"...I have done it."
Mina's mother, Yumiko, gently bit her lower lip, her expression a mix of shyness, anger, and helplessness.
"Heh↗~ Very honest, my dear Yumiko—Madam~"
Alistair intentionally drew out the words, making Yumiko Morita's expression freeze, becoming even more ashamed. But Alistair was delighted. That coerced expression, that push-and-pull, the refusal to accept but the necessity of accepting the oppressive terms due to reality—that struggle, distress, helplessness, shame... The blend of emotions was absolutely...
"SAIKOU NI HEYA TSU DA!" (I am absolutely hyped!)
Just when Yumiko thought the young man would press further, he backed off and sat down on his own.
As the saying goes, haste makes waste. A super-high-grade delicacy must be eaten slowly to savor its exquisite essence. If one were to swallow it whole, like Marshal Tian Peng eating a ginseng fruit, not only would the pleasure of savoring it be lost, but the flavor couldn't be fully appreciated. Therefore, this current restraint was for a more beautiful future.
Alistair's earlier actions made her believe he was about to do something to her right then and there. The fact that he merely teased her with words and a brief physical provocation before leaving left her feeling somewhat disoriented and unreal, with a subtle sense of loss.
Alistair saw the look of daze and the barely perceptible disappointment on Yumiko's face. He smiled. The expected reaction. Sure enough, Mina's mother was very, very... "hungry"~
As the saying goes, women are "wolves at thirty, tigers at forty, can suck dirt at fifty, suck mice through the wall at sixty, and capture Buddha at seventy."
While exaggerated, this accurately shows the rising demand curve for women at different ages.
Unlike women, men begin to decline from their peak in their thirties. Given Mr. Morita's appearance, which looked close to fifty, it was highly likely his body could no longer support satisfying his wife's needs. Whether he could even fulfill his duty was questionable. Yumiko's lack of satisfaction would undoubtedly threaten the harmony of the family due to her unstable emotional state.
Thus, for the sake of Mina's family harmony, Alistair was exerting himself tirelessly: not only must he "discipline" Jiro, but he must also satisfy the needs of Yumiko's daughter, preventing her from being lured away by others. On top of that, he now had to satisfy the needs of Mina's mother, Yumiko. And he had to play the villain! Alistair was truly giving his all, without expecting reward. Such an Alistair was the very definition of a "good person"~
"Well, since it's a transaction, I should be an honest businessman. I will take good care of Mina. As for Jiro, if he doesn't go causing trouble, I can only guarantee he won't die while under my watch. But if he avoids trouble or stays in school, I guarantee no one will bully him."
Alistair maintained his amused expression, deliberately prolonging the agony for Yumiko, who seemed to have a spark of desire ignited and was somewhat anticipating Alistair's aggression. He just teased her and walked away.
"Okay, I beg you."
Yumiko's expression mixed joy with loss—a conflicting look that gave Alistair considerable pleasure. Alistair shrugged indifferently, acknowledging her request.
"So, Alistair-kun, when will... the transaction be completed?"
A moment later, before Alistair could speak, Yumiko asked the question. Alistair could tell that her stable internal state, having been stimulated by him, was already growing restless and anticipating the actual transaction without her even realizing it.
"That depends on my mood... No, it should be: that depends on the extent of the unexpected troubles they encounter. Our transaction is about family harmony, right?"
Alistair, who was originally going to casually dismiss Yumiko with a phrase like "it depends on my mood," suddenly thought of an interesting game. He showed no unnatural expression, maintaining a look of indifference, and asked in a normal tone.
"Yes, that's right."
Yumiko nodded, her beautiful eyes slightly confused. She wondered why he was asking again when they had just discussed it.
"Then, the price you pay should be proportional to the effort required to maintain their happy life, right?" Alistair's tone remained normal and natural.
"That... you are correct." Yumiko felt something was off but couldn't place it.
"So, if I treat them normally, they will live well, and the price you pay will be limited. But if something happens to them—for example, if Jiro is injured, or Mina is bullied or has trouble in her life—I'll need you to pay a greater price to intervene, won't I?"
Alistair smiled slightly, still speaking in a calm and natural tone. He wondered if Yumiko had noticed the trap buried deep within his words.
"Yes... you are indeed right."
Yumiko frowned, trying to figure out if there was anything abnormal in Alistair's statement. She looked fragile and pitiful, but Alistair was unmoved. He had plenty of interest and patience for this woman.
As the saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Yumiko's abyss of desire had been slightly opened by Alistair. Would she be able to maintain her original intent and restrain herself? After all, Alistair only factored in the troubles and harm caused by major unexpected incidents. He had no intention of involving ordinary matters.
However, in this environment, bullying still happens, even if not frequently. There would certainly be some initial hiccups, which would be Alistair's initial key to Yumiko. But after that, the bullying and trouble they face would inevitably decrease, meaning Yumiko's price payment would be small. But... she probably wouldn't be satisfied, would she?
Let's see. In the end, will Yumiko Morita cling to her original intent, find spiritual satisfaction in her daughter's happiness, and uphold her moral boundary? Or will she become reckless, actively manufacturing "accidents" to pay the price and obey her body's craving?
In what manner will this transaction finally end? Will Mina's happy life be artificially shattered? Will Mina's father be able to keep his dignity as a husband?
This depends entirely on Yumiko's choice.
She may not yet know how tortured she will be in the future, but that's alright. Alistair has prepared a smooth path for her.
Once an unfulfilled desire is sparked, it becomes uncontrollable. Alistair is greatly looking forward to the conflict between family and self, the confrontation between spirit and body. What pleasure will those expressions bring?
Saa, let us wait and see...