"Are you only allowed to arrange a blind date for me, but I can't bring my boyfriend, Mother?"
Asuna glared at the smiling man beside her mother, a wave of aversion rising in her chest.
Only when she looped her right arm through Hiro's did she feel a bit of relief.
"From the beginning, I had no intention of going on a blind date. My own husband can only be chosen by me-not by you, by Father, or by anyone else!"
Looking directly into her mother's eyes, Asuna's gaze was firm and unwavering.
As the eldest daughter and older sister to Yuuki Mikan, she had grown up fulfilling her parents' expectations. Today, however, she finally rebelled. She said no to the woman in front of her: "Mother."
"This isn't just your problem."
Yuuki Kyouko's frown deepened as she glanced at the calm-faced boy beside her daughter. A bad premonition inexplicably rose in her heart.
"Your father is aging, and Rect Inc. cannot be left to outsiders. As the heir, Sugou Nobuyuki is perfect. You can't only think of yourself; you have to consider your father, your sister, and our family's future."
Sugou Nobuyuki... so it's him.
Hiro's tea-colored eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the man opposite him, a false smile on his face with malice faintly visible beneath.
Though Sugou Nobuyuki's acting was flawless to ordinary eyes-enough to deceive Yuuki Shouzou and Kyouko-Hiro saw the malice clearly, like a bright light in the dark.
Even the "Non-Killing Owl" in the distance seemed aware, glancing at Sugou Nobuyuki's back from time to time.
Find a time to release Diodora and deal with this thing as soon as possible.
Silently deciding this, Hiro shifted his gaze away from Sugou Nobuyuki.
"...Even if I get married, I will find a man like Hiro-kun-not that guy beside you! If you want to get married, you can divorce Father and marry him yourself!"
Asuna's voice rose as she fully let go of herself, glaring at her biological mother.
"How dare you speak to your mother like that!"
Bang!
Yuuki Kyouko slammed her hand on the table and stood, swinging her right hand toward Asuna's cheek.
If it had landed, there would have been a handprint at the very least, possibly even blood.
Impossible! With Hiro by her side, he wouldn't allow it.
Snap~
"Auntie, let's talk things out. Raising your hand is a bit too much, don't you think?"
Hiro caught Yuuki Kyouko's hand after the fact, speaking calmly to the eyes that seemed to burn with fury.
"That's right, Kyouko-obasan. Raising your hand isn't right."
Beside her, Sugou Nobuyuki chimed in with his false smile, trying to dissuade her.
Yuuki Kyouko, however, had no intention of listening.
She shook off Hiro's hand, glaring at him resentfully. Her voice sharpened:
"This is a family matter of the Yuuki family! What does it have to do with an outsider like you?! Sugou Nobuyuki is the man my husband and I jointly chose-the future heir of Rect Inc.! Who are you? What makes you worthy of Asuna?"
"Enough!"
Hearing her words escalating, Asuna could no longer hold back.
She stood, her tone sharp with disappointment.
"Mother, let's end it here today. Hiro-kun, let's go."
All the shop's tables were round, except for the long table in front of the counter. It avoided deciding who should leave first.
Asuna pulled Hiro forward, and he glanced back at Yuuki Kyouko and Sugou Nobuyuki.
Click~
"Wait..."
Yuuki Kyouko tried to step forward, but couldn't move.
Not a finger. Not a word. Her breathing remained normal, but her body refused all commands.
What's going on? Am I haunted?
No, it's the 21st century. Superstitions don't exist. Then... why?
Unable to move or speak, Yuuki Kyouko could only watch her daughter and a stranger walk past, the sound of footsteps gradually fading.
Sugou Nobuyuki, beside her, was also frozen. The difference: even his ability to breathe had been temporarily deprived.
"Asuna, you go ahead. I'll pay the bill and come."
"Okay."
The girl released her tightly held hand and quickly moved toward the staircase at the end.
"Three thousand yen in total."
Hiro handed three 1,000-yen bills to Yoshimura Kuzen and put away his wallet.
Just as he was about to follow Asuna, a soft voice came from the front:
"Need any help?"
Hmm?
Hiro raised an eyebrow, stopping to look at the kind-faced white-haired old man.
"The ghouls in Tokyo are rampant. Anyone could encounter misLuck-what do you think?"
So considerate... even though it's the first time I've met him.
Hiro nodded slightly.
"The woman is Asuna's mother. Nothing can happen to her."
"Don't worry. I understand that."
Yoshimura Kuzen said it confidently.
If I killed Yuuki Kyouko and Eto found out... that would be a very serious problem.
I don't want her daughter resenting me.
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