— — — — — — —
On the way back home, sitting in the car, Yukinoshita Haruno was deep in thought.
So, everything changed when Yukino joined the Supernatural Research Club.
Yukino definitely didn't have that kind of supernatural power before.
"Gaining power… So that's what she meant by finding a solution?" Haruno murmured to herself, slightly dazed.
"But still…"
"There must've been a price to pay for that power…"
Haruno recalled how Yukino acted like a little wife in the club. Now she fully understood the reason behind it.
Turns out, she had essentially sold herself to that club president.
The thought of it made Haruno a little angry. That was the precious little sister she had carefully raised for over a decade!
But since things had already come to this, Haruno quickly changed her perspective.
Perhaps, through Yukino, the Yukinoshita family's influence could rise even higher?
She recalled how she had struggled to break into Tokyo's elite circles, enduring countless social battles and hardships.
"Hmph…"
Suddenly, Haruno chuckled to herself.
Since they didn't want to let her in, she would just change tactics and bring them to their knees instead!
— — —
Two days later - the Yukinoshita household.
After listening to Haruno's explanation, Yukinoshita Ruka—Haruno and Yukino's mother—still found it hard to believe.
Supernatural events?
Her younger daughter had even gained supernatural powers?
The more she heard, the more unbelievable it sounded.
She knew Haruno wouldn't lie about something like this, but…
"You're sure about this?"
Even though she trusted her eldest daughter, Ruka couldn't help but be skeptical. After all, unless someone saw it with their own eyes, ordinary people wouldn't believe such things existed.
Haruno sighed helplessly. "Just wait until Yukino gets home, and you'll see for yourself."
Good thing she had called Yukino in advance and asked her to come back. Otherwise, explaining all this would have been a nightmare.
They didn't have to wait long. Soon, Yukino returned to their home in Chiba.
As soon as she stepped through the door and saw her mother and sister waiting for her, Yukino felt a bit uneasy.
Given how sharp Haruno was, she had probably already figured out how Yukino gained her powers.
Would she be scolded?
She sneaked a glance at her mother's serious expression and sighed internally.
Even so, she had no regrets.
Once she sat down, Haruno got straight to the point. "Yukino, show Mom what you can do."
Yukino remained silent.
Ruka shot a glance at Haruno.
This daughter of hers was getting more and more fearless.
Neither of them said anything else, simply staring at Yukino intently.
After a moment of being scrutinized, Yukino sighed in resignation.
She had known this day would come sooner or later.
Without a word, she raised her hand. A delicate snowflake materialized in her palm out of thin air.
"Hah…"
Ruka inhaled sharply—but the sudden chill from Yukino's ice made her shiver, causing her to cough instead.
Seeing this, Yukino quickly dispersed the snowflake.
After a few moments of coughing, Ruka still felt a lingering coldness and couldn't help but shudder.
Then, she turned to Yukino with an expression of pure disbelief. "So… Haruno was telling the truth?!"
Her daughter had really become a supernatural being?
Yukino remained silent, but her emotions were complicated.
It was the first time she had seen her mother so flustered.
But what worried her more was the inevitable questioning and reprimands.
Selling herself to a Devil in exchange for power—what mother could possibly accept such a thing?
Ruka took a moment to calm her complicated emotions. Then, she recalled something Haruno had mentioned earlier.
A price had to be paid to gain supernatural power.
So, what had Yukino sacrificed?
Noticing her daughter's nervous demeanor, Ruka could already make a guess.
She felt a mix of frustration and admiration.
Yukino… actually had the resolve to go through with something like this?
Was this really the same daughter she had known all these years?
As the matriarch of the Yukinoshita family, Ruka quickly regained her composure. Her frustration faded just as fast.
After all, her anger stemmed only from the fact that her daughter had made such a major decision without consulting the family.
Otherwise, she had the same mindset as Haruno.
Since things had already happened, the Yukinoshita family had to seize this opportunity.
After all, in normal circumstances, she couldn't see any other way for their family to climb any higher.
Might as well lean into the supernatural world and carve out a new path!
Who knows? The Yukinoshita family might even rise to the top of human society!
"Yukino, you did well this time."
Ruka smiled approvingly at her daughter.
Yukino: "...?"
She was completely dumbfounded.
W-What just happened?
Her mother… wasn't mad?
In fact, she seemed… supportive?
Her expression stiffened as a wave of frustration washed over her.
So, her mother really didn't care about her, huh?
"Yukino, can you tell us the details?"
Ruka, of course, noticed her daughter's feelings. But right now, the future of the Yukinoshita family was more important.
Yukino hesitated for a moment before replying, "I need to ask my club president for permission."
After all, what she could and couldn't say was ultimately up to Lynn to decide.
Ruka's expression turned a bit complicated.
Her daughter had already started prioritizing an outsider over her own family…
Soon, after receiving Lynn's approval, Yukino briefly explained the existence of Devils and how contracts worked.
Of course, she didn't reveal a single word about the other worlds, the Blessing System, or the existence of special Devils.
