Tokyo: Starting with a fake boyfriend

"Mother-in-law, weren't you sleepy and going to take a nap?"

After she finished everything and sat down, Shiratori Osamu asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Shiratori-kun, do you really want me to take a nap?"

Hearing him call her "mother-in-law," Hojo Yuki was delighted, but she didn't quite like the meaning behind his question and glanced at him sideways.

She went to great lengths to make sure the three of them could spend time together. First, she massaged her father's shoulders and back to make him sleepy, then she lured him away using a diversionary tactic, and finally, she sneaked downstairs.

Despite all the effort she had put in to get here, Shiratori-kun didn't seem to welcome her, as if he wanted her to go back to sleep.

"No, I was just asking casually."

Beautiful people exude charm with every smile and frown. Shiratori felt the resentment in her sidelong glance and couldn't help but shake his head in denial.

Although Xiao Nan is also very pretty, after all, they are mother and daughter, she is still young and naive. She doesn't know how to do makeup, let alone dress.

In contrast, Hojo Yuki, who knows how to dress and do makeup, is incredibly charming, and even a casual glance from her is enough to make teenage boys' hearts race.

"..."

Yamabuki Minami didn't say anything, but just looked left at her mother and right at Xiu-kun, studying frame by frame.

Even though she was a girl herself, she felt a tingling sensation all over her body when she heard her mother's half-coquettish, half-scolding question, and her ears went weak.

Most importantly, she could sense that Xiu Jun really liked this set of clothes.

"Shiratori-kun, didn't you just have a private conversation with my father? What did you talk about?"

Setting aside unnecessary pleasantries, Hojo Yuki, with her slender, long, and pale fingers, reached into the fruit plate, picked up a peeled grape, and asked curiously.

Minami Yamabuki was diligently studying her mother's feminine strength when she heard this topic and turned to look at Osamu Shiratori.

"We talked a lot, mainly about the divorce. Mr. Hojo didn't want to ask you for details, so he asked me for clarification. I told him the whole story of what happened at the Yamabuki family, and then the misunderstanding was completely cleared up."

Shiratori Osamu had anticipated the mother and daughter's debriefing and questioning session and had prepared his answers in advance.

"Did your father only want to ask you about this when he spoke to you alone?"

Hojo Yuki was surprised, not expecting the conversation to go like this.

According to her plan, this one-on-one conversation between men should be more intense, more insightful, and more direct in its theme.

"That's right, he was very angry after hearing it."

Shiratori Osamu has confirmed that his mother-in-law didn't tell Hojo Ryoma many details. The specific reason is likely related to her personality and status.

"You've recounted the whole story, is that all?"

At the same time, Minami Yamabuki asked, her heart pounding.

Will Grandpa find out about her desensitization exercises with Xiu Jun and sleeping in the same bed?

"Of course not. I know what I should say and what I shouldn't say."

Shiratori noticed her blushing and realized what she was worried about, so he shook his head.

He would never reveal details of his time alone with Minami Yamabuki, even if he was emotionally charged.

If Hojo Ryoma knew that he and his granddaughter slept in the same bed, or even snuggled together, he would definitely use it as leverage to force Hojo to take full responsibility.

"That's good."

Minami Yamabuki felt relieved by this answer.

"..."

As they talked, Hojo Yuki, who was sitting opposite them eating grapes, couldn't help but glance at the two of them.

For some reason, she always felt that her daughter and Shiratori were hiding something from her, and it wasn't just one thing.

Although the sudden convergence of the timelines caused Shiratori Osamu's thoughts to become somewhat disordered, he still proceeded according to the original plan:

"Aside from that, we talked about the upcoming arrangements, such as Mr. Hojo's plan to stay here until summer vacation at Takeno High School."

"Eh! Grandpa's going to stay that long?" Minami Yamabuki exclaimed in surprise.

"Is Father planning to stay here until the school summer vacation?" Hojo Yuki nodded thoughtfully.

