Chapter 6 : The Runaway Daughter

"If it isn't Midori-san!" Chie pressed a hand against her cheek in a coy manner. Her other hand was clawing right into the unknown woman's shoulder.

"Fumiko-chan, don't be rude. Midori-san has finally returned. You need to get along well with her."

Fumiko, whoever she was, suppressed a scowl and smiled sweetly at Chie.

"Onee-chan, I was just too curious. I did not mean to be impolite."

Like a two-faced snake, Fumiko then put up a politically correct smile and performed a slight bow before Midori.

"Midori-san, let me introduce myself. My name is Fumiko, I am Chie-neechan's younger sister."

Wow.

That was just terrific.

Three years ago, there was just one female snake in the house.

This female snake had brought a younger snake to accompany her. The Takigawa family was going to be swallowed whole by snakes, waaaaa...!!!

Fumiko moved closer to Chie and leaned toward her elder sister without losing sight of Midori.

She also did not bother to lower her voice when she spoke next.

"Onee-san, maybe I am wrong, but... Are you sure that this woman is Midori-san?"

Chie furrowed her brows, her face expressed deep concern over Fumiko's words.

"Fumiko-chan, are you maybe thinking that..."

Fumiko bit into her lower lip and glanced in Midori's direction.

"Well... I saw Midori-san's portrait in her old bedroom, and she looked like a proper Ojou-sama! How come she returns in such a... disgraceful appearance?"

Disgraceful, eh?

Veins popped up at Midori's temple.

She was about to transform Fumiko into a disgraceful version of herself by using her fists and feet.

"Ah, now this is awkward..."

Chie sighed.

"Midori-san, please don't take offense, but Fumiko-chan's concern does make sense. You have been gone for a while, and you changed a lot, too. Do you have anything to prove your identity?"

"..."

Hm.

Midori started digging into the original host's memory.

Now, a heated argument with her grandfather led to the original host's abrupt departure from the Takigawa family. Stripped of everything but the kimono clinging to her back, she defiantly proclaimed her independence and severed all ties with the Takigawa family.

This act of defiance, in retrospect, might explain why the original host never sought refuge with her birth family after her expulsion from the Koishikawa household. Her pride and determination, fueled by the injustice she had endured, propelled her to forge her own path, free from the constraints of family obligations and expectations.

Unfortunately, the same pride and determination did not go hand-in-hand with her surviving skills, and she ended up dying from starvation on the street before the child was even born.

Ah, a tragic twist of fate indeed.

Fortunately, Midori's facial skin was a lot thicker than the original host's. She did not have any problem licking her own spit as long as she could survive.

System, she hissed in her head. Didn't you say that I have 1010 Life Points by now?

S-9898's voice rang inside her head.

[Yes, yes, that is correct.]

Open the store, I want to see what I can buy with 1010 Life Points.

[Of course, Midori-san. Welcome to the Character Interface! You can access the Life Points store when you click on the Life Points amount!]

A floating bluish, translucent screen with black letters manifested itself in front of Midori. At the same time, the scene in front of her turned grey.

"Hm? Did time stop?" Midori asked.

[To be exact, the flow of time is frozen because you are browsing the store, Midori-san~]

"Che. Can I do something to these two despicable women? I want to draw pictures on their faces."

Midori tried to move, but she was unable to lift even a little finger.

[Oh, no, no, no~ the rules state that a frozen scene must not give advantages to the transmigrator. Otherwise, it constitutes a cheating act.]

"Che."

Midori hummed while reading her character information.

Name : Midori Takigawa (previously Koishikawa)

Age : 21 years old

Hobby : Unknown

Talent : Unknown

Marital status : Divorcee

Current state : Ten weeks pregnant

Occupation : None

Life Points : 1010 Points

Charm Points : 10 Points

Friends : None

Foes : Too many to mention. Please expand the button if you want the full list (+)

Midori was about to experience a headache. Too many to mention, really?

Inventory :

1. A divorce letter from the Koishikawa family (C-grade item)

Midori sucked in a deep breath and clicked on the number 1010.

The Life Points store opened up in a new window, and there were only three items available for purchase.

- An oval-shaped pendant with pictures of little Midori on one side and little Satoru on the other side -- 200 Life Points.

Midori licked her lips.

Satoru was her fourth eldest brother, and also her twin. They used to be very close to each other, but Satoru went to study abroad before Midori left the Takigawa house. Besides, these two vixens might just accuse Midori of stealing the pendant from the real Midori Takigawa. Pass.

- A hairpin made of the finest ivory material, etched with intricate cherry flower patterns. This was a precious heirloom of the Takigawa family -- 900 Life Points.

Midori almost choked on her spit.

"System, are you kidding me?" She exclaimed. 900 Life Points? Isn't that too much? This is practically robbery!"

S-9898 solemnly replied, [Midori-san, you don't have to buy anything you don't want to buy. Why don't you take a look at the third item first?]

- A wooden sandal -- 10 Life Points.

This worn sandal, once hurled with defiance in the heat of a bitter argument, served as a poignant reminder of the original host's tumultuous departure from her grandfather's home.

...

Midori might be lacking in decorum, but she was not intellectually deficient. Presenting this sandal to these two antagonistic women would undoubtedly lead to her and the sandal being escorted to her grandfather's presence.

Recalling their past disagreements and the original host's unpleasant demeanor upon her departure, her grandfather might very well expel her from the household for good.

Midori cleared her throat.

[Yes, Midori-san? Have you decided to buy something? (⁠*⁠ﾉ⁠・⁠ω⁠・⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠♫]

Midori rolled with her eyes.

"The hairpin, please."

She almost broke into tears when she saw the number 1010 decrease to a mere 110.

In return, the precious hairpin emerged magically in her hands.

[Thank you for making a purchase in the Life Points store! Please come again! The flow of time will resume now~]

"Well?"

Both Chie and Fumiko smiled at her.

Midori unfurled her fingers, revealing the breathtaking hairpin that nestled within her palm.

Smiles vanished from their faces with startling swiftness, as if wiped away by an unseen hand. Fumiko's eyes widened in disbelief, her greed propelling her hand forward to snatch the hairpin from Midori's grasp. Her audacity was met with a resounding smack, jolting her back to her senses.

"Owww!!!"

"Sorry," Midori flashed her a smile. "It's just that, this is a precious heirloom that grandfather personally handed over to me. I don't want anyone else to touch it."

A cryptic smile appeared on Chie's face.

"Is that so?" She asked. "In that case, Midori-san, why don't you meet up with Grandfather now? You must miss him very much."

Midori gulped.

This was it.

The pivotal moment that would define Midori's future had arrived.

The trajectory of the original host's life was going to be determined by the outcome of this very important conversation with her grandfather.