Haruno still wore a flawless smile. She always handled things this way, making it impossible for others to find fault, giving off an impression of warmth and brightness.
"Aunt, as you can see, I'm not very familiar with Fujiwara-kun. If I hadn't run into you, I wouldn't even know I had that kind of connection with him."
The implication behind Haruno's words was actually a refusal. She didn't want to do anything to help her aunt.
It wasn't that she had a bad relationship with her, just that Haruno didn't think this was something she should get involved in.
Her surname was Yukinoshita, and her loyalty was to the Yukinoshita family. Her aunt's surname was now Fujiwara, and with the broken relationship between her aunt and her mother, she had long ceased to be a part of the Yukinoshita.
"Haruno, you've always been clever since you were little and understand how the world works. Although I haven't seen you much, I've heard others speak highly of you."
"I believe with your ability, Haruno, you can definitely build a good relationship with Toru."
Madam Fujiwara was starting to panic. She was clearly desperate, like a drowning person grabbing at straws. She clung to any hope she could find.
Haruno still had a smile on her face, but her expression turned slightly colder.
If Yukino had been here, she probably would've said something blunt and unpleasant, and the relationship would've ended right there.
But as the older sister, Haruno was better at navigating social situations. She couldn't say those seemingly rational but actually ruthless things her sister often did.
Still, she spoke with thinly veiled irritation. "Aunt, I don't know what happened between you and Fujiwara-kun to make you act like this, or why you'd try to use me."
"But what I want to say is, there are things that I shouldn't interfere with. If there's a problem, you should solve it yourself and maintain a good relationship with Fujiwara-kun."
Madam Fujiwara's eyes reddened. There were things she didn't want to say to Haruno. As an elder, it felt too shameful.
But now, she couldn't care about that anymore. She said urgently,
"Of course I understand that. I want to get along with Fujiwara-kun too. I'm no longer as impulsive as I was when I was young. I genuinely hope to get along with him as his stepmother."
"But even your uncle, Toru's own father, hardly pays him any attention. What can I do as a stepmother? And he doesn't even live at the Fujiwara household, so I don't have any opportunity to interact with him."
"Haruno, please, Aunt is begging you, okay? I really have no other choice."
"Old Master Fujiwara never liked me. Now that he finally has a grandson, he treasures him like gold."
"Your uncle has been cold to me these past few years. Now that his son is back, if... if my relationship with him doesn't improve, he'll definitely divorce me."
"If I get divorced, what will I do? The Yukinoshita can't take me back. You know your mother's personality. She's too strong-willed and would never accept me again. When that happens, I'll truly have nowhere to go."
Madam Fujiwara wiped away her tears, choking up as she spoke.
Seeing her aunt cry, Haruno felt her resolve waver.
She wasn't a cold or heartless person. Although her actions often leaned toward being pragmatic, that was how the Yukinoshita raised her, not her true nature.
Haruno's expression softened.
She understood her aunt very well. She had married into the Fujiwara at a young age and become a full-time housewife, without any skills or professional capabilities of her own.
If her uncle really divorced her, the Fujiwara wouldn't kick her out with nothing, but at best, she'd receive a small monthly allowance.
Given her aunt's extravagant lifestyle, there was no way she could accept such a drastic downgrade.
Her aunt was right. After a divorce, there would be no place for her in the Yukinoshita. Her mother had inherited the entire family estate and even married someone she didn't love to protect the family legacy. That came with the price of claiming everything under the Yukinoshita name.
Originally, Grandpa had planned to leave a portion of the inheritance to her aunt, but at the time, her aunt had been young and brash, thinking she didn't need any of it since she had married into the powerful Fujiwara family.
She probably regretted that decision now, but there's no medicine for regret in this world.
Seeing the change in Haruno's expression, Madam Fujiwara seized the opportunity and pressed harder.
"Haruno, you can't just watch Aunt end up with nothing, can you?"
"Besides, I've contributed too. The Yukinoshita's current success was partly due to support from the Fujiwara."
"The future property of the Yukinoshita will all be yours. Building a relationship now with the next head of the Fujiwara is in the best interest of the Yukinoshita, don't you think?"
"I'm not asking you to do anything major. Just get a little closer to Fujiwara-kun, mention Aunt occasionally, help reduce the hostility he might feel toward me."
Madam Fujiwara pleaded earnestly.
She was very satisfied with her current life.
Even though her husband was increasingly distant, he had never cut back on her spending. She could buy anything she wanted.
Every day was filled with spa treatments and social events with other elite wives.
Thanks to her husband's political status and his Fujiwara background, she held a high position among the noble social circles. Even other high-ranking ladies had to be polite when speaking to her.
How could she ever give up such a life?
This was the dream life of countless women, the life of a high-society wife.
Even her own sister, now the head of the Yukinoshita, seemed to be doing well on the surface. But in truth, she had to live cautiously every day and was constantly under pressure.
The Yukinoshita was too small. A single wave could destroy it entirely.
Families like the Fujiwara, solid as a rock, were rare in Japan. They stood tall and could weather any storm.
"Since you've said this much, Aunt, I'll try to reach out to Fujiwara-kun more often."
Haruno finally gave in.
She didn't feel much resistance toward approaching a man on her own initiative. After all, it was for the Yukinoshita's benefit.
But was it really okay to approach someone with such an ulterior motive?
The thought had barely formed when Haruno shook her head, forcing it away.
She couldn't afford to think like her sister. Yukino lived in an ivory tower, too protected from the world. Let me, the older sister, shoulder these things instead.
But somewhere deep inside, Haruno vaguely wondered, was this really the kind of life she wanted?
Madam Fujiwara was overjoyed. "Good, good. Haruno, if you have time, you must come visit Aunt's house. I'll treat you well."
"Yes, I understand."
Haruno's smile remained bright, but her reply was perfunctory.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)