Kaguya Shinomiya didn't know how to describe what she was feeling right now.
Nervous? Excited? Sad? Thrilled? Anticipatory?
It seemed she felt a little bit of everything.
Family.
For children from ordinary families, "family" meant people you could trust and rely on—partners who would stand by you through hardships. Family were elders who guided your growth, a significant other who supported you, or juniors you nurtured step by step.
But for Kaguya Shinomiya, the word "family" only filled her with disgust.
Control, oppression, trampling on human dignity, blatantly violating laws and moral boundaries—everything was driven by pure self-interest.
This so-called family had only ever brought her darkness and never a single day of happiness.
In Kaguya's generation, there were four siblings in total, listed in order of age: Oko Shinomiya, Seiryu Shinomiya, Un'yo Shinomiya, and Kaguya Shinomiya. Oko, the eldest, had already taken over part of the family business and was essentially seen as Gan'an Shinomiya's successor. The second brother, Seiryu, was a useless fool who only cared about women and blindly followed whatever Oko did—nothing more than a lapdog.
In comparison, Un'yo Shinomiya, though also a scumbag, at least had a shred of conscience. As the child of a second wife, he held little influence in the conservative Shinomiya family and had thus developed a diplomatic strategy based on intimidation and terror. But precisely because he was overlooked, he had never truly dirtied his hands, making him—ironically—the closest thing to a decent person in the family.
As for Kaguya herself, she was the illegitimate daughter of a hostess her father had dallied with—a soap opera-worthy backstory that could only be blamed on the original author's questionable writing choices. Needless to say, she was even more disregarded, with many in the Shinomiya family acting as if she didn't exist. It was Un'yo who had stepped in to raise her, teaching her how to survive in the cold, ruthless environment of the Shinomiya household.
In a way, every twisted aspect of Kaguya Shinomiya's personality could be traced back to her brother Un'yo
But on the other hand, without his guidance, Kaguya Shinomiya might have turned into someone far worse—perhaps beyond redemption.
The melodramatic saga of this wealthy family could drag on for ages, but Takakai had no interest in dwelling on it. He wasn't here to play therapist for someone else's family drama. If he was going to waste time, he'd rather memorize the rules of [School Mystery Tales]—at least that might save his life if he ever got thrown into that nightmare. In fact, he was already planning to meet with Koizumi and Aoyama soon to gather intel on all known Abyss-class and high-tier Midnight-class dungeons. Better to be overprepared than caught off guard.
The only reason Takakai still cared about the Shinomiya family at all was Kaguya Shinomiya herself.
This girl—who had fought alongside him in the death game, who had hesitated, struggled, and wavered—was the sole reason he was standing here now.
"Are you really sure you want to come with me?"
Takakai glanced up at the darkening sky before turning to Kaguya beside him.
"Yes. I've made up my mind."
Kaguya nodded softly. Though she maintained a calm façade, Takakai could see the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.
"You don't have to force yourself. The chains binding you are gone, but realizing that takes time. You don't need to rush it. You have us—me, Maki, and Chika. Don't push yourself too hard. Think carefully. Do you really have the resolve for this?"
Knowing that Kaguya was pressuring herself into coming here, Takakai tried to dissuade her. If she faltered later, it might leave deep psychological scars. Better to be cautious.
He could already see the changes in her.
The icy girl he'd first met in Shirakawa Apartments had softened considerably. The horrors of the death game had forced her to consider others—Takakai, Maki, Chika—rather than just herself. Her coldness had thawed, bit by bit.
If this continued, she might never become the carefree romantic from the original story, but at least she wouldn't be the unapproachable "Ice Kaguya" anymore. That was progress.
But now, Kaguya was forcing herself to change even further, and Takakai wasn't sure if that was a good thing. Ever cautious, he tried to talk her out of it.
"...No. If I back down now, I'll never find the courage again."
But Kaguya only took a deep breath, her expression hardening with resolve.
I'm not the same person I used to be.
There was no reason to hesitate anymore. It was time to change.
"Let's go, Takakai-kun."
She met his gaze firmly.
"Alright."
Seeing her determination, Takakai said nothing more. He nodded and stepped forward, entering the luxurious hotel known as East Tower.
Servants were already waiting at the entrance. They showed no surprise at Kaguya's presence, though a few politely tried to usher her away while the rest guided Takakai upstairs.
"Lady Kaguya, this is Young Master Oko's appointment. Please leave."
Their tone was stiff, their stance unyielding.
"Where I go is none of your concern, servants."
Kaguya's voice was glacial, and the men instinctively stepped back, as if physically repelled by her aura.
What the—?!
These rigorously trained retainers were stunned.
The pressure radiating from Kaguya was the kind only forged through life-and-death battles.
But how could a sheltered princess possess such intensity?
A chill ran down their spines.
Yet, as servants, they couldn't back down.
"Forgive us, my lady..."
They stepped forward, intending to restrain her.
And then—
There was no "then."
Kaguya stepped over their unconscious bodies without a second glance. With her enhanced strength and speed, knocking them out was easier than catching chickens. At least chickens would run around instead of lining up to be punched.
