Chapter 78: Mrs. Yukinoshita's Proposal of Marriage.
....
For the remainder of the drive, a rare silence filled the car. Haruno, usually a fountain of playful chatter, was uncharacteristically quiet, her gaze fixed out the window. Seito found it odd but didn't pry.
Half an hour later, the sedan pulled up before the grand Yukinoshita estate. Seito stepped out, smoothing his clothes with practiced elegance. He even pulled out a small pocket mirror to ensure not a single hair was out of place.
The Yukinoshita sisters' father had passed away back in their middle school years, leaving Mrs. Yukinoshita as the sole head of the household. Thinking of her, Seito felt a slight ripple in his composure. It wasn't that he was "aiming" for the matriarch, but as someone whose past-life roots traced back to the lands once ruled by Cao Cao, he felt it was only right to uphold the "Prime Minister's Legacy" of appreciating refined, mature beauty.
Seeing that he looked presentable, Seito straightened his back and walked between the two sisters. "Let's head in."
Inside, the villa was exactly as he remembered: luxurious yet understated, with furniture that exuded quiet authority. They headed upstairs and entered Mrs. Yukinoshita's private receiving room. Seito's eyes immediately fell upon a woman sitting on the sofa, her every movement the definition of grace as she sipped her tea.
"It's been a long time, Auntie," Seito said, stepping forward.
The beautiful woman turned. Her skin was flawlessly maintained, making her look no older than twenty-eight. When she smiled, it was a display of effortless charm and piercing intelligence.
"Sit," she said simply.
Seito took his place on the sofa opposite her. Haruno naturally sat down to his left, leaning in with a giggle. "Mother, I've brought Seito-chan~"
Yukino, however, looked stiff and formal. "Mother."
"Mm. Go ahead and sit, Yukino." At her mother's nod, Yukino took the empty spot to Seito's right. Seito was slightly surprised—both sisters were flanking him instead of sitting with their mother. It was a good thing none of them were particularly large, or it would have been a tight squeeze.
"Auntie, it's been over a year," Seito began with an elegant smile.
"Indeed." Mrs. Yukinoshita studied him. "I remember when you were just a little boy following Yukino home to play." Her eyes softened with a flicker of memory. A year ago, Seito's poise and manners had been so refined she assumed he was a scion of some massive conglomerate from the Mainland. Discovering he was "just a commoner" had piqued her curiosity. He had always been humorous yet respectful, a rare combination.
Now, that "little boy" was the world's top-ranked player. Fate was truly a fickle thing. She shared a brief, meaningful look with Haruno, whose cheeks instantly flushed a faint pink.
"Seito, I suspect you know why I invited you here today."
"I do," Seito nodded. "Rest assured, I will look after the Yukinoshita family's interests in the game. Even if you hadn't asked, Haruno is already an Executive in my guild. I would have protected your family regardless."
"I expected as much from you," she replied before shifting the topic seamlessly. "Seito, you're seventeen now, aren't you?"
"Yes." Seito was confused by the sudden change in direction.
"You'll be an adult next year. How would you feel about forming a formal engagement with the Yukinoshita family?"
"Eh??" Seito blinked. There are benefits like this?
Next to him, Yukino jumped, her heart skipping a beat. Her face turned a deep crimson. In her mind, she was the logical choice—they were the same age and had been friends since middle school. Her brain went into a dizzying fog. She wanted to say something sharp and "tsundere" to mask her embarrassment, but her voice failed her.
"And who... exactly... would the partner be?" Seito asked tentatively.
Mrs. Yukinoshita looked directly at her eldest daughter. "My eldest, Haruno."
Yukino: "???"
The "Flatty" of the family froze into a statue. But Mrs. Yukinoshita didn't notice. She had analyzed the situation perfectly. In this new era, God's Domain would be the dominant force for the next decade. Aligning with the top player was the only way to ensure the family's future.
Her plan was clear: one daughter would marry Seito to secure the family legacy, while the other would be free to pursue her own path. And while she was a pragmatist, she loved her daughters. She had seen how Haruno looked at Seito.
Even now, the usually bold and mischievous Haruno had her head bowed low, her ears turning red. For all her social prowess, talking about her own marriage was enough to make her retreat into a shell of shyness.
Seito was genuinely shocked. He had assumed it would be Yukino. But Haruno?
Not bad at all... he thought. Haruno was brilliant, shared his twisted sense of humor, and was incredibly capable. She'd be a powerhouse partner during the day—and he had a feeling she'd be just as "capable" at night.
.....
Thank you for reading.