It wasn't until the afternoon school bell rang that the girls reluctantly left.
"Phew!"
Though it was nice to be surrounded by so much admiration, the constant chatter had been a bit overwhelming. Now, finally, there was some quiet.
Ryuji was about to head back to his classroom for the next lesson when Shizuka, the club advisor, gave him a look with a hint of mischief.
"Are you sure you want to go back to the classroom?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Hmm?" Ryuji stopped and looked at her in confusion. "What's up?"
"There are probably still quite a few students hanging around outside your classroom. After everything that's happened, I doubt anyone's going to be focusing on lessons," she said. "Some of them are there just to gawk, but others are probably hoping to get closer to you."
Ryuji sighed, already picturing the crowd. He could understand why they'd be curious, but the idea of being mobbed didn't sound appealing.
"Well, if I don't go to class, where else can I go?" he asked, giving her a curious look. He'd noticed something in Hiratsuka's gaze, as if she had an alternative in mind.
Clearing her throat, she replied, "I don't have any classes this afternoon, so you could hang out in my office for a bit. After a couple of days, when the excitement dies down, things should go back to normal."
Some of the girls who hadn't left the clubroom nodded, clearly thinking it was a good idea. They trusted Hiratsuka's suggestion without a second thought.
Before long, it was just Ryuji and Shizuka alone in the now-empty clubroom. The spacious room felt even larger with everyone else gone.
Noticing Ryuji's amused gaze, Shizuka turned her head slightly, looking away with a bit of awkwardness.
"Let's go," she said in a serious tone, trying to cover up her flustered expression. "I'll take you to my office."
But just as she turned to leave, Ryuji reached out and gently pulled her back.
"You…" Before she could react, Ryuji leaned in and whispered with a smirk, "I think this space is big enough. Don't you?"
After all, once the clubroom door was closed, no one would come in. They had the place entirely to themselves.
Ryuji's words made Shizuka's steps falter, and she nearly tripped.
"Whatever… suit yourself," she muttered, glancing away as if giving him permission, though her expression said otherwise.
Seeing her reaction only made Ryuji's grin grow wider. With everything that had been happening lately, it'd been a while since he'd had the chance to enjoy moments like this with her.
While Ryuji was busy in the clubroom, the live broadcast from earlier had stirred up waves in other places as well. People across various circles were investigating Ryuji and Gojo, having recognized them as some of the strongest sorcerers alive.
For the powerful and wealthy, this meant opportunity. If they could win over one of these sorcerers, it would be a game-changer for their influence and security. The potential benefits were too tempting to ignore.
---
At the Shinomiya mansion, Kaguya Shinomiya sat with her maid, Ai Hayasaka, watching the recorded footage of the live broadcast. Though Kaguya wasn't particularly tech-savvy, Ai had been more than happy to set everything up for her.
Watching the footage, Kaguya's gaze was filled with awe. She'd seen Ryuji's strength in action once before, back at one of her family's properties, but that day was nothing compared to the spectacle in the live stream.
It made sense now, she realized. No wonder her father, Gan'an Shinomiya, had insisted on holding a birthday banquet for her this year, a rare occurrence. The purpose was clear: to try and bring Ryuji closer to the Shinomiya family.
And how would he accomplish that? The answer was obvious. By using her as bait.
Kaguya sighed, feeling a familiar bitterness at the idea of her life being dictated by her family's ambitions. But after witnessing Ryuji's power, her feelings were mixed. There was a strange sense of admiration within her, a quiet acknowledgment that she was drawn to his strength.
"Hayasaka!" Kaguya called out, her voice more hesitant than usual.
"Yes, Miss?" Hayasaka responded, looking at Kaguya with her usual composed expression.
"Have you prepared the dress for the banquet?" Kaguya asked, her tone carrying a hint of anxiety she rarely allowed herself to show.
Hayasaka immediately understood her mistress's unease. Smiling softly, she replied, "Don't worry, Miss. The head of the family personally approved the dresses. He made sure they're perfect for the occasion."
Of course, Gan'an Shinomiya would want Kaguya to look her best. If the plan was to win over Ryuji, Kaguya's appearance would need to be flawless. Anything less would be an embarrassment to the Shinomiya name.
"I see…" Kaguya murmured, feeling somewhat reassured. But then, another thought surfaced, and her expression turned worried again.
"But… what if he doesn't like me?" she asked quietly, a vulnerable look crossing her face.
Although Kaguya was the Shinomiya family's designated successor, being an illegitimate child meant her status within the family was always precarious. Despite her usual cold and dignified facade, only Hayasaka knew how insecure Kaguya could be behind closed doors.
"Miss, you have nothing to worry about," Hayasaka reassured her, her voice softening. "You're beautiful and intelligent. I'm sure Ryuji will be impressed. And if the two of you do end up together, no one in the Shinomiya family would dare look down on you again."
Privately, Hayasaka herself hadn't fully grasped the significance of sorcerers until the live broadcast. She'd once thought of them as nothing more than con artists. But now she knew better. Sorcerers were like walking natural disasters, capable of bending the very fabric of reality. It was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
Still, seeing her mistress's nervousness, Hayasaka kept her own emotions in check, focusing entirely on Kaguya's needs.
"Yes… you're right," Kaguya replied, her expression firming up. "As a member of the Shinomiya family, I won't allow myself to fail."
Seeing her mistress's determined expression, Hayasaka couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and amusement. Kaguya's serious demeanor, even about something like this, was both admirable and endearing.
Just then, Hayasaka's phone vibrated in her pocket. Glancing at the screen, her face fell slightly.
"Excuse me, Miss. I need to go to the bathroom," she said politely.
"Hmm? Oh, go ahead," Kaguya replied absentmindedly, already lost in thought as she mentally prepared for the upcoming banquet.
Once in the bathroom, Hayasaka checked her phone. The message was from none other than Kaguya's older brother, Oko Shinomiya. Her expression soured as she read it.
"Don't let Kaguya succeed."
The message was short, but its meaning was clear. Oko wanted her to sabotage Kaguya's chances with Ryuji. Hayasaka clenched her teeth, feeling a surge of disgust.
"Are you afraid, Oko?" she muttered to herself with a bitter laugh.
It was obvious why he wanted her to interfere. If Kaguya managed to form a bond with someone as powerful as Ryuji, her status in the family would skyrocket. Oko's own position as a potential heir would be at risk, and he couldn't allow that.
Though she loathed the order, Hayasaka knew she couldn't openly defy Oko. Instead, she typed back a calculated response.
"Kaguya is beautiful. If Ryuji likes her, it's beyond my control."
She knew Kaguya's beauty and intelligence were undeniable. If Ryuji truly took an interest in her, there would be little anyone could do to prevent it.
Oko fell silent, seemingly frustrated. But then, after a moment, he responded with a new plan:
"Then you seduce him."
Hayasaka stared at her screen in shock. Was he really suggesting…?
But she quickly realized he was serious. In his eyes, she was just another pawn, someone he could use to further his ambitions.
"Do you think I won't destroy the Hayasaka family if you fail?" Oko added, making his threat clear.
Hayasaka clenched her phone tightly, her knuckles turning white. The Hayasaka family had already fallen under the Shinomiya family's control after a failed business endeavor. They were no longer independent but a subsidiary family, existing only because the Shinomiya allowed it.
"Bastard…" she whispered, feeling a surