All the people who like me are other people’s girlfriends! ?

As if she felt that the umbrella blocked her vision, Yukinoshita Haruno simply put it away, and her medium-length hair swayed gently in the fine snow.

"Is there a way to be completely honest?" Kiyono asked.

"OK."

“Everyone might get hurt,” Yukino Yukinoshita said.

"Just hold hands again."

"Can I face this properly?" Yukinoshita Haruno asked again.

"I believe you."

Her lips opened and closed, as if she wanted to say something else, but at this moment, light footsteps were heard from behind. They turned around at the same time and saw Yukinoshita Yukino holding an umbrella, who was even purer than the pure snow.

However, the moment the girl opened her mouth, she destroyed the atmosphere.

"An exam isn't a sprint race, why are you running so fast?"

Yukinoshita said helplessly.

"Because you're anxious to see your sister."

After casually interjecting, Yukino Shino composed herself, turned to her sister, and asked with concern, "Yukino, how do you feel about your performance?"

"Who do you think I am?"

Yukinoshita Yukino's bright black eyes were filled with seriousness and confidence, without any flickering or evasion, she was still the same as always.

"Well, I believe Yukino. This means that you can all get into this university."

Yukino Yukinoshita looked at the two people in front of her, narrowed her eyes vaguely, and continued speaking as if she had some feelings to express:

"You'll be college students soon, and you might feel a little lonely."

Yukino Yukinoshita raised an eyebrow: "Does your older sister feel lonely too?"

"Maybe it's more fragile than you think."

Yukino walked up to her sister with a smile, shared an umbrella with her, and said in a serious tone, "Will loneliness end in sadness?"

“Perhaps sadness and loneliness are two sides of the same coin,” Kiyono replied just as seriously.

"You two are a little weird today."

It's still a bit strange and uncomfortable. It seems that they are getting more and more in sync... Yukinoshita Yukino glanced at them and let out a light sigh.

Yukinoshita smiled brightly: "Will this be the last time?"

"Finally..." Yukino Yukinoshita seemed to have thought of something, her chest felt a little tight, and her thoughts were a little chaotic.

"Well, our winter."

Yukinoshita Haruno raised her head and looked at the snowflakes falling from the silver-gray sky. The snowflakes landed on her eyelashes and quickly melted into tiny water droplets.

The seasons march on, and the wind blowing from the snow is a little chilly.

Will we be able to see such pure white snow in the coming winters?

Will they still be able to have such easy conversations next season?

Magic mirror, magic mirror.

——Even if I am the remaining snow that will melt in the spring.

*

That afternoon, two ordinary express deliveries were delivered to Yukinoshita's home.

The family gathered together, looking at the honor that symbolized the highest institution of learning, feeling filled with emotion. The one who was most moved was undoubtedly Yukinoshita's mother. Two people in the family had entered Akamon, and considering Kiyono's literary achievements, Yukinoshita would be considered a family of scholars in the future.

At this moment, Yukinoshita Haruno and Yukinoshita Yukino's eyes met, and they both understood.

——The time has come to make choices and give answers.

*

A mournful cherry blossom snow was falling in the century-old courtyard, a thin layer of frost condensed on the dry landscape in front of the porch, and the hollow sound of adding water to the bamboo tube made the flower petals that accidentally fell into the pool look like lonely red corals.

Yukinoshita Haruno and Yukinoshita Yukino walked along the bluestone path. They had walked on this path for more than ten years, leaving countless traces. They could walk through it with their eyes closed, but this time their steps were cautious and slow, as if they would lose something.

Yang No looked at her sister's profile with a gentle gaze as if she was looking at some precious treasure.

In the end, it was Yukinoshita Haruno who quickened her pace first and walked into the tea room, with Yukinoshita following behind.

Three people, three cups of tea.

The floor was still covered with tatami mats, and the three members of the Yukinoshita family were kneeling in their respective seats. The atmosphere was slightly tense, and the hot steam rising from the tea could not dispel the coldness.

They all tacitly agreed not to invite Qingye to participate in the conversation because he would make things more complicated.

Snowflakes are whispering outside the door.

Yukinoshita's mother and Yukino both had serious expressions and sat upright, but Yukinoshita Haruno seemed nonchalant, with one hand supporting her chin and her pupils unfocused... She even had the leisure to think about irrelevant things.

What is the inheritance system like in other large families? Is it a bloody, life-and-death struggle? Or is it a harmonious and friendly relationship among brothers?

If it is a chaebol aristocrat, it must be the former. If it is an ordinary family property, it must be the latter. The Yukinoshita family is just stuck in the middle of the two, extremely ambiguous, just like the current relationship of their family.

Even so, other girls envy Yukinoshita Haruno, who controls the family as a woman, has money and power, which is completely different from relying on men.

But Yukinoshita Haruno has lost her mind. She has persisted until now only out of a sense of responsibility. Although she has done everything perfectly out of a sense of responsibility, her mother is obviously not satisfied. She has also lost her goal and now only wants to play music... This home is like a cage to her.

She was sitting here now, not to fight for the position of heir, but to wait for an answer.

There is still a last glimmer of hope in my heart.

Yukinoshita Haruno finally came to her senses and looked at her mother.

Yukinoshita's mother put the teacup on the table and officially started the topic.

"First of all, congratulations again on getting into the University of Tokyo, Yukino."

Yukinoshita Yukino nodded and said, "This should be considered as... initial recognition of me by my mother."

