"Engaged? Why haven’t I heard anything about this?" Kasumi’s brow furrowed slightly. She couldn’t possibly be unaware of something so significant. What kind of delusion was Yukio living in?
"Don’t tell me you think I’m lying? If you don’t believe me, just ask Roland yourself," Yukio shrugged, implying, If you doubt me, go ask the person you trust most.
And when your most trusted person breaks your heart, don’t blame me.
"I don’t need your prompting. I’ll ask myself." Kasumi’s expression darkened. She knew that if Yukio dared to have Roland confirm it, the engagement was likely true. Still, unwilling to believe it, she asked, " Roland, is what Yukio said true? Are you engaged to Haruno?"
Roland hadn’t expected Yukio to throw the question at him like this. Was she trying to make him personally break Kasumi heart?
This tactic... it’s called "killing the heart after before killing the body." So Aunt Yukio resorts to such ruthless measures when facing an "enemy"?
How am I supposed to answer this?
Admitting it would hurt Aunt Kasumi, but denying it would mean certain failure with Aunt Yukio.
What kind of hellish situation is this now?
Roland couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly. Ultimately, pressured by Yukio, he had no choice but to answer.
After all, he had already reached home base with Yukio. When it came to choosing sides, he had no real choice at all.
He couldn’t possibly reach home base with Yukio one moment and then side with Kasumi the next, could he?
So, no matter how unwilling Roland felt, he could only nod resignedly and say, "We’re nominally engaged..."
"You... Why would you hide something so important from me?" Kasumi seemed to have anticipated this answer, showing little outward shock.
Of course, that was just an act. Deep down, she must have been devastated.
"Because I didn’t know how to tell you," Roland sighed helplessly.
"If you knew it would be difficult to explain, why did you agree to the engagement?"
"Aunt Kasumi, I swear, this was all Mom’s doing! I had no way to refuse."
"So you’re saying you didn’t want this at all?"
"Uh... At least, I definitely didn’t want to get set up on a blind date so early," Roland paused, cleverly skirting the sensitive issue.
Could he dare say he was unwilling?
He had already merged body fluids with Yukio. If he dared claim unwillingness, she would snap his waist in half with her thighs in an instant.
Besides, he hadn’t actually said he was unwilling. He was quite pleased with the current state of his relationship with Yukio.
"I understand, dear," Kasumi said earnestly. "If you’re truly unwilling, I’ll demand an explanation from your mother. It won’t be easy to take you away from me!"
"So, you claim unwillingness?" Yukio scoffed, accepting Kasumi’s challenge. "Very well, we won’t disturb you while you go demand your explanation. Just don’t end up chasing shadows."
After all, since they first met, they had been locked in a constant battle over Roland’s affections. Such confrontations were nothing new.
But those days were destined to fade. How could Roland possibly be unwilling? Once they returned home, she would strip off her clothes, spread her legs, and then she’d see if the boy still claim to have any unwillingness!
The thought made Yukio’s body tingle with anticipation. The furtive kisses in the fitting room had been far too brief. She was now eagerly awaiting the night to come!
Trying to take Little Roland from me? First, ask him what he wants.
***
The appearance of Karena mother Kasumi was was just like a small episode, quickly coming to an end.
As night fell, Roland had no choice but to hurry back at Yukio’s urging.
He knew leaving Kasumi like that was improper, but what choice did he have? Having already crossed the point of no return with Yukio, he had to prioritize his responsibility to the Yukino Family.
Sigh... perhaps this is for the best. Better a short, sharp pain than a lingering one.
If this could make Aunt Kasumi give up on him, he wouldn’t have to agonize over choosing sides anymore. He could settle down as the Yukino Family’s son-in-law without further worry.
But seeing the resolute expression on Kasumi face—her determination to demand an explanation from his mother—it seemed this matter wouldn’t be resolved anytime soon.
Roland sighed inwardly, pushing the matter aside for now. He would just have to take things one step at a time.
At the Yukino Family residence, Roland spent some time preparing dinner.
Perhaps due to exhaustion from a long day, Yuki noticed her mother seemed to have little appetite. It took her over half an hour to finish a single bowl of rice.
Throughout the meal, Yukio would occasionally tremble, as if enduring some immense pain.
By the end, Yuki couldn’t bear to watch any longer. She couldn’t help but voice her concern: "Mother, if you’re feeling unwell, you should go rest in your room."
Yukio looked up at her daughter, her body trembling slightly again. Forcing herself to suppress some intense sensation, she nodded, her face flushed. "Y-you’re right. I’ll go rest now."
She struggled to rise from her seat, her posture unsteady, her slightly closed legs making her look as if she might collapse at any moment.
It was clear Yukio was in dire straits.
Seeing this, Yuki quickly shot Roland a meaningful glance, urging him to take care of her mother immediately.
Yuki had initially wanted to care for her mother herself, but Yukio clearly favored Roland over her. So, she decided it was best to avoid making things awkward.
Roland understood Yuki’s unspoken request. Since he had already planned to do it anyway, he simply followed her lead, rose to his feet, and helped Yukio up. "Then I’ll take care of Aunt Yukio. But I’ll need you to cover for me tonight..."
"Don’t worry," Yuki replied. "I’m turning off my phone when I go to bed. I don’t want my sister waking me up in the middle of the night again." She knew Roland planned to game all night and decided to help him out one last time.
Besides, she still resented her sister for ruining her romantic dream last night. Don’t think I’ll let her call and interrupt my sweet dreams again tonight!
Once she turned off her phone, she’d see what kind of trouble her sister could stir up then.
What could Roland say? He could only give Yuki a thumbs-up in gratitude.