Yukinoshita Yukino sat aside, not daring to interrupt. She suddenly regretted coming here tonight.
What was Uchiha Ryo talking about? And what was her sister talking about... Wasn't today about her wanting to gain recognition?!
Yukino wanted to pull her hand back from a certain someone's grasp, but he held it even tighter, and even squeezed her soft palm.
"Because of the existence of the Yukinoshita family, Yukino wants to gain your recognition. I think that's completely unnecessary, isn't it?"
Haruno poured herself another glass. "This is Yukino-chan's own decision. Mother and I have never asked Yukino to achieve anything."
Yukino took a deep breath. "Is that so...."
The next moment, Yukinoshita looked up. "Sister, I don't want to go on like this anymore. Just like you were nurtured by Mother, and even got a spot for entrepreneurship at Shuchiin, I want to do something too! Not just study every day in the garden-like Shuchiin!"
Haruno glanced at Uchiha Ryo, then looked seriously at Yukino.
"Well, Yukino-chan... how long has it been since we sat down and talked about sisterly things? I'm very happy you could come today."
Uchiha Ryo heard the implied meaning, let go of Yukino's hand, then stood up and smiled. "Then I won't disturb the sisters' private conversation. I have to say, the view here is quite nice."
"Uchiha.... kun."
Yukino suddenly turned her head, and their eyes met briefly.
[Warning: After using genjutsu on a capturable female target, you will be unable to obtain G-Points from her for a short period.]
He wasn't short on G-Points right now. Compared to G-Points, the current Uchiha Ryo hoped to save these capturable targets.
"So-called resolve isn't about bleeding for freedom. Resolve is finding the right direction and opening up a bright path that should be taken! Yukino, if you really want to prove yourself to the Yukinoshita family, then find the right path."
Watching Uchiha Ryo walk away, Yukino suddenly felt a little nervous, but she still clenched her fists and confronted Haruno.
"Tell me, sister, what should I do?"
Hearing this, Haruno narrowed her eyes and tilted her head slightly.
"It's really rare for our proud Yukino-chan to ask me proactively. Is it because of him~"
Yukino didn't deny it, but her eyes became even more determined.
"Maybe, but I was indeed a bit too naive when I entered school. I fantasized about starting a club, fantasized about changing others, changing the world. But my time at Shuchiin has made me realize that since I can't change others, I should work hard to change myself."
Haruno thought for a moment, then, probably guessing what Yukinoshita was going to say, shrugged helplessly.
"I can tell you clearly what you want to say. To prove your value, in Mother's eyes, is nothing more than being able to contribute to the family."
Yukinoshita Haruno sighed and shifted her gaze. "No matter how outstanding you are, no matter your grades or how you perform at Shuchiin, what Mother wants is something more practical!"
Yukinoshita Yukino felt an inexplicable courage welling up from the bottom of her heart. She couldn't say what it was.
But it felt as reassuring as being allowed to swap boxing gloves for an Infinity Gauntlet with gems in a heavyweight boxing match.
It was this courage that allowed her to face Yukinoshita Haruno directly. Even if Yukinoshita's mother were here in person, she would not hesitate to ask her question.
"Please tell me, sister!"
Yukino's tone was firm. Her pitch was no different from usual, her volume wasn't loud, and her speed wasn't fast. Because of this, Yukino's determination was evident.
There was no confusion or doubt in this sentence. Haruno sat up straight and placed the wine glass in her hand on the table.
"Yukino, I won't lie to you. Although I don't know why he was able to change you so much, there are two ways to solve the problem."
"First, your abilities surpass mine in all aspects. Just like a battle for the throne, replace me as the next family head candidate in Mother's mind."
Yukino smiled. "Haven't I always been chasing your footsteps? But the facts of these years prove that it's really difficult...."
Yukinoshita Haruno looked at Yukino seriously. "Then it's the second method.... It's simple. As long as you can capture Ryo-kohai over there."
"???"
"Sister, please don't joke!"
Yukinoshita Haruno tilted her head. "Am I joking? Think about it carefully and you'll know."
At this point, Haruno stopped temporarily. Yukino lowered her long eyelashes and exhaled, her body trembling slightly. Her slender shoulders shook, and her waterfall-like black hair covered her cheeks.
"Could it be..... I can only be a tool for your marriage alliances? I can also apply for a university entrepreneurship project like you, and in four years....."
Yukinoshita Haruno said flatly, "Mother won't allow you to rival me. It seems you really don't understand your classmate, the young lady of the Shinomiya family."
The vortex of the Shinomiya family was caused by the rivalry between the Shinomiya brothers. Mother would not allow such a thing to happen, so she would mold Haruno into a controller like herself within a limited time.
As for Yukino, Yukinoshita's mother gave birth to her and raised her for so long. Either! You can marry an ordinary person who is easy to control and easy to train into a Yukinoshita appendage. Or! You will become a means for the Yukinoshita family to unite with other forces.
Yukinoshita Haruno said everything she knew. To be honest, she also wanted her sister to live a free life. But if a person has no reliance, they won't find a place for themselves, and in the end, they can only drift with the tide and become an ordinary person.
"Why... is it Uchiha-kun?"
Haruno chuckled. "There are many at Shuchiin who meet this condition. As long as they can expand the Yukinoshita family's connections. But aren't you on good terms with Ryo-kohai?"
With that, Haruno brushed her hair back, revealing her fair face with a calm smile.
Seeing her expression, a little confusion surfaced again in Yukinoshita Yukino's clear eyes, which contained firm determination.
"Suppose.... I really replaced you, what would happen to you?"
Yukinoshita Haruno: "At that time, I would walk the path you are on now. Don't you understand our mother's nature?"
Yukino gritted her teeth. "Is there no outcome where both people are satisfied?"
Haruno smiled. "There is~ Just like Ryo said, if I can take over Mother's position early, then as long as you please me, your sister, I won't let Yukino-chan get married."
Yukino looked at Haruno speechlessly, while Haruno lowered her head and said jokingly.
"Or, you find someone who truly loves you, and this person gets Mother's approval. Of course.... me too."
Haruno poured the last bit of the bottle of red wine into her glass. "Ah~ It would be fun if we found the same person."
Yukinoshita Yukino stood up. "Please don't make such jokes. Since I already have the answer I wanted, we'll take our leave."
"Wait—"
Haruno suddenly pulled two amusement park tickets from under the bar. "It's nearby, valid until midnight tonight. Go have fun."
Yukino took the tickets and couldn't help but smile.
"Founder Haruno-senpai, is this a bribe for us investigators?"
Haruno raised her red wine glass. "Maybe it's my love for my sister.... Well, just give me full marks."