In the quiet Japanese-style room, or rather, a room steeped in profound silence.
"I never would've thought that you, who've been so sensible since childhood, would do something like this."
As Haruno paused, lowering her head to sip her tea, Saori pressed her forehead, muttering as if struggling to accept it.
Her usually calm and elegant face now looked somber, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She could only calm the turmoil in her heart by taking deep breaths.
After all, her daughter, a young college student in her prime, hadn't just hired a fake boyfriend three years younger than her online. In just a few days after meeting, she'd proactively kissed him, developed a relationship involving French kisses, and even unilaterally wanted to turn the act into reality, aiming to date him officially…
If this were a work of fiction, Saori might've been intrigued to read it, curious about how far human nature could stray. But now, the subject was her eldest daughter, whom she deeply valued, trusted, and saw as the future heir of the family…
"You're joking with me, right?"
Saori clung to a sliver of hope. Her daughter had a mischievous side, often teasing her younger sister with childish, mean-spirited jokes… Maybe this was the same.
But Haruno shook her head, set down her teacup, and looked at her mother seriously: "You know I wouldn't joke about something like this."
"…"
That definitive answer made Saori slowly close her eyes, sitting upright expressionlessly, silent for a moment.
Haruno wasn't surprised by her mother's reaction; she'd fully prepared herself mentally.
Like a child caught secretly dating, waiting to be scolded by a parent, her expression was docile, yet carried a shameless mischief that said, "Go ahead and scold me. Once you're done, I still won't break up with him."
After what seemed like an internal struggle, when Saori opened her eyes again, her gaze toward her daughter remained cold, but her tone was no longer stiff.
There was even a hint of resignation and guilt.
"Haruno, is this your delayed teenage phase? Did I push you too hard in the past, assuming you were so sensible and placing all my expectations on you, causing you too much pressure, leading you to—"
"No, it has nothing to do with you."
A clear, firm voice cut in.
Even in this serious atmosphere, Haruno smiled, saying casually: "It's just that this man is so captivating that I accidentally fell for him… It's not about anyone else; it's between him and me."
"Besides, if it weren't for my twisted personality, I probably wouldn't have gotten this far with him, right? So I'm actually very grateful to you, Mother."
Haruno winked, speaking sincerely to her mother, whose gaze was growing increasingly intimidating: "Thank you for raising me so strictly since childhood, making me this warped and bad, giving me the chance to meet him!"
The atmosphere didn't lighten with her tone; it grew colder and heavier.
Suppressing the urge to back down or compromise, Haruno locked eyes with her mother, her smile unwavering.
An immature response, childish provocation, and deliberate feigned ignorance—it was all just proof.
Proof that Haruno, having shed her masks, was only this much, not the perfect superhuman others thought her to be.
But she wasn't afraid anymore. She no longer feared showing her weak side.
Because at least one person would accept her as she was.
No matter how far she retreated, he'd come swiftly like a hero, standing behind her, offering a warm hand.
Who says the warped can't be straightened? Who says sinking means being buried in mud?
Girls should have dreams—think of yourself as a mermaid; it's fine to plunge deeper into the sea!
—That's what she wanted to tell her mother.
No matter how bad the cause or process, as long as the outcome was fine.
It couldn't be helped.
In this rented lie, Haruno had found her true feelings—
The boy who traveled 131 kilometers to find her over a single sentence—she'd never let him go.
"…"
Time crawled slowly, each second feeling like a year.
After what seemed an eternity, like snow melting under the sun, the atmosphere in the Japanese-style room suddenly eased, returning to the warmth of early summer.
"Haaa…"
Saori seemed to give up, no longer pressing her with her gaze. Instead, she lowered her long eyelashes, sighing in resignation.
"Is this true maturity… It seems I still don't know my own daughter well enough."
Sensing something in her mother's demeanor, Haruno's eyes widened in shock: "Mother, you mean…"
"Don't misunderstand, I'm not implying anything."
Her expression returned to neutral. Saori extended her fair arm, lifted her teacup, and sipped lightly, saying calmly: "Haruno, you're an adult. Unless it's major family matters, I'd rather discuss decisions with you than order you around."
"Matchmaking too? Back then, I only gave suggestions, analyzing the benefits of an arranged marriage. If you hadn't chosen to sacrifice yourself, we wouldn't be dining with the Yuuki family here now, and you could be dating your little boyfriend anywhere."
