Uneasy daily life

Yukinoshita Yukino: #!

"Baijun, something big happened in my family yesterday. Do you have any clues about it?"

Yukino Yukinoshita emphasized her words, as if she knew the answer already.

Bai Ying put down her pen for a moment and said earnestly, "Hero, the Demon King is kind-hearted. He couldn't bear to see your happy and harmonious family, where you've never had a fight, so he specially devised a plan to blow up your house. Quickly say thank you to the Demon King."

"..." Yukino Yukinoshita's expression became subtle as she looked at the white figure with a strange gaze, hesitatingly saying, "You..."

The white-clad figure asked curiously, "Why does the hero hesitate to speak?"

Yukino Yukinoshita hesitated and said, "...Haku-kun, could it be the kind of tsundere character from light novels?"

The white figure asked solemnly, "Hero, are you awake? How many fingers did I count?"

"Not even one."

Yukino Yukinoshita sighed and straightened her expression: "Although I don't know how you did it, I can tell that you are helping me solve my family problems. Shiro-kun is not meddling... Even though we have been family for more than ten years, it's like we are familiar strangers. Shiro-kun helped me with something I couldn't do. I am very happy and grateful. You don't have to deny it so awkwardly, do you?"

"I know the hero has been exposed to light novels and learned some online concepts, but he's getting a bit too cocky, thinking he can control online trends." Bai Ying suddenly asked with a mysterious smile, "Are you sure I'm helping you?"

Yukino Yukinoshita scoffed, "Shiraki-kun, when someone sincerely thanks you, you just accept it obediently..."

"What if your mom doesn't plan to let go?"

Yukinoshita Yukino was stunned.

"Once Auntie's demonic thoughts take hold, she will become self-destructive and force you two to fight it out. No matter what you say, you must choose one of you to inherit the family business. She will completely transform into a tyrant obsessed with her own desires, treating your pain and troubles as nothing. Faced with this situation, your father will inevitably become the tyrant's henchman. In the end, you will definitely be unable to object and will become the silent Yukino Yukinoshita..."

The image of the ultimate life form mother that had just faded from Yukino's mind suddenly solidified, even evolving once more, and she subconsciously denied it, saying, "...No, it can't be."

Bai Ying said in a low voice, "You're wavering, aren't you? You're having doubts, aren't you? Have you forgotten that your interests were only recognized because they conformed to your mother's arrangements? This recognition that makes you happy seems so fake. Your direction has wavered, and you're doubting your own will—would becoming a puppet bring you joy, resistance, or useless sorrow?"

"If you place your hopes on others even for one more day, you are destined to be doomed at some point."

The white figure rose to his feet, his arms outstretched and flailing wildly before slamming into Yukino Yukinoshita's face: "Hehehehe! Behold my curse! Salary, loan, family, war, natural disaster, overtime, all-nighters, tutoring, terminal illness—Demon King's ultimate negative energy injection!"

Yukino Yukinoshita subconsciously closed her eyes.

I didn't feel myself being photographed, I just felt a gust of wind blowing through my bangs.

She opened her eyes and saw someone running out of the lobby, as well as the scorching gazes directed at her from the person's sudden outburst.

Tsundere... It's just a lie in light novels, it doesn't exist in reality at all.

Yukino Yukinoshita, certain that nothing had happened, got up and left as if nothing was amiss, while unconsciously taking out her phone.

What if things really take a turn for the worse?

What if Mother really insists on sticking to the original policy, just as Bai Ying said?

Calm down... calm down... no! Damn it, I shouldn't have touched the white fungus so early in the morning! I'm already getting scared!

Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't help but think of the white shadow's performance of her in yesterday's mini-theater.

Inheriting the family fortune, still moving forward on the path arranged by her mother, her sister leaving, her father passing away... Even after her mother's death, the living are still puppets of the dead, only able to empty and silently carry out her mother's expectations, ultimately becoming the winner of the whole game...?

There are no winners in that kind of game.

Yukino Yukinoshita recalled what Hakukage had said to her when they had known each other for a short time: "You will have a smooth life, but you will accomplish nothing."

Cold sweat suddenly broke out on my back.

Yukino swallowed hard. What if her mother really wanted to follow her path? What if her mother thought her older sister wasn't up to the task and decided to make her take over?

I did express my desire to inherit the family business, but what I wanted was for my mother to approve of my choice, not for me to conform to her choice in order to gain her approval!

