The final gifts had been delivered.
From the other end of the line, Sayuri's calm voice rang out.
"That's all from me. From here on, Azuma-kun, it's your responsibility."
Her tone carried both trust and finality. Yukima Azuma understood immediately—he no longer needed her assistance. Any further interference from Sayuri might only complicate matters.
"Understood… Sayuri, would you like to invest in Laplace Corporation?" he asked, still not fully comfortable dropping the honorifics.
But Sayuri's reply came without hesitation.
"I'll pass. You know I don't invest for profit."
With that, she rejected the stock offer he had intended as a gesture of thanks. She wasn't interested in capital gains or corporate clout. Even if Laplace Corporation was destined to become a monolithic empire, Sayuri had no desire to ride its coattails.
She had enough. The Sawamura family's wealth didn't need to grow any larger.
For Sayuri, there was something more valuable than power or profit—her daughter's happiness.
"I see," Yukima Azuma said softly, not pursuing the matter.
Since Sayuri had declined, the shares would go to Eriri instead.
"Umu… next time I'm working with her on White Album, I'll just have her sign the contract without reading it." He chuckled to himself.
Whether it was seducing Eriri or rewarding her, the stock gift and their private matters would remain separate. He had no intention of mixing the two.
After ending the call, Yukima glanced at the wall clock in his apartment.
It was well past dinner.
But the person he was waiting for still hadn't returned.
His brows knit together.
Meanwhile, in a private room at a high-end restaurant in Shibuya…
Yukinoshita Yukino entered with a guarded expression.
"Sister, what do you—"
She stopped cold.
It wasn't Haruno who sat at the head of the table.
It was their mother.
Yukino's composure wavered as she came face to face with the woman who had dictated her life for so long. Her carefully rehearsed words dissolved. At the side of the room, Haruno sat silently, her face unreadable.
"You've been gone a year," her mother said sternly, "and already forgotten your manners?"
Yukino took a deep breath and bowed.
Then, she sat opposite her mother—quiet, but unyielding.
Her gaze met her mother's directly.
This surprised Mrs. Yukinoshita.
The girl who had once trembled under her stare now looked her in the eye without fear.
But the matriarch's voice remained as sharp as ever.
"You've caused enough chaos. It's time to come home."
"I won't return to the Yukinoshita household." Yukino's tone was measured, but every syllable dripped with quiet defiance.
Resisting her mother had once felt impossible.
But now, with someone important to her… she couldn't allow herself to retreat.
The golden cage had opened. Yukino had tasted freedom—and found something worth protecting.
Her mother narrowed her eyes, then threw a folder and several photographs on the table.
"I've tolerated your fantasy long enough. Just what do you see in that boy?"
"He's nothing without the Yukinoshita name protecting him. If he's lucky, he might get famous, but fame is fleeting. Do you think he can stand against me?"
Her voice turned cold.
"If you still refuse to come home, I won't touch you—not directly—but I'll strip that boy of everything. His reputation, his wealth, his influence. I'll leave nothing behind."
The moment those words were spoken, Yukino stood up with a jolt.
She slammed her palms onto the table, her body trembling.
She could endure anything her mother threw at her.
But if Azuma were hurt because of her…
"No—don't touch him!"
Mrs. Yukinoshita's lips curved.
"You care for him that much? Then surrender. Come home quietly."
She knew exactly where to strike.
Yukino had always been willing to suffer alone—but harming others in her name? That was her one true weakness.
Victory was inevitable.
Or so she thought.
Bang!
The door burst open.
"This guest—he can't go in!" a flustered staff member tried to stop the intruder.
All three women turned, shocked.
There, standing tall with eyes like twin stars, was Yukima Azuma.
Yukino's breath hitched. Her clenched fists loosened unconsciously—then, gripped again in panic.
Haruno shrank into the corner, averting her gaze.
Mrs. Yukinoshita narrowed her eyes.
"Excuse me, sir—" The staff member trailed off, completely flustered as she realized who it was.
Haruno raised her hand slightly. The staff bowed and exited, closing the door behind her.
Azuma strode to Yukino's side without a word.
He gently pried open her clenched hand, his fingers brushing over the red indentations left by her nails.
Then, without hesitation, he laced his fingers with hers.
"What were you discussing?" he asked as he picked up one of the photographs of himself from the table. "If it's about me, then good—I'm here. Let's talk openly."
Yukino stared at him, eyes wide, as though memorizing every detail of his face.
Her mother scoffed.
"This is a family matter. What gives you the right to be here?"
Azuma didn't even blink.
"Exactly because it's a family matter—and Yukino is mine."
He raised their joined hands slightly, deliberately.
Mrs. Yukinoshita laughed coldly.
"Oh? So you intend to marry her?"
Azuma nodded without hesitation.
"Yes."
Yukino froze, her heart skipping. Her vision blurred, and tears welled up unbidden.
He hadn't asked her.
He simply declared it.
But her heart… it didn't resist.
She didn't want to stop him. She only wanted to hold onto him tighter.
Mrs. Yukinoshita clapped mockingly.
"And what makes you think you're worthy of marrying into the Yukinoshita family?"
Azuma's eyes glinted.
He raised his middle finger and flicked it toward her.
"Still stuck in feudal logic, huh? It's not the Edo period anymore."
"You insolent brat—don't think that just because you lucked into a bit of wealth, you're untouchable."
Azuma rolled his eyes.
"I'm not reckless. I've just had enough of people like you—abusing power like it's divine right."
"I've worked to get where I am. And I'll keep working. But I won't let you trample on us."
He pointed at her.
"The Yukinoshita family? A rotten legacy built on pressure and pride. I saw through it years ago."
"There are birds that can't be caged. Their feathers shimmer with freedom."
He turned to Yukino.
"I'm taking her with me now. Let's see who dares to stop me."
"If you try to take her by force—expect to lose something."
He pulled Yukino along as they headed for the door.
Just before they left, Azuma paused.
He reached into Yukino's handbag and pulled out a dark gold business card.
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it onto the table.
"Don't say I didn't give fair warning."