"Mmm..."
In the morning, Kaguya opened her eyes to the bright sunlight outside the window.
It was already the second day.
She stretched slightly and yawned.
Rubbing her eyes, her mind gradually cleared from its groggy state.
She quickly recalled the series of planned actions from last night that had gone unimplemented.
Then she turned her head and looked somewhat displeased at Hayasaka, who had slept on a futon beside her bed and was already up earlier than her.
Last night, when she had heard unusual noises outside and considered investigating, Hayasaka had stopped her, insisting on checking first. But after "investigating," Hayasaka had returned to her room flushed, adamant that they absolutely could not disturb Takakai that night, even going so far as to stay in Kaguya's room overnight. Kaguya still didn't understand what that was about.
Moreover, even after a whole night had passed, her maid still wore a stiff expression, as if she had suffered some tremendous shock.
"Lady Kaguya, may I ask... what exactly do you see in that man?"
Hayasaka lifted her head with difficulty, recalling the intimate words she had overheard between Takakai and Maki last night, along with Takakai's warning. After much hesitation, she finally asked Kaguya seriously.
"You've asked me that many times already."
Kaguya, already somewhat annoyed, frowned upon hearing this.
"But I still can't understand why you value him so much, pay so much attention to him, and even want to develop feelings for him."
Hayasaka shook her head slightly, refusing to back down.
Here we go again.
This girl... sometimes she's just too stubborn.
"As I've said many times, I'm not interested in Takakai-kun in that way. I don't have those kinds of feelings for him. But objectively speaking, he does have remarkable abilities, and it's necessary for me to secure his support and assistance—purely for strategic reasons. That's all there is to it."
Kaguya spoke these words with perfect composure, as if reciting a well-practiced script.
"...If that's truly the case, then to achieve your goals, you may need to pay a much higher price than you anticipate."
Hearing this explanation—which Kaguya had repeated countless times—Hayasaka could only sigh deeply, feeling genuine helplessness at her mistress's increasingly strange behavior.
And toward that utterly ordinary Takakai, she felt a trace of fear... and even stronger curiosity.
After that day at school when Kaguya had invited Takakai, Hayasaka had encountered him once more.
After the entire Shinomiya family had submitted to Kaguya, with no one daring to restrict or monitor her movements anymore, Hayasaka had been instructed by Shinomiya Kouki to stop reporting Kaguya's daily activities. At the time, Hayasaka had sensed that something significant had happened. Then, before she could uncover the truth, Takakai had cornered her alone at school and said a few words:
"Regardless of the past, in the future, try not to follow me too closely during my dates."
"After all, you're no longer under Shinomiya Kouki's orders, right?"
"If you keep stalking me, I might have to do something about it~"
His tone had been light, almost joking.
But the underlying intent in his words was impossible to ignore.
Especially when considering that the Shinomiya family's dramatic change seemed to have occurred the very night Takakai met with Shinomiya Kouki.
Who is he, really?
This man—background checks show nothing unusual about him. How does he possess such terrifying power?
Is Lady Kaguya's approach to him truly wise? How many things does a mere servant like me not know?
Hayasaka's mind was in turmoil.
And after being caught eavesdropping last night, it became even more chaotic.
She was one hundred percent certain now—Takakai had unequivocally ascended the "adult staircase" with both Fujiwara Chika and Shijou Maki, genuinely engaging in a two-timing relationship. What's more, Chika and Maki seemed fully aware of and accepting of this arrangement.
And now her own mistress was dead set on joining this so-called "happy family of four."
What kind of situation is this?!
Has Lady Kaguya finally been corrupted by those vulgar adult influences? Is she going to adopt the promiscuous habits of American political families?! No—not that! Please don't let my Lady Kaguya become that kind of person!!!
As increasingly disturbing scenarios played out in her mind, Hayasaka found it impossible to remain calm.
"Regardless, it's necessary for me to build a closer relationship with him. Some sacrifices are understandable to achieve this goal."
Unaware of her maid's internal drama, Kaguya merely sighed and looked at her reflection in the mirror, quietly psyching herself up.
Today, I'll organize some group activities and use them to get closer to Takakai-kun.
If I just try hard enough... no, I'm definitely going to succeed!
At this moment, Kaguya was filled with confidence.
And at this moment, Takakai...
Well, at this moment, Takakai was... spacing out in the bathroom.
The sound of running water masked soft whimpers.
Pale feet weakly pressed against the floor before lifting onto tiptoes, then finally leaving the ground entirely.
By the time Takakai and Maki emerged from the bathroom, his arms and shoulders bore several rows of bite marks. Judging by the explosion of crimson on Maki's face as he carried her, it was clear the girl had put up a desperate struggle in the bathroom.
"Couldn't you have been a little gentler?"
Maki, now too weak to stand, spoke in a voice full of resentment.
"My apologies. How should I put this... maybe it's because you were just too irresistible?"
Takakai apologized straightforwardly while attempting to justify his actions.
In a way, the morning's script with Maki wasn't too different from his experience with Chika—except Maki had woken up earlier than him and simply stayed curled in his arms, waiting for him to wake up.
And that version of Maki... well, she was far cuter than usual.
"Takakai-kun~ Takakai-kun~ Hehe, your chest is so broad, I could sleep on it forever~"
This was the soft, clingy version of Maki that rarely made appearances.
And of course, having a cute girl clinging to him first thing in the morning—with both parties in a state of undress—was something no healthy man could resist. So, mustering his formidable willpower, Takakai quickly made the most appropriate choice.
Namely, engaging in delightful games with Maki—games so joyous they moved from bed to floor, from floor to hallway, and from hallway into the bathroom.
By the end, an exhausted Maki was the first to surrender, while a still-eager Takakai reluctantly called it quits when she remained firm, bringing their exceptionally fulfilling morning to a close.
Opening the door and stepping into the hallway, he found Chika already waiting outside.
Noticing Takakai had emerged alone, the girl blinked before immediately understanding.
"Poor Maki-chan~ Looks like she won't be joining us this morning."
Chika's expression was full of teasing as she looked at Takakai.
"Well... she should be up by afternoon. Anyway, what's the plan for today? Are we going sightseeing or something?"
Takakai, fully aware this was another instance of his poor self-control, wore an awkward expression as he cleared his throat and swiftly changed the subject, earnestly discussing the day's arrangements.
Saturday.
For students, this should be the happiest day—Friday's studies just finished, the weekend not yet arrived, with two full days of freedom just beginning. Everything was at its most wonderful.
(Those students or workers who still had classes or work on Saturdays and Sundays need not apply.)
And for the three girls who were both students and players, Saturday was undoubtedly important—a day that required careful planning, not to be treated lightly. Though with one member currently absent, their group was now incomplete.
"How did Maki suddenly fall ill? And why is she sleeping in Takakai-kun's room if she's unwell?"
Upon learning Maki wouldn't be joining the morning activities, Kaguya was deeply puzzled.
"Well... let's just say there are various factors at play."
Takakai scratched his head helplessly. Having been warned by Maki not to spill the truth, he could only offer vague responses to Kaguya's questions.
"...This feels very suspicious. And it is unfortunate to be missing a member. Should we cancel the morning plans?"
Kaguya eyed Takakai with deep skepticism but didn't press further when he seemed unwilling to elaborate, instead turning to Chika for input.
"Absolutely not! This is a rare team outing—I refuse to spend half the day cooped up in the hotel. Besides, Maki-chan already said not to worry about her, so let's just enjoy ourselves!"
Chika naturally objected with righteous fervor. For this fun-loving girl, staying indoors after traveling so far was unthinkable. After some discussion, the three ultimately left the hotel together.
Their destination was a bamboo forested hill near the hotel—a scenic spot perfect for a morning excursion, with enough time for a round trip.
This is my chance to close the distance between Takakai-kun and me, getting ahead of the others!
Along the way, Kaguya secretly steeled her resolve.
Maki's body temperature seems slightly lower than Chika's, but her thighs feel amazing to touch. Of course, Chika's strengths go without saying...
Meanwhile, Takakai was reminiscing about last night while unconsciously comparing his two experiences.
Hiking hiking hiking hiking hiking—
Chika alone remained wholly focused on the journey ahead—the only one truly immersed in the joy of the outing.
So sleepy... I want to go back to bed... What exactly is Lady Kaguya planning... No, must stay alert...
Bringing up the rear, Hayasaka Ai—who hadn't slept well after last night's scare and had to rise earlier than Kaguya due to her servant duties—was in such low spirits she might transition from low mood to low blood pressure at any moment.
Morning sunlight filtered through bamboo leaves, dappling the forest path and the figures walking upon it.
The trio ascended the mountain step by step. Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of these woods, another figure arrived silently, carrying an aged guitar along the dirt trails between bamboo stalks.