"Wha… what?! Why do you think it has anything to do with that person? Seriously!"
Eriri puffed her cheeks in protest and turned her face away, nose raised in indignation.
Sayuri couldn't help but chuckle, her expression glowing with amusement.
Yup. Definitely about Yukima-kun.
It was written all over her daughter's face. There was no point denying it.
Still grinning, Sayuri added casually, "Oh? Then if it's not Yukima-kun… could it be Aki-kun?"
Her tone was light, but this time her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
Just hearing the name Aki Tomoya, Eriri's expression stiffened.
Her brows knit themselves into a scowl.
"No way. No way, no how! Mom! I'm going to my room!"
And just like that, she bolted upstairs in a flustered hurry.
Sayuri watched her retreat with a thoughtful sigh. Her fingers absentmindedly rubbed her cheek as she fell into silence.
So… there really is something going on.
She wondered briefly—should she have taken more decisive action?
Should she have requested that person be moved out of Class 1-E?
But no, she shook her head softly.
It should be fine.
After all, Yukima-kun is there.
With his judgment, his presence, his ability to anchor others—
That boy wouldn't let things spiral out of control.
Besides, when it came to matters of the heart, Sayuri believed in swift, decisive conclusions.
Dragging it out only leads to deeper wounds.
She knew both Aki Tomoya and Yukima Azuma well. Perhaps too well.
Back in elementary school, Eriri had once been caught in a bullying incident. It was subtle—hard to see at first—but Sayuri, ever observant, had caught on early.
She hadn't hesitated.
She investigated the cause thoroughly, pulled Eriri out of that environment, and transferred her to a different school.
But even so, a transfer was only a pivot—not a solution.
And she knew the real root of the issue.
It was Aki Tomoya.
Yes, Eriri had been bullied for being an otaku.
But the way it happened, the mechanism of the incident, was what made Sayuri pause.
Aki Tomoya, even from a young age, had been deeply immersed in otaku culture.
But more than that—he had an almost missionary zeal.
He "evangelized" it.
Blindly. Loudly. Without restraint.
He couldn't read the room. Didn't know when to keep things to himself. And when others pushed back, he dragged Eriri into the crossfire.
Because she shared the same interests, yes.
But also because Eriri was valuable—a "purebred" young lady from an elite family. The daughter of a diplomat. A symbol of status.
Just the image of such a girl being into anime and games was powerful.
It could change minds.
And Aki Tomoya had used that. Even if unconsciously.
Sayuri would never forgive that.
Not because of status. But because Eriri was her daughter.
If Eriri failed a test, that was fine.
If she had no talent in anything—still fine.
As long as she was happy, that was enough for Sayuri.
But Aki Tomoya?
He treated her like a banner. A symbol to hoist. Not a person.
If it had happened in high school, Sayuri might've taken action against him directly.
But since it was elementary school—and likely unintentional—she let it slide.
Barely.
Still, she worried for a long time after the transfer.
Would Eriri carry that shadow forever?
Would she continue clinging to the emotions tied to Aki Tomoya?
Eriri was simple in that way. Once she liked someone, those feelings ran deep and stuck around like stubborn roots.
But then… someone else appeared in her life.
Yukima Azuma.
And everything changed.
Just a week after the transfer, Eriri was smiling again.
A soft, genuine smile that Sayuri hadn't seen in too long.
She gently probed, and the answer came easily.
It was Yukima Azuma who helped Eriri integrate into the new class.
Sayuri was astonished.
What kind of elementary schooler could pierce through the rigid social walls kids built around themselves?
He didn't just help her blend in—he lifted her up.
Turned her into someone admired. Worshipped, even.
A class goddess.
That boy was special.
When they officially started dating in middle school, Sayuri didn't object. Far from it—she conducted a quiet, thorough background check.
And what she found… stunned her.
The Yukima family no longer existed.
For a child not even in middle school to face that…
Anyone else would have broken.
But not him.
Yukima had returned to Chiba alone. Wrapped up his family's affairs himself.
Packed what little he had and returned to Tokyo.
Alone.
Sayuri could imagine the scene too vividly:
A room full of "uncles" and "aunts" wearing the fake grins of predators.
Eyes gleaming as they circled a child like wolves, ready to tear apart whatever they could get their hands on.
And that child had fended them off.
Alone.
That was Yukima Azuma.
Sayuri remembered what she had thought back then—
A thought born from fear, desperation, and a need to protect her daughter.
"Anyone is fine. Just take my daughter into your hands. Even if you break up with her later—it's fine. Just get her away from Aki Tomoya."
Yes, she had truly thought that.
Romantic experience, even if it ended in heartbreak, was better than emotional imprisonment.
Better to open your heart to many than be consumed by one.
But Yukima… had exceeded every expectation.
He hadn't just pulled Eriri away from Aki Tomoya.
He had helped her rebuild.
Made her smile again.
And even now, as teenagers, his presence continued to steady her.
He might not realize it, but he was her anchor.
And Sayuri… would never forget that.