But ultimately, the family business needs someone to inherit it, right? Either myself or my sister.

Even if my mother has come to a slightly better understanding, she might misunderstand my thoughts and make me, who has expressed my inclinations, feel pressured to do something about it.

What... what can I do? What can I accomplish?

No! I have to explain this to my mother!

Yukino ran out of the inn, crossed the road, moved across a street, and stopped outside the inn where her mother was staying.

Thinking about it carefully... I was too impulsive. I need to think it over more deeply first.

No! Express your thoughts immediately!

No way! We can talk to our sister who's nowhere to be found and form a sisterly bond!

No! Trust your mother. She's just not good at observing. If she doesn't speak up, she'll be misunderstood!

No! If my mother insists on this, I'll have nowhere to run!

No! This problem needs to be resolved quickly. Should I talk to my father about it?

Yukino Yukinoshita was walking in circles on the street outside the inn.

From the window, the mother took in the entire scene as the snow fell.

She sighed softly and deeply, then took out her phone and started typing.

Oh, Auntie, you saw this?

"Hmm... I saw my failure."

Yukino's mother pursed her lips, her voice hoarse from not having slept all night: "Yukino, what's wrong..."

[Psychological trauma? Emotional inertia? Cognitive bias? The brave one encountered some bad luck, and because of this bad luck, she received some tender care from her elders. Add to that the seemingly perfect older sister who looks after her, and her thoughts are different… She yearns for your approval, yet fears you, whom she cannot oppose, and constantly tries to rely on other things to arm herself.]

After yesterday's events, she probably started to have doubts—doubts about whether her true self could satisfy you—her idea of ​​inheriting the family business has wavered after she came to understand you.

"Is she wavering...? How can I help her? By acknowledging her?"

[What the brave lack is courage—the courage to stick to your decision regardless of whether your aunt agrees or not. If your aunt can understand, her problem can be solved. Please remember, no matter how many times she hesitates to speak, don't press her, don't comfort her, don't try to reassure her, and it's best to be serious. Don't give her any chance of being pushed, forced, or having someone else speak for her; she must speak for herself and express her thoughts to you directly.]

"...Where is Yang Nai?"

【I don't know~ This is something you two have to work on yourselves. Whether you repair the relationship, keep your distance, or even remain estranged and never speak to each other again, it's all up to you. This is truly a family matter, and it's beyond my control.】

[I have to get back to work now. Thank you for your call, Auntie. If you're satisfied with our customer service, please give us a five-star review!]

The mother put down her phone and silently watched her daughter spinning around, hesitant and undecided.

Twenty minutes later, as pedestrians began to appear on the street, Yukino Yukinoshita turned and disappeared at the end of the street.

"Ugh……"

Beside the stage, which was already more than half completed, Bai Ying sighed heavily, placed his hands on the table, looked at Hou Tong and Kui Ying, and frowned, saying, "You two have disappointed me greatly."

"What are you unhappy about, you grandson?"

The mouthpiece waved the script in its hand, its voice deep and resonant.

Phantom put Miss Christine down on the ground, sat up straight, and said, "I have complaints. The lines you changed, Spokesperson, are terrible."

"That's right! Your messing around with the script is a serious matter! You'll get hung up and criticized by the commander!" Bai Ying slammed her hand on the table in dissatisfaction. "And Puppet Shadow! The ending was supposed to be a vague and empty tune, not a firm and stirring melody!"

“I don’t like endings with a melancholic melody,” Phantom said calmly. “I hate tragic endings.”

The mouthpiece slammed its fist on the table: "What's wrong with the lines I changed?! Simplicity is the true essence! And what do you mean by being hung up and criticized by the troupe leader? This isn't a formal performance by the troupe! We're here to help you, so straighten your attitude!"

"You're talking nonsense!" Bai Ying slammed her hand on the table. "Give me a clear distinction between vulgarity and simplicity! One gets boring the more you watch it, the other gets exciting the more you watch it—are they the same thing?! And what do you mean by 'hating tragic endings'? If you're a singer, then sing! If you're a construction worker, then do your job! You two are the ones who need to straighten out your attitudes!"

Stop with your pointless showing off! It's meaningless if the audience can't understand it!

"Then tell me, what's the point of preparing more than ten colors of lights?!"

"Xu Bai, change the ending!"

Someone must have given the final slap, because the battered wooden table collapsed with a bang.

Beside her, Angelina silently gazed at the sky, increasingly feeling that she had joined an incredibly suspicious psychic and superpowered organization.

