The room fell silent again. Hayama looked like he was about to faint. Chikako stared at her daughter. For a long, agonizing moment, her face was unreadable. Then, slowly, the corners of her mouth twitched.
And then she smiled. It wasn't the cold, mocking smile from before. It was pleased, almost proud. "Well," she said, her voice surprisingly light. "It seems my kitten has finally grown claws."
Makoto opened his mouth, trying to say something to encourage Mika and stand with her. But his voice failed him. Instead, he simply put his hand on her shoulder and pulled her closer to him, like a silent and solid anchor.
Chikako watched his silent gesture with calculating eyes. She saw the way he didn't interrupt, didn't try to steal the spotlight, but simply stood as an unshakeable presence behind her daughter.
She let out a small "Hmph," the sound more thoughtful than dismissive. Then she turned away, walking back to the table. She poured herself another glass of water, the ice clinking softly in the sudden quiet. "You passed, boy," she said simply while her back was still turned.
Mika blinked, her defiance faltering for a second. "What?"
Chikako turned around, leaning against the table, her expression composed once more.
"He passed my test, Mika." She gestured vaguely at Makoto. "If he had agreed to the abortion, if he had hesitated, or if he had shown even a flicker of cowardice in the face of my threats… I would have destroyed him without a second thought."
She took a sip of water, her eyes fixed on Makoto over the rim of the glass. "He is trash," she stated matter-of-factly. "He is messy, unrefined, and entirely unsuitable for a Saionji. But he is stubborn and loyal trash. That is rare."
She set the glass down. "I will allow this," she declared, her tone final. "You may keep the baby and stay with him. I will not interfere with your unconventional household."
Mika let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, her knees almost buckling with relief. Makoto caught her, holding her steady.
"However," Chikako continued, raising a finger. "There are conditions. Real non-negotiable conditions."
She held up one finger. "One. The child will bear the Saionji name. My grandchild will not be an Ayasato or whatever common name you have. The Saionji line continues through her."
A second finger. "Two. You will receive no dowry. No trust fund access until you are thirty. You want to play house? You pay for it." She pointed a sharp nail at Makoto, "He is responsible for supporting you. If you struggle or if you starve, that is on you."
A third finger. "Three. If he ever lays a hand on you in anger, if he ever cheats on you without your permission, if he ever makes you cry for real… You come home immediately. And he will be dealt with."
She turned her gaze to Mika. "And for you, Mika… you will finish your university. You must maintain your grades and secure a respectable job, separate from this cosplay and Vtuber nonsense. You need a safety net. I will not have my daughter entirely dependent on a man's whims."
She paused, a flicker of something tired crossing her face. And embarrassment, maybe. "And finally," she added quickly, looking away. "You will send me photos every month. Updates on the pregnancy and the baby. I expect full documentation."
From the corner, Hayama finally found his voice. "Chikako…" he murmured, his tone soft but laced with a surprising firmness. "You're being too harsh on them. They're young and in love. Remember when we were like that?"
Chikako stiffened. She turned to her husband, her eyes flashing. "Quiet, Hayama," she snapped, but there was no real heat in it. "You know why I do this. You know what happened back then."
Hayama sighed, taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes. He looked at Makoto and Mika, his expression sad and gentle. "She's scared," he explained quietly, ignoring his wife's gasp. "Chikako had complications when Mika was born. The doctors said she couldn't have another."
"Mika is everything to her. Our miracle, our only legacy." He smiled weakly at Mika. "That's why she pushed you so hard, honey. She was terrified that if you weren't perfect, if you weren't strong, the world would eat you alive. And she'd be left with nothing."
Chikako's face turned a bright, angry red. "HAYAMA!" she barked. "Kneel! Now! You talk too much!"
Without a second's hesitation, Hayama dropped to his knees beside Makoto and Mika, bowing his head. "Sorry, Mistress," he murmured, though Makoto caught a fond smile on his lips.
Chikako glared at him, then huffed, smoothing her robe. She looked back at Makoto and Mika, her vulnerability hidden once more behind her mask of imperious control. "Well? Do you accept the terms? Or shall we go back to my first plan?"
