Under the intrigued gazes of Mama Yuigahama and Haruno, and the worried looks from his two girlfriends and one little sister, Yuu and Saori walked toward the black sedan.
Haruno tried to follow without hesitation but was driven back to her sister's side by their mother's sharp glare. The perceptive driver lowered the car window, allowing them to speak at normal volume without being overheard.
"What did you want to discuss with me?"
Following the elegant steps of the kimono-clad lady, as she stopped and turned, Yuu asked first.
Though his tone was far from rude, leading the conversation rhythm ahead of an elder was uncivilized.
Saori raised her finely arched brows, suddenly lifting her folded hinoki fan and swinging it toward him.
But due to height differences and the discomfort of raising her arm too high in a kimono, she could only lightly tap his shoulder as punishment.
"Though I can't demand too much from a high schooler from common folk, you must understand the responsibilities you'll bear from now on."
Yuu blinked, looking slightly surprised: "...As the Yukinoshita family's son-in-law, I mustn't tarnish their name and ethics?"
"Since you understand, was that intentional just now?" Saori smiled, but her gentle eyes radiated danger.
"No, I'm just used to it." Yuu bowed obediently, quickly placing himself in the mindset of a compliant son-in-law.
Seeing him silently wait for her to speak, Saori finally nodded in satisfaction: "If you and Yukino are dating with marriage in mind, get used to handling things like this in the future... Though major family matters are handled by Haruno, and her future husband may hold great power, that doesn't mean you can still act recklessly under the Tenkiji name."
"I'll remember—I won't disappoint you!"
Nodding slightly, Yuu met her gaze and answered seriously. His eyes were so resolute no one could doubt his words.
This wasn't his first such test—previously, while dating Haruno at the amusement park, Saori had said something similar.
To marry a Yukinoshita daughter, one must be ready to shoulder responsibility.
Though not as heavy as Haruno's as the eldest, Yukino also carried unavoidable family burdens. She wasn't an ordinary girl but the second daughter of the Yukinoshita family. Whether marrying her or becoming a son-in-law, to be with her, Yuu had to be aware of joining the Yukinoshita family.
So, whatever answer he gave back then, Yuu would naturally give now... In fact, having grown, he now learned to draw conclusions and seal all gaps perfectly.
"You can trust my potential, learning ability, and strength. In a few years, I'll manage Tenkiji Network well, not becoming a parasite dependent on a great family. And in this information age, wherever the Yukinoshita family wants to expand business in the future, they'll grow stronger with my help... Hard to believe? No problem—give me a week, I'll write this into an essay and send it to your desk."
He once again displayed a professional presentation demeanor, but this time, his handsome face carried a gentle smile—like a young man showcasing his strengths and achievements to relatives.
Time passed quickly—even counting, not yet half a year.
Yuu was long no longer an ordinary teen who could only boast ideals or use superpowers against elders.
They wanted reality—give reality; future—give future; money—show money; ability—show ability.
To elders, ten sentences might not equal one ownership proof.
He understood this more than anyone.
All his efforts and accumulated assets thus far were prepared to reassure future mothers-in-law in entrusting their daughters to him.
In dating, Yuu never played around.
"R-really... I understand. No need to trouble yourself—time will prove everything."
Saori was slightly flustered by his attitude, snapping open her fan with a clack, covering her graceful lower face, sighing lightly in difficulty.
She truly didn't understand why, just as she started testing, Yuu already knew what she wanted to say, sealing her mouth with swift, airtight actions like damming a flood—rendering her prepared words useless.
That flawless counterattack was even harder to handle than business trickery.
"Mmm..."
Feeling dominated by this youth, Saori unconsciously pouted slightly behind her fan, narrowed eyes sweeping over the seemingly confused Yuu.
But thinking again—what was wrong with being dominated? It showed his intelligence and caution!
As a future Yukinoshita son-in-law, the backbone to manage great business and prosper descendants, the more his abilities surprised and even embarrassed his mother-in-law, the better.
Saori immediately smiled in relief.
As for Yuu's character—no need to say more.
