Uneasy daily life

Unfamiliar number?

The call had barely connected, and before he could even speak, a woman's serious and composed voice came through: "Hello, this is the Tokyo Pizza Hut Law Firm. We specialize in handling cases involving mistresses, dividing marital property, and providing relationship counseling. If you have any needs, we can…"

"Can big data get any more outrageous these days?"

Under the snow, the father uttered a single sentence.

Hearing it was a man's voice, the woman paused for a moment, maintaining her stubbornness as a working-class woman: "Um, we can also handle cases like protecting mistresses and ensuring assets aren't divided during marriage..."

"I'm dead."

Wait, sir, we also offer other services...

"Hello, if you call again I'll call the police!"

Yukinoshita's father didn't swear, but simply gave a warning before hanging up. As the head of the Yukinoshita family, composure, avoiding swearing, and maintaining the family's image are basic skills. Of course, dealing with rebels is a different story.

I act like a respectable person for my family, but those despicable rebels are inhuman, so there's no need for me to pretend anymore!

If we don't criticize it, it's hard to set a good example!

Yukinoshita's father pondered, "So we really have to start with the rebels?"

The phone rang again.

Damn it! Why are over 100 million Japanese people bothering me instead of trying to drum up business for them?!

The father raised his hand to answer the call.

"I have no interest in the mistress business, I've already said that..."

What are you interested in?

The goddess's calm voice came through.

Yukinoshita's father said solemnly, "It's our wedding anniversary."

"Those kinds of things are fine to be taken lightly; don't let small things ruin your life and disrupt your rhythm." The goddess remained unconcerned as always. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Are you hiding something from Haruno and Yukino?"

"?"

Has it been exposed? Who did it?

Damn it! They're definitely rebels!

Yukinoshita's father's expression was ferocious like a demon, while his voice was humble like that of a corporate slave: "Because you didn't ask... right?"

"I've entrusted their upbringing and education to you, so you really don't need to report anything to me." The goddess's tone was calm. "So, as the person in charge of your daughters' education, do you have any constructive ideas about them both liking the same person?"

Oh no! The higher-ups are coming to audit the accounts!

What's so surprising? It's just an audit; anyone can do that.

They came to check the accounts to confirm what they knew.

Oh no! The higher-ups are coming to audit the accounts!

It felt like there were two Tysons boxing in my head.

As the fight raged on, Yukinoshita's father returned home, his head covered in sweat. He stood aside, secretly glancing at the expression on the face of the goddess on the sofa.

On Yukinoshita's mother's face, there was no sign of anger or annoyance, but rather a slight frown, indicating some confusion and worry.

Huh? How strange...

Yukinoshita's father swept away his doubts and immediately shifted the blame: "Wife! I think this is a problem with the rebels... it's that white figure! I'll call him over right now!"

“No need.” Yukinoshita’s mother shook her head slightly and exhaled. “Since you’ve known about this all along, tell me your opinion.”

"?" Yukinoshita's father said cautiously, "I...I think we should call Hakukage over..."

Yukino's mother looked at him with a puzzled expression: "Does this have much to do with Shirokage? Whether it's Haruno or Yukino, their feelings are their own. Just like how I chose you back then, not because I followed Father's wishes for an arranged marriage... What I mean is, since you've always known about this, how much do you really know about Haruno's thoughts?"

After calming down, Yukinoshita's father remained silent for a while before saying, "Yono, it seems you'll still call Father and Mother, right?"

The misunderstandings and conflicts were resolved in her angry accusations, but the traces left behind were hard to change, just like herself, who could never be a tough father.

"It seems that Haruno's idea is to give up, because she wants to avoid problems and my attitude, so she is giving up her feelings." Yukinoshita's mother closed her eyes, looking somewhat tired. "I promised her that I would no longer interfere with her choices, but... I still feel that something is not right."

Is this what the goddess in the Chinese folklore is thinking?

Yukinoshita's father paused for a moment, then said, "This won't do..."

"Why not?" Yukinoshita's mother asked, opening her eyes.

Although she sensed that something was off about Haruno, she couldn't figure out what was wrong... Shouldn't liking someone mean liking them earnestly? Why should Haruno give up when they could overcome all obstacles together? Was it because of Yukino? Because of herself? Because of the Yukinoshita family's reputation? These questions were very real, yet also very unrealistic.

