Japanese middle-class families still care quite a bit about this, and even more so in affluent families, where the wife is expected to be a ’capable helpmate,’ simply content to be a happy wife. Of course, Kujo Yua knows what kind of criticism working outside might bring her, but she doesn’t care one bit. Everyone can criticize her, except her husband. She slammed the table and shouted, "If you care so much about those gossips, then you might as well join the Housewives Club!!"
Genichiro was about to retort when Fushimi Roku quickly reached out to separate the two, saying firmly, "Stop, stop, stop!!! This is a seminar! Could you please respect the speaker?!"
Kujo Yua was about to explode and tear the so-called speaker apart, but Fushimi Roku changed the subject, pointing to little Tamako, "Look at your daughter. You’re arguing in front of her. Do you still have the role of parents as an example?"
Genichiro and Kujo Yua turned around and looked at little Tamako, who was sitting at the end of the table. She looked disheartened, with her head down, fiddling with her fingers, visibly upset. It clearly wasn’t her fault, yet her face showed a hint of guilt.
Seeing this scene, no matter how angry they were, they couldn’t continue the argument.
Fushimi Roku sighed a little with relief, afraid that the furious Kujo Yua might disregard even her daughter and directly kill him. Then, he would have no choice but to find another solution.
The atmosphere in the living room dropped to freezing point. Although Genichiro and Kujo Yua had stopped arguing, it was only for Tamako’s sake. Neither of them wanted to admit fault, and there was no sign of reconciliation.
The meeting still had to continue. Without resolving the couple’s conflict, Tamako wouldn’t be happy; if Tamako wasn’t happy, he would be stuck in this lousy dream, tutoring Tamako with elementary school homework from Mars every night, letting the adult Minamoto Tamako wreak havoc in his subconscious.
He felt just as pressured!
Fushimi Roku sighed inwardly but maintained a serious expression. In order to ease the atmosphere, he deliberately showed a professional fake smile, appearing very sincere. As the saying goes, don’t strike a smiling person. He hoped Kujo Yua could keep her calm during the subsequent conversation.
He cleared his throat and broke the stifling atmosphere: ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novelFirｅ.net
"The Canadian family therapist Maria Gomori once warned: ’When you battle on the marital battlefield, don’t forget your daughter is lying in the war zone.’"
Upon hearing this, Kujo Yua felt vaguely impatient. She already knew the harm arguing causes her daughter, and Teacher Fushimi’s repeated emphasis only made her feel as if he was criticizing her for being an unqualified mother.
Fushimi Roku accurately captured this emotional shift and marveled at how realistic the character imprints in Minamoto Tamako’s subconscious were; the emotional feedback was just like that of a real person.
He promptly changed the subject from the drawbacks of family conflict to the benefits of preventing family quarrels:
"Statistics show that in families where parents successfully control conflicts, the percentage of daughters entering top universities increases by fifty-seven percent."
This number was entirely made up by Fushimi Roku on the spot. He was skilled at concocting facts favorable to himself, and future data pollution from AI might stem from people like him.
Upon hearing this, the fierce Kujo Yua’s eyes lit up, indicating her interest.
Genichiro was more relaxed. He had broader expectations for his daughter, hoping she would lead a happy and fulfilled life, with or without attending university. He didn’t want her to carry heavy pressures... this wasn’t favoritism towards boys, but genuine blessings for his daughter.
Fushimi Roku was satisfied with Kujo Yua’s response and thus asked Tamako to return to her room. The upcoming meeting did not need Tamako as a prop; her presence here would only hinder his fabrications.
Once Tamako returned to her bedroom and closed the door, Fushimi Roku continued, "For Tamako’s future, shouldn’t you both put aside your prejudices for now, work together, and patiently manage this small family?"
Genichiro and Kujo Yua remained silent, giving no response, making the atmosphere become very awkward all of a sudden.
Fortunately, Fushimi Roku had thick skin and pretended that nothing happened, continuing with a gentle tone, "Even if there’s no longer any affection between you two, for the sake of your daughter, can’t you at least endure until she gets into college? If worse comes to worst, just have a form of marriage, act like a model couple at home. It’s not that difficult, is it?"
This statement hit a sensitive spot. The feelings between Kujo Yua and Genichiro still existed, even though they often quarreled as if their marriage couldn’t continue. Their affection was still very deep... Otherwise, after Genichiro’s death, Kujo Yua wouldn’t have kept the surname ’Minamoto’ for their daughter.
"We haven’t reached that point... I just want A-Yua to temper her temper..."
"What do you mean?! Aren’t I doing this for the family!!"
To say Genichiro was thoughtless, then Kujo Yua was unhappy, and not just unhappy, but like she had eaten hot peppers, blowing up at the slightest touch.
Seeing the situation about to spiral out of control again, Fushimi Roku quickly interrupted, "That’s not the point! The point is whether in married life you can seek common ground while reserving differences."
He looked around and questioned, "I believe during your passionate times, you must have had many sweet or romantic moments, and I also believe you made vows to each other with heartfelt promises when exchanging wedding rings... The love between you both must have been a hard-earned crystal, yet marriage is not the same thing as love."
"Marriage means compromise, do you understand?"