Reply to "Comment on `Unified neutrino mixing and approximate $\mu-\tau$ reflection symmetry'[arXiv:2603.00885]''

Abstract

Huang and Li [arXiv:2603.00885] have raised the following two points regarding our previous work [arXiv:2502.18029]:(1) The real-value conditions associated with $\mu$-$\tau$ reflection symmetry were overlooked. (2) Inverted Ordering (IO) remains viable when the latest experimental data are taken into account. As they have pointed out, we overlooked an important real-value condition. However, with regard to point (2), we believe that there may be a misunderstanding. In our original study, we excluded IO based on the constraint on the sum of neutrino masses, $\sum m_\nu$. In contrast, they argue that IO remains viable when considering the effective neutrino mass, $|M_{ee}|$. While IO may indeed remain allowed in light of the latest $|M_{ee}|$ data, it is still in tension with the experimental bounds on $\sum m_\nu$ under approximate $\mu-\tau$ symmetry within the discussed model parameter space.