Mother's Call

Inside Yun Lan's dormitory.

Yun Lan stared at the message on his phone—"I think we should try getting along"—and fell into deep thought.

I rejected her so clearly... he thought, his voice almost echoing in the silent room. Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't have missed my meaning.

His refusal had been as straightforward as a clear command, leaving no room for ambiguous interpretation. Given Yukino's sharpness and her effortless social insight, it was impossible for her to have misunderstood. So, why had he received such a... nearly stubborn response?

This didn't match the style she displayed in the original story—that airtight, three-parts-teasing, seven-parts-probing demeanor. There were no detours, no clever deflections, and not even a single follow-up question or jab regarding his key disclosure that he "already has someone he likes." She had simply, and perhaps a bit bluntly, pulled the topic back, as if his honest confession were nothing more than a system error that needed to be ignored.

Could the situation of the Yukinoshita Family really be this dire? Are they so desperate for a son-in-law to stabilize the situation?

"Son-in-law." The word rolled over his tongue, carrying the metallic, blood-tinged scent unique to political transactions. It didn't just mean a marriage or a union. It was a flag planted on a crumbling castle, signaling to all watching rivals and allies: Look, we still have powerful, fresh blood being injected; we still have unbreakable bonds. It was a signal to soothe the restless hearts within and to show the bloodthirsty sharks outside that this territory still had a guardian that could not be violated.

For a family like the Yukinoshitas, face was a shield, and marriage was the furnace fire that forged it. Had the eldest daughter, Yukino Yukinoshita—that beautiful, intelligent woman who always seemed to have everything under control—already placed her own marriage on the scales of family interest at some point? Was her response now born of upbringing, a silent acceptance, or even... an active strategy?

Yun Lan walked to the window, the glass reflecting his expressionless face. In this circle, resources, bloodlines, and marriage had always been the hardest currency. If the Yukinoshita Family was truly becoming desperate for him to be their "son-in-law," it meant the cracks were no longer something that could be covered up by appearances; they were in urgent need of steel and concrete.

Refuse the Yukinoshita Family directly? He could do that. After all, with the strength of the Yun Family, if he didn't want to marry, no one could force him.

But Aunt Yukikiyo Yukinoshita had helped his mother; one shouldn't burn bridges, let alone act like an ungrateful wretch. Yet, if he married Yukino, what would happen to Honami? He didn't want to give up on Honami; he loved her deeply.

He suddenly felt a sense of irony. Those shining surnames, massive conglomerates, and enviable marriages—once the gorgeous shell was peeled away, the interior was nothing more than these most primitive needs: survival, continuation, and stability.

Just as he was deep in thought, his phone, lying face down on the table, vibrated. He picked it up to see his mother's name on the display.

He swiped to answer and held the phone to his ear. "Hello? Mother, it's so late. Is something the matter?" His voice was steady, showing no trace of his previous contemplation.

From the other end of the line came his mother's voice, as gentle as ever but carrying an unquestionable rhythm. In the background, there was the faint sound of classical music, as if she were in the family's tea room. "Son, you haven't rested yet? Did I disturb you?" A standard opening, a polite greeting, but she went straight to the point. "Your Uncle Sakayanagi called the house tonight and chatted with your father. He said... nephew Yun Lan doesn't have much interest in Miss Yukino of the Yukinoshita Family?"

"I'll tell you this in advance: I raised you to know how to repay kindness. If you dare to act like an ungrateful wretch, the Yun Family will have no such heir."

"Mother, this..." Yun Lan paused. He knew that in front of his mother, being too evasive would only make him look guilty, so he simply threw out part of his true thoughts. "I only have the respect due to Miss Yukino. Besides, I already have someone I like."

A brief silence. The melodic strings flowed through the phone, yet it felt as if a heavier string were being pulled taut. Then, his mother's voice came through, devoid of anger or joy, instead carrying a strange, almost comforting tone.

"Someone you like? That's a good thing." She seemed to laugh softly. "Silly child, times are changing, and the rules are changing too. If you're worried that choosing one means you must fail another, then I'm telling you now: you don't have to carry that burden."

A cloud of suspicion rose in Yun Lan's heart: "What do you mean?"

"You know about the birth rate issues in recent years. For the sake of long-term considerations, the authorities are already discussing and preparing to introduce a new marriage system at the appropriate time, one that allows polygamy." His mother's voice was as calm as if she were discussing the weather, but the content was earth-shattering. "The draft is already circulating at certain levels; I imagine it won't be long before word gets out."

Yun Lan's breathing hitched. He immediately grasped the subtle gap in his mother's words: "Is the state preparing to push this, or... are we, the Yun Family, and other families with similar 'needs' pushing it from the shadows to make it arrive 'at the appropriate time'?"

His mother didn't answer directly, but the gentle smile in her tone became more apparent, as if she were admiring her son's sharpness. "As long as the result is good for you, isn't that enough? Son, you must remember: for families like ours, the existence of rules is always meant to serve the continuation and prosperity of the family. When old rules become a shackle, new rules will naturally be created by those who need them."

She paused, her tone becoming lighter, even carrying a hint of encouragement, just like when she encouraged him to fight for a toy as a child. "So, don't think so much, and don't have any concerns. Go ahead and pursue the girl you like with confidence. As for how many you can eventually marry... that depends on your own ability and the girl's heart."

"As your parents, we naturally hope to see you surrounded by people who care for you, can assist you, and make you happy. For instance, that Ayaka from Nihon—I quite like her. And that Elysia, I think highly of her too. You didn't stir up little trouble with them when you were young; whether you can marry them back depends on your own ability."

The call ended, and the phone screen went dark.

"I should be happy, shouldn't I? But why do I feel like doing this is going to lead to a 'School Days' ending?"

Yun Lan complained bitterly.

The night wind squeezed through the slightly open window, carrying the chill unique to the heights. Yun Lan sobered up a bit, confirming he wasn't dreaming.

"I hope I won't be torn apart by five horses when the time comes."

With that thought in mind, Yun Lan fell asleep.