Without answering, Haruno gazed into the distance, muttering softly: "That's the car."
"Hm?"
As Yuu wondered, the blinding headlights of a car suddenly swept over their silhouettes.
The sound of brakes was clear in the quiet night. A black car stopped steadily in front of them, and two burly men resembling bodyguards stepped out from the back seats first.
They stood aside, eyeing Yuu sharply.
Meanwhile, the driver circled the car, respectfully opening the front passenger door.
"Good evening, gentlemen."
A beautiful woman in a kimono with shoulder-length hair stepped out gracefully, her figure captivating, gentle, and elegant. She glanced at Haruno with resignation, then turned her soft gaze to Yuu, her tone polite and friendly:
"You must be Haruno's boyfriend, Tenkuji-kun? Nice to meet you. I'm her mother."
"…"
Yuu froze for half a second, glancing around, and immediately understood something.
(This woman really can't stay calm until the last second!)
Gritting his teeth inwardly, Yuu still bowed humbly to Saori: "Nice to meet you. I'm Tenkuji Yuu."
After the brief greeting, Yuu ignored the beautiful kimono-clad woman, rolling his eyes and saying to Haruno with resignation:
"It's this late, and you still called your mom to come act with you?"
"Ugh, caught red-handed?" Twirling her hair as if guilty, Haruno avoided his gaze, shrugging and saying to her mother: "See, didn't I tell you he's super sharp? What I'm thinking, what I'm about to do—he can tell with just a few glances."
"Quite talented."
Saori's eyes shone several times brighter than before. She observed Yuu with appreciation, her gaze growing softer: "Not yet an adult but able to keep you in check—if trained, his achievements would surely surpass your father's… Most importantly, his looks are excellent, suitable for politics or business. His future is very promising."
Hearing the word "control," Haruno's cheeks flushed slightly under the night's darkness, and she quickly said, displeased: "Don't talk about my boyfriend like you're appraising merchandise, Mom! Alright, why did you really come to find us?"
Saori was taken aback: "You've been found out, and you still want to keep acting?"
"Just go with it—might as well since we're already here." Haruno covered her forehead, as if regretful. "I shouldn't have listened to your suggestion, Mom. I should've just said I'm not coming home tonight and hung up… Now I'm super embarrassed too."
Yuu listened to the mother-daughter conversation beside him, piecing together the storyline from the clues.
Perhaps this was a spur-of-the-moment plan?
The person Haruno had called earlier was Saori.
He initially thought it was just to check in or arrange a pickup, not expecting her to mean "not coming home tonight." But before hanging up, Saori suddenly suggested coming in person to team up with Haruno for a performance in front of Yuu.
As a result, right after meeting, their plan was exposed by him, leaving them in an awkward spot, unsure whether to continue acting.
That was roughly how the story went.
As for the purpose of the act and what role they'd play, Yuu didn't know yet—but those two bodyguards didn't seem to be just for show.
"I see," Saori sighed softly, her posture upright like a peony, her gentle yet authoritative gaze fixed on him.
"Tenkuji-kun, can you play along? Consider it Haruno's wish."
"Wish…"
Yuu lowered his head in thought, looking at Haruno, who rarely showed embarrassment and was covering her face. He could see her flushed earlobes peeking through her black hair.
After a moment's thought, he smiled with slight relief: "Sure, how should I cooperate?"
"No need to overthink—just say what's in your heart."
After saying that, Saori slightly narrowed her eyes, her gentle and elegant expression slowly fading, followed by a soft sigh.
Then, she said calmly:
"Tenkuji-kun, you like Haruno, don't you?"
"I do."
Yuu's answer was swift and firm, as if unquestionable.
Their clasped hands tightened slightly.
"I won't ask what exactly you like about her…" Pausing briefly, Saori's tone gradually sharpened.
"Haruno was born into the Yukinoshita family, raised with the Yukinoshita family's resources, and is expected to use her abilities to contribute to the family—in this, she has never disappointed me. Whether it's business dealings or internal company matters, she handles everything impeccably. She also has the appropriate awareness of the sacrifices required. I'm essentially ready to hand over the Yukinoshita family business to her."
"In other words, barring any issues, she will be the next head of the Yukinoshita family."
"If you want to be with her, you must be prepared to be a supporting son-in-law or prove you have the ability to take on the entire family's responsibilities in her place."
"And if you only like her casually, without considering the future, then for the sake of the family, even if Haruno disagrees, I will forcibly separate you… For example, by sending her to study abroad."
Her clear voice pierced the night's silence.
Her knife-sharp gaze stabbed directly, her pressuring and cold words falling relentlessly.
The breeze stirred Saori's short black hair, but only her inescapable cold gaze stood out clearly.
"You might think I'm overreacting, that this is just a dating matter, so why bring up the family's future…"
"Unfortunately, that's Haruno's reality."
"You, who were once just a rental boyfriend, didn't need to consider this reality—she underwent strict etiquette training for this very reason, honed her skills from childhood to navigate politicians and businesspeople, and always accepted arranged dinners and matchmaking without complaint."
"She has accepted this reality. Have you?"
Thus, Saori posed the question:
"Are you truly prepared to be with such a heavy woman?"
"…"
The night clouds covered the sky, the evening breeze cool, bringing a hint of calm.
In the silence, Yuu held the slightly trembling small hand, feeling the coldness from her soft fingertips.
He lowered his gaze slightly, and though there was a smile on his face, his eyes were dim, resigned, yet resolute.
This was what Haruno wanted to convey through her mother.
Like a puzzle finding its answer, Yuu gradually understood.
Why, even now, had the system not notified him of mission completion?
It had nothing to do with agreeing to a date or confessing love… What could "satisfy her" wasn't just words easily spoken but undeniable, tangible actions.
Explaining it fully would be complicated, so in short—
Until the very last moment, the woman Yuu loved was still so perverse.
"Haruno, you're really such a troublesome woman, huh…"