Uneasy daily life

Yukinoshita's father looked in the mirror and adjusted his hair and expression.

"What are you going to do?"

As Yukino ate her breakfast, her mother looked at her husband with a rather strange expression.

"I have something important to do today..."

"Ok?"

"Ahem, I'm going shopping with Yang Nai."

"Oh."

Chapter 107 I wanted to bring it up but didn't have the chance yet

After summer vacation started, Yukino Yukinoshita did not go home. Apart from making a phone call home to explain that she would still be renting an apartment in Tokyo for the summer vacation, she did not take any other measures. It was clear that she had made up her mind not to go home for the entire summer vacation...

Perhaps I won't be home for a long time, completely transforming into a travel enthusiast.

Yukinoshita's mother remained calm about this. Considering the outcome and mindset of Haruno so far, she had made mistakes in the past, so she should naturally realize and accept the result—the chasm that had been built up over time between her and Haruno. As long as Haruno didn't do anything absurd, the coldness in their mother-daughter relationship was nothing.

It's at least more real than the superficial harmony it used to appear to be.

Whether Yang acknowledges him as her mother or not is irrelevant. What he can promise and correct is that Yang engages in self-harming behaviors in order to avoid acknowledging him as her mother, such as alcoholism, tattoos, smoking, frequenting bars, and indulging in promiscuity...

Yukinoshita's mother kept an eye on Yukinoshita Haruno's movements, but only observed without interfering.

However, given the recent situation, perhaps intervention is necessary?

Because the two of them had gone to see the movie and listened to its end credits song.

"That movie was well made."

Yukino's mother sighed and commented, "Whether it's Haruno or Yukino, their inner thoughts and expressions are different... But what does NPC mean?"

"This is a concept from the game."

Yukinoshita's father sat up straight and reported truthfully: "Because games made by humans have limitations in terms of programming, virtual characters in games often only have pre-set lines. When players talk to them, no matter how many times they repeat it, the virtual character will only answer with the limited lines designed, or it exists as a quest giver. This is what NPCs are."

"The answers to the pre-designed lines are repeated over and over again..." Yukinoshita's mother nodded slightly, recalling for a moment, "From Yukino and Haruno's perspective, is this how I appear?"

From the perspective of the two goddesses, the "big goddess" should be the one making the game—they are the NPCs in the game.

Yukinoshita's father commented seriously, "The screenwriter is that young man, Shirokage. In the end, it's just his one-sided introduction and literary exaggeration. It's impossible for him to encompass the complex relationship changes. There's no need to take it to heart. It's just the words of a petty person."

"Oh?"

Yukinoshita's mother asked calmly, "Then why were you able to ask Haruno to go shopping today?"

Yukinoshita's father said seriously, "Recently, I reflected on my past inaction and shamelessly had a frank conversation with Haruno, and we agreed to take her out for some fun."

"..."

Yukinoshita's mother simply looked at him silently and smiled, "When did you become so shameless?"

"The white shadow was merely relaying a message," Yukinoshita's father said. "Nine-tenths of the credit belongs to me."

"Just make sure you don't make more mistakes as you go along."

Yukino's mother remained noncommittal, then frowned and brought up another matter: "It seems that Haruno is focusing on music development? I think it's called rock. I looked up some related information... Rock seems to have some negative connotations. Although it is just a type of music, the related environment is quite chaotic, and it expresses a rebellious spirit."

Discussing family matters? The goddess has changed quite a bit.

Yukinoshita's father laughed and said, "Actually, it's just like when I was a delinquent. It's inevitable that for various reasons, I would pin my hopes on absurd things like 'loyalty,' 'maturity,' and 'being cool'..."

"So that means..." Yukinoshita's mother's eyes darkened slightly, and her expression became serious, "that Haruno might have crossed the line?"

Suddenly, I felt a phantom pain all over my body! Okay, the goddess is still the goddess!

Yukinoshita's father quickly explained, "It's just a matter of degree. Ultimately, we have to look at things on a case-by-case basis. An overall evaluation of a circle or a range is biased when it comes to the individuals and specific events within it. The Great Goddess sang that song very well and with a lot of power. She was probably just putting her emotions into the music."

"Go and gather the specific details and provide factual evidence."

Yukinoshita's mother said briefly, "Since you're going shopping with Haruno, why not take a look while you're at it?"

Yukinoshita's father: "?"

An elderly father determined to build a good father-daughter relationship (×).

By order of the Great Goddess, to spy on the Middle Goddess's spies (√).

How did a perfectly good day trip between father and daughter suddenly turn into a military mission?

