"Hey, do I look like an idiot?"
With one hand on her hip, Mana hopped off the bike seat. Her height was almost the same as Sora's.
"I already know you can take down Yasuoka single-handedly. Would I show up in front of you without protection, even trying to provoke you? Only a fool would do that."
"Oh, so you didn't come here to get yourself killed?" Yuu understood. The other party was just used to speaking thoughtlessly and didn't actually intend to mock Sora.
(…So when will she learn the saying that the tongue can kill?)
Mana shrugged, her tone mature like an adult's. "Of course not! Though I'm not on Masuzu's level, I still have an eye for judging people. I also know what kind of investment is the smartest."
"I came to see you this time just to do you a favor. Let's get along well, Brother-in-law~"
As if forgetting her earlier panicked retreat, the pretty blonde girl with twin ponytails approached with a sweet, cute smile. She reached out, trying to hug his other arm.
Before she could, Sora glared at her with icy eyes. Her demeanor was eerily similar to Yuu's just moments ago.
"Whoever you are, stay away from Yuu."
"…"
Mana's hand froze in mid-air. She pouted, nearly crying this time. But she managed to hold back her tears, lifted her chin proudly, and turned with a calm demeanor.
"Fine, looks like neither of you likes me much. I was going to offer a million yen as a gift—what a pity."
Sora sneered coldly. Her initial wariness and fear had vanished. She spoke without hesitation, "Who cares about your dirty money? We've got our own."
Mana looked up at the sky, clicking her tongue in annoyance but not daring to snap back sharply.
She was helpless. The overly protective older brother was watching from the side. If she upset him again, a spanking or a slap wouldn't be a big deal. She was only afraid he'd get serious and send her to the hospital. That would be far from fun…
After all, that earlier glare was so ruthless, as if Yuu would kill them and bury her on the spot.
This guy must have secretly killed someone before.
Mana irritably twisted her twin ponytails but had to swallow her anger.
In the end, why didn't she have a handsome, reliable, and doting older brother like that? All she had were disharmonious parents and an older sister who'd kept her at a distance since childhood.
The world was so unfair…
"Let's get to the point."
Despite her complaints, Mana still remembered her purpose for coming. She turned and looked at them seriously, her eyes fixed on Yuu.
"Soon, he… the head of the Natsukawa family, my and Masuzu's father, will return to Japan. His purpose isn't clear yet, but it definitely has to do with Masuzu!"
"Oh?" Yuu raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. "You mean… after Natsukawa Ryouji returns to Japan, he'll come to cause trouble for Masuzu?"
"Very likely. After all, he caused a stir at school just because his daughter got a boyfriend, and that already made Father a bit displeased… Wait, how do you know his name?!" Mana's voice rose in shock mid-sentence, her eyes suspicious.
"Stuff like that is easy to find if you look. Don't make a big deal out of it."
Yuu shook his head, unfazed. He asked in a flat tone, "This is your family's business. Why are you telling me specifically? By the way, does Masuzu know?"
"Masuzu doesn't know. If Yasuoka hadn't secretly told me, I wouldn't have known he was coming back either. It feels like a surprise attack." Mana sighed. "As for why I'm telling you, it's because he's very likely to come for you too—as Masuzu's boyfriend, your information has been on his desk for a while."
"What an honor." As if he'd expected this, Yuu rolled his eyes and grumbled boredly. "I can already guess what he'll talk to me about. Can't these people be more creative? They meddle too much in their daughter's love life. Have they never experienced puberty? Always picking out the best goods in the market to bring home, not caring if it'll upset her stomach, as long as she'll marry and be used for profit? They never think that with so many good girls in the world, there's a reason they choose to fall…."
"Oh…" Mana stared at him blankly, blinking. Though she'd started the topic, she couldn't get a word in now. The man was doing all the talking.
"Well, maybe like you said… By the way, why do I feel like your grudge is bigger than mine and Masuzu's?"
"Yeah, I feel that too." Sora, who'd been listening quietly, also glanced at him suspiciously. "And Yuu, why does your tone sound so experienced? Have other parents come to you to talk about love before?"
"Don't sweat the small stuff." Yuu waved his hand casually, redirecting the conversation bluntly. "I'll talk to Masuzu about this. You don't need to worry. If she's forced to return to Sweden, I'll find a way to keep her here. If she's forced into an arranged marriage, I'll do my best to stop it, even if the enemy is a big capitalist."
"I'm not worried about you two. I told you, I'm just here to do you a favor." Mana crossed her arms, tossing her blonde twin ponytails and sneering. "If someone else said something that bold, I'd probably laugh it off as a frog dreaming in its well."
"But if it's you, maybe you really could go up against that man and give Masuzu the freedom she wants… Though I don't know how, the chances of success are slim."
Where did this confidence come from? Mana didn't know either. Maybe it was Yuu's strength that brought Yasuoka to his knees, or that terrifying aura, or perhaps the deep confidence and calm when he made that promise.
It was as if Yuu truly feared nothing and could do anything. Though she wasn't hiding behind him like the silver-haired girl, a sense of security welled up in Mana's heart, telling her she could fully trust the older brother in front of her.
"Since you get it, I won't say more… Well then, Brother-in-law, I'm entrusting Masuzu's happiness to you. Be the prince who protects Snow White!"
She waved casually. Mana glanced at Sora, then turned and walked toward the car parking area.
"Leave it to me. And I'll remember this favor, Mana."
She hadn't gone far when his voice came from behind.
Facing the bright setting sun, Mana couldn't help but smile. She glanced back, her blonde hair fluttering softly.
"Really? If I get bullied someday…"
"As long as you don't act recklessly, I don't mind helping you out."
"Tch, this discriminatory treatment is too much."
"Talk again when you have a third of Sora's cuteness and obedience. The treatment might improve a bit."
"Huh? Go die, siscon!"
Though she cursed him from the bottom of her heart, Mana wasn't angry. Instead, she smiled proudly.
It was a carefree, unguarded, cheerful smile—the first time she'd seen it.
Under Sora's warning and threatening gaze, Mana squinted her eyes like crescent moons, laughing brightly.
(This brother-in-law of mine is really a super weird guy.)
(But I don't hate this feeling.)
"See you next time! Brother-in-law, and little sister-in-law~"
Her crisp, cheerful voice carried on the breeze.
As if provoked, Sora bristled like an angry kitten. Her silver hair stood on end. Puffing out her cheeks, she glared at her smile.
"I don't want to meet again. And I'm definitely older than you. Why are you calling me little sister?"
Mana tilted her head in confusion. "Hmm? Aren't you still in middle school? I was born in March."
Sora immediately flashed a proud smile. Hugging Yuu's arm, she raised her tiny chin slightly, showing the pride of an elder.
"If I went to school, I'd be a first-year high schooler—Hmph, you little kid!"
"…"
The corner of Mana's mouth twitched slightly.
Weird or not, this family's way of talking was just awful!