At the Yukinoshita house, Mrs. Yukinoshita sat on the sofa, rubbing her temples as she replayed the last few days in her mind.
It was almost impossible to believe any of it had really happened.
The moment she returned to reality, everything looked exactly the same—like not even a second had passed—so her first instinct was that it had all been some kind of hallucination, but then she felt it.
Her angelic body. The abilities she'd carried back from the Apocalypse Game.
And every last shred of doubt evaporated.
Ding.
Her phone chimed on the table. She grabbed it immediately.
Tatsuki: "Yukino's completely fine. I'm glad you're okay too, ma'am—I was honestly worried about you."
Tatsuki: "Also, I need to tell you something. Unless you absolutely have to, don't reveal your power casually. This goes deeper than it looks."
Mrs. Yukinoshita's expression tightened. If even Tatsuki was saying it "went deeper," then it wasn't going to be something simple.
Mrs. Yukinoshita: "Understood. I'll keep it secret. I swear it in the name of Miyuki Yukinoshita."
Tatsuki: "Haha, you don't have to be that serious. I trust your character, ma'am."
Tatsuki: "By the way—Haruno mentioned you refused to move in with them over here?"
"…"
Mrs. Yukinoshita hadn't expected that question to come out of nowhere.
And her answer didn't change.
Mrs. Yukinoshita: "I think Haruno and Yukino having you is enough. The Yukinoshita family still needs me."
She assumed that would end it.
Instead, Tatsuki's reply made her freeze.
Tatsuki: "No. The people who really need you are Haruno and Yukino."
Tatsuki: "Your daughters don't need the Yukinoshita family. They need their mother. They need a real home—one that actually has you in it."
Tatsuki: "And… I need you too."
"!!!"
Her heart jumped hard enough that she felt it in her throat.
He needs me? Why would he say that—?
Before her thoughts could spiral any further, another message landed and yanked her back down.
Tatsuki: "I'll be honest with you, ma'am—this world is facing the Apocalypse. I need to unify every known source of strength."
Tatsuki: "You got something special from the Apocalypse Game too, right?"
Tatsuki: "I need you—more than the Yukinoshita family needs you."
"…"
She knew what he meant.
He meant her abilities. Her value as an ally.
And still—some reckless part of her mind insisted on hearing it another way.
That left her feeling oddly hollow… and, humiliatingly, a little hopeful anyway.
After a long, wordless stretch where she couldn't even name what she was feeling, Mrs. Yukinoshita clenched her teeth and typed her response.
Mrs. Yukinoshita: "I didn't realize you've all been carrying that kind of pressure."
Mrs. Yukinoshita: "If that's the case… I think I know what I need to do."
Mrs. Yukinoshita: "I'll liquidate the Yukinoshita family assets as quickly as I can and step away from the circle."
Mrs. Yukinoshita: "Tatsuki-kun—if it's for fighting the Apocalypse… please, use me as much as you need."
The second she hit send, her face went burning hot and her heart started hammering.
She'd meant to say use my power, but her fingers—like they had a mind of their own—had "accidentally" left out the most important word.
Now it read like something else entirely.
This is insane! He's going to misunderstand. Do I explain? Do I—?
Another message arrived before she could decide.
Tatsuki: "I will. I'll make good use of your strength."
"…"
So he understood what she meant.
That should've been a relief.
Instead, it made her mood dip in a way she didn't know how to justify.
He understood her intention… but she didn't understand her own heart.
Tatsuki: "After everything you've been through, you're probably exhausted—body and mind. Get some rest."
It was obviously just concern.
And yet Mrs. Yukinoshita's lips curved into a small smile anyway, a sweetness blooming across her tongue that she couldn't explain. (T/N: I didn't notice he was a milf killer)
…
At the Yuigahama house, Mrs. Yuigahama sat on the edge of her bed, mortified, hiding her face in both hands.
"What was I thinking… sending him a picture?"
And not just any picture.
A towel-wrapped shot right after a shower.
"Is he going to misunderstand…?"
Her stomach fluttered with nerves.
Then his reply came.
Tatsuki: "Got it. I'm glad you're home safe, ma'am."
…That looked like he didn't misunderstand.
Mrs. Yuigahama finally exhaled, but the relief barely lasted before something bitter rose in its place—half self-mockery, half disappointment.
"Of course he wouldn't… I'm an old woman. What kind of charm am I supposed to have left?"
And it wasn't like he didn't have options.
He had so many girlfriends—young, beautiful, full of energy… and honestly, bold as hell.
Like that cute girl with the twin-tails and little tiger fangs—Eriri.
Not only was she stunning, she was wildly open.
Mrs. Yuigahama had heard that intense night too.
She'd even left a crack in the door and—against every shred of common sense—listened for hours.
It had been… shocking.
With girlfriends like that, how could he possibly be interested in some middle-aged mom?
Yeah. I was overthinking it.
Ding.
Another new message.
Mrs. Yuigahama picked up her phone, calm again—until she read it.
Tatsuki: "You're really beautiful, ma'am. And your skin looks amazing too. Seriously—what's your secret?"
"Huh—?!"
Her emotions shot up like a roller coaster.
She typed back on reflex.
Mrs. Yuigahama: "Oh, come on… don't tease me, Tatsuki-kun. Yui's the one who's pretty—and her skin is so fair and lovely."
Tatsuki: "I'm not teasing. I can promise you this: your looks, your vibe, your skin—none of it loses to any girl here. Please trust my eye."
Mrs. Yuigahama's ears went hot. Being praised like that made warmth spread through her whole body.
Mrs. Yuigahama: "Then I'll accept the compliment… happily. Do you need anything else, Tatsuki?"
Tatsuki: "Yeah. There's something I need to tell you."
Tatsuki: "About you being pulled into the Apocalypse Game—and about you knowing my situation with the other girls—I already told Yui."
Tatsuki: "You're her mother, so I wanted to ask your opinion first."
Tatsuki: "I really hope you can bless me and Yui."
"!!!"
The words snapped her awake like cold water.
She lightly slapped her own cheeks.
"What am I doing…?"
In her head, she repeated it like a mantra.
I'm Yui's mom.
I'm Yui's mom.
I'm Yui's mom…
She couldn't afford to forget who she was.
Once her heartbeat settled, she typed back with a faint bitterness on her lips.
Mrs. Yuigahama: "If Yui insists… then I'll bless you."
Mrs. Yuigahama: "I believe you'll protect her and cherish her—always."
Tatsuki: "Thank you for trusting me. Yui will be so happy to hear that."
Tatsuki: "Alright, ma'am—I should get going. I'm heading back."
Mrs. Yuigahama: "O-Okay. You can come by my house sometime."
Tatsuki: "I will. I also need to understand what ability you gained."
Mrs. Yuigahama: "So you already know, huh? Then come see for yourself."
Tatsuki: "No problem."
She set the phone down and pressed a hand to her chest.
Her heart was still racing.
She could've just told him her ability directly. That would've been the sensible thing, but deep down… she didn't want to.
With her palm over her pounding heart, Mrs. Yuigahama whispered to herself.
"Am I… wanting to see Tatsuki-kun in person?"