Sakurajima was a country that preserved its cultural dregs with remarkable stubbornness. Though it wore the glittering mask of capitalism, its feudal underpinnings had never truly vanished.
The old aristocracy had been legally stripped down to mere nobility, then reduced further to commoners—but only in name. These families still controlled immense resources and wealth, remaining the elite of Sakurajima society.
Because these reforms were incomplete, many of the old, outdated systems had merely been repackaged and preserved.
One such system was the servant system.
It seemed human beings had a genetic drive to dominate and control their own kind. Though the old forms of slavery had been renamed countless times, they still thrived stubbornly in society's shadows.
In Sakurajima, the most visible manifestation of this was the "servant system."
Hayasaka Ai was one such "servant."
Her loyalty was pledged to Shino Miya Kaguya.
The Shino family was one of Japan's "Big Four" conglomerates, with assets totaling twenty quadrillion yen and more than a thousand subsidiaries. The head of the family could influence national affairs directly.
Kaguya, though born to a concubine and always on the family's periphery, shone like a distant, untouchable moon to everyone else. And Ai's role as Kaguya's "assigned servant" was a mark of prestige as well as obligation.
Ai's approach to Hara Kei and Fujiwara Chika today? Entirely under Kaguya-sama's orders.
…
"Milady, it's me."
"Regarding the task you mentioned earlier, I've gathered a rough outline."
"Fujiwara Chika does seem to have somewhat favorable feelings toward Hara Kei, but Hara Kei himself doesn't reciprocate."
"Yes. I can tell she's not playing hard to get either."
"…Why are you scowling?"
"…I feel it's somewhat inconsiderate, but if this is your command, I will comply."
…
After school, Hara Kei followed the plan and went to the cinema.
Of course, alone.
The new Kamen Rider movie wasn't a premiere—it had already been showing for a while. Pirated versions could even be found online if one looked carefully.
But the film's reputation was surprisingly good. Online reviews were overwhelmingly positive, with Twitter and blogs full of posts along the lines of "This blew my mind!"
That piqued Hara Kei's interest. As a half-enthusiast of tokusatsu, he was willing to buy a ticket just to see what all the hype was about.
By the time he stepped out of the theater, dusk had fallen.
The sun had set, and the city was ablaze with neon signs, shop lights, and scattered streetlamps—its bustling urban charm on full display.
His main activities for the day were complete, but before taking the train home, he wanted to grab some food.
As Hara Kei scrolled through his phone for highly rated nearby restaurants, a timid voice came from beside him:
"Ex-excuse me!"
"?"
He looked over and saw a girl in a school uniform from another school.
Slender, delicate, with a pure and cute face. Her pale skin, blue gem-like eyes, and pale blond hair suggested some foreign ancestry, yet her facial features carried strong Eastern traits. This mix gave her a special charm.
Her uniform—though he didn't recognize the school—was clearly high-quality and elegant, rivaling even Saint Eden Academy's standards. She looked noble, poised.
In short: she looked like a character had stepped straight out of a manga or illustrated storybook.
"You just came out of that cinema too, right?" The girl pointed to the theater behind him. Upon his confirmation, her face lit up. She raised her right hand, revealing a movie ticket. "Wait—you saw the same movie?"
Hara Kei nodded again.
Her expression brightened further, like she'd finally found a kindred spirit. Leaning forward eagerly, she said, "Me too! We're so in sync!"
Noticing his phone screen, she continued quickly, "I know a restaurant nearby that's really good. If you don't mind, I can take you there. We can eat and chat."
She winked, clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture, utterly charming.
"Well," Hara Kei thought, "with such a cute lady inviting me, the answer is obvious."
Her eyes widened, anxious, waiting for his response.
Seeing her reaction, Hara Kei allowed a small, knowing smile to appear:
"Let's go."
"Y-yes!" She clenched her fists in excitement, making a triumphant "Yes!" expression, before realizing she might be overdoing it and blushing slightly as she pointed down the street.
"The restaurant's over there."
She seemed like a pop-culture enthusiast—or more accurately, an otaku girl. But the environment around her wasn't particularly welcoming to otaku, so she usually had to put on a well-behaved facade to blend in.
Today, however, she had found an excuse to escape and watch a highly praised movie. Now, still caught up in the story, she babbled on like a nimble songbird about the film's plot. Hara Kei didn't respond, just watched with a small smile as she flitted about.
Although animated on the way, once they arrived at the restaurant, she quieted down and displayed impressive manners while eating.
"U-um…" After finishing her meal, she realized the impending parting and looked reluctant. "If it's not too much trouble… could we take a photo together?"
Her embarrassment was evident, her pale skin flushing beautifully. "I told my friends I was going out with my boyfriend this afternoon, so I snuck out…"
She spoke shyly, eyes darting, fingers nervously curling, yet she persisted, "Just one photo, please. That's all I need to cover myself with my friends."
"Of course. A little physical contact is fine, but nothing too close—just brushing shoulders will do."
Noticing Hara Kei remained calm, she hurried on:
"Oh! I realized I never said my name. I'm—"
"Hayasaka Ai." His voice cut in evenly. "Even if you don't blend in, I still know the names of my classmates."
For the first time, a small crack appeared in her perfect mask.