Chapitre 47: [S.S. 1] A Very Yaoyorozu Christmas
The train's gentle sway almost lulled me to sleep as we headed toward the Yaoyorozu estate. Snow drifted past the window, coating the countryside in white. Next to me, Momo fidgeted with her phone, checking the time every few minutes.
I pulled her in for a kiss, catching her off guard. Her phone clattered to the floor of our private compartment.
"Yoichi!" she whispered, glancing at the door despite knowing we were alone. A blush crept across her cheeks. "What if someone sees?"
"Let them," I said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You're making yourself nervous checking the time. We've got another hour."
She leaned into my shoulder, sighing. "I know. It's just... Father can be intense. And this is the first time I'm bringing someone home for Christmas dinner."
"You mean the first time you're bringing a boy home," I corrected, earning a light smack on my arm. "Come on, your mom loves me."
"Mother's different. She's more... progressive." Momo traced circles on my hand. "Father is traditional. Very traditional."
I thought back to our previous encounters at her house - moments in her room while her mother conveniently found reasons to be elsewhere, heated kisses in the garden, that time in the pool house...
"Maybe we shouldn't mention the pool house," I mused aloud.
Momo turned scarlet. "Definitely not."
The countryside rolled by, mansions growing more elaborate as we neared our destination. Momo's tension returned as she smoothed her dress for the hundredth time.
"He's going to ask about your intentions," she warned.
"Good thing I have some then." I kept my voice light, but her head snapped up.
"What does that mean?"
"It means I'm not just here for the legendary Yaoyorozu Christmas feast." I squeezed her hand. "Though I heard the chef trained in France."
"Stop deflecting." She narrowed her eyes. "What intentions?"
The train's brakes squealed as we pulled into the station. I stood, grabbing our bags. "Guess you'll find out when your father does."
"Yoichi Nakamura, you're impossible." But she was smiling now, worry temporarily forgotten.
A sleek black car waited at the station, the driver holding an umbrella against the snow. He bowed deeply. "Young mistress. Mr. Nakamura."
The drive up the winding estate road gave me time to admire the grounds. Christmas lights twinkled in perfectly trimmed trees, and wreaths adorned every window of the mansion. It was tasteful, elegant, and probably cost more than my apartment building.
"Mother went overboard this year," Momo said, following my gaze.
"This is overboard?"
"Usually we only decorate the main entrance and gathering rooms." She hesitated. "I think she's trying to impress you."
"Mission accomplished." I whistled as we passed an actual reindeer display. "Though I'm pretty sure those are real reindeer."
"Father believes in authenticity."
The car stopped at the front steps. Before the driver could open our door, it flew wide, and Mrs. Yaoyorozu burst out, wrapped in a designer coat.
"You're here! Come in, come in, you'll freeze!" She hugged Momo, then surprised me with an embrace. "Yoichi, dear, you're too thin. Has my daughter not been feeding you properly at school?"
"Mother!" Momo protested as we were ushered inside.
The foyer could have housed a small village. A massive Christmas tree stretched toward the vaulted ceiling, dripping with ornaments that probably cost more than college tuition.
"Your father's in his study," Mrs. Yaoyorozu said. "He'd like to speak with Yoichi before dinner."
Momo's hand tightened on mine. I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile.
"Now?" I asked.
"No time like the present!" Mrs. Yaoyorozu's cheer seemed slightly forced. "Momo, dear, help me check on dinner while these two chat."
Momo looked ready to object, but I squeezed her hand. "It's fine. I've faced villains, remember? Your father can't be scarier than that."
"Don't be so sure," she muttered, but allowed her mother to lead her away.
A maid appeared to guide me to the study. Each step on the polished floor echoed. The house felt different now - less like the playground of stolen kisses and more like the fortress of Japan's wealthiest hero support company CEO.
The study door was solid oak, carved with the family crest. I knocked.
"Enter."
I stepped into a room that screamed old money - leather chairs, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and a desk that probably predated Quirks. Behind it sat Yaoyorozu Masashi, exactly as intimidating as his reputation suggested.
"Mr. Nakamura." He didn't stand. "Please, sit."
I took the chair facing his desk, maintaining eye contact. Seven months of dating his daughter had prepared me for this moment.
"Sir."
He studied me silently. I'd faced down villains, reporters, and that damned Old Man, but something about his gaze made me want to fidget.
"You've been seeing my daughter."
"Yes, sir."
"You're aware of our family's position in society."
"Yes, sir."
