The black iron gates of the Shinomiya estate creaked open, the heavy scrape of metal echoing in the air.
A sleek black luxury sedan rolled smoothly up the gravel drive, its tires crunching faintly over the stones.
Hayasaka Nao gazed through the car window at the residence she had visited many times before, yet today it felt strangely unfamiliar.
"We've arrived," the driver said respectfully.
The instant the car door swung open, a cool breeze carrying the fragrance of osmanthus from the garden washed over her.
Hayasaka Nao stepped out with practiced grace.
The white hem of her dress swayed, and the sash embroidered with a subtle pattern gleamed discreetly in the sunlight.
She instinctively smoothed a wrinkle that wasn't there on her sleeve—an unconscious motion betraying her unease.
"Mom…"
A familiar voice came from the side entrance.
Hayasaka Ai stood there. Her long blonde hair, usually tied up immaculately, now fell loosely over her shoulders.
She wore a simple white blouse and a black skirt—no longer a maid uniform, but the clothes of an ordinary schoolgirl.
"Ai?"
Nao's eyes widened.
She noticed her daughter's eyes were still a little red, as though she had been crying, yet a look of relief lingered at the corners of her mouth.
"Kaguya-sama is waiting for you in the tea room," Ai said softly, without her usual reserve.
"I'll take you there."
As they walked the corridor, Nao keenly sensed the mansion's atmosphere had changed.
The maids still bowed with courtesy, but curiosity and speculation now flickered in their eyes.
Portraits of past Shinomiya heads lined the walls; in the dim light their stern faces seemed to silently interrogate every visitor.
"What on earth happened?" Nao whispered. "Why would the head of the family suddenly—"
"Mom." Ai stopped, turning to meet her mother's gaze head‑on.
"From today onward, I don't have to report Kaguya-sama's every move to Shinomiya Oko anymore."
The words thundered through Nao's mind.
"It's the family head's order. From now on, the Hayasaka family answers to Kaguya-sama."
A light gleamed in Ai's eyes that Nao had never seen before.
"Kaguya-sama… has changed."
The paper door of the tea room slid open quietly.
Shinomiya Kaguya sat at the host's seat.
The afterglow of sunset streamed through the shoji lattice, dappling her figure with light and shadow.
Black hair like a waterfall.
Eyes crimson as blood.
An aura both commanding and elegant.
What stunned Nao most was her gaze: no longer lofty and hollow, but sharp and alive.
"Aunt Hayasaka," Kaguya said, her voice calm yet forceful.
Nao immediately offered a perfect bow.
"Kaguya-sama."
She held the bow, catching in her peripheral vision how Ai naturally took a position half a step behind Kaguya.
"Please sit," Kaguya invited.
Seated, Nao found herself rubbing the fabric of her dress unconsciously.
On the low table sat exquisite teaware; steam drifted from the pot, carrying a faint matcha fragrance.
"From today, the Hayasaka family will devote itself fully to assisting Kaguya-sama," she recited, voice smooth and steady.
"How may we serve?"
Kaguya did not answer at once.
Instead, she poured Nao a cup of tea with her own hands—enough to make Nao's fingers tremble. The Shinomiya heiress, serving tea herself.
"Aunt Hayasaka," Kaguya set down the pot, lips curving slightly, "what I need is an ally I can trust, not merely a tool that follows orders."
The sentence was like a key, unlocking a long‑sealed chest in Nao's heart.
Her head shot up, meeting eyes that seemed to see straight through her.
"You… know?"
Kaguya nodded gently.
"I know the role the Hayasakas have been forced to play all these years, and what Ai has endured."
She turned to Ai, her gaze softening.
"From today on, it's over."
Nao's eyes darted between her daughter and Kaguya.
She saw tears glimmering in Ai's eyes, and a rare sincerity on Kaguya's face.
Years of treading on thin ice in the Shinomiya household made her instinctively doubtful—yet a mother's intuition told her: this was real.
"Mom…" Ai's voice finally broke, choking with emotion.
"We're free."
Nao's hands trembled uncontrollably.
"Kaguya-sama…"
She bowed deep.
"The Hayasaka family pledges its life to serve."
Kaguya gently helped her up. "No—not to serve," she said softly. "To stand as allies."
She then spoke of her intention to vie for the Shinomiya succession—and that she already had her father, Shinomiya Gan'an's, approval.
Nao's surprise was evident, though she quickly furrowed her brows in warning.
"Shinomiya Oko and Shinomiya Un'yo… their factions won't be easy to face."
She put it diplomatically: on paper, Kaguya held almost no advantage, and the Hayasaka family possessed virtually no formal power.
Kaguya's lips quirked upward.
"I know. That's exactly why I need you and Ai—and… I do have cards to play."
…
The sun was setting.
The courtyard in front of the Rei Ao residence was bathed in gold‑red light.
Clusters of girls gathered, saying their goodbyes before heading home.
"Ah—finally, I can go play my game."
Gabriel stretched, the halo above her head tilting crookedly, white feathered wings drooping listlessly.
She pulled out her phone to check the time.
"My limited‑time event ends in two hours…"
Satania leapt forward, her red devil tail wagging with excitement.
"Hahaha! Mere Gabriel—once I get home, I'll find a way to defeat you for sure!"
She brandished the fork in her hand.
"Next time we meet, I'll use this 'Fang of the Abyss' to crush you utterly!"
Their contest was clearly still far from over.
Vignette sighed and snatched the fork away.
"How many times must I tell you—that's a barbecue fork, not some 'Fang of the Abyss.'"
She turned to Gabriel. "And you, Gab—could you at least straighten your halo?"
~~~
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