Anime Crossover: About How I Spoiled an Angel

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As for how long her mother wants to stay in her room, she can stay as long as she wants; it's still a long time before she goes to bed.

"Then...don't you understand what you've been doing lately?"

After an unknown amount of time, Ayano's soft voice came from behind.

"Recently? I've been doing so much lately, I really need to think carefully about which one you're referring to."

Hmm... Did my third great-uncle embezzle family assets and I stop him, or did I discover a future great cartoonist?

"Oh! It can't be that Yukino is getting married, can it? That's the only thing I absolutely can't accept! She has to get past me first!"

Yang didn't turn around, but instead tilted her head back and laughed with Ayano in a somewhat serious yet exaggerated manner.

To outsiders, the scene at that time might have seemed like a heartwarming picture of a mother and daughter.

"It would lose its meaning if I said it out loud."

Ayano ignored Haruno's rambling. She stood up, drew back the curtains, and moonlight shone through, forming a puddle on the floor.

Fine snowflakes are falling outside the window, melting on the window frame and leaving a faint dampness.

"I clearly declared you to be the sole heir long ago, and I have been gradually handing over the family affairs to you."

In a few years, you will be the next head of the family.

I don't understand why you're in such a hurry to take the position.

"Yonai, can you answer me?"

Ayano's voice is a very gentle type.

Her upbringing instilled in her a refusal to speak rudely, so she always maintained her composure.

But at this moment, the woman's tone, usually so elegant, sounded somewhat hurried.

"Yes, why is that?"

Perhaps... it's Yukino's birthday again.

Before anyone knew it, Yang Nai also quietly came to the window.

From this angle, you can also see the cypress tree in the courtyard that is several decades old.

Snow falls on the treetops, a gentle breeze sweeps by.

From a distance, it looks like a grand celebration of pear blossoms in spring.

She remembered that when they were little, she and Yukino loved to play games under this tree after their tea ceremony class.

"Yukino...?"

Is it winter again?

So, Yukino's birthday is coming up soon...

Ayano's eyes visibly dimmed for a moment.

Yukino didn't come back last year, did she?

Is there something wrong with how she has always treated her two daughters?

This thought lasted only a moment before Ayano's eyes hardened again.

Even if those in power are wrong, they must never admit it.

Moreover, she believes she has never mistreated her two daughters.

"When did you learn to avoid problems?"

Tell me, what happened during your trip to Tokyo?

Ayano stared intently at Haruno, her eyes filled with incomprehension and confusion.

The fact that the other party has been trying to win over various factions within the family recently and is trying to undermine her power cannot be kept secret from her.

Seizing power—Ayano knew perfectly well what Haruno was doing.

There's no reason for it.

It's not like there's a power struggle among the princes, so why would Yang Nai do this?

Ever since she returned from Tokyo, everything has started to go wrong...

“I can tell you, but before that, I’d like to ask a few questions.”

"..."

"It won't delay you."

Ayano remained silent, only nodding slightly.

I agree, but not much.

This is to tell Yang Nai that her patience and time are limited.

"My first question is, Mother, did you have any brothers or sisters?" Yang Nai asked.

Ayano frowned. "...No."

You are my daughter, don't you know that?

"My second question is, Mother, can you understand what it feels like to have a cute little sister who has always been by your side since you were little, calling you 'older sister' over and over, and who has fallen to the ground wiping away tears and sobbing as she comes to find you?" Yang Nai asked again.

Ayano's brows furrowed even deeper.

Yang Nai's eyes were clearly looking directly at her, but she knew very well that she was not, or at least not in, the world reflected in those eyes.

"One last question, are you questioning me as a mother, or... as the head of the Yukinoshita family?"

Yang Nai suppressed the last trace of her smile, her gaze calm as still water.

At this moment, it seemed that all pretense was no longer necessary.

The atmosphere once again reached a stalemate.

Neither side spoke again; only two similar pairs of eyes clashed and fought silently.

After a long pause, it was Ayano who spoke first.

"I am both your and Yukino's mother, and the head of the Yukino family; I am both. One day in the future, it will be your turn."

"So I really don't understand why you're in such a hurry." She continued, her tone displeased. "Are you trying to tell me that everything you've done is for Yukino?"

"Is it not allowed?" Yang Nai suddenly laughed contemptuously. She tilted her head and asked, "Am I doing this for the sake of this family?"

Faced with Haruno's questioning, Ayano suddenly felt a sense of disorientation.

Her gaze was complex, filled with disappointment and frustration as she looked at her daughter.

