Tears welled in Mother's eyes as she looked at both daughters, then back at Rei Ao, and finally at the flood of welcoming messages in the chat. A strange sensation came over herrelief, the kind she hadn't felt in decades.
"All right"
At last, she nodded, voice trembling.
"If all of you think this is best."
Rei Ao smiled, typing again in the group.
Rei Ao: "@Shinomiya Kaguya, you can discuss the details in private. My mother-in-law says the payment can happen later, so you can first ensure a smooth takeover. She wants to entrust her life's work to someone dependable, after all."
Shinomiya Kaguya: "Thank you so much, Rei Ao-kun. Mrs. Yukinoshita, I won't betray your trust."
Hayasaka Ai: "I'll assist Kaguya-sama as needed."
Yukinoshita Fuyuka: "Thank you."
Right after sending that message, Mother felt like she'd used up her last reserves of strength. Tears finally streamed down her face. Yukino and Haruno rushed to embrace her, the three women crying together. Rei Ao stood quietly aside, his iridescent eyes alight with satisfaction.
"I never thought I'd ever be free of all this"
Mother sobbed between her daughters, voice trembling.
"When I inherited the family from my mother, I believed it would consume my entire life"
"Now you can start a new life," Rei Ao said softly, "creating new memories with your daughters."
Mother lifted her head, wiping away tears, and smiled in relief.
"I will. Thank you, Rei Ao-kun."
~~~
For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter! Please Vote for more Chapters!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
Currently You can Read 220+ Chapters Ahead of Others!
Chapter 717: Forcing Rei Ao to Woo his Mother! Haruno's Plan!
Mrs. Yukinoshita sat in the genuine-leather chair of her study, brows slightly knitted, concentrating on the final details of handing over the Yukinoshita family businesses.
Rei Ao was leaning against the window.
Moonlight was reflected in his iridescent eyes and a faint smile played at the corner of his lips.
Watching this normally dignified mother-in-law stare at the chat-group screen as intently as a schoolgirl first learning to use a smartphone, he could not help finding it a little amusing.
Shinomiya Kaguya: "Please be at ease, Mrs. Yukinoshita. I will keep the current management team in place and assign just one financial supervisor. Your life's work will not be wasted."
Their negotiations were apparently nearing completion.
Mrs. Yukinoshita let out a long breath and looked up at Rei Ao. "She says she'll keep my people."
" Kaguya always keeps her word," Rei Ao replied, walking forward and tapping lightly on the screen of her phone. "And with Hayasaka Ai assisting her, you truly have nothing to worry about."
Mrs. Yukinoshita folded her hands on her lap. "I never imagined the Yukinoshita holdings would pass on in such a manner"
Her voice trailed off, her gaze moving to the portraits of successive family heads that hung on the study wall.
Rei Ao followed her eyes until they came to rest on her own portraitformal and severe, utterly different from the slightly lost woman who had just laid down her burden.
"It isn't an ending, but a new beginning," he said softly.
"You are giving the Yukinoshita legacy a chance to continue, rather than letting it stay a shackle on you and the girls."
The study door opened quietly and Haruno poked her head in. "Finished talking? I brewed some tea."
Mrs. Yukinoshita quickly composed her expression, returning to her usual poise. "Come in, Haruno."
Haruno entered with a tray of tea, Yukino following behind. The two sisters sat opposite their mother while Haruno poured the steaming tea for everyone.
"Mother, is everything arranged?" Yukino asked, cradling her cup, concern in her eyes.
Mrs. Yukinoshita nodded. "It's essentially settled. The Shinomiya girl is far more dependable than I expected."
Haruno chirped, "That's because Rei Ao-kun is guaranteeing the whole thing!"
"Oh, right" She suddenly turned to Rei Ao. "You and Yukino shouldn't go back tonight; it's so late."
Yukino frowned slightly. "Haruno-onee-san, we"
"It's decided!" Haruno clapped her hands, brooking no refusal. "Mother agrees too, don't you?"
Fluster flashed over Mother's face; she took a sip of tea to hide it. "O-of course. It would be poor hospitality to let guests leave at such an hour."
Rei Ao caught the tiny awkwardness in her eyes but merely smiled and nodded. "Then we'll impose on you."
Late at night
The sprawling Yukinoshita residence lay silent, as though asleep.
Mrs. Yukinoshita stood before the bathroom mirror, towel-drying her wet hair. Hot water had left her fair skin faintly pink. The bathrobe collar had fallen open a little, revealing a delicate collarbone.
