In the resort hotel, the sound of running water echoed from the bathroom.
Standing under the showerhead with the strong flow of hot water, Takashi quickly rinsed the shampoo from his hair and the body wash foam from his body before stepping out.
Since he was alone in the room, Takashi didn't bother with clothes.
He just wrapped a towel around his waist and dried his hair with another towel as he walked into the living room.
But the moment he stepped out, Takashi froze—because he saw a maid.
She was dressed in a proper, full-coverage, black-and-white classic maid outfit—not one of those Akihabara-style, thigh-baring, white-stockings-wearing, cat-ear-clip types flirting with the edge of decency.
At that moment, that maid stood rigidly in the living room, staring coldly at Takashi like he was an unfiltered piece of trash.
Her gaze radiated deep disdain.
She hadn't said a word, but Takashi could read it in her eyes: You disgust me.
"Sir, here are your clothes."
Hayasaka Ai tossed the new outfit she had prepared into Takashi's arms and was about to leave.
But after just a couple of steps, she was pulled into a hug from behind by Takashi.
"Master!"
"Sir, please let go," Hayasaka Ai warned emotionlessly.
"I won't."
If it were just about delivering clothes, would Hayasaka Ai have come herself?
She could've easily sent someone else.
As the mastermind behind this birthday banquet, Hayasaka Ai had far too many things to handle.
She wouldn't have taken time out of her busy schedule just to bring him clothes.
The clothes were just a pretext. She had come under the guise of delivering them to see him, to hear him out—or rather, to let him explain.
This was the only opportunity she was giving him to explain.
Miss it, and she'd never give him the chance again.
"Sir, this is my second warning. Let... go..." Hayasaka Ai froze mid-sentence because a medal was suddenly dangling in front of her, swinging like a pendulum.
"This is the medal I won when I became the Summer League champion," Takashi began, his voice steady, his eyes filled with intense emotion—just like a veteran actor completely immersed in his role.
"I couldn't have achieved this without my master's help."
Hearing his words, Hayasaka Ai recalled the time she spent training Takashi in the gym. Her cold expression softened slightly.
Her initial urge to lean back and smash his nose dissipated—for now.
"I won't enjoy this glory alone!"
"I want to share my achievements and honor with my master. That's why I agreed to be Kotonoha's date."
"Because that was the only way I could see you again."
Takashi never explicitly said, "Everything I did was for you," but his every word implied it.
And Hayasaka Ai seemed to understand the subtext.
Life returned to her expressionless face, but she still turned her head away like she was sulking.
"It's not like I told you to do that."
"Can't I want to see my master?"
Takashi placed the medal into Hayasaka Ai's hand and hugged her soft, fragrant body tightly.
"If Master won't come to see me, I have no choice but to find a way to see her."
"It's not like I didn't want to see you," Hayasaka Ai mumbled.
Was it really that she didn't want to see Takashi?
No. It was that picky young lady who wouldn't let her go out.
Even when she left the house, she had to be followed.
They called it "protection," but it was clearly surveillance.
They wouldn't let her meet Takashi.
How hateful!
Hayasaka Ai was sick of the Shinomiya family.
"What did you say, Master?" Takashi pretended not to hear.
It was better to play dumb here.
Hayasaka Ai and Kaguya were very close.
If she said Kaguya was fine and he went along and started criticizing her, that would make him truly stupid.
"I said you're hugging me too tightly." Hayasaka Ai grumbled.
She didn't really hate Kaguya. If she had, she wouldn't have been so hurt by the betrayal.
"It's because it took me so much to see you again." Instead of loosening his hold, Takashi hugged her even tighter.
Because he knew—Hayasaka Ai was starving for love.
From a young age, she had taken care of another child—Kaguya—keeping the mansion spotless, constantly busy, rarely seeing her own parents.
She had a mature and strong exterior, but inside she was fragile.
She liked being hugged.
Especially being tightly embraced from behind.
It made her feel wanted, feel loved.
Takashi always moved so naturally among girls because he instinctively knew exactly what they needed—what emotional value to give, what kind of affirmation they sought.
Not useless clichés like "eat well," "drink warm water," or "wear more layers."
Appearance is one of the key factors in human relationships—but not the only one.
"Master."
Takashi lowered his voice, suddenly calling out softly.
"Hmm?"
"Since your disciple did such a good job, can I have a reward?" His face now pressed against hers.
"What do you want?"
Hayasaka Ai gave this cheeky disciple a glare.
"I want—" Takashi simply leaned in, lips aiming toward hers.
Just as he was about to kiss her, a finger blocked his path.
"No lewd request!"
"Ugh..."
Seeing Takashi's disappointed face, whining like a puppy, Hayasaka Ai found him impossibly cute.
Why is he so cute?
Watching his sulking face, she couldn't help herself. She tiptoed and kissed him on the forehead.
Takashi: "!"
"That's your reward. Do better next time."
Hayasaka Ai ruffled his hair. But just then, as if realizing something, she suddenly shoved Takashi away.
"You—you—you—what are you doing?!"
Talking was fine, but did he have to expose that?
Takashi looked a little embarrassed. "When you like someone, you just can't hide anything."
Hayasaka Ai: "..."
So now you're not even trying to hide it?
That's how you're using that line?
When Takashi finally changed and walked out, Kaguya's birthday banquet was nearing its end.
Guests were gradually bidding their farewells.
The once lively venue now had a hint of melancholy.
"Miss Kaguya, we'll be leaving now."
Kotonoha, holding Takashi's arm, walked over to say goodbye.
"And thank you for the dress."
Kaguya's gaze paused on Kotonoha's hand hooked around Takashi's arm for a moment before looking away.
She smiled politely. "It was nothing. Miss Katsura, did you enjoy yourself tonight?"
Though Kaguya looked away, Hayasaka Ai kept staring at that hand for a long time.
If she could, she would've chopped it off.
"I did." After a pause, Kotonoha added with a faintly troubled look, "Of course, if your dance with Takashi had been a little shorter, it would've been better."
Kaguya understood that she was being blamed for monopolizing her partner.
"It won't happen again," she replied awkwardly.
Her dance battle with Takashi was just a heated impulse—a contest of pride, not affection.
"Hmm? Next time?"
Hearing that, the pleasant smile vanished from Kotonoha's face.
You want... a next time?
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