Chapter 68

As I entered the living room, Mom was lying on the sofa, reading a book. She looked comfortable, holding a cookie in one hand and nibbling on it. But it didn’t sit well with me.

I sat beside her.

“Mom.”

“Hmm~ Why did you call me? Are you feeling hungry?”

Mom slightly lifted the cookie basket on the table to show me.

“I’m not hungry. I’ve already had curry.”

“Curry?”

Her gaze, which had been leisurely scanning the pages of her book, now turned toward me.

“Heaven, isn’t it kind of improper to just cook curry at someone else’s house…?”

Her words carried a hint of reproach. But it wasn’t my cooking; it was Doyugeon who had cooked it.

“It wasn’t me, he just decided to do it on his own.”

“Does Yugeon even know how to cook? That’s surprising. Was the curry good?”

“If you just throw enough curry powder in, it will taste good. Would it taste bad otherwise?”

Mom shook her head.

“I’ve tasted bad curry before.”

That was a somewhat surprising answer. Though Mom lacks parental authority, it’s the same with Grandpa and Dad. Nonetheless, this seemingly casual mom was born as a young lady from a wealthy family, meaning she’s only ever eaten delicious food in her life. So, when it comes to something as hard to ruin as curry, she would know.

“Where?”

“When I was dating your dad.”

Her answer was shocking, but not in a good way.

“His cooking skills are terrible.”

Mom laughed in surprise and took out her smartphone, tapping away. She was probably sending a message to Dad via KakaoTalk.

She giggled after getting a reply.

“He’ll make curry for breakfast. His skills have improved a lot since then. True, isn’t it?”

“I… don’t want it. I’ve already had curry.”

Mom nodded while exchanging messages, then stifled a laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

The smartphone screen showed a dejected emoji Dad had sent.

“Isn’t it cute?”

Hmm…

The image of Dad looking dejected momentarily crossed my mind.

“I respect your preferences, Mom, but I’ll pass.”

A polite refusal.

“Oh, I think it’s cute.”

Ah, yes.

“But how did Dad mess up the curry?”

It’s hard to imagine. Curry powder is so powerful that even if you just dissolve it in hot water and stir it with rice, it will taste like curry rice. But of course, this is not based on any experience from my past life or this one.

“He bought turmeric powder instead of curry powder and used that. He said we should eat eco-friendly things instead of processed products.”

“Why did he do that?”

“Rich people’s kids are all like that. What do they know?”

As she said this, the lady from a wealthy family picked up a cookie, glanced at me, and nodded to herself as if accepting something.

“That’s right. What do they know?”

It made me feel a bit annoyed.

“What did you mean just now?”

“Why are you upset, our daughter? I’m not at all saddened by how pitiful our daughter grew up.”

“…Isn’t this a parenting issue?”

Mom widened her eyes and placed the cookie down, then started tapping on her smartphone again.

And then she whispered to me while covering her mouth with one hand.

“Your dad doesn’t think it’s a parenting issue. What should we do? Your answer is different from his.”

“Hmph. If the ones responsible keep praising each other, what’s the point?”

At this, Mom smiled faintly, stood up, and hugged me.

“We just want you, Heaven, to stay healthy. You are growing up well, so everything is fine.”

She redirected the conversation sensibly. Nonetheless, being embraced in her arms felt warm and comforting.

Mom then stroked my hair, as if speaking to me but loud enough for me to hear.

“Still, it would be nice if you were taller.”

At that remark, I gently pushed her off. She dramatically staggered back before fleeing into the kitchen.

“I’ll bring you a drink!”

Mom, you’re awful.

I crossed my arms and leaned against the sofa. Mom seems to lack respect towards her child. In many ways.

Hmm…

Come to think of it, am I lacking respect towards my parents? Hmm…, is that the case…?

I slightly uncrossed my arms.

Anyway, there was something I wanted to ask Mom. The conversation went astray, so I didn’t get a chance to ask. What was it again? Oh, it was about whether we’re moving to the new city.

Even with the capabilities of modern transportation, moving won’t stop me from seeing Doyugeon, but it’s still something I need to know due to various complications.