"Hope the soundproofing is good" she muttered, cheeks burning as her mind unwillingly conjured certain nocturnal possibilities. As a mother I shouldn't imagine such things, but as a woman
"You're being ridiculoushave some shame," she scolded her reflection, forcing away those untimely images. After arranging the robe so not a centimeter of skin was exposed, she drew a deep breath and left the bathroom.
The hallway was pitch-black save for moonlight spilling across the floorboards. She tiptoed toward her bedroom, lightening her steps when she passed the rooms of Yukino and Haruno.
"They should already be asleep," she thoughtbut faint voices came from within. Shaking her head, she quickened her pace.
Opening her own door, she froze.
Rei Ao was standing in the center of her room, black hair tinged blue in the moonlight, iridescent eyes fixed on her.
"Eh?!" She gave a short, startled cry and instinctively clutched the front of her robe. "R-Rei Ao-kun? Why are you"
He spread his hands helplessly. "Forgive me, Madam. Yukino and Haruno kicked me out."
"K-kicked you out?" Her mind blanked. "What do you mean?"
"Just what it sounds like," he said, gesturing at the firmly closed door behind him. "They locked the door and told me that tonight I should come to you."
Mrs. Yukinoshita swayed, leaning back against the door, legs trembling beneath the robe. "Th-this is absurd. How could they be so unseemly?"
She certainly hadn't raised her daughters like this.
Meanwhile, in the next room
"Sis, what are you doing?" Yukino hissed, trying to drag Haruno away from where she was pressed to the wall eavesdropping.
Haruno pressed a finger to her lips. "Shh"
Veins popped on Yukino's forehead. "What we did isn't right! Forcing Rei Ao to to woo Motherthat's outrageous!"
Haruno turned, eyes gleaming mischievously. "Actually, I've uncovered a secret, Yukino-chan."
"A secret?"
She leaned close and whispered, "We're not Mother's biological daughters."
"What?" Yukino's eyes went wide.
"To be precise, Mother is still pure," Haruno smirked. "Shocking, isn't it? I was floored when I discovered it."
Yukino's worldview rocked. "Th-that can't be true! Why tell me only now?"
"Because it's more fun this way~" Haruno's ears twitchedshe seemed to hear somethingand eagerly glued herself back to the wall. "Listen, something's happening!"
"???" Yukino was completely lost, still reeling from the bombshell her sister had dropped.
~~~
For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter! Please Vote for more Chapters!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
Currently You can Read 220+ Chapters Ahead of Others!
(Bonus Chapter) Chapter 718: Mrs. Yukinoshita's Second Life Begins!
In the room next-door
Mrs. Yukinoshita was still in shock; Rei Ao, however, remained perfectly calm.
He strolled forward and halted just one step away from her.
"Yukino and Haruno didn't merely ask me to resolve the Yukinoshita crisis," he said quietly.
"The most important reason I'm here is you."
"Me?"
Mrs. Yukinoshita blinked in confusion, completely unaware that she and Rei Ao were now standing practically nose-to-nose.
"They love you very much," Rei Ao went on. "That's why they want you to experience real happiness."
"So they asked me tohow shall I put itcourt you."
"???"
Her beautiful eyes flew wide; her mind literally quivered.
"Please don't joke about that, Rei Ao-kun."
Forcing an embarrassed smile, she edged backward until her shoulder blades touched the wall.
Rei Ao advanced another step.
"I'm not joking," he said, serenely. "And I think you can feel my sincerity, can't you?"
Her hands dropped helplessly to her sides.
"This is absurdI'm already"
"Forty-three. Precisely the age when a woman is most captivating."
Rei Ao smiled. "Madame, did you know? The moment I first met you, I was drawn to you."
That heated gaze made her cheeks burn.
"Pleasedon't say such things."
"Why not?"
He took half a step closer; now they were breathing the same air.
"You are beautiful, intelligent, and strong, yet you've imprisoned yourself beneath the title head of the Yukinoshita house for decades.
"The shackles have come off; why keep suppressing yourself?"
She wanted to refute him, yet found no words.
His voice was like a key gently prying open the locked door deep inside her heart.
"You're lonely, aren't you?" Rei Ao's tone was low, gentle.
"Each night you lie alone in this huge bed, listening to the clock tick, counting the patterns on the ceilingonly yourself for company."
Her breathing turned ragged. How does he know? How can he know every detail?
Rei Ao raised his hand and softly brushed away an unnoticed tear sliding down her cheek.
"Tonight may I keep you company?"
"Not as Yukino and Haruno's man, but as a man who admires you."
