The magic flame flickering in Nozomi's palm shimmered with an ethereal radiance. What was once a dark red inferno, tinged with shadows of malice, had transformed into a holy blaze—golden-white and warm—ever since receiving Gabriel's divine blessing.
Mrs. Yukinoshita stared at the sacred flame with wide, astonished eyes.
"Is this... real?"
"Of course," Nozomi replied calmly, the light dancing in his eyes matching the flame. "This isn't some parlor trick. This flame carries the blessing of the heavens."
He stepped forward, his tone becoming serious.
"Madam, I'm showing you this not to impress, but to tell you—I have the strength to protect Yukino and Haruno. I want to strengthen our bonds, to build a family worthy of them."
That word again.
Family.
Mrs. Yukinoshita's expression stiffened, the corner of her lips twitching.
"If that's so, then perhaps you'd care to explain exactly how strong you really are," she said, crossing her arms. "Otherwise, I remain unconvinced."
"No problem," Nozomi said with a confident smile. "My own strength is still evolving. But in Sakurasou, I'm not alone. There's an elven magician who once sealed a Demon King—she lives there and is one of my closest companions."
He raised a finger.
"The hero who once defeated that Demon King? She's there too. And I'm leading the charge in the virtual reality project that Sister Haruno's been helping with. The rewards from that game are soon to be mine. You can ask her about it."
Mrs. Yukinoshita's eyes glittered faintly, betraying a mixture of curiosity and calculation. This world was not ordinary, and if Nozomi's words held even a grain of truth, the potential he spoke of was immense.
Her disappointment with love had long extinguished any lingering hopes. Her husband's betrayal had left deep scars—he had trampled her loyalty, mocked her ambition, and distanced himself from her plans for the family.
But now… this boy. This strange, infuriating boy.
He brought chaos, yes—but also possibility.
"You're confident, I see. Then very well. Nozomi, let's proceed with the engagement."
Nozomi's eyes lit up.
"Really? Thank you, Madam! I'll protect Yukino and Haruno with everything I have—and I'll earn your trust, too."
"Hmph. I've already asked the driver to prepare. As for Yukino and Haruno, I need to begin their bride training. Until the engagement party next Sunday, keep your hands to yourself."
Both sisters turned bright red.
Nozomi tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Excuse me, Madam, but... what exactly do you mean by 'keep my hands to myself'?"
"Dear? Hugging? Kissing? Absolutely not!" she snapped, waving her hand toward the door. "Get out!"
She was still fuming.
Both daughters, seduced by the same boy in a single day.
And the boy… dared to tease her too.
She clenched her fists, cheeks slightly flushed. How could he say he chose her, the matriarch of the Yukinoshita household? Shameless!
Before Nozomi could reply, Haruno stepped forward with a laugh and tugged Yukino's sleeve.
"Come on, Yukino-chan. Mother's still a little mad. Let's walk him out."
Nozomi sighed. He had no choice but to obey his fiancées.
As they walked to the door, he looked at the two sisters with deep affection.
When he thought of not being able to even hold them until the ceremony… his heart sank.
So—he pulled Yukino into his arms.
"Wha—! Wait, you—!" she tried to protest, but her voice was quickly smothered.
He kissed her.
Gently at first, then deeper, until she was breathless, her face as red as a ripened tomato.
Next, it was Haruno's turn.
Even she, bold as ever, was taken aback.
If Hayama had been present, he probably would have fainted.
Yukinoshita Yukino and Haruno stood silently by the entrance, watching Nozomi's car disappear down the driveway. Their cheeks were flushed crimson, the echo of that bold kiss lingering like static in the air.
"Th-That guy is way too bold," Yukino muttered, gripping the hem of her skirt tightly.
"No, I think 'shameless' fits him better," Haruno said with a teasing smirk. Her voice was light, but a tinge of unease lingered. Then, Yukino glanced at her older sister and hesitated before whispering:
"Nee-san... do you think he'd actually try something with... with mother?"
Haruno's confident smile froze.
"I mean, I don't think so..."
"You think so?" Yukino snapped, panic coloring her voice.
"N-No, no! I meant—he definitely wouldn't! There's no way!" Haruno waved her hands hastily, laughing awkwardly. "He's not that crazy... probably."
Yukino fell quiet, her lips pressed into a line. Deep inside, she was already steeling her resolve.
She'd protect her mother.
Her sister was one thing.
But letting that pervert have their mother too?
Absolutely not.
....
Back at the Yukinoshita family villa, the atmosphere was tense.
The two sisters sat side by side on the pristine white couch, their hands resting politely on their laps. The silence was heavy until the sound of Mrs. Yukinoshita's heels tapped against the marble floor.
She crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow with a sigh that carried disappointment.
"Haruno. I asked you to reach out to Nozomi. How did this end up with both you and Yukino caught in his net?"
There was no anger in her voice, but the implication stung. It wasn't just about responsibility—there was a touch of comparison too.
Haruno offered a helpless smile and shrugged.
"Well, what can I say? Yukino's just too cute. How could any of us resist liking her—even Nozomi?"
"D-Don't say weird things, Nee-san..." Yukino mumbled, lowering her gaze. "He doesn't even like me that much anyway..."
Her voice trailed off, and her eyes flicked toward her mother's unreadable expression.
Did she even care about Yukino?
But Mrs. Yukinoshita's eyes softened just a little.
"Honestly, you're such a naive girl," she said, brushing a lock of hair from Yukino's face. "Letting a boy like him deceive you so easily... If only you had Haruno's poise, I wouldn't worry about you living on your own."
Yukino blinked.
Did she just hear... genuine concern?
For a moment, the distance she had always felt from her mother seemed to blur. Maybe, just maybe, her decision to leave home hadn't just been rebellion—but a cry for recognition.
Then, without another word, Mrs. Yukinoshita drew both daughters into a sudden, tight hug.
"Stay at home for a while, both of you. Once you marry that boy, who knows when I'll get to see you again..."
Her voice held a hint of loneliness, one she rarely showed.
Haruno leaned her head against her mother's shoulder.
"Don't be silly, mother. If it comes to that, you can just come live with us in Sakurasou."
"That's right," she added with a mischievous grin. "According to Nozomi's grand plan, Sakurasou will be expanded into something even bigger."
Mrs. Yukinoshita stiffened.
"Wh-What did you just say?"
Her eyes twitched.
"You... you mean that idea came from him, right?! Not you?!"
The thought of Nozomi—not only stealing her daughters, but also dragging her into that chaotic little den of his—was far too much.
"Absolutely not! That was my suggestion," Haruno replied cheerfully. "I just thought, you know... you might get lonely. And we don't really want to live apart from you. Isn't that right, Yukino?"
Flushed, Yukino nodded softly.
"Y-Yes. If it's possible... I wouldn't mind, mother."
The room fell silent again. A strange warmth spread in Mrs. Yukinoshita's chest. For all her strictness, she knew what this was.
It was love.
She turned away and cleared her throat.
"...Let's talk about it later."
Still, deep in her heart, she couldn't shake the strange feeling that Nozomi was always looking at her with those eyes. Something told her she should stay on guard.
Just in case.