Even if it was her own family, they weren't part of the Familia.
"I see..."
Yukinoshita Haruno and their mother, Yukinoshita Ruka, both wore thoughtful expressions.
Surprisingly, neither of them seemed particularly shocked or upset about Yukino becoming a Devil's Familia member.
Honestly, compared to marrying off Yukino to some random nobody in the future, joining a Devil in exchange for power didn't sound like a bad deal at all.
But more importantly...Yukino was now a Devil herself.
And Lynn's Familia seemed... a little too large already.
Most importantly, it was entirely made up of women!
Yukinoshita Ruka frowned as she scrutinized Yukino.
She was certainly cute, but... That figure of hers...
Could she even compete?
Yukino immediately sensed the unspoken judgment from her own mother and, without a word, crossed her arms over her chest.
Seeing this, Ruka withdrew her gaze, thought for a moment, and then delivered her final decree:
"Yukino's existence has made me reconsider the future development of the Yukinoshita family!"
Sitting up straight, she regained her dignified composure and spoke in a serious tone.
"Our Yukinoshita family must—absolutely must—bind ourselves to Lynn-sama!"
Haruno wasn't the least bit surprised.
From the moment she arrived, she knew exactly what kind of decision her mother would make.
Yukino, on the other hand, fell silent.
Still, she didn't reject the idea.
After joining the Familia, she had personally witnessed Lynn's overwhelming power and the strength of his followers.
Her mother making this decision... honestly, it was a relief.
"However..."
Ruka hesitated, casting another glance at Yukino before sighing softly.
"With just Yukino alone, our family's standing within Lynn-sama's circle might not be high enough."
After a moment of contemplation, she made up her mind.
"Haruno, you should also request to join Lynn-sama's Familia."
"...What?"
Haruno was speechless.
Yukino was equally stunned.
Wait, what did she mean?
"Hmph!"
"If I wasn't enough, then how could Haruno be?"
Yukino narrowed her eyes in frustration, clearly unconvinced.
Haruno, meanwhile, rubbed her temple.
Yukino... there are just some things you can't compete in.
She glanced down at her own curvy figure and fell into deep thought.
Joining Lynn's Familia, huh...
She was definitely tempted.
What did it feel like to wield supernatural power?
But... Yukino had mentioned that not just anyone was qualified to join.
That made her a little nervous.
More importantly, she absolutely couldn't accept the idea of losing to Yukino.
"...I understand."
Without hesitation, Haruno agreed.
Yukino shot her a complicated look.
"Alright then," Ruka nodded in satisfaction. "Tomorrow, Haruno, you'll head to Shuchiin Academy."
"Oh, and one more thing."
Ruka suddenly added, "Make sure to bring the sincerity of the Yukinoshita family with you."
— — —
Supernatural Research Club
Haruno, who had been waiting for this moment, immediately sought out Lynn.
Sitting leisurely in his chair, Lynn glanced at the document on his desk—a share transfer agreement for the Yukinoshita family's businesses.
With a chuckle, he remarked, "You guys sure went all in on this, huh?"
Of course, to him, the Yukinoshita family's assets weren't all that impressive.
But for them, this was a huge move.
Haruno bowed her head slightly.
"Please, Lynn-sama, accept this as a token of our family's sincerity."
She was well aware that their wealth might not mean much to a Devil like Lynn.
But this was everything the Yukinoshita family had to offer.
And also...
Haruno looked up, her gaze unwavering.
"If possible, please accept me into your Familia."
"...Oh?"
Lynn rested his chin on his hand, intrigued.
"Yukino should have already told you what becoming my Familia member means."
"Of course!"
Haruno nodded without hesitation, then smiled confidently.
"It means joining Lynn-sama's harem, right?"
The room fell into complete silence.
She had just blurted it out.
Without a hint of embarrassment.
Haruno continued, her tone unwavering, "For me, that would be the ideal outcome."
The Yukinoshita family had long been inactive.
Eventually, she would be forced into an arranged marriage for political and financial gain.
If she had to live that kind of life, she would much rather dedicate herself to someone truly powerful.
Spending her life with Lynn instead of some revolting, money-grubbing elites?
That was the greatest fortune she could ever hope for.
"Besides, Lynn wasn't just powerful—he was handsome, capable, and charismatic."
He could grant her supernatural power.
And possibly even elevate the Yukinoshita family further!
When she weighed the pros and cons, this was an absolute win.
Her eyes burned with determination as she declared:
"Please—accept me into your harem!"
Silence.
The entire room fell into an eerie stillness.
Shiina Mahiru and the others stared at Haruno in disbelief.
They hadn't expected her to be this... shamelessly straightforward.
Yukino silently turned her back, refusing to acknowledge her overly enthusiastic sister.
Even Lynn was momentarily stunned.
This woman...
She wasn't normal.
She really wasn't.
She was willing to go all in without hesitation.
Still...
Lynn smirked.
"Then—as you wish."
.
.
.