Sakurajima Mai crossed her arms, thinking that this hater who invited her to watch the rehearsal was probably just trying to waste her life.

The performance is in a few days, right?

Forget rehearsals, the main members are still bickering with each other.

If I were an actor in this kind of production crew, I'd already be ready to pack my bags and run away.

Chapter 121 Let Me Point You Out

I want to join this performance!

Mai Sakurajima was completely absorbed in watching, and an impulse welled up inside her—although these people had a lot of problems, a peculiar mental state, and strange tastes, she couldn't suppress it. As an actress, she couldn't suppress this impulse.

That's wonderful. I wish I could have something this good too.

"I am no longer the same as I was at the beginning; your gaze cannot recognize me."

"Freedom sings praises of confusion, while alienation tears out sorrow."

"Puppet, puppet, you will find your own way."

"Puppet, puppet, set sail from where the strings broke."

As the lines are recited, gradually rising in pitch, the silent melody shifts from confusion to soaring heights. Lifelike, exquisitely crafted puppets, suspended on death lines, perform fluid and delicate movements, creating dance moves so powerful that a human could break their own bones, dancing alongside the person reciting the lines.

Snapped!

All the translucent threads hanging from the iron bar snapped, and the delicate puppet froze. Just as it was about to fall, it was steadied by the solemn-faced voice.

After the melody reached a high note, it suddenly became vast and expansive, like a roar directed at the mountains. The sound gradually faded into the distance and subsided. The puppet stopped singing, its cold face furrowing its brow.

Bai Ying also stopped acting, her expression instantly falling.

clap clap.

Mai Sakurajima clapped softly.

Angelina belatedly clapped her hands vigorously—thank goodness, although we like to argue, we're all very capable people...

The mouthpiece swung the doll at the white figure, making a loud noise: "Xu Bai, you son of a bitch!!"

A white shadow flashed, and the puppet crashed to the ground with a thud, followed by an ominous cracking sound.

Bai Ying was shocked: "You actually want to kill your father?!"

Even if you were a reincarnated ancient ape, I would still kill you!

The mouthpiece was furious, wielding the puppet like a halberd, shouting wildly: "Are you an idiot! This play has this kind of tone and atmosphere! This stunt double is completely unsuitable! We need a stunt double who embodies beauty on the surface but ugliness on the inside!"

"You didn't read or understand the script, and you're blaming me?!"

"Is it my fault that you didn't explain clearly? This piece of garbage that I worked so hard to make for a whole day and night can be used as a tombstone on your grave!"

Seeing that the mouthpiece had already gone into a frenzy, Bai Ying decisively delivered a flying kick to Kui Ying: "This is the ending you wanted to change! Vulgar! Utterly vulgar!"

"It's indeed too cliché and lacks a lasting artistic conception." Phantom dodged to the side, took out a thin stick from his robes, and with a flick of his wrist transformed it into a rapier. "But I should talk about the issue of the dialogue. He changed a few lines, which made me feel out of place when I sang the background songs—don't make me sing awful songs!"

Crackle, pop, bang, crack.

Miss Christine lazily sunbathed: "Meow~"

The wooden puppet's head broke off and flew off amidst the trembling of the argument, rolling haphazardly in front of the two audience members.

A messy wig and a sunken, shriveled face covered in scratches faced them, the left prosthetic eyeball having fallen out, its dark, empty socket staring silently at the audience.

Sakurajima Mai: "..."

Is it really... good?

Angelina: "..."

I don't want to be a superpowered person anymore, I want to go home.

After a big argument, the three decided to have lunch separately to show that they had severed all ties with each other.

White Shadow was even better; he grabbed his lunchbox, picked up the table, hooked the chair with his leg, and ran away. Mouthpiece could only share a table with the other workers, while Puppet Shadow could only find a rock that matched the contours of his buttocks.

"Too long to read. Why are you making such a fuss? Did the mouthpiece scare you? Don't mind it. That mouthpiece is a perfectionist with terminal cancer, and probably has some characteristics of obsessive-compulsive cancer."

Bai Ying, shoveling food into his lunchbox, said, "For example, when it comes to props and stage sets, he really likes to nitpick..."

Angelina was thinking about her return ticket.

Mai Sakurajima reluctantly replied, "Striving for perfection is a good thing, isn't it? She seems like a very serious and meticulous person."

"Ha, he once tried to make the most perfect stunt double—something like a handmade doll, like the one today."