"Shouldn't you have discussed this when we were here?"
"If you were here, would you have listened to us discuss it?"
"No." Tsuna shook his head decisively.
"Exactly." Shizuka casually patted the back of his head, then her eyes curved into a smile.
"Of course, if you want to get married when you come of age, your father and I are very supportive."
"I have a question." Tsuna recovered from his shock and raised his hand.
"Ask away."
"You didn't… make some unspeakable deal with Aunt Yaeko, did you?"
"No." Shizuka shook her head. "It's because we're worried you'll get tired of Shouko later and change your mind."
"…"
Tsuna's speechless expression resurfaced.
"Is it really okay to say that so directly?"
"Haha… just kidding." Seeing his face, Shizuka finally burst out laughing and waved her hand.
"Both families had a proper discussion, but the main thing is still up to you two. After all, it's you who are getting married, not me and Yaeko."
Tsuna nodded.
"However…" Shizuka's tone suddenly shifted. The smile faded as she stared at him suspiciously. "You kid, you're not unwilling to marry Shouko, are you?"
"W-where did that come from?! Absolutely not!" Tsuna rarely blushed under her gaze.
"That's good." Shizuka immediately returned to her usual smile and waved him off.
"Drink your milk and hurry back to your room. Don't disturb my drama!"
Tsuna nodded repeatedly, practically snatching the half-glass of milk from the table. He tilted his head back and gulped it down in a few mouthfuls, his Adam's apple bobbing.
Before he could wipe the milk foam from his lips, he abruptly stood up and left the living room, almost as if fleeing.
After jogging all the way back to his second-floor bedroom, Tsuna collapsed into his computer chair.
The cold glow of the screen reflected off his face. He tilted his head and symbolically stared at the desktop for five seconds.
"Bang!"
His finger tapped the Enter key lightly, like pressing the permanent delete button on a certain folder.
Who cares. The boat will straighten itself when it reaches the bridge… cough, naturally straighten itself.
There were still two years until university, not to mention graduation. They were only first-year high school students. Talking about marriage now was way too early.
---
"Wh-wh-wh-wh-what?!"
"Marriage?!"
Shouko had barely finished her bath when Yaeko called her into the bedroom, going straight to the point without any warm-up.
"What?" Yaeko asked calmly. "Unwilling? Or is there something wrong with Tsuna?"
She sat on the cool bedding, her gaze resting quietly on her daughter standing by the desk.
Under the warm yellow lamplight, Shouko's profile looked tense, making Yaeko's thoughts drift.
Her breathing unconsciously softened.
How long had it been since she had quietly talked with Shouko like this?
Throughout Shouko and Yuzuru's childhood, she had missed far too many important moments.
If not for the Miyamura family, she did not know what her daughters would have become.
These past years, she had been busy making a living. Her responsibilities grew, and every step she took felt like walking on thin ice.
Colleagues would sometimes joke with her, saying that since she knew President Miyamura and had been neighbors for over ten years, promotion should have been easy.
Yet she worked harder than anyone, making it difficult for employees like them to survive.
Only Yaeko knew how heavy the pressure in her heart truly was.
"Mom?"
"Hm?"
Yaeko snapped back to reality and realized Shouko had already walked up to her.
"Mom, are you okay?"
Yaeko took a deep breath, forced a smile, and gently shook her head. "What do you think about what I told you?"
Shouko's face instantly flushed. "Wh-what… what do you mean…?"
Her fingers unconsciously twisted the strands of hair over her shoulder.
Yaeko smiled. "Your aunt and I just had a simple chat. The decision is still up to you two."
"I… I… I didn't—"
"Alright, alright." Yaeko interrupted gently. "Go back and rest. Remember to blow-dry your hair before sleeping."
"Mhm… Mom, you should also go to bed early."
Shouko fled her room with a red face.
---
Barely two minutes later.
"Knock knock knock!"
Yaeko, already feeling drowsy, asked lazily, "Did you forget something?"
The door opened a crack, but it wasn't Shouko.
Yuzuru's head popped in first, cheeks puffed out with food, muffled laughter escaping her lips. Behind her, a wagging tail swayed happily.
"Mom, Big Sister brought back lots of yummy food. Do you want some?"
She swallowed with effort and ran up to Yaeko, her lips shining with oil under the lamp.
"No, you and Grandma eat."
Yaeko tapped her head, then rubbed the spot gently. "Is Grandma asleep?"
"She is." Yuzuru nodded. "She went back to sleep when Big Sister went to bathe."
"Don't eat too much at night. You won't be able to sleep."
"I know, I know. Hachiko can supervise me!"
"Woof!"
Yaeko sighed with a smile and waved her away. "Go on. I'm sleepy. I have work tomorrow."
"Are you really sure you don't want any?"
Yaeko shook her head.
"Then good night!"
Afraid Yaeko might change her mind, Yuzuru ran off immediately, Hachiko trotting behind her.
---
Back in her room, Shouko rolled around under the covers, curled up like a shrimp.
The word marriage buzzed in her head, refusing to leave.
She buried her face into the pillow, giggling foolishly and muttering:
"The temperature today feels really strange. It's hot… but also cold…"
"Mom and Uncle actually agreed! Then Tsuna definitely won't object!"
"Hehehe…"
"How about getting married right after graduating high school… I'll propose to Tsuna! By then, the money I save from drawing should be enough for a diamond ring, right…?"
Her excitement suddenly turned to anxiety.
"What if Tsuna rejects me when I propose?"
"…"
"If he rejects me… kidnapping him wouldn't be such a bad idea either…"
"Ding-a-ling-a-ling!"
"Ah!"
The sudden ringtone made Shouko's heart jump.
She scrambled to grab her phone from the bedside table. The name Miyamura of Nishimiya flickered clearly on the screen.
The video call icon was flashing.