A petite figure emerged from the shadow of Manranyama Uminari's sturdy body. She cautiously peeked out her tiny head.

"Uh... hello... huh?" (???)

Her skin was so white it seemed almost sickly pale, and her torso and limbs appeared thin and weak, as if she had long suffered from malnutrition.

But none of these could conceal her cuteness.

With delicate features, a petite body, lively movements with every gesture, and a hint of shyness in her eyes, she was truly captivating.

For Manranyama Souren, this woman held a special significance beyond her appearance.

Since birth, Manranyama Souren had never known her mother.

She had only seen her mother once, right after she was born.

But for a newborn, her vision was not yet developed, let alone her memory.

Thus, Manranyama Souren and her mother were separated by the boundary of life and death from the very beginning.

It was only as Manranyama Souren grew up that she gradually came into contact with photos, videos, and other materials about her mother.

She was curious and deeply concerned about what kind of person her mother was.

How great a person must her mother have been for her father to feel such disgust towards her surviving self after her mother died in childbirth.

Or it could even be said that he hated her.

Since birth, Manranyama Souren had never received any love from her father.

Manranyama Uminari had never smiled in front of her.

Although he had never directly harmed Manranyama Souren, he had also not fulfilled any fatherly duties, apart from providing financial support for her upbringing.

As a result, Manranyama Souren had never developed a spoiled attitude, and instead, had been extremely self-sufficient and independent from a young age, standing out among her peers.

But no matter how outstanding Manranyama Souren was, Manranyama Uminari never spared her a second glance.

So, what kind of person was Manranyama Souren's mother, Tachikawa Wakaba?

Manranyama Souren had imagined that anyone who caught the eye of Manranyama Uminari must be some kind of distinguished and outstanding elite.

But upon learning more, she discovered that her mother was just an ordinary, completely average person.

She came from a working-class background, had average academic achievements, attended ordinary schools, and after graduating from college, followed a path similar to her parents', working as a white-collar employee in a large company.

She was completely a world apart from Manranyama Uminari.

The reason these two worlds collided was that when Manranyama Uminari was young, he was once tricked by a rival in the business field and ended up penniless on the streets.

At that time, he coincidentally encountered Tachikawa Wakaba, who was heading home after working late into the night, and without hesitating due to the late hour or Manranyama Uminari's suspicious appearance, she warmly approached him.

She took the initiative to inquire about ManranyamaUminari's situation, and generously gave some money (though not much) to buy food to fill ManranyamaUminari's stomach, without leaving her name or contact information.

Later, ManranyamaUminari made a comeback and had been looking for this woman.

What followed was a nearly domineering pursuit story by ManranyamaUminari.

Indeed, Rikawa Wakaba was strikingly beautiful, but ManranyamaUminari was not moved by her appearance.

Yet, it wasn't entirely due to a sense of gratitude either.

The reason that brought these two together and made them acquainted was kindness and reciprocation.

What later attracted ManranyamaUminari was the pure and natural aura emanating from Rikawa Wakaba.

No matter the environment or the circumstances, Rikawa Wakaba remained true to herself.

Just like now, Rikawa Wakaba, like a shy child, cautiously tried to engage with ManranyamaSouren without displaying any airs of a Mrs. Manranyama.

"I'm Rikawa Wakaba, and you?" (Rikawa Wakaba)