When Ayumu Genya got home, he found Hinata Mizuno and Eina Genya preparing breakfast together—chatting and laughing like they’d been mother and daughter all along.

*Could I… actually be jealous?*

Seeing how warmly Hinata got along with his mom stirred a faint pang of envy in Ayumu. Good thing Hinata was a girl. If she’d been a guy? He’d have kicked him out already.

“Xiao Bu’s back,” Eina announced.

Hinata turned at the sound, stole a glance at Ayumu, then quickly looked away, her cheeks flushed crimson. Ayumu stood utterly baffled.

*Did she wake up realizing she hadn’t slept in her own bed… and overthink everything?*

Truth was, she wasn’t wrong. Last night, she’d practically dozed off leaning against him. Just remembering it made Ayumu’s own face grow warm.

“Mom, I’m gonna shower first,” he stammered.

“Mm, breakfast’ll be ready when you’re done,” Eina said with a gentle smile, hand covering her lips.

Eina had long since noticed the awkward tension between them. At her age, she could read the signs.

Once Ayumu vanished into the bathroom, she casually asked, “Hinata, how was your sleep last night?”

Hinata ducked her head instantly, hiding her flustered face behind her bangs. Eina felt a quiet joy—but also a flicker of worry. Joy, because her troublesome son might finally have someone. Worry, because… well.

They were still in high school. If things went too far without precautions… becoming a grandma early? No joke.

Her teasing expression vanished. She turned solemn. “Hinata, Xiao Bu’s a boy. Some things… a mother can’t say to her son. So I’ll tell you. Please keep this close to heart.”

“Aunt Genya, I’m listening,” Hinata replied earnestly, sitting up straight like she was bracing for battle.

“Hinata… if—just hypothetically—if Xiao Bu ever… wanted to be intimate with you…”

“Ah! Aunt Genya! What are you saying?! Bu… Bu would never do that!” Hinata cut in, face burning scarlet.

She never expected an adult to state something so mortifying so bluntly. The words hit like a critical strike—she felt steamed from head to toe.

Eina, though startled by the reaction, caught the key detail in Hinata’s flustered protest.

*Even while covering for him, she’s certain Xiao Bu wouldn’t cross that line. Is she protecting his image… or does she truly believe he won’t?*

Eina leaned toward the latter. That certainty revealed everything: Hinata was quietly crushing on him, while her dense son remained completely clueless.

She’d once feared teenage curiosity might lead Ayumu astray. But… he’d never shown interest in girls. Never peeked at adult magazines or DVDs. Just trained. Fought. Lived in his own world.

*Could my Xiao Bu… still not be clued in to romance?*

A chilling thought—one that threatened her confidence as a mother. Too terrifying. She shoved it away.

*Not my fault. Other kids figure it out naturally. Maybe… maybe he’ll just wake up to it someday?*

Lost in spiraling doubt, she barely noticed Hinata’s gentle tap.

“Aunt Genya… are you okay?”

Snapped back to reality, Eina gripped Hinata’s shoulders like she’d found salvation. “Hinata. I’m entrusting Xiao Bu to you. Guide him… to become a proper adult.”

“Huh?” Hinata blinked, utterly lost.

Realizing she’d been too vague, Eina softened her tone. “Listen. Some things need courage. If you like a boy but stay shy—and he’s dense as a log about love—if you don’t knock sense into that log first… someone else will. And you’ll regret it forever.”

Hinata caught the meaning. Her heart leapt. *She’s… giving me permission?*

“Aunt Genya… you want me to make the first move?”

“Exactly. I’m on your side. With my blessing, you’ve got the advantage. No one else stands a chance.” (She doubted other girls even noticed him—but a little urgency never hurt.)

“Thank you, Aunt! I’ll do my best!” Hinata’s voice trembled with newfound hope. Officially endorsed. No longer just a dream.

“One last thing,” Eina added, eyes glinting. “Special people need special measures. For certain things to happen… someone must step forward. If he won’t move… then you must.”

Finally voicing her true—and slightly mischievous—intent, Eina sighed in relief. As if by saying it, she’d neatly passed the torch… and the responsibility… straight to Hinata.