"Sister, you're seriously the worst sometimes."
Yukinoshita Yukino pouted, glaring at the snickering Yukinoshita Haruno beside her. Her gaze then drifted over to their mother, her expression brimming with protest.
"So, in Mom's eyes, my only value is that I somehow charmed that shameless guy Nozomi?"
Mrs. Yukinoshita chuckled softly, reaching out to gently ruffle Yukino's hair.
"Don't sell yourself short, Yukino. You're my daughter, which already means you're special."
Her voice turned calm and warm, a tone she rarely used.
"The reason I don't expect the same things from you as I do from Haruno is because Haruno has chosen to shoulder the responsibilities of the Yukinoshita family's future. You, on the other hand, are the second daughter. I want you to live a life filled with joy, to be protected by Haruno and me. That's why I tried so hard to keep you at home—it wasn't to control you, it was simply because I wanted you near. But you always thought I was too overbearing, and then you started keeping your distance."
Yukinoshita Haruno nodded seriously and joined in.
"Now you get it, little Yukino. You're actually the one who's been the most spoiled. Whether it's me, Mother, or even Nozomi, we all spoil you so much."
Hearing this, Yukino blinked, visibly affected. She gave her older sister a dry stare.
"And the way you used to prank me as a kid? That's your version of love too?"
Haruno scratched her cheek awkwardly and laughed.
"W-Well, yeah. I mean, thanks to those pranks, you became more cautious around people. See? It was sisterly tough love. If I hadn't teased you, you'd still be too trusting and get swept away by someone really bad. So I figured… if someone had to be the bad guy, it should be me."
Yukino was unimpressed. Her deadpan expression made it clear she wasn't buying it.
Mrs. Yukinoshita watched the exchange in silence, warmth flickering in her eyes. The truth was, she'd raised Haruno to be strong, dependable—someone who could lead the Yukinoshita household if need be. But Yukino… Yukino was the one she had always wanted to protect.
"By the way, Mother," Yukino suddenly spoke up, her tone curious, "Why didn't you let Nozomi stay the night? There are plenty of guest rooms, right? Isn't it kind of rude to invite him over to talk engagement and then send him away like that?"
Haruno smirked and leaned in, clearly enjoying the shift in topic.
"That's true. Very unlike you, Mother. It's not your style to be so… dismissive. I bet Nozomi's overthinking the whole thing right now."
Mrs. Yukinoshita huffed, clearly displeased.
"Well, it's his own fault for being such a shameless flirt. I only have two daughters, yet he wants to marry both?"
"Even so, are we still going to hold the engagement ceremony?" Haruno asked.
"Of course we are!" Mrs. Yukinoshita declared without hesitation. "He may be a flirt, but he's capable. You've all seen what kind of person he is. If he truly wanted to take you both by force, there's nothing we could do to stop him. And with his status, people would only flatter him for it."
"So, if he truly loves both of you," she continued, "then I'll give him a chance to prove he's worthy."
Yukino pursed her lips, feeling conflicted.
That guy… he really followed through on his insane request.
And Mother… actually agreed to it.
She sighed, her thoughts drifting to Nozomi.
What's he doing right now?
Is he with Mahiru? Or maybe Sayu?
...
Would he be that bold to bully them?
Part of her… kind of wanted to be bullied too.
Suddenly, Yukino asked a question that had been bothering her.
"Mother… Today was such an important day. Isn't Father coming home for something like this?"
Mrs. Yukinoshita stiffened.
Could she tell her innocent daughter the truth—that her husband had likely gone off with another woman again?
Haruno sensed the tension and immediately swooped in to change the subject.
"Oh Yukino, you forgot? Father's a councilman now. His schedule is packed with social obligations. Besides, when it comes to engagement arrangements, Mom's opinion is what really matters."
Yukinoshita Yukino nodded gently and didn't pursue the topic any further. Even though her expression remained calm, a part of her heart ached. The father she had always looked up to as kind and dependable... Could he really have betrayed her mother?
She didn't want to believe it. But seeing the shadow in her mother's eyes, that doubt felt like a silent confirmation. She turned her gaze away. Her chest felt tight. This family—once so proud and dignified—now had a crack no one wanted to acknowledge.
"Sleep now, Yukino," her mother's voice was soft, but firm. "Starting tomorrow, your bridal training begins in earnest." "There are far too many girls hovering around that boy. I'll teach you how to win his heart properly."
Yukinoshita Haruno nearly rolled her eyes. (Training to be a bride? Seriously, mom?) Her thoughts swirled bitterly. Mother, you couldn't even hold onto father… You were always strict—imposing your expectations so tightly that father ended up drifting away. Are you really in any position to teach us how to love?
(T/N: Burn... .)
Haruno gave a small, practiced smile instead. She didn't voice her thoughts. That would only bring disappointment to their mother, who was trying so hard. She didn't have the strength to change anything—not their father's betrayal, not her mother's burdens. Could she ask Nozomi to take on that role? To become a pillar that could keep their mother smiling?
…No, she wouldn't do something so cruel.
While Haruno was tangled in quiet frustration, Yukino's expression began to shift. Her fingers clutched the edge of the blanket tightly as she made a small resolution in her heart.
—If this is the path I must take, then I'll walk it seriously.
She wasn't sure she could match her sister's strength or her mother's expectations, but… At the very least, she didn't want to lose to Haruno when it came to Nozomi.
They lay together in the same bed, the soft breathing of mother and daughters filling the room. Each had their own thoughts. But in that moment, the room was filled with a rare warmth.
They hadn't shared a bed like this since the girls were small. Now grown, they had drifted apart—emotionally more than physically. Yet tonight, wrapped in the same blanket, it felt like they were briefly back to being just a mother and her daughters.
Even those who seem invincible have quiet vulnerabilities. And the stronger the woman, the more tender the place where her guard drops.
Mrs. Yukinoshita, despite her elegant posture and cold aura, was no exception. She had ambitions—great ones. She trained Haruno as the future of the Yukinoshita family. She elevated her husband to the position of a powerful lawmaker. She wanted a family she could guide with her own hands, her own will.
But everything changed when she discovered Haruhiko's betrayal.
If life had gone differently, she would've been content to be the graceful wife supporting from the shadows. But reality had shattered that image.
Her husband was unreliable. She would have to build the family's future with her daughters—and now, with Nozomi.
Mrs. Yukinoshita closed her eyes with quiet determination. No matter what happened... That boy—Nozomi, the so-called "Son of God"—she would never let him slip away. For the sake of her daughters. For the future of the Yukinoshita name. She would hold on to him, no matter the cost.