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Kazusa smoothed the strands of hair behind her ear, loosened Himekoji's collar, and let him lean against her, resting her head on his shoulder.

"What is it?"

"I can't marry you—that is to say, you can't marry me, that's what I mean."

"I see... I understand. Although it's a bit of a shame that I can't fulfill my childhood wish, I guess I can only accept it since it was arranged by my mother and your mother."

"Yes, that's all I can do, but even so, I hope you won't leave me."

"You mean a spiritual departure, right?"

“That’s right, you will definitely marry another woman, and you will definitely have children with her. She will be the woman who accompanies you from the day you die, but I am not. Although I want to be, I can’t be—but there is one thing I can guarantee.”

Kazusa and Himekoji held hands, their tone calm, yet tinged with a faint sadness.

"What is it?"

“I will not become a woman like my mother, you know, in that area... I did experience the pleasure of that kind of thing in the days that followed, but this is my bottom line, and it is my promise to you.”

When the topic turned to that, Kazusa's tone became light and airy, and she blushed and lowered her head.

"Understood..."

"Although I can't live under the same roof with you forever, at least I can be faithful, something many wives can't do."

"Okay, thank you."

“I have already possessed the first third of your life, and you have possessed the first third of mine. In other words, I have already received enough, but... you should receive even more from me.”

"I'm not surprised by this outcome."

“I wouldn’t be surprised either, because I have other things to rely on.”

"Ok?"

"I won't tell you yet. You'll find out when I graduate." Kazusa winked her left eye at Himekoji, gently touched his lips with her index finger, and asked, "You say you come to see my mother every day, but you just want to take the opportunity to kiss me, right? I really can't do anything with you guys..."

"Oh? Who was it that kept saying 'let's do it again' on the fourth night?"

"Shut up, shut up! That was all an accident! I wasn't myself in that situation... I don't know who she is either, she's probably my second personality."

"...Could I ask that second personality of Ms. Kazusa to come out for a moment? She was so cute back then."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Himekoji was punched by Kazusa, which she deserved.

After the two kissed, Himeko went to ask the doctor in charge of Yoko's treatment, to confirm what needed to be confirmed and to discuss what needed to be discussed, before parting ways with Kazusa.

The inability to marry Kazusa was both a regret and a relief for Himekoji. To be honest, he wasn't quite sure why he felt relieved; it was just that a voice in his head kept telling him that.

hum - hum - hum -

Her phone vibrated. She took it out and saw that the caller was Yukinoshita, the Weakling. A subtle expression appeared on Himekoji's face. Because she had forgotten to celebrate Yukinoshita's birthday, the maid in the house had to go and make up for it with a gift. Himekoji was a little embarrassed to go herself. Now, Yukinoshita's sudden call without any warning was quite unexpected.

"it's me..."

"It's me, Yukinoshita. I know it might be presumptuous of me to say this, but do you have time right now?"

"No problem today."

“Great... I received the gift. It's a bit late, but I really like it. If it's alright, could you please come to my house? It's in Mihama Ward, my house.”

Yukino emphasized the word "mine" to specifically point out that it was Yukino's own house, not her family home.

"Okay... I've just finished here, I'll be right there."

"Okay, I understand. I'll wait for you patiently. Goodbye."

After saying that, Yukinoshita hung up the phone. Ji Xiaolu stared at the short call time and let his mind wander. Why did she call him over in such a hurry? It couldn't be that a light bulb was broken and she wanted him to help change it, could it? If it was something like that, Ji Xiaolu wouldn't mind charging Yukinoshita some interest.

After leaving the hospital and getting into Reiko's car, when he mentioned going to the Yukinoshita residence, Reiko blinked in surprise and said, "Master Haruto, you still smell like Kazusa..."

"Um... I'll change my clothes before I go."

"learn."

Chapter 301 Too Fast! [Himekoji Daphne] Suddenly Makes Her Move

One hour ago—

"I want to hear your thoughts, Yukino. As your mother, I have the obligation to think about your future and the responsibility to hear your true thoughts."

A beautiful woman with gray-black hair, wearing a dark purple tomisleeved kimono, looked at Yukinoshita with concern, but Yukinoshita sitting opposite her simply held a cat and gently stroked it without saying a word.

"Well, don't rush, let Yukino explain it herself."

Sitting next to this beautiful woman was Yang Nai, who was wearing a light gray tight-fitting sweater. She leaned quietly against the back of the sofa, without showing any teasing expression, which was quite different from her usual behavior.

"But look at this child..."

"But even if I say something, nothing will change, right? Wasn't everything decided by you, Mom...? Listening to your thoughts is pointless, because you, Mom..."

"Alright, Yukino, don't talk to your mother like that."

Hearing Haruno's rebuke, Yukinoshita lowered her head again. The woman who had given birth to two beautiful girls sighed deeply once more, rubbing her temples in annoyance. She reached out and gently patted Haruno's leg, and Haruno coughed lightly, saying, "This isn't something I, as the older sister, can decide... Yukino, you should know that very well."

“That’s right. Since neither my sister nor my mother can decide, the decision-making power isn’t in our hands at all. Why are you forcing me to say things that are irrelevant? Even my father has chosen to compromise like this. My opinions... my thoughts... are completely unimportant…”

Tears fell from the snow onto the cat, the one that Himekoji always affectionately greeted.

Even so...

Before Yang could finish speaking, the doorbell rang, playing the familiar Bach chorus.

"There are actually customers at this hour..."

Yukinoshita's mother, Taeko, turned her gaze to her, while Yukinoshita herself looked surprised. No one had contacted her to come to her house today, let alone the fact that only four people at school knew where she lived—Himekoji, Hikigaya, Yuihama, and Hayama.

