspective, it would be better for Hikigaya-kun to be with Yukino, so there wouldn't be so many complications, right?" Mr. Yukinoshita suggested, his words straightforward enough to cause Mrs. Yukinoshita to hesitate.
"Husband, I admit I did think that way. I even seriously planned to bring Yukino and Hikigaya-kun together. But just now, I've changed my mind," she said, her tone gradually becoming firmer as she took on the role of the resolute head of the Yukinoshita family once again.
"No matter which of our two precious daughters ends up with Hikigaya-kun, I will agree and give my blessing. If it is Haruno, we will find a way to persuade Hikigaya-kun to pursue a path in politics or business. We will fully support him, and I believe that with Hikigaya-kun's abilities, he can become the new head of the Yukinoshita family!"
Mrs. Yukinoshita spoke firmly. In Japan, it is not shameful for a capable man to marry into a woman's family and change his surname. If the man performs well enough, he can completely control the family's industry and resources and eventually become the real head of the family. This kind of scenario has happened before (although Mr. Yukinoshita did not experience it).
"If Hikigaya-kun chooses to stick to a path of literary creation and we are unable to convince him, and if Haruno is willing, then we will allow Haruno to get married! Let Yukino take charge of the family. I believe that my daughter, Haruno, can do everything that Yukino can do. There has never been a rule that one of our daughters must inherit the Yukinoshita family; I train them both equally, and they have both matured very well."
Mrs. Yukinoshita sometimes feels frustrated with her two daughters, but she is never disappointed in them.
"If Yukino ends up with Hikigaya-kun, I will bless their union. I won't say things like, 'this is better' or 'this will save trouble.' That is not what a mother should say. Perhaps I didn't realize it before, but now I have changed my mind. Regarding the relationship between my daughters and Hikigaya-kun, I will no longer interfere. I will simply wait for the final outcome and work hard with the possibilities that come from that outcome."
Mrs. Yukinoshita looked at her husband, whose eyes now reflected complete confidence, revealing his trust in her.
"Hubby, we can still manage this family for many more years until our heir is fully qualified, and then we can let him or her take the helm from us."
"Before, I always thought that my children should grow up quickly so they could take over the family business. But why rush? We are not old yet, and we still have plenty of energy. There's no need to hurry our retirement. Let's give the children more time to fight for their future."
Mrs. Yukinoshita placed her wine glass back on the table, and her eyes were free of any confusion.
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