Makoto hesitated, pondering for a while, before nodding. "That seems reasonable, Miss Chikako. We totally accept." He paused, gathering his courage. "But… can I make just a little request, as your future in-law?"
Chikako's eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion flaring. She tapped a manicured fingernail against her crossed arms. "You are pushing your luck, boy. You are already walking away with my daughter and my blessing, such as it is. What more could you possibly want?"
Beside him, Mika looked at him with wide eyes, a silent plea of "don't push it, idiot!" written on her face. Hayama, still kneeling, peeked up curiously.
"Speak," Chikako commanded, though her tone suggested that whatever he said better be good, or the deal was off. "But be warned: if you ask for money, I will have you thrown out the window."
"Umm, would you be present at our wedding? I wouldn't want Mika to be sad if her parents aren't there." Makoto gently caressed Mika's belly. "And join us when our little Aiko is born? We will let you hold her first."
The room went silent again. Mika's mouth opened slightly in shock, her eyes darting between him and her mother. She hadn't expected that. She expected him to ask for leniency, or maybe for them to keep the secret. But this…
Chikako stared at him. For a moment, she looked completely taken aback, her formidable composure cracking just a hair. Her eyes flickered to Mika's stomach, then back to his face.
"Aiko, love child?" she repeated softly, testing the name. "Hmm. A bit sentimental, but acceptable." She turned away, walking to the window to look out at the city lights. Her back was stiff, her shoulders rigid.
"You are bold, kid," she said, her voice unusually quiet. "Assuming you will make it to a wedding. Assuming the child will be born healthy." She paused to take a slow breath. "But yes," she said without turning around. "If you manage to pull together a ceremony that isn't a complete embarrassment, then we will attend."
She cleared her throat. "And holding the child first…" She glanced back over her shoulder, her pink eyes softer than Makoto had ever seen them. "That is acceptable. It is my right as the grandmother, after all. To ensure the child is properly inspected."
Mika let out a choked sound that might have been a sob or a laugh. "Mother…"
"Don't get emotional, Mika," Chikako snapped, turning back to face them, her armor slamming back into place. "It will ruin your makeup."
She clapped her hands once. "Now, get out! You've ruined my evening enough. Take your man and leave. I have a husband to discipline." She glanced down at Hayama, who was still kneeling obediently. He gave a small shiver of anticipation.
As Makoto and Mika turned to leave, Mika stopped at the door. A mischievous, familiar glint entered her eye. She couldn't resist; she needed to win one last point.
"By the way, Mother," she said, her voice light and innocent. "The taxi driver on the way up mentioned a rumor. Something about a famous, strict judge who was seen sneaking around with his mistress in this area."
She gestured to her father in his yukata and her mother in her silk robe. "I guess the rumors were half right? Though I didn't know Father had it in him to have a mistress."
Chikako froze. Then, a slow smile spread across her face. It was the most unsettling expression they'd seen all night. "Oh, Mika," she purred, walking over to where Hayama was kneeling. She lifted her foot and rested it on his shoulder, her toes curling into the fabric of his yukata. "You really have so much to learn."
Chikako looked at Makoto, her eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "Your father wouldn't dare to get any mistress, aside from me." She pressed her foot down, forcing Hayama to lower his head until his forehead touched the floor.
"Lick," she commanded softly. Without hesitation, Hayama leaned forward and kissed her instep, then began to worshipfully lick her ankle.
Chikako looked back at Makoto and Mika, her smile widening as she saw their shocked expressions. "You see?" she said, gesturing to her husband. "This is what total devotion looks like. You have a long way to go before you can train a man this well, Mika!"
She winked, actually winked, at Makoto. "Maybe I should give you some lessons, incest? You seem like you have potential."
Mika turned bright red, grabbing Makoto's arm. "OKAY! WE'RE LEAVING! GOODBYE!" She practically dragged Makoto out the door and into the hallway, slamming it shut behind them.
As the lock clicked, they could hear Chikako's laughter, rich and genuinely happy, echoing from inside.