Even though I currently attend a different middle school, the change in high schools will be awkward. If I were to make a new best friend closer than Doyugeon, I’d probably be shocked — that’s what friendship is, right? Regardless of whether we move, high schools can change, but the feeling differs when it’s predetermined. Attending different high schools because of a move rather than optional choices feels fixed…

Wait a minute.

A sudden idea popped into my head. Can I definitely choose my high school? I recalled the documents about the new city I had read a few hours ago. Upon reviewing the high schools in the area, I discovered that there was only one high school under our foundation in the new city. This means that if we move to the new city, I will have only one high school option.

If Doyugeon also moves there, we can attend the same high school. Whether Doyugeon’s parents have the means to move doesn’t matter because, frankly, they’re only acquaintances of our parents. As long as Doyugen moves, it’s fine.

Do high school students not love living independently? If given a house, they might jump at the chance. Therefore, we need a good, plausible excuse for independent living. For example, a few friends living together could work. Though it’s a college-like idea, it’s still an appealing proposal for high school students.

The people involved could include Doyugeon, Yumina, and… Hmm. Three people might be a bit small. Oh, that’s right. The dying Laplace also counts. So four people, which is a good number for sharing a home.

“Mom, are we moving?”

“Hmm? Where did you hear that?”

Mom was startled as she carried two mugs.

“I’m not sure where I’ve heard it, but rumors are spreading at school. Surely no one I talk to would tell me?”

“Umm… I intended to tell you slowly.”

“Really? Is it confirmed that we’re moving?”

Mom nodded.

“Then, can I live independently? Of course, security will still follow me.”

“Live independently? Our daughter? How would that even work?”

“Mom, isn’t the shocking point kind of off?”

“Heaven is growing up and might naturally have the desire for independence. I’d already anticipated that.”

Mom handed me the mug with an added smile.

“Still, it’s problematic for you to stay alone.”

“I’m not suggesting staying here. I want to live separately in the new city.”

“In the new city? Then, does that mean independence?”

“I don’t want to be independent. I merely thought it would be fun to try living independently with a few friends.”

After contemplating for a moment, Mom smiled kindly.

“With who?”

“It’s not confirmed yet, but I’m thinking about Doyugeon, Yumina, and one of Yumina’s friends.”

“I see. Then, for an even gender balance, Yumina’s friend must be a boy.”

Her attempt at leading questioning unfortunately missed the mark.

“Of course it’s a girl.”

Mom thought for a moment before nodding.

“It’s fine. I’ll consult your dad, but I approve.”

“Huh? Isn’t permission coming too easily?”

“I don’t know about our daughter, but I have many things I’d like to do alone with dad.”

That’s a strange smile.

Ah, yes.

Anyway, this clears the major hurdle. Approval from Dad isn’t a hard problem.

Persuading Yumina and Laplace should be doable by influencing Yumina. If all else fails, handing over some cash is almost a surefire way. Indeed, Yumina is a great friend. Initially, I befriended her because I liked her appearance, but now this cash-sensitive quality is appealing.

For Doyugeon… Would he really refuse living independently?

Heh, good.

When I was about to take a sip of coffee, I noticed something strange. The drink was white. Not only that, but the smell reminded me of warm milk.

I looked closer. It wasn’t just similar—it was just milk. I was clearly expecting cappuccino but got milk instead.

Could my mug have been switched? I checked Mom’s mug, but she calmly sipped her black coffee.

“This is the ultimate recipe for cappuccino with 99% milk.”

I don’t even know where to begin protesting. Clutching my mug with both hands, I shook it. Even internally, it was purely white.

“Is 1% coffee?”

“Does the coffee fragrance count? And I never said the 1% was coffee. That’s actually sugar.”

“…Then, it’s not cappuccino.”

I lacked the energy to argue more and placed the mug to my lips.

A rich, sweet taste immediately filled my mouth. It was surprisingly good.

“Try the cookies too.”

The cookie stuck to my mouth. It was a homemade cookie made by Mom. The bite-sized morsels were easy to eat and tasted delicious.

“Try the milk too.”

At her words, I took another sip of the milk.

Haa…

It was surprisingly enjoyable together.

I stole a glance at Mom who was taking pictures of me and texting with a smile before picking up another cookie.

It tastes good.

Milk might not be so bad after all for a while.

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