Aunt Xiangzi, how did you manage to live?

"Does Xiao not want to be with me forever...?"

Seeing Kazama firmly reject his decision, Mutsu lowered his head in rare dejection, revealing a pitiful and downcast expression.

"Of course not! Of course I want to live together harmoniously for the rest of my life!"

Xiao quickly waved his hand to clarify that he did not mean that. If Ye Mu could so easily sway his emotions, this scene also made Chu Hua, who had been quietly observing from outside the door, frown with complicated expression.

Xiao also cared about her, but she had never shown this level of concern and tenderness towards Chu Hua.

Yes, she could only see the deep love in the boy's eyes as he looked at Mu.

In that case, why not just agree to Mu Gang's request...?

With a mix of trepidation and a faint sense of secret delight, Chu Hua patiently continued reading.

"Of course I want to live together peacefully for the rest of my life... but not in this way."

Kazama shook his head vigorously, as if trying to completely shake the idea out of his mind.

I don't know why Mu was led astray by that guy Metis, actually thinking that becoming lovers means they can stay together forever...

"Mu, listen carefully. Even if a man and a woman become lovers, it is possible for them to betray each other and abandon each other until their love is completely worn away."

As Xiao spoke these words earnestly, she looked directly into Mu's bewildered eyes.

Well, Mu probably just didn't know how to be with him for life, so she listened to Metis's slander and said something that was a bit too outrageous for Xiao.

What bad intentions could she possibly have?

Mu blinked again, looking thoughtful.

"So, Xiao feels that even if they become lovers, they can't stay together forever."

Hmm, I feel like her conclusion is a bit different from Xiao's original idea.

"You...you could say that?"

Kazama rolled her eyes. Mutsumi was a very imaginative person, so it didn't seem like there was a big problem if she intended to interpret it that way...?

"Hmm, I understand. It's because Xiao doesn't see this kind of relationship, which could break down at any time, as foolproof."

Mu nodded heavily, as earnestly as a chick pecking at rice.

I still have a feeling that she misunderstood something.

"So, Xiao, what kind of relationship do you think is the strongest?"

But whatever, since Mutsu asked so sincerely, Kazama will tell her his true feelings as she wishes.

"—That's because we're family."

"...!"

However, upon hearing this, the blonde girl hiding outside the door was startled.

family.

That word, which had once been mentioned to her, now slipped out of Xiao's mouth again—

But it was for another girl to hear.

"Family...like the kind of relationship she has with Minami?"

"Of course not. The family I'm talking about is far more trustworthy than just blood ties."

Finally, he could speak freely about this topic in front of Mutsu, and Kazama, hands on his hips, continued to elaborate with great interest.

"Imagine that no matter what grievances or hardships you encounter outside, there is always someone who will unconditionally support you. When you return home late at night, someone has already cooked a meal and is waiting for you at home. No matter what difficulties you face, they will stand behind you and never abandon you, weathering the storm together—isn't that a truly reliable relationship?"

This was the relationship between Wakaba Mutsu and Wakaba Akira in the past.

If possible, Xiao really wants to develop a similar relationship with Mu in this world—even if they can't be mother and son, becoming family members who take care of and support each other would be more than enough.

But reality was not as rosy as he had imagined.

"Hmm... I see."

Mu nodded, still looking somewhat confused.

"Xiao wants to become family with me."

"That's right!"

Kazama grinned and excitedly gave Mutsu a thumbs-up.

Finally—finally, could he embrace Mu again in this world as a family member?

However, the words that came out of Mutsu's mouth next completely dispelled Kazama's idea.

"Oh, I see. So—is this considered a marriage proposal?"

"...?"

Even though they were separated by a door, Kazama and Hatsuka strangely reached a consensus—they both held their breath and frowned simultaneously.

"Yes, for people who are not related by blood, isn't this the quickest way to become family?"

Only after Mu vaguely explained it to Xiao did she rub her temples in frustration.

Isn't this still a perfect misunderstanding?

Chapter 87 Is this marriage absolutely necessary?

I wonder if any of you have seen a youth comedy film like "Back to 17" that has some science fiction elements.

The protagonist in the film temporarily escapes his midlife crisis, returning to the spirited age of seventeen, once again dominating the basketball court, and after a complete makeover, fulfills the dream he never achieved as a teenager—

At the same time, his dazzling figure also attracted his daughter, who was the same age.

Of course, he himself had very mixed feelings after learning this.

At this moment, Kazama deeply sympathized with the situation; in fact, he was even more devastated than the tragic father.

Ruoye Mutsu, she is a woman who could become his mother—

"If we're going to skip the lovers part and go straight to family, isn't that practically a marriage proposal?"

But his mother suddenly said something that struck him like a bolt from the blue, in a calm and collected tone.