Yukino's mother then smiled and said, "Since Yukino is serious and has worked hard to prove herself, I think you should be given a fair chance to compete with Haruno. Haruno, what do you think? You've been so lazy lately, it's time to be more aware of the risks, you know?"

My mother's style remains the same, her tone is kind and gentle, but with an unyielding determination.

Yukinoshita Yukino clenched her fists and looked at her sister. This was the first time she faced her sister as a competitor. She was looking forward to it, happy, afraid, and liked it... In fact, she just wanted to prove herself and get their recognition.

Yukinoshita Haruno was silent for a while.

Actually, she also wanted to praise Yukino, hug her younger sister, stroke her head and say to her, "You're so great, you did something that even your older sister couldn't do, you're really amazing." But all this pure joy turned into dark and gloomy emotions under the comparison of her mother.

A smile appeared on that face, thin and cold:

"Yes, yes, yes~ My opinion is very important~ Mother seems to be asking questions in a pretense, but she hasn't actually given any choices, has she?"

The sarcastic tone and the impolite address were like a steel knife suddenly inserted into the table. Yukinoshita Yukino widened her eyes and looked at Haruno in disbelief, "Sister, are you crazy?"

Yukinoshita's mother frowned and instantly noticed her daughter's unusual attitude.

In the past, when Qingye was around, she would turn a blind eye to Yang No's little tricks to save her face, but now...

Her clear face gradually became majestic, and as she spoke, a heavy pressure enveloped the two of them.

"Yang No, is this how you talk to your mother?"

My mother has never changed. She is always strong, always right, and always invincible. Children must admire such a strong and beautiful mother.

Yukinoshita Haruno took a deep breath, straightened her back, and the etiquette and grace of a lady from a noble family returned to her.

It’s okay, Qingye said, he would never give up on her no matter what happened.

She looked at her mother as she always did as Yukinoshita Haruno.

Elegant and beautiful, awe-inspiring and illusory.

She wanted to ask the words that had been in her heart for a long time. The words had been stained with mud and had become unrecognizable with the passage of time. Sometimes even she had forgotten them, but when she tried to salvage them from the bottom of the lake, they were so vivid.

“Is this fair?”

She tried hard to suppress the emotions in her heart, trying to calm herself down, but she was still extremely gloomy, like resentment, unwillingness, and questioning.

Yukino's mother frowned and slowly said, "Yono, where do you think it's unfair?"

My chest suddenly felt hot.

Yukinoshita Haruno remembered what Kiyono had said to her. He said that even if she bravely took off her mask, he would still be with her - but sorry, idiot, instead of fighting, this is just a desperate accusation.

do not care.

A faint fire flickered in my heart.

She raised her fist and took a deep breath.

"Yes, Yukino works very hard, but as long as she asks, you give her everything? Then what are the past ten years of my life worth? Have you ever considered my feelings?"

said it.

Ah, she suddenly understood.

She clearly had the chance to start over, so why did she still make the same choice?

The reason why she gritted her teeth and walked to where she is now.

She just wanted proof, proof that her mother did love her, proof that she and Yukino held the same place in her mother's heart, proof that all her efforts had been worthwhile—

Yukinoshita Haruno looked directly at her mother.

What would her mother think? Guilt, comfort, or even a cold rebuke? As long as her mother was willing to show her some attitude, even if it was just superficial, she would accept it.

She held on to her last hope—

She hoped her mother would say what she wanted to hear, but she didn't want to hear anything.

Suddenly--

"It's just fair competition."

Yukinoshita's mother sighed.

In fact, the ideal heir in her mind has always been Haruno. It's not just that her personality is more suitable, but Haruno has also been working hard. However, now this goal involves too many things, and Yukino and Kiyono-kun are not clear about each other, so she can't bear to just...

"With over a decade of experience and experience, you've become a better person and possess more capital. Aren't these your advantages? Are you afraid of losing to Yukino?"

Yukinoshita Haruno was stunned.

She thought to herself, so this is what her mother thinks.

Her body slumped, and at that moment of heartbreak, she felt unexpectedly calm.

Yukino Yukinoshita smiled and said, "You're wrong, Mother. When you seriously decided to let Yukino compete with me, your attitude was very clear... Never mind."

She couldn't express it in words, but—

She felt bored.

There is no point anymore.

She had completely given up.

"I quit."

Yes, there is no need to do it anymore. Whoever wants to be the so-called heir can do it. There is no need to stay at home anymore. A home without feelings can still be considered a home. Just find any place and do anything. Just leave and leave far away.

"Quit."

Yukinoshita Haruno spoke word by word.

The calm words stunned both Yukinoshita's mother and Yukino.

Yukinoshita Yukino looked at Haruno, and the uneasiness in her heart slowly spread. Did she make her sister angry? I just want to move forward with my sister. If you give up...

Yukino's mother frowned and said in a low voice, "Yono, are you throwing a tantrum? How did I teach you before? Don't give up because of this. When you face difficulties, you have to face them yourself and try to destroy them."

This person seemed to have said something like this. Yukinoshita Haruno stood up indifferently. Her real disappointment was not anger or resentment, but calmness.

"If you give up, there will be no second chance."

Yukinoshita's mother's tone was just as calm and indifferent as usual. At all times, she was that majestic mother. Not only Haruno, she was also bound by her long-standing image.

Yukino Yukinoshita casually said, "Ah, do whatever you want."

Yukinoshita's mother sighed: "Since you've come to this point, I will fulfill my responsibility as a mother and provide you with financial support. In exchange, you can do whatever you want, but from now on, don't refer to yourself as the heir of the Yukinoshita family—"

——My chest hurts.