Uneasy daily life

Yukinoshita rested her chin on her hand, gazing absently at the rain scene outside the French windows.

The food on the table was steaming hot.

A moment later, Yukino Yukinoshita entered the restaurant, closed her umbrella, and looked around.

"Yukino-chan, over here!"

Yukinoshita waved her hand with a big smile.

Yukino Yukinoshita placed the umbrella on the front desk and walked over irritably: "Sister, what happened to you the other day..."

"Eat first, eat first."

Yukino Yukinoshita said, "I've been waiting for you for quite a while. If I say any more, the food will probably get cold."

"……Fine."

Yukino Yukinoshita frowned deeply, but looking at her sister's bright smile, she couldn't say anything and could only start eating in silence.

After eating a little, Yukino Yukinoshita put down her chopsticks and asked in a deep voice, "Sister, were you the one who spread the rumors about Mother's company the other day?"

Yukinoshita Haruno smiled and said, "Yes, what's wrong?"

The answer was so direct, clear, and obvious that it left Yukino Yukinoshita, who had expected her to make excuses, speechless for a moment. After a few seconds, she could only ask, "Why?"

“Because it’s not a rumor, it’s true.” Yukino Yukinoshita casually said with a smile, “There was a big scoundrel in Mother’s company who embezzled a lot of money by deceiving his superiors and subordinates. But when you embezzle money, there will naturally be a hole. And that hole ate up the factory that collapsed, leaving two dead and five injured. I just happened to find out about it.”

Yukino Yukinoshita felt that the other party was not lying to her, but this did not alleviate her doubts. She said softly, "Now that we have found out, shouldn't we tell Mother? Mother will not sit idly by and do nothing about this... First, rumors broke out online, then the rumors were clarified, and then new rumors broke out. The victim's family members organized a protest and made trouble at the company gate. Evidence began to appear from nothing, and the police were dispatched to investigate. Finally, the truth was revealed and announced."

“During that period, my mother’s company was greatly affected. Many of her employees were affected by the dispute and resigned. My sister’s company took in those employees, not to mention the fluctuations in the company’s market value and stock.”

Yukinoshita asked in surprise, "So?"

Yukino Yukinoshita said firmly, "So you did it on purpose."

Yukinoshita Haruno replied matter-of-factly, "Yes, that's right."

"?" Yukino Yukinoshita raised her hand to rub her temples, never feeling that her sister was so unfamiliar. She took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Sister, what is it?"

"Didn't you get the answer already?" Yukinoshita Haruno laughed upon seeing this. "Or are you trying to say something? That's Mother's company, not an enemy or a rival? After all these years, Yukino-chan is still so innocent and cute."

"Don't try to fool me!" Yukino Yukinoshita's voice turned serious. "No matter what, we're family..."

"What you can know, surely Mother knows too?" Yukinoshita Haruno chuckled. "The business world is like a battlefield, and there are no personal feelings on the battlefield. Don't you understand such a simple truth, Yukino-chan? Actually, Mother might be quite pleased. What's the point if children can't even beat their parents, and each generation is worse than the last?"

"A good child must surpass their parents."

So you're directly attacking your mother's company?!

Yukino Yukinoshita was furious: "So it's reasonable for me to attack my sister?!"

"of course."

Yukino Yukinoshita laughed and said, "Didn't I say this before? This is just normal competitive behavior. Being honest and upright is not a compliment in the business world. Your initiative to attack means you have improved. I'm happy for you, so why would I be angry with Yukino-chan?"

Yukino Yukinoshita remained silent, then said in a complex tone, "The souls drawn by the treasure will sink into desire, like planks floating on water, restless and tossed about by the wind and waves. Obsession breeds resentment from friends and family, and no one survives the pursuit. Come, come, I wish you a lifetime of regret; search, search, and you will find the gates of hell..."

"Hmm? It seems to be a little poem written by some bumbling poet based on the legend of the tyrant's cursed treasure?"

"Correct."

"You don't suspect I'm cursed, do you? What era are we living in?" Yukinoshita Haruno shook her head. "So, Yukino-chan isn't just naive, she's also a bit superstitious?"

Yukino Yukinoshita didn't say anything, she just got up and left.

"Hey, I haven't finished eating yet."

"You can eat slowly by yourself... I'll take it seriously."

The younger sister didn't even turn her head.

Yukino put down her knife and fork, resting her chin on her hand as she looked out the window at the rain.

That's right, Yukino-chan, you will win.