"Could I have pressed the wrong button?"

"It's only polite to go and take a look."

Yukino got up and walked towards the doorbell. Yukinoshita and her mother, Taeko, looked at each other for a few seconds. Then, they looked away. Yukinoshita wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, hugged the cat, and sobbed silently.

Pressing the call button, Yang Nai asked softly, "Who is this—?"

"Eh? That voice? You're Haruno, right? I'm Daphne, Himekoji Daphne. Sorry for not contacting you beforehand and for the intrusion..." Upon hearing the voice, Haruno, Taeko, and Yukinoshita all showed the same astonishment. Taeko quickly stood up and hurriedly tried to walk over, while Haruno immediately replied, "No...it's nothing, um—"

“It is I, Lady Daphne, I am Taeko Yukinoshita.”

"Oh, it's Taeko. I'm sorry for my abrupt visit. If all goes well, you're probably discussing that matter right now. Could I listen in?"

"Well... of course you can come up, please come in."

After pressing the permission button, Taeko and Haruno exchanged a glance, both looking bewildered. Clearly, Daphne's arrival had taken everyone by surprise.

When Daphne arrived, she brought with her a maid and two butlers. As for the butlers, Yang Nai could tell at a glance that they were not ordinary butlers responsible for doing chores; they were more like bodyguards in charge of security.

"I'm sorry to have brought servants. Please stand."

Daphne gave the three people who were already inside an apologetic smile. Taeko offered her a seat, and although she was smiling, her smile was very stiff.

After some discussion, Daphne suggested that Yukinoshita call Himekoji.

Himekoji arrived at Yukinoshita's apartment building and skillfully rang the doorbell. Yukinoshita answered, but her voice sounded a little strange. The two didn't say much before she opened the elevator door for Himekoji.

As he stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the fifteenth floor, Himekoji was quite surprised by the sudden phone call from Yukinoshita. Just as he was wondering what Yukinoshita might do, they arrived at the fifteenth floor.

She pressed the doorbell again, and this time the door opened very quickly, without the sound of several locks being opened. Ji Xiaolu was wondering when Yukinoshita had changed her ways; she always used multiple locks at home.

However, Himekoji was stunned when the door opened.

"Mother...Mother, Your Majesty!"

"Hey, welcome~~" Mom grabbed his hand and pulled him into the room. Seeing the confusion on his face, she didn't explain but pointed to the slippers on the floor and said, "Change your shoes before coming in. Everyone's waiting for you."

Everyone? Who are "everyone"? Mom always takes a few servants with her when she goes out, but she's definitely not talking about these people! Then who is it...?

After changing into slippers, Himekoji was led into the living room by her mother's hand. Himekoji was even more confused when she arrived in the living room. How come... Yukinoshita's mother, Haruno, is here too?

Moreover, this was the first time Himekoji had met her mother.

“Myoko, Myoko, this is my son, Haruto.”

Before Ji Xiaolu could even speak, his mother started introducing them to him. Ji Xiaolu was puzzled, wondering when his mother had become so familiar with Yukinoshita's mother.

"Hello, I am Yukinoshita Taeko. It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope you can take care of my daughter."

"Himekoji Haruto, those things don't even amount to taking care of me..."

"Alright, alright, come sit down."

Mom pulled Himekoji to sit on the sofa to the side. To the left sat Yukinoshita's mother and older sister, while to the right sat Yukinoshita quietly petting the cat.

The atmosphere was a bit off. Yukinoshita hadn't looked up at Himekoji since he arrived, seemingly quite disappointed in him. Himekoji was also confused. He looked at Haruno, but Haruno was avoiding his gaze. Yukinoshita's mother, Taeko, however, kept scrutinizing him, as if...

“It may be a little sudden, but this day was bound to come,” Daphne said with a smile, holding Himekoji’s hand. “I have proposed to the Yukinoshita family.”

"Eh--?"

Kazusa just said this morning that she couldn't marry Himekoji, and then suddenly at noon she said she was getting engaged to Yukinoshita. This is just too much...

Chapter 302 Something's Wrong, [Himekoji Haruto] Immediately Alert

"And then we accepted it."

Taeko added another comment from the side.

"But... I'm the one you're engaged to."

Haruno finally faced Himekoji directly, revealing a rather subtle expression.

"So...so that's how it is...but—" Himekoji wanted to refute something, but her mother's expression clearly said "no room for argument," and she also reached out to Haruno, saying, "Haruno, she accepted it too."

"...You really are always causing trouble."

Himeko faced Haruno, her expression gradually turning cold. Haruno, on the other hand, shrugged and spread her hands, as if to say: This is not something I can decide. What can I do? I am also desperate.

Knowing that Haruno herself didn't have the authority to make this decision, Himekoji immediately focused her thoughts on her mother. Her mother wasn't stupid; she knew she disliked Haruno, so why would she deliberately propose such a marriage to the Yukinoshita family? What was her intention? And the meeting place was the Yukinoshita family... Wasn't this clearly a way of disrespecting Yukinoshita? What exactly was going on...? If it was just because Haruno was the eldest daughter, it seemed rather unreasonable.

"Agree? Disagree?"

His mother asked Himekoji about his decision in a simple and direct way. He and Haruno looked at each other deeply. Haruno's eyes revealed helplessness and a hint of watching a good show, while Himekoji was full of confusion. Just like Kazusa said, she already had a third of his life, and a certain woman would accompany Himekoji from that day until the last day. But if he had to choose someone he already disliked... Himekoji felt that this might be even more unpleasant than living an ordinary life.

"Phew—, Mother, why are you suddenly in such a hurry to get me engaged? Can I hear your reasons for a moment?"