Ayako beamed at Tatsuya, looking as content and docile as a pampered kitten.
"Tatsuya-san, what brings you here?" Ayako asked, her voice tinged with a hint of nervousness.
Tatsuya gave her a bright smile and replied in a casual tone, "No particular reason. I just wanted to see you, Ayako."
Thump-thump!
Ayako's face flushed a deep crimson. She looked absolutely adorable in her flustered state.
Tatsuya let out a soft chuckle. His gaze slowly drifted downward, lingering on Ayako's porcelain-white neck, which looked flawlessly smooth. Realizing where he was looking, Ayako blushed even harder and hurriedly covered her neck with her hands.
She quickly adjusted her loose collar, making sure her cute cleavage was no longer visible.
"Ahem! Sorry for interrupting your practice. You two can get back to it; I'll be going now."
"Wait, Tatsuya-san! I—" Ayako called out, but Tatsuya had already vanished from the training grounds.
"Sister? Don't dwell on it. Tatsuya-niisama is a very busy man," Fumiya chimed in.
"You're right. Let's get back to training."
"Huh?! Why now? It's supposed to be our break time!" Fumiya protested, but he was silenced instantly by Ayako's sharp glare.
"We must become stronger so we can be of use to Tatsuya-san!"
Ayako's eyes burned with newfound fire. Seeing her resolve, Fumiya found it impossible to refuse. In the end, they resumed their training, pushing themselves even harder than before. Fumiya wanted to complain, but he had no one to vent to.
Clack!
Tatsuya pushed open the door to his room, only to freeze in surprise. The silhouette of a woman as beautiful as a goddess was lying on his bed, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
"Tatsuya, where have you been?" Maya asked.
"Mother... I was just saying hello to Miyuki and Ayako," Tatsuya answered, feeling a slight chill under Maya's gaze.
"Hmm. Those two have grown into such beautiful young ladies; it's only natural for you to take a liking to them."
"Eh?" Tatsuya stood stunned, taken aback by her reaction.
As if reading his mind, Maya tilted her head. "What is it? Did I say something wrong?"
"No, it's just... your reaction is a bit unusual, Mother," Tatsuya replied hesitantly.
"Ufufu, would you prefer a jealous mother instead? I can certainly play the part if you wish. But a mother's jealousy is a dangerous thing—are you prepared to handle the consequences?"
"Ahem! Please, don't. I prefer you just the way you are."
Maya let out a wide, satisfied smile. She sat up on the edge of the bed and patted the empty space beside her.
Sensing her intention, Tatsuya blushed and muttered shyly, "Mother, I'm an adult now. Please stop treating me like a child."
Maya froze. She blinked her beautiful eyes and stared straight at him.
Thump-thump!
Tatsuya suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of restlessness.
"Tatsuya..." Maya's voice dropped an octave as she whispered his name.
Gulp.
Tatsuya swallowed hard. Without another word, he lay down beside her, resting his head comfortably on her lap. Maya's expression instantly brightened into a radiant, happy smile.
"Good boy. Tatsuya must always listen to his mother, okay?"
Tatsuya could only nod in resignation. His mind was in a haze, overwhelmed by the incomparable sensation of the lap pillow and a fragrant aroma that felt strangely stimulating.
"Did you change your shampoo, Mother?" Tatsuya asked tentatively.
Maya nodded gently. "Do you like it?"
"Mm. Your shampoo always smells lovely, but isn't it a bit much just for staying indoors?"
"Fufufu~ it's fine. I only use this specific scent when I'm at home. I only want to show this side of myself to you, not to anyone else."
Tatsuya felt a wave of embarrassment at her words. This was the kind of conversation usually reserved for lovers, not a mother and son.
If you're surprised by Maya's personality, you aren't alone. Tatsuya felt the same way at first, but he had eventually grown used to it.
There were many mysteries behind Maya's transformation. Her pregnancy had been a shock that the Yotsuba Family never saw coming. When Maya was rescued from her kidnappers years ago, she showed no signs of trauma. Instead, she became remarkably warm and attentive, just as she was now.
As time passed, she suddenly became pregnant, a revelation that sent shockwaves through the family. The Yotsuba tried desperately to uncover the identity of the father, but they found nothing; Maya had deliberately shrouded the truth in secrecy.
Eventually, Maya was appointed as the Head of the Yotsuba Family. Her first order of business was to overhaul the family's internal workings, making the clan far better than it had ever been. Little by little, her efforts bore fruit. By the time she gave birth, the Yotsuba held a birth celebration for the very first time. Since then, it became a tradition for every child born of the main bloodline.
Many things happened after that, but everything seemed to fall into place as if the world itself were on Maya's side. She grew into a mother who perhaps loved her son a bit too much—as evidenced right now.
Tatsuya chose to remain silent, fearing he might trigger something unpredictable from her. Maya smiled softly and began to hum a gentle lullaby, lulling Tatsuya to sleep.
To be continued...