"because……"

As Yukinoshita's father pondered how to describe it, he suddenly heard a bell ring.

Yukinoshita's mother took out her phone with some surprise, her gaze momentarily blank.

……

……

Yukinoshita was flustered, but quickly forced herself to calm down, put on a composed smile, and waved to greet them, "Mother, what brings you here? It's so late..."

Yukinoshita's mother frowned as she looked at her.

Yukino Shino belatedly realized that she was holding a beer can. She coughed and put the can on the table, saying, "A little drink is good for the soul and won't harm your health."

"Auntie, please rest assured." Bai Ying nodded and said, "9528 is just using alcohol to numb himself. He doesn't have the idea of ​​getting drunk and indulging himself. Although we are alone in a room, we are discussing the philosophy of life, not studying human biology."

Yukinoshita Yono: "?"

Alright, alright! I know you dare to say such strange things in front of Mother, so shut your mouth right now!

"Don't do anything without thinking or acting recklessly."

The mother said something under the snow.

"Scumbag!"

The white figure scurried to the side of the coffee table, letting Yukinoshita's mother sit down in her place, facing Yukinoshita Haruno.

"?"

So you're the one who led the way for your mother?!

Yukinoshita successfully maintained her composure, even daring to seize the initiative, and asked with a smile, "Didn't Mother say she was waiting for me to come find you? Why did you suddenly come over?"

“Because I’ve thought about it carefully, and this isn’t something you can just decide on casually,” Yukino’s mother said calmly. “Besides, you’ve already made your decision, haven’t you? Once you’ve made a decision, you have to see it through to the end.”

"..."

Yukino's expression stiffened slightly, and she couldn't help but become indifferent. Her fingers cracked as she squeezed the beer can, her voice carrying a hint of low pressure: "Oh? What if I change my mind?"

"Going back on your word?" Yukinoshita's mother asked, puzzled, before turning to look at the white figure.

“Reporting to Auntie.” Bai Ying raised her hands and clasped her hands in a fist salute, and said solemnly, “Auntie has violated her previous statement of waiting, and also violated the clause of not interfering with 9528—Auntie can go back on her word, and 9528 can naturally go back on her word as well. Of course, this logic is not important. What is important is that she does not want you to make decisions for her.”

Yukinoshita Yono: "?"

"Me, make the decision for you?" Yukinoshita's mother frowned, quite puzzled. "Yino, isn't what I meant by your decision?"

“Mother, I hope you won’t interfere in my affairs…” Yukino Yukinoshita took a deep breath, unable to suppress a wave of irritation. “I haven’t crossed the line you set for me, have I? I haven’t hurt myself or indulged myself. As for problems, I should go to Father. I have no problems.”

"You just don't want me to get involved?"

Yukino's mother couldn't help but gasp, her usually calm voice betraying a hint of emotion: "I am your and Yukino's mother, how could I not care? If I really do nothing, what will I do if you get hurt?"

"...It wasn't a big deal to begin with." Yukinoshita Haruno glanced at the solemn-looking man and immediately said with a smile, "Besides, if Mother wants to get involved, shouldn't she ask the rascal how he's going to choose?"

Yukinoshita's mother looked at the white figure and asked with a deep gaze, "So, what are your thoughts?"

"I like both 9528 and the hero."

Bai Ying said sincerely, "So let's ask 9528 for his opinion."

"What do you mean 'like them all'? Mother! Look at this guy!"

Yukino felt her thoughts were in disarray. Being born a human was too conservative; she couldn't keep up with the idiot's inhuman mind.

"He said he likes you, what do you think?" Yukinoshita's mother looked straight at her.

Yukinoshita Yono: "?"

Yukinoshita's mother said, "If you're giving up because you're considering Yukino's feelings, it means you don't particularly like Shirakage. From now on, let Yukino..."

"Wait a minute!" Yukinoshita Haruno hurriedly raised her hand, disregarding her manners, and pointed at someone, saying in disbelief, "My dear mother! This guy has made a scumbag declaration! Shouldn't we be questioning him?!"

Yukinoshita's mother asked, "What did he do to you that was bad?"

"..." Yukino Yukinoshita twitched her eyes.

