As their conversation deepened, Yotsuya Touko's gaze towards Tanaka Masao grew increasingly satisfied.
Harmonious family, excellent grades, calm personality, polite and knows when to advance or retreat…
Although he wasn't very handsome, his honest appearance gave off a reliable and steady feeling. He would definitely take good care of Yotsuya Miko and wouldn't bully her.
All in all, Yotsuya Touko felt that Tanaka Masao was a very excellent candidate for marriage.
The only drawback was that Tanaka Masao wasn't a local of Tokyo; his home was in Chiba, a full hour's drive away.
This was already considered marrying far away. How inconvenient it would be to visit.
Yotsuya Touko's greatest hope was that her daughter could live next door after marriage, so they could visit each other anytime.
Yotsuya Miko ate with her head down, secretly glancing up at the two who were chatting happily, sighing inwardly.
[Mom, don't be fooled by this guy. He's not as good as he's pretending to be right now. This is all an act. Wake up!]
Although Yotsuya Miko was screaming wildly inside, she didn't dare to make a sound, fearing attracting Tanaka Masao's attention.
She was currently at his mercy and could only endure the humiliation for now. Once Tanaka Masao left, she would definitely tell her mother to be wary of him.
After dinner, Yotsuya Touko smilingly declined Tanaka Masao's offer to help clean up.
And this gesture from Tanaka Masao undoubtedly earned him more points in her heart. He really knew how to play the game.
Tanaka Masao came to the living room and saw the siblings sitting together. After a moment's thought, he sat next to Yotsuya Kyosuke and spoke.
"Kyosuke, right?"
To Tanaka Masao, who was trying to get close, Yotsuya Kyosuke's somewhat fierce inverted triangular eyes merely gave him a faint glance, and he nodded with great aloofness.
Yotsuya Miko, sitting by the side, saw this scene. She appeared calm on the surface, but was very happy inside.
[Good job, Kyosuke! That's right, don't give him a good look. It's best not to bother with him.]
…
Half an hour later.
"Masao-ge, here, here, hurry up."
"Coming! Watch me. Secret technique! Repeated sidesteps."
"Wow, so amazing! You dodged everything. We won!"
"Well done!" x2
Tanaka Masao and Yotsuya Kyosuke high-fived in congratulations.
Middle school boys, their interests are usually just a few things: games, manga, girls, and adult magazines…
As an older person, and with an age not too far from Yotsuya Kyosuke's, Tanaka Masao could naturally easily bond with him.
Just a few games later, they transformed from strangers into comrades who had shared life-or-death experiences.
Now, even if Yotsuya Kyosuke knew that Tanaka Masao wasn't actually his sister's boyfriend, he would still try to set them up.
Yotsuya Touko walked over with two drinks, looking at Yotsuya Kyosuke, who was laughing very happily, feeling somewhat relieved.
[Kyosuke hasn't laughed like this in a long time.]
Ever since her husband, Masamori Yotsuya, passed away, her son seemed to have matured and become sensible.
He seemed to understand that he was the only man in the Yotsuya and needed to become the pillar of the family.
While she felt comforted by her son's growth and filial piety, as a mother, she also didn't want him to bear too much pressure at such a young age.
However, her persuasion seemed to be of no use. Yotsuya Kyosuke still held onto his own ideas.
It wasn't until Tanaka Masao's arrival—this man who might become Yotsuya Kyosuke's brother-in-law, a new member of their family—that he seemed to find a man he could look up to again, allowing him to temporarily forget the burden he had imposed on himself.
"Here, Masao, Kyosuke, have some drinks and rest."
"Thank you, Touko-jie."
"What's with the 'thank you'? We're all family, no need to be so polite."
Yotsuya Miko sat by, watching this scene very calmly.
[Heh, Masao, Masao-ge, they're calling him more intimately than I do.
Kyosuke, oh Kyosuke, let's not talk about Mom. She fell for Tanaka's sweet words from the very beginning. After all, being first in grade is too attractive to a parent.
But you!
You acted so aloof at first. How did you fall so quickly?
Didn't Tanaka just play games and chat with you? I also play games with you sometimes, but I've never seen you admire me so much.]
If Yotsuya Kyosuke knew what Yotsuya Miko was thinking, he would definitely tell her the truth.
[Sister, your gaming skills are so bad. How could I be happy playing games with you? To watch your terrible plays?
Also, we really don't have many common topics. I'm actually not very willing to watch horror movies with you.]
Looking at the three people laughing and talking, Yotsuya Miko suddenly felt a bit superfluous, out of place.
[Speaking of which, Tanaka was brought by me, but why does it feel like he gets along so well with my family?]
Suddenly, as if she remembered something, she abruptly widened her eyes.
[I know! So, all of this was part of your plan, Tanaka.
First, you proposed an irresistible condition to lure me out.
Then, through threatening me, you came to my Yotsuya as my boyfriend.
Finally, through trickery, deception, and sweet words, you successfully captured my family's hearts and gained their approval.
And his ultimate goal must be that.
By winning over my family, he would naturally win me over, turning a fake boyfriend into a real husband. By then, even if I don't agree, I feel my family would forcibly give me to him.
My life is going to fall into his hands so vaguely and confusedly.]
Yotsuya Miko felt like crying without tears, as if all her energy had been drained, and she stood up very weakly.
Seeing Yotsuya Miko suddenly stand up, Yotsuya Touko asked, puzzled.
"Miko, where are you going? If you want a drink, there's more in the fridge. Pour yourself one."
Yotsuya Miko's body stiffened for a moment.
About her mom only pouring drinks for her fake boyfriend and brother, but forgetting about her.
[I don't want any drinks or anything.]
She said very calmly.
"I'm not going for a drink. I'm just a bit tired and want to take a shower and go to bed early."
"That makes sense."
Yotsuya Touko nodded and looked back at Tanaka Masao.
"It's getting late, Masao. I'll get a room ready for you."
"No need to prepare one. Tanaka can just sleep in my room tonight."