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After coming to an agreement with Nanase on the matter involving Double M and the twins, Akira received a call from her mother. Sayaka asked her to go home. Akira was unsure if it was an urgent matter, so she bid her aunt farewell and drove back to the mansion. 

When she arrived, she was surprised to discover some strange but not completely unfamiliar vehicles outside the house. Her brows scrunched up a little. She took out her phone and texted Kaito that she was at her parent's house. 

She was not sure about the occurrence, but she was afraid that it might affect her return to the apartment. However, she had every intention of going back. She did not want to delay dealing with the 'zombie drug' issue. 

When she entered the house, she found the expected people as well as one person she did not think she would see soon. Her calm face did not show unusual changes as she looked at them.

"Hello." She said. 

The four people along with her mother looked at Akira with mixed expressions. Kazuo and Chiharu had the casual grace of altruistic bystanders while Kaoru showed poorly concealed dislike for Akira. The most unexpected person at the scene was Hanae. 

She did not show animosity or fake emotions. Instead, she had an air of calm maturity as if she had gone through the vicissitudes of life. She had become a little thinner since Akira last saw her, making her look a bit gaunt. 

As for Sayaka, she looked a little guilty. 

The group responded to Akira's greeting without much enthusiasm. In short, the atmosphere in the living room was quite awkward and tense. 

"Akira, come over." Sayaka beckoned. 

Akira walked to her mother and sat down next to her. She could already understand what was going on, but she did not comment. 

"Akira, as you probably know, Hanae has been in the hospital for a while now." Sayaka started. "I did not tell you, but I went to see her a couple of times. I know that you two do not get along, but she wanted to apologise in person." 

Akira nodded. 

"I am sorry to spring this on you. I was a little worried that you would not come. But I would prefer it if there was no animosity in the family. Of course, if you do not want to get along with Hanae, that is alright too." Sayaka added. 

Akira did not know how to respond. She felt a little ambushed and pressured to participate in the farce. However, she did not show a change in expression. 

Her silence seemed to be taken as consent. 

"Akira, I have wronged you in many ways. In the time I was in the hospital, I learned a lot. I was jealous and petty, and I made some poor decisions. I hope that you can forgive, even if we cannot be friends in the future." Hanae said with a stable and calm voice.

The other people looked at Akira with expectation after these words. She remained silent before her lips stretched to a smile. 

"There is no need to apologise. You already repented for the wrong thing you did to me in the past. Of course, if you have done something against me in the dark, I would understand the apology. If not, this is unnecessary." 

Hanae blanched a little when she thought about her initial attempts to ruin Akira's reputation by portraying her as the culprit who drove her to the mental hospital. No, that was not her fault. It was her friends fighting for her because they thought she was wronged. It had nothing to do with her. 

"Can't you be gracious? Hanae has gone through a tough time lately. Do you want to push her to the brink?" Kaoru asked while holding her daughter's hand. 

"What do you mean by that, Aunt? I think I am quite gracious. I do not need Hanae to placate me with undeserved apologies. The person who she wronged during that incident in Saffron Garden was my mother." Akira smiled. 

"Since it seems that my mother has already forgiven her, it would be petty of me to accept another apology, especially an undeserved one. Don't you think? Of course, it is different if Hanae has done something else against me. Has she?" 

Kaoru was angered by her niece when she saw the nonchalant attitude. She had always hoped that the stupid girl would not return to Mountain Ridge and the Yamazaki family. If she had not come back, her daughter would continue being the princess. 

Furthermore, their family company would be thriving. They would not need to be struggling for a few minor contracts. They might have even been able to gain recognition and get the Clarion Extreme contract. 

But now, they had to grovel to a bumpkin girl who had grown up in unknown places. And this girl was so hard to put in her place. 

"That is not what I meant. Hanae just wants to be closer to you as her cousin. Since you are older, you can give her some guidance and care." Kaoru retracted her originally fierce demeanour. 

"I am too busy," Akira said carelessly. 

Hanae blanched, and the other people in the room were shocked by the blatant lack of care about saving face. They did not expect Akira to be direct and rude. So far, she had been only on the edge of propriety. 

"Akira, you are my younger sister. And I am quite concerned about you." Kazuo frowned. "You are always fierce and refuse to give in to people. Hanae has worked hard to recover and gain recognition from you. Can't you be a little kinder?" 

Akira turned her eyes to her eldest brother. There was some hidden amusement. 

"Do I have to be kind to everyone? And why does Hanae need recognition from me? I believe that we are only barely related by blood. That is as far as it goes. There is no need to foster a closer connection between us." She said directly. 

Chiharu, who always acted as the peacemaker, stepped forward to put in her two cents. She had gained a lot of goodwill points from Sayaka through this incident. She intended to improve her image even more by making peace between Akira and Hanae.

"We should be supportive of Hanae's recovery. She struggled a lot in the mental wellness institute and achieved a breakthrough after a lot of difficulties. We must be careful not to trigger a greater psychological burden." Chiharu had an aura of kindness. 

"How are you related to this matter?" Akira frowned a little. 

"Akira, it is Chiharu who helped Hanae get a spot in the institute. She was key in helping Hanae begin her journey to recovery." Sayaka said with warmth in her eyes. 

Akira did not know whether she was disappointed in her mother's attitude or not. However, she could say that she had expected this outcome. Despite everything, Hanae was the child who had grown up beside her. 

Her mother could not give up on her. She would always choose to rescue Hanae because of the numerous years of feelings. It was only human. 

"I see." Akira's eyes rested on Chiharu. 

Chiharu felt like the younger lady could see through her. It was like her large, innocent eyes could expose all the things she hid beneath the façade of a kind lady. It unsettled her. 

"Since everyone is very supportive of my dear cousin, who am I to stand in the way of a harmonious family?" Akira smiled at the group.

Sayaka did not know why, but that smile seemed piercing to her eyes.