"Mmh..."
Early morning. Kaguya opened her eyes, looking out at the bright sunlight beyond the window.
It was already the second day.
She stretched slightly and let out a yawn.
Kaguya rubbed her eyes, her mind gradually shifting from chaos to clarity.
She quickly recalled the series of planned actions she had scheduled for last night but failed to execute.
Then she turned her head, looking somewhat dissatisfied at Ai Hayasaka beside her. Hayasaka had made a bed on the floor and had woken up even earlier than her.
Last night, when she heard that the commotion outside didn't sound quite right, she had intended to go out and check. However, she was held back by Ai Hayasaka, who insisted on investigating the situation first. The result was that after her investigation, Hayasaka returned to the room with a completely flushed face. She even stated that they absolutely must not disturb Gao Hai tonight, and simply refused to leave, sleeping on the floor in the room for the night. Kaguya had no idea what exactly she meant by all that.
Moreover, a whole night had passed, yet for some reason, her maid still wore a stiff expression, looking as if she had received a massive shock.
"Miss Kaguya, I want to ask... what exactly do you see in that man?"
Hayasaka lifted her head with difficulty, recalling the few intimate words between those two she had eavesdropped on last night, as well as that single warning from Gao Hai. Finally, after hesitating for a long time, she looked at Kaguya and asked seriously.
"Hayasaka, you have already asked this question many times."
Kaguya, who was already somewhat dissatisfied, frowned immediately upon hearing this.
"But I still cannot understand the reason why you value him so much, pay attention to him, and even want to develop a romantic relationship with him."
Hayasaka shook her head slightly, continuing to speak with no intention of backing down.
Here we go again.
How should I put it with this child? Sometimes she is just too serious.
"So, I have said many times, I have absolutely no romantic interest in Gao-kun, nor do I feel I have those kinds of thoughts about him. It is just that this man does indeed possess a rather formidable side. It is necessary for me to secure his support and assistance; I am doing this purely for reasons of benefit. That is all there is to it."
Kaguya spoke with assurance and composure to Hayasaka, her expression completely flat.
"...If that is the case, then Miss Kaguya, if you wish to achieve your goal, I fear the price you will need to pay will be greater than you anticipate."
Hearing these words, which Kaguya had repeated who knew how many times, Hayasaka could only sigh deeply. She felt a heartfelt helplessness over the fact that her master had recently become increasingly strange.
And, she felt a trace of fear, along with even stronger curiosity, toward that unremarkable Gao Hai.
After the invitation at school that day, Hayasaka had actually seen Gao Hai one more time.
After the entire Shinomiya family decided to bow down to Kaguya, and no one dared to restrict or track her personal movements anymore, Hayasaka was also instructed by Huangguang Shinomiya that she no longer needed to report Kaguya's daily life to him. At that time, Hayasaka sensed that something might have happened. Then, before she could figure out the truth of the matter, Gao Hai cornered her once at school while she was alone and said a few words to her.
"Setting aside the past, from now on when I am on a date, it would be better if you didn't follow me too closely."
"After all, you are no longer restricted by Huangguang Shinomiya now, are you?"
"If you continue to track and monitor me in the future, I might just do something to you~"
His tone was frivolous, as if he were joking.
But the attitude within those words made it impossible for Hayasaka to ignore them.
Especially when connecting it to the drastic changes in the Shinomiya family, which seemed to have occurred right after the night this man went to see Huangguang Shinomiya.
Who exactly is he?
This man... clearly no abnormalities can be found about him, so why does he possess such terrifying abilities?
Is Miss Kaguya getting close to him really a good thing? As a servant, how many things are there that I don't know?
Hayasaka's heart was in turmoil.
It became even more chaotic after she was discovered eavesdropping last night.
She could be one hundred percent certain that this man, Gao Hai, had now indisputably stepped onto the chaotic staircase of adulthood with both Chika Fujiwara and Maki Shijo. He had genuinely committed the act of two-timing. And on top of that, it was very likely that both Chika and Maki knew about and accepted this matter.
And now, her own master was also gearing up, wanting to join in and form a so-called big family of four.
What on earth is this situation?!
Could it be that Miss Kaguya has finally been infected by the morals of those vulgar adults? Is she going to catch the promiscuous trends of American politician families?! No, I don't want that kind of thing! Don't turn my Miss Kaguya into that kind of terrible person!!!
Hayasaka, associating this with more and more terrible scenarios, simply could not calm down.
" regardless, I have a necessity to get closer to him. For this, even if I have to pay some price, it is understandable."
Kaguya, unaware of her servant's internal drama, simply sighed lightly. She looked at her own cheeks reflected in the room's mirror, secretly cheering herself on in her heart.
Today, I'll think of a way to organize an activity that everyone can participate in, and then manage to get closer to Gao-kun during the process.
As long as I try my best, it should... no, it will definitely be no problem!
At this moment, Kaguya was full of confidence.
And at this moment, Gao Hai...
Well, speaking of Gao Hai at this moment... well, he was spacing out in the bathroom.
Splash, splash. The sound of rushing water masked faint, weak whimpers.
Small, fair feet propped themselves weakly against the floor, then quickly stood on tiptoe, and finally left the ground completely.
By the time Gao Hai and Maki came out of the bathroom, several rows of teeth marks had appeared on his arms and shoulders. Judging by the explosive shade of crimson on the face of Maki, who was being carried in his arms, it was quite obvious that this young girl had just engaged in a life-and-death struggle in the bathroom.