"Feelings? Didn't you give them to Yukino? Since you've already given them up, what does that even mean?" Yukinoshita's mother said calmly. "Or are you worried about my attitude? I allow you to do what you want to do, so what answer can you give? Give up or persist?"

Yukino felt increasingly uneasy, but it did seem like something her mother would say. After all, her mother was the kind of person who was strong-willed and never gave up, someone who had carried out her will for most of her life...

I can't do it.

"Mother, what you're saying isn't right either, is it?" Yukinoshita Haruno rubbed her temples and said in a cold tone, "Do you expect me and Yukino-chan to have a falling out and make the Yukinoshita family a laughing stock? You don't want to damage the Yukinoshita family's reputation, do you?"

Yukinoshita's mother frowned as she looked at Yukinoshita Haruno, and the two stared at each other for a few seconds... The eyes may be the windows to the soul, but everyone has their own windows.

Then, Yukinoshita's mother gave Shirokage a wink.

"Reporting to Auntie!"

Bai Ying declared in a resounding voice, "Our army has not been defeated; it has only made a strategic retreat! I am not afraid, but I am concerned about the reputation of the Yukinoshita family!"

So it really was you who called Mother here!

Yukino Yukinoshita crushed the beer can, almost unable to resist the urge to smash the white dog's head, but when she saw her mother turn her gaze towards her, she had to suppress her agitation.

"Mother, this is just bastard talking nonsense..."

"Then, setting aside my stance and disregarding Yukino, you don't need to worry about the family's reputation." Yukinoshita's mother's tone turned serious. "Yino, what do you intend to do?"

"Mother makes it sound so easy, but how can I possibly let go of these things?"

They've been cornered, and there's no way to maneuver...

Yukino lowered her eyes expressionlessly, saying that there was nothing she could do.

But that's what I wanted to say all along... It's over.

“I don’t want to compete with Yukino, nor do I want any problems at home, and I also don’t want Mother to be the judge… Alright, Mother, you don’t need to consider my feelings.” Yukinoshita Haruno was not only mocking herself, but also laughing at herself. “I just acted on impulse, so be it.”

Yukinoshita's mother looked at her, hesitated, and finally sighed softly, her expression returning to calm.

"Okay, that's it."

My mother left me in the snow, just as suddenly as she came.

Bai Ying sat back down and continued eating.

In the end, even the mother couldn't resolve this dilemma.

Yukino Yukinoshita reopened a can of beer, took a sip, and exhaled deeply. She raised her hand to support her forehead, while Liu Penghai lay haphazardly between his fingers, his eyes somewhat hazy.

Having said it face-to-face like this is basically making a serious promise to my mother, and there's no way I can go back on my word later...

"You jerk... what are you doing?" Yukinoshita Haruno mumbled without looking up. "Do you think I'm in your way?"

Bai Ying picked up her chopsticks, poked at the barbecue that only had seasoning left, and skillfully deflected, "Hey, don't slander me! When did I ever think you were in the way? You clearly chose this yourself."

Then call your mother over... Sigh, it was indeed my choice.

Yukinoshita rubbed her forehead, not in the mood to settle scores with Shirakage for the time being.

I feel terrible, unexpectedly terrible. I've long been used to prioritizing my own feelings and preferences, so why? Why am I still so upset? Is it because I'm no longer controlled by my mother? Is it because gaining freedom makes me more prone to sadness? Is it because I can no longer fool around, bickering with that jerk while simultaneously teasing Yukino-chan?

Come to think of it, why did I have to confront that jerk? I could have just kept fooling around... Why did I feel this dull, throbbing pain in my heart after I agreed to my mother's request? That was exactly what I wanted from the beginning.

I don’t understand, I really don’t understand…

Yukino looked up at the white figure and suddenly found her vision blurry.

"9528." Bai Ying clicked her tongue and shook her head. "A person who truly wants to give up won't shout that they want to give up, nor will they argue with others about whether giving up is right or wrong, reasonable or correct. Giving up is too lazy to find reasons; only struggle makes one anxious and uncertain. Haven't you been arguing with your own feelings all this time?"

"When the door to the heart closes, it must be completely silent."

The rented room quieted down.

Yukino felt her heart pounding again, restless and burning. She wanted to burn away the promises, burn away the mess of the present situation or her thoughts. She raised her hand to rub her eyes, feeling an inexplicable urge to comfort herself, yet unwilling to give up.