Inside the Gaio family mansion.
Kaguya Shinomiya snapped open her folding fan, hiding her upturned lips.
Seated in a chair, she listened to Hayasaka Ai's flat, business-like report: "As per your instructions, Miss, the hot spring in the mansion has been fully prepared. I arranged for water to be airlifted from Arima Onsen, and the yukata and drinks have been swapped for Mr. Gaio's preferences."
"Well done~" Kaguya tapped the fan's spine against her palm, her red eyes shifting to Kitagawa Marin, who was bouncing on the sofa.
Marin raised both hands high, her golden-pink hair flipping with her movements.
Yukino sighed, setting down her teacup. "Are you sure about using the hot spring…" She didn't finish before Marin pounced, grabbing her shoulders.
"Yukino, babe!" Marin wagged a finger. "You know, back in high school, if I hadn't confessed to Gaio first, he'd probably still be playing the ambiguous game with us!"
She started counting on her fingers. "And then there's you inviting him to feed stray cats, Kaguya making moves…"
She planted her hands on her hips. "Which one of us didn't take the lead, huh?"
Hayasaka cut in, deadpan: "Based on my research, low visibility—like in a hot spring—makes people relax psychologically, lowering their guard and fostering closer bonds."
She continued, expressionless, "Last time at Kusatsu Onsen…"
"Hayasaka!" Kaguya snapped her fan shut, her ears suspiciously red. "No need to report that!"
Yukino's fingers unconsciously traced the rim of her cup, her reflection in the tea showing a flicker of uncertainty. Yeah, that guy never even properly confessed to her—she just ended up with him, and she was the one who made the first move!
"So this time!" Marin hopped onto the coffee table, raising her arms dramatically. Her voice boomed, rattling the porcelain cups. "We're using the hot spring partition to—create an 'accidental' close encounter! Like, oops, the divider between the men's and women's baths 'accidentally' breaks while Gaio's soaking, and then—"
"Marin!" Yukino's face flushed cherry-red as she grabbed Marin's sleeve. "That's… that's way too shameless!"
Kaguya tapped her fan against her palm, her red eyes glinting. "It's as blunt as a street vendor's pitch… but if it gets him and Fubuki to be 'honest' with each other, it's not a bad plan."
Her cheeks pinked as a thought hit her. "After all, for the Gaio family to grow~ heirs are a must."
Yukino, usually so composed, widened her eyes at Kaguya's words.
"You guys… hold on… isn't it a bit early to be thinking about that?"
"No, no, no! In East Street terms, this is called planning ahead!" Marin said, tilting her chin smugly.
"Exactly. Looks like Marin's been keeping up with her studies~" Kaguya praised.
"That's right! Gaio loves East Street culture, so I gotta know my stuff," Marin grinned, but then her face turned mock-serious as she pointed at Kaguya. "Hey, Kaguya! I'm the main wife here, remember? What's with that praise just now?"
Kaguya opened her fan again, hiding her smile. "You are the main wife, but you've improved, so I couldn't help but compliment you."
Marin's grin returned instantly. "Hehe, fair enough."
Tohsaka Rin, who'd been silent until now, suddenly spoke up: "Marin-nee, so where are we going tonight?"
Marin waved a hand grandly. "We're leaving the house tonight! Let's give them some space and have a 'sisters' party'!"
"Party?" Artoria, munching on cake nearby, perked up, her ears twitching. "Will there be good food?"
"Of course! Everything you could want! If Artoria wants something we don't have, we'll buy it!" Marin's enthusiasm was downright adorable.
Artoria raised both hands, her ahoge practically glowing with excitement.
"The whole family's going?" Tohsaka Sakura asked from the side.
"Yup, everyone! Not a soul stays behind!" Marin declared.
"Aw~ I thought Rin-nee could join the hot spring tonight," Sakura said, sounding disappointed.
Rin's face turned beet-red at Sakura's words. "Sakura! What are you even saying? I don't want to stay!"
"Huh? But you looked kinda bummed when Marin-nee said no one's staying," Sakura said, blinking innocently.
"N-no I didn't!" Rin's voice shot up an octave.
Marin giggled, slinging an arm around Rin's shoulders. "Rin-chan, don't be in such a rush. Your coming-of-age ceremony's just a month away, right? I'll make sure you get your chance then!"
Rin's face was steaming, but she didn't argue, mumbling weakly—nothing like the poised Tohsaka heiress.
"Me too! And Saber-chan!" Sakura raised her hand, cutting in.
Artoria froze mid-bite. Wait, me too? This was about Master's harem! How'd she get dragged in? But… well, Master did check all her boxes for an ideal partner.
"Sakura-chan wants in too? No problem! After Rin's ceremony, big sis will hook you up!" Marin pinched Sakura's soft cheeks, flashing her little tiger teeth.
"What about Saber-chan?" Sakura tilted her head, tugging Artoria's sleeve, her eyes sparkling. "Does Saber-chan want to be partners with Onii-san too?"
Artoria paused with her fork, nodding seriously, her ahoge swaying. "Master is someone worth trusting. Being part of his family… wouldn't be bad. Plus… his cooking's amazing."
"Wow! Artoria's not just honest, she's practical!" Marin lunged, wrapping her arms around Artoria's neck, nearly knocking over her cake. "That's our Saber King! So bold!"
(Rin had already spilled the beans about Artoria's identity.)
"My cake~" Artoria frowned but didn't push her away, carefully shielding her dessert, her ahoge standing warily.
Yukino tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, glancing at the garden outside. "By the way, where are they now? Will she even like this setup?"
"Hmm, if my date spot suggestions are right—and knowing how dense Gaio can be—they're probably still at Freedom Hill Dessert Street," Marin said, still hugging Artoria.
