Uneasy daily life

Yukino's gaze drifted uncontrollably to the seven kittens wrestling and meowing at the white figure in their cage. The kittens, each with a distinct appearance and temperament, rolled around in a noisy tussle, giving one the urge to open the cage and let them run free...

No, if Bai Jun is here, the kittens will just chase him around or be tricked by him into running around.

This person is really something, they even fool a cat.

Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at the person who was lost in thought. Shiro-kun continued to grow towards the house on his own, wanting to see her and Sakurajima make a fool of themselves. Maybe he already had some wicked idea in mind to make her and Sakurajima a laughing stock.

We need to be careful... Find an opportunity to try talking to Bai Jun separately.

Yukinoshita's father brought up a question: "Didn't Haruno bring her guitar back?"

"..." Yukino Yukinoshita, "I forgot to bring it."

Yukinoshita's father laughed and said, "That's a pity. I'd like to hear Haruno play the guitar."

Yukino Yukinoshita: "Next time."

A perfunctory response! A cold, dismissive response! Could it be that something happened recently that caused the goddess to start reminiscing about the past, becoming depressed and losing her temper?

Feeling he'd been rebuffed, Yukino's father wisely changed the subject: "Yukino? Has anything fun happened at school lately?"

Suddenly noticed, Yukino Yukinoshita (Mai) withdrew her gaze from the white figure, a habitual smile playing on her lips: "The school is holding a sports festival soon..."

Yukinoshita's father: "?"

What kind of happy thing is this? Is the little goddess really being sarcastic? School group activities like sports festivals are happy things for the little goddess? And look at that smile—three parts politeness, five parts perfunctory, two parts insincere, full of the cheap meaning of "you can't hit a smiling face" from a socialite.

When did my little goddess learn to smile like that? She's actually smiling at me like that!

The father fell silent beneath the snow, a blizzard raging in his heart, chilling him to the bone.

Oh no, I couldn't control my habit.

Yukino Yukinoshita (Mai) had a vague feeling, and when she smiled, it was as if she had poked Yukinoshita's father in the eyes, leaving him somewhat stunned.

"What would you like to drink?"

Yukinoshita's father tried to steer the conversation in a roundabout way.

Yukino Yukinoshita (Mai) was a little more cautious: "Either is fine."

Yukino Yukinoshita stood up and said, "I'll make some tea."

Yukino went into the kitchen to boil water, and after rummaging through the cupboard, she asked, "Father, is there any black tea at home?"

"I'll go buy it right now—young man, come with me!"

Yukinoshita's father immediately got up, took the dazed white figure with him, and rushed out the door with lightning speed, heading towards a nearby store.

After the two left, Yukino Yukinoshita (Yukino) and Yukino Yukinoshita (Mai) looked at each other, both feeling that the other's performance was problematic and that their own performance was not very good either.

"I forgot to bring my guitar back, and my sister didn't even remind me. She's probably waiting to see me make a fool of myself." Yukino Yukinoshita rubbed her temples helplessly, squatted down next to the cage, and observed the seven cats inside. "Sakurajima, Father must have noticed something's wrong, right?"

"I think people who are close to me can tell that something is wrong."

Yukino Yukinoshita (Mai) couldn't help but retort, "For example, when you have that cold, sister-like face, you look like a debt collector..."

"What standard qualifies as having a cold face?" Yukinoshita Haruno (Yukino) reached out and stroked the Persian cat's chin, saying calmly, "Compared to that, Sakurajima should be the one paying attention, right? I don't have the habit of smiling at everyone I meet."

"How can this be considered offering smiles to everyone you meet?"

Yukino Yukinoshita (Mai) crossed her arms, raised her left leg, and explained with a smile, "When you meet unfamiliar classmates at school, there's no need to interact with them; you can just give them a perfunctory answer. But at work, you inevitably have to deal with strangers, like when shooting commercials or TV dramas. When you're facing strangers you have to interact with, isn't it normal to smile?"

“If we’re talking about getting things done, what does it have to do with laughter? I have no problem with your habits, but if you want to play my role well, you should tone down your usual habits.” Yukino Yukinoshita skillfully rubbed the Norwegian Forest Cat’s head with her fingers. “Is Father a stranger to you that you have to deal with?”

"Well... you could say that."

Yukino Yukinoshita (Mai) said subtly.

Yukino Yukinoshita teased, "Isn't Sakurajima envious that I have a father? You're all talk and no action, Sakurajima just loves his father?"

"I never said that, it's all just haters talking nonsense." Yukino Yukinoshita (Mai) shifted the blame first, and then said, "Even if it's envy, it's hard to really see the other person as a father, right? Judging from my subconscious reaction just now... that's probably what it feels like to have to deal with a stranger."