"You are the future head of the family, and you shouldn't be saying these words. Have you forgotten everything I taught you before?"

"I haven't forgotten, and I dare not forget," Yang Nai replied softly, but her tone suddenly changed the next moment. "But this family has long been corrupt and decadent, hasn't it?"

The more she took over the family's affairs, the more uneasy she felt about the core members.

Within the enormous ancient tree known as the Family, the people at the top, like parasites, continuously sucked up everything transported from below.

It never ends.

Is there any need for such a group of people to exist?

"Many of the family's assets were built by these people in the early years. No matter what the situation is now, they are still heroes. You went too far and didn't leave them any face."

I understand your thinking, but your pace... should be slower.

Ayano was silent for a moment, her tone softening noticeably, but her eyes remained fixed on Haruno, as if trying to see through her daughter's true thoughts.

But she failed.

In her eyes, Yang Nai's eyes were so unfamiliar.

In the past, it was as warm as early summer without being scorching, which was something she had been taught since childhood.

But now the false summer is slowly fading away, replaced by an endless tranquility, almost solidifying, dripping down like black ink.

Tick.

Tick.

In her confusion, Ayano seemed to actually hear the sound of dripping water.

The puddles of moonlight shattered and reformed under Yang Nai's footsteps, reformed and shattered again.

In the blink of an eye, Yang Nai had arrived in front of her mother. Her gaze was lowered, and she saw a few strands of silver hair hidden in her mother's neatly styled black hair, appearing and disappearing.

"Mother, you're getting old."

Ayano's pupils suddenly dilated, and after a brief moment of disorientation, she tilted her head back slightly.

Only at this moment did she realize with such clarity that her own child had grown taller than her.

“Over the years, I’ve learned enough. So… I’m no longer a child,” Yang Nai said softly.

Almost simultaneously, their eyes fell on the stacks of documents on the desk.

"You should understand that Yukino is also my daughter, and I have no reason to harm her."

Ayano looked away, her voice suddenly sounding exhausted.

She stopped pressing Yang Nai for the reason for his anxiety, perhaps because it was unnecessary. This crucial matter was overlooked, much like leftover home-cooked food from several nights ago.

"What about the Uesugi clan in the neighboring prefecture? Don't you have any plans to marry Yukino off to them?"

"Our current industries are limited to real estate and aquaculture. You should also know the current economic situation. If we can build a good relationship with the Uesugi clan, we can take this opportunity to develop further."

Yukino doesn't have a boyfriend right now, and she's probably still single at university, right?

"If that's the case, why not get to know some promising young men? If you like them, great. If not, I've never thought of forcing her. Why do you think that way?"

Ayano explained a lot at once; when people are filled with strong doubts, they can't help but vent their feelings.

She really couldn't understand why Yang Nai would think that way.

"Can you guarantee that today's ideas will remain with us until tomorrow, next year, and even until I take over?"

Ayano wanted to retort, but Haruno's next words left her speechless.

"Also, Yukino has now... made many precious friends. But for you, friends are probably just bargaining chips for exchanging benefits, right?"

Yang laughed silently, as if questioning, or perhaps mocking himself.

You say you are Yukino's mother, but where were you when Yukino was being bullied?

Other people's children have their parents stand up for them, why don't Yukino and I?

How can I trust you now, Mother...?

The northern wind howled fiercely, causing the glass windows to shake violently.

“…I see.” Ayano slowly closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, there was a hint of relief in them. “Without realizing it, you have all grown up…Well, the family will be handed over to you sooner or later.”

After Yukino's birthday, I will officially hand over the position of head of the family to you.

However, you shouldn't take any big actions before then, because if you push those old guys too far, who knows what they might do.

Okay, I have to go now. You should get some rest too; no matter how important work is, your health is more important.

Ayano slowly moved to the door, but did not open it for a long time.

No sound came from behind.

The world was silent, with only the endless sound of the wind rushing in my ears.

After a long while, Ayano slowly turned around and saw that Hinano was still lingering by the window, her gaze still fixed on the cypress tree. Suddenly, she spoke:

"Yonai, tell me... do I qualify as a good mother?"

"I don't know." Yang Nai lowered his eyes, unsure of how to face her.

She looked up. The night was boundless, yet there were still a few stars scattered throughout, emitting a faint glow under the dazzling neon lights.

"It's not considered unqualified... that's all," Yang Nai added.

"Really? That's good. Goodnight."

It's not considered unqualified, but rather not outstanding; it means just average.

As if she had received a satisfactory answer, Ayano's lips naturally curved into a gentle smile.