He leaned forward slightly. "And you understand that any... indiscretions would reflect poorly on both our families."
I kept my face neutral, though images of the pool house flashed through my mind. "I care deeply for your daughter, sir. My intentions are honorable."
"Hmm." He opened a drawer, removing a tablet. "Your test scores are impressive. Combat ratings even more so. The media calls you the next Symbol of Peace."
"The media says a lot of things, sir."
That earned me a look. "You disagree with their assessment?"
"I think labels like that create unnecessary pressure. I'm focused on becoming the best hero I can be, not living up to someone else's expectations."
He set the tablet down. "And my daughter? Is she also something you're not focused on?"
"Momo isn't a focus, sir. She's a partner." I met his gaze steadily. "We make each other better - as heroes and as people."
Silence stretched between us. Outside, snow continued to fall.
Finally, he stood. "Dinner will be served shortly. We should join the others."
I rose, uncertain if I'd passed whatever test this was.
At the door, he paused. "Mr. Nakamura."
"Sir?"
"The pool house has security cameras."
My blood ran cold.
"They were disabled this summer due to... technical difficulties." He didn't look at me. "My wife is very skilled with electronics."
I could have sworn I saw the ghost of a smile as he strode away.
The dining room put the foyer to shame. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over a table that could seat thirty. Tonight, it was set for four, with enough silverware to stock a restaurant.
Momo appeared at my side. "Everything okay?"
"I think... your mom disabled the pool house cameras this summer."
She turned pink. "She what?"
"Yeah. Your dad just told me."
"Oh god." She buried her face in my shoulder. "Kill me now."
"Now, now," Mrs. Yaoyorozu called from the table. "No dying before dinner. The chef made his famous chocolate soufflé."
Dinner was... surprisingly pleasant. Mr. Yaoyorozu proved capable of normal conversation, especially when discussing hero work. Mrs. Yaoyorozu kept things flowing, and Momo gradually relaxed.
"Will you be joining us for the charity gala New Years Eve?" Mrs. Yaoyorozu asked as dessert arrived.
"I hadn't planned-" I began, but Momo cut in.
"Of course he will." She gave me a look that brooked no argument.
"Excellent!" Her mother beamed. "The media will love it. Japan's rising star and the Yaoyorozu heiress."
"Mother," Momo warned.
"What? I'm just saying what everyone's thinking." She winked at me. "The next power couple of the hero world."
Mr. Yaoyorozu cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should let them enjoy their youth before planning their media empire."
"Spoilsport." But Mrs. Yaoyorozu changed the subject, launching into plans for tomorrow's Christmas festivities.
Later, after goodnight drinks in the sitting room, a maid showed me to my guest suite - pointedly located in the opposite wing from Momo's room.
I was unpacking when my door opened. Momo stepped through, already in her silk pajamas.
"Your father will kill me if he catches you here."
"Father's in his study until midnight." She wrapped her arms around my waist. "Mother's in the conservatory. And I missed you."
I pulled her close, breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo. "We spent all day together."
"Mmm. Not like this."
Momo's lips were soft against mine, tasting faintly of the chocolate soufflé from dinner. My hands found her waist as she pressed closer, the silk of her pajamas cool under my fingers.
"Your dad actually smiled at dinner," I murmured between kisses. "I thought his face might crack."
She pulled back just enough to give me an exasperated look. "He smiles."
"Name three times."
"When Mother surprised him with tickets to the opera." She punctuated each example with a kiss. "When I got into U.A. And when I told him about us dating."
I blinked. "Really?"
"Mmhm. Though that might have been relief - he was worried I'd end up with someone who couldn't keep up intellectually." Her fingers traced patterns on my chest. "Mother says he had a whole spreadsheet of potential suitors."
"Please tell me you're joking."
"Want to see it? I still have the file."
I groaned, falling back onto the ridiculously plush guest bed. Momo followed, curling against my side. "I was on a spreadsheet. That's... actually kind of flattering. What categories did I win?"
"Combat potential. Academic performance." She propped herself up on an elbow, dark eyes sparkling with mischief. "And Mother added a column for 'aesthetic appeal' that Father pretends not to know about."
"Did I score well?"
"Perfect marks." Her hand slid under my shirt. "Though I might be biased."
I caught her wrist before things could escalate. "Your father will actually try to murder me if he catches us."
"He's in his study."
"With the security cameras he definitely hasn't disabled."
Momo's cheeks flushed. "I still can't believe Mother did that. The pool house..."
