Dual System in Daily World

Tonight, dinner at the Sawamura family's dining table was as sumptuous as ever.

After her husband came home, Sayuri Sawamura thoughtfully took off his coat and reminded him to wash his hands. 

Then she quickly turned around and called for Eriri to come down for dinner.

During the meal, Mr. Spencer, the head of the family, shared interesting anecdotes from work. 

The atmosphere among the family of three was relaxed and happy until a small incident occurred.

Eriri, who had been quietly eating fried fish, suddenly asked her mother a question.

"Mom, what would you do if Dad fell in love with another woman?"

"Cough! Cough, cough, cough—"

Mr. Spencer was taken aback by his daughter's shocking question, reacting with a particularly violent cough before his wife.

Sayuri stared playfully at her husband, waiting for him to stop coughing, and thoughtfully handed him a tissue.

Then she turned to her daughter and asked with a smile, "Why do you ask that all of a sudden? Did you find out that your father cheated on me?"

Mr. Spencer slapped the table and stood up. "How is that possible, my dear? I will always be loyal to you!"

"It's just a joke. There's no need to be so excited. Please continue eating and don't interrupt my conversation with your daughter; otherwise, I might really think you're suspicious."

After reassuring her husband, Sawamura Sayuri looked back at Eriri, quietly waiting for her answer.

Eriri explained the reason she had already thought of: 

"I plan to draw a book about two lovers and the involvement of a third party. This time, I not only want to consider the visuals but also make the plot as realistic as possible to reflect the darker sides of human nature."

She lied and refused to share her true troubles with her mother. 

There was nothing to be done about it. If their parents knew the true situation, even the most understanding ones would likely be shocked and faint instantly.

"I see," Sayuri said. 

"That's why my naive daughter, who has no experience in love, is seeking some mature advice from her mother who has been through it, as a reference for you."

"That's it." Eriri nodded in a vague voice while chewing on asparagus.

Mr. Spencer muttered in dissatisfaction, "Even so, don't use me as an example. It's not a good thing."

But the mother and daughter at the dinner table ignored his complaints.

Sayuri continued, 

"Of course, I have to comply with your good daughter's request, but your father is too honest. He takes me with him no matter what banquet he attends." 

"He has no habit of going to clubs or bars. Even when he goes out at night, it's either for work or fishing in the wilderness, so I have no experience dealing with this kind of thing."

"I'm sorry, it's my fault. I'll do better in the future..." Mr. Spencer began to apologize but was cut off by his beloved wife's warning look as she pointedly placed her hand over her meal bag.

He didn't dare look at her anymore, picked up his dinner plate with a scowl, and walked to the living room to watch a football game.

The mother and daughter were left to continue their discussion.

"It's okay; I just want to hear what my mother would do if she encountered such a situation. It's just for reference."

It could also serve as a reference for the situation I am currently facing, Eriri thought silently.

"If your father really found himself in that situation, my reaction would depend on the extent of his relationship with the so-called third party."

"Extent?"

"Well, if your father just made this mistake out of sudden novelty, and at this stage, it's only chatting and occasional private meetings, then I would most likely forgive him—provided he sincerely apologizes and promises never to have anything to do with that third party again."

Sayuri gently tore a paper towel.

"Of course, if that happens, even if we reconcile afterward, our relationship will never be as close and seamless as before." 

"Once the cracks are repaired, they will never be as beautiful as they were initially. Eriri, when you draw your book later, you can pay attention to the conflict points that arise from this aspect."

This was in line with my mother's answer, but it wasn't the answer I wanted.

The desire for advice still lingered, urging Eriri to ask, 

"What if it gets more serious? What if my father develops feelings for a woman other than my mother and brings her to me, saying that he wants to live with her in the future?"

Sayuri suddenly laughed at such a question, but seeing her daughter's serious expression as she sought answers, she restrained her emotions and thought seriously about the issue based on her life experience.

After a moment, she spoke again. 

"First of all, I would not be so slow as to let the situation develop that far." 

"Secondly, if things really got that bad, the essence of the matter would have changed, and the situation could no longer be reversed or saved by me alone."

"So, Mom, what would you do?"

Sayuri spread her hands.

"Let's enjoy our time together with your dad. Now that we've reached that point, it doesn't matter who the third party is." 

"What's important is the attitude your dad has shown. Since he has such exaggerated ideas, I don't need to keep blindfolding myself or deceiving myself." 

"Ending this twisted and abnormal relationship as soon as possible is the right choice, right?"

It was obviously a question posed by Eriri, but Sayuri slowed her speech while answering, paying close attention to the changes in her daughter's facial expression. 

Finally, she asked a rhetorical question.

Eriri sighed sadly. "Really, this kind of plot is too difficult to handle. Just thinking about it gives me a headache. Sure enough, I'd better go back to the insult-based plot I'm familiar with."

"It's a good thing to have ideas, but they have to match your own abilities. It's up to you," Sayuri replied, shrugging as she took a casual sip of soup. 

Then, without warning, she spoke up again.

"Eriri, are you in love? With Chisato?"

As a mother, she had noticed some changes in her daughter recently. 

These changes might seem small, but they were indeed present. Such unnatural changes were most likely caused by something.

Today's unusual question made her alert again and prompted her to test her theory.

As for the name "Chisato," it was also something she had overheard while Eriri was sleeping in her room one day. 

At that time, she had been accompanied by that awkward emotional reaction.

_______

50+ advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta

_______

If any of you noticed an error, please point it out in comments!