"Speaking of which, there's also Yukino's matter," Yukinoshita's mother asked. "How's her training at the company going lately?"

Yukino's father immediately perked up and said, "Recently, Shiro has been harassing Yukino, seemingly causing a lot of trouble, so Yukino hasn't had time to come to the company for training."

Yukinoshita's mother nodded slightly: "That's alright."

Yukinoshita's father: "?"

Wait a minute! I looked around and saw enemies on all sides?! The Great Goddess is bad at judging people! Even though that traitor indirectly helped her see many things clearly, he's still a traitor! We must always be wary of traitors' tricks and be sure of our hostile relationship!

Yukino's father, his mind racing, took a roundabout approach, saying with a worried expression, "Young man, you're likely to lead Yukino astray. The fireworks festival is about to begin preparations, and it's not good for Yukino to neglect other things. If she focuses all her attention on other matters and becomes complacent about her studies and dreams, one setback will require several times the effort to get back on track..."

Use poison! Use poison hard! It's not that the little goddess is naive and rash, but that there are treacherous villains in power, maliciously inciting her!

“That’s true. Yukino’s problem… being too strict isn’t good, but not being lenient isn’t good either. The right balance is the issue.” Yukino’s mother pondered for a few seconds with a sigh and said, “Remind Yukino to prepare to represent the family in organizing the fireworks festival. Also, it’s almost time for the private school to start, so don’t let your guard down completely.”

Yukinoshita's father: "?"

Obeying his wife's orders, he was tasked with punishing the treacherous villains and clearing the little goddess's side (×).

As the person in charge, I took the blame first and foremost, bearing the responsibility for the little goddess's actions (√).

Damn it! Why did things turn out like this?

The goddess, betrayed and stabbed by the middle goddess, changed her approach. She stopped making decisions about family matters based on her experience and began to discuss them with herself. This was clearly a good thing—but the goddess's conclusion after thinking it over was to make herself the middleman between mother and daughter, and to take the blame for the family?!

With a heavy heart, Yukinoshita's father set off for the train station.

"Why is the uncle dressed so smartly as if he's eighteen again, yet so dejected as if he's in a rage at eighty?"

A white figure leaned against a pillar at the tram stop, carrying a bag of pancakes and replenishing her energy.

"Why are you here?"

Yukinoshita's father frowned, finding an outlet for his anger: "I'm here to pick up Haruno. What are you here for?"

"I'm here to urge you to keep your promise, Uncle," Bai Ying said with a smile. "We agreed that I'd do you a favor, and you'd do me a favor. Has Uncle been helping me out lately?"

Yukinoshita's father chuckled and said, "Of course, am I the kind of person who goes back on his word?"

Bai Ying looked him up and down, then nodded and said, "Uncle isn't fat at all, so how's the progress?"

"I had people call Ms. Sakurajima several times and send her job applications, but she didn't accept any offers," Yukinoshita's father said. "You can't blame me for that—after all, you asked me for help, didn't you even try to persuade her?"

"If I finish the job, will I still be able to demonstrate my value as an uncle?" Bai Ying said earnestly. "Uncle, I think you're just going to dawdle, take the payment first, then shirk the task, and finally run away with the money. It's the same old routine: as long as you can get away, it doesn't matter if things fall apart or not, right?"

"Young man, you're being a bit disrespectful."

Yukinoshita's father commented casually, then changed the subject, saying, "Speaking of which, why are you so concerned about that Ms. Sakurajima? Did you make a friend while filming on set? I've heard that young people these days lack ambition, dreaming of instant success, willing to sell their right to love, seeking out older, successful women to leap over the dragon gate and achieve instant wealth..."

"It's absurd for this uncle to judge others by his own standards."

Bai Ying replied with a smile.

You treacherous scoundrel, you're judging others by your own standards!

The father's eye twitched slightly under the snow.

"Besides, the prevailing idea among young people these days isn't to find a rich woman, but a rich young girl," Bai Ying corrected. "People are always striving for improvement; if they can find someone better, of course they won't settle—by the way, why hasn't the uncle finished getting things done yet?"

"It'll be soon, it'll be soon. 'Three visits to the thatched cottage,' I haven't even had three visits yet..."

"Why don't you make a call now, show your sincerity, and talk to them again?"

"Are you teaching me what to do?"

“I’m forcing you to do something,” Bai Ying reminded her kindly. “9528—oh, that is, the hero’s sister is about to arrive.”

Tsk! I'll hold back for now!