"Was worth potential death by CEO." I pulled her down for another kiss. "Though maybe we should be more careful. Your mom's scary efficient when she wants to be."
"She likes you." Momo settled against my chest, voice thoughtful. "More than that - she respects you. Do you know how rare that is? The last boy who tried asking me out was kind of a jerk, she had a background check run on his entire family going back three generations."
"She didn't..."
"Found out his great-grandfather once bounced a check. That was it - no invitation to dinner, no chance to explain. Just Mother casually mentioning financial responsibility at breakfast."
I threaded my fingers through her hair, considering. "Your mom's background check on me must have been interesting."
"She didn't do one."
"Oh?"
Momo pushed herself up. "Mother cares about character. And Father..." She paused. "Actually, you surprised him tonight."
"By surviving dinner without using the wrong fork?"
"By being genuine." She touched my face. "Most people try to impress him with family connections or business proposals disguised as small talk. You just... talked. About hero work, about school, about your actual goals. No angle, no hidden agenda."
"I mean, I do have an agenda." I caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "But it's pretty simple."
"Oh?"
"Make you happy. Become a great hero. Maybe convince your dad I'm not corrupting his daughter with pool house shenanigans."
She smacked my chest, but she was smiling. "Be serious."
"I am." I sat up, keeping her close. "I love you, Momo. Not the Yaoyorozu name or the company or any of that. Just you - the girl who carries an encyclopedia of chemical compounds in her head and lights up when she figures out a new way to use her Quirk. The girl who-"
She kissed me - deep and slow and full of promise. When we finally broke apart, her eyes were shining.
"I love you too," she whispered. "Even if you are corrupting me with pool house shenanigans."
A clock chimed somewhere in the mansion. Momo sighed, reluctantly pulling away.
"I should go. Father will be heading to bed soon, and the night staff does rounds."
"Wouldn't want to scandalize the help."
She stood, straightening her pajamas. "Please. Thompson's worked here since I was born - he's seen worse. Plus, Sebastian would cover for you."
"Do I want to know?"
"Let's just say Mother and Father aren't as subtle as they think they are." She wrinkled her nose.
I laughed. "Now I definitely want to know."
"Maybe tomorrow." She leaned down for one last kiss. "Sweet dreams."
"They will be now."
She slipped out as silently as she'd arrived, leaving only the faint scent of her perfume. I flopped back onto the bed, grinning at the ceiling like an idiot.
My phone buzzed. A text from Momo: "Check your bedside drawer."
Inside, I found a small wrapped package with a note: "For tomorrow morning. Don't open early or Mother will know - she has a sixth sense about Christmas presents."
Another buzz: "And yes, the cameras in your room are definitely off. Mother insisted. Father doesn't know."
I typed back: "Your mom is terrifying and I love her."
"Wait until you see what she got you for Christmas. Father nearly had an aneurysm."
"Should I be worried?"
"Let's just say it involves the pool house and some very expensive soundproofing."
I stared at the phone, heat creeping up my neck. Before I could formulate a response, another message appeared:
"Kidding! Mostly. Goodnight! ❤️"
"Evil woman," I texted back. "I love you."
"I know. ❤️"
I set the phone aside, still smiling. Somewhere below, a security team patrolled the grounds. Somewhere above, Mr. Yaoyorozu probably had a sniper trained on my window.
But Momo loved me. And her parents... well, they hadn't killed me yet. Mr. Yaoyorozu had even almost smiled. Twice.
My phone buzzed one last time. Not Momo - my mom.
"Survived dinner? Still have all your limbs? Should I prepare an alibi?"
I sent back a quick update, including the pool house camera revelation. Her response was immediate:
"Mrs. Yaoyorozu is my new hero. Me and her will be having lunch next week. No arguments. I need to learn her ways."
"Please don't."
"Too late. Already planning. Sleep well, sweetie! Don't do anything that would show up on the cameras that are definitely still running! 😘"
I groaned, shoving the phone under my pillow. Between Momo's mom and mine, I was doomed. At least they'd probably make my funeral very tasteful.
The snow continued falling outside, adding to the blanket of white covering the estate. Tomorrow would bring Christmas morning, the infamous Yaoyorozu gift exchange, and probably several more terrifying conversations with Momo's father.
But tonight... tonight I had everything I needed. A ridiculously comfortable bed, the memory of Momo's kisses, and the knowledge that somehow, against all odds, I'd found my place in this world of wealth and power and perfectly coordinated table settings.
Even if that place occasionally involved disabled security cameras and pool house shenanigans.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone