On the way back, Haruno sat in the car, deep in thought.
Yukino definitely didn't have that kind of supernatural power before.
The turning point had to be when she joined the Supernatural Investigation Club.
So...
"Gaining power—is that the solution Yukino mentioned…"
Haruno looked dazed for a moment.
"But…"
"Getting power comes at a price…"
She recalled Yukino's submissive behavior back at the Supernatural Investigation Club, like a devoted young wife.
Now she understood everything.
So she sold herself to the president of the Supernatural Investigation Club.
Haruno was still a little upset about it.
This was her precious sister, whom she'd raised for over ten years!
But now that things had reached this point, Haruno's mindset changed entirely.
Maybe, through Yukino, the Yukinoshita family could rise to an even higher level?
She couldn't help but recall her own humiliating attempts to break into Tokyo's upper circles—injured, bleeding, and humiliated.
"Heh…"
Haruno suddenly let out a chuckle.
If they wouldn't let her squeeze in, then she'd take a shortcut and crush them from above!
Two days later, on the weekend.
Chiba Prefecture—Yukinoshita Family Residence.
After listening to Haruno's explanation, Yukinoshita Fumino, Haruno and Yukino's mother, still found it hard to believe.
A supernatural event?
Her youngest daughter had even awakened supernatural powers?
The more she heard, the more surreal it sounded.
Haruno wouldn't lie about something like this.
But still...
"Are you really being serious?"
Even though she trusted Haruno, Fumino couldn't help but doubt.
After all, this kind of thing was hard to believe without seeing it for oneself.
Haruno responded helplessly, "You'll know once Yukino gets here."
Luckily, she had called Yukino ahead of time and asked her to return home.
Otherwise, explaining it would have been impossible.
Before long, Yukino returned to the family home in Chiba Prefecture.
When she walked in and saw her sister and mother, she still felt a little nervous.
With Haruno's sharp mind, she must've already guessed how Yukino had gained her powers.
Would she be scolded?
Yukino glanced nervously at her mother's serious expression and sighed inwardly.
But...
She didn't regret it.
After sitting down, Haruno got straight to the point. "Yukino, show Mom what you can do."
Yukino fell silent.
Fumino gave Haruno a look.
This girl was getting more and more disrespectful.
Neither said a word. They just stared at Yukino.
After a while, Yukino couldn't take it anymore.
Sooner or later, this day had to come.
She silently exhaled, then raised her hand.
A snowflake floated from her palm out of thin air!
"Hiss… cough cough!!"
Fumino inhaled sharply, but the freezing cold in Yukino's palm made her choke on the breath.
Seeing that, Yukino quickly dispelled her ice power.
Fumino coughed for a bit, still feeling a chill throughout her body. She couldn't help but shiver.
Then she looked at Yukino in disbelief and exclaimed, "So what Haruno said… was true?!"
Her daughter had really become someone with supernatural powers?!
Yukino remained silent, but her heart felt complicated.
This… might be the first time she'd seen her mother lose control like that.
But…
What she feared more was being questioned and condemned.
She had sold herself to a devil in exchange for power. No mother would easily accept something like that, right?
Fumino composed herself after a moment and remembered what Haruno had said earlier.
Power came at a price?
Then what had Yukino paid?
Seeing the nervous expression on her daughter's face, she had a rough guess.
She felt a mix of anger… and relief.
Yukino actually went that far?
Was this still the daughter she knew?
As the head of the Yukinoshita household, Fumino quickly composed herself, and her anger faded.
At the end of the day, she was only upset that her daughter didn't discuss this with the family.
But, like Haruno, she saw the opportunity.
At this point, the Yukinoshita family had to seize the chance through Yukino!
Realistically, there was no way forward otherwise.
It was better to align with the supernatural and take another path!
Maybe one day, the Yukinoshita family could stand atop society.
"Yukino, you did well this time."
Fumino smiled at Yukino.
"?"
Yukino was stunned.
Wait, what?
Mom… isn't mad?
Instead… she's supportive?
Her face stiffened, and her expression turned a little awkward.
Mom… do you really not care about her at all?
"Yukino, can you explain everything to us in detail?"
Fumino noticed Yukino's expression, but this was a matter of great importance to the Yukinoshita family. She couldn't concern herself with Yukino's feelings right now.
Yukino stayed quiet for a while, then said, "I need to ask the president first."
What could be said and what couldn't had to be decided by Lynn.
This girl… really can't be kept at home anymore. She's already siding with him?
Fumino's eyes turned complicated.
