In the quiet forest, the three stood opposite each other in a triangular formation. Yukino crossed her arms.
"Sister, tell me about you and Ren."
Haruno glanced at Ren. For the first time, she lowered her head in front of her sister and recounted the past in a deep voice. Ren also seemed to be taken back to that period. Their story was a simple, clichéd tale of a hero saving a beauty. But salvation was found by both sides. Ren saved Haruno's life. Haruno saved Ren's spirit.
When Yukino learned everything, she was shocked. She herself could hardly imagine what a Ren without laughter, without frivolity, and in a dazed, numb state would be like. But thinking of the secret of the apocalypse that the previous Ren had suppressed in his heart, moving forward with that burden of pressure, she felt that it was only natural. Unspeakable pressure and secrets would drive a person to madness. And so, she understood what they truly meant to each other: they were each other's saviors.
Yukino pursed her lips and continued to ask, "Then why did you leave Ren back then, Sister?"
"Because Mother… the Yukinoshita Family needed me."
"..."
Mother… the Yukinoshita Family… Yukino was not foolish. She quickly understood. Her sister did it for her. Her gaze was blank: "Sister, was it for me…?"
The Yukinoshita Family needed an heir. But there were only two daughters. If both married out, the Yukinoshita Family would have no one to inherit. Then, a live-in son-in-law would surely be needed. His child would then be the heir of the Yukinoshita Family. Who would that person be? It would be a political marriage. This was a common tactic used by chaebols or politicians. If Haruno entered into a marriage alliance and found an heir, Yukino would gain freedom and could choose her own emotions.
Haruno did not admit it. She just raised her head, smiling brightly and radiantly: "Yukino, you and Ren-kun must be happy."
"..." Yukino clenched her fists; she hated such compromise.
*****
"Don't you two just talk to yourselves, alright?" Ren's cool voice sounded. By the time the two felt it, they had already been simultaneously embraced by Ren. "Did you listen to my opinion?"
Yukino and Haruno were momentarily confused. He looked down at the two of them with determination and dominance. "I choose to have both; I won't let either of you go!"
"!!!" This bold and unexpected declaration simultaneously stunned both of them.
"Do you even know what you're saying?" Haruno wondered if she was hallucinating.
"I know, I don't make choices." Ren repeated each word carefully and precisely.
"How is that possible?" Haruno glared at him with a look that asked if he had gone mad.
Ren awkwardly shrugged his nose, muttering in a muffled voice. "What's impossible? Have you never heard of a mother and daughter?"
"Huh?" This time, Haruno let out a loud gasp.
"Don't shout, Yukino already knows."
Haruno's gaze scrutinized Yukino, as if confirming the truth with her.
"Hmm…" Yukino blushed and averted her gaze. This was an admission!
Haruno's composure shattered. Her own sister had accepted something like this? She glared fiercely at Ren, her voice hoarse with anger. "You bastard, what kind of mesmerizing potion did you give Yukino? How did you manage to do something so outrageous?!"
"Cough, cough." Ren coughed dryly, feeling a little guilty: "All I can say is, Haruno, you developed me too well." This was a fact. Because of Haruno's past guidance, he became willing to help others. Hmm… he couldn't bear to see girls who liked him sad. He just wanted to give the girls a warm home.
"It's all my fault. If I hadn't helped you back then, and just let you continue to fall, then my own sister wouldn't have… wouldn't have become the shape of you, this bastard!" Haruno was truly gritting her teeth at this scoundrel, Ren. She wanted to break free from Ren's embrace.
Ren refused to let go, holding her firmly. "That's right, I am a scoundrel." He was acting utterly shameless, like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water.
"Yukino! Say something, please!" Haruno felt that Yukino should still be rational and wouldn't accept such an outrageous thing.
Who knew, Yukino actually lowered her eyes, her emotions deep: "If it's Sister… I can accept it."
"Ah?"
"I understand your feelings, Sister, and I can no longer leave Ren. I only truly understand your love for me today… I am sorry to you."
"I will try my best to accept it." Yukino had truly changed too much. It was a change that Ren could see with his own eyes.
Haruno fell into confusion. Her own sister had agreed. Should I continue to persist? It seemed there was already an answer in her heart when Ren made the suggestion. The answer was.
"You scoundrel! I'm truly fed up with you all." Haruno's gaze was resentful.
"You agreed!" Ren was instantly overjoyed. "Yukino, you are forever a god! I love you so much!" Everything was Yukino's credit.
Ren immediately leaned towards Yukino. After a few seconds of instinctively responding to Ren, Yukino regained her senses and gently pushed him away. Her flushed earlobes were hot, and she said timidly and softly, "Don't… Haruno is still here…"
Haruno's eyelid twitched. Why weren't you so soft just now? Why didn't you say anything when you and Ren were doing things at home? Haruno couldn't help but pinch Ren's arm in annoyance. "Bullying Yukino in front of me?" Her tone didn't sound like a reprimand; instead, it was like she was acting spoiled.
Ren's lips curled into a mischievous smile, "Then should I bully you?" With that, he also leaned in.
Haruno didn't dodge or shy away; instead, she actively reached out and hooked her arms around Ren's neck.
Yukino's eyes widened. She watched intently. A few minutes passed. Haruno didn't even pant once; instead, she licked her rosy lips and, still holding Ren's neck, teased Yukino, "How about it, Yukino, am I better than you?"
