Yuko shook her head gently and put on a soft, convincing smile. "It’s nothing, really. I was just thinking about where we can all go to have fun together. It’s been so long since we had a proper family outing."

I quietly observed Kasumi from the side. A warm, genuine smile was slowly spreading across her face. The more the girls insisted, the more her expression lit up.

The tired, sickly look she sometimes carried seemed to fade away completely. Her eyes sparkled with quiet happiness, and she looked truly alive and content in this moment. It made me smile inwardly.

Haruna suddenly bounced over to me with an excited grin. She grabbed my arm and shook it playfully. "Jack! Let’s take Mom shopping today! We haven’t gone on a proper shopping trip together in ages. We can buy Oka-san new clothes, jewelry, and anything she wants!"

Yuko nodded in agreement, her own eyes brightening. "Yeah, that’s a really good idea. Oka-san always buys things for us but rarely treats herself. We should spoil her today."

Haruna immediately rushed back to Kasumi and started shaking her shoulders excitedly like an eager child. "Oka-san... let’s all go! Okay? Okay? Please~ We’ll go to the big mall, eat delicious food, and buy lots of pretty things! It’ll be so much fun!"

Kasumi laughed helplessly as her daughter kept shaking her. "Okay, okay— stop shaking me so hard! How can you still act like such a spoiled little child at your age?" She gently held Haruna’s hands to stop her. "Look, even your boyfriend is laughing at you right now."

Haruna turned toward me, noticing my amused smile. She puffed out her cheeks cutely and stuck her tongue out at me. "Hmph! Jack, from now on, you will not get any kisses! You dare make fun of me? Traitor!"

Kasumi and Yuko both burst into soft laughter at Haruna’s dramatic declaration.

Yuko covered her mouth, giggling. "Haruna, you’re being too childish. Poor Jack is getting punished for just smiling."

Kasumi shook her head fondly, still chuckling. "This girl... always so dramatic. Jack, you should be careful. My daughter holds grudges over the smallest things."

Haruna crossed her arms and turned her head away dramatically. "That’s right! No kisses for a whole week! Maybe even a month if you keep laughing!"

I raised my hands in mock surrender, playing along. "Alright, alright. I’m sorry, Haruna. I wasn’t laughing at you. I was just happy seeing everyone in a good mood."

Haruna peeked at me from the corner of her eye, clearly trying to stay mad but failing as the corners of her lips twitched upward. "Hmph. We’ll see if your apology is accepted later."

Kasumi gently patted Haruna’s head, her voice warm and affectionate. "You silly girl. Fine, let’s all go shopping together. But I don’t need anything expensive, okay? Just spending time with all of you is enough for me."

Yuko stepped closer and hugged her mother from the side. "No way, Oka-san. Today we’re spoiling you properly. You always take care of everyone. Let us return the favor for once."

Haruna immediately joined the hug, squeezing both Yuko and Kasumi. "Yes! We’re buying you the prettiest dresses! And new earrings!"

Kasumi smiled helplessly, her eyes slightly misty with emotion, though she tried to hide it. "You two... really know how to make this old woman feel loved."

I watched the beautiful scene with a gentle smile. The warmth in the room was genuine. Even though Kasumi tried to act strong and independent, it was clear how much she cherished these moments with her daughters. And Yuko’s earlier guilt seemed to ease a little as she saw her mother’s happy expression.

Haruna suddenly looked at me again and pointed dramatically. "Jack! You’re coming too! And you have to carry all the bags as punishment for laughing at me!"

Yuko giggled. "That sounds fair."

Kasumi looked at me softly. "You don’t have to, Jack. Don’t let them bully you."

I laughed lightly. "It’s okay, Oba-san. I’d be happy to carry everything. Let’s make today a good memory for all of us."

After that, I quickly took a shower, changed into comfortable casual clothes, and had a light breakfast. Meanwhile, Kasumi, Yuko, and Haruna got ready upstairs. When they came down, the sight was beautiful.

Kasumi looked elegant and graceful in a beautiful traditional kimono with a soft floral pattern. Yuko wore a stylish white skirt and a light blue top that gave her a gentle, feminine look. Haruna, as energetic as always, was in tight jeans and a cute crop top that showed off her figure. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

We all headed out together. I drove them to one of the largest and most luxurious malls in the city. Once inside, Kasumi, Yuko, and Haruna immediately took charge of spoiling Kasumi. They dragged her from store to store — clothing boutiques, accessory shops, and even a traditional craft store.

I followed behind them, carrying their growing pile of shopping bags with a smile on my face.

However, after about an hour, I noticed something. Someone was subtly following us. My senses picked her up immediately. When I glanced in that direction, I saw a familiar face.

Tachibana.

She was dressed casually in blue jeans and a simple black shirt, her hair tied in a ponytail. For the first time, she wasn’t wearing her assassin mask. Her face was fully visible — pretty, but her eyes looked slightly swollen and red, as if she had been crying recently.

I turned to Haruna casually. "Hey, I’m going to the washroom real quick. I’ll catch up with you guys in a bit."

Haruna nodded without suspicion. "Okay~ Don’t take too long or we’ll buy even more things!"

I slipped away from the group and walked toward Tachibana. The moment she realized she had been caught, her eyes widened slightly. I grabbed her wrist gently but firmly and pulled her into a quieter side corridor of the mall, away from the crowd.

Once we were alone, I turned to face her. "What are you doing here, Tachibana?"

Tachibana first looked me up and down with clear concern. "Are you okay? Shouldn’t you be resting after last night? You looked half-dead when I left..." Her gaze then shifted toward where Haruna and the others were. "Is that your girlfriend...? Haruna...?"