(Yuriko's POV)

Yuriko Takagi propped her head on her elbow and absentmindedly gazed at the houses flashing past the window. Strands of her light purple hair swayed in the breeze. ​​

Right now, she was patrolling the area to find more survivors.

Her purple eyes held composure. Yet, worry could be seen dwelling deep inside them—the worry for her sole daughter was eating her from inside.

Yet, she could do nothing.

The police blocked the bridges to the other side. Even her fortune surpassing billions had no use. Her, or, rather Takagi house's subordinates were busy creating a shelter for survivors.

She pointed her finger at the undead and activated the incomprehensible ability she learned yesterday. A strange sensation surged through her body, moving toward her arm, and concentrated, lighting up her fingertips—it transformed into fist-sized stone spikes.

She merely willed and the spikes shot forward, hitting, and blowing the heads of three undead.

This ability was the reason she came for patrols. Of the 139 survivors, only 10 had awakened some kind of supernatural ability. However, her earth element was stronger than the rest.

*Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*

The sounds of gunshots came from her left—the street closed with a steel wire trap.

Did someone get stuck in the trap?

If that was the case, she had to save them. She turned toward the driver, who looked at her in return.

"Miss?"

"Go! Fast!"

The driver rotated the steering wheel and took a sharp turn. Her heart sped up as the undead kept dying under the truck.

What is this feeling? Is something good about to happen? Or is it… bad?

She took a deep breath and concentrated—her eyes widened at the man standing alone in the street wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts like he came here on vacation.

Problem child.

That was her first impression of the handsome man waving his hands with a smile. She ignored him and narrowed her gaze at the Humvee behind him—it seemed to be in working condition.

Is he from the military? A soldier?

Her impression of him became a bit better. After all, at this time, everyone prized fighting prowess over every other thing and someone who could shoot and survive would always be welcome in her group.

"Stop."

"Understood."

*Screeeeech!*

The truck drifted, turning 90 degrees, it came to a stop.

Yuriko kicked the door and landed before the man. Her violet dress failed to hide her ravishing cleavage, which she couldn't care less about. She noticed the youth with tanned skin examining her body—a thing she was more or less used to.

"Are you alright?" she questioned before berating herself for asking such a silly question.

He couldn't be any better.

The brown-haired youth's grinning lips parted. "Yeah. Wait a minute."

Saying that he turned around. She also followed his gaze and froze. A pink-haired girl approached in a hurry — she knew her well.

"Saya!"

She waited no longer and sprinted toward her daughter.

"Mama!"

Saya vaulted over the wire easily, baffling her until her daughter crashed into her.

"Umm," she bit her lips, stopping the painful groan, and squeezing her daughter into her embrace.

Her throat tightened along with her chest. She barely squeezed out a word.

"Saya."

Saya looked up and smiled despite the tears staining her cheeks.

"Mama, I'm back!"

Her lips formed a warm smile as she pulled her daughter in her arms, feeling her body against hers with her eyes shut.

At this moment, Yuriko wasn't the genius stockbroker of Wall Street, nor was she the head of Takagi Clan. Here and now she was a woman, a mother glad to be reunited with her daughter.

When she came to herself, she noticed many girls surrounding the youth, all wearing warm smiles. From the way they all gathered around him, she could tell that their relationship wasn't simple.

She squeezed out a grateful smile for them. "Thanks for looking after my daughter."

Saya must have made it with their help.

"No worries." the youth grinned and pointed at Saya. "I was just fulfilling my duty as her boyfriend."

Yuriko's eyes grew colder. For a moment, his face overlapped with her former husband's. She took a deep breath and calmed down.

I shouldn't jump to conclusions. Saya can look after herself.

"Please come to Takagi mansion with us."

"Sure."