—-Recap of last chapter—--
Chapter 146: Yukinoshita Inoue
She calmly lifted her teacup and took a slow sip.
Then she spoke—her voice level but carrying a quiet authority.
"There are many sons of powerful families attending Eden High. To stand out among them, Mr. Nanashi, you must be quite exceptional."
Rather than answering directly, Yukinoshita Inoue had chosen to test him with a question.
"I've ranked first in both academics and athletics. Scored top marks in national exams. I also manage personal venture capital assets totaling over 10 billion yen."
Nanashi replied evenly, with the same calm demeanor as before.
"Ten... billion?"
This time, even Inoue couldn't hide her surprise.
Style first, testing second.
That much, Inoue could accept—Nanashi was clearly an outstanding student.
But personal venture capital assets exceeding 10 billion yen?
He was in the same class as Yukino, and only a second-year high school student!
Just what kind of person had over ten billion at that age?
The Yukinoshita family was merely an influential household in Chiba Prefecture. They weren't a zaibatsu(*a large Japanese business conglomerate), but rather a political clan—wielding power through influence and connections, not capital.
Even so, their entire family's total assets were estimated between five and ten billion yen. A sum far beyond the reach of average citizens.
Yet here was an ordinary high schooler claiming to have earned more than that—on his own—through private investments?
Inoue couldn't ignore that.
She set her teacup down calmly.
"Mr. Nanashi, if what you've said is true, then you're nothing short of a genius."
She couldn't yet determine if he was telling the truth.
"You're too kind," Nanashi replied, unbothered by her skepticism. He didn't seem interested in proving himself further.
His modest response—and his refusal to elaborate—surprisingly satisfied her. She nodded slightly and asked, seriously:
"Since you're here to propose to Yukino, do you believe you can take responsibility for her life?"
She was expecting a firm, confident answer.
Unfortunately, Nanashi shook his head.
"If you can't shoulder that responsibility, then there's no point in continuing this conversation."
"You may have misunderstood me, Mrs. Yukinoshita," Nanashi said calmly.
"Misunderstood?" Inoue raised an eyebrow, waiting for his explanation.
And then came the words that would shake her world:
"I'm referring to Yukino... and Haruno."
He held Yukino's hand with his right, Haruno's with his left—their fingers interlocked.
"…"
For a moment, Inoue thought she was hallucinating.
Yukino sat blushing, head bowed.
Haruno, on the other hand, wore a bright, satisfied smile.
Am I dreaming?
Or are they both insane?
She took a large sip of tea to steady herself.
Her eyes sharpened as she focused on Nanashi.
"My two daughters? Never mind whether the Yukinoshita family would allow such a thing—do you even understand the law?"
"The law?" Haruno cut in with a sly smile. "Mother, you underestimate us—and Nanashi."
"Haruno, have I not taught you to never interrupt your elders?" Inoue snapped, her tone icy, the pressure of the family's matriarch fully bearing down on her.
But this time, it didn't work.
Haruno leaned forward and, without hesitation, kissed Nanashi on the lips—right in front of her mother.
"???"
Inoue was stunned once again.
Did Haruno just... kiss him? In front of me?!
Her whole body trembled with rage.
"What are you doing?!" she shouted.
Haruno simply smiled.
"Mother, the world you live in is still that of ordinary people. But we—Nanashi, Yukino, and I—we no longer belong to that world."
She glanced toward Nanashi.
"Show her the truth."
Inoue's confusion deepened as she met Nanashi's gaze—his golden eyes now shimmering with star-like brilliance.
The moment she looked into them, her mind clouded.
She blinked rapidly, trying to shake the dizziness away. When she opened her eyes again and stood up—
She froze.
Because right in front of her stood a monster.
It exuded a black, ominous aura—twisted, grotesque, a horrific figure almost too terrible to describe.
Its hollow eyes bore into her. And from its gaping mouth—lined with hands—a voice emerged:
"You can see? You can see?"
Inoue was too frightened to reply. Her entire body trembled.
The creature leaned closer, its hands clawing at its own maw, repeating:
"You can see me! You can see me!"
Then, with a wild shriek, it lunged straight at her.
"Aaaaaah!"
