All the Heroines are my Ex-girlfriends

Tokyo, a renowned Michelin-starred restaurant.

This restaurant is called Kagari.

Its most famous dish is—

Well, that doesn't matter.

Because the people sitting at the table right now have no appetite for food.

Yukinoshita Yukino and her mother sat across from each other at the dining table.

The atmosphere was extremely tense.

However, unlike their previous meeting, this time Yukino was no longer frozen stiff in front of her mother.

Although there was still some awkwardness when their eyes met, she now carried an air of composure.

The chains that once bound Yukino's soul had been broken the day she decided to leave her family.

Last time, Mrs. Yukinoshita had attempted to shackle her daughter once more.

But the result was a merciless dismantling by Yukima Azuma.

Now, Yukino no longer feared her mother.

The canary whose wings had grown strong could finally soar freely in the sky.

Witnessing the significant change in her daughter, Mrs. Yukinoshita completely abandoned the idea of bringing her back home.

She understood that such a thing was no longer possible.

She had no cards left to threaten Yukino with.

Laplace Corporation had grown to a level where the Yukinoshita family could no longer interfere at will.

Mrs. Yukinoshita recalled what she had witnessed yesterday at the main house.

Recently, the Yukinoshita mansion had acquired a whole set of new furniture.

The butler had mentioned that it was smart furniture.

She hadn't bothered to listen to the details of its functionality.

Because the moment she saw the bed in the bedroom, she recognized a familiar emblem.

It was the Laplace logo.

The instant she saw that mark, Mrs. Yukinoshita understood that Laplace's rise was unstoppable.

Compared to the Yukinoshita family, whose future was becoming increasingly uncertain…

Laplace, though not yet on the same scale, was a rising star.

Its ascent was rapid.

Before long, it would reach the same height as the Yukinoshita family.

Then, it would quickly surpass them, continuing to climb higher.

Upon realizing this—

Mrs. Yukinoshita felt a numbing sensation.

As the one who had restored the Yukinoshita family's glory, a business genius known as the "Witch of Chiba"…

She simply couldn't fathom how Yukima Azuma had done it.

It felt as if her once-proud arrogance had been trampled underfoot.

But Mrs. Yukinoshita was no longer in her teens or twenties.

She had to face reality.

Thus, this second meeting had come to be.

"Your engagement can be annulled," Mrs. Yukinoshita got straight to the point.

Then, she pulled a contract out of her bag. "All you need to do is sign here."

Hearing this, Yukino immediately furrowed her brows.

She silently took the contract.

Its contents were not overly complicated.

It was about a business collaboration between Laplace Corporation and the Yukinoshita Group.

It involved Laplace's smart furniture and certain commercial rights.

The contract was beneficial to both parties.

However, the Yukinoshita family would benefit slightly more.

Laplace Corporation could use this to establish a reputation in Chiba.

Meanwhile, the Yukinoshita family, after obtaining certain licensing rights, would make a great deal of money.

Currently, Laplace Corporation held several top-tier intellectual properties across Japan.

For example, the "Youth" series and "White Album."

With these licenses, they could produce related merchandise and boost commercial sales.

The concept of "commercial synergy" didn't exist yet in the current market.

The fact that Mrs. Yukinoshita could come up with such a strategy—

It could only be said that she was truly worthy of the title "Witch of Chiba."

It was an exceptionally smart business move.

Placing the contract down,

Yukino said expressionlessly:

"I have reviewed the contract. As for collaborating with your company, Laplace will consider it carefully."

Hearing this, Mrs. Yukinoshita immediately frowned.

"Consider? What is there to consider?"

"Regarding the proposed pricing, I think we can renegotiate it later."

"Yukinoshita Yukino, with this kind of attitude, how do you expect to—"

"My attitude has always been this way. You should know that better than anyone. Besides, even if I don't change, there are still people who are willing to accept me."

Mrs. Yukinoshita was rendered speechless by the rebuttal.

At present, Yukino was the acting CEO of Laplace Corporation.

One could say she held a position of significant power.

With a personality that was excessively straightforward, almost indifferent to familial ties, it was indeed difficult for her to thrive in society.

But as the CEO of Laplace Corporation, such traits were a perfect fit.

Laplace had abundant capital, and moreover, the products they held were ones others fought over.

If it were anyone else sitting in Yukino's current position—

On the contrary, they would be at risk of corruption.

Greed in the face of wealth was truly terrifying.

But Yukino's integrity had instead become Laplace's most crucial pillar.

Mrs. Yukinoshita found it almost unbelievable.

How could someone who built Laplace Corporation from nothing trust Yukino so unconditionally?

This trust—

Made her, Yukino's own mother, seem like an outsider.

"Is there anything else? If not, I will take my leave."