Yukinoshita's father took out his phone, dialed the number, and tried again to persuade the target to come to work. First, he brought up Shirokage as an excuse, expressing his thoughts and concern for her. Then, he affirmed the value and significance of Sakurajima's mother from a company perspective. Finally, he revealed his true intentions and invited her to work at the company, where she would be responsible for some publicity-related work.

Unexpectedly, the other party, who had hesitated and declined multiple times before as if there were some unspeakable reasons, finally agreed this time, saying that they had time today and wanted to learn more about the job, and even planned to come to the company to prepare for an interview.

Yukinoshita's father considered the time and arranged to meet at his company at noon. He then hung up the phone, his gaze lingering on the white figure with a rather deep look, pondering the young man's relationship with that Ms. Sakurajima... Could this guy really be into that kind of thing?

That's quite possible. Young girls tend to prefer mature and steady men, while older girls like young and carefree ones. With this cunning appearance, he does have the potential to be a kept man.

“Let’s talk about something honest,” Yukino’s father asked curiously. “Why are you so eager to help?”

"help?"

Bai Ying complained, "With Aunt Sakurajima's skills, connections, and experience, continuing as an agent in the entertainment industry seems to offer a better future than working for Uncle's company. She just needs a temporary job to get rid of her idleness and adjust her mindset."

Yukino's father sneered, "Do you think the company is a toilet, where you can come and go as you please?"

Bai Ying stroked his chin and said, "Uncle, did you perhaps convert the company's toilets into coin-operated ones?"

"Hiss!" Yukinoshita's father gasped, his eyes wide with surprise as he commented, "You're not cut out to be a leader; you'd be easily shoved down the toilet."

"I understand, only leaders are allowed to fart, but employees are not allowed to poop."

Bai Ying took a bite of her pancake as she spoke.

Yukinoshita's father had to admit that this villain's fighting ability was somewhat superhuman.

Just then, the train pulled into the station and the doors opened to let people in. Yukinoshita's father looked around to see where Yukinoshita Haruno was, and frowned at the white figure beside him, saying, "Why are you still here? I already called you, didn't I? You can go to the company at noon later."

As a competent tool, you should retire gracefully.

The white figure suddenly chuckled: "Uncle, beg me to leave."

Father under the snow: "Get up!"

The white figure shrugged: "Uncle, remember to beg me to stay later."

Yukinoshita's father sneered, "Oh, young man, you're quite confident?"

The two had barely exchanged a few words when a voice rang out from the crowd: "Hey! You jerk—"

Yukino Yukino walked briskly over, wearing a beige dress that revealed her calves, sandals on her feet, a thin cardigan over her upper body, and carrying a small handbag. She approached with a bright smile, but immediately noticed her father standing next to Shiro, and instinctively slowed her pace, her smile fading.

All sorts of thoughts and guesses came together in a flash.

"Hey, that explains why you suddenly asked me to go shopping."

Yukinoshita Haruno said with a playful tone, "So you've sold me for a price?"

"9528, subordinates are not allowed to contradict their superiors. It's not like I sold you by weight or by the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys."

Bai Ying gestured to Yukinoshita's father beside her, and said with a leader's air, "Treat this distinguished guest well. Make him feel at home. He spent a lot of money to help out, so don't throw a tantrum, understand?"

"Hi hi~" Yukino Yukinoshita straightened her expression, put on a sweet but fake smile, and asked in a friendly and cordial manner, "Father, where would you like to go? You can decide the itinerary."

Yukinoshita's father felt a stomachache: "..."

"You two get along well, father and daughter are kind and filial. I, an outsider, will be leaving now."

The white figure took a new pancake from the bag, took a step to leave, and muttered inexplicably, "One...two..."

"Please climb back up."

Yukinoshita's father truly understood the essence of relationships.

Yukino's lips twitched slightly.

"Alright, let's have a nice stroll around then." Bai Ying walked back smoothly and said casually, "I'm thinking of buying a laptop..."

"I don't know much about this, I'll just browse around."

Yukino glanced at the white shadow's bag and unceremoniously reached out her hand, saying, "Give me one."

Bai Ying offered a pancake to appease the rebellious 9528. Seeing this, Yukinoshita's father also offered a pancake to vent his anger.

As it turns out, Yukino's casual stroll was anything but casual; she wandered around aimlessly, indulging her shopping instincts.

In this respect, she's unlike the "Great Goddess," who is usually direct and decisive when buying things...

Yukinoshita's father was initially wary, thinking that Shirokage was digging a pit to bury him—for example, making him carry things later and turning him into a human shelf.

Yukino bought some things and gave them directly to Shirokage to carry, but Shirokage showed no intention of carrying them for her!