My mom confessed her feelings to me.

No, my mom made me propose.

How can one describe this feeling? If she could, Xiao would rather live under the watchful eyes of Su Shi and Chu Hua, who seemed to be in a net of heaven and earth. Even if she were to die under the constant surveillance of these two gravity-powered aunties, it would be a fitting end.

"No, no, no, I would rather die than have a harmonious marriage."

Adhering to the principle that hesitation will only lead to chaos, Kazama decisively waved his hand to express his stance.

"Well, but Xiao has already died once."

As a result, Mu easily countered his moves.

"Or is Xiao just a little shy? It's okay."

"Don't misunderstand me!!"

This is bad. If I let Mu continue to overthink, I really won't be able to explain myself even if I'm right.

"In short, this idea is completely wrong! Besides, we've only known each other for a short time. Are you really comfortable talking about marriage with someone you've only known for a short time?"

Besides, family is family, and family can't become a wife...!

He really wanted to tell the truth: "Actually, Mu, you are my beloved mother who adopted me from an orphanage and raised me single-handedly." Fortunately, reason still restrained him, preventing him from making a decision that he might regret for the rest of his life due to a moment of impulse.

His mother, who had seemingly returned to her youth, actually said to him, "Let's get married." How could he have such a nightmare?

"I see."

Mu stared intently at Xiao, who was on the verge of collapse but still trying to remain calm, and nodded with a hint of disappointment as if he understood Xiao's actions.

"Indeed, it's a bit too fast."

Wait, is your focus not on the marriage itself but on the fact that it's "too fast"?

After a moment's thought, Mu said something even more ridiculous in a serious tone.

"Then let's get engaged first."

"Wait, is this marriage absolutely necessary?!"

Seeing that Kazama's attitude remained one of unwavering resistance and denial, even Mutsu, who had been relentlessly trying to get him to express his feelings, became somewhat dejected.

"...Xiao looks like she's struggling."

She lowered her head and stopped insisting, but the words she mumbled still carried a hint of grievance.

"I thought you would be very happy..."

"...If Mu wants to become family with me, I would certainly be happy."

Seeing Mu lower his head and stop asking for more because he hadn't gotten what he wanted, Xiao felt a pang of pity.

It was certainly the right thing to do to firmly reject my mother's marriage proposal.

But he didn't want to see Mu make that face for his sake.

"But rather than becoming lovers, I'd rather have a closer and more stable relationship with Mu. Even lovers can break up, cheat, or even never speak to each other again, right?"

"Hmm... I don't think Mingming and Xiao will break up..."

"That's not the point! Don't nitpick over the words."

Kazama forced a smile, trying his best to avoid the taboo topic of He Mu falling in love.

That's dangerous. If I accidentally say the wrong thing, I could end up with the morally ambiguous ending of "my teenage mother has fallen in love with me."

“I cherish Mutsu, but I have absolutely no romantic feelings for him—and I believe Mutsu doesn’t have romantic feelings for me either?”

He smiled with narrowed eyes, cleverly handing over the power of speech, along with the questions, to Mu.

"Well……"

The girl with long green hair lowered her head and thought for a long time before slowly speaking.

"If it's about feelings like butterflies in your stomach, then that's definitely not the case."

"Right, right—phew."

Xiao nodded vigorously, and breathed a sigh of relief.

"I just feel that Xiao should always stay by my side, not go to other people's places, and not value other people more than me."

"Right, right... wait, no, that's not right."

Isn't this possessiveness a bit too outrageous?

"If Xiao is unwilling, I will not force her."

Mu blinked, and even though Xiao showed a hint of surprise at her words and actions, she still only stared at his face from beginning to end.

If Mu had shifted her gaze even slightly to the side, she could have seen the blonde girl's profile, filled with lingering fear, behind the half-open door.

"But I don't want Xiao to have someone else she likes."

She stubbornly tugged at the boy's clothes, the force in her hand as unyielding as her unwavering gaze.

Just like a cat arching its back and hissing when it feels threatened, Wakaba Mutsu is using this method to express possessiveness and a hidden unease.

"Then you can rest assured, Mu. Even if I don't find someone I like—you'll always be the most important person in my heart, okay?"

—And she also knew that Xiao would definitely take in the unease that was welling up in her heart and would never let these thoughts grow and spread.

Xiaoqian smiled and gently placed her hand on her head. This gentle force always seemed to work like magic, soothing all the restless and troubled thoughts in her heart.

"Anyway, right now, I am the most important person in Akatsuki, right?"

"sodayo."

"If Xiao finds someone she likes, I will take her back from her heart."

Actually, it's okay if we don't take it back... anyway, Mutsu is the most important person.

"Don't worry about it at all, anyway, I'm not going to fall in love with anyone here."