Chapter 53: Mother and Son's Reunion
Soon, Mahiru and Miyuki arrived at their destination according to the address Yotsuba Maya had left.
It was a VIP reception room in a military hotel.
And waiting for them at the door was the Yotsuba Family's head butler, Hayama.
"Greetings, Miyuki-sama, Mahiru-sama."
Hayama, dressed in a butler's uniform, placed one hand on his right chest and bowed slightly.
"It's been a long time since we last met, Hayama-san!"
Miyuki responded, as she had a good impression of Hayama.
Because Hayama was one of the few in the Yotsuba Family who conducted business strictly without any personal emotions, and he held a very high opinion of Mahiru and Tatsuya.
Especially towards Yotsuba Mahiru.
The evaluation of "monster-like strength, comparable to the strongest magician" was spread from Hayama.
Mahiru, on the other hand, looked at Hayama with slight surprise; it was the first time he had greeted him.
"Then, although it may seem rude, please, both of you, move immediately to the reception room ahead."
"The Lady has been waiting for a long time."
Mahiru and Miyuki said nothing, only nodded, and then Hayama placed both hands on the doorknobs and pushed the doors open forcefully.
After entering, they realized that there were quite a few people present.
"Uncle Kuroba, Ayako, Fumiya, Sakurai-san, and Aunt, greetings to all, it's been a long time."
Miyuki was greeting the people present, just like in some aristocratic circle. Mahiru wasn't interested and instead found Sayaka, who was sitting opposite Maya, and walked straight over.
Sayaka, seeing Mahiru's arrival, immediately showed a joyful expression.
"Congratulations, Mahiru, on winning the Ice Pillar Break! The match was spectacular, and you… were very handsome then. But I'm sorry I couldn't congratulate you immediately."
Sayaka was holding a teacup, her fingertips gently caressing the rim of the cup.
This was a small habit of hers; she would do this when she was nervous.
Mahiru naturally noticed it at a glance and gently placed his hand on the back of hers.
"Those are minor matters, as long as you're okay. That woman didn't do anything to you, did she?"
The way he referred to "that woman" made Sayaka secretly glance at Maya on the opposite sofa. Seeing her smiling, without any displeasure, as she watched them, Sayaka finally relaxed.
Shaking her head, she smiled gracefully and said, "Yotsuba-sama has been very kind to me, and we just talked a lot about you and the Yotsuba Family."
After speaking, she turned her head to look at Miyuki and nodded slightly, "Miyuki-senpai."
"Sayaka-senpai," Miyuki responded.
The two got along very calmly, and Sayaka showed no surprise at Miyuki's presence.
It seemed Yotsuba Maya had already revealed Miyuki's identity to Sayaka.
"It's been a long time, my dear child."
At this moment, the elegant, beautiful, and exceptionally alluring woman opposite spoke to greet him.
Her crimson lips parted, her voice as clear as a nightingale's, yet with a hint of forbidden allure.
"It hasn't been that long, has it? Compared to those days, how much time has passed?"
Mahiru looked up at the woman opposite.
Yotsuba Maya's appearance remained unchanged.
Her smooth black long hair cascaded to her waist, possessing an exquisite face that could intoxicate any man and a slender figure that women would envy.
Especially the sexy black and red long dress she wore, which accentuated her curvaceous figure to the extreme.
The fullness of her chest seemed as if it could burst forth at any moment.
It was as if time could leave no trace on her.
Her sitting posture was also very casual, as if she was reclining on the sofa, in a lazy pose, every gesture exuding charm.
"Aren't you going to tell me, the purpose of coming here yourself?" Mahiru asked.
"There's no purpose, really."
Yotsuba Maya crossed her exquisite small feet, slightly Warp, revealing a section of her cool white jade-like leg beneath her skirt.
She picked up a cup of rich, fragrant original black tea and took a small sip from its crimson rim.
"It's just a poor mother who was abandoned by her child and secretly came to the sports festival to visit her son."
"Heh heh… Firstly, my abandoning you is utterly baseless. Not to mention whether I could even do such a bastardly thing, even if I wanted to abandon you, it would be impossible.
Secondly, how exactly did you combine the words 'poor' and 'mother' and apply them to yourself? Don't you find it incongruous?"
His blunt words utterly shocked everyone.
Whether it was Kuroba Mitsugu, or Ayako and Fumiya, even Miyuki looked at him in astonishment.
Hayama frowned slightly, intending to reprimand him, but was stopped by Yotsuba Maya.
"Mahiru-kun…"
Sayaka, sitting beside him, tugged lightly at his sleeve.
"I'm fine."
Mahiru took a deep breath, and after calming his agitated emotions, he looked at that woman again.
"How about we talk about serious matters? If there's nothing, I'm leaving, I have things to do."
"You're really an impatient child…"
Seeing Mahiru about to get up and leave, Yotsuba Maya looked at the girl beside her and said, "Sayaka, could I trouble you to take Fumiya and Minami, those two children, to tour the Nine Schools Competition venue?"
"They've been very eager to see the Nine Schools Competition."
It was an excuse that couldn't be more obvious.
Sayaka, though hesitant upon hearing it, did not refuse.
After Mahiru and she agreed to have dinner together, Sayaka left the reception room with Fumiya and Minami.
Immediately after, Hayama and Kuroba Mitsugu also exited the room.
Throughout this process, Maya had already put down her teacup, resting her chin on one hand.
A inscrutable smile still played on her face, and she watched Mahiru the entire time.
"School life is very enjoyable, isn't it?"
"Mm."
"And you've caused me quite a bit of trouble, haven't you?"
"Mm."
"Is the CAD I sent useful?"
"Mm."
Just like a conversation in an ordinary family, Mahiru's answer was simply "Mm."
But Maya, in the very next second, suddenly changed her tone.
"It seems you've been very diligently carrying out the tasks I assigned you~"
"Mm… Mm? What do you mean?"
He met Maya's gaze; her eyes, like deep purple crystals, held a playful smile.
"Chiba Erika, Shibata Mizuki, Kitayama Shizuku, Mitsui Honoka, Saegusa Mayumi, and the recently departed Mibu Sayaka."
As if listing her most cherished possessions, Yotsuba Maya recited the names of the girls gathered around him.
"Ten Master Clans, Hundred Families, famous entrepreneurs, elemental families, and those with special talents. Very good, indeed."
The woman's lips curled into an elegant smile, as if Mahiru's every move was under her surveillance.
And when Mahiru heard those names, his face had completely darkened.