Uncle Hikigaya is Forever Young [26]

The Yukinoshita family was an influential local clan in Chiba, their lineage said to stretch back to the Edo period. They controlled vast plots of prime farmland, luxurious residences across the prefecture, significant stakes in various thriving local industries, and even supported the region’s largest organized crime group—the “something-or-other” syndicate.

In short, they were unquestionably the top aristocratic family in Chiba.

The heads of the Yukinoshita household traditionally either inherited seats as local representatives or directly entered high-ranking government positions.

Ever since the Meiji Restoration marked the beginning of modern Japan, aristocratic politics had remained a persistent phenomenon in the nation’s political landscape. Historical figures from the Meiji era, such as Kido Takayoshi and Ōkubo Toshimichi, were all born into powerful clans that later formed the new aristocracy. Even contemporary politicians, like the current prime minister, Tsuchimikado Tairiku, carried the shadow of hereditary politics behind them.

Entering the new century, pressured by global circumstances, Japan’s central government had undertaken a series of reforms with modern democratic characteristics, including the introduction of elections at the national level, seemingly providing fair opportunities for ordinary people to enter politics. However, at the local level, hereditary political clans continued to deeply influence governance everywhere, casting shadows of nepotism, crony capitalism, and entrenched privilege.

Although the Yukinoshita family couldn’t rank among the nation’s top powerhouses, nor match names like Saionji, Konoe, Itō, or Katsura—at best, a minor wealthy landlord—they remained a towering presence that ordinary Chiba residents could only gaze upward at.

Having lived in this new world for barely a month, Hikigaya Ryōhei naturally wasn’t very aware of such complicated political, social, and class dynamics.

Moreover, this timeline’s version of Japan had not undergone the post-World War II reforms from his original world, making aristocratic clans and strict hierarchy even more pronounced.

Thus, when Ryōhei saw the hospital bill had been paid by someone named "Yukinoshita Haruno," he felt nothing was amiss.

He had no particular impression of the name “Yukinoshita.”

Completely unaware that he had just crossed paths with the most influential local power in Chiba.

At most, he assumed this "Yukinoshita Haruno" person must be a really good Samaritan.

...

“Mother, the injured party is a boy—a first-year student enrolling at Sōbu High today. I've already handled things with the police and had all records cleared. This won't affect our family's reputation at all.”

At this moment, the eldest daughter and next heir of the Yukinoshita family, Yukinoshita Haruno, was on a call with her mother—a true noblewoman—in response to her mother’s inquiry.

For such trivial matters, Yukinoshita-san ordinarily wouldn’t have bothered if not for the involvement of her second daughter.

“What about Yukino?”

“I already sent her off to school before the boy’s family arrived at the hospital,” Haruno carefully replied, her exquisite face serious as if her mother stood directly in front of her.

“I see. Remind Yukino not to disgrace the Yukinoshita name,” her mother responded knowingly, seemingly already guessing that her obsessive, correctness-driven younger daughter had probably been forcibly removed from the hospital by her older sister.

“I understand,” Haruno exhaled slightly and continued, raising her voice just a little. “The boy’s father is only a part-timer, and a single father at that. Even if he has any complaints, there’s nothing he can do. You needn’t worry, Mother.”

“That parent is actually somewhat famous. He was in the local tabloids about a month ago—apparently, his wife ran off with another man, leaving him bankrupt. He even tried jumping off a building. Quite the failure, named…Hikigaya Ryōhei or something. Such an uncommon surname.” Haruno seemed eager to steer the topic away from her sister, describing this as some amusing anecdote.

“Hikigaya? Did you say ‘Hikigaya Ryōhei’?”

Across the phone line, her always-composed mother suddenly reacted as if a switch had been flipped, blurting out the name following Haruno’s prompting.

Perfectly accurate!

Huh?

Haruno’s clear, elegant eyebrows furrowed gently. What was behind this uncharacteristically agitated tone from her mother?

“Yes, yes, Hikigaya Ryōhei. Mother…do you know him?” Unable to suppress her bubbling curiosity, she swallowed quietly and asked.

“No, I don’t. You handled this matter well enough. Let Hayama-san deal with any further issues. I'm off to the tea ceremony meeting now. Remember to come home early for dinner tonight.”

Across the line, her mother rapidly dismissed the matter in a calm tone that left no room for questions, quickly issuing clear instructions.

Then, without giving Haruno another chance to speak, she hung up abruptly.

Currently seated in her family car, Yukinoshita Haruno stared at her phone, her beautifully drawn eyebrows knitting together even more tightly.

Hikigaya Ryōhei?

Mother definitely knows him!

Her mother’s tone had been so peculiar—how to describe it? Mentioning this name seemed to evoke something indescribable, an emotion she’d never heard from her mother in her entire life.

Appearing outwardly as a perfect and obedient daughter, yet inwardly the type who’d play with anything that caught her interest until it broke, Yukinoshita Haruno instantly fell ill with an incurable urge—she absolutely had to uncover the truth about this man named Hikigaya Ryōhei or she’d never find peace.

“Well, our driver was indeed speeding a little bit. In that sense, as the next head of the Yukinoshita family, it’s only proper that I visit personally. Mm-hmm, no need to trouble mother with this,” Haruno murmured to herself with a cheerful smile on her lips.

She turned, glancing out the window toward Chiba Municipal Hospital.

Deep in thought, she gently pressed two slender, jade-white fingers against her chin, a peculiar glint flashing through her eyes.

Normally, she’d never do anything against her mother’s wishes.

But intuition! Intuition indeed!

Her instincts told her that this matter warranted deeper investigation.

And besides, as long as mother didn’t find out, it’d be fine!

Of course, given that mother had just spoken on this today, Haruno wasn’t so foolish as to visit Hikigaya Ryōhei immediately.

She’d wait a bit, then make a proper “courtesy call” later…

First, she’d dig up everything there was to know—strip this man bare right down to his underwear!

...

Hikigaya Ryōhei’s mood wasn’t all that bad.

Firstly, thankfully, Hachiman would only need about a month’s bed rest to recover fully. No permanent damage, no lasting aftereffects.

Secondly, some kind soul had paid the hospital bills, and later that afternoon, a lawyer named Hayama delivered a “sympathy payment.”

Not much, not little—just enough to cover Hachiman’s nutritional needs for the month.

Even Komachi would get to eat a little extra meat thanks to it.

Thus, he wouldn’t need to touch his pitiable household savings, and could still carry on with his original plans to study new knowledge and apply for a teaching position.

As for the statement of non-pursuit that the lawyer had asked him to sign, Ryōhei considered briefly before signing without hesitation.

After all, the accident had happened because Hachiman was helping someone.

It could only be called unlucky, and Ryōhei wouldn’t obsess over things he couldn't control. He knew all too well that he lacked the strength to fight back even if he wanted to.

Never mind that the other party had behaved impeccably—he wouldn’t have been able to do anything even if they hadn't paid a single yen.

Maintaining a home on mere part-time wages was already his absolute limit.

---

A/N: You wanted Yukino’s mother—here she is!

This is a fan translation of 比企谷大叔永远年轻 by Stargazer All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!