[Target locked. Mission progress updated: Current mission objective: Conquer Yukino Yukio.
Aunt Yukio's current affection level: (20/100)
Affection Breakthrough Mission 1 triggered: Holding Hands (0/3)
Detected that the target's affection level already exceeds the current value. Host, please complete the Affection Breakthrough Mission as soon as possible.]
Roland stared at the suddenly appearing Affection Breakthrough Mission 1, falling into silence.
He had originally thought that reaching 100 affection would be enough to succeed. He never expected there would be actual missions involved.
Is this some kind of mobile game? Affection Breakthrough Missions? Why don't you just add breakthrough materials and success rates while you're at it?
This was going to be troublesome.
It wasn't that the "Holding Hands" mission itself was difficult. As mentioned before, Yukio doted on Roland, so holding her hand should be relatively easy for him.
What worried Roland was the System's warning: "Please complete the Affection Breakthrough Mission as soon as possible." What would happen if he didn't complete it quickly enough?
Roland didn't know, and he didn't dare ask. Even if he did, the System wouldn't answer.
If failing to complete a mission by the deadline resulted in punishment, Roland's plan to slack off was doomed.
Moreover, since there was an Affection Breakthrough Mission 1, there would undoubtedly be a Mission 2. He guessed that a breakthrough mission would likely be required for every 20 points of affection gained.
But that raised a question: the first mission was holding hands, so what would the second mission be?
And what about the final mission?
As his affection level increased, the missions issued by the System would probably become increasingly ambiguous.
If he ever received a mission involving... more intimate..*ahem..type of interactions, would he able to carry it out?
And what punishment would he face if he refused?
This damn System's descriptions are as vague as historical chronicles! Can't it just be clear?
"Mom, just out of curiosity, what would happen if I failed to complete a mission issued by the System?" Roland knew the System wouldn't answer, so he directed his questions to his mother.
The System's name is 'Mother's Little Tasks-,' after all. Maybe these so-called breakthrough missions are all part of her plan?
"What do you think will happen?" Mother didn't answer directly, only smiled mysteriously.
"If I knew, would I be asking you?" Roland said sarcastically as he leans on the sofa.
"This is your System. You should explore it yourself. But Mother suggests you try letting a mission expire once~."
Hearing this, Roland understood immediately.
This mission absolutely could not be allowed to expire!
He knew his mother all too well. There was no telling what kind of mischief she had planned.
"One last question: How long does 'expired' mean? The System hasn't given a specific time," Roland asked bitterly.
"Don't worry about that. As long as you're not deliberately dragging your feet, Mother... oh, I mean, the System gives you plenty of leeway," she reassured him with a smirk which doesn't seem to mean what she is saying.
But she had clearly slipped up just now!
Good grief, the System was indeed controlled by his mother.
That meant if he failed a mission, the punishment would be entirely at her discretion.
He was doomed! This wretched mother's punishments would definitely be nothing good.
This damn System—her lapdog!
***
While Roland was being tormented by the System and his mother,gy Yukio of the Yukino Family had just finished a call with Roland's mother, learning that Roland wanted to have a matchmaking meeting with Haruno.
This news surprised Yukio greatly. She had originally thought Roland would choose Yuki, who was closer to his age, as his matchmaking partner. After all, Haruno's personality was somewhat mischievous—could Roland handle her?
Yet Roland had ultimately chosen Haruno. Was he deliberately seeking trouble? Or perhaps the little guy's preference leaned toward mature older women?
Well~,Yukio certainly hoped it was the latter.
In any case, since Roland liked Haruno, all she needed to do was fully support him. After all, how could she resist that adorable little fellow?
In Yukio's eyes, Roland was practically family, having watched him grow up since childhood. Moreover, her household had always been dominated by women, lacking any male presence. Roland's presence perfectly filled that void.
Truth be told, Yukio had long harbored the idea of making Roland a man of the Yukino Family. Unfortunately, his mother's overprotective nature had always thwarted her opportunities countless times.
Now that his mother had finally allowed Roland to participate in matchmaking, Yukio wouldn't let this fleeting chance slip through her fingers.
I wouldn't object even if Roland wanted to date both Haruno and Yuki for a while, taking his time to choose the one who suited him best.
Does this sudden willingness to give my daughters away seem out of character for me?
You're mistaken. It's simply because my affection for Roland has reached such heights!
To put it bluntly, even my own daughters haven't received this level of doting. Of course, the Yukino Family's strict educational philosophy plays a role—we don't encourage our daughters to indulge in childish whims.
Perhaps that's exactly why I've ended up channeling all my pent-up maternal instincts onto Roland?
That... remains a mystery.
All Yukio knew was that she needed to urgently call her eldest daughter, who was currently working at the family business. After all, her daughter was already 21—it was time to seriously consider marriage.
"Haruno, are you tied up with anything urgent right now?" Yukio dialed her eldest daughter's number.
"Nothing too pressing, Mother. If you have instructions, please go ahead," came the voice of Haruno from the other end of the line.
"In that case, put your work on hold and come back for a while. I have a matchmaking assignment here that I need you to handle perfectly."
"Perfectly... Tell me more. Which young master is it this time?"
Haruno fell silent for a moment, frowning slightly. She hadn't expected her mother to use the word "perfectly" this time.
This wasn't her first matchmaking arrangement. Ever since she turned eighteen, marriage proposals had been pouring in for the Yukino Family.
As a big family, the Yukinos needed to maintain strong ties with various factions, and arranged marriages were the most effective way to do so.
This was the inescapable fate of any woman bearing the Yukino name.
As the eldest daughter, Haruno had to shoulder the family's responsibilities. Naturally, the burden of arranged marriages fell upon her shoulders, and she was determined to spare her younger sister from this fate.
She had long ago made an agreement with her mother: she would accept any arranged marriage, provided Yuki was never disturbed or made aware of these arrangements.
The mother and daughter had reached an unspoken understanding. Yuki remained blissfully ignorant of the marriage proposals, but the price was Haruno's overwhelming workload.
Fortunately, Yukio, though strict, had always granted her daughter full autonomy in matters of the heart, never pressuring her to accept arranged marriages.
But this time was different. For the first time, her mother had demanded she "successfully complete" the matchmaking mission.
The meaning of "successfully complete" was unmistakable: her mother Yukino Yukio clearly wanted her to win him over.
This was the first time she felt her mother meddling in her marriage prospects. However, having long mentally prepared for such a possibility, she said nothing.
What truly astonished her was who could possibly be so highly regarded by her mother that she would issue such a firm command.
"Don't worry," Yukio said with a faint smile. "This time, the target isn't some playboy or any childish man. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
Under normal circumstances, she would never interfere with her daughter's marriage choices—unless... the candidate was exceptionally outstanding.
"Stop beating around the bush," Haruno said coolly. "I don't recall anyone like that." Among her peers, there wasn't a single person who could possibly satisfy her.
But when her mother uttered those three words, the ever cool Haruno on the other end of the line fell into a long silence.
Yukio: "Little Roland."
Haruno: "..."
How could it be him?