This morning, Hayasaka Ai had the rare luxury of waking up naturally.
As the personal maid serving her young mistress, she was usually expected to rise no later than six in the morning at the latest. That was the rule. That was her life.
But today… when she opened her eyes and glanced at the clock by her bed, the hands were already pointing at eight.
Even then, she didn't rush. Instead, she reached for her phone, lay there idly scrolling, letting her mind drift until nine o'clock, before she finally dragged herself out of bed and wandered lazily into the bathroom.
The moment she lowered herself into the tub, the warm water soaking into her skin, she closed her eyes with a satisfied sigh.
Resting like this… really was the most wonderful feeling in the world.
And today, she thought to herself with a smile, things were only going to get better.
She would see her mother again this afternoon. Once her mother's work was over, they could spend some time together. What should they do?
A trip to a nighttime amusement park probably wouldn't fit the schedule, so maybe dinner. But then again… if time allowed, perhaps karaoke, or maybe even a massage.
Her mother worked hard every day, after all. She deserved to relax, to be pampered for once.
Just the thought of it—of seeing her mother again soon—made Ai's cheeks flush with warmth.
Her eyes softened, brimming with a pure, almost childlike brightness, like a fawn gazing up through the forest canopy. A side of her that no one ever saw when she was in her professional mode, where she was always cold and distant.
Yes—this girl, this trusted maid to the esteemed Shinomiya Kaguya—
—had been, from a very young age, a hopelessly devoted mother-con.
And not just mildly. Her "condition" was severe.
When she had first left her mother to live and serve at Kaguya's side, she had been devastated, often shedding quiet tears in the middle of the night.
Her mother, realizing how hard the separation had been, had taken to writing tender, encouraging words for her in a small notebook, reminders to stay strong. That notebook had been her lifeline, her emotional anchor during the most uncertain part of her childhood.
It was the same notebook Minamoto Senya had once stumbled upon, back when he had rescued a stray dog.
Ai had grown up since then. She no longer needed that notebook for courage.
But she still kept it in her treasure box, tucked away with the care one might give to a sacred relic, vowing she would always preserve it.
After her bath, Ai didn't bother going out. Instead, she curled up in her room, losing herself in video games. She combined breakfast and lunch into one light meal, and by two o'clock in the afternoon, she had dressed carefully, prepared herself, and stepped out the door.
There, in the hallway, she ran into Shinomiya Kaguya, who had no plans for the day herself.
Kaguya knew what Ai had arranged, and when she saw that glowing, barely concealed happiness on Ai's face, she gave her a teasing, knowing smile.
"Hayasaka, have fun today."
"...Mm."
Ai's cheeks reddened as she gave a small nod, then skipped away with unusually light steps.
Kaguya's gaze lingered on her retreating figure.
Ai's light blue blouse and pale gray pleated skirt, the bow at her collar, the neatly polished shoes paired with short white socks—all of it exuded a deliberate charm. Her hair, styled differently than usual, had extra texture and layers. Her complexion was radiant, clearly prepped with a mask, and there was even a faint perfume clinging to her.
Everything about her screamed "a girl in love heading to meet her sweetheart."
And yet, Ai was merely going to see her mother.
Yes, her mother-complex hadn't faded one bit. If anything, it seemed to have deepened with age.
At this point, it was safe to assume she would carry this trait with her for life.
Kaguya shook her head with a small laugh, but Ai herself was too cheerful to care.
The truth, though, was that Ai's mother, Hayasaka Nao, was not actually free. She had work to do—serving as an attendant to another important figure of the Shinomiya family, accompanying them to a business banquet.
The event wasn't expected to end until well past nine in the evening.
But Ai couldn't wait that long. She knew from her mother's own words that the banquet wasn't anything crucial, and she had already decided: she would sneak in.
As long as she could catch a glimpse of her mother from afar, she would be satisfied. She wouldn't disturb her work. And afterward, the very moment the banquet ended, they could go have dinner together, just the two of them.
It was a perfect plan.
Nao had tried to dissuade her, but she knew her daughter too well. Ai's attachment was too strong, and persuading her otherwise was hopeless. In the end, she simply sighed and let her be.
And so, around four o'clock that afternoon, mother and daughter met at the banquet villa in Meguro.