……

……

I won?

Yukino Yukinoshita threw out a 12-point winning ticket, and her wealth instantly soared to the top of the entire game.

Could it be that my sister deliberately made me... Wait a minute! Don't let the White Fungus skit get to your head! Look at Hachiman over there, he's already debating whether to call Komachi. That's the consequence of taking the White Fungus skit too seriously.

Huh? Hachiman actually made a phone call?!

[Brother, what's wrong? Do you want to ask Komachi what local specialties she likes?]

Hachiman Hikigaya muttered into his phone, "Komachi, I have a question for you—who do you hope will die of old age first?"

【Ew! What a weird question? How disgusting. My brother always thinks about these things; he'll easily end up alone... If I had to say, I hope my brother goes first. I have a feeling that if Komachi goes first, my brother will be very sad, and Komachi will be very worried—cough cough, is there anything else?】

"No, that's all... Oh, I'll remember to bring you some local specialties."

Hachiman Hikigaya hung up the phone, looking even more confused.

Poor Hikigaya-kun.

Yukino sighed and tried to pull herself together.

This victory was entirely due to luck, with no part of my own skill involved, so it was only natural that I beat my sister, after all, it's just a game.

In reality, it's not that simple. The thought of competing with my sister to see who is better in the future fills me with both the pressure of facing my super sister and the motivation brought by my mother's approval.

Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at her identity card.

[Inside and outside the city: In the depths of winter, the fine snow envies the sunshine, yet fears it will melt into mud. I watch the brave man, rejoicing in his own sorrow, bursting into laughter, tears welling in his eyes.]

[The game starts with 160 slots. You draw one choice card at the start, and it's guaranteed to be a great success.]

Laugh, laugh, laugh at your big head!

Yukino grinds her molars as if she's not grinding her teeth, but rather a white shadow.

If I can't think of a way to win in real life, I'll gamble my luck in the game and beat the older sister I've always admired!

Chapter 113 Houtarou Oreki: Energy Saving Success?

It always feels weird.

Sakurajima Mai crossed her arms and casually tossed the dice to play a game. She observed the others... the three women who seemed to be a family gave her a very different feeling.

Due to family factors, she is more sensitive to certain emotions.

This doesn't seem to be a simple game.

Mai Sakurajima makes a decision.

"Player, please draw a card."

Phantom handed over a stack of choice cards.

Mai Sakurajima randomly picked up a item—Family?

"You entered the entertainment industry at a young age. While other children were enjoying their childhood, you had already become a child star under your mother's guidance, walking through one acting set after another. While other children were playing, reading, and having fun, you began to listen to your mother's teachings, learning respectful language, manners, success and failure, and survival skills in society."

The white figure instantly turned its gaze towards him, reciting the narration in a deep voice: "Regardless of the initial intention, whether the behavior is forceful or gentle, whether it is reasonable or correct—for a child who is still ignorant, the essence is to stuff their heart into the mold of others and mold it, which will inevitably be accompanied by resistance and pain... Players, please roll the dice to decide whether to succeed or fail."

Are you implying something about my family?!

Sakurajima Mai's anger surged instantly, and she had the urge to get up and leave on the spot with a cold expression.

"Player, please roll the dice," Phantom said softly, somewhat surprised... The other party's emotions weren't very extreme? He couldn't understand.

If you think about it carefully, all parents and children in every family will have this kind of conflict expressed by each other; those who don't are actually a very small minority... Maybe I'm being too sensitive, and besides, this is a hater.

Mai Sakurajima tossed the dice with a flick of her wrist. The dice rolled around, revealing a large 1 on top.

“You think your mother’s approach is correct. While others are still uncertain about the future, you are already ahead of the curve. While your peers are still playing marbles, playing games, and deciding who is the class leader, you have already started socializing, learning performing arts skills, and entering society—the so-called winning at the starting line, giving up a carefree childhood to achieve a more successful life, you are already starting to sprint!”

The white figure said, "Please roll the dice again, and immediately move forward the number of steps equal to 10 times the dice roll!"

Mai Sakurajima has achieved a remarkable 80 steps in a sprint!

"From a game perspective, I've just gone through eight years in a row?" Mai Sakurajima said thoughtfully. "According to Mr. Bai's description, I should have gained something in these eight years, instead of getting nothing, right?"

Bai Ying nodded and said, "According to the guardianship law, the income of child stars is distributed by their guardians. This has nothing to do with Ms. Sakurajima, after all, you cast a huge defeat."

