Taisai Tensei hung up the phone and casually set his mobile on the table.
When he looked up, Kitagawa's cheeks were puffed out like a tiny hamster stuffed with nuts. Her lips formed the slightest pout, her ruby eyes—bright a moment ago—now fixed on him with a look that screamed: I'm upset. Fix it.
Taisai let out a quiet chuckle.
"Hmph!" Kitagawa huffed, whipping her face away, chin tilted high in theatrical displeasure.
"The Shinomiya young lady is coming to pick you up? She's really enthusiastic, Boyfriend-kun." She sharpened the word enthusiastic just enough to draw blood.
Taisai shrugged, voice relaxed. "She's already on her way. Free ride. Saves me from the subway."
At that, Kitagawa's nose wrinkled again. She stabbed her porridge with her chopsticks as if it had personally offended her, muttering small, stifled "hmphs" while still diligently eating.
Of course, he noticed.
Without a word, he reached into his pocket. A soft snap sounded as he placed a black card—Gojo Satoru's black card—on the table and casually slid it toward her.
Tapping his finger lightly on its surface, he said, "Marin."
Her eyes flickered toward the card, ears twitching ever so slightly, though she stubbornly refused to turn her head.
"After class today," Taisai continued, "how about—we go buy a car?"
Instant magic. Kitagawa's puffed cheeks collapsed. Her head whipped around, and her ruby eyes lit up brighter than any breakfast sparkle she'd had moments ago.
"Really?!"
But then something seemed to occur to her. The light dimmed. Her shoulders drooped a little.
"We can—but should we tell Sister Shinozuka?"
She meant Shinozuka Yayoi, Taisai's agent—someone whose opinion always had to be considered. Taisai took a spoonful of porridge before answering lightly, "We don't have to. Buying a car is our business. If you want to tell her, go ahead."
Kitagawa looked once more at the black card. The idea of a new car—using Gojo's limitless money, no less—immediately drowned out her earlier gloom. Her smile bloomed back into place like sunshine breaking through clouds.
"Mm! Okay! I'll message her! What kind of car should we get? A sports car? But aren't those super uncomfortable?"
Taisai watched her spring from gloom to joy in an instant and simply returned to eating his breakfast in silence. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on the table—the black card gleaming faintly beside the bright smile of the girl it had just resurrected.
Humming an anime tune, Kitagawa finished her breakfast in rapid little bites, then scampered off to grab her phone and tell Shinozuka Yayoi the news.
Taisai shook his head with a faint smile, cleaned up the dishes, and had the kitchen spotless in moments. Just as he dried his hands, his phone rang again—"Big Miss" blinking on the screen.
"You're here?" he answered calmly.
"Yes, Ten-kun. The driver and I are waiting at the gate. Take your time."
"Hm."
The call ended. He looked over at the living room. Kitagawa sat cross-legged on the sofa, fingers tapping rapidly, smile bright, clearly engrossed in an animated conversation about cars with Yayoi.
"Marin, time to go."
"Ah! Almost done!" She typed a few last messages in a flurry, hit send, and hopped off the sofa to grab their jackets.
By the entrance, Taisai had already changed his shoes. Kitagawa hurried over, handing him his jacket, pulling on her own while balancing on one foot. Stepping outside, the figure of Kaguya Shinomiya instantly entered view.
Dressed in a flawless dark dress adorned with a red bow, hands folded neatly in front of her, she radiated elegance—every inch the perfect daughter of an elite family.
Kitagawa glanced and muttered under her breath, "Doesn't she ever get tired acting like that?"
Taisai didn't respond, simply took her hand and walked toward Kaguya.
Kaguya's eyes flicked to their joined hands. Her impeccable smile stuttered for half a heartbeat—then reset perfectly.
She bowed. "Good day, Ten-kun. It has been quite a while."
"Yeah. And thank you for coming."
Kitagawa stepped up beside him, smiling like a spotlight turned on full power. "Oh my, good day, Young Lady Shinomiya! So sorry someone of your prestigious status has to pick up two humble commoners like us."
She sharpened commoners like a knife.
Kaguya did not blink. She bowed slightly. "Kitagawa-san, you jest. It is my honor to pick up and drop off Ten-kun."
She emphasized pick up and drop off with surgical precision.
Then she turned to Taisai. "Ten-kun, shall we? I brought that popular milk. It's still warm."
Kitagawa's smile froze. A vein twitched in her forehead. She tightened her grip on Taisai's arm.
Taisai remained neutral as ever and simply murmured, "Hm."
He pulled Kitagawa along toward the car. The driver opened the door respectfully. Taisai entered first. Kitagawa, like a small victorious peacock, slipped in right beside him.
The door shut. Just as Kitagawa leaned back, savoring her win—
The opposite door opened.
Kaguya Shinomiya sat down on Taisai's other side with perfect grace. Kitagawa's smile shattered. She stared wide-eyed at Kaguya, who acted as though this were the natural order of life.
"There's plenty of space," Kaguya said smoothly. "Sitting separately makes the ride comfortable for everyone."
Kitagawa's cheeks inflated like an angry pufferfish. She clung to Taisai's arm with renewed ferocity.
Kaguya pretended not to notice. She retrieved an insulated porcelain cup. Steam curled from the rim.
"Ten-kun, your milk."
Before Taisai could reach for it—
Snatch.
Kitagawa whisked it out of Kaguya's hands, chugged a large gulp—and gagged dramatically. "Pfft! So sweet! Disgustingly sweet! Ten-kun doesn't drink sugary stuff anymore!"
She shoved the cup back into Kaguya's hand. Kaguya's fingers tightened—just barely. Her smile held, though the warmth behind it vanished like a dying flame.
"Oh? That's strange," she replied softly. "When we used to have breakfast together, Ten-kun always preferred this sweetness."
She emphasized used to and together like a scalpel.
Kitagawa reacted instantly. "That was in the past! Sister Shinozuka said Ten-kun has to watch his uric acid, so now he only drinks unsweeted and fresh milk! Right, Ten-kun?"
She shook his arm urgently. But Kaguya was ready.
"Oh? What a pity," she sighed gently. "I remember Ten-kun loved warm breakfast—soy milk, gyoza—" She smiled. "So I asked the chef to prepare the dishes for Ten-kun's lunch today."
Kitagawa turned into a spark about to explode.
Then—an idea. She released Taisai's arm, fanned herself, voice soft and sweet. "Oh my, is it warm in here…?"
She slowly unbuttoned the top of her shirt—and the two fresh hickeys on her neck appeared in clear view.
Right in Kaguya Shinomiya's line of sight. Kaguya's eyes froze.
Kitagawa instantly buttoned it up again with a tiny gasp. "Oh no~ How rude. It's all Boyfriend-kun's fault for being so passionate. I have to keep my buttons tightly fastened, you know?"
She delivered passionate and tightly fastened like a victory bell.
The temperature inside the car plummeted. Kaguya's perfect smile cracked at the edges. Her gaze turned cold, her hidden emotions swirling like a dark storm behind glass.
"Ten-kun," she murmured, voice soft yet chilling, "it seems your tastes have changed greatly. But don't worry. The Shinomiya chefs excel at—adapting."
Her eyes rested on him—too calm, too deep, far too dangerous. Taisai felt burning fury from his left, murderous cold from his right, and silently regretted every choice that led him into this car.
"Mm." It was all he could manage.
Kitagawa snuggled triumphantly against him, smiling like a mischievous cat. On the reflection of the car window, she could faintly see Kaguya's profile—her smile thin, her eyes dark, and a murderous intent radiating off her like winter frost.