"Honestly, this girl just comes right out without even fixing herself up. That's not very polite to Byakuya, you know?"
Ukina immediately began nagging Eto.
Her concern was understandable—in Japanese culture, when a woman goes out on a date or similar occasions with a man, not putting on makeup before seeing him is considered impolite.
However, as a former half-ghoul, Eto obviously didn't care about such things.
"What does it matter? As long as Byakuya likes me, that's what counts~"
Eto said casually.
"If you keep this up, he might stop liking you."
Ukina said.
"Byakuya definitely wouldn't do that, right?"
Eto asked him directly.
"Right."
Byakuya nodded.
Being from China, he wasn't particularly invested in this particular Japanese custom.
"Don't always spoil and indulge her, or little Eto will just keep pushing boundaries."
Ukina quietly warned Byakuya.
"I heard all of that. So what if he spoils me?"
Eto said with a grin.
"At least do something about your hair."
Unable to bear it any longer, Ukina went to get a brush to help smooth down Eto's unruly bedhead.
Though even with her hair in disarray, because Eto's hair was curly, it didn't look bad at all—it actually gave her an impish, mischievous quality.
"Haah~"
Eto sat there letting her mother brush her hair while stifling a small yawn.
"Perk up! Going on a date with a boy while looking all listless will make him dislike you."
Ukina continued her nagging.
But that's what mothers do—it would be strange if they didn't nag.
So Eto actually rather enjoyed this feeling.
Having her mother's nagging in her ears was so much better than being all alone.
"I told you it's not a date. We're visiting a friend's house..."
Eto hesitated for a moment but continued, "My friend's mother was someone I hurt in the past. Now that her mother has come back too, I feel I should go see her."
"I see..."
Ukina smiled warmly.
Though Eto hadn't explained the full details, Ukina could piece together most of it.
She'd already learned from Yoshimura and Eto roughly what Eto had experienced... and done... in the past.
Compared to before, little Eto had clearly changed.
"Go on then. Mom's rooting for you."
Ukina encouraged her.
"Mm."
Eto nodded.
Though Eto herself couldn't be bothered to dress up, Ukina still gave her a simple touch-up.
Just a bit of eyebrow work, then Ukina used her own lipstick to add a touch of color to Eto's lips, and finally had her change into a pretty dress.
After all, Ukina knew her daughter was naturally beautiful and didn't need heavy makeup that would only be counterproductive.
Of course, Eto was merely too lazy to deliberately put on makeup.
She actually had good taste and would collect pretty clothes and cute dresses.
"There, now you're ready to go."
Ukina smiled at her adorable daughter in the mirror. "Little Eto is the cutest."