Takakai held the elevator door open with one hand, waiting for Kaguya to join him before letting it close. He gestured for the attendant inside to proceed.
"Sir, this is highly irregular—"
"Shut up and press the button, or get out."
Takakai cut him off with a glare.
The attendant immediately complied, pressing the button and shrinking against the wall.
Soon, the elevator arrived at their floor. Unsurprisingly, the doors opened to reveal a hallway lined with over a dozen black-suited enforcers, all staring intently at Takakai and Kaguya.
"Feels like we switched from a horror movie to a martial arts flick," Takakai remarked as he stepped out.
"These men are here for me. Beating his lackeys probably bruised my dear brother's ego," Kaguya said flatly, following him.
"Need help?"
Takakai smirked.
"Unnecessary. Trash like this isn't worth your time."
Kaguya didn't even spare them a glance.
As expected, a servant stepped forward to guide Takakai further in.
Behind him, Kaguya was stopped by the enforcers—
—and within ten seconds, she caught up to Takakai, her clothes untouched.
The door to a lavish private room swung open.
Inside, a massive screen dominated one wall, displaying a bald man with a thin mustache—Oko Shinomiya—sipping tea. The room was set up for a virtual tea ceremony, as if he intended to "share" tea with Takakai remotely.
But the moment Kaguya walked in, all pretense of civility vanished.
"What is the meaning of this, Kaguya? I don't recall raising you to be this disrespectful. Did you think learning a few tricks would make you bold? What man would ever want you now? Are you trying to disgrace the Shinomiya name?!"
Oko slammed his cup down, his face contorted with rage.
"...Ambition must match ability. But by the same logic, when one gains ability, ambition should follow. Don't you agree, brother?"
For a split second, Kaguya flinched at his tone. But she quickly steadied herself, meeting his gaze with icy detachment.
"Oh? And what ability do you have, exactly? A loyal following? Wealth to throw around? Political backing? Are you truly this delusional? Do you think beating up a few thugs makes you a threat to me?!"
Oko's fury mounted. He didn't even bother addressing Takakai anymore, focusing solely on Kaguya.
He couldn't believe it. After seventeen years of meek submission, his little sister was rebelling—and in the most childish, idiotic way possible.
Raised in the Shinomiya family's archaic traditions, Oko had always seen Kaguya as a pawn. His plan had been to marry her off for political gain once she came of age. Her feelings were irrelevant; under the family's control, she had no right to refuse.
But now, the caged bird had flown out and pecked him.
It didn't hurt. It wasn't even a real threat.
But to Oko—a man who demanded absolute control—it was unforgivable.
"You're right. I don't have loyal followers, vast resources, or powerful allies. Even now, the number of people I can trust wholeheartedly can be counted on one hand."
Kaguya smiled faintly, looking at Oko as if he were an insect.
"Then what gives you the right to defy me?!"
Oko's frown deepened. Something about her demeanor unsettled him.
"It's simple. I have only one form of support—power. Absolute, undeniable power. Power that renders your threats meaningless. If I wished, erasing you and your lackeys would be trivial."
Having said her piece, Kaguya didn't even bother looking at her seething brother anymore. Instead, she turned to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the city lights below.
"Takakai-kun, will you help me?"
She faced him, her voice earnest.
"What do you need?"
He already had an idea.
"My brother has no concept of hospitality. He couldn't even be bothered to meet you in person. He should be punished. I know where he is. Will you take me there?"
She bowed slightly, her tone solemn.
"None of that. We're past formalities. Though… you don't mind if we make an entrance, do you?"
Takakai rested a hand on her shoulder, stopping her from bowing further, then grinned.
At Kaguya's nod, his eyes flooded crimson.
Instantly, everyone in the room except Takakai and Kaguya collapsed, overwhelmed by primal terror.
This was the power of Heda's Blessing—a monstrous boost to physical capabilities, born from the compounded grudges of countless victims from the research facility.
Merely activating it was enough to break ordinary humans.
"Hold on."
Takakai's voice was low.
BOOM!!!
The floor shattered as he leaped forward, crashing through the window and soaring dozens of meters into the air.
He cleared nearly a hundred meters in a single bound, landing atop an office building with enough force to collapse part of the roof, dropping them into an unoccupied top-floor suite.
"Whoops. This blessing's stronger than I thought. I expected 'Colossus,' but this is straight-up 'Hulk' territory."
Takakai blinked at the destruction.
"Doesn't matter. No one was hurt. The Shinomiya Group can pay for the damages tomorrow. But we should hurry—this blessing has a time limit."
Kaguya, clinging to his back, was utterly unfazed.
"Relax. We've got plenty of time."
With a chuckle, Takakai leaped back up through the hole in the ceiling and took off across the rooftops at over 70 km/h.
Meanwhile, in his mansion on Tokyo's outskirts, Oko Shinomiya stared at the screen in silence.
After watching Takakai carry Kaguya out the window in a single inhuman bound, he slowly reached for his phone.
He had a call to make.