When the group alighted the vehicle, Sayaka was still walking in the air because her daughter had looked at her. Like really looked at her and seen her…

Sure, they had faced each other when they met, but she had felt like Akira preferred her father a thousand times more. As a mother, she felt defeated and held a small grudge towards her husband.

Now, she held his arm tightly, trying to suppress her emotions.

Akira did not know the reason for her mother's excited face. Her attention was on the large mansion before them.

Her face did not change, but she was gobsmacked. Who would have such a ridiculous mansion and call it a house? In simple terms, it was the kind of building that only unrealistically rich people in anime had.

On the side, Hanae snickered in her heart as she looked at the surprised Akira. It was clear that the girl could not remain aloof anymore.

"Akira, welcome home!" Daiki smiled kindly.

Sayaka felt like her husband was currying favour and trying to get ahead of her in earning their daughter's love.

Already, he communicated on the phone with her more. While she… She had probably been blocked after the day she had called Akira over twenty times…

"Akira, let me help you with your suitcase." She offered immediately.

Akira would have coldly said 'no' to another person, but she suppressed the urge.

"It's alright. It's not heavy." She responded.

She did not want anyone to touch her luggage. She had not carried a lot of things, but apart from a few clothes, she had a few precious items inside. She could not feel at ease if the bad was in someone's hands.

Sayaka was a bit disappointed, but she felt their relationship was progressing. At least, her daughter had spoken a few more words.

"Auntie, uncle, let's go in," Hanae spoke up while suppressing her annoyance.

She could see that the couple was set on spoiling Akira even though she was cold to them. It made her feel like life was unfair. She had been currying favour with them for years, but it seemed like it did not matter anymore.

"Yes, yes. Akira must be tired."

Sayaka realised that they had been standing outside the house for a while. It was already midday, so Akira had to be tired from travelling.

Hanae gritted her teeth, but she had to keep smiling.

When they entered the house, there was a group of people waiting in the large vestibule.

Akira had expected a row of uniformed maids or butlers based on the general flow of events and her knowledge of manga. But they were just random people.

She could not help frowning at the presence of the four because they were looking at her with interest. She felt like she had already used up all her social graces for the day.

"Everyone, what are you doing here?" Sayaka asked with a slight but unwelcoming smile.

She had to act like a friendly host even though she was annoyed. She had wanted to use the period when Akira was still new in Mountain Ridge to bond with her. However, new faces had shown up without her consent.

"Mom, how can you be like this?" Her eldest son had seen all her hypocritical faces, so he knew that she did not want to see them.

"What? You have your own house and family. Why are you still visiting your parents' house frequently?" She said heartlessly.

"And you," She turned to her other son. "Didn't you move out to live alone because you thought I nagged too much?"

The second son did not respond. His eyes fell on the small sister he could not remember. He did not like a lot of people, but there was a hint of kinship in his heart.

Sayaka did not target the other two people but she stiff huffed a little. One was her sister and the mother of Hanae, and the other was her eldest daughter-in-law.

"Mother, Kazuo was anxious to meet his new sister. He could not sit still in the office." Chiharu smiled and looked at her husband helplessly.

Sayaka liked this daughter-in-law, so she could not bring herself to be harsh. She could only sigh heavily. In the end, she could not hide away her daughter.

"Fine, we can all have lunch together." She finally capitulated. "Akira, let me introduce you."

She pointed at her first son. "This is your eldest brother Kazuo and his wife, Chiharu. And this is your elder brother, Seiji."

She finally turned to the older woman. "This is my elder sister and Hanae's mother, Kaoru. You can call her Auntie."

Akira nodded to each person as they were introduced.

She did not have an opinion of any of them yet, but she had already formed some preliminary judgements on the situation.

"Akira, let me show you to your room." Sayaka turned to her.

"I will come too." Hanae chirped.