The first thing Ai did when she saw her mother was throw herself into her arms, demanding a hug.
Afterward, Nao returned to her duties, while Ai wandered up to the second floor, headphones on, music playing, leaning against the railing as she gazed absentmindedly at the crowd below.
And that was when she saw him.
An unexpected figure.
Her eyes widened slightly as she recognized the boy, standing among a small group of adults, speaking politely. More and more people seemed drawn to him as the minutes passed.
So focused was she that she didn't even notice her mother had come up behind her.
Nao followed her daughter's gaze—and there he was, standing in the hall below, a strikingly handsome boy whose very presence commanded attention. His features were refined, his aura sharp and dignified. He was the kind of youth one might describe with those old-fashioned words: "graceful as jade, unmatched in the world."
Ah… so Ai's reached that age, Nao thought with a smile.
This was good. Healthy.
Her daughter's attachment to her was, truthfully, too much. If she could shift some of that emotional weight onto an interest in the opposite sex, then perhaps… perhaps Ai could finally grow.
But wait—this boy… she had seen him before.
Yes. She remembered now.
It was him. Minamoto Senya.
The prodigy who had been making headlines not long ago, excelling both in kendo and piano, talents in two completely different worlds. The media had fought over his story for weeks.
Ai had mentioned him, too. About how, when she was very young, he had once helped her. About how she had recognized him again recently, when she accompanied Kaguya to a piano competition. And then again, when she'd been searching for a new piano teacher for her mistress.
Nao's lips curved faintly. Yes, Ai was a mother-con, but she wasn't secretive. She told her mother nearly everything.
Looking now at her daughter leaning over the railing, hands gripping it tightly, staring down without blinking—so engrossed she hadn't even noticed her presence—Nao felt a small ripple of amusement.
Then she looked back at the boy, standing below, surrounded by admiring girls.
Her eyes flickered thoughtfully.
"…So cold!"
Ai suddenly squeaked, flinching as an icy chill touched her cheek. She turned her head quickly—her mother was standing there with a chilled drink, smiling softly.
"Mama!"
Not angry, not embarrassed. Just plaintive.
Nao handed her the drink, but her tone turned direct.
"That's Minamoto Senya, isn't he? The boy you told me about."
Ai froze. She hadn't expected her mother to guess immediately. She hesitated, then gave a tiny nod, sipping through the straw.
"What a coincidence to see him here. Don't you want to go say hello?"
"..."
Ai bit her lip.
It was true she had met Senya a few times. But that was all. They weren't close. They didn't even have each other's contact information. To suddenly walk up and say, 'Oh, fancy seeing you here'… and then what? What would she talk about?
Besides, he was with someone. Another girl, clinging to his arm, looking very close to him. If she approached now, it might even look like she was… challenging her.
Ai shook her head. "No, Mama. We're not that close. It would just be awkward."
"Awkward? Why? Kids your age making friends—it's natural."
"..."
But Ai couldn't explain. Not properly. She only shook her head again.
Nao studied her daughter, sighed softly, then decided not to push. She was still on duty, after all, and couldn't linger too long. After a few reminders, she left.
Ai's gaze, however, drifted back toward the hall below.
She watched as the black-haired girl beside Senya pulled him away from the group, arm hooked tightly through his.
They looked close.
Ai bit her straw, her face expressionless, her heart unreadable.
She thought this would be the end of it. Just an unexpected encounter. Nothing more.
But she hadn't expected Senya to cross her path again. This time, much closer.
Her mother reappeared at her side, strangely uncharacteristic today, her attention drawn to something other than work.
"That girl's gone now," Nao murmured. "He's alone. If you're going to act, now's your chance."
"...Mama, you're misunderstanding. Besides, he just went to the restroom. Obviously."
"Even better. When he comes out, and you're right there—it'll feel like fate. Don't you think that's romantic?"
"Mama~!"
Ai whined, clinging to her.
Nao exhaled. Her daughter's dependency was sweet, yes, but also worrisome. It couldn't last forever.
Ai whispered against her chest, "As long as I have you, Mama, that's enough. I don't need anyone else."
Nao stroked her hair. "And what about your father? If he heard that, he'd be heartbroken."
"That's fine. Let him be."
"..."
Nao's sigh was inaudible. She had glimpsed, however faintly, a spark of possibility earlier. And she wasn't going to let it slip away so easily.
"Sorry, Ai."
"Eh?"
Before Ai could react, Nao plucked the ribbon from her daughter's hair and flicked it casually over the railing.
Ai gasped, squatting down instantly, trying to hide from view.
Nao chuckled inwardly. So that's how she reacts. How very telling.
But then—something unexpected happened.
Below, Senya tilted his head slightly, as though he had sensed it, and neatly avoided the falling ribbon.
Nao's eyes narrowed.
Interesting.
It wasn't spider-sense.
What Minamoto Senya had was something else entirely—something sharper.
He looked up immediately, and his gaze met Nao's. She didn't hesitate. She smiled faintly, then reached down and pulled her flustered, crouching daughter up by the arm, before giving Senya a little wave.
Senya glanced between them, and in that moment, understood. Their faces were similar enough, their relationship obvious.
But then, something even stranger caught his attention. Above Nao's head floated a white exclamation mark.
A system prompt. A task.
He hadn't seen one in a while.
Senya bent down, picked up the ribbon, and made his way up the stairs.
Nao leaned her cheek against her hand, tilting her head gracefully. "Oh dear, sorry about that. We were fixing her hair and it slipped."
"No problem."
He handed the ribbon over. Ai accepted it, mumbling a quiet thank you.
She still hadn't pieced together why her mother had done this.
Nao, however, was perfectly composed.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Ai's mother. You're Minamoto-kun, aren't you? Ai's mentioned you to me."
Senya returned the handshake politely. "Hello, ma'am."
Up close, Ai's mother seemed even more refined, her aura calm and measured.
"What a coincidence to run into you here. Such a shame I'm working, otherwise I'd invite you properly."
Senya smiled faintly, though inwardly he wasn't sure what to make of her.
His gaze flicked toward Ai, who was fumbling to re-tie her hair. She felt his eyes, flustered, hugging her mother's arm as though to say, 'Please stop embarrassing me.'
But Nao just stroked her hair affectionately, then said with a serene smile, "She's all alone up here. And you seem to be alone as well. Why not keep each other company? Make some friends?"
"Mama!"
Ai looked ready to sink into the floor.
Senya, however, tilted his head thoughtfully. He had wanted this for some time.
Turning to Ai, he said, "Last time at the Tōma house, you were busy, and then you left in a hurry. I never had the chance… So how about now? If you don't mind, could we exchange contact information?"
"Eh—?"
Ai's brain blanked for a moment. Her mother nudged her lightly with her elbow, reminding her to respond.
Senya held up his phone expectantly, and Ai fumbled to take out her own.
"Um… actually, I wanted to last time too. But, since it was during work, and at someone else's house, it didn't feel right…"
Under Nao's watchful, beaming gaze, the two exchanged contact information.
Perfect. That's how youth should be.
Senya, meanwhile, saw the exclamation mark above Nao's head dissolve, bursting into faint sparks like a tiny firework.
Just a simple task: helping a mother who wished for her daughter to make a friend. The reward was minor—slight boosts to charm and vitality.
But he found himself oddly satisfied.
"I've got a friend waiting outside," he said. "If you'd like, Hayasaka-san, you could come too."
Ai shook her head. "No, it's fine. I have other plans."
Her mother's words about her being "all alone" echoed ironically.
Senya didn't press. He simply nodded.
But just before he left, Nao spoke again, her eyes keen.
"Minamoto-kun. Downstairs, just now. You noticed, didn't you?"
Senya feigned ignorance. "Noticed what?"
She smiled. "Never mind. My mistake. Take care of Ai, alright?"
Senya gave a courteous nod, then walked away, leaving without the slightest crack in his composure.
Ai exhaled quietly.
After he left, Ai Hayasaka closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath.
When she opened them again, she turned toward her mother, whose expression was as gentle as always.
For a few seconds, she hesitated. Then, slowly, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around her.
"Mom…"
"What is it?"
"I knew it. I still love you the most."
"Hehe…"
Kasumigaoka Utaha, meanwhile, had no idea. She thought Senya had just gone to the restroom for a moment—but in that brief time, his already complicated circle of friends had grown by yet another person.
She sat waiting in a rocking chair, humming quietly, her feet tipping up on her toes as she swayed, brimming with girlish excitement.
