Chapter 21: Mysterious Stranger

"It feels good to be home." Akiko said.    She crashed into one of the sofas in the living room and sighed. 

"Yup, three weeks of vacation are over." Narumi muttered.  Yuki and Daiki sat on the couch opposite Akiko. A servant brought their luggage from the car and set it aside for them.

"Paris was so fun." Akiko commented as she took off her jacket. "The food was great, and the site was gorgeous."

"Yeah, yeah, Paris." Narumi snorted.

She was really tired after the flight, so she let herself slump onto the nearest cushion. Her hair fell all around her face, blocking her eyes from viewing anything.

"I also had fun," Yuki said. 

"Yes, mom, you did, because I was with you all through." Akiko rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. She grabbed a pillow and covered her head with it. "I ensured that mom had fun." 

Narumi grunted and opened one eye. "Keep quiet, little sister." 

Akiko giggled and then looked at Daiki. "Did you enjoy Paris, Daiki?"

Daiki nodded and stretched his long limbs in an exaggerated motion. "Of course! It was amazing." He grinned widely at her. 

"Yay!"  Akiko jumped up and flopped down onto her back. She put her hands behind her head and looked at them. She yawned, then continued speaking. "I wish we had a vacation like this again." 

"We will," Yuki said, sounding confident. Narumi stood up from her seat and adjusted her hair a little bit. "I'm going to my room." 

"Me too."   Daiki stood up and stretched.

"Hold up the both of you." Yuki interjected before they could start heading upstairs. "I have an announcement." 

"What is your announcement, mom?" Narumi asked.

"From today, the both of you will start sleeping in the same room." Yuki declared.

"Wait what!?"   They exclaimed simultaneously.

"Yes, like a married couple." Yuki added.

"Mom, it's a contract marriage." Narumi pointed this out.

"That doesn't matter. It's still a marriage, and I want it to stay that way." Yuki said firmly.  Her expression hardened. "No more arguments about it."

There was silence for several seconds. 

"Besides, you slept in the same room in Paris, so just keep doing it." Yuki added in a softer voice than her stern look. 

"But mom…"    Narumi mumbled under her breath while looking at the ceiling. Then she sighed and shook her head. "Fine, whatever you say." 

"That's great."   Yuki grinned.   "The both of you can go to your room now and rest." She turned to the servants. "Take our luggage to our respective rooms, please."

They bowed and left.

After the servants were gone, Narumi and Daiki headed to their own room while Akiko and Yuki watched them. Once they were out of sight, Akiko hugged Yuki tight. 

"Mom, you are a genius!" Akiko grinned excitedly. "I love this plan, this can bring them closer." 

"Don't get too excited," Yuki chuckled. "We still have to push them towards each other."

"Oh yes, I know that." Akiko  replied.   "It might be working, but I'm not sure. Daiki informed me that Narumi was so jealous when she saw any lady look at him during their outing; it was really strong because she slapped a waitress who tried to drop her number for Daiki and even admitted that she felt jealous."

"Really?  Then that's great news because you can't be jealous without having a little feeling, but my stubborn daughter won't accept her feelings." Yuki chuckled.

She ruffled Akiko's hair a little and sighed. "Your sister won't accept her feelings even if they become visible, but if she feels jealousy, then it can help us a lot." She shrugged, her smile fading a little. 

"I guess that makes sense." Akiko replied thoughtfully. She gave Yuki's hand a squeeze and then released it. "We will be successful, mom, don't worry." 

Yuki smiled at her. "I hope so." After a few seconds of silence, she turned to leave the room. "Anyway, I should sleep as well. I'm pretty tired." 

"Me too mom."  Akiko said, but suddenly there was a knock on the door. 

"Who could that be? We just came back home, so who is that?" Yuki muttered.   "Did you invite any friends home or something?" she asked aloud.

"No...?"  Akiko replied, her gaze fixed on Yuki. "I didn't invite anyone."

Yuki frowned.  "You're certain about that?" she asked.

"Yes..."   Akiko scratched her head a little bit. 

"Narumi isn't excepting anyone because if she was, she would have told me." Yuki said flatly.

"Pardon me, ma'am, it could be that man again." A maid said softly. 

"Excuse me, a man?" Akiko asked, confused. 

"A man started coming here a few weeks ago. We don't know who he is, and that's why we don't entertain his questions." The maid explained.

"Oh, I see. Then it's alright.  I will check who it is."  Yuki said and started walking toward the hallway.

Akiko followed her closely. Yuki opened the front door and saw a man standing outside. He was tall, wore casual clothes, and was holding a walking stick.

'He looks like someone in my age range.' She thought and frowned.

"Hello ma'am."    The man was respectful in his greeting.

"Hello, can I help you? I don't know who you are, so I can't allow you to enter my house, but if you need help, then ask." Yuki said it politely.

The man paused for a moment, clearly debating whether he wanted to speak first or wait until Yuki invited him in. When Yuki simply waited, he eventually spoke. "Ma'am, I am sorry to bother you, but does Tsukumo Daiki live here?" 

"Yes, he does." Yuki answered promptly. "Why do you ask?" 

"I need to see him." The man said it bluntly. "Please call him for me. I must talk with him."

The way he phrased his words made them seem urgent, but Yuki wasn't comfortable with a stranger entering her house.

"Who are you, and why do you want to see my son-in-law?" Yuki asked. 

"I am Tsukumo Daisuke. Daiki's father." The man replied. "Can I come inside and explain myself?"

Yuki pursed her lips but hesitated a little bit. 

"Alright, since you are Daiki's father, then by all means come inside."  She said it reluctantly. She stepped aside and let the man in. Akiko watched the man closely, while her mother was locking the door, but Yuki remained standing for a while, then eventually she beckoned for a maid to come closer to her. "Call Narumi and Daiki immediately."

The maid nodded and left.