"Mom! Go check on whatever's in the pot before it burns."
Eto immediately shooed Ukina away.
Ukina didn't say anything more, just returned to the kitchen with a smile on her face.
Shortly after, dinner was ready.
"Eto, ask your father when he'll be home for dinner."
Ukina said.
"Sure~"
Eto pulled out her phone and called Yoshimura.
After two rings, the call connected.
"Dad, when will you be home? It's time for dinner."
"Probably about ten more minutes. You all go ahead and eat first."
Yoshimura's voice came through from the other end.
"What are you saying? We obviously have to eat together. We'll wait for you."
With that, Eto hung up without giving him a chance to refuse.
"She really doesn't stand on ceremony with Yoshimura-san..."
Byakuya remarked.
...
Ten minutes later, Yoshimura arrived home right on time.
He hung his hat on the hook by the entryway, then changed into his indoor slippers.
"Kuzen, welcome home."
Ukina came out with a smile to greet him.
"..."
Yoshimura paused slightly, then smiled back. "I'm home."
Life with Ukina again seemed to take some getting used to.
After all, Ukina had been gone for over twenty years. He'd long grown accustomed to the solitary life at home.
Now suddenly both Ukina and Eto had returned, plus Byakuya made four people—the house being so full actually felt unfamiliar to him.
"Hurry and wash your hands, then come eat. I don't know exactly what flavors you prefer, but I tried to make things as delicious as possible."
Ukina said with a smile.
Having been born a ghoul, Yoshimura had never been able to taste normal human food before.
So no matter how long Ukina had lived with him, she'd never known his preferences.
Fortunately, Yoshimura was now human...
"Byakuya hasn't left yet, has he? Did you invite him to stay for dinner?"
Yoshimura asked.
"Of course. He's our future son-in-law—we have to treat him well on his first visit."
Ukina said immediately.
"Future son-in-law... I see you've already talked with him quite a bit..."
Yoshimura wore his usual squinting expression.
"Mm, though it was mainly little Eto taking the initiative. She said she wants to marry Byakuya herself, and he agreed."
Ukina smiled. "Our little Eto has grown up enough that we don't need to worry about her anymore."
"Indeed..."
Yoshimura nodded slightly. "We definitely don't need to worry about Eto."
After everything that had happened over these years, he knew exactly how capable his daughter was.
Not only had she become a bestselling author in human society, she'd single-handedly established Aogiri Tree and stood against the Washuu Clan as the One-Eyed Owl...
"Since you're back, hurry up and come eat. What are you two standing there chattering about? The food's going to get cold."
Just then, Eto emerged from the living room and interrupted their conversation.
One look at her expression made it clear—she'd obviously overheard them talking and came out annoyed to cut them off.