At five in the morning, Momiji forced herself to endure the sleepiness and fatigue and climbed out of the soft bed.
Toru was always a light sleeper. Any slight disturbance would wake him. It was a professional habit.
As soon as Momiji moved, he woke up.
"Did I disturb Toru-kun's rest?"
Momiji, propping herself halfway up, let the velvet blanket slide down her soft and delicate skin.
In that moment, she became shy, grabbing the edge of the blanket to cover her alluring figure.
But the faint red marks on her tender skin, along with the lingering sheen of fragrant sweat, only made her even more captivating and seductive.
A few strands of brown hair clung to the corner of her mouth. With her already mixed-race appearance and refined, three-dimensional features, the charm in her elegant demeanor now revealed an even more breathtaking beauty.
"I've always been a light sleeper. Is your body feeling sticky and uncomfortable? Why did you wake up after just an hour of sleep?"
Toru casually wrapped an arm around her S-shaped waist. He was now certain that this young lady of the Ōoka Family was indeed a "slender branch bearing abundant fruit."
"If you're uncomfortable and can't sleep, let me wipe you down. Your foot's not healed yet, so it's not suitable to take a bath."
Saying that, he prepared to get out of bed and fetch a towel.
Seeing Toru treat her so gently made Momiji feel even sweeter inside. She held his hand and, under his puzzled gaze, said softly:
"I have to go back to my own room."
"You're going back now?" Toru was a little surprised.
Momiji gave a small nod. "Mm. It wouldn't be good if my family found me not in my own room tomorrow morning, but in yours."
She was, after all, the young lady of the Ōoka Family. If the elders found out she had shamelessly snuck into a man's room in the middle of the night to offer herself, she'd definitely be harshly scolded.
Even though she had already summoned the courage to go through with it, it was best if the family didn't find out. She would hide it for as long as she could.
When the opportunity came later, she'd explain everything clearly.
Toru thought about it and didn't say anything like "no need to go back, just stay here, I'll take responsibility"—which might sound manly.
If he said something like that, it would only move Momiji temporarily, but the consequences would fall on her alone. The Ōoka Family had no way to touch him, the young master of the Fujiwara Family.
In the end, only Momiji would suffer, while he would remain completely unscathed. That wasn't manliness. On the contrary, it was a coward's way out.
He immediately said, "Alright. This concerns your reputation, so you should be careful. Want me to walk you back?"
Momiji shook her head. "I'll go back myself. My room is right next to yours, it's just a few steps away."
After a pause, she added, "...Toru-kun, are you going back to Tokyo today?"
"That was the plan, but now I've decided to stay in Kyoto for another day. It's not like I'm short on train fare anyway." Toru made a joke.
Momiji pursed her lips. The once haughty young lady now had a gentle smile in the corners of her eyes.
Of course she knew, the reason Toru wasn't going back to Tokyo today was because of her.
The person she liked also liked her. This made Momiji feel no regret for offering herself. On the contrary, she felt she'd made the right choice.
She propped herself up and, with Toru's help, put on her yukata. The process naturally involved some touching.
If it weren't for her injured foot, Toru might have had another "battle" with her.
Karuta requires intense focus. Devoting full attention takes a lot of stamina.
Momiji's physical endurance wasn't bad. She exercised regularly, which satisfied Toru.
Though, compared to Vermouth, she was still a bit lacking.
Supported by Toru, Momiji walked to the door. Though her room was just a short distance away, she still felt reluctant to leave. After looking up at him and sharing a deep, lingering kiss, she finally left and returned to her room.
After her figure disappeared, Toru returned to his room.
The two of them had stayed up until four in the morning, and now it was already past five. Toru thought about it and decided to skip his morning training today and sleep a little longer.
Even with his physical abilities, enough to go two or three days without sleep, no one would ever say no to getting more rest.
He slept another three hours and didn't get up until after eight.
By then, he felt refreshed. After washing up, he had breakfast at the Ōoka residence.
Originally, he had booked a noon train ticket. But since he decided to stay another day, he spent the morning chatting with Daoka and Naoto at the residence.
"Really now, Momiji, how could you sleep in so late when we have a guest? It's almost lunchtime already."
Naoto voiced his complaints.
He had just asked the maid to fetch Momiji, and was told she hadn't woken up yet.
Toru smiled. "Ms. Ōoka injured her leg and was also scared yesterday. She's probably physically exhausted. It's good for her to sleep in."
Of course, Toru knew the real reason why Momiji couldn't get up.
