I have an infinite number of shikigami

The orange-tinged lights illuminated the banquet hall.

In this warm glow, the outlines of the crowded surroundings were more pronounced, all floating onto the stage.

The people shuttling back and forth were like fish swimming in the sea.

Mrs. Hoshimi, wearing an embroidered court-style gown, was talking with Fujiwara Reya. Her voice held a calm tone, the kind unique to elders protecting the younger generation, a tone characteristic of the esteemed figures in upper-class society, and one of her innate charms.

"Did Rinko come along?"

"Right behind us, no more than three meters away."

"She's surely watching our hands, isn't she?" Mrs. Hoshimi's petite nose tilted slightly upward, her expression adorably cute.

Fujiwara Reya leaned in, close to her glossy black hair scented with perfume: "You're definitely being led astray by Mommy Himeko."

"Helping my daughter can't be called bad." Mrs. Hoshimi said with a smile, noticing a billiards table in the corner, and led him over, "Play a game with me for a while."

"I'll follow Mommy Yako's arrangements to the end."

Fujiwara Reya and she came to the table and picked up two cues.

The surrounding guests gathered around immediately.

This uniquely charismatic pair of a man and woman seemed to glitter under a spotlight, attracting attention wherever they went in the banquet hall. The young man wore a black suit, his hair neatly combed, and he was a handsome and charming young man; the young woman, in a snow-white dress, looked serene and graceful, reminiscent of a wealthy young lady from a noble household.

Their cue-holding gestures on the billiards table were elegant, as if performing a dazzling Takarazuka revue.

They were playing snooker.

A total of 21 target balls.

15 red balls, each worth 1 point; the yellow ball, 2 points; the green ball, 3 points; the brown ball, 4 points; the blue ball, 5 points; the pink ball, 6 points; and the black ball, 7 points.

Hoshimi Rinko rested her fingers on her elegantly curved chin, looking bored at her mother and her junior.

Occasionally, she tilted her head to glance out the window, where the sky was like dark ink with thick clouds pressing down on the ocean.

Mrs. Hoshimi was entirely focused on the billiards preparation, bending low, her hairstyle perfectly neat. Hoshimi Rinko had no interest in billiards and didn't understand the rules, so she remained indifferent throughout the match.

"Rinko, do you want to play two rounds?" Mrs. Hoshimi swung her cue and asked her daughter.

Hoshimi Rinko pouted: "Not interested."

"Then watch how Mommy plays with Mr. Fujiwara." Mrs. Hoshimi grasped her cue firmly, applied some cha-cha chalk on the tip, then took a hairpin from her handbag to pin up her bangs, ensuring her view wouldn't be obstructed while aiming.

"Bang!"

The white cue ball struck the red balls arranged in a triangle.

Fujiwara Reya took a shot, sending the 15 red balls scattering.

"Be careful, Mr. Fujiwara," Mrs. Hoshimi teased as she leaned over the table, "Mommy Yako was the queen of the billiards hall in her youth!"

After those words, her expression turned focused.

Her gaze was particularly calm when examining the ball paths, and her shot exertions were precise and balanced. Her well-arranged hair tied back, displaying her gleaming gold earrings, her high heels moved accurately, her delicate fingers pinning the baize on the table as she struck each ball.

It was an enchanting scene.

In the audience's view, only someone like her could transform the corner with the billiards table into the center of a luxurious social gathering.

It was Fujiwara Reya's first time playing with Mommy Yako, and it was a precious enjoyment for him.

It's known that watching a woman play billiards is incredibly sexy, and seeing her various alluring poses felt like his mesmerizing experience was already complete.

Mrs. Hoshimi's billiards skills were quite proficient.

In the first round, she achieved a break-off with a score of 147 points.

"Mommy Yako is amazing!" Fujiwara Reya conceded with admiration.

"Appearances can be deceiving, right?" Mrs. Hoshimi laughed charmingly, "Don't think I was a goody-two-shoes like Rinko in my youth; I actually did a lot of rebellious things. Playing billiards, going clubbing, skateboarding — mastered them all."

Hoshimi Rinko was taken aback: "Mom?"

"Is it surprising?" Mrs. Hoshimi feigned an angry face, "You think your mom at your age shouldn't be like you to be your real mom?"

"...What's wrong with being like me?"

"You're truly something, almost eighteen, and haven't entered a rebellious phase yet. This kind of situation gives mothers the biggest headache." Mrs. Hoshimi sighed deeply, then waved her hand.

The audience that had gathered immediately dispersed, leaving Fujiwara Reya and the Hoshimi mother-daughter pair alone at the table.

Hoshimi Rinko felt a bit aggrieved: "Isn't being obedient good?"

"The problem is you're not entirely obedient," Mrs. Hoshimi frowned slightly, "I told you to stay away from your junior a few days ago, what did you do?"

Hoshimi Rinko stood there adorably, saying nothing.

Her gaze, however, slightly shifted to Fujiwara Reya, signaling for him to say something to help divert her mother's attention, but Fujiwara Reya remained silent.

Staying neutral was the right choice.

Neither could he help Yako in educating her daughter, nor assist Rinko in rebelling against her mother.

Both sides are dear.

"Mommy knows your intention, so she's not planning to force you," Mrs. Hoshimi continued, "But how did you handle it?"

Hoshimi Rinko slightly bit her lower lip: "It's not something that can be rushed."

"Always saying things to deceive yourself, this child is really something!" Mrs. Hoshimi glared at her daughter, "Your personality is rigid, not flexible enough; when will you become as adaptable as your mother."