Inoue screamed.
She stumbled backward, her legs giving out beneath her. She crashed onto the tea table, her body about to hit the sharp edge behind—
"Mother!"
"Mom!"
Yukino and Haruno screamed in horror.
But Nanashi was faster.
He appeared by Inoue's side in a blink, catching her before her head struck the table.
With a cold glare at the creature, he unleashed his power—and the monster vanished in a puff of dark smoke.
Inoue trembled in his arms, clinging to his shirt as though it were a lifeline.
Nanashi let out a strained chuckle as he looked at the girls.
"Did we... go too far?"
Yukino and Haruno looked down, guilt etched into their faces.
They may have really overdone it this time.
Nanashi decided to bring the shaken Inoue to her room to rest.
Guided by Haruno, he carried her to the second floor.
Even when they reached the bed, Inoue still wouldn't let go of him.
Nanashi gently reassured her:
"Mrs. Yukinoshita, it's over now. I'm going to lay you down—just rest for a bit."
"That… monster..."
"It's gone. You're safe now."
Slowly, Inoue lifted her head, scanning the room. After confirming the creature had vanished, she finally relaxed and released her grip.
That's when she realized—she was in Nanashi's arms.
Just as she began to squirm with embarrassment, he carefully placed her down on the bed.
"Ahem… please rest for now. We can talk later."
Nanashi rubbed his nose awkwardly. Then he noticed a faint scent and added, almost sheepishly:
"Ah… I've dried your clothes as best I could, but I recommend changing into something fresh."
With that, he turned and quietly exited the room.
"Change?"
Inoue was stunned.
She touched her kimono—nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
But then, a faint sensation of warmth and dampness reached her awareness.
Her mind snapped into clarity.
She had drunk far too much tea earlier. And at that moment of sheer terror…
"..."
She fell into silence.
It slowly dawned on her—she had truly lost control in that instant.
Even now, she could faintly feel residual warmth trickling down her legs. Yet her clothes were dry. There was no visible stain.
Nanashi's words echoed in her mind.
He had noticed. He must have done something—something subtle and powerful—to prevent her from being humiliated in front of her daughters.
A monster appeared. She lost control. In front of her daughters' boyfriend.
It left her overwhelmed with a flood of conflicting emotions.
"Nanashi, how is Mother?"
Despite her usual fear of their mother, Yukino's concern was sincere.
Haruno, too, looked anxious.
"Don't worry," Nanashi replied with a reassuring smile. "She was just frightened. I've restored her physical condition. Other than a bit of lingering shock and fatigue, she's fine."
The sisters both exhaled in relief.
"We should apologize," Yukino murmured. "That… wasn't fair to her."
They could've destroyed that spirit at any time. But they deliberately held back, hoping their mother would open her spiritual vision and witness the hidden truth of the world.
They hadn't expected her to react so violently—to the point of almost injuring herself.
"Yeah... we definitely owe her an apology," Haruno admitted, guilt in her voice.
"There's no need."
The voice came from the stairs.
All three turned to see Inoue descending, now dressed in a regal purple kimono. Her expression was calm, unreadable.
She glanced at them briefly and said in a measured tone, "Come with me."
They returned to the reception room—the same one as before. Everyone sat in the same positions, as if time had rewound.
Inoue's sharp eyes swept the room, confirming that the monster had indeed vanished.
Yukino and Haruno kept their heads low.
After a brief silence, Inoue finally spoke.
"Tell me—what was that thing?"
"An evil spirit," Nanashi answered. "Monsters that exist throughout the world."
"..."
Inoue exhaled slowly. "So... you three can see monsters? Are you all from the 'other world'?"
"Other world"—a term not just for fantasy realms, but also for the hidden, mysterious facets of this one.
Nanashi gave no verbal reply. Instead, he gently patted Yukino's and Haruno's thighs.
The girls raised their heads, then moved in perfect synchronicity.
Yukino extended her right hand. Haruno, her left.
Click!
Yukino transformed—her body surrounded by icy-blue light, shimmering snowflakes dancing in her palm.
Whoosh!
Haruno followed, her aura igniting into vivid red flame that danced and flickered from her hand.
