I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

"It seems I still don't know you well enough."

……

After the call ended, Asuna Yuuki stretched languidly and then slumped onto the table with a boneless grace.

"It was my first time video chatting with a guy, and I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be..."

Closing my eyes, recalling the hour-long conversation with him, I couldn't help but smile, a strange warmth filling my heart.

"Is this what it feels like to have a boyfriend?"

She hid her smile with her arm and let out a satisfied sigh.

Although they haven't officially gone from "online boyfriend" to "real-life boyfriend" yet, that's just a difference in terms of title or ceremony—they've already expressed their feelings for each other to this extent, so whether they're actually in a romantic relationship doesn't really matter. As long as they know each other's importance in each other's hearts, they can experience immense happiness.

Liking someone is truly a simple yet complex thing.

So complex that my present and future have been changed because of him:

So simple, a single sentence can sum up my feelings right now...

Thankfully, I met him.

"It's not enough to just feel grateful and enjoy happiness!"

Suddenly raising her head, Asuna Yuuki stood up, pressing down on the table, her bright and determined eyes gazing ahead.

"I need to work even harder to become a girlfriend worthy of Yu-kun!"

Having made this decision, Asuna Yuuki no longer hesitated, pushed back her chair, and walked towards the door.

During their nearly one-hour conversation, Tenkuji Yu gave her two instructions.

First: Tell her all the information she wants, including his background, family circumstances, and places he has worked, without any concealment or embellishment.

Although she felt that doing so would backfire and make her mother's impression of him even worse, Asuna was more convinced that Yu-kun must have some backup plan, which was why he was planning to do the opposite.

Second: There will be an "Autumn Club Showcase" at Zongwu High School next week. Please make sure to drag your mother to attend. He will represent the club and use that opportunity to make your mother fully recognize his strength and potential.

According to Yu-kun, the "Autumn Club Performance" will be the key to everything. If even that can't convince his mother to get rid of Sugo Nobuyuki, then he'll have to resort to some less-than-honorable tricks and try every possible way to win her back...

Unfortunately, Yu-kun was vague and unwilling to explain anything about either the "little tricks" or the club performance activities, as if he was just trying to surprise her. This left Yu-kun with no choice but to suppress her curiosity and secretly think about what she should do.

These two things sound simple, but for Asuna Yuuki, they would require a certain amount of courage to accomplish.

She left the room, walked down the stairs, and strolled down the dimly lit corridor toward her mother's study.

Although it was late at night, my mother would usually be in her study preparing lessons or working at this time.

The thought kept running through her mind, "I'll talk about it tomorrow, and I'll talk to her in the most natural way at breakfast tomorrow." But even with her fists clenched, Asuna didn't back down and stood in front of the dark brown door of the study.

"If Yu-kun doesn't run away, then I can't run away either!"

As if she had rediscovered the unwavering strength that belonged to "Asuna", Asuna Yuuki pursed her lips, raised her hand, and knocked on the door.

"Mom, are you there? I have something I want to tell you."

Not long after, a cold, calm voice came from inside: "Come in."

Asuna Yuuki pushed open the door and walked in.

The study was dark, with only a desk lamp illuminating a corner. Darkness enveloped the towering bookshelves and locked windows.

Under the monotonous orange light, the mother turned around while pressing her temples, then looked at him expressionlessly.

What are you trying to say?

"I……"

A heavy atmosphere pressed down on her heart. Asuna Yuuki bit her lip and unconsciously tensed up, a chill creeping up her spine.

That sharp, indifferent gaze was like the piano strings in the puppeteer's hands; with just a light touch, one would instinctively dance along, unable to offer any resistance.

—But that's all in the past!

Asuna Yuuki slowly straightened her chest, took a deep breath, and gradually relaxed, calmly meeting her mother's gaze.

"I'd like to report to you about Yu-kun's matter."

Looking at her much more natural appearance, Kyoko Yuuki merely raised an eyebrow, seemingly unconcerned about her change: "So fast? I thought you'd drag it out for a few days. Looks like he's very confident in himself."

With her hands lightly clasped in front of her, Asuna smiled slightly: "A person with real ability will naturally be confident in himself. If he weren't, he wouldn't have dared to say those things in front of his mother, would he?"

"That's not necessarily true. There are plenty of people who are all talk and no action." Kyoko Yuuki shrugged casually, took a sip of her coffee, and then said calmly, "Go ahead, I'll listen. What did he tell you?"

"first……"

Her fingers clenched slightly, and Asuna Yuuki took a deep breath, her heart pounding slightly faster, like a prisoner about to stand on the dock.

Fortunately, I'm used to this level of tension.

Compared to the moment when she was caught playing games by her mother, this was just a pleasant mother-daughter conversation, and there was no need for hesitation.

Most importantly, she learned one thing from Yuu Tenkuji.

Believe in yourself and face challenges bravely.

No matter how afraid you are of the scenery behind you, as long as it is a choice you have insisted on making, you should keep moving forward so that you will not look back with regret and be left with nothing but emptiness.

