"Mm..."
In the early morning, Kaguya opened her eyes to the bright sunlight streaming through the window.
It was already the second day.
She stretched slightly, letting out a yawn.
Rubbing her eyes, her mind gradually cleared from its drowsy haze.
Soon, she remembered all the planned actions from last night that had gone unimplemented.
Then she turned her head, somewhat displeased, to look at Hayasaka, who had slept on a futon beside her and had woken up a little earlier.
Last night, when she had noticed unusual noises outside and considered investigating, Hayasaka had stopped her, insisting on checking first. But after "investigating," Hayasaka had returned to her room with a bright red face, adamant that they absolutely could not disturb Takakai that night—even going so far as to stay and sleep on the floor in Kaguya's room. Kaguya still had no idea what that was about.
And now, even after a whole night had passed, her maid still wore a stiff expression, as if she had suffered some tremendous shock.
"Kaguya-sama, may I ask... what exactly do you see in that man?"
Hayasaka lifted her head with difficulty, recalling the intimate whispers she had overheard between Takakai and Maki last night, as well as Takakai's warning to her. After hesitating for a long time, she finally looked at Kaguya and asked seriously.
"You've asked me that many times already."
Kaguya frowned, her dissatisfaction evident.
"But I still don't understand. Why do you value him so much? Why are you so focused on him, even wanting to develop feelings for him?"
Hayasaka shook her head slightly, refusing to back down.
Again with this...
This girl... sometimes she's just too stubborn.
"As I've said many times, I am not interested in Takakai-kun. I don't have those kinds of feelings for him. It's just that he possesses considerable ability, and securing his support is beneficial from a strategic standpoint. That's all there is to it."
Kaguya spoke calmly, her expression indifferent.
"...If that's truly the case, then the price you'll have to pay to achieve your goal may be far greater than you expect."
Hearing the same explanation yet again, Hayasaka could only sigh deeply, feeling genuine helplessness at how her mistress had grown increasingly strange lately.
And at the same time, she felt a sliver of fear—and even stronger curiosity—toward that utterly ordinary-looking Takakai.
After that day at school when Kaguya had invited him, Hayasaka had encountered Takakai once more.
Once the entire Fournier family had bowed to Kaguya, no one dared to restrict or monitor her movements anymore. Hayasaka had been instructed by Fournier Kouzuki to stop reporting Kaguya's daily activities. Sensing that something had happened, Hayasaka had tried to uncover the truth—but before she could, Takakai had cornered her alone at school and said a few words to her.
"From now on, try not to follow me too closely when I'm on a date."
"After all, you're no longer under Fournier Kouzuki's control, right?"
"If you keep tailing me, I might just do something to you~"
His tone had been light, almost joking.
But the underlying threat had been impossible to ignore.
Especially when she considered that the upheaval in the Fournier family had seemingly occurred on the very night Takakai had met with Kouzuki.
Just who is he?
This man... his background checks show nothing unusual. So why does he have such terrifying influence?
Is Kaguya-sama's approach to him really a good thing? And how much do I, as her servant, not know?
Hayasaka's mind was in turmoil.
And after being caught eavesdropping last night, it had only grown worse.
She was now 100% certain that Takakai had indeed crossed the threshold into adulthood with both Fujiwara Chika and Shijou Maki—genuinely two-timing them—and that, on top of that, Chika and Maki were likely aware of and had accepted the situation.
And now, her own mistress was dead-set on joining in, aiming to form some kind of "four-person family."
What kind of situation is this?!
Has Kaguya-sama been corrupted by those degenerate adult influences?! Is she about to adopt the promiscuous habits of American political families?! No—I refuse! I won't let Kaguya-sama become that kind of person!!!
Hayasaka's imagination spiraled into increasingly dire scenarios, leaving her unable to calm down.
"Regardless, forming a closer relationship with him is necessary. Even if the cost is higher than expected, it's an acceptable trade-off."
Unaware of her maid's internal drama, Kaguya merely sighed and glanced at her reflection in the mirror, silently psyching herself up.
Today, I'll organize a group activity and use the opportunity to get closer to Takakai-kun.
If I just put in the effort, it should... no, it WILL work out!
At this moment, Kaguya was brimming with confidence.
And as for Takakai at this moment...
Well... he was currently spacing out in the bathroom.
