Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 782, Section 196: Not Very Happy

Haruko and Blanca exchanged a deep look.

Both knew that the other knew the identity of a certain person and that the other had been paying attention to that person, but after exchanging a glance, they both tacitly looked away.

This is a tacit understanding.

After all, if a senior executive in military technology and a member of the Arasaka family stare at each other for too long in public, it will inevitably attract scrutiny.

If someone follows their gaze and discovers the figure they are all focusing on...
No matter how perfectly he disguises himself, the foxes around the conference table will etch their suspicions into their memories, and more scrutiny means greater risk—this is definitely not the outcome they want.

Haruko Arasaka and Blanca acted as if nothing had happened. One withdrew her gaze, while the other calmly took her seat with Chiyome by her side.

Haruko sat down at the table in the position to the left of the original head seat. Her seat was the third one from the left, in front of Kenichi Shiro and Vice President Sanada.

Although she is a member of the Arasaka family, she is not the only member of the Arasaka family who came today.

With all her elders present, this was the perfect spot for her to sit in.

Michiko Arasaka, who was originally sitting in the first seat on the left, saw her daughter arrive and, after thinking for a moment, moved to the second seat, choosing to be closer to her daughter.

Although it was only natural for her to sit in the first position given her influence in North America's Arasaka family—after all, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake—Arasaka Michiko didn't want another member of the Arasaka family who was coming to sit between her and her daughter. So, after hesitating for a moment, she took the seat herself.

"Mother."

Haruko turned her head slightly to look at Michiko Arasaka, who was sitting next to her, and nodded in acknowledgment. Her movements were very light, like a feather brushing across the water, yet they carried an undeniable elegance.

"Haruko."

Michiko's gaze lingered on her daughter—Haruko, dressed in a white dress, so pure it was almost blinding. As a mother, a strange light flashed in her eyes.

This was the first time she had seen her daughter dressed like this, and even with her discerning eye, she had to admit that Haruko looked stunning at that moment, perfectly inheriting the best features of both her and her husband.

But this isn't like Haruko.

Michiko knows her daughter very well.

Because she grew up in a large Japanese house, Haruko usually chooses clothes that are more traditional Japanese. She had never liked such a simple and Western-style outfit before.

Later in the public, Arasaka and New America will hold a “formal meeting” ceremony that was already agreed upon in a closed-door meeting. Haruko must appear in front of the public who think this is the formal meeting. Given her personality, why would she choose such a plain white dress?

It also
This is really
--so cute.

Michiko's pupils contracted slightly, and a mother-of-pearl-like halo appeared around the edge of her iris.

It wasn't the mechanical reflection of an implanted prosthetic eye, but rather a more primal, more intense emotion burning in her eyes. Her slender fingers unconsciously rubbed her clothes, the fabric making a soft rustling sound.

As a woman who once led a fashion revolution, Michiko Arakawa felt her aesthetic intuition pulsating. The color combinations, fabric choices, and tailoring schemes deep in her memory now shimmered like flowing water before her eyes.

She suddenly realized that Haruko's outfit might become a trendsetter for the new season—in this era of excessive embellishment, pure beauty is more impactful. Few mothers can resist the urge to dress up their daughters.

Michiko recalled the custom-made clothes that Haruko had rejected, and the special decorations that had been returned untouched. Her fingertips trembled slightly, as if she could already touch various matching options: pearl hair accessories, plain silver belts, gradient-dyed clothes—each idea was more perfect than the last.

But the next second, her thoughts suddenly shifted.

Therefore, this dress that perfectly showcases Haruko's beauty and cuteness could not possibly be Haruko's own choice.

Because her lovely and beautiful daughter has absolutely no idea how to bring out her own beauty.
Michiko's fingertips unconsciously traced across her palm. Haruko was always like this, only using those clumsy ways, like cherry blossoms in early spring, to quietly change color a little, hoping that someone could notice her delicate thoughts. Those subtle changes, almost imperceptible, were her only way of expressing herself.

So, Haruko, who gradually changed and hoped to show her openness through subtle changes, has now suddenly become someone she admires and finds adorable. It's definitely not something that happened overnight; rather, someone gently pushed her forward.

Someone made the decision for her.

Michiko suddenly thought of a sentence.

A quote that still resonates with me even though I received an American education from a young age, thanks to reading.

A woman adorns herself for the one who appreciates her.

Is that so?
So this is ah.

Michiko immediately thought of the young man she had met, the young man who had a 'friendship' with Haruko, as reported in her subordinates' reports.

if it is like this.
Well, that's true.
Michiko looked at Haruko, a barely perceptible smile appearing on her lips, before turning her head away, seemingly in a very good mood.

Haruko noticed the last look her mother gave her, and she saw in it a certain kind of scrutiny and delight.

But in that instant, she felt a strange sensation.

This feeling was like that of a spider searching for prey on a web gently touched by the wind, finding no source of the disturbance and feeling strange and curious about it.

What's with my mother's strange gaze and this inexplicable good mood?
Could it be that he has thought of something?
Looking at her mother's clothes and attire, which were still quite strange today and seemed too avant-garde and incomprehensible to her, Haruko suddenly shivered.

Could it be that my mother wants me to accept these strange clothes and decorations again? If so...
The thought of myself sporting a rooster-comb hairstyle similar to my mother's, dyeing it a strange color, and then wearing such a bizarre leather jacket...
Haruko's expression instantly calmed down.

Whenever Haruko thought about her mother's strange clothes, she felt very constrained and wary about clothing, which is why she rarely changed her clothes.

Having a mother like that will inevitably make you somewhat hesitant about your appearance, for fear of ending up looking like her.

but
A faint smile appeared on Haruko's lips.

Karl helped me choose my outfit today.

On the other side, Blanca sat facing Haruko. Looking at Haruko's faint smile, for some reason, she suddenly felt a little unhappy.

(End of this chapter)