restless daily life

"Hmm... Although the relationship is complicated, it still needs to be taken into account, right?" Yukinoshita's mother seemed to have figured out the answer and said casually, "I'll send your family an invitation for future family gatherings or New Year's celebrations."

Feng Bin and Hua frantically waved their hands and shook their heads: "No, no, no! We don't need that!"

Yukinoshita's mother explained, "It's fine whether you come or not. After all, everyone has their own things to do during the New Year, but an invitation is always necessary. Don't feel presumptuous. People like business partners, friends, and distant relatives will all receive invitations from the Yukinoshita family. Since I generally approve of these relationships, of course I have to do the appropriate thing..."

Feng Bin and Hua stammered, their faces flushing red. They didn't know how to answer, but it would seem strange to agree so readily!

"Puff puff puff puff..."

You, the culprit, are still laughing!

Enraged, Feng Bin and Hua kicked Bai Ying in the shin.

"Good!" Yukinoshita's father cheered. "This guy caused all this trouble, he deserves to be taught a lesson! Why didn't your family take him to the hospital?"

Bai Ying shrugged: "Because I didn't tell the stick figure's family."

Yukinoshita's father was taken aback, then immediately pointed and said, "Ha! I saw through you long ago. You're two-faced, seemingly sincere, but actually treacherous..."

"Why are you talking to my family? It's none of their business." Feng Bin and Hua pouted and interrupted, "Whether they agree or not, I don't care!"

How familiar that heart-wrenching feeling is... Oh, it's the heart of someone else's elderly father, never mind then.

Even if they had never met, he must be a father troubled by his son's troubles, pondering how to purge the court of corrupt officials.

Gazing at the distant horizon, I share the same moon with you!

We must unite all forces that can be united!

Yukinoshita's father said earnestly, "Toyohama, we still need to have a good talk with this family. Don't be afraid of trouble. At worst, we can just throw this kid into the sea."

"Mmm-hmm." Bai Ying nodded in agreement, "Big brother is definitely just like your father."

Yukinoshita's father then said, "That's right. As a father myself, I certainly hope that you can take care of yourself and stay safe, just like your father."

"?" Feng Bin and Hua rolled their eyes. "You cheated on my dad too?"

"Absolutely impossible! I would be ashamed to associate with such scum!"

I pour out my cup in desolation, for I always walk the lonely path to poverty!

Taking a stand is more important than being united!

Bai Ying clapped: "Big Brother, your face-changing skills are unparalleled!"

"You're the scumbag and degenerate I'm talking about!"

Yukinoshita's father turned around and continued to fight with the white shadow who had framed him.

Yukinoshita's mother, used to this, continued chatting with Toyohama and Hana. How to deal with this strange relationship was something she had no experience with and no one could refer to: "Is your family relationship complicated?"

"Well..." Toyohama Kazuka scratched her head, "My dad and aunt had my older sister, Sakurajima Mai. Later, he had an affair with my mom, divorced her, married her, and had me. I guess out of guilt and some coincidences, I met my sister and we got along very well. But because of the adults' relationship, we kept our distance for a long time. My mom was insecure and always wanted me to be better than my sister, which made me argue with her a lot. My dad was guilty and a bit weak-willed, so he simply didn't care about family matters... Then that bastard got involved, and a lot of things happened."

This is quite complicated.

Yukinoshita's mother couldn't help but ask, "What do you think of your parents?"

"Well... I wouldn't really say I have any opinion on this."

Feng Bin and Hua said nonchalantly, "I treat them like my parents, and they treat me like their daughter. I have my life, and they have theirs. We don't interfere with each other much now."

"What happened has happened, what needed to be said has been said, and people can't be changed by a few words. I guess this will be how it will be from now on. After all, if we were to have heart-to-heart talks or share our troubles now, it would feel awkward and give me goosebumps."

Having witnessed the bastard's past life, I have some understanding of the various issues in my own family.

Feng Bin and Hua sighed subconsciously: "It's not that there aren't loving and affectionate relationships with family members... It's just that when I love my dad the most, he abandons me and doesn't want to care about anything. When I want my mom's praise the most, she only expresses her dissatisfaction. Fortunately, that bastard helped me, at least he let me say what I wanted to say to them, and I can keep my distance easily."

No wonder the bastard could understand; in his past life, he never managed to curse his family even once, until the very end.

Feng Bin and Hua suddenly felt a bit quiet. They looked up and found everyone staring at them. Their bodies instantly stiffened, and their minds began to freeze... What am I supposed to say in front of everyone like this?!

"It's okay, don't be shy. Sharing your feelings is a great human desire."

