234: Yukinoshita Haruno

Life is full of coincidences.

Yukinoshita Haruno, who had been introduced to a man by her family and reluctantly agreed to meet him for dinner, never expected to encounter the famous pianist at the restaurant she had chosen.

A year ago, she had accompanied her father, a congressman, and had the honor of meeting this legendary woman at a charity party. 

They had an enjoyable conversation at that time.

At that point, Haruno had already begun to work as an intern and helper in her family's construction company. 

She was considered a social person with one foot outside of campus life, so she even exchanged business cards with Youko during their previous meeting.

Although they hadn't contacted each other afterward, Haruno always held a good impression of Youko and admired her lifestyle.

So when she saw her today, she didn't think twice and went straight over to say hello.

However, now that she had calmed down, Haruno realized she might have come off as a bit rude.

More than a year had passed, and it was uncertain whether the other woman would even remember someone as insignificant as her. 

The most important factor was that Youko seemed to be on a date.

Although the man across from her looked somewhat young, there was no denying his strikingly handsome face, the kind that would attract women of any age, regardless of their preferences.

Fortunately, nothing embarrassing happened to Haruno.

Youko didn't appear offended. She tilted her head slightly, thought for a moment, then quickly seemed to understand and smiled politely.

"What a coincidence, Miss Yukinoshita! Long time no see."

She still remembered the woman in front of her.

"I saw on the news that your piano tour in Berlin was a complete success. Congratulations!"

The smile on Haruno's face grew wider. The two greeted each other easily and casually, as if they had known each other for years.

After a brief chat, Haruno took the initiative to say goodbye.

Before leaving, she cast a subtle glance at Chisato, who had remained silent throughout their conversation.

As she was led to her seat by the waiter, she passed by Kazusa, who was returning from the bathroom.

Seeing this girl, who bore a striking resemblance to Youko, and noticing the extra set of tableware next to the man she had just seen at the table, Haruno realized the reason why Youko was there today.

As a mother, she was dining with her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend.

Judging by the age of the daughter, it seemed that she wasn't much younger than Yukino. 

Children today are so precocious that they start introducing their parents to their significant others at an early age.

Haruno sat down in her seat, took the menu handed to her by the waiter, and quietly glanced at the "friend" her family had introduced to her, hoping that she could get along well with him.

Although it was phrased quite euphemistically, this was essentially a blind date.

Knowing she would be lectured again if she rebelled against her parents when she returned home, she contemplated some indirect methods to escape the dating process seemingly by accident.

"Miss Yukinoshita, you are much more beautiful than I imagined," the man across from her said, appearing quite embarrassed. 

He sat up straight, and whether it was due to a natural nervousness or something else, he kept wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief since sitting down.

"You're exaggerating. People like me can be found everywhere."

Despite feeling a little dissatisfied and impatient with the man in front of her, Haruno maintained her composure and responded with a polite smile, flawless in its execution. 

When she lowered her head to pack her bag, she glanced at her watch.

It was almost time for Yukino to arrive.

…

When Kazusa returned to their seats, they had already resumed their usual calm demeanor.

However, her mother broke the mood with just one sentence.

Youko looked at her daughter and raised her hand slightly. "Report! I want to report something. When you just left, Kazusa, Suzumiya-kun stared at that older sister for quite a while."

"—Cough!"

Chisato, who had been drinking quietly, was caught off guard by Youko's remark.

What kind of trouble is this? It feels like a child snitching!

Auntie, please remember your age!

Faced with Kazusa's slightly exasperated but also curious look, Chisato quickly said after wiping his mouth, "Aunt Touma, it's not what you think. I just thought the woman who greeted you looked like someone I've seen before."

"Why does that sound like a pick-up line I've heard countless times? It sounds outdated."

Youko seemed to enjoy watching Chisato's nervous demeanor, while her daughter was clearly dissatisfied with her mother's teasing.

"There's no need to make it sound like you were flirting."

"Aren't you curious about the relationship Suzumiya-kun has with the girl who looks so similar to the one we just saw?"

Such words made Kazusa pause briefly, but she soon replied, "That kind of thing is indifferent to me, no matter what."

Even though she said that, it was clear she was unsure. The corners of Youko's lips curved into a more cheerful smile; she knew her daughter well.

Chisato had no choice but to come clean. 

"Awkwardly, Aunt Touma, don't you call her Miss Yukinoshita? In fact, the name on the door of my neighbor's house, where I just moved, is also Yukinoshita."

"Is it such a coincidence?"

"You moved?"

Mother and daughter had completely different concerns.

Chisato first nodded at Kazusa, then addressed Youko, "So I just paid some attention to Miss Yukinoshita; I wasn't staring at her because I thought she was pretty."

"Haha, I was just joking! Suzumiya-kun, you don't need to explain so seriously."

Youko giggled, clearly in a good mood. Up to this point, she had shown a much more frivolous side than a steady demeanor. 

She really didn't look like the mother of a high school student at all.

"Okay, let's eat quickly. Mom, you still have something to do and need to head home later."

"That's strange. I don't have any plans today. Who told you that I would go home first? If you want to be alone with Suzumiya-kun, just tell me directly, and I'll gladly leave you two alone."

"That's not the case!"

The mother and daughter began bickering again just as the waiter served the dishes.

On the other side of the restaurant door, a girl with long black hair, reminiscent of Kazusa but with a noticeably different figure, walked in.

Chisato's eyes caught sight of her, and he subconsciously turned to look, only to meet her gaze.

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