Remembering how close they had been just a little while ago, her lips pressed together unconsciously, trying to stifle the sugary delight swelling inside her.
In her heart, today was a turning point. Something had changed between them. A small step forward—but one she wanted to treasure.
———
After that night's banquet with Utaha, Senya had gotten a flurry of messages from her.
She wanted to treat him to dinner, to properly thank him for taking care of her that evening.
But Senya turned her down.
Not because of anything else—just because August heat was suffocating, and unless something was absolutely necessary, he had no desire to go outside.
Utaha was disappointed, but where he could refuse her, he couldn't refuse Rokka.
He'd promised her before summer vacation that they would go to an amusement park together, and now the time had come to make good on it.
"How about we wait a few more days?" Senya suggested. "Maybe until it cools down a bit."
"For the next two weeks, it's only going to get hotter," Rokka countered immediately. "And besides—if we wait too long, Yukino's heading abroad again. She's not staying long this time."
"…."
With that reasoning, Senya couldn't argue further.
Fine, he thought. Let's just go. Hot is hot—deal with it.
Rokka took charge of the whole outing, inviting practically every friend in her contacts list.
But in the end, only a few agreed to come: Senya himself, of course; his sister; Eiri; and Yukino.
Saeko had gone off with their father, who was back from overseas, to visit an old family friend.
Utaha, on the other hand, had politely declined, claiming she needed to stay home and focus on her manuscript. In truth, she wasn't on any deadline—but when she heard Senya was going, she desperately wanted to join. The timing, though, was cruelly bad. Visiting relatives had drained her energy, and she had no choice but to stay home.
As for Kazusa? Same as always. She never liked these kinds of social gatherings, and instead used her piano practice as an excuse to stay behind.
Rokka even asked her older sister to come along, but with the rhythmic gymnastics tournament approaching, she was in no mood for leisurely outings.
"Morning."
"…Morning."
Senya, freshly washed up, came downstairs just in time to see Tokika getting ready to leave for school. They exchanged a brief greeting.
From the hallway, Senya watched her bend to change her shoes, her posture revealing the toned, elegant lines of someone who trained constantly. That effortless feminine presence made his gaze linger, admiration flickering in his eyes.
People change. At different times, you develop different feelings.
When Senya had first realized he harbored those emotions for Tokika, he'd been troubled. He thought it was wrong, unacceptable. His conscience fought back hard.
But as time passed, that voice of resistance faded.
He came to believe that saying: "Judge a man by his deeds, not his thoughts."
As long as he kept his feelings locked inside and took no action, surely it was fine.
But lately… just keeping it in his head no longer satisfied him. His fantasies pushed harder, urging him to turn them into reality.
"What is it?"
Tokika had felt his eyes burning into her, and though he hadn't moved a muscle, that unwavering stare was enough to make her fluster.
Senya, calm as ever, clenched a fist at his side and declared:
"Gymnastics training. Fighting!"
"…Mm."
Tokika blinked rapidly, nodded, and hurried out, her heart pounding far too fast for such a simple exchange.
Their current relationship was the perfect cover.
No matter how close they grew, no matter how his glances lingered, the excuse of "we're family" was always there to explain it away.
Convenient, yes. But it was also a shackle, keeping them from stepping closer.
…He needed to think of a way around it.
Senya moved into the kitchen.
Breakfast was simple—toast with milk, and fruit from the fridge if anyone wanted extra. The heat had killed everyone's appetite anyway.
He sat down at the table and had just taken a bite when a glass marble rolled to his feet. Moments later, Rokka's pet—"Wings of Midnight"—flapped clumsily across the floor, snatched the marble in its beak, and hopped away.
She'd raised the crow well. Its feathers were now sleek and black, except for a ring of white speckles around its neck that looked almost like a necktie—handsome, in a way.
It still couldn't fly properly, but it strutted around the house confidently, having mastered the stairs after only one attempt.
They'd already taken it to the vet for deworming, so now it roamed freely.
And the thing was… it was smart.
Normally, birds couldn't control their bathroom habits. But this one? Somehow, it seemed to know when nature was coming. Every time, it hurried to one of the newspaper-covered spots they'd laid out, did its business, then carried on as usual.
Only when it had first left the nest had it made a mess of Rokka's floor. Now, it was practically house-trained.