"And besides…"
Seeing her mother ramble on as if nothing happened, Haruno couldn't help but curl her lips, letting out a cold chuckle.
This old woman, trying to pin all the blame on her to maintain her perfect motherly image?
That mocking look her mother once gave—"The conditions aren't bad anyway, and you've never had a boyfriend; it looks like you're set to stay single forever. I might as well arrange a marriage for you. My daughter gets married, strengthens the family's power, and you won't have to worry about socializing anymore—three wins in one!"—Haruno hadn't forgotten it!
So that warped personality? Definitely inherited!
"What's that expression?" Saori's voice paused, her gaze heavy with pressure.
Haruno looked away, pretending to sip her tea, hiding her face behind the cup: "Nothing at all~"
"…Fine." Saori sighed deeply. Excluding today, it felt like ages since she'd heard such a despairing sigh. "Girls grow up, start defying their parents, even leaving the family for love…"
"Um, I haven't done that."
"Not yet?" Saori's voice was icy, terrifying.
"Misspeak, misspeak, let's drink tea to calm down."
Setting down her cup, Haruno poured tea brewed from Shizuoka leaves for her mother.
Though her gaze didn't soften, Saori still lifted her teacup, and amid the white steam, said slowly:
"Whether it's dating or matchmaking, you handle it yourself. I'll only deal with business negotiations with the Yuuki family, not personal matters."
"Thanks, I can manage." Haruno turned serious, nodding professionally.
"What's he like?"
"Above-average looks, professional-level talent, calling him a monster wouldn't be an exaggeration. Being with me might even be a waste for him."
Saori blinked in surprise, then gave a faint smile, snorting: "That's my daughter—great taste."
To avoid angering her again, Haruno didn't argue, instead puffing out her chest with a proud smile.
"So, what's your plan?" Saori thought for a moment, then asked again, "You're not officially dating yet. I don't know what a 'rental boyfriend' is, but are you sure you can move past this relationship and win him?"
"Absolutely!"
Answering firmly, Haruno clenched her fists unconsciously, her heart feeling squeezed for some reason.
She brushed it off as an illusion, ignoring it—her expression, like her tone, was confident and resolute.
Seeing this, Saori felt relieved, nodding: "Good, as long as you're sure. When are you getting married? Has he graduated high school, or is he in college? It's best if he joins our family, but if his talent can't be controlled by the Yukinoshitas, marrying out is fine too. Let Yukino worry about the family name inheritance."
"Mother, you're thinking too far ahead." Haruno couldn't help but smile bitterly, though her tone didn't waver. "Future matters can wait. When I decide, I'll let you know. You don't need to worry too much."
Saori froze, her eyes narrowing, revealing an intrigued smile.
"Oh, truly in your rebellious phase?"
Haruno, unafraid, returned a smile for a smile.
"I've been obedient so long—let me rebel a little. It won't hurt, right?"
"Go ahead. Tolerating a child's mischief is a quality a good mother should have… Oh, sorry, as a child, you might not understand?"
"I'm still young, after all~"
Each word carried a chill, the room's temperature steadily dropping.
Their faces bore cruel, sadistic smiles, their gazes as cold as light glinting off a blade.
In this Japanese-style room, a sharp battle between mother and daughter was slowly unfolding.
But, eager to meet Yuu for their date, Haruno quickly ended the confrontation and bid Saori farewell.
"I have something to do, so I'll head out. I'll be back before lunch."
"Is your little boyfriend here?"
"Guess~"
"…Fine, just be on time. Even if you reject the matchmaking, maintaining good ties with the Yuuki family doesn't hurt."
Saori pressed her temples as if headache-stricken, but when she looked up at her, a gentle smile appeared.
"Good luck, Haruno."
Turning, Haruno waved confidently and casually.
"Relax, after all the effort to like someone, I'll stick to him till the end!"
"Hmm, good idea. That's my daughter."
"…"
Opening the door, Haruno couldn't help but curl her lips.
(So stop taking all the credit for yourself!)
Then, she slammed the Japanese-style room's door shut.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Some time later, she gently opened the door of a small tea shop booth in the shopping area.
Turning, Haruno smiled at him and said:
"What do you want to drink? How about sneaking some alcohol?"
"I'm not of age."
"Forget age—keep this Onee-san company and get a little drunk~"
Rolling his eyes, Yuu ignored her and stepped into the booth:
"I'll have a pot of Longjing."