Both his firm attitude at lunch and his confident future assurances now showed that though complex-minded, he was also innocently amusing.
He took no shortcuts, wouldn't fool her with sweet words, eyes always on the beautiful future he set—thus dealing equally with her. Smarter, he could choose better ways, yet faced her honestly, laying everything out, hoping she'd feel secure entrusting her daughter.
Seeing through the surface to the core.
Only in Yukino-related matters did Yuu give her the feeling of a seventeen-year-old high schooler—both rash and naive.
Not bad—Saori quite liked, or rather appreciated and was full of hope for, such a youth.
...The only flaw was Yuu played the field too much.
Fine—use this point to teach him a lesson!
So in the future he wouldn't underestimate seniors, and Yukino wouldn't be influenced!
"Ahem."
Gathering her scattered thoughts, Saori cleared her throat twice, slightly closing her eyes, speaking casually.
"Tenkiji-kun, I said before—your talent isn't the key to approving your dating Yukino. Whether you can bring happiness to my daughter, stay faithful to her for life—that's what matters most to me as a mother."
Yuu was surprised, then answered: "I understand."
"Do you really?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Saori's eyes widened. Like a blizzard sweeping, cold authority pressure enveloped him.
"I know your relationship is good, and I believe Yukino can find happiness with you... But do you know what foolish decision you've made yourself?"
"...Dating two people at once." Yuu pressed his lips, gazing calmly—neither humble nor arrogant.
The fan slowly closed, lightly tapping her soft palm twice.
"True—men from great families have many wives and concubines; it's common among elites... Though the Yukinoshita family has no precedent, if Yukino herself doesn't mind, I can't say anything."
On this, Saori really wanted to strangle her eldest daughter.
(When I needed support most, Haruno turned and ruined plans for her sister and future brother-in-law... Great—wasted my advice when she suffered in love, you traitor!)
(Decided—someday when Haruno brings her boyfriend home, I'll make it twice as hard!)
Gritting teeth and deciding inwardly, her face showed only slight brow furrowing. Saori continued in a softening tone: "But can you truly guarantee equal treatment from now on?"
"Japan doesn't allow polygamy. Who will be the legal wife? What about the other? Does she deserve to feel inferior as a mistress?"
Yuu: "..."
Seeing him silent, Saori took her fan, gently poking his chest.
As if questioning his conscience, her graceful melodic voice carried heavy weight.
"In the future when both are pregnant, can you as a husband truly care for both wives' sensitive feelings and physical conditions during pregnancy?"
"Even without going that far—your publicly acknowledged school girlfriend is only Yuigahama-san, right? Hmph—bold enough to make Yukino your mistress; your courage isn't small..."
"So even now you can't treat them fairly—no need to speak of the future. Will you secretly compensate Yukino, letting Yuigahama-san see? Or pamper Yuigahama-san, letting Yukino silently endure?"
Saori withdrew her fan, shaking her head—her soft, thin lips curving in an ambiguous arc, unclear if mockery or bitter smile.
"No matter what you do, your heart can't split in two. Liking two at once—someone will get hurt... Especially after tasting affair's pleasures, men's self-control drops drastically—hard to say it'll stop at two."
"Tenkiji-kun, this is a problem you'll surely face. Skip the long talk—can you, in your own words, tell me how to make both equally happy?"
She slightly lifted her head but gazed down at Yuu's eyes.
The Yukinoshita family head finally displayed her true aura and dignity.
Though only in casual chat-like soft tone, her clear, firm words pressed heavily—like a soft knife at the throat, urging without breathing room, full of pressure yet standing on truth—unrefutable, only submission and listening.
The future is unpredictable; happiness isn't money—yet Saori pressed firmly, cold sharp gaze locked on Yuu's face, impossible to miss any guilt or nervousness.
"...Impossible."
But after brief silence, Yuu said words that shocked her.
"What..."
"I said—equal is impossible, forever impossible." Yuu shrugged helplessly, sighing at Saori's slightly parted lips, "I don't think I ever said after dating them I could give equal love... Too arrogant—no normal person can do that."
