Conflict.
After preparing dinner, Sayuri Sawamura went to call Eriri and Shin to the table.
But after calling out a few times, she received no response—the two were still in Eriri's room, doing who-knows-what.
At first, Sayuri didn't think much of it. After all, Shin and Eriri were still high schoolers—it was normal for them to get absorbed in something and tune out their surroundings.
Even Sayuri, back in her high school days, had been obsessed with manga to the point of ignoring people calling her name.
But if they didn't come out soon, the food would get cold, so Sayuri decided to go check on them herself and drag them out of the room.
However, as soon as she reached Eriri's door, she suddenly heard her daughter's voice from inside.
It wasn't conversation—just pure, unrestrained panting and soft moans, dripping with unmistakable intent. Sayuri recognized it instantly.
Her expression shifted immediately. She hadn't expected the two of them to be this bold.
In the short time she'd spent cooking, they already couldn't hold back… And judging by the sounds, Eriri seemed to be the one taking the lead.
Logically, as a mother, Sayuri should have knocked and stopped them right then.
After interrupting, she could either scold Eriri or pretend nothing happened—either would've been fine.
But just as she raised her hand, she froze. Eriri's heated breaths continued to seep through the door, leaving Sayuri silent.
This was the first time she'd realized her daughter could sound so… lost in pleasure.
Sayuri had a feeling that if she stopped Eriri now, her daughter would resent her for a long time.
Despite how often Sayuri teased Eriri, she genuinely adored her. So now, she hesitated—should she interrupt?
In the end, Sayuri decided against it. She sighed and leaned against the doorframe, resigning herself to wait until they finished and came out on their own.
---
Some time later, Shin, Eriri, and Sayuri finally sat down at the dining table.
At a glance, nothing seemed amiss—but upon closer inspection, both Eriri and Sayuri's faces were tinged with red.
It was as if they'd just done something thrilling, their flushed cheeks yet to cool down.
In contrast, Shin looked completely normal—unsurprising, given his Saiyan physiology. His recovery speed far surpassed an ordinary human's, and the stamina he'd expended wasn't enough to leave a visible mark.
Sayuri, of course, noticed Eriri's lingering blush and knew exactly why it was there.
But she herself had done something improper outside Eriri's door—even leaving a small, damp trace on the floor—so she didn't dare bring it up.
Eriri, meanwhile, was puzzled by Sayuri's flushed face but couldn't ask, given her own guilty conscience.
And so, by unspoken agreement between mother and daughter, the incident went unmentioned, fading into the past.
Yet it would undoubtedly leave a deep impression on Sayuri—one that might spark something far more consequential later.
---
After steadying her emotions, Sayuri began chatting with Shin like a normal parent.
Eriri was clearly head over heels for him, and while Sayuri thought the two were too reckless, she'd more or less accepted it.
So, learning more about Shin was crucial. Sayuri wasn't materialistic, but she still needed to gauge whether he and Eriri were truly compatible.
When she learned Shin's parents were missing, she was surprised but unfazed, offering only a brief apology.
But her eyebrows shot up when Shin mentioned doing business with the Shinomiya family.
What kind of dealings could a high schooler possibly have with them? Yet Eriri's eager corroboration suggested he wasn't lying.
After all, Shin's massive estate was undeniable proof—even if Eriri hadn't visited, both Kessoku Band and Megumi had.
"Shin-kun… you're far more than you seem."
Sayuri studied his calm expression. Having ties to the Shinomiya was an extraordinary feat, yet Shin mentioned it without a hint of pride.
It made her suspect he wasn't just "doing business" with them—there was something deeper.
Of course, Sayuri wasn't like those overbearing mothers in dramas who'd force their daughters to break up over a mysterious boyfriend.
On the contrary, Shin's demeanor only proved he could provide Eriri a stable life, making Sayuri more inclined to approve of him.
Her initial expectation had been simple: if Shin could prove he could support Eriri after graduation, she wouldn't oppose their relationship.
But now? He'd shattered those expectations.
---
After dinner, Eriri and Sayuri saw Shin off.
The meal had given them all a chance to understand each other better—though mostly, it was Sayuri learning more about Shin.
(Eriri and Shin, after all, had been eating lunch together daily—they hardly needed introductions.)
Eriri had even tried to get Shin to stay longer, hinting at an overnight visit—but Sayuri firmly vetoed it.
While she'd more or less accepted Shin as Eriri's partner, staying the night was still off the table.
Given how little restraint Eriri had shown earlier, Sayuri worried that if Shin did stay, her daughter wouldn't be able to walk the next morning.
To be continued…