“Minami, if Mr. Hojo sees your reaction, he’ll probably be very sad… You know, the reason he stayed is because he hasn’t seen you in a long time and wanted to spend more time with you.”

Seeing this, Shiratori Osamu couldn't help but offer a reminder.

"I'm sorry, I just think Grandpa can be scary sometimes."

When Yamabuki Minami heard him address her, she was delighted. She honestly and obediently admitted her mistake while also making excuses, not wanting him to think that she was unfilial and ungrateful.

"Is it scary?"

Shiratori Osamu was taken aback upon hearing this, not expecting such a situation.

After the real man's encounter, he had a very clear understanding of Hojo Ryoma.

This is a thousand-year-old fox, with extremely high cultivation and deep cunning. Given his doting nature towards his daughter, it's impossible for him to frighten his daughter and granddaughter.

"Shu-kun, do you still remember Uncle Fukuhara?"

"of course I remember."

"The person who brought you back just now was Uncle Fukuhara. I was really shocked when I found out about this. I never expected that he was actually Grandpa's subordinate. He had been working around me for twelve years, monitoring me and Mom all along."

Speaking of this incident, Minami Yamabuki still feels lingering fear.

"This……"

Upon hearing this, Shiratori Osamu paused, unsure how to comment on the matter.

From Hojo Ryoma's perspective, his actions were understandable; he was secretly protecting his daughter and granddaughter, demonstrating his love and care.

But from Xiao Nan's perspective, this kind of thing is actually very scary, like suddenly discovering that you've been being watched all along.

"Don't worry, your grandpa loves you and your mom very much, he won't hurt you."

After much deliberation, he decided against making any judgments and simply offered words of comfort.

Perhaps Hojo Ryoma is a terrifying and dangerous figure to others, even to his blood relatives.

However, because this old man is a doting father to his daughter, Xiao Nan and her mother-in-law have absolutely no need to be afraid of him.

"Uh-huh."

Hearing his words of comfort, Yamabuki Minami pondered for a moment and then nodded.

Hojo Yuki had already figured this out, and after he finished comforting Konan, he expressed his guess:

"Shiratori-kun, do you think it's possible that my father's plan to stay at school during summer vacation is because he wants to take Minami and me back to Kyoto?"

The timing of my father's departure was unusual; it was neither before nor after summer vacation.

"No way?"

Upon learning of this possibility, Minami Yamabuki was suddenly startled.

Don't you want to go back to Kyoto?

Finally, this step has come. Shiratori Osamu wasn't surprised, but he still asked the question knowing the answer.

"No, my best friend is coming to visit me during the summer vacation."

"No, I still have tutoring classes during summer vacation."

The mother and daughter shook their heads, naturally unwilling.

Although the Japanese-style mansions in Kyoto are luxurious and spacious, it doesn't mean they are comfortable to live in. Moreover, there are all sorts of relatives living in the mansion, as well as many servants and bodyguards.

The most crucial reason, which they were too embarrassed to say aloud, was that if they went to Kyoto during the summer vacation, they wouldn't be able to meet with Osamu Shiratori.

Chapter 121 Talent - Vigorous Energy

When problems arise, it's best to address them openly and honestly.

With just over a week left until summer vacation, it's better to address problems in advance rather than waiting until then, allowing more time for preparation.

"Is that what you're thinking? That makes things difficult. When Mr. Hojo told me about this plan, he was really looking forward to it."

Upon learning that they did not want to return to Kyoto for the summer vacation, Shiratori Osamu suppressed his curiosity about the keyword "mother-in-law's best friend" and proceeded with the original plan.

Although the sudden convergence of the perfect worldline disrupted his expectations to some extent, there was no turning back now.

"Xiujun, can you think of a solution?"

Seeing this, Yamabuki Minami became a little anxious and reached out to gently push him along his arm.

