Chapter 389: Heavy Footsteps
'Death Note?'
Stepping out of Shinomiya Oko's mansion, Kaguya prepared to return to her small residence.
[Just by writing someone's name in the notebook, you can kill them. You don't need much information—just the name alone is enough.]
'A person with supernatural powers really can do anything, huh.'
But what exactly is her purpose?
Helping me escape from the bondage of the Shinomiya family—what could she possibly gain from that?
Could this person have been sent by the Shijo family…?
From Shinomiya Oko's words earlier, Kaguya had already guessed a few things.
After all, right now, there was a strange being residing within her body.
"Is that person really Kaguya-sama?"
On the way, several servants and guests who were invited to tonight's banquet passed by.
"She really is beautiful, but her mother, I heard that she's…"
"To have a scandal like that break out at such a sensitive time, what is the Shinomiya family even thinking?"
"Stop talking, she's looking over here."
The voices gradually faded away, but those words that entered Shinomiya Kaguya's ears were not something that would easily disappear.
She immediately understood Shinomiya Oko's intent.
Using public opinion and external pressure to force her into making the "appropriate choice."
In such a situation, what could she possibly resist with?
'In the end, doesn't he just think I'm some foolish woman?'
Kaguya mocked herself inwardly.
[You really are quite foolish.]
'What? You want me to trust you? Trust a complete stranger like you?'
[Then let me see what you intend to do, Kaguya-chan.]
'You judge me from above, so arrogantly—it reminds me of someone I know. And another thing, don't call me Kaguya-chan!'
...
When she returned to the courtyard.
Shirley, who always followed beside Kaguya, spoke up: "Kaguya-sama, shall I help you dismiss those servants?"
"If I let you do that, wouldn't I become the kind of person I hate the most?"
Kaguya shook her head, refusing the offer.
That "dismissal" Shirley mentioned might indeed have been meant literally, but once those servants were expelled by the Shinomiya family, no one anywhere would dare to hire them. The Shinomiya name alone was enough to make others keep their distance.
"Very well."
Shirley said nothing more.
Though she pitied Kaguya deeply, there was nothing she could do to pull her out of this swamp.
In truth, if Kaguya were to ask Jinguuji Tamaki for help, the matter could be resolved quickly, but Kaguya clearly had no intention of doing so.
...
Night fell.
The Shinomiya family's banquet was held at the main house.
Kaguya changed into formal attire and stepped into the vast hall, so large that for a moment she didn't even know where to sit.
After taking her seat, she glanced toward the main seat—where Shinomiya Oko sat—and beside him was Shinomiya Seiryu, her second elder brother, looking like a guardian deity.
Surrounding them were the executives of the companies under the Shinomiya family's control.
As the eldest daughter without power, Kaguya was likely the lowest-ranked person at this banquet.
Though it was called a "family banquet," in reality, quite a few women had been brought along as well—yet none of them were allowed to sit at the table.
The gazes of some of the men around her, when they looked at her—were like those examining a piece of merchandise.
Kaguya knew very well that this was not a place where she could act as she pleased.
Years of elite education had quickly helped Shinomiya Kaguya regain her composure.
The cards she now held were few.
And those she could actually use were even fewer.
Even the fact that she was an illegitimate child—these people could openly expose it if they wanted.
The secrets she held in her hands, truth be told, were of no real use at all.
As for seeking help, she didn't have the confidence to do that either.
This matter was troublesome, and no one stood to gain from it.
Amusingly, she realized that the only one she could rely on now was the mysterious being residing within her body.
'Let's first see what these remnants of feudalism plan to make me do.'
...
The scene fell silent for a moment.
After everyone had taken their seats—
Sitting in the host's position, Shinomiya Oko said a few polite words, then invited the guests to dine.
After three rounds of wine, as glasses clinked together, the atmosphere became so lively that Shinomiya Kaguya began to feel that perhaps this whole affair had nothing to do with her.
Shinomiya Oko spoke in a calm tone: "That reminds me, there's good news. The Shijo family has taken the initiative to propose an alliance, wishing to put an end to this conflict between us."
Immediately, people below chimed in——
"That really is good news. If this continued, it wouldn't be good for either side."
"Didn't expect the Shijo to be the ones to propose marriage first, huh~ In the end, they're just rats that split off from the Shinomiya family."
"At first we even planned to swallow up the Shijo family entirely, but it seems they've decided to bow their heads."
"All thanks to Oko-sama's efforts..."
...
Hearing their words, Shinomiya Kaguya felt a faint urge to laugh.
Perhaps they were finally relieved.
Even if the chances were small, if something major really happened to the Shinomiya family—if its foundation were shaken—then what would happen to these people at the top, the ones who make up 1% but enjoy 99% of the wealth?
They would fall to the bottom, crushed to pieces—a fate they could never endure.
"Oko-sama, may I ask who the lucky woman is, the one who will become the Shinomiya family's savior? Please, bring her out."
Someone smiled broadly, unable to contain their excitement as they said that.
Seeing that this man was quick-witted, Shinomiya Oko followed along: "It's my adorable little sister. The one chosen to marry is Shijo Mikado of the Shijo family."
At once, the hall burst into murmurs.
"Shijo Mikado? Isn't he almost guaranteed to become the next head of the Shijo family…"
"Shijo Mikado, really?"
"How could it possibly be Kaguya-sama..."
Most of them had only heard rumors that the two families were reconciling, but didn't know that the one on the other side was the Shijo family's next successor.
In their eyes, Shinomiya Kaguya—born of a concubine, her bloodline perhaps not even pure—was utterly unworthy of such a man.
Therefore, they thought this was a blessing Kaguya should feel grateful for.
Shinomiya Kaguya said nothing.
And none of them expected her to resist.
A few minutes later, seeing her remain silent, Shinomiya Oko found an excuse to dismiss her to the lounge for the ladies.
Shinomiya Kaguya rose slowly.
A family like this… what's so great about it, really?
If she had never met the student council members, never met Sakurai Saki, perhaps she would have quietly accepted such a fate.
But now, she only wanted to run—to flee to the ends of the earth, to somewhere the Shinomiya family could never find her.
Entering the ladies' lounge, a few gorgeously dressed women were sipping matcha tea, chatting about flower arrangement and similar topics.
Beautiful—they were the wives of businessmen, after all, so of course their appearances were impeccable.
But to Shinomiya Kaguya, those women were nothing more than decorative vases.
"Kaguya-sama, you've arrived?"
"We've already heard—you're getting engaged to Shijo Mikado."
"How fortunate. My husband is already nearing…"
The things they said were all such bland, hollow words of congratulations.
Shinomiya Kaguya: "Don't any of you care about freedom?"
At first, they said nothing.
But Kaguya could see the mocking smiles hidden in their eyes.
On the shelf were Hina dolls displayed for the Hinamatsuri festival—the very image that came to Shinomiya Kaguya's mind.
Beautiful, delicate—but only empty shells.
...