Morning.
A morning that seemed no different from any other.
Yet for Takakai, it was profoundly special.
Today marked the day he'd truly become a man.
Honestly, the feeling was surreal. He'd always fantasized about this, getting excited just thinking about cute girls. But after experiencing the real thing, he felt oddly... serene. Almost detached, as if all worldly desires had faded.
"Says the guy who bullied me mercilessly this morning..."
Chika shot him a sidelong glance, ruthlessly calling out his post-climax zen state.
"Ahaha... Anyway, you feeling okay? Can you walk yet?"
Flustered, Takakai clumsily changed the subject.
"Terrible transition. But no, I still can't walk well. I already asked Kaguya-sama to cover for me. You'll have to go to Shuchi'in alone today—Maki-chan should be waiting at the gates. I forwarded the recommendation letter to the school, so she'll handle your entry. Oh, but you can't go like that. No way they'll take a sloppy T-shirt-and-sandals guy seriously as a elite academy's guard."
Wincing, Chika pushed herself up and began shuffling toward Takakai's messy bedroom, leaning heavily on the wall.
Unlike the perfectly fine Takakai, even walking was a struggle for her now. Last night, in a moment of passion, she'd whispered "You can be rougher..."—and paid the price with thoroughly wrecked legs and waist. Then this morning, she'd unwittingly provoked his morning vigor, worsening her condition to this pitiful state.
Who knew Akira was such a beast?
I was literally crying, and he still wouldn't stop... So awful.
But... I never thought being treated like that could feel so... Nn, does this mean I really have those weird tastes like Moeka said?
Her cheeks burned as fragmented memories resurfaced.
Truthfully, after her first attempt failed, she'd lost her nerve. But then Takakai had said those things, making her heart race until she tried again—and this time, he didn't refuse. Ugh, what an unrestrained man... Even now, her legs hadn't recovered.
Takakai stepped forward to support her.
When Chika opened his wardrobe, however, she froze at the sight of endless casual wear before turning to him with undisguised disappointment.
"Uh, sorry. I was with Maki all yesterday, so I didn't get around to proper clothes..."
Her judgmental stare made him instinctively apologize.
"...Hmm. I didn't account for this either. After we split yesterday, I used the Luring Necklace to get the recommendation from my family. I gave that cursed item to Maki's folks beforehand—they've probably sorted the letter by now. I'll call a tailor I know. They should have something your size for today, then make custom pieces later."
Realizing this was partly her oversight, Chika calmly took his measurements, made a call, and soon a car arrived at Takakai's door. A bowing man delivered a suit worth over ¥400,000—apparently just a temporary solution.
This was Takakai's first true taste of aristocratic privilege. Neither Kaguya nor Maki had ever made him feel this gap before.
"At least this way, the school won't just see you as some pretty-boy plaything."
Chika nodded approvingly at his suited appearance before delivering that brutal assessment.
"Hey now, 'plaything' is going too far."
Takakai's eye twitched.
"Can't be helped. To Shuchi'in, you were a nobody until now. And thanks to the Veiling Effect, even after this, you'll just be seen as some 'Super Soldier: Japan Edition' or whatever. Mundanes can't perceive supernatural stuff like cursed artifacts."
As she spoke, Chika suddenly stumbled. Takakai caught her—only for her to deliberately collapse into his arms.
The feel of her body against his again sent his mind reeling.
But she quickly pulled away, flashing a mischievous grin before leaving the room.
The lingering scent of her shampoo clung to his hands.
When he went downstairs, he found her fast asleep in the guest room.
Guess she didn't sleep well last night...
Guilt prickled at him. However you sliced it, [Fujiwara Chika] was now someone irreplaceable to him.
One day of meeting, thirty days of waiting, two days together—and last night, they'd crossed the final line.
For him, it had been barely three days (four counting the first timeline). For her, it was over a month of deliberation ending in decisive action. Her boldness left him speechless.
And now... how do I face Maki?
"Maki's waiting at school, huh?"
Stepping outside into the sunlight, Takakai sighed.
Even last night, Chika had reminded him to treat Maki properly. And when Maki broke down crying during their date, he'd understood—the proud girl had already sensed where their three-way dynamic was headed.
That said, even if Maki had braced herself for some kind of development, she'd never imagine Chika would go straight for the finish line that very night. Hell, Takakai hadn't expected her to regroup after the first failed attempt and launch a full midnight assault.
Lost in thought, Takakai grabbed a quick breakfast before hailing a cab to Shuchi'in Academy.
En route, Maki texted that both recommendation letters were secured, urging him to come for the interview. Soon, he spotted her in uniform at the school gates.
"You're late."
Hands on hips, Maki glared as he approached.
"Sorry, overslept."
He bowed deeply.
"W-Wow, no need for that... You're acting weird. And where'd you get that suit? It looks... odd on you."
Caught off guard by his formality, Maki eyed his attire suspiciously.
"Chika arranged it. Said I should dress properly for the interview."
Takakai kept his tone neutral, fighting guilt.
"Her again... Tch. Whatever, let's go. This is just a formality anyway."
Though clearly irritated, Maki led him inside without further comment.
The guard who'd stopped Takakai a month ago now eyed him in confusion but said nothing—likely failing to connect this suited man with the masked intruder from before.
As they entered, students bustling across campus came into view.
It's been so long...
School life felt like another lifetime to him now.
"What's wrong?"
Noticing Takakai's distant expression, Maki tilted her head in inquiry.
"Just feeling nostalgic. I don't get to experience school life anymore,"
Takakai shrugged casually, avoiding further elaboration.
"How very adult of you. By the way, you're not planning to harass any students here, are you?"
Maki's eyes sharpened playfully.
"What kind of monster do you take me for?"
Playing along, Takakai feigned offense.
"A hopeless pervert who tries to bed girls within days of meeting them. Frankly, you're beyond redemption."
She punctuated her remark by poking his ribs.
But Takakai's delayed response—a mumbled "That was just... natural impulse"—gave her pause.
Something's off about Akira today.
Maki frowned, recalling his overly formal apology at the gates. Then she caught a faint floral scent clinging to him—distinctly feminine, and unmistakably Chika's shampoo.
Why would Fujiwara's smell be on him? Kaguya-obasan mentioned she took leave today. Did she ambush him before school?
Her grip tightened on his sleeve as worst-case scenarios flashed through her mind—though her sheltered imagination couldn't conceive anything beyond hand-holding or hugging.
"Anyway, the interview's here. Don't embarrass me. As the Shijou family's recommendation, you'll need to outperform their professional security."
Suppressing her irritation, Maki switched to briefing him properly, all while resolving to monopolize Takakai's free time from now on.
Even if I can't have him to myself, I'll claim most of his hours!
The proud girl steeled her determination.