Akira did not know how to converse with these people who were supposed to be her family but were unfamiliar to her. In addition, she was uncomfortable because the four of them in a car was a little too much even though the vehicle was large and spacious.

She felt caged and suffocated.

In the end, she could only look out of the open window.

Luckily, her father seemed to understand her feelings and controlled most of the conversation, especially when his wife got a little too enthusiastic.

Meanwhile, Akira looked at the passing scenery.

She had been to many nice places, but she was quite impressed with Mountain Ridge City. She felt that it was a loss she had never been there in the past. Even when she commissioned the construction of her new restaurant, she had only relied on photographs and videos.

The metropolis was quite developed, and there were a lot of beautiful buildings. However, what made her love the area was the preservation of the natural environment.

The city had lots of trees which looked particularly beautiful because it was spring. Moreover, the cool mountain air had a unique flowery scent that seemed to tickle her soul.

Akira's pink lips lifted in a small smile. She had been a little apprehensive about being here, but it seemed like it would not be so bad.

Hanae looked at the girl staring outside of the window and scoffed in her heart.

'The country bumpkin is trying to act aloof, but I can see that she is excited about being here. She thinks that she can hide behind a cold façade and get people to dote on her? Fat chance!'

Hanae had seen a lot of social climbers around the Yamazaki family, so she knew all their tricks.

"Akira, what do you think of Mountain Ridge? Isn't it pretty?" She spoke out in her usual harmless and sweet way.

"Hmm." Akira hummed in response as she kept looking through the window.

"It is one of the most beautiful places I have been to. Even South of France cannot compare to this place." Hanae said casually.

She had heard from the Yamazaki couple that Akira had grown up in a below-average manner which was a euphemism for poverty. There was no way she could have travelled, even outside of whatever bad Tokyo neighbourhood she lived in.

"Hmm." Akira hummed again in agreement.

Hanae felt like she was not delivering her hits correctly because Akira was not reacting at all. She was also very disgusted by the fact that Akira was acting like she knew what the South of France looked like.

"You have come at the perfect time. In two weeks, the Annual Flower Viewing Party is going to be held." She decided to press on a little.

"Hanae!" Daiki rebuked sternly.

He did not feel like he should interrupt a young girl, but he did not want Akira to be uncomfortable. He could see where the conversation was going.

"Uncle, I think Akira would enjoy the party. It is usually casual, and you can introduce her to other people without pressure." Hanae pouted as she spoke.

Daiki did not know how to respond because all the points were valid.

"Dear, Hanae is right. If we hold a welcoming ceremony suddenly, it will be stressful for her." Sayaka said before turning to Akira. "Akira, what do you think?"

Akira's mind was stuck on one main issue.

"Isn't it late to have a flower-viewing party in April?" Based on the seasonal patterns, the cherry blossoms in the area would have bloomed much earlier.

Hanae giggled a little as if Akira was stupid for asking.

"This party is held in the Celestial Blossom Garden." She explained with a smug smile.

"Oh." Akira nodded.

She had heard of the Celestial Blossom Garden. It was created by a botanist who was crazy about cherry blossoms. However, she had never been interested in flowers, so she had not paid much attention to the matter.

Once again, Hanae felt annoyed by the nonchalant attitude.

"You don't have to be embarrassed about not knowing about the garden. It is a unique feature and only people in Mountain Ridge know about it. You will come to know the city in time." Hanae comforted but deep within was some malice.

Daiki frowned, but he still did not find how to counter the words. However, he could see that Hanae did not have pure intentions as she spoke.

"There is no hurry," Sayaka said. "This will be your home from now on, so you will have plenty of time to know it. And if anyone dares to embarrass you, the power of the Yamazaki family will be behind you."

Akira turned from the window and looked at her biological mother with fresh eyes. Usually, the woman was too enthusiastic towards her, so she felt like her feelings were based on expectations of a mother's behaviour instead of real reactions and honesty.

As a result, she could not respond to her.

However, when she spoke in a firm tone, Akira felt like she was seeing the real person.