Yukino Yukinoshita said calmly, "As a well-known actress, Sakurajima still has a lot of room for improvement."

Yukino Yukinoshita (Mai) was teased a few times, but she didn't change her expression: "It's okay, it's just playing a cold-faced role of a high-class school beauty. I've played similar roles before."

"Imitating the way white fungus speaks is not a good habit."

"Wasn't Yukino just mimicking the hater's speech?"

After a brief exchange of playful banter, Yukino Yukinoshita (Mai) tried doing facial exercises, mimicking the expressions of the original character: "How about this?"

Yukino, who was playing with the cat, glanced sideways and couldn't help but look at herself with a cold expression, her eyes slightly raised, giving off a condescending feeling...

Yukino frowned slightly and said, "Do I usually look down on you?"

"Perhaps it's because filming requires more expressive facial expressions, which doesn't quite match our everyday habits."

Yukino Yukinoshita (Mai) hesitated for a moment, observing Yukino Yukinoshita (Yukino)'s expression, and said hesitantly, "Speaking of which, rather than having a cold face, you seem to have no expression at all most of the time. It's just that you don't have any expression when you're dealing with other people, which is why there's a rumor about you having a cold face..."

rumor?

"Other people's opinions don't matter." Yukino Yukinoshita teased the cat and casually remarked, "What about Sakurajima? Someone as socially active as Hayama-san?"

"It's a pity that I'm busy with work and rarely have time at school. I basically have no connection with my peers—maybe in school circles I'm just as aloof as Yukinoshita." Yukinoshita Haruno (Mai) said with a smile, then added thoughtfully, "Hmm... to portray Yukinoshita's feeling, I guess I should be emotionless."

"Three no's?"

"In simple terms, the internet definition is someone who is expressionless, silent, and taciturn..."

"Not really." Yukino Yukinoshita immediately denied it, saying that she did talk and make expressions quite a bit when she was with Shiro or other friends.

"Well, then..."

The door opened with a soft click.

Yukino's mother carried some things into the house and was somewhat surprised to see her eldest daughter playing with the cat: "Yinno?"

Haruno is home too? But why is she playing with a cat? Does Haruno like cats?

Yukino's mother immediately noticed her youngest daughter on the sofa, her brows furrowing slightly as she asked in a slightly harsher voice, "Yukino, is this how you usually sit?"

Yukino Yukinoshita (Mai), who was sitting with her arms crossed and legs crossed, was taken aback and quickly changed her posture to sit up straight.

Yukino Yukinoshita slightly raised the corners of her mouth.

……

……

"Brother, wake up!"

Yukinoshita's father casually selected items at the store, mainly to seek advice and strategies.

"Your teammate 0-21 has reconnected." Bai Ying regained some of his composure. "My brother was willing to die together to damage my spirit. He is truly a hero who knows how to give and take."

"Haha, my dear brother, you jest. Let bygones be bygones." Yukinoshita's father brushed it off, casually picking up a packet of black tea. "Do you know what happened between Yukino and Haruno?"

"Brother, the one over there is better; the brave one will like it more."

"Oh..." Yukinoshita's father changed the package, then suddenly realized something was wrong. "How did you know?"

"She always brews this brand of black tea in the activity room."

Yukinoshita's father temporarily suppressed his displeasure and asked with a smile, "Where's Haruno?"

"9528 probably doesn't have any particular favorite drinks, they're pretty casual."

Is the goddess Zhong planning to make black tea for goddess Xiao Xun?

Forget about that for now.

Yukino's father sighed softly. On the way home after settling the bill, his face full of worry, he said, "Yukino's smile is fake, and Yang's face is cold. There is no peace in the home. I, your father, did not consider my own virtue and ability. I wanted to be kind and filial to the family, but my wisdom and skills were too shallow to understand the meaning, which led to this situation. However, my will is not yet satisfied. What do you think is the best course of action?"

The correct answer has already been revealed. If you didn't understand, then don't blame me for lying.

Bai Ying feigned surprise and said, "When did you acquire such literary talent, Brother? You even dared to copy the Longzhong Dialogue?"

“I’m a top graduate from a prestigious university,” Yukino’s father subtly emphasized his status. “Your aunt and I graduated from the same university, don’t you think?”

"Brother, you're so smart, why ask me for advice?"

"Learn from the strengths of others."

Yukinoshita's father waved his hand: "Anyway, my dear brother, do you have a brilliant plan?"

