SWNOVELXO Chapter 96: Meeting
After about half a day, the plane finally landed at New York Airport. If this were Japan, the sky would already be dark by now, but in New York, the morning light was just starting to break.
As soon as they stepped out of the airport, a sleek black luxury car sped toward them.
The car executed an impressive drift, coming to a perfect stop right in front of them.
The door swung open, and a graceful, elegant woman stepped out. Despite the years, her face showed hardly any signs of aging—she looked barely over thirty.
She wore a stunning rose-colored dress cinched at the waist with an exquisite belt that highlighted her slender figure. Her high heels added to her statuesque appearance, and her flawless complexion seemed to glow. Her silky hair cascaded over her shoulders, carrying a faint, pleasant fragrance.
Her expression was cool and indifferent, as though she seldom revealed her emotions. But when she looked at Shiro, her gaze softened ever so slightly.
"Mom!" Shiro immediately recognized her and called out in an excited, slightly trembling voice.
"Ah!" Kawakami Maki's face instantly lit up with a radiant smile, warm and heartening like spring sunshine.
She opened her arms and hurried toward him, ready to embrace him tightly.
Shito smiled and opened his arms as well, walking toward her.
But just as he was expecting the embrace, his mother unexpectedly sidestepped him and went straight to hug Momoi instead, her face lighting up with joy and affection. "Ah, Momoi, my lovely daughter-in-law! It's been so long—let me have a good look at you. You're even more beautiful than before!"
Momoi, enveloped in her warm hug, felt the affection radiating from Maki. She smiled with quiet happiness.
"Hello, Auntie. It's been a while" Momoi said softly, returning the hug affectionately, her joy evident.
Maki affectionately patted Momoi's head. She couldn't have been happier with her daughter-in-law, who was not only beautiful but also well-mannered and kind.
As she watched Momoi's bright smile, her heart swelled with sweetness, and she recalled the first time Shiro had introduced his girlfriend to her. "Mom, I found the perfect girl for you to meet—you'll love her!"
Looking at Momoi now, she knew he hadn't been exaggerating. From their very first meeting, she'd been charmed by Momoi's cheerful and approachable personality.
While reminiscing, Maki smiled even more brightly.
Shiro, however, interrupted her moment of reflection. "Um… Mom, are you forgetting someone?" He looked at her, then at his own outstretched arms, unsure of what to do.
Hearing his voice, Maki turned to him, only to see his dejected expression, clearly displeased at being ignored.
She rolled her eyes at him and then turned to Momoi, saying, "Come, dear, let's get in the car. It's chilly out here." She gently took Momoi's hand and walked toward the car.
Watching this, Shiro let out a deep sigh. Feeling sidelined, he quietly loaded the luggage into the trunk.
Once his mother was seated in the driver's seat, she ushered Momoi into the front passenger seat, leaving Shiro in the backseat.
"Mom, are you trying to steal my girlfriend?" Shiro grumbled from the backseat, feeling utterly abandoned.
Ignoring his complaint, Maki started the car and drove off.
As they made their way to their home, Maki chatted with Momoi, asking about her family, studies, and hobbies.
Momoi answered each question politely, coming across as both sweet and endearing.
Meanwhile, Shiro sat silently in the backseat, his mood sour. His expression was so gloomy it looked as if someone owed him millions.
Momoi couldn't help but chuckle at his childlike sulking—it was a side of Shiro she'd never seen before.
Before long, the car pulled up to a luxurious villa. Maki parked the car and said warmly to Momoi, "You must be hungry. I'll ask the housekeeper to prepare some breakfast for you."
She stepped out of the car and gestured for Shiro to help with the luggage.
Reluctantly, Shiro climbed out, hauling both his and Momoi's luggage to the door.
His mother, noticing his sulky demeanor, shook her head with a small smile. "Take the bags to your room, and we'll eat together in a bit."
With a resigned sigh, Shiro nodded and carried the suitcases upstairs.
Momoi watched him go, stifling a laugh. His sulking was strangely adorable.
Once they were in the room, Shiro quickly pulled Momoi into a hug, cupping her face and mock-complaining, "Looks like you've officially turned my mom against me!"
Momoi gently pushed his hands away and laughed. "It's not like that. Your mom is just easy to get along with!"
"Besides" she added with a cheeky grin, "isn't it good that she likes me?"
She planted a quick kiss on his cheek, giggling.
Shiro laughed and patted her head affectionately. "Alright, alright."
Hand in hand, the two headed downstairs to join Maki for breakfast, their smiles reflecting their happiness