"Can't you show a little more tenderness to the fair sex?"
Maki, who had absolutely no strength to get up, said to Gao Hai with a voice full of resentment.
"I am truly sorry. How should I put it... maybe it's because you were just too delicious?"
Gao Hai apologized very crisply and tried to find a reasonable excuse for his behavior.
In a sense, the script for the second morning with Maki wasn't much different from that day with Chika. However, the difference was that Maki woke up earlier than Gao Hai, and simply lingered in his arms waiting for him to wake up.
And Maki at that time, how to say it... was truly much cuter than usual.
"Hai-kun Hai-kun Ehehe, Hai-kun's chest is really big. Even if I lie on top of it to sleep, it works~"
That was a soft, spoiled form of Maki that was rarely seen.
And obviously, being fawned over by a cute girl lying on top of you early in the morning, while both parties are in a state of being honest and bare with each other—it would be impossible for any normal man to endure such a situation. Thus, relying on his tenacious willpower, Gao Hai quickly made the most correct choice.
That was to play happy games with Maki. Joy upon joy. Playing from the bed to the floor, from the floor to the hallway, and from the hallway into the bathroom.
By the end of the play, Maki, whose stamina gave out first, chose to surrender and admit defeat. Although Gao Hai still wanted to continue, seeing the other party's firm attitude, he could only withdraw his moves with lingering dissatisfaction, ending that incredibly fulfilling game of the morning.
Opening the room door and stepping into the corridor, Chika was already waiting outside.
Noticing that Gao Hai walked out alone, the young girl was slightly stunned, but then she immediately understood.
"Little Maki really worked hard. It looks like she won't be able to come out and play with everyone this morning."
As she spoke, the expression Chika directed at Gao Hai was full of teasing.
"Well, about that... she should be able to get up by the afternoon. Anyway, are there any plans for later? Are we going to stroll around the area or do something else?"
Gao Hai naturally understood that this was the result of him being unable to control himself again, so the expression on his face appeared somewhat awkward. He coughed lightly a few times, hurriedly changed the subject, and began discussing today's arrangements with feigned seriousness.
Saturday.
For students, this should be the happiest day. Friday's studies have just ended, the weekend has not yet passed; the two-day happy holiday has just begun, and everything is at its best.
Well, those students and wage earners who still have to attend class or work on Saturdays and even Sundays need not join in the fun.
And for the three young girls who were both students and Players, Saturday's time was naturally also very important. It was a moment that had to be planned well and could not be treated casually. Although one person was currently absent, and the team numbers couldn't be filled.
"Why is Maki-san feeling unwell? And if she is unwell, why does she have to sleep in Gao-kun's room? What is going on?"
Upon learning that Maki would not participate in the morning activity, Kaguya was very unable to understand this.
"Well, this... let's just say there are various factors involved."
Gao Hai scratched his head, answering very helplessly. Having been warned by Maki in advance not to speak carelessly, he could only spout some nonsense to Kaguya now; he couldn't possibly tell the real reason.
"...I feel it is very suspicious. And being missing a person is indeed a pity. Then, should we cancel the morning arrangement?"
Kaguya looked at Gao Hai with an expression full of suspicion, but seeing that the other party was unwilling to go into detail, she wouldn't press him. She turned her head directly to ask Chika at the side.
"How can we do that? This is a team activity we finally managed to have; I don't want to stay cooped up in the hotel for half the day. Besides, Little Maki already said not to worry about her, so let's just have fun ourselves."
Chika naturally expressed her opposition quite self-righteously. For this fun-loving girl, being forced to stay in the hotel after going out was obviously an impossible thing. Therefore, after the three discussed it for a while, they finally left the hotel together.
The place the three were heading to was a small bamboo forest hill near the hotel. The scenery there was quite nice, and a morning was enough time for a round trip, making it a good choice for a short excursion.
I will use this opportunity to properly close the distance between me and Gao-kun, snatching the lead before the others!
On the way, Kaguya thought secretly in her heart.
Maki's body temperature feels slightly lower than Chika's, but the feeling of her thighs is quite nice. Of course, Chika's advantages go without saying...
On the way, Gao Hai was still savoring the experience from last night, while subconsciously comparing it with the partner of his previous first experience.
Hiking hiking hiking hiking hiking hiking—
On the way, Chika was single-minded; she was the only one truly throwing her whole heart and soul into playing.
So sleepy... I want to go back and catch up on sleep... What exactly is Miss Kaguya planning to do... Ah, no, I have to pull myself together...
And as for Ai Hayasaka, who followed far behind at the end of the journey—she hadn't slept well after being frightened last night, and because of her status as a servant, she had to get up earlier than Kaguya. Thus, her condition right now could be said to be quite low, ready to switch from low-pressure mode to low-blood-pressure mode at any moment.
The morning sunlight pierced through the bamboo leaves, falling on the small path within the forest, and falling on the people walking within it.
The three of them walked toward the mountain step by step. And on the other side that the three could not see, in a secluded and deep part of this small hill, a figure also arrived at this place at this moment, wordlessly carrying an old guitar as she walked along the dirt path within the bamboo forest.
________________________________________
Get rewarded for helping with our community goals!
🎯 Reward for all: +1 bonus chapter at 50 Powerstones.
🚀 Tier Reward: Help us reach 20 members for +5 chapters on all stories!
👻 Join the crew by searching Ms. Medusa on (P). You know the spot! 😉