Bai Ying comforted him, "Although it might seem strange and overly self-conscious to talk endlessly about your hidden memories and stories in front of complete strangers you've only met a few times, social research shows that precisely because of the unfamiliarity, you don't need to care about feedback and are more likely to open up. That's why there's the concept of a 'tree hole' (a place for sharing secrets and experiences). Stickman, be confident! You're definitely not weird!"

"Sinai——!!!"

Chapter Fifty-Four is the Devil

"Is Bai Jun really not going to be criticized and forced to step down after the event ends? I'm worried."

"I should work hard to salvage the student union's reputation. How can I go out shopping and sightseeing? It will only highlight the unfairness of privilege, exacerbate the conflict, and cause a bad influence... Muttering to myself."

"This is utterly chaotic. How did the student council become like this? I'm outraged."

"No, it's definitely more important to go back and think of something to do. (Thinking)"

"Okay, as soon as Bai Jun arrives, take him back to work overtime. Be serious."

Listening to her sister's monologue, Yukino Yukinoshita's eyes grew colder and colder. She stared at her without saying a word, wanting to see what other nonsense she could come up with.

Yukinoshita, hands on hips in bewilderment, said, "Huh? Could it be that Yukino-chan's thoughts were completely guessed by you? That can't be, can it?"

Yukino Yukinoshita casually replied, "You guessed it, alright?"

"No way!" Yukinoshita Haruno refused outright. "Yukino-chan hasn't even had her embarrassment yet!"

"?"

Yukino Yukinoshita responded with a cold, speechless look: "Unlike my sister, I don't have a bunch of secret schemes and plots that I'm ashamed to talk about. What's there to be ashamed of if my thoughts are guessed?"

"Uh-huh……"

Yukino's eyes darted around, and she lowered her voice furtively, "How far have Yukino-chan and that jerk gone?"

Yukino Yukinoshita looked at her as if she were an idiot: "Not lying is indeed a requirement I set for myself, but it doesn't mean I'm an idiot who's willing to tell others everything."

"Wow—" Yukino Yukinoshita drawled, "So unwilling to reveal it? Could it be that you've already had sex?"

Yukino Yukinoshita: "Hehe... Sister, are you a little too happy and carried away today? Are you really that looking forward to shopping and having fun with your family?"

"Uh..." Yukinoshita blinked. "No?"

Ok?

Yukino Yukinoshita, on the other hand, felt something was off and looked at the other person suspiciously... They were too thick-skinned to notice anything strange.

As the two sisters chatted, they spotted a familiar yacht. Several tourists disembarked and walked straight toward them. Two of them were bickering as they walked, pointing and gesturing sharply, while also embracing each other without restraint.

It's not uncommon for the father and Bai Jun to bicker.

Yukino Yukinoshita remained calm, her heart unmoved, only surprised by the person who had unexpectedly joined the group: "What are you doing here?"

His expression was calm, his tone indifferent, and his questioning words bordered on accusation.

Stick figures are always enigmatic, but they become stronger when faced with adversity, instinctively asking, "Why can't I be here?"

Hmm? That's a question worth pondering... Generally speaking, the subtle relationship formed through Bai Jun as a bond should be similar in nature to that of family, right? Analogous to in-laws in a marriage, how they view this is one thing, the actual relationship is another... Since I've acknowledged our current relationship, I should view it positively rather than reject it. In other words...

Are Toyohama and Hana distant relatives?

If they are distant relatives, then from many perspectives...

Yukino Yukinoshita fell into thought, then hesitated and asked, "Should I visit your house?"

Yukinoshita: "Pfft."

Toyohama Kazuka: "?"

What? You want to cause family discord... This topic sounds familiar!

Kazuha Toyohama realized what was happening, looked at Yukinoshita's mother, then at Yukinoshita Yukino, and finally at Yukinoshita Haruno: "Yukinoshita, were you adopted?"

"Yukino-chan takes after her mother, responsible for appearing reliable; I take after my father, responsible for appearing unreliable," Yukinoshita Haruno declared confidently. "We're a real family!"

Yukino Yukinoshita had a stern face, as if she was pondering something strange. This strange relationship, when applied to common sense, was of course utterly absurd...

Yukinoshita's father decisively pointed out the culprit: "Don't be embarrassed, the one who should be embarrassed is this kid!"

“That’s right, no need to feel awkward.” Bai Ying decisively let go of her older brother who was pulling and tugging at her, took her older brother’s daughter’s hand, and said seriously, “People always have to separate from their families and start their own. We will all leave home and establish a home that belongs to each other. There’s no need to worry about the trivial details of our relationship.”

