Natsuki's deadpan follow-up nearly broke Luo Shu's composure.
His eyelid twitching, Luo Shu shot back at the beaming Natsuki:
"...Then should we have her call you Mummy?"
Natsuki's expression contorted briefly.
Seizing the moment, Luo Shu turned to encourage Mukuro:
"Mukuro, don't let Auntie Natsuki's petite frame fool you. At 26, she's perfectly qualified to be a legal mother."
He deliberately met Natsuki's eyes before adding:
"And given her overbearing teacher personality, she'd probably spend hours lecturing you daily and supervising your homework if she became your mother."
"Doesn't that sound terrifying?"
Though claiming it was scary, Luo Shu had precisely targeted Mukuro's insecurities.
After all, anyone who'd investigated Mukuro's background knew she'd been abandoned by her mother as a child.
"What on earth are you playing at..." Natsuki Minamiya looked at Luo Shu in bewilderment, unable to comprehend whether he was teasing her or intimidating Mukuro Hoshimiya by claiming she'd become Mukuro's mother and would relentlessly lecture her.
After all, Natsuki was well aware of the natural fear students held towards teachers. Few would wish for their own mother also to be their academic instructor if given the choice.
Yet the next moment, Natsuki heard a tentative, hushed inquiry:
"...Would that be alright?"
Startled by the voice, Natsuki turned slightly to look at Mukuro Hoshimiya, only to see Mukuro gazing up at her with wide, hopeful eyes, as if harbouring some unspoken expectation.
This thoroughly baffled Natsuki. What was this? Hadn't the girl already acquired a brother and sister figure? Now she wanted a mother, too?
But meeting Mukuro's cautious yet expectant gaze, Natsuki suddenly recalled that the girl before her was like a stray kitten - abandoned since childhood, then after being adopted, had conflicts with her family before exiling herself into space.
With a sigh, Natsuki conceded:
"I wouldn't want such a grown-up daughter."
Before Mukuro could react, she quickly added:
"But if you ever have academic questions, I could teach you a thing or two. Hmm, whether about daily life or the occult."
"Really?" Mukuro's eyes seemed to brighten instantly, her earlier disappointment vanishing.
Natsuki unfolded her folding fan, hiding her face behind it as she inwardly lamented why she'd taken on such responsibility. Nevertheless, she added:
"Of course it's true."
"Mmm-hmm." Mukuro Hoshimiya nodded repeatedly with overflowing joy, her entire being suddenly radiating vibrant colours.
At that moment, Luo Shu nearby added in a deadpan tone:
"Should I congratulate Natsuki on gaining a thirteen or fourteen-year-old daughter now?"
Natsuki Minamiya's face darkened as she couldn't resist kicking at Luo Shu under the table, only to miss due to her height disadvantage.
After her failed kick left her unsteady, she steadied herself against the table and glared at Luo Shu:
"If you think me having a teenage daughter is appropriate, then you're really asking for legal trouble!!"
Seeing Natsuki's under-table movement, Luo Shu deliberately moved further away to avoid her attacks, replying:
"Theoretically, having children at 26 is perfectly normal~"
Natsuki ignored him, glancing instead at Mukuro's expectant expression before sighing:
"Rather than being a mother, I'd prefer to be an elder sister. Besides, do I look like a mother in my current state?"
Hearing this, Mukuro scrutinised Natsuki up and down before showing sudden understanding, tilting her head to say:
"Little Sister... Natsuki?"
"Pfft."
Luo Shu couldn't hold back, covering his face as he turned away to avoid seeing Natsuki's expression and prevent himself from bursting into laughter.
Just then, Luo Shu noticed Lacus beside him, sipping tea with her eyes closed, her lips twitching upward uncontrollably.
'Oh no, the laughter's contagious...'
Suppressing his mirth, Luo Shu turned back to face Natsuki's utterly defeated expression and couldn't resist teasing:
"Appearance-wise, it's quite fitting. Why not just go along with Mukuro's suggestion?"
Natsuki shot Luo Shu a glance and spat out one word:
"Scram."
Luo Shu immediately fell silent, not wanting to provoke Natsuki further.
Natsuki glared at Luo Shu before turning to Mukuro, whose lips were slightly upturned, and sighed:
"Such a vengeful little brat, really..."
She shook her head before addressing Mukuro directly:
"So, you already know about the contract matter?"
The atmosphere instantly stilled at her words.
While mentally complaining about Natsuki's blunt approach, Luo Shu turned to observe Mukuro.
The response came as Mukuro nodded slightly:
"I know. Big Sister told me - to form a contract with Big Brother and become a real family~"
Family...
At these words, both Luo Shu and Natsuki turned their gazes towards Lacus.
Seeing Lacus calmly sipping her tea with serene eyes and elegant composure, Natsuki's mouth twitched:
"Really now, tricking such an innocent girl like this."
"It's not tricking!"
The 'victim' Mukuro puffed her cheeks in protest:
"Big Sister was completely serious - more truthful than anything Little Sister Natsuki says!"
"It's Big Bister!"
Natsuki flicked open her folding fan and lightly tapped Mukuro's forehead with a "pat":
"I'm a whole generation older than you, little girl!"
"Umm!" Mukuro clutched her head, her eyes teary, and not daring to speak further.
Yet her pursed lips and puffed cheeks clearly showed everyone her unyielding spirit.
To this, Luo Shu merely remarked quietly:
"Don't worry, Mukuro, believe in yourself. Although Natsuki is almost a whole decade older than you, in certain aspects, she's more than a size smaller than you."
"Eh?" Mukuro Hoshimiya tilted her head in confusion, not understanding what Luo Shu meant.
Meanwhile, Natsuki Minamiya instinctively shifted her gaze from Mukuro's face downwards, towards the area below the neck.
"Tsk tsk tsk!!" Natsuki clicked her tongue three times in rapid succession, her face darkening.
Natsuki was so angry that she wanted to hit someone, especially after noticing Lacus looking at her. The urge grew stronger.
After all, this enchantress Lacus was also the type who'd never let her children go hungry.
Two critical hits in a row left Natsuki's expression stormy as she turned to Luo Shu:
"Hey, didn't you and Lacus already sweet-talk her into agreement? Why aren't you rushing to sign the contract? Be careful, or the little girl might come to her senses and kick you to the curb."
"It's not sweet-talking," Mukuro murmured quietly, too intimidated to speak up, given Natsuki's terrifying expression.
Luo Shu, having borne the brunt of Natsuki's sharp tongue, chose not to retort to avoid further provoking her.
He first accepted the juice handed by the shop assistant, then passed it to Mukuro with a smile:
"Mukuro, how about coming with me to sign the contract somewhere else later?"
Hearing this, Mukuro hesitated and glanced at Lacus.
"Your beloved sister will come too."
Mukuro immediately nodded in agreement and reached for the juice.
Luo Shu observed as Mukuro took the juice, observing the cautious girl before finally relaxing.
Though there had been some twists and turns, they'd finally reached the final step...
Luo Shu adjusted his posture slightly, leaning back in his chair while stealing a glance at the shadow on the floor.
Time to begin preparations.
Within the shadows, Kurumi Tokisaki's clone abruptly opened her eyes, looked at Luo Shu, then sank back into darkness and disappeared.