Ere'ana stood outside Yumi's door, her angelic glow barely dimming the fiery determination in her eyes. Her usually soft demeanor was long gone, replaced by the intensity of a mother on the verge of delivering justice. She took a deep breath, her hand tightening on the doorknob as she mentally prepared herself for what was bound to be a difficult conversation.
Inside, Yumi sat on her bed, nervously twiddling her thumbs. She had managed to get Akuma out of the room just in time, but the lingering panic in her chest told her she wasn't out of the woods yet. She knew her mom was going to find out sooner or later, and the guilt of Kael walking in on her was already eating away at her.
The doorknob turned.
Yumi's head snapped up as Ere'ana walked in, her wings tucked tightly against her back, her expression unreadable. "Yumi," Ere'ana began, her voice calm but with an undertone of sternness, "we need to talk."
Yumi's stomach dropped. "Uh… about what, Mom?" she asked, feigning innocence.
Ere'ana shut the door behind her and crossed her arms, fixing her daughter with a pointed look. "Kael told me everything."
Yumi's heart stopped. *Everything?*
"Wait, wait, wait!" Yumi stammered, standing up from the bed, her hands raised defensively. "It's not what it looks like, I swear!"
Ere'ana tilted her head, her expression unimpressed. "Oh? Then please enlighten me, Yumi. What exactly was I supposed to think when my *toddler* comes into the kitchen and tells me you were 'wrestling' with a boy—while naked?"
Yumi groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "Mom, seriously, it's not as bad as it sounds—"
"Not as bad?" Ere'ana's voice rose, her usual angelic tone replaced with sharpness. "Yumi, you're in *Hell,* but that doesn't mean there aren't rules! You're barely out of college, and now you're bringing boys into your room? Do you even think about the consequences of your actions?"
Yumi winced, crossing her arms defensively. "Mom, I'm not a kid anymore. I'm an adult. I can make my own decisions."
"Your *own decisions* almost traumatized your little brother!" Ere'ana shot back. "Kael doesn't even know what he saw, and I thank the heavens for that, but what if he did? What if this becomes something he remembers forever?"
Yumi opened her mouth to argue but quickly shut it again, guilt flashing across her face. She glanced at the floor, unable to meet her mother's piercing gaze.
Ere'ana sighed, her voice softening just slightly. "Yumi, I know you're trying to live your life and figure things out. But this? This isn't how you do it. You're smarter than this."
The room fell silent, the weight of Ere'ana's words pressing down on Yumi like a boulder. For once, Yumi didn't have a snarky comeback or a sarcastic remark. Instead, she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry, Mom."
Ere'ana's expression softened further, and she stepped closer, placing a hand on Yumi's shoulder. "I just want what's best for you, Yumi. That's all I've ever wanted. But you have to understand that your choices don't just affect you—they affect everyone around you, especially your family."
Yumi swallowed hard, nodding again. "I get it. I'll... I'll be more careful. I promise."
Ere'ana smiled faintly, pulling her daughter into a hug. Yumi stiffened at first, but then she relaxed, wrapping her arms around her mom.
Just as the tension in the room began to dissolve, the door burst open, and Kikidori strolled in, holding a half-eaten piece of toast.
"Hey, what's all the yelling about—" Kikidori froze mid-bite as he noticed the tear-streaked faces of his wife and daughter. He blinked, then shrugged. "Oh. Family drama. Got it. Carry on."
He turned to leave, but Ere'ana's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Kikidori," she said sharply, her wings flaring slightly.
Kikidori slowly turned back around, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What? What did I do this time?"
"You've been letting Yumi do whatever she wants without consequences," Ere'ana said, her tone accusatory.
Kikidori raised an eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe. "She's an adult. Why should I stop her?"
"Because she's still your *daughter,*" Ere'ana snapped. "She needs guidance, not blind approval for every reckless decision she makes."
Yumi groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Oh, great. Now you're going to fight about me. This is exactly what I needed today."
Kikidori smirked, ignoring Yumi's comment as he crossed his arms. "You know, Ere'ana, not everything has to be a lecture. Maybe you should loosen up a bit."
Ere'ana glared at him, her angelic glow intensifying. "And maybe you should *tighten up* a bit. You're too relaxed about everything, and it's not helping anyone."
The two of them continued to bicker, their voices overlapping as Yumi sat back on her bed, rubbing her temples.
In the midst of the chaos, Kael's tiny voice rang out from the hallway.
"Mommy! Daddy! I'm hungry!"
The arguing stopped immediately, both Ere'ana and Kikidori turning toward the door.
Kikidori sighed, pushing off the doorframe. "I'll go get him breakfast," he muttered, walking out of the room.
Ere'ana watched him leave before turning back to Yumi. She opened her mouth to say something, but Yumi cut her off.
"I get it, Mom," Yumi said quickly. "No more boys in my room. Lesson learned."
Ere'ana nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Good. Now, come help me with your brother."
Yumi groaned but followed her mom out of the room. As the two of them walked down the hallway, Yumi muttered under her breath, "This family is going to drive me insane."
The End of Chapter 24