Yukino stood up and asked.

Mrs. Yukinoshita waved her hand in frustration.

The life she had arranged for Yukino was, compared to many, already excellent.

Born into the Yukinoshita family yet possessing such a personality…

What Mrs. Yukinoshita had said wasn't wrong— Yukino was indeed unsuited for survival in society.

But comparisons were the most terrifying thing.

Yukima Azuma had not only completely crushed Mrs. Yukinoshita in the business world.

Even in raising Yukino, he had utterly outclassed her.

(note: sounds wrong)

...…..

Yukino gathered her belongings, casually stuffing the contract into her bag, then stepped out of the private room.

The moment she stepped outside—

She let out a long sigh of relief.

To say she wasn't nervous would be a lie.

Facing the mother she had feared for twenty years…

It was only natural for Yukino to feel hesitant.

But— this time, even without Yukima Azuma by her side, she had managed to handle it!

A resounding victory!

…Although, in truth, it was still thanks to Yukima Azuma that she had won.

Thinking about this, Yukino couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth curl upward.

With a personality that most would find twisted, if she had never met Yukima Azuma—

No matter how vast the world was, she might not have found a place where she belonged.

From the moment Yukima Azuma had told her, "Yukino, I cannot be without you."

Yukinoshita Yukino had been completely captivated.

…..

Exiting the restaurant.

A cool autumn night breeze blew past.

Dressed in only a business suit paired with a pencil skirt, Yukino couldn't help but shiver.

"It's getting cold… I should remind him to wear more layers."

Yukino murmured to herself.

Then, she took out her car keys, preparing to drive home.

But at that moment, she suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder.

Yukino instinctively took a step back in caution and turned around—

Only to find that the person who had tapped her was none other than her older sister.

Today, Yukinoshita Haruno was dressed in a hoodie and loose sports pants.

Her entire demeanor exuded a sense of ease and relaxation.

In Yukino's memory, her sister rarely dressed like this.

Most of the time, she meticulously maintained her image, looking like a blooming peony.

"Sis."

Yukino called out softly, her emotions somewhat complicated.

In the past, she had always seen Haruno as a goal to strive for.

Admiring her sister's grace and ability to navigate any situation with finesse.

But now—

Yukino was finally free to spread her wings.

While her sister remained bound by the Yukinoshita family.

"...Why aren't you wearing more layers? I already turned on the heater in the car."

"Come on, I'll take you home. I've already arranged for a driver to take your car back."

Haruno gestured for Yukino to follow.

Yukino hesitated for a moment.

But in the end, she still followed her sister and got into the car.

The moment she sat down—

The warm air from the heating system immediately drove away the cold lingering on her body.

Haruno leaned over from the driver's seat, intending to help Yukino fasten her seatbelt.

But Yukino stopped her.

"I can do it myself."

As she spoke, she secured the seatbelt on her own.

"Oh dear, you're so cold, Yukino-chan~." Haruno pouted, acting as if she were wounded.

Yukino didn't respond.

If it was a verbal spar, she didn't mind engaging.

But if they kept going back and forth, she'd inevitably end up saying something that would stab at the other person.

Haruno started the car and pulled out of the restaurant's parking lot.

Under the night sky, the vehicle silently cruised through the city streets.

The speed was leisurely.

Streetlights passed by one after another, their glow reflecting on the car windows.

"Yukino-chan, do you like Yukima Azuma?"

Haruno suddenly asked.

Yukino froze for a moment.

Then, almost instantly, her cheeks were tinged with a faint red.

"...Yes."

She decisively voiced the answer in her heart, though her tone was a little soft.

Yukino was someone who could face her emotions head-on.

Liking someone was just that— there was nothing shameful about saying it out loud.

"I figured as much." Haruno lightly tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. "So, have you confessed yet?"

As an older sister who had watched Yukino grow up, Haruno naturally noticed her feelings.

The only thing she wasn't sure about was how Yukino would handle love.

After all, Yukino had never liked anyone before— never even felt moved by anyone.

"That has nothing to do with you, does it?" Yukino turned her face away.

So she hadn't confessed yet.

Haruno thought to herself.

"Do you plan to confess?"

"I already said it's none of your—"

"If you do, you might succeed. But the outcome may not be what you're hoping for."

"What do you mean?"

"That boy has a lot of girls around him, doesn't he?"

Haruno lightly wiggled her fingers.

Hearing that, Yukino immediately fell silent.

Although she had deliberately avoided thinking about it…

The truth was, many girls surrounded Yukima Azuma.

Just counting the ones living in the same house, besides herself, there were already four others.

Not to mention the senpais and students from the Shogi world.

"If he happens to like multiple girls at the same time, and you're one of them… what will you do then, Yukino-chan?"