The sound of running water masked faint, pitiful whimpers.
Pale feet weakly pressed against the floor, then lifted onto tiptoes—before finally leaving the ground entirely.
By the time Takakai and Maki stepped out of the bathroom, his arms and shoulders bore several rows of teeth marks. Judging by the explosive shade of red 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 completely drained of energy, spoke in a voice full of resentment.
"My apologies. How should I put it...? Maybe it's just that you were too irresistible?"
Takakai apologized frankly while attempting to justify his actions.
In a way, the morning's script with Maki wasn't too different from Chika's—except Maki had woken up earlier than him and simply stayed curled up in his arms, waiting for him to wake.
And that version of Maki... was far cuter than usual.
"Takakai-kun~ Takakai-kun~ Hehe, your chest is so broad, I could totally sleep on it~"
That soft, clingy,撒娇-mode Maki was something rarely seen.
And, of course, being woken up by an adorable girl snuggling against him—while both were stark naked—was not something any healthy man could resist. So, relying on his iron willpower, Takakai swiftly made the correct decision.
Namely, engaging in some very enthusiastic games with Maki—games so energetic they migrated from the bed to the floor, from the floor to the hallway, and from the hallway into the bathroom.
By the end, Maki, exhausted first, had no choice but to surrender. Though Takakai had wanted to continue, her firm refusal forced him to reluctantly call it quits, concluding the extremely fulfilling morning activities.
Opening the door and stepping into the hallway, Takakai found Chika already waiting outside.
Noticing he was alone, the girl blinked in surprise—then immediately understood.
"Poor Maki-chan... It looks like she won't be joining us this morning."
Chika's expression was full of playful teasing as she looked at Takakai.
"Well, she should be up by afternoon. Anyway, what's the plan for today? Exploring the area or something else?"
Takakai, of course, knew this was another case of his lack of restraint backfiring, so his expression turned slightly awkward. Clearing his throat, he quickly changed the subject, earnestly discussing the day's schedule.
Saturday.
For students, this should be the happiest day—Friday's studies were over, the weekend had just begun, and two glorious days of freedom lay ahead. Everything was perfect.
(Those 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 an important day that had to be carefully planned, not wasted. Though with one member already absent, the group was now incomplete.
"Why is Maki-san feeling unwell? And why is she sleeping in Takakai-kun's room? What's going on?"
Upon learning Maki wouldn't be joining the morning activities, Kaguya was deeply confused.
"Well, there are... various reasons."
Takakai scratched his head helplessly. Having been warned by Maki not to spill the details, he could only give vague answers.
"...That's suspicious. And it's a shame we're missing one person. Should we cancel the morning plans?"
Kaguya eyed Takakai with skepticism but didn't press further, instead turning to Chika for input.
"No way! This is a rare group outing—I'm not spending half the day cooped up in the hotel. And Maki-chan already said not to worry about her, so let's just enjoy ourselves!"
Chika, ever the advocate for fun, staunchly opposed the idea. For a girl who loved activities, staying indoors after traveling all this way was unthinkable. After some discussion, the three of them ultimately left the hotel together.
Their destination was a small bamboo forested hill near the hotel—a scenic spot perfect for a morning hike, with enough time for a round trip before noon.
This is my chance! I'll use this opportunity to close the distance between Takakai-kun and me—before anyone else can!
Kaguya steeled herself with determination as they walked.
Maki's body temperature feels slightly cooler than Chika's, but her thighs have a great texture. Of course, Chika's strengths go without saying...
Meanwhile, Takakai was lost in reminiscence, unconsciously comparing last night's experience with his first time.
Hiking hiking hiking hiking hiking—
Chika, the only one fully immersed in the moment, was purely focused on enjoying the trip.
So tired... I want to go back to sleep... What exactly is Kaguya-sama planning...? Ah, no, I need to stay alert...
Bringing up the rear, Hayasaka—who had been too startled to sleep well last night and, as a maid, had to wake up earlier than Kaguya—was in a state of extreme lethargy, teetering between low morale and low blood pressure.
The morning sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled patterns on the forest path and the people walking along it.
The trio made their way up the hill.
And on the other side of the mountain, hidden in a secluded corner of the bamboo grove, a lone figure walked silently along a dirt path—an old guitar strapped to their back.