Yukinoshita's father flew into a rage, raising his hand to slap away the other's dog paw: "Insolence! Now that things have come to this, you still dare not marry into the family?!"

Bai Ying said solemnly, "Brother, you've misunderstood. I only want the hero; I don't want anything else."

"Are you implying something?!"

"Huh? What did I say that angered you, brother? Tell me."

"Alright, everyone stop." ×2.

Yukino, who was disheveled in the wind, came to her senses and, together with her mother, stopped the two of them from pulling and tugging at each other.

How can this be done in public?!

Yukinoshita's father: "Hmph!"

White Shadow: Ha!

Yukinoshita's father: "#!"

"Hey! Kids, don't fight! We're going to the aquarium next, so please take your luggage with you and don't get separated from the group..."

Yukino clapped her hands, smiled and joked a few times, then introduced the planned itinerary and activities.

Uh... should I sneak back?

The family walked on, while Toyohama and Hana hesitated and stopped, feeling inexplicably guilty. She opened her mouth to say goodbye, but didn't want to attract attention by speaking. Sneaking away felt like doing something wrong, making her feel awkward and strange.

Ugh! I shouldn't have instinctively followed that jerk onto the ship!

"Hey! Why do you look like a kid staying at a relative's house?"

"—!!"

Feng Bin and Hua suddenly snapped out of their daze. A group of people in front of them were turning around to look at them, and her face immediately turned bright red.

"Why are you so reserved? Are you suddenly envious of other people's lives and planning to try a body-swap experience?" Bai Ying blew on his bangs. "I can be your dad for half a day, it's not impossible."

Yukinoshita chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, then I'll be the mom! Hana-chan, come on, we're going to the aquarium soon, there are really big sharks there..."

Snapped!

Something seems to have broken.

"You two—Sinek!"

……

Aquarium, buffet, climbing shrine, strolling on the beach, buying souvenirs...

As dusk settles, pedestrians return home one by one. The lights illuminate the evening glow, and the world remains as vibrant as ever.

The rebel army, having thoroughly enjoyed their special school trip, were on their way to the pier to return to the deserted island.

"Heh! I didn't expect to get out so easily. All I had to do was tell the yacht driver, and he took us from the deserted island to the city. It was that simple. There was no need to go and let Bai Ying play with us!"

The senior high school student licked his winter ice cream, breathed in the free air, and looked at the familiar yet touching modern scenery in the streets and alleys, his face full of joy.

Hayato Hayama nodded and said, "Yes, I didn't expect it to be so simple."

"After two days on a deserted island, I almost don't recognize modern society anymore." One person sighed deeply, with a bright smile. "I was really fooled by that guy Bai Ying. He just listened to a few of his nonsense and actually thought we were going to be locked up on a deserted island. Hayato is much more quick-witted. That guy can't control the yacht arranged by the school at all."

"It's just a change of perspective," Hayama Hayato said thoughtfully. "Everyone is used to listening to the loudest voice, and it just so happens that Shiro is best at amplifying the volume."

Why are you suddenly getting philosophical?

The senior high school student patted Hayama Hayato on the shoulder, his face full of victory. He took a bite of ice cream and couldn't help but comment: "I laugh at that white shadow for being so stupid, Yukinoshita for being so reckless, and the student council for putting on a show. If they suddenly blocked our way at the dock, they would definitely catch us like turtles in a jar, leaving us with no way to escape."

"Hey, don't talk about such scary things."

His companion chuckled and echoed, showing no respect whatsoever for the student council president.

Eight people slowly awoke in a room. A voice informed them that the door was welded shut and they could not leave; they had to stay there for a certain amount of time. Initially, filled with unease and awe, they obediently remained in the room. Water and food were plentiful, and survival wasn't an issue. However, it wasn't long before Y raised an objection—why do we have to stay in the room? Why can't we go outside? Is it dangerous outside? Then why can we leave after staying for a certain amount of time?

He received no answers, and his desire to leave grew increasingly unbearable, so he began to persuade the others to leave the room together.

There's food, drink, and a place to sleep here, so why leave? Since some people say not to leave, there must be a reason. Just follow their advice until you understand it. Leaving is about going somewhere else, but where are we going after leaving here?

Others continued to raise questions, even those who were frustrated with being confined to their rooms.

Y replied: "You'll find plenty of reasons to do things you don't want to do; when you do things you want to do, even a single word is a waste of time."

After wasting a moment saying a few words, he went straight to the door, reached out, and pulled it open—the door wasn't locked, nor was it unbreakable.

[When Y took his first step towards the door, the others felt that leaving wasn't such a rebellious thing to do, so they all followed his retreating figure, heading towards the world outside.]