Serena and the others giggled. Eva's body was indeed legendary. Even as women, they couldn't help but sneak a few glances, let alone Yuu.
"Hoshimiya-sensei, she's a sight, isn't she?" Serena teased.
Megumi cupped her own chest. "Yuu-kun, do you really prefer the sexy, mature type like Attorney Eva?"
Midori chimed in mischievously, leaning into Yuu's ear. "I have some private photos of Attorney Eva on my phone... do you want them?"
Eva was Ran's mother, not theirs; they were more than happy to enjoy the show. As Eva's closest confidante for years, it was highly likely Midori actually had such photos.
Yuu's throat bobbed involuntarily. This reaction sent the girls into another fit of giggles.
"I'm full. I'm going back to work."
Eva, who had been struggling to remain calm, couldn't ignore them anymore. Her fair face was flushed crimson as she put down her chopsticks and fled the scene.
"Was the Great Attorney Eva actually blushing?" Midori was surprised.
"She definitely was," Serena agreed.
Ran looked at her mother's retreating back and murmured, "I've never seen Mom look like that before..."
Back in her own apartment, Eva leaned against the front door, breathing deeply. It took a long time for her heart to stop racing.
What made her blush wasn't just Yuu's burning gaze—she had seen plenty of those. What truly shamed her was the fact that she didn't hate it. In fact, she felt a strange sense of pride and satisfaction, almost a desire for him to see more.
She had never felt this way before, not even with Richard Mouri in their youth.
If it were their first meeting, she could blame it on not knowing his character. But now she knew he was a massive playboy and her daughter's boyfriend. Feeling this way was unacceptable.
Was she really just a shallow woman who fell for a handsome face?
No. Eva had encountered many handsome suitors over the years, and none of them had ever caught her eye. She couldn't even remember their names. Furthermore, surely Midori and Ran weren't just with him because of his looks?
Perhaps it was a factor, but certainly not the whole story.
If Yuu weren't Ran's boyfriend...
Eva felt a wave of shame for the thought that had just surfaced. How could she have such thoughts about her daughter's partner? She threw herself into her endless pile of work, trying to use labor to numb her mind and redirect her attention. She succeeded for the moment, but it was only a temporary fix.
The cost would be a much stronger, more irresistible desire the next time it flared up.
After lunch, Megumi stayed home to take care of the "mobility-impaired" Midori. Ran headed back to the detective agency. She hadn't seen Richard since they got back from Moonlight Island. Half the vacation was over; if he didn't return soon, she'd have to call the police. He was likely out gambling or drinking, but even then, his money should have run out by now. He was her father, after all; she couldn't just leave him to rot.
However, now that she had found a man she wanted to spend her life with, Ran was beginning to consider the idea of living separately from Richard. She couldn't take care of him forever. She wanted to build a home of her own.
Yuu, meanwhile, took a car with Serena to the Suzuki Estate.
Looking at the vast grounds, the medieval European aristocratic architecture, and the high-tech luxury integrated into every corner, Yuu once again gained a new understanding of what "truly wealthy" meant.
Before he could indulge in much contemplation, Serena grabbed his hand and dragged him inside. Yuu was used to her whirlwind energy and followed her into the villa's living room.
"Dad, Mom!" Serena greeted Ayako and Shiro Suzuki, who were having afternoon tea.
Then, just as she was about to introduce Yuu, she noticed her older sister, Tomoko Suzuki, was also there.
"Oh, Sis is here too. Even better."
Serena introduced Yuu to the family, making sure to emphasize that they were boyfriend and girlfriend.
As she spoke, Yuu observed the Suzuki family. They looked much like they did in his memories. Shiro Suzuki was a short, plump man with greying hair and round, black-rimmed glasses. He had a kind, jolly smile. Basically, he looked like a version of Dr. Agasa with hair. He gave off the vibe of a typical aging father.
Ayako, however, was the opposite. She was significantly younger than Shiro—barely in her early forties—but looked like she wasn't even thirty. Standing next to Tomoko and Serena, they could pass for three sisters. Yuu suspected that to anyone who didn't know them, the family looked like an old father out with his three daughters.
Ayako Suzuki appeared to be hands-off with Serena's daily life, but in reality, she had investigated everyone close to the future heiress long ago. Especially after noticing how close Serena and Yuu were, she had conducted a deep dive. She knew things about Yuu that even Serena didn't.
Ayako and Shiro nodded at Yuu, acknowledging him. Tomoko, the older sister who was rarely home, looked on with surprise. She hadn't expected her boisterous, unfiltered younger sister to find such a handsome and striking boyfriend.
Watching Yuu, Tomoko felt increasingly dissatisfied with the fiancé her family had arranged for her. Unfortunately, no matter how unhappy she was, she lacked the power to resist.
"Hoshimiya-sensei, this is my Dad, Mom, and Big Sister." Serena introduced her family politely.
"Mrs. Suzuki, Mr. Suzuki." Yuu nodded, then shifted his gaze to Tomoko, hesitating slightly. "Miss Tomoko."
In Japan, using surnames can be confusing if there are siblings, but using first names immediately can be rude. Fortunately, the Suzukis were open-minded. Not only did they not mind, they were quite pleased with his demeanor.
"Mr. Hoshimiya." Tomoko stood up with a smile and proactively offered her hand. Since Serena had brought him home and their parents were being civil, Tomoko viewed Yuu as a "near" brother-in-law.
As Tomoko stood up from the sofa, Yuu got a full view of this "squinty-eyed" beauty who had very little presence in his original memories. She wore simple but elegant loungewear, her auburn hair tied in a high ponytail with a bright red ribbon. She looked youthful and full of vitality.
In contrast to Serena's loud personality, Tomoko was very quiet—possessing a Yamato Nadeshiko grace that was elegant yet approachable.
Grasping Tomoko's smooth, delicate hand and feeling a warmth like a spring breeze, Yuu's heart stirred. This seemingly quiet and gentle eldest daughter of the Suzuki family didn't seem simple at all. Just as Serena hid a sharp mind beneath a boisterous exterior, it seemed both sisters were deeper than they looked.
Especially these 'closed-eyes' characters... every single one of them is a force to be reckoned with, Yuu thought as he felt her slender fingers brush slightly against his palm.
Discreetly squeezing Tomoko's hand, Yuu looked at Ayako. He hadn't forgotten the main purpose of accompanying Serena today.
He had originally felt confident about winning over Ayako, remembering her as just a strong-willed, slightly eccentric wealthy wife. But seeing how well the two daughters could "act," Yuu didn't dare underestimate Ayako, the woman who actually held the reins of the Suzuki Conglomerate.
Tomoko, feeling his response, let a faint smile play on her lips. She sat back down, lowering her presence and joining Shiro as an observer.
Ayako glanced at her eldest daughter, then stood up and walked over to Yuu.
"I'll get straight to the point." Ayako circled Yuu twice, looking satisfied. "I don't object to you being with Serena. As long as you agree to marry into the family, you two can sleep together tonight for all I care."