"!!"
Inoue watched, speechless. Ice and Fire—real, tangible power. Manifested right before her eyes.
Her own daughters… and she had never known.
Haruno dispelled her flames and met her mother's gaze with unwavering crimson eyes.
"Mother. Everything that just happened—it was my idea. I'm sorry."
"I just wanted you to see the world as we do. To understand how much we've changed."
Inoue remained calm, her voice steady. "I've seen it. I accept that supernatural powers exist—and that the world is not as ordinary as I thought."
Then her tone hardened, gaze sharpening like a blade.
"But I still cannot condone what you three are doing. It defies everything about the normal world."
She looked straight at Nanashi.
"Most importantly—are they truly willing to share you?"
"I am."
"So am I."
Yukino and Haruno answered simultaneously without hesitation.
"..."
Inoue was at a loss.
They looked as if they were under a spell—no longer seeing her as their mother, only seeing Nanashi.
She inhaled deeply, pushing past her disbelief.
"Then tell me, Mr. Nanashi—how can you give them a future?"
His answer was not what she expected.
Nanashi shook his head slowly. "I can't promise them a future."
She didn't interrupt—only furrowed her brows and listened.
"Because we may not have a future."
"What do you mean?"
He squeezed their hands gently and said with quiet resolve:
"We are small beings facing the unknown. One day, we might fall to that unknown. We live in uncertainty."
Yukino and Haruno knew this already.
The doomsday games had proven it—the end of the world was not just possible, it was being tested. No one could predict what the next game would be like.
And even beyond the games, the world was changing—shifting, warping under the pressure of cognitive disasters.
No one knew what came next.
"...You mean, you might die?" Panic flickered in Inoue's eyes.
"Yes. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe the day after. Who knows?"
"..."
She had thought they were simply gifted individuals from another world.
But now she saw—they were embroiled in something far beyond that.
"Mother," Haruno said, her voice soft but firm. "The world is more complicated than you realize. Even with all his power, Nanashi still can't stand against the unknown."
"His power right now... is enough to destroy the earth."
"..."
Inoue went silent.
She looked at the boy in front of her—the same one who had spoken to her with unwavering politeness.
And now, she was being told he could destroy the entire world.
And she believed it.
Because Haruno would never lie to her.
The unknown dangers they faced were clearly far beyond anything Inoue had imagined.
For the first time in her life, she felt completely out of control.
Even her own daughters—people she had raised—now seemed like strangers to her.
A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
"So, it seems you and Yukino didn't come here to ask for my permission… but to inform me."
Haruno met her gaze directly, without a hint of hesitation.
"I'm sorry, Mother. But I can't leave Amin."
Yukino's icy blue eyes held the same unwavering resolve.
"I'm sorry, Mother. I can't either."
They had hoped for their mother's blessing, but even without it, their path wouldn't change.
Whether she approved or not, their decision was already made.
Chapter 147: Cat Ears and Cat Tail! Cat Maid Yukinoshita?!
Inoue Yukinoshita could feel the overwhelming determination radiating from her daughters.
The affection between them and Nanashi was no longer just implied—it poured from them like heat from a flame.
She reached for her teacup to calm the surge of emotions roiling inside her.
But as her hand hovered above the porcelain, the memory of what had happened earlier made her hesitate. She withdrew her hand, slowly.
A long silence passed.
After suppressing the storm of conflicting feelings, Inoue finally softened her tone.
"So, how do you plan on holding this… wedding for the two of you?"
Nanashi's eyes lit up with a dreamy brilliance.
"My eyes have the power to control all of humanity. If I wanted to, no one in the world would question it. But we don't need anyone else's recognition, anyway."
"..."
After being told Nanashi had the power to destroy the Earth, Inoue didn't know what to expect anymore.
His tone was casual—calm, even—but those clear eyes shone with an overwhelming confidence.
Could someone really control the world for love?
She couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy toward Yukino and Haruno.
No!
That thought was completely inappropriate!
She snapped herself out of it and sighed.
"I understand… it seems I can't stop you."
"Mom!"
The girls' faces lit up with pure joy as they heard her words. Though they had stood firm in their decision, they truly didn't want to have a falling out with their mother.
