In the Yukinoshita family's dining room—
A crystal chandelier cast a warm glow onto the elegant tableware. To Rei Ao's left sat Yukinoshita Yukino, and to his right Yukinoshita Haruno. Directly opposite him sat the current head of the Yukinoshita family—Mrs. Yukinoshita.
"Mother-in-law, what do you think of the flavor of this beef stew?"
Rei Ao smiled as he cut a piece of at that parted under his knife as if it were butter.
Yukino gave a small nod. "Rei Ao-kun made it himself."
Haruno winked in a playful manner. "It's quite rare, you know. Rei Ao-kun never cooks for or Yukino. We must be benefiting from Mother's presence."
Mrs. Yukinoshita dabbed her mouth elegantly with a napkin. A trace of warmth she rarely showed graced her face.
"It's very good. I hadn't realized you were this skilled at cooking."
Her gaze swept over her two daughters, finally resting on Rei Ao.
"This house hasn't been so lively in a long ti."
Rei Ao could feel that this woman, known for her strictness, had let down so of her defenses.
He was gradually learning that she wasn't as cold or unfeeling as she seed. As the head of the Yukinoshita family, she bore unimaginable burdens. But now, things had changed.
"Speaking of which…"
Rei Ao set down his utensils, eting Mother's eyes directly with his iridescent gaze.
"Mother-in-law, have you ever thought about not being the head of the Yukinoshita family?"
The air in the dining room instantly froze. Yukino and Haruno both paused, startled at such a direct, nearly offensive question. Mother's fingers trembled slightly, but she soon steadied herself. Raising her teacup, she hesitated a mont without speaking.
"Rei Ao-kun…"
Yukino said quietly, frowning.
"No, it's a good question."
Mother placed her cup down, the porcelain clinking crisply on the tabletop.
"It's just… I've never really thought about it."
She glanced toward the window's afternoon light.
"From as long as I can rember, I was taught to devote my life to the Yukinoshita na. Simply posing that question is… a luxury for .
And I… raised Yukino and Haruno the sa way."
Rei Ao noticed a fleeting uncertainty in her eyes—those invisible chains called "duty" and "tradition."
"Mother…"
Haruno's usual bright smile was subdued.
"Have you never wanted to live just for yourself?"
Mother paused, then gave a small laugh.
"What's gotten into you both today? Collaborating to probe my deepest thoughts?"
Though it sounded lighthearted, her gaze flickered unsteadily. She truly had never considered this. Yukino and Haruno exchanged a glance but opted to let Rei Ao handle it—that was their plan.
After dinner, Yukino and Haruno went to clear the table, leaving only Rei Ao and Mother in the living room.
Mother stood by the tall windows, her figure appearing lonely.
"Mother-in-law, you're exhausted by all this, aren't you?"
Rei Ao walked over, speaking softly.
"All those endless social events, business negotiations, the power plays in the family—don't you find them tireso?"
Mother didn't deny it. She only responded in a low voice:
"This is my responsibility as head of the Yukinoshita family."
"Responsibility shouldn't be a cage," Rei Ao said, iridescent eyes gleaming like stars.
"Yukino and Haruno have grown up; they have their own lives. You've poured decades of your life into the family. Perhaps it's ti to consider your own happiness."
Mother turned, her expression complicated.
"Rei Ao-kun, you know…this afternoon, seeing Yukino and Haruno playing in the garden, I suddenly realized how much I've missed out on."
Her voice shook slightly.
"As a mother, I can barely recall what they loved most when they were little."
Rei Ao smiled gently.
"It's not too late to make up for that."
"But… the Yukinoshita family…"
"Sell it," She stared at him, taken aback. "W-what?"
"Sell the Yukinoshita enterprise," he stated calmly. "Instead of letting it keep strangling you, let it go."
She raised a hand in protest, though Rei Ao lightly tapped her cheek.
Surprised, she felt a comforting warmth. Rei Ao produced a mirror, facing her reflection.
"This is…"
Mother stared at the mirror, now seeing a face with smoother, more youthful skin.
"That's the real you."
He had wiped away the weariness from her complexion.
Rei Ao chuckled, "Yukino and Haruno want to see this version of you—not the exhausted version."
"…"
By now, she was almost numb to Rei Ao's miraculous powers, but each new display still shook her. Then he continued, "Mother-in-law, you wouldn't want, in the decades or centuries to co, for Yukino and Haruno to remain young while you…"
"Huh?"
She blinked. "You're saying that in a hundred years, my daughters would still be…young?"
Rei Ao shrugged.
"They're my won. Of course I'll grant them everlasting youth. It's not difficult for ."
"…"
Realizing this, she opened her mouth but was speechless with shock. She had tried her best to overestimate Rei Ao's abilities, but this? Eternal youth was sothing he could casually promise?
After a mont, Mother collected herself. Though overwheld, she chose not to ask more about it, sensing the boundaries. But obviously, his words had shaken her thinking.
Yet still she shook her head.
"It's not that simple. The Yukinoshita family's enterprise is my life's work. I can't just hand it over to unreliable people; at the very least, it should go to soone suitable."
This was respect for her own accomplishnts.
Rei Ao gave a cryptic smile. "But what if I said I have the perfect candidate?"
Raising a hand, he conjured the chat group's interface out of thin air.
~~~
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