Although she still had to attend tutoring classes during summer vacation, she didn't have to go every day. She was hoping to spend more time with Xiu Jun during the summer vacation.

"correct."

Hojo Yuki, sitting opposite him, had stopped eating her grapes and was looking at Shiratori Osamu with eager eyes.

She really didn't want to go back to Kyoto; she felt more comfortable in Tokyo.

Although she was bored at home alone when her daughter went to school, no one was always there to take care of her, and she didn't need to deal with those relatives.

Back then, her family lost all face because she defied her parents' objections and threatened suicide to elope with her ex-husband.

Although her relatives hadn't dared to say anything to her when she returned to her family home in Kyoto over the years, she still felt very uncomfortable because of her guilt.

"I can't think of a solution to this. You can only discuss it with Mr. Hojo. Besides, I'm going back to my hometown for summer vacation."

When faced with their pleas for help, Shiratori Osamu shook his head, indicating that he was powerless to help, and then dropped another bombshell.

"Hey! Are you going back to your hometown for summer vacation?"

Minami Yamabuki was still troubled by her grandfather's expectations, but when she learned of his plans, she was immediately shocked.

"Shiratori-kun, don't you live in Tokyo?"

Hojo Yuki was equally surprised, completely unprepared for this turn of events.

"I'm from Shizuoka, and I came to Tokyo to study."

Shattering their preconceived notions, Shiratori Osamu nodded slightly.

Actually, he had guessed it beforehand; these two people probably subconsciously assumed that he would stay in Tokyo during his summer vacation.

While it is true that he had a very bad relationship with his parents after he became a delinquent in high school, he only went home for the New Year.

Moreover, during his last summer vacation after graduating from high school, he also received intensive summer tutoring from Mr. Dongyun.

"..."

Upon learning of his situation, Yamabuki Minami and Hokujo Yuki exchanged a glance and fell into deep thought.

It's perfectly normal for students to go back to their hometowns during summer vacation; in fact, it's a very good arrangement.

After all, going back to your hometown means seeing your parents, childhood friends, and elderly relatives, and it also saves money and allows you to relax.

"The excuse of going back to my hometown for summer vacation is working better than I expected." As they fell silent, Shiratori Osamu saw the success of his plan and was very satisfied.

He had checked the calendar beforehand; this year's summer vacation would last 40 days.

If couples don't see each other for 40 days, even the strongest feelings will be worn away by time.

Moreover, given such a long period of time, as long as Hojo Ryoma brings Yamabuki Minami and Hojo Yuki back to Kyoto and allows them to gradually adapt to their status as the eldest daughters of the Hojo family and continuously accept new things, they will eventually forget about him.

This is reality, because any relationship in this world needs time to maintain.

Even the closest and most affectionate relationships can drift apart if two people don't see each other for a long time and go their separate ways.

In fact, it wasn't that Shiratori Osamu's reasoning was particularly effective, but rather that Yamabuki Minami and Hojo Yuki suddenly realized many things through this incident, which is why they fell into deep thought.

For example, they discovered that they knew nothing about Osamu Shiratori, and before that, they didn't even know he was from Shizuoka.

For example, even if they feel reluctant to part, they don't have a suitable status or reason to persuade them to stay.

"Although Shiratori-kun always calls me mother-in-law, I'm not actually his mother-in-law... If my relationship with him becomes closer, for example, if Shiratori-kun really becomes Minami's boyfriend, would that allow him to stay in Tokyo?"

Feeling powerless, Hojo Yuki suddenly realized reality, and her usually quiet mind began to work.

If summer vacation means being away for an extended period, what about winter vacation? And what about after graduating from high school?

And there's one more thing she still doesn't understand: what was Shiratori thinking when he said to her, "You're a good woman, and I really want you and your daughter to be happy"?

Does Shiratori want to be her husband or her son-in-law?

Actually, she had wanted to ask Shiratori-kun about this in person before, but she was afraid that Shiratori-kun liked her, the mother, not her daughter.