Inside the Yukinoshita home's study.

Heavy curtains hung half-drawn, turning the midday sun into a dim gray glow.

At a spacious mahogany desk sat Mrs. Yukinoshita—Yukinoshita's mother, hereafter referred to as "Mother."

Her slender fingers pressed against her temple, facing a towering stack of documents labeled with bright red "URGENT" stamps.

"Another company…" She muttered wearily.

"This time it's the construction materials department…"

"Ring ring!"

The telephone rang sharply. Mother, acting on reflex, picked it up swiftly, instantly donning a perfect smile and a steady, authoritative voice.

"This is Yukinoshita."

"Madam, there's a call from Mr. Satou of Mitsubishi Bank, asking about next quarter's loan."

Mother's fingers unconsciously tightened around the phone cord, knuckles turning white, yet her voice remained smooth as silk.

"Please inform Mr. Satou I've prepared all the documents, and I'll personally visit tomorrow at ten a.m."

After hanging up, she sagged back into her chair as though all her strength had been drained. Around forty years old, she'd always been admired for her elegance and competence, but now she looked fatigued beyond her years. Faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes stood out in the dim light, and threads of silver could be seen among her once-glossy black hair.

"Who's targeting the Yukinoshita family…?"

She whispered to herself. Her hand brushed a framed family photo on the desk, showing younger versions of Yukino and Haruno—both still little girls—posed calmly by her side.

Mother lightly touched the photo of their faces, her gaze conflicted. She'd managed the entire Yukinoshita enterprise alone, raising two daughters at the same time, believing herself strong enough for any challenge.

But this time…she couldn't even identify the opponent.

Project after project was running into problems. The supply chain got disrupted; key clients abruptly canceled orders; banks suddenly tightened loan conditions…like an invisible hand orchestrating everything. Worse, she'd used every connection she had, but couldn't discover who pulled the strings.

"At least… at least I can't let Yukino and Haruno get involved…"

She murmured to herself, picking up a compact powder case, trying to hide the dark circles under her eyes. As the leader of the Yukinoshita family, she'd been taught from childhood that the family's interests came before all else. But right now, she wanted her daughters to be free from Yukinoshita's burdens and live their own lives.

She was checking her reflection when the study door rapped gently.

"Madam."

Their elderly housekeeper stood at the threshold.

"Miss Yukino and Miss Haruno are back, and they…they brought a young man with them."

A sudden jolt made Mother almost drop her powder. Quickly she snapped the compact shut, forcing composure.

"Rei Ao's here as well?"

The housekeeper nodded. "Yes, the gentleman introduced himself as Rei Ao."

Mother took a deep breath, her heart pounding out of control. Some time ago, both her daughters had told her they'd fallen for the same man—this mysterious Rei Ao.

She'd been unable to accept it at first, but after meeting him a few times, she had to admit that the young man with iridescent eyes was indeed extraordinary. More surprising was how each of her starkly different daughters seemed happier than ever around him.

"Please ask them to wait; I'll be down shortly."

After the housekeeper left, she rushed to the mirror, anxiously checking her appearance.

"In this state, how can I possibly meet them…"

Looking at her haggard reflection, she cursed inwardly, swiftly taking out her makeup for a rescue operation: foundation, concealer, blush…layer upon layer to conceal the fatigue of so many days. She wouldn't let her daughters, especially Rei Ao, see her so vulnerable.

…

Fifteen minutes later.

Mother, her elegant façade barely restored, descended the stairs, finding the three people chatting cheerfully in the living room.

Rei Ao sat in the middle, Yukino and Haruno naturally snuggled at either side. It looked remarkably harmonious.

"Mother."

Yukino noticed her first and stood to greet her as she'd done in the past. She was wearing a rare pale pink outfit at home—rather than the black suits she typically wore—giving her a softer look.

Haruno sprang up and embraced her.

"Mom, we came back suddenly—weren't interrupting your work, were we?"

Haruno's smile was bright as ever, hiding the worry in her eyes.

"Of course not," Mother replied with a warm smile, patting Haruno's back, then nodding at Rei Ao.

"Rei Ao-kun, welcome to our home."

Rei Ao stood, his iridescent eyes shining under the lights, wearing a simple white shirt and black slacks, yet exuding an unshakable presence.

"Sorry for the intrusion, Mrs. Yukinoshita."

He spoke gently, though with a note of unassailable confidence. Mother again felt that uncanny sense of being seen through.

"I'll have the kitchen prepare dinner…"

She turned as if to summon the housekeeper, but Haruno stopped her.

"No need. Today we'll cook for ourselves!"

Haruno winked.

"Rei Ao says he's good at cooking, and Yukino wants to try out some new recipes. Mom, you just sit and wait, okay?"

Mother froze. In her memory, Yukino had never shown any interest in cooking, and while Haruno could manage simple dishes, she'd never offered to cook for the family.

"This…"

"My dear mother-in-law, won't you let us show off our skills?" Rei Ao said casually, using the term "mother-in-law," which rattled Mother's heart.

Even more surprising: Yukino, rather than contradicting him, only blushed. The three of them strolled toward the kitchen, Rei Ao casually wrapping an arm around Yukino's and Haruno's waists.

Mother stood rooted, staring at the backs of her two daughters. She suddenly realized they weren't little girls needing her protection anymore.

…

In the kitchen, laughter and rattling cookware rang out soon enough.

Mother drifted to the doorway, peering inside through the half-open door:

Rei Ao stood at the stove, skillfully stir-frying ingredients. Yukino carefully sliced vegetables—clumsy but diligent.

Haruno hummed a tune while preparing a salad. Their glances crossed as they smiled, a gentle warmth in the air.

Mother felt a sudden heat in her eyes. This kind of mundane family scene almost never happened in the Yukinoshita household.

She'd always poured herself into the family enterprise, raising her daughters strictly, expecting Haruno to be the future head.

To them, the house felt more like a place to sleep. Yukinoshita felt more like…a cage.

~~~

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