Rokka proudly claimed it was thanks to her strict guidance. Senya suspected the bird simply had sharp instincts. After all, crows were known to be among the smartest of birds.
Just a few days ago, their father had lost his keys. After a long search, it was Wings of Midnight that crawled under the sofa and dragged them out.
Whether or not it had hidden them in the first place didn't matter—its "heroics" earned it a new level of respect in the household.
Even Tokika, who had worried about allergies, grew fond of it after realizing she had no reaction. She'd stroke its head, feed it scraps of bread or cookies, and laugh when it tilted its head.
The bird had carved out its place in their home.
Senya's thoughts drifted back to that night with Utaha.
Afterward, he'd grown curious about that infamous novelist.
And what he found shocked him more than he expected.
The man had cheated on his wife multiple times—even during their marriage. Yet when it came out, his wife publicly apologized, saying it was her fault, that she couldn't satisfy him.
Now he lived openly with multiple women, while his wife raised the child of one of his mistresses. And the public? Barely blinked. He was still invited to events, still promoting his books.
Japan, Senya thought wryly, was truly a strange country.
Still, it gave him ideas.
He'd been spending less time at the Touma household, locking himself in his room instead.
Trying to write.
He wanted to take the masterpieces stored in his mind—stories that didn't belong to this world—and put them to paper.
But no matter how hard he tried, something always felt… off.
His writing lacked spark. He could retell the plots, yes, but they came out flat, lifeless.
Well, he had a solution. After all, there was a certain "literary girl" nearby. With her help, he could polish his skills.
He'd already achieved one milestone: getting his family into a comfortable home, giving them a better life.
Now it was time to pursue the next.
Not just kendo. Not just piano. Literature, too.
He wanted to be "master of pen and sword alike"—not for fame itself, but as another step toward his ultimate ideal.
For now, all he could do was give his all.
"Hmm~ hmm~"
Rokka emerged from the bath, humming as she walked out in nothing but a bathrobe, long legs and pale shoulders exposed.
Senya's train of thought derailed. He sighed.
"Can't you at least get dressed before coming out?"
She waved him off breezily.
"It's too hot in there. Besides, it's not like it matters—there aren't any strangers here."
"…"
Not strangers, maybe. But still a guy.
Honestly, this girl really didn't treat him like an outsider.
Not rich, but reckless—that was Rokka.
She glanced at her phone, then gasped.
"Oh no! Yukino and Eiri are ready already, they're heading out! Senya, hurry up and eat—if we're late, the lines at the amusement park will be impossible!"
"Don't worry. I'll be faster than you."
She bolted upstairs with hurried footsteps that betrayed the weight she'd gained over summer break.
Ten minutes later, the two were out the door together.
———
The group's meeting point was an amusement park themed around "Mr. Pan," the popular mascot character.
Tokyo had plenty of parks, but Rokka had chosen this one specifically—for Yukino's sake.
She adored Mr. Pan.
Her family's driver dropped her off at the entrance, where Yukino stepped out, a wide-brimmed hat shielding her from the sun.
But she wasn't alone.
"Phew! Man, it's hot. Thank god I put on sunscreen before coming."
Yukino's sister, Haruno, slid out after her, sunglasses perched on her nose, raising her arms high in exaggerated cheer.
Yukino sighed, exasperated.
She hadn't planned for this. Right before leaving, her sister had suddenly insisted on coming along, no matter what she said.
"I told you, it's just me, Eiri, and the others today. Toka-nee's not coming, so you won't even have anyone to talk to."
"That's fine, that's fine. I didn't come to hang out with them." Haruno smirked, eyes glinting. "I came to see little Senya."
"…Why?"
"Does it bother you?"
"…"
Seeing that mischievous grin, Yukino cut herself off.
Her sister was impossible. The more you asked, the less she'd answer seriously. Better to leave it and ask Senya directly later.
The two sisters reached the plaza in front of the gates, where a line of shops sold drinks and souvenirs, and waited.
It didn't take long before the rest arrived.
Senya paused when he spotted Haruno. But when she walked up with her usual radiant smile, looped an arm around his neck, and whispered something in his ear, he just nodded seriously.
The others looked on, baffled.
What on earth could those two possibly have to say in secret?
…