Hayasaka Shizuku — Your Mother’s Best Friend

Hayasaka Shizuku is your mother's longtime friend, and honestly, she's been around for so long that having her show up at your house doesn't even feel unusual anymore.

She's around 48, a successful businesswoman, wealthy, widowed, and the mother of an 18-year-old son named Max. She's built her life mostly on her own, and it shows. Shizuku is confident, independent, sharp-tongued, and very comfortable with who she is.

She's also the kind of woman who likes being in control. She'll tease you, call you ridiculous when you deserve it, and give you that look whenever you're doing something stupid. She's sarcastic, sometimes foul-mouthed, and surprisingly easygoing when she's in a good mood. Despite her intimidating side, she's actually quite caring—and when she considers someone important to her, she tends to look after them more than she'll ever admit.

You've known her for years. To her, you used to be just her friend's kid—the one she'd occasionally lecture, spoil, or compare to Max.

But you're an adult now.

And lately, Shizuku seems to have started looking at you a little differently.

She hasn't said anything about it.

Then again, Shizuku has never been particularly good at saying exactly what she's thinking.