Mai Sakurajima asked with great interest, "If I throw a big hit, how will you make up a story, Mr. Shiro?"

"That means rebelling against your mother, having a fierce showdown, breaking free from her and forging your own path in life," Bai Ying said excitedly. "When emotions reach the threshold of the heart, they will overflow—even if you hesitate about whether to rebel directly, you will still make some small gestures to express your choice..."

"It's a pity, Ms. Sakurajima Mai, you have suffered a crushing defeat. You are still under your mother's control."

Bai Ying took a blank card and casually scribbled on it: "You have obtained a [Mother's Life] card, which will last for... um... 400 squares. If you encounter a choice square during this process, the referee will roll the dice for you."

The white figure placed the card in front of Sakurajima Mai.

Mai Sakurajima picked up the card and sensed that the atmosphere of the game had changed again.

I get it... No wonder everyone who played the last game looked so mentally exhausted. This isn't a game; it's clearly a deliberate attempt to hurt people's feelings.

It seems like I was used as a weapon by the other party to stab the three mothers and daughters present.

He really is a hater.

Mai Sakurajima shook her head inwardly. She was an outsider, unaware of the inside story, and didn't know the difference between that mother and her own mother... So be it if she was used as a tool; it didn't really concern her.

In truth, my relationship with my mother eventually needs to be settled, but I haven't made up my mind or found the right opportunity yet.

It wasn't out of fear that I dared not speak; it was because I hoped my mother would look back at me, understand my feelings, and be able to see things more clearly.

If the mother still doesn't turn back in the end...

I really don't want to reach the point of a complete break, but life is never perfect, and I have long since come to realize that I was born into a broken family.

Mai Sakurajima's eyes were deep and thoughtful.

The white figure withdrew its gaze. "You're a guy who's even braver than the hero. From now on, I'll call you Hero Plus!"

The game continues.

Yukinoshita's mother vaguely sensed that something was wrong—was this young man implying something? Was he betraying her? But it didn't seem like it; she wasn't the kind of mother who would make her child a child star and squeeze money out of him... However, it was too presumptuous and tactless to interfere in other people's affairs.

Yukino's mother frowned slightly and immediately removed the white shadow from the list of people she could investigate and put it into the list of people she was considering expelling. If Yukino befriended someone like that, she would only be corrupted.

Yukino's heart sank. What was Shiro trying to do?! Was he subtly hinting at something to her mother, pointing fingers at her?!

She vaguely came to her senses, and her heart sank completely.

Because the older sister had stopped smiling and was playing with the identity card with a blank expression.

In front of outsiders, my sister always puts on a fake facade with a friendly smile, but she only occasionally takes off her mask in front of me, and mischievously teases me.

What's going on?

Yukino Yukinoshita was a little flustered and casually tossed out the dice.

"Event Grid: Social Card! You admire your sister's talent and demeanor, believing that imitating her will bring you 'success.' You yearn for her brilliance and chase after her figure, yet you feel you can never become such a dazzling person. Facing the sun, the closer you get, the longer your shadow becomes—player, please roll the dice to determine success or failure."

Bai Ying explained in a deep, enigmatic tone.

Yukino said, "Yukino, you like me that much, right? I'm so touched."

“It’s just that the white fungus is spreading and multiplying.” Yukino Yukinoshita tried to cheer herself up and retorted, throwing the dice – 3.

"It's a failure... The dazzling sunlight only makes my insignificance seem even more tragic. It's something I can never become in my lifetime, so I'll just watch from afar. Your points will be reduced by 2 in your next opposing battle."

After giving a brief description, Bai Ying continued to explain the actions of the next player.

Yukino Yukinoshita sat blankly in the chair, feeling a mix of emotions: she wanted to explain to her mother that she would try her best, but also wanted to tell her sister that it wasn't like that. Her mind was a mess, and the joy of finally receiving recognition had cooled down.

"Oh my, Yukino-chan really wants it?" Yukinoshita Haruno teased. "Then I'll let Yukino-chan have it, how about that?"

Yukino Yukinoshita retorted softly, "I already said it's just the white fungus spreading and multiplying, and I don't want you to let me have it."

Yukino's mother's gaze had hardened—give up? Run away? Haruno, don't you want to listen to what you're saying?

"Actually, I lied."

Yukinoshita Haruno turned her head and smiled at Yukinoshita Yukino, saying, "I don't have any dreams."