Before long, with Lynn's approval, Yukino gave a brief explanation about Devils and the Peerage system.
Of course, she said nothing about other worlds, the Blessing system, or the special Devils.
Even if it was her family, they weren't part of the Peerage.
"I see…"
Haruno and Fumino both looked surprised.
They weren't angry that Yukino had become part of a Devil's Peerage.
Rather than marrying some poor boy in the future, giving herself to a Devil in exchange for power sounded far more worthwhile.
And most importantly…
Yukino was now a Devil too…
But…
Wasn't Lynn's Peerage a little too... female-heavy?
Fumino frowned, glancing at Yukino.
She was indeed cute, but…
That figure was hard to praise…
How could she compete?
Yukino could feel the malice from her mother.
She crossed her arms and wore an expressionless look.
Seeing that, Fumino withdrew her gaze, thought for a moment, and made a decisive announcement.
"Yukino's existence has made me reevaluate the future of the Yukinoshita family!"
Fumino regained her composed demeanor, her face serious as she declared in a deep voice:
"Our Yukinoshita family must absolutely must align ourselves with Mr. Lynn!"
Haruno was not surprised at all.
From the moment she came here, she already knew what choice their mother would make.
Yukino remained quiet.
But she wasn't opposed.
After becoming a Peerage member, she had personally experienced Lynn's strength and influence.
She was relieved their mother could make such a decision.
"But…"
Fumino hesitated for a moment, then looked at Yukino again before letting out a helpless sigh.
"Judging from Yukino's words alone, our Yukinoshita family may not hold much weight in Mr. Lynn's eyes."
She thought for a moment and said, "Haruno, you should join Mr. Lynn's Peerage as well."
"…"
"???"
Yukino stared in disbelief.
Mom… what are you saying?
So if I'm not enough, my sister can make up for it?
Yukino's eyes showed frustration and defiance.
Haruno rubbed her forehead.
Yukino was lacking… it was true.
She looked down at her own curvaceous figure and fell into deep thought.
To become part of Lynn's Peerage…
She was honestly interested.
What would it feel like to wield supernatural power?
But…
Yukino had mentioned that not everyone qualified to join, which made her uneasy and a bit anxious.
Whether she was qualified or not was another matter, she definitely wouldn't accept being inferior to Yukino.
"I understand."
Haruno agreed without hesitation.
Yukino gave her a complicated look.
She silently muttered in her heart.
That agreement was a little too cheerful…
"Alright then, Haruno will go to Shuchiin again tomorrow."
"Oh, and—"
Fumino suddenly added, "Make sure to bring the Yukinoshita family's sincerity."
She had made up her mind.
To bet everything on this.
So, the next day.
Afternoon—Supernatural Investigation Club.
Haruno, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately found Lynn.
Lynn sat on a chair, casually looking over the Yukinoshita family's property transfer agreement on the table and chuckled. "You're really going all in…"
Of course, Lynn didn't care about the Yukinoshita family's business.
But for them, this was a major move.
Haruno lowered her head slightly. "Please accept the Yukinoshita family's offering."
She knew this bit of wealth likely meant nothing to a Devil like Lynn.
But it was everything the Yukinoshita family had.
And…
Haruno raised her head. "If possible, I'd like to request to join your Peerage, Mr. Lynn."
"Oh?"
Lynn rested his chin on his hand with interest. "Yukino should've told you what becoming one of my Peerage means."
"Of course."
"It means becoming part of Mr. Lynn's harem."
Haruno nodded without hesitation and smiled. "For me, that's the best possible outcome."
The Yukinoshita family's development had stagnated.
Eventually, for the sake of the family, she would have to face this kind of situation anyway.
Rather than associating with sleazy, greedy men.
Spending her life with someone like Mr. Lynn was a blessing.
Besides.
Lynn wasn't just handsome, he was capable.
He could grant her supernatural power, and maybe even help the Yukinoshita family reach new heights!
In short, it was an incredible deal!
Haruno honestly felt like she owed Lynn something.
She had never made such a profitable trade in her life!
Haruno's eyes were burning with determination as she declared, "Mr. Lynn, please, accept me into your harem!"
Silence!
The Supernatural Investigation Club fell into a strange, heavy silence.
Mahiru and the others stared at Haruno, completely stunned. None of them had expected her to say something so... bold.
Yukino silently turned her back. She didn't want to look at her passionate older sister.
Lynn was stunned too.
This woman… really wasn't ordinary.
So daring.
But—
"Then, as you wish."
(To be continued.)