Her heart hammered. She ought to refuseought to send him out with righteous indignation.
Yet her body betrayed her mind.
At the first touch of his fingers a long-abandoned warmth welled up from her heart and spread through every limb.
"II don't know" she whispered, voice as faint as a mosquito's.
Rei Ao smiled, lifting her face gently in both hands.
"Then leave the decision to yourself, Madame."
His lips met hers.
Her pupils dilated; her palms pressed weakly against his chest, but there was no strength behind them.
The kiss was a spell that dissolved all resistance.
When he finally released her, Mrs. Yukinoshita could no longer stand.
Rei Ao caught her easily, arms slipping beneath her knees.
"I suppose that completes the task your daughters set me," he murmured with a small laugh.
In Haruno's room
Yukino and Haruno held their breath, listening to the faint sounds through the wall.
"Seemsit worked," Haruno whispered, thrilled.
Yukino's expression was indescribably complicated.
"Did we really do the right thing? Mother"
"Relax," Haruno hugged her sister's shoulders. "Rei Ao-kun is amazing. He'll make Mother very happy."
On cue, Mrs. Yukinoshita's muffled replyin a rather special registerdrifted through the wall.
Yukino's face flushed scarlet to the roots of her ears, while Haruno bit her lip to stifle giggles.
"Progress sounds excellent~"
Yukino could not describe her feelings; a peculiar mixture flooded her chest.
But things had come this farshe had no ground to stop them, however little she understood how easily her mother had been "persuaded."
What Yukino did not know was that Rei Ao's charm was not something the average person could resistmuch less someone who had endured decades of solitude.
Elsewhere
"Ai, are we really doing the right thing?"
The normally unflappable Shinomiya Kaguya felt bewildered about taking over the Yukinoshita assets in her own namean open provocation to her brothers.
Hayasaka Ai sighed softly.
"Milady, do you truly think owning the Yukinoshita group poses any real threat to your brothers?"
Kaguya shook her headthe Yukinoshita holdings were tiny next to the Shinomiya conglomerate.
"I never expected you to rely on their strength," Ai said gravely. "I just wanted you to do Rei Ao-kun a favour."
"If your brothers trouble you, Rei Ao will be your ultimate shield."
Understanding bloomed in Kaguya's eyes; she clasped Ai in a grateful hug.
Back in Mrs. Yukinoshita's room
Guided with practiced tenderness, she tasted true happiness for the first time; decades of repression burst its dam, unstoppable.
Somewhere in her muzzy mind she recalled a line read long ago: A woman's second life begins the moment she's truly loved.
Late into the night
Mrs. Yukinoshita lay nestled in Rei Ao's arm, her breathing slow and even.
He stroked the damp silk of her hair; looking at this woman, so different from her daytime self, he smiled in quiet content.
He was gentlefar from excessive.
"Sleep, Madame," he whispered, kissing her brow.
"Tomorrow will be a brand-new day."
~~~
400 Powerstone Bonus Chapter!
For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter! Please Vote for more Chapters!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
Currently You can Read 220+ Chapters Ahead of Others!
Chapter 719: Julis Fear, Mrs. Yukinoshita's Aftermath...
Seidoukan Academy
Julis stood ram-rod straight before the dormitory's floor-to-ceiling window.
Her eyes never left the half-transparent holographic panel hovering in front of her.
The sunset's afterglow streamed through the glass and scattered across her rose-colored hair, yet it could do nothing to dispel the shock and confusion in her heart.
"What on earth is this?"
The video on the light screen had finished, but the image of a crimson dragonlarger than a planetreducing heaven and earth to ruin still refused to leave Julis's mind.
With nothing more than a casual lift of his hand, the group's owner, Rei Ao, had turned a world eerily similar to her own into cosmic dust amid a dazzling rainbow light.
Even more terrifying was the man's nonchalant smile to the camera afterward, as though destroying a planet was merely a bit of warm-up before breakfast.
Julis's fingers trembled.
She had always been so proud:
Fifth-ranked "Witch of the Radiant Flames" at Seidoukan,
youngest Special Student at Arlequint,
first princess of the Kingdom of Lieseltania.
Yet in this unknown platform called the "Trading Chat Group," she was barely even mid-tier. Rumor had it that the group held more planet-busters than one could count on both hands.
With a sharp motion she closed the chat window, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
She turned toward the center of the roomonly to stumble; only then did she realize her own legs were shaking.
"You've got to be kidding"
She clenched her fists so hard her nails bit into her palms.