Bai Ying pondered for a moment, then replied, “Since the formation was formed, the situation has been chaotic, and the relationship between parents and children is no longer what it used to be. Compared to your aunt, Yang is less well-known and has fewer followers, yet he was able to overcome his mother, turning weakness into strength. This is not only due to past events but also to the nature of people. Now Yang has gained his freedom, playing the guitar and singing in bewilderment. We should not be too hasty in this matter. Xue holds a high position, has proven her abilities, and is legitimate and capable. She can be an ally but not a target…”

"Stop! You really want to rewrite the Longzhong Dialogue for me?" Yukinoshita's father interrupted. "Give me something easy to understand!"

Bai Ying nodded again and replied, "Yang is just putting on a show, feigning friendliness while actually being distant. It's a social mask, and his cold and taciturn demeanor must be hiding his resentment. Isn't this something you, Brother, have noticed alone? Joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness are merely expressions on the face; true understanding comes from the heart. How can you judge a book by its cover, Brother..."

Yukinoshita's father frowned and said, "What you're saying... If nothing happened that made Haruno so dissatisfied that she couldn't control herself, why would she have such a cold expression?"

“Once you suffer in secret, but smile in the light. Your elder brother is concerned but at a loss. You should judge his heart, not his appearance.”

Bai Ying offered her loyal advice.

That's true. Haruno has great patience and self-control. Her indifferent expression doesn't necessarily mean she's dissatisfied; rather, it's because I misunderstood her.

Yukino's father seemed thoughtful: "And what about Yukino? Why is she smiling today? And her smile seems a little strange..."

Bai Ying continued, "After succeeding her elder brother, Yukino dreams of standing in the political arena. She works hard and devotes herself wholeheartedly. The school's sports festival is a perfect opportunity to unite the masses, win over committee members, cultivate good relationships with teachers, and improve her political skills. Next week, she will apply to become the executive committee chairperson. If her elder brother expresses his support and assistance, how could Yukino dare not respect and honor him? If so, her ambition can be achieved and her family can be at peace."

Sports Festival? Executive Committee Chairman?

Yukino's father sighed, "No wonder. It's really different in society than in school. When we held the fireworks festival, firstly, it was because the Yukino family was used to hosting it, and secondly, I was there to vouch for it and take responsibility. Yukino only needed to think about how to make it a success, without having to worry about dealing with people... The situation in school is quite different. But will Yukino deliberately learn social skills?"

Yukinoshita's father was a little puzzled, but quickly put his doubts aside: "We can't rush things. If she smiles like that at school, it will only make people think it's strange."

"Brother is right."

The white figure nodded repeatedly.

"You've done well, my brother. Remember to report back to me often in the future."

Under the snow, the father made up his mind and smiled broadly.

We'll bring this up at the dinner table later, cheer on our little goddess, talk about how to manage things, the difference between school and society, and support her in running for executive committee chairman—in short, we need to establish a reliable and stable father figure in our little goddess's heart!

As for Yang Nai, the main thing is to treat her with a normal attitude and not take her facial expressions seriously.

"I'm back."

As the snow fell, my father pushed open the door and entered. "With such a virtuous brother, I am like a fish in water. What worries do I have about not achieving great things?"

The sound of laughter and cheerful conversation filled the air.

"A commissioned duel? Your father and I did the same thing back then, a competition to see who could do it better..."

"I have the upper hand right now."

"Then good luck. Taking it seriously is never a bad thing."

Amidst the harmonious conversation, as warm as springtime, the father felt only ice shards covering his face beneath the snow.

My dear brother's water has instantly turned into aqua regia.

Chapter Eighteen, you're right, aren't you?

"Keep striving forward and don't slack off. I can't say whether the club activities of the Service Club will help you improve, but if you focus, you will always gain something..."

"Uh-huh."

Yukino's father was a little awkward to get along with, and he subconsciously adopted his polite social habits, but Yukino's mother got along very naturally, and she didn't even need to pay special attention. Yukino (Mai) was sure that she didn't show her habitual social smile.

How should I put it... she's remarkably similar to my mother in the past—strict, even when her tone is gentle, she still gives off a feeling of authority.

We actually got used to each other.

The level of performance by Yukino Yukinoshita (Mai) has increased.

"Although the idea of ​​changing the world is a bit grand, it's good to take a step closer to it."

Yukinoshita's mother hesitated for a moment before saying this.

"?"

Yukino Yukinoshita (Mai) glanced subconsciously at the somewhat blank-faced Yukino Yukinoshita (Yukino), and immediately improvised, a slight smile appearing on her face as she said, "My mother must have had similar dreams when she was young, right?"

"No," Yukinoshita's mother said, puzzled. "What are you laughing at?"

Yukinoshita Yukino (Mai): "..."

Under the snow, isn't your mother acting a little strange? It sounds like she's picking a fight.