"Really?"
Leaving aside Yukino Yukinoshita, who looked as if she were questioning her entire existence—wondering whether she'd somehow been surrounded by otaku—Mrs. Yukinoshita said in a low voice:
"Haruno, do you think our family can give up all the benefits that are about to be within our reach?"
"..." Haruno Yukinoshita fell silent.
"If our family were still confined to Chiba as we were before, then of course I wouldn't ask Yukino to do anything..." Mrs. Yukinoshita continued. "But we've all seen the opportunity for our family to rise. If we let it slip by..."
Before she could finish, Yukino couldn't help asking, "Does it really have to be Sogo Doma?"
"Mm..." Mrs. Yukinoshita nodded. "Haruno has already made it quite clear, hasn't she? Though I don't want to admit it, the truth is that our family is dispensable to the Doma family right now..."
"No..." Haruno cut in before she could finish. "I don't think our family is merely dispensable to the Doma family..."
"Haruno, don't think that just because we're in control of the new company, we can manage without the Doma family..."
"Mother..." Haruno said. "I don't think the Doma family, after making so many preparations, would suddenly turn against us. If they were going to do that, there'd be no reason for them to let me meet those talented people. It wouldn't benefit them. Besides, if the Doma family really did turn on us for no reason, their reputation..."
"What does reputation matter when there are benefits at stake?" Mrs. Yukinoshita interrupted. "A few years ago, the Shinomiya family said they'd teach the Doma family a harsh lesson. And now? They're even sending their daughter to a matchmaking meeting with Sogo Doma, aren't they?"
"But the Doma family has never betrayed anyone or gone back on