Her blessing meant the world to them.
Inoue crossed her arms, slipping back into her usual stern demeanor.
"Yukino, Haruno—have you forgotten what I taught you? Stay calm when things get emotional."
This time, instead of freezing up, the two simply smiled and sat down politely.
Seeing their obedient, cheerful faces, Inoue felt another wave of complicated emotions rise within her.
She had scolded them countless times before—seen them smile many times—but somehow, this moment felt different.
Her gaze shifted to Nanashi.
"I accept the marriage," she said finally. "But… shouldn't we at least discuss the details with your parents?"
Nanashi shook his head gently.
"I don't have parents. No relatives, either. So I'll make the decisions on my own."
"I see… I'm sorry to hear that."
Inoue hadn't expected such a background.
"It's alright," Nanashi said simply. "I'm used to it."
He wasn't saying that to gain pity.
It was just the truth.
Being alone had never been painful for him—it gave him the freedom to live without constraints.
If he'd had a warm, loving family, perhaps he wouldn't have had the resolve to face evil spirits with his bare hands even as a child.
Being tied down always came with limits.
Now, he was tied down—but this time, those bonds had become his reason to grow stronger.
After collecting herself, Inoue's tone softened again.
"Then… what date do you think we should choose?"
Yukino squeezed Nanashi's hand tightly.
The talk had turned serious—marriage was no longer a dream but a real, looming event. It was her first time experiencing such a thing, and she was understandably nervous.
"To be honest," Nanashi said, "I haven't decided yet."
He didn't try to hide the truth.
"Actually… I have many girlfriends. So it's hard to settle on a date. I'd like more time to figure it out. I only came today to ask for your trust—to let you feel at ease leaving your daughters with me."
Inoue raised an eyebrow.
"Many…? How many are we talking about?"
"Around twenty," Nanashi replied bluntly.
"Eh?"
Haruno blinked.
"Wait, weren't there only around ten?"
"Huh?"
Yukino calmly added,
"There are some from our school too."
"!!!"
Inoue was stunned.
Nanashi rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"And… there are a few more in other worlds."
"Other worlds?" Haruno echoed in disbelief.
"Mhm," Yukino nodded. "He's definitely been to another world."
"Sorry," Nanashi added casually. "I forgot to mention that."
"???"
Inoue sat frozen, overwhelmed by a cascade of revelations.
The three continued their bizarre conversation like it was nothing.
Meanwhile, she felt as though her brain were being put through a blender.
She clutched her chest and inhaled sharply.
"Haaah..."
Then, gathering her composure, she asked in disbelief,
"You're not joking with me, are you? Haruno? Is this another one of your tricks?"
She still struggled to believe such outrageous claims. Her instinct was to suspect Haruno had orchestrated some elaborate prank.
Haruno scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"Uh… no, this one's real. I knew Amin had a lot of girlfriends."
Yukino looked away, her voice small.
"I… I knew too."
Nanashi, however, answered firmly.
"It's all true."
"..."
A deeper silence.
Inoue sat in the eye of the storm as her entire worldview shattered into pieces.
—
After leaving the Yukinoshita household—
"Amin, what do you think Mother is feeling right now?"
Haruno leaned gently on Nanashi's shoulder as the tram swayed softly.
The three sat quietly. Strangely, no one else noticed their presence. No one approached them, and certainly, no one could hear their voices.
Yukino, not as bold as her sister, sat upright but still held tightly onto Nanashi's arm.
"Mrs. Yukinoshita… I think she'll come around," he said softly.
It wasn't something he could explain—just an instinct.
"I hope so."
Haruno narrowed her eyes with a sweet smile, although Nanashi's mind wandered.
He thought back.
It seemed three of the people he had met so far had been so frightened they'd lost control of their bladder.
First Yukino.
Then Yumiko.
Now, the sisters' mother, Inoue.
Was this a quirk of the Oregairu universe?
Nanashi glanced sideways at Haruno, wondering if she had also experienced something similar.
It seemed likely… but at least she hadn't been scared.
"…"
Yukino stared quietly at Nanashi's profile, her brows slightly furrowed.
Somehow, she felt like he was thinking something indecent.