Since that's the case, then don't be cowardly at all. For the sake of your future happiness, have a proper conversation with your mother!

"Yu-kun, his parents were in a plane crash during their honeymoon, leaving only him and his sister behind."

Kyoko Yuuki: "..."

“Even though he was just a junior high school student at the time, he still refused all the help from his relatives, deposited his inheritance and accident compensation money in the bank to cover insurance and tuition, and paid for the rest of the expenses by working part-time. He has continued like this until now.”

Kyoko Yuuki took a deep breath: "If he's not lying, then this kid is trying to gain my sympathy..."

"That's not how it is!" For the first time, Asuna Yuuki interrupted her, her tone forceful. "Can you let me finish what I have to say?"

"..."

Kyoko Yuuki crossed her arms, frowned, and stared at her with a sharp gaze like a knife.

However, the rapier was drawn and deftly deflected the dagger, its cold light flashing as it pointed directly at him.

"...You continue."

Kyoko Yuuki closed her eyes slightly, calmly listening.

Asuna Yuuki continued:

“From junior high school onwards, Yu-kun has never shortchanged his younger sister in terms of material life, always providing her with the best living environment. He even worked three jobs at the same time... including delivering newspapers, working as a waiter, and distributing flyers. He did all kinds of manual labor. These work experiences also allowed him to enter society earlier and become much more mature than his peers.”

"It wasn't until he earned a relatively stable and high income through his own abilities that he temporarily stopped working and started studying seriously."

"Before that, his grades were only average to above average. After that, he easily climbed to third place in his grade and passed the transfer student entrance exam for 'Ichiyo Academy,' all just to find me, who had suddenly disappeared into the game."

The words fell clearly on the floor of the study, as if trying to shatter the solidified silence, and kept ringing out.

Asuna Yuuki paused for a moment, then continued:

“Mother, these are the ‘information’ you wanted to know.”

“Yu-jun doesn’t have a distinguished family background, nor is he a department head at a technology company… He’s just an ordinary person, like you, Mother, who slowly climbed up from an ordinary family.”

"But I believe that no one can bring me more happiness than him."

“He is resilient, mature, principled, values ​​family, and his learning ability and self-control are much higher than mine... Most importantly, we like each other and are willing to make sacrifices for each other.”

She suddenly stepped forward.

"After hearing these words, and thinking back to why you married Dad—Mom, are you sure you still want to object to our relationship?"

Staring intently at her mother, Asuna Yuuki seemed to have casually severed the threads binding her, radiant and carefree, a confident smile playing on her lips.

"..."

As if she had been forced into a corner, Kyoko Yuuki fell silent.

The unexpected sharp tongue and increasingly assertive attitude were things she had never experienced from her daughter before.

Despite having defeated her rivals through ruthless political tactics and merciless verbal sparring, and having risen to the position of full professor in her thirties through sheer merit, Kyoko Yuuki was momentarily at a loss as to how to respond to her daughter's remarks.

But it only lasted a few seconds. Her delicate, cold face remained unmoved as she raised an eyebrow to meet Yuuki Asuna's gaze.

“I admit that, if there were no requirements, this kind of person might be the best person for you to associate with... reliable enough and malleable enough, and with proper training, they could have a bright future.”

Asuna Yuuki's expression brightened instantly, but the next moment, she heard that annoying word again.

"but."

Kyoko Yuuki narrowed her eyes and said in an unquestionable tone:

"First of all, if you have children in the future, can he guarantee that he can take care of your family on his own, without a family business or any background to rely on?"

"Don't tell me that you're only dating for momentary pleasure and have no intention of thinking about the future."

“Next, I want to see his achievements and businesses, like a pet’s pedigree certificate, which can ensure his minimum qualifications.”

"Many people can rank in the top three in high school, but even more fall into a slump and become despondent after graduation. Can he guarantee that he can maintain his current level of ambition? Has he already found his career path?"

“For an outstanding man, there are many things to do at seventeen besides studying. If he thinks that as long as he gets good grades, he can relax and wait for the college results, then there is a high probability that he will become one of those highly educated working men in the future.”

Without pausing or even panting, Kyoko Yuuki finished speaking this long passage, then closed her eyes slightly and gave a cold snort.

“I wouldn’t entrust my daughter’s future to someone who is simply talented but only looks to the future.”

"In comparison, with the qualifications and abilities of a department head that your father also recognizes... don't you think Shenzhi is more reassuring?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Kyoko Yuuki smiled, a rare sight indeed.

"..."

However, when faced with his own mother...

She had a mother who could only obey her and dared not talk back to her since childhood.

Unable to contain her surging emotions, Asuna Yuuki rolled her eyes and gritted her teeth, saying each word with venom:

"Sorry, I don't think so at all!"

Chapter 71 Finally, a new member? (Two chapters combined)

"If we don't say things seriously, they won't know how much we care about this."