▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Q: What kind of experience is it to bring the boy you like to meet your parents, but your mom is too enthusiastic?
A: Complicated feelings.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Togawa Sakiko suddenly felt that she might not actually be her mom's biological daughter, but rather a baby abandoned beside a trash can, whom her mom picked up in her youth when she didn't understand things.
Otherwise, why would the mother who had loved her the most since childhood now treat her like air and set her aside, while chatting so happily with the president?
"Sakiko has always been a little careless in personality. It's thanks to Kaito-kun's care that she's become much stronger."
"I still remember when she was little, she got scared after watching a horror movie about dolls, and kept worrying that the doll I gave her would come alive at midnight. So before going to sleep, she hugged the doll and prayed for a long time, even promising to treat it well in the future, hoping the doll wouldn't try to kill her—"
"And also, when she was in her second year of middle school, she claimed to have awakened memories of a past life, saying her true identity was a forgotten goddess from another world. She even gave herself a new name called 'Oblivionis,' and wouldn't even spare her childhood friend Mutsumi, calling her 'Mortis.' That went on for over half a month before she finally calmed down..."
Kaito couldn't hold back and let out a small cough.
Sakiko had always presented herself before him as elegant, reserved, and dignified, perfectly fitting people's impression of a "young lady."
If not for Togawa Mizuho's revelations, he truly wouldn't have imagined that his hardworking little secretary also had such… an innocent side in her childhood.
Following soft Sakiko, customer-service Sakiko, and secretary Sakiko, a new form has appeared, Chuunibyou Sakiko.
"E-enough!", Seeing her black history, which had been sealed in the deepest parts of her memory and should have disappeared along with her cowardice, now being completely dug up, in front of the president, no less.
The blue-haired girl on the side finally couldn't take it. Her cute round face was red as fire, hot enough to fry an egg, and she hurriedly rushed over to interrupt the conversation between the two.
"M-Mom, your body just recovered. You still need proper rest. The president and I won't bother you! We'll come see you another time!"
"Oh?", Togawa Mizuho gave her daughter a light glance, "Interrupting a conversation between your elders and a guest without permission… Sakiko, I don't remember raising you to be such a rude child."
Perhaps because the long-term illness that had plagued her was now cured, and her body had regained its youth, this lady, who used to be mature and gentle, had also mentally become young again.
And at the same time, more aggressive.
Even someone like Togawa Sadaharu, a strict and unsmiling elder, couldn't handle his daughter back when she was younger. What chance did the soft mochi-like Sakiko stand?
An unexpected encounter with Mother in the hospital room, bloodline suppression strong as a monster, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't win.
The blue-haired girl couldn't help but shrink her head. Just now, for a moment, she actually felt a chill on the back of her neck, like she was being stared at by some wild beast.
Seeing his little secretary once again completely defeated, oppressed under her mother's authority and forced to hang her head obediently to be scolded, even though he was still curious about "Sakiko's little embarrassing stories", Kaito still let out a light cough and stepped forward to smooth things over.
"What Sakiko said makes sense. Aunt Togawa has just recovered from a serious illness. It's indeed best not to disturb you too much. If there's nothing else, Sakiko and I will take our leave for now and visit again another day."
His tone was perfectly polite, and his attitude just right in the "thinking of your well-being" sort of way, leaving Togawa Mizuho without room to argue. She could only try her best to persuade them to stay, "Actually, there's no need to worry about that sort of thing. I'm feeling great, better than ever, and will be discharged soon."
"Besides, I haven't seen Sakiko in so long. There's still so much about her recent life that I want to know…"
"How about this, Kaito-kun, why don't you come home with us later too? Consider it as letting me repay you for saving my life. Don't worry, the Togawa house is huge. If you get tired from playing, just sleep over. It's totally fine!"
'Mom, seriously, enough already!'
Just now when chatting with the president, she didn't even spare her a glance. Now she's suddenly using her own daughter as an excuse. This plastic motherly love, no thanks.
Sakiko couldn't help but complain silently in her heart. But under Togawa Mizuho's kind yet oppressive gaze, she could only nod repeatedly, looking as if she completely agreed.
"Go to the Togawa house together?", Kaito thought about it. At home, there was still a lonely little cucumber waiting to be watered, and today was also the day he was supposed to shape Mortis' new body.
The combined weight of the two little sisters was clearly more important than Togawa Mizuho's invitation.
He made an excuse that he had something to take care of and politely declined the woman's offer.
Although Togawa Mizuho was disappointed, she controlled herself and instead kept her daughter from escaping, intending to have a "heart-to-heart talk" with her in the evening.
As for Kaito, he took his leave under the reluctant gaze of the little secretary.
———
The lights in the living room weren't on. The only source of light came from the glow of the LCD screen, which was playing an old anime from years ago. It told a pure love story about a silver-haired airheaded older brother who brought his sickly tsundere little sister to the countryside, where they met a gentle class president, an energetic shrine maiden, an elegant rich girl, and then got caught up in a series of popular romantic plotlines. [T/N: Forgive me father. For, I have sinned. It is 'Yosuga no Sora' plot.]
Wakaba Mutsumi was holding Kirara. This was her third time rewatching this very well-known old anime, and her mindset was no longer as awkward as the first time.
At this moment, the scene on the screen had just reached a famous moment, the little sister boldly confessed her feelings, only to be rejected by her brother. In anger, she shouted that now-famous, legendary line.
["Mutsumi, you're watching anime again. Can't you take a break?"]
In the mental space, Mortis, dressed in a dazzling performance outfit, let out a voice filled with hatred for iron not becoming steel.
'Look, look, look… what's the point of just watching?'
'Go summon the courage and do it, already!'
'Bedroom! Fight!'
'Entryway! Fight!'
'Even in front of Soyo and Sakiko, fight, fight, fight!'
'The glorious battle records from your senior are right there in front of you, just copy them one to one, and victory is within reach!'
But this useless little Mutsumi couldn't even copy homework properly. After all this time, there was still no significant progress with her brother.
'Forget it. A happy life still has to be earned with your own two hands.'
By her estimate, the day her brother promised to help her rebuild her body should be either today or tomorrow.
'Once I have my own body…'
'Hmph hmph, Mutsumi can continue being her lucky freeloader dog in peace!'
'I will protect everything that belongs to my little sister.'
'To reforge the glory of bro-con, we shall not shirk our duty.'
[T/N: On the occasion of my first book Completion, "Beast Taming: I Can See Evolution Paths", there is a DISCOUNT ongoing in Patreon. You are welcomed to join.]
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y