As Saori was about to speak, Yuu raised a hand, politely stopping her, then continued.
"I'm human—I'll play favorites, and I know who I truly like more now... I'll feel guilty for such thoughts, and interact with compensation mentality—even knowing it hurts them more."
"Sorry—from past to now, I've never done one thing perfectly."
Yuu smiled, gazing honestly at Saori—unaffected by her intimidating eyes.
"Though capable, in love I'm just an ordinary high schooler."
"At best, I can only try to make them smile, and compensate for all hurts they suffer—from now to the future."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The luxury car door slowly closed, isolating the cold wind outside.
Saori watched the passing scenery through the window, glancing at the rearview mirror's group of high schoolers seeing her off, her fingers unconsciously stroking the hinoki fan handle.
Then she couldn't help sighing, holding her smooth forehead, showing a defeated look.
"So—you can visit Yukino often. If she shows the slightest unhappiness, feel free to bring bodyguards to beat me—I won't resist at all... Realistic enough to present strict-format future plans, yet naive enough to confidently say such words."
"Tenkiji Yuu—this person is truly hard to understand..."
"Right, right~" Haruno, initially annoyed at being forced into the car by her mother, immediately curled her lips and smiled hearing this.
Snorting twice proudly, she suddenly rolled her eyes, leaning her head to the front seat, proposing innocently: "Since you can't separate them anyway—how about ignoring the situation for now and letting time decide everything?"
Saori glared annoyedly: "I was already thinking that... Seems you're very satisfied with your future brother-in-law."
"Hmm..." Haruno pursed lips and frowned, saying seriously, "Half dissatisfied, half satisfied! If just about himself—after long interaction, no one should hate him."
"Unexpectedly high praise..." Missing the hidden tone in Haruno's words, Saori suddenly opened her fan, covering her smiling lips, "Then Haruno—when will you bring your boyfriend home? I'm eager to meet him."
"That..." For some reason, Haruno suddenly averted her gaze guiltily, fingers twisting a chest hair strand, looking hesitant.
Saori raised a brow: "What? Don't tell me you failed? He's the first man to receive your handmade gift."
"No—not failed, just the situation's a bit complicated..." After thinking, Haruno showed an indifferent expression, spreading hands and shrugging, "Relax—thanks to your visit this time, I have a plan in mind... But it needs time before official execution—now just wait for the right moment."
She also looked out the window at the receding school gate, slowly narrowing her eyes with a light fox-like smile.
"Later—I'll definitely bring my boyfriend home for you to see."
The mother in the front seat leaned close like a curious child, blinking: "What plan—tell me so I can give input?"
"Input in your head." Haruno politely pushed this wife's head back, "Even if I say now, you'll forget sooner or later anyway. Better not."
"What do you mean?" Saori frowned, pursing lips unhappily, "Doubting the Yukinoshita family head's memory?"
Haruno rolled eyes, mouth corners sneering: "Daring to claim good memory—yet forgetting everything about that incident..."
Saori's eyes bulged, fan closing with a clack: "Haruno—explain yourself!"
"Lick-lick-lick—I said nothing~"
The black sedan sped along the highway.
Cold wind howled outside the window; the mother-daughter quarrel over a small issue was heard only by the focused driver and the cat doll hanging from the rearview mirror.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After seeing off the two troublemakers, Yuu turned and exchanged glances with the girls—everyone understood, showing relieved smiles.
"What did you say to Mom?"
"Future assurances—and promises to make you both happy forever."
"So—back to Yuu-kun's specialty in sweet-talking?"
"What nonsense—can you call it sweet talk to a mother-in-law... It's strategic communication."
"Yuu-kun—your playboy aura's getting stronger..."
"Just your feeling—nothing purer than me."
"Liar."
They chatted merrily, about to walk shoulder-to-shoulder back to the festive school building.
Pressing her palm to her smooth cheek, Mama Yuigahama slightly tilted her head, narrowed eyes looking a bit confused, but her soft tone said to them:
"I say—you all—there's still one mother-in-law here who hasn't left... This discriminatory treatment—Mama thinks it's very unfair."