"So, when you have time, come over to my place."
Eto had already told Byakuya roughly what had happened.
"So now you're living with the Manager and Ukina-san, right?"
Byakuya asked.
"That's right. After Mom came back, I moved in with them."
Eto nodded. "That old man accumulated quite a bit of wealth during his time with V Organization. The place he's renting is pretty big—more than enough room for three people."
As for why Yoshimura hadn't just bought a house outright, that was naturally because of his former identity as a ghoul.
With his ghoul identity—especially as the "Non-Killing Owl"—unexpected situations could arise at any time, so having a permanent residence wouldn't have been wise.
"Alright. I actually happen to be free today. The CCG work just wrapped up."
Byakuya said. "I'll come with you later."
"Mm. First let me record some inspiration I just had."
With that, Eto returned to her laptop and began typing away.
...
Before long, Eto had finished recording her inspiration.
Before leaving, she called out to Yoshimura, who was still working at the shop.
"Dad, I'm taking Byakuya home to see Mom."
Eto said to Yoshimura.
"Mm, go ahead."
Yoshimura smiled.
Eto then took Byakuya to the Yoshimura residence.
...
"Mom, I'm home."
At the front door, Eto called out.
"Coming."
Ukina's voice came from inside.
As the door opened, Byakuya saw the young and beautiful woman.
Short, light golden hair, wearing a white dress, appearing to be not yet thirty.
Ukina.
"Hello, Ukina-san. I'm Amaha Byakuya. Pleased to meet you."
Byakuya greeted her politely.
"No need to be so formal. Just call me 'Mother-in-law.'"
Ukina smiled.
"..."
Eto knew her mother would pull something like this, but she couldn't really say anything—after all, this was her mother.
"That... doesn't seem quite appropriate."
Byakuya hesitated slightly.
"There's nothing inappropriate about it. Little Eto likes you, and you're interested in our little Eto too, aren't you?"
Ukina said directly.
"..."
Byakuya found himself at a loss for words.
Eto finally couldn't help but speak up. "Mom, please don't tease him the moment he arrives."
"Hm? But I'm not teasing anyone?"
Ukina denied Eto's claim.
"You clearly are. Who says things like that to a boy visiting for the first time?"
Eto began arguing with Ukina.
"But Byakuya isn't a stranger, is he? Both you and Kuzen are already quite familiar with him, aren't you? And didn't you publicly date Byakuya before?"
Ukina looked puzzled. "Could it be that Byakuya has already dumped you? Otherwise, why can't he call me Mother-in-law? But you two don't look like you've broken up..."
Eto was rendered speechless by Ukina's questioning.
"..."
Byakuya, standing to the side, couldn't really say anything.
All he could think was that Ukina-san was truly worthy of being Eto's mother—formidable indeed...
With their similar appearances, Ukina and Eto looked more like bickering sisters than mother and daughter.