"Hehe, with Gaio's date style, Marin's probably spot-on," Kaguya giggled.
Yukino and Marin sighed in unison, thinking of Gaio's tendency to spend an entire day at one spot during dates.
"But since we're all set, let's send Gaio a message to make sure he comes home. Otherwise, he'll probably just take Fubuki out for dinner and call it a night," Kaguya said, folding her fan and nodding at Marin.
"Yup! Let's get him to show off his Chinese cooking skills in front of Fubuki—she'll fall even harder!" Marin nodded eagerly.
She whipped out her phone, fingers dancing like butterflies over the screen. A playful message popped up: "Gaio-kun~ You HAVE to bring Fubuki-chan home for dinner tonight~ It's her first time at our place, so we gotta host her properly ♡ Oh, and there's a HUGE surprise waiting for you both! No saying no, or I'll cry for real!"
She capped it with a pouty, fake-crying emoji. Kaguya leaned on the sofa, tapping her fan against her hand. "Add 'Be home by 7 PM sharp,' or our plan might flop."
Marin stuck out her tongue, quickly adding: "Right, right! By 7! If you're late, you're cooking us breakfast for a week!"
Meanwhile, at Freedom Hill Dessert Street, Gaio trailed behind Fubuki, Eriri, and Kasumigaoka, who were somehow now chatting like besties, discussing what else to eat.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw Marin's Line flashing. Reading it, a smile spread across his face, and he typed back: "Got it, main wife~"
Back at the mansion, Marin got the reply and announced to the girls, "Gaio says he got it—they're definitely coming back."
Kaguya nodded, turning to Hayasaka. "Ai, double-check the kitchen ingredients so Gaio doesn't run out of anything when he cooks tonight."
Hayasaka gave a respectful bow and swiftly left the room.
"Then we should get ready to head out," Kaguya said, looking at the others.
"Yup! I'm bringing my cosplay outfits! Everyone's gotta dress up as a character tonight!" Marin clapped her hands excitedly.
"Got it, Marin. Don't forget to grab Thor and Kanna—they're still playing in the courtyard," Kaguya reminded her.
Marin shot her an OK sign and bounced out of the room.
The other girls, seeing Marin leave, headed to their rooms to pack for the "party."
Well, except Artoria, still wrestling with her cake.
At the same time, outside the dessert shop, Gaio pocketed his phone and looked up, catching Fubuki's gaze.
She held a strawberry milkshake, straw between her lips. "What's up? Something important?"
Her question drew Eriri and Kasumigaoka's attention.
Gaio shook his head with a smile. "Marin's calling us home—says there's a surprise waiting."
He glanced at Eriri and Kasumigaoka. "Eriri, Shiu, wanna come? You can check out my new place."
Eriri's nose wrinkled at the mention of Marin.
(That sneaky gal!)
She shook her head. "No way, I don't vibe with Kitagawa."
Kasumigaoka covered her mouth, tossing in a jab. "Still salty that Kitagawa confessed to Gaio first, huh?"
Eriri glared at her. "W-who's salty?! I just… my mom wants me home tonight, and I've got manga to finish!"
Kasumigaoka hooked an arm around her, poking her puffed-up cheek. "Sure, sure, big-shot manga artist~ Wonder how your otaku fans would react if they knew their beloved 'Kashiwagi-sensei' is a cute girl~"
"What are you even saying, you old hag?!" Eriri snapped, fuming. Her secret identity as an ero-manga artist was something Gaio had let slip—how else would this hag know?!
"Alright, alright. If you two don't wanna come this time, I'll bring you over next time. Or you can drop by whenever," Gaio said, sending his address to their Lines.
"Hm? This place? Isn't that the Zen'in family's estate?" Eriri said, checking the location on her phone.
"Yup, it's mine now," Gaio nodded.
Eriri looked up, shocked. She knew about the Zen'in family partly because of her dad, a British diplomat and noble with some knowledge of the world's supernatural forces.
(Didn't expect the Zen'in estate to become Gaio's. He's not just some celebrity, is he?)
Catching Eriri's stunned expression, Gaio chuckled and patted her head.
"What's on your mind? I'm still Gaio—the guy who was there when you were crying."
Eriri's face burned as she swatted his hand away, her voice a mix of flustered and feisty. "W-who asked you to bring up old stuff?!"
Her fingertips tinged pink, she stole a glance at him. Seeing his easy smile, she added, "Touch my head again, and I'll draw your manga character ugly!"
Kasumigaoka leaned against the glass door, twirling her hair with a smile. "Eriri's back to being a hissy kitten~" She waved her notebook at Gaio. "I've got a manuscript deadline to meet, so I'll skip your 'family gathering' tonight~"
"I'm not going either!" Eriri chimed in, stuffing a cookie in her mouth, cheeks puffed. "Who wants to go watch that gal bounce around?!"
Gaio laughed, ruffling Eriri's hair again—earning another swat—before turning to Fubuki. "Ready to go?"
Fubuki nodded, tossing her empty milkshake cup in the trash and waving to the others. "Eriri, Shiu, let's hang out again soon~"
"Yeah, yeah, got it!" Eriri waved back, dragging Kasumigaoka in the opposite direction. After a few steps, she turned and shouted, "Gaio! Don't you dare mess with Fubuki-nee, or I'll make you regret it!"
Kasumigaoka added with a grin, "Yeah~ Fubuki-nee's our treasure~"
Gaio waved back, smiling, until the two disappeared around the corner. Then he turned to Fubuki.
"Shall we head back?"
Fubuki smiled and nodded. "Let's bring some desserts for Marin and the others."
Gaio didn't reply, just held out his hand.
This time, no dazed charm needed—Fubuki smiled and naturally placed her hand in his.