It was Sunday. Mrs. Yukinoshita not only thoughtfully delivered a gown but also sent along a professional makeup artist.

From what Yukino heard, this makeup artist was quite renowned in the industry — well-regarded in both fashion and entertainment circles. She wasn't just skilled with makeup; her insights into clothing and jewelry pairing were said to be exceptional.

Mrs. Yukinoshita clearly valued this engagement party, making sure to invite someone of such caliber to oversee Yukino's appearance.

Yukino rarely wore makeup. At most, she would apply a little moisturizer before going out. Cosmetics simply weren't her area of expertise.

The makeup artist, a beautiful woman in her late twenties with impeccable skill and taste, examined her face with a warm smile.

"Miss, your skin is in excellent condition. All you need is the lightest touch of foundation. Heavy makeup would clash with your naturally fresh and bright style."

Fresh and bright?

Yukino wasn't entirely sure those words suited her.

She closed her eyes, feeling the soft bristles of the brush glide gently across her skin, when she heard the makeup artist chuckle softly.

"Miss, you should open your eyes."

Yukino opened them in mild confusion. "Hm?"

"If someone as beautiful as you closes her eyes in front of me, I might not be able to resist teasing you."

"…Teasing?" Yukino repeated, taken aback.

The woman smiled playfully.

"For example… asking you to give me a kiss — something outrageous like that."

Normally, when the artist encountered an attractive girl closing her eyes, her first instinct was the opposite: she wanted to lean closer herself.

But there was something different about Yukino. Her beauty was like crystal under sunlight — sharp, clear, and elegant. There was a quiet strength about her that made one want to lean in and be spoiled by her presence.

Yukino froze for a moment before realizing she was being flirted with. Her expression immediately hardened.

"I'm underage. Please show some restraint."

Then, more pointedly:

"And besides… you're a woman."

The makeup artist shrugged.

"In the fashion world, this sort of thing isn't uncommon."

She quickly added with a hint of contrition:

"Still, I shouldn't have said that to someone underage. My apologies."

As she applied a soft lip tint, her gaze briefly lingered on Yukino's mouth.

"But I can't help it. Tonight, anyone who looks at you will be moved by your beauty."

Yukino had heard many compliments about her looks since childhood. By now, such praise barely made an impression.

Once her makeup was finished and a delicate necklace clasped around her neck, Yukino left in the waiting car.

Through the rear window, she caught sight of the makeup artist waving goodbye.

Just as she turned back, she noticed something unusual in the small touch-up kit the artist had given her — a handwritten card with neat, playful script:

Feel free to contact me anytime ^_^

Yukino: "…"

The engagement dinner for the Yukinoshita family and the Spencer family was set in one of the city's luxury hotels. They had reserved an entire grand ballroom — perfect for such an occasion.

When Yukino arrived at the family estate, both her father and mother were already waiting. Her older sister, Haruno, however, was unsurprisingly absent.

Even her father, who had been abroad, had flown back overnight for what her mother called a "life-changing" event.

Yukino inwardly scoffed.

Her mother's arrangements were always meticulous — not a single detail left to chance.

Both parents froze briefly upon seeing Yukino that day.

Her father even reached out to ruffle her hair, teasing:

"It's been so long since I've seen you with black hair. I was starting to think I had a half-foreign daughter."

Yukino's relationship with her father was far better than the tense, formal one she had with her mother.

Her mother gave a small nod of approval.

"Black hair really does suit you best."

Yukino lowered her gaze without responding.

That was when a question came to her. If everyone agreed that black hair suited her so well, why had the "other" Yukino — the one who had taken over her body before — adopted that flashy, blonde, gyaru style?

The three of them climbed into the Rolls-Royce. Her father took the front passenger seat, while Yukino and her mother sat in the back. If Haruno had been there, it might have been one of their rare complete family outings.

"I sent you some background information on the Spencer family earlier. Did you read it?" her mother asked.

Yukino shook her head.

Her mother sighed.

"I know you're not particularly interested, but the Spencers could very well become your future husband's family. Understanding them will make your life easier."

Her father chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

"It's really up to the kids to get to know each other first."

Her mother shot him a mildly exasperated look.

"You're always too hasty. You want everything to be perfect right away."

Yukino finally spoke:

"Do you really think the Yukinoshita family can secure this engagement with the Spencers?"

Both parents' smiles faltered slightly.

Her father raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"What do you mean?"

"This engagement is mostly about convenience. Our family needs a stable fallback to reassure the banks, while the Spencers want our influence in this region to help them break into the Japanese market. It's a temporary alliance. Once both sides get what they want, the relationship will naturally cool off."

In truth, such so-called 'marriages between powerful families' were nothing more than business deals carefully weighed and measured.

For a moment, the car fell silent.

Her mother stared straight ahead, expression unchanged.

"Even so, the Spencers remain one of the most likely families you could marry into. Which is why, until then, you must do your best."

"That," Yukino replied, "has been my responsibility for a very long time."

After all, she had grown up enjoying the privileges of being a Yukinoshita. Repaying that debt now was only natural.

But this ambiguous, short-term arrangement… would likely never reach the altar.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Haruno appeared, along with a photo of the Tokyo Skytree.

Business trips are the worst… QAQ

Yukino thought: Mother, you've overlooked one thing.

Her sister, Haruno Yukinoshita, was far more obsessive — and far more dangerous — than most people realized.

The car pulled up outside the hotel. A family chauffeur stepped forward to open the rear door.

Yukino lifted the hem of her gown and stepped out.

She walked toward her battlefield.

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