"…" Yukino was speechless. She had to admit, Haruno was stronger in this regard. If it were her, she wouldn't last a minute.
"Want to learn? I'll teach you!" Ren immediately agreed with both hands and feet.
"I… I understand, please teach me!" Yukino took a deep breath and agreed. Her idea was simple: if Ren liked it, then she would learn. Yukino and Kaguya were both very traditional people.
"Tsk." Haruno had expected to see a shy expression from Yukino. She didn't expect her to agree directly. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at Ren. It was all this scoundrel's fault.
*****
"Sigh…" She sighed deeply. Having accepted this fact, Haruno frankly revealed her inner thoughts, drawing circles on Ren's chest with her right index finger. This truly made Ren's heart itch with unbearable desire.
"However, what are you going to do about our mother, Ren?"
Yukino's mother, that strong woman.
Ren gently rested his chin on Haruno's forehead and promised, "I will go and tell her myself."
Seeking fresh flowers
"If she doesn't agree, hmph, I'll just blow up the Earth, and we'll go live in the Otherworld. This world isn't worth keeping anyway."
"???" Haruno thought Ren was joking.
Yukino, however, very seriously advised, "Ren, please don't do that. I will also help persuade Mother. At worst, we can leave the Yukinoshita Family."
"Huh?" Haruno looked suspicious: "Ren, can you really blow up the Earth and go to the Otherworld?"
"Of course, I'm not just saying it for fun." Ren answered without hesitation, causing Haruno's eyelid to twitch again. She felt that she had severely underestimated Ren's changes over the past two years.
However… since Ren is so powerful, Haruno's eyes lit up: "Ren, can you make other people see evil spirits or demons?"
"Why are you asking that? It's not a problem, though." This question was strange, but for the current Ren, it was very simple. Spiritual vision was just a transformation of spirit and sight. Through a small means of control, it was easy to enable spiritual vision for others.
Haruno, having received the answer, a smile appeared on her face. However, this smile looked a bit sinister. Her words further confirmed her sinister intentions.
"Ren, activate spiritual vision for our mother. Let her see the eerie world. That way, she should understand and agree with us."
"?" Yukino was shocked by Haruno's plan.
"This… is it not good to do this to Mother-in-Law…?" Ren's mouth twitched, a little worried.
Haruno sighed, "Ren, you don't know, Mother, that woman, is too strong. Without some special method, she cannot be swayed."
"Mm, Mother is indeed a very strong person." Yukino deeply agreed with this point.
"Mm, alright, with me here, Mother-in-Law won't get hurt." After thinking about it, this was indeed a good and simple method.
However, Haruno wasn't finished. She lay on Ren's chest, a joyful smile on her face. "Of course, if Ren has the ability, taking her down is also not a problem."
"Huh?" This time, it was Yukino and Ren who were dumbfounded.
Haruno teased, "Don't you have some among your people? Are we not enough?"
"But…" Yukino didn't know what to say.
Haruno continued to strike while the iron was hot. "Yukino, don't you want to see the expression of that strong, cold person being conquered and becoming obedient?" Thinking of such a scene, Haruno inexplicably became excited. Joy! Joy! Still joy!
"Mm…" Yukino lowered her head. She wanted to object. But Haruno's words, and the automatic mental imagery they produced, actually made her heart feel a faint sense of anticipation. This feeling of shame made her unable to speak.
Ren kept a straight face throughout, not saying a word. How could he dare to speak? His girlfriends were plotting against his mother-in-law, and he was the beneficiary. How could he dare to speak? I'll just watch quietly!
Yukino was still not swayed; the last shred of her rationality held her back. But Haruno was not disappointed, because Yukino neither agreed nor refused. She just said everything would be left to fate.
"If Mother herself has an idea, I can choose to accept it." Haruno was already smiling in her heart. She had personally experienced Ren's abilities. How could a little mother who had been divorced for many years resist? She could already see her mother's tragic future in her eyes.
Ren secretly observed Haruno's expression. He felt that the demon in Haruno's heart was awakening. To this, he had to say: Demon, keep it up!
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[Apologies if this note is disruptive, but it will be present on every bonus chapter. Feel free to skip it if you wish]
Hey everyone, InorinTL here!
Just wanted to share some exciting news: About 12+ hours ago, I actually got my very first Patreon membership! I'm still working on setting up the Patreon page itself, which might take anywhere from 2-3 days at the fastest, or up to 4-7 days at most. But honestly, this has made me incredibly happy and is a massive help with my current financial situation. What's even more surprising is that my first member didn't just join—they chose the most expensive tier, "The Plot Uncoverer"! You can imagine how shocked I was!
Since my Patreon isn't fully ready yet, I want to show my appreciation right away. So, as a bonus, I'll be releasing 5 extra chapters starting now, with one chapter dropping every hour. Get ready for them!
For those wondering about bonus chapters:
The first 25 members who join Patreon will receive bonus chapters here on the platform. The total number of bonus chapters depends on the tier they join:
The Curious Reader: 2 Bonus Chapters
The Dedicated Fan: 3 Bonus Chapters
The Lore Diver: 4 Bonus Chapters
The Plot Uncoverer: 5 Bonus Chapters
Also, I'll be releasing 1 bonus chapter for every 150 Power Stones reached each week.
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