Back at the Yukinoshita residence—
In her bedroom, Inoue looked at the clothes she had changed out of earlier.
They felt dry.
Everything that had happened was real.
Nanashi was real.
Haruno and Yukino were real.
And the changes in her daughters… undeniable.
It felt like she was in a dream.
And at the center of it all was that man—Nanashi.
She processed everything she had heard today.
When she thought about it again, she realized she wasn't even that surprised that Nanashi had so many girlfriends.
This was someone who could destroy the world, control all of humanity, and travel to other worlds.
And yet, he had never used his power to control or force others.
Instead, he had offered sincerity to Haruno and Yukino, and had been completely transparent about everything—even with her.
From beginning to end, he had never hidden the existence of his other relationships.
And her daughters—knowing all this—had made their choice willingly.
That alone said enough.
To possess such power, yet not be consumed by it… to remain grounded, sincere, and principled…
It made Inoue, someone steeped in the world of politics, reassess her view of him.
In truth, there was probably no one else in the world who could do what he did.
He was a man loved by both of her daughters—daughters she had raised with such care—so deeply that they were willing to defy their usually strict mother for his sake.
Inoue was beginning to understand Nanashi's charm.
Unconsciously, her mind drifted over her impressions of him.
Yes, he was handsome.
But that wasn't it.
What struck her most—were his eyes, his arms, and his voice.
Those clear golden eyes, as if they could see right through to a person's soul.
Those strong, protective arms, that could hold someone and make them feel completely safe.
And that voice—steady and unyielding, but with an underlying gentleness that seeped into the heart.
There was a softness about him that surfaced in the quietest of moments.
Things her ex-husband had never possessed.
Inoue reached for her discarded clothes, holding them to her chest.
She inhaled softly.
There was still a warmth lingering—his warmth.
"…What's happening to me…" she murmured.
Strange emotions bubbled up inside her, uncontrollable.
Her body—long untouched, long forgotten—was responding in ways it hadn't for years.
Because Haruno still had work, she only exchanged a few tender words with Nanashi before leaving.
When Nanashi and Yukino returned home, the place was quiet.
Eriri, Nezuko, Chito, and Yuri were all curled up asleep on the sofa.
Haru lay nestled in Eriri's arms. At the soft sound of the door closing, its ears twitched.
Opening its eyes, it saw Nanashi and Yukino walking in quietly.
Nanashi put a finger to his lips. "Shh."
Haru immediately understood, nodding as it covered its mouth with its small paws.
Eriri stirred, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
Nanashi knelt beside her, gently poking her nose. "Why did you fall asleep on the sofa?"
"Mmm…"
Eriri didn't respond—she just hugged him tightly and rubbed against him like a sleepy kitten.
The movement jostled Haru, who lost its balance and leapt directly into Yukino's arms.
"Meow." (Thank you.)
Yukino didn't understand what it said, but she smiled warmly and stroked its soft fur.
"Go to your room and sleep."
Nanashi gently picked up Eriri, still half-asleep, and carried her to her bed—tucking the others in one by one.
"Stay with me…"
Eriri clung to his neck and whispered.
After a gentle kiss, she released him, curled under the blanket, and held Nezuko tightly until her breathing slowed again.
Nanashi smiled, shaking his head.
Even in her sleep, she couldn't stop acting spoiled.
He really was fond of Eriri.
He carefully closed the door behind him.
"You really spoil her," Yukino said, her tone carrying a faint trace of jealousy.
Nanashi wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into a deep kiss, tongues entwining, as Haru watched in puzzlement.
"Meow?" (Is this a human game?)
"Meow!"
Haru's fluffy paw batted Nanashi's cheek.
The two broke apart with a soft gasp, and Yukino's eyes sparkled with affection.
"What's wrong, Haru?" Nanashi asked, pinching his little paw.
"Meow meow!" (I want to play too!)
"Game?"
Nanashi glanced at the corner of Yukino's mouth and chuckled.
He immediately understood what Haru meant.
"This isn't a game for kittens," he said with a laugh, ruffling its head.
Then, he carried Yukino in his arms and gently knocked on Chinu and Abe no Seimei's door.