Chapter 97: Mrs. Yukinoshita’s Push for Marriage and Yukinoshita’s Bold Move

"Hmm~"

Folding her fan gracefully, Mrs. Yukinoshita smiled gently.

"I just arrived, so I don't know a single detail about what you were discussing earlier. Not a word."

Although her words were casual, Yukinoshita trembled and lowered her head, feeling a chill down her spine.

Help!

This is disastrous.

Devastated!

Being caught in a "father-daughter moment" with her beloved by her mother of all people—how could she ever face her again?

Frozen in place like a statue, Yukinoshita stood motionless.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Yukinoshita turned her attention to Hikigaya, ignoring her daughter's despair.

Noticing his flushed face and his attempt at composure, she spoke warmly:

"Hikigaya-kun, Yukino may seem clever, but she's actually quite clumsy. I hope you can take good care of her from now on."

"Y-yes, I understand," Hikigaya stammered, instinctively stepping back to create some distance between himself and the elegant lady.

However, as wary as Hikigaya was, trying to maintain his space, Mrs. Yukinoshita advanced steadily, closing the gap.

A mature fragrance lingered in the air, and her graceful curves—far surpassing her daughter's—unintentionally swayed in his vision.

After all, she was a seasoned beauty.

In terms of presence, she and Yukino weren't even in the same league.

Hikigaya's heart raced as he leaned backward.

Yet, just as he tried to maintain his ground, Mrs. Yukinoshita stopped and said with a smile:

"With high school graduation around the corner, you two should aim to get into the same university. That won't be a problem for you, right, Hikigaya-kun?"

"Uh... well..." Hikigaya averted his gaze, avoiding eye contact with this ultimate boss-level figure. Keeping his tone steady, he replied:

"Rest assured, I'll make sure Yukinoshita and I attend the same university."

Thanks to the tutoring from Kasumigaoka-senpai lately, his grades had indeed improved significantly.

"This child has a unique personality. If she were to attend university alone, I'd be worried. But if you can stay by her side during college, I'd feel much more at ease," Mrs. Yukinoshita said with a gentle smile.

"Mother..." Yukino pouted, her face full of protest, though her timid tone betrayed her inability to refute.

"Anyway, enough of this," Mrs. Yukinoshita said, brushing off the topic with a laugh.

"But if you both get into the same university, Hikigaya-kun, after graduation, I'll leave Yukino entirely in your care."

"Eh?"

"Huh?"

Both Hikigaya and Yukino froze in shock.

Hikigaya hesitated, opening his mouth after a few seconds.

"'Entirely'... what exactly does that mean?"

"Simple." Mrs. Yukinoshita smiled meaningfully.

"After graduation, you'll get married."

"What!?"

The declaration left Hikigaya and Yukino wide-eyed, stunned.

Of course, it was no secret that the two were already in a relationship—anyone with half a brain could see it.

But dating was still just dating. They hadn't even officially registered their marriage yet, which meant that, legally speaking, they weren't a married couple.

"This is..." Hikigaya's face turned a deep red.

Even someone as composed as him couldn't help but waver in the face of Mrs. Yukinoshita's unexpected proposal.

Yukino, on the other hand, was completely flustered, stammering, "M-mother! S-such a rushed... m-marriage? We haven't even graduated from college yet!"

Mrs. Yukinoshita tilted her head and asked calmly:

"Don't you want to get married soon?"

"I..."

Yukino fell silent, utterly speechless.

Turning her gaze to Hikigaya, Mrs. Yukinoshita continued with a sly smile:

"Well, if Hikigaya-kun were already 18, I might've pushed for the wedding even sooner."

In Japan, the legal marriage age for men was 18 and for women 16.

While Yukino had already reached the legal age for marriage, Hikigaya was still one year shy of it.

"What?" Yukino muttered in disbelief, her cheeks turning even redder.

So, if her beloved had already been of age, they could have married immediately?

Mrs. Yukinoshita chuckled lightly, her tone teasing:

"Better to marry early than risk trouble down the road."

"I... I understand what you're worried about, Mother..." Yukino mumbled, her head hanging low in embarrassment.

"And you, Hikigaya-kun?" Mrs. Yukinoshita turned her attention back to the silent boy, smiling warmly.

On the surface, she appeared the picture of a kind and caring parent.

But Hikigaya knew better.

Behind that gentle facade lay an unyielding authority, her every word carrying an air of finality.

From the moment she arrived, Mrs. Yukinoshita had dominated the conversation, leaving neither him nor Yukino any room to breathe.

It was no exaggeration to say she was a boss-level presence—far beyond even Haruno or Katou.

But despite his nerves, Hikigaya wasn't about to back down.

Stealing a glance at his blushing, shy girlfriend, who looked as if she might melt into the floor, he felt a surge of determination.

With a deep breath, Hikigaya boldly took Yukino's trembling hand and said earnestly:

"Thank you for your trust, Mrs. Yukinoshita. I promise I won't let you down. To me, she is already my wife, and I'll protect her no matter what."

"H-Hikigaya-kun?!"

Yukino's eyes widened in shock, her heart racing wildly at her boyfriend's sudden declaration.

In her icy world, his words were like a warm flame, chasing away the cold.

Warm.

Safe.

Loving.

Ah, my Hikigaya-kun... you're the best.

I love you so much!

Gripping his hand tightly, as if sealing a vow, Yukino's heart swelled with happiness.

Mrs. Yukinoshita blinked, briefly caught off guard by Hikigaya's sincerity, before breaking into a smile.

"Young love truly is wonderful. Well then, I'll leave you two lovebirds to enjoy yourselves."

Both Yukino and Hikigaya blushed deeply.

But just as Mrs. Yukinoshita turned to leave, Yukino suddenly called out:

"Wait! Mother, there's... one more thing!"

"Oh?"

Mrs. Yukinoshita paused, looking back curiously.

Hikigaya, too, looked puzzled.

Gathering her courage, Yukino took a deep breath and declared seriously:

"Actually... Hikigaya-kun really admires you, Mother. He's always wanted to hug you. Could you... oblige him?"

Mrs. Yukinoshita: "?"

Hikigaya: "???"

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