Naoto also thought it made sense. Seeing Toru's understanding attitude, he didn't press further. In his heart, he also hoped his daughter could rest more.
Finally, a little after noon, Momiji got up, washed, and came to eat.
She wore a light purple kimono, her appearance dignified. The charm in her eyes nearly spilled out, and her walking posture looked even more off than before.
But both Daoka and Naoto assumed it was due to her leg injury and thought nothing of it.
"Momiji, really. Sleeping in when we have a guest at home? What kind of behavior is that?"
Appearances had to be maintained. Daoka gave her a scolding.
Momiji quickly apologized. During the meal, she suddenly said, "Toru-kun, I promised to take you sightseeing in Kyoto. Are you free today? How about I accompany you?"
Naoto's expression changed, and he scolded, "Fujiwara-kun is returning to Tokyo today. Why are you dragging him around? Besides, in your current state, can you even walk?"
Momiji insisted, "I can use a wheelchair."
Toru interrupted their argument. "MsMs. Ōoka is injured, Uncle, please don't scold her. Besides, I'm not necessarily going back to Tokyo today."
"Since Ms. Ōoka is willing to show me around Kyoto, I'd be happy to accept."
Seeing that Toru had spoken, Daoka took the initiative. "Naoto, don't interfere in young people's business."
Naoto shook his head and smiled at Toru. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Fujiwara-kun. It's also our fault for raising Momiji to be so headstrong."
"You're joking, Uncle. I think Ms. Ōoka is just being honest," Toru said with a smile.
After lunch, Toru and Momiji didn't go out immediately. She sat in her wheelchair, letting Toru push her as they strolled through the spacious courtyard.
According to Momiji, their family garden was also considered a scenic spot, even bigger and more beautiful than most Kyoto attractions, and without the crowds.
To that, Toru could only say, damn rich people.
In the main residence of the Ōoka Family, Naoto looked at his father, hesitating.
"Naoto, just say what's on your mind."
Daoka spoke while sipping his tea.
"Father, Momiji's attitude toward Fujiwara-kun..."
Naoto spoke cautiously.
The Master glanced at him. "I'm not blind. I can see it clearly."
They were both experienced men. How could they not notice the change in Momiji's gaze toward Toru?
Daoka continued, "That kid Toru is handsome, has a strong family background, and a charismatic personality. It's only natural for Momiji to like him. If I were a young girl, I'd like him too."
Listening to his father's joke, Naoto could only complain in his heart.
"Let's not interfere too much with the younger generation. It's not like it's ancient times. It's perfectly normal for girls to have had a few boyfriends. Let's just see how far things go and let nature take its course."
Naoto slowly nodded, feeling a bit regretful.
What a pity. Toru already has an engagement with the Shinomiya family. That engagement is hard to break. The Shinomiya family isn't easy to deal with. That old man from the Shinomiya family really scored a win.
---
At night, beside the Kamogawa River, the water flowed quietly. Every so often along the bank, cherry blossoms were in bloom.
Under the glow of the streetlamps, the blossoms looked like something out of a dream.
Kaguya and Hayasaka walked side by side along the road. Below the curb was the riverside path.
"Kaguya-sama, didn't you say you were returning to Tokyo today?"
Hayasaka followed closely and asked.
"Toru-kun called home and said he'd stay another day at the Ōoka Family. He said he has some business to discuss with Uncle Naoto and Daoka."
Hayasaka frowned. "It might not be with the Master. I think Young Master Fujiwara is with Ms. Ōoka."
Kaguya hesitated. "That can't be."
Seeing her reaction, Hayasaka felt helpless.
Kaguya-sama, even if you don't say it, I know you've always been resistant to the engagement deep down.
But this engagement is already set. Toru is your fiancé. At a time like this, you shouldn't be sulking. You should be seizing your happiness.
Especially since someone like Young Master Fujiwara is so outstanding. If you don't want him, then maybe I will.
Thinking that, Hayasaka suddenly felt a little tempted.
She actually harbored resentment toward the Shinomiya family, though she never voiced it. If this could truly pierce their defenses...
As she was thinking, Kaguya frowned and looked at Hayasaka beside her. "I just want to ask, why is this little brat tagging along?"
Haibara glanced at Kaguya. Her disdainful expression made a vein pop on Kaguya's forehead.
What the hell is wrong with this kid?!
Haibara's expression suddenly froze. She pointed toward the Kamogawa River and said with a teasing smile, "Look over there."
Kaguya followed her gaze and saw Toru walking along the riverside, pushing a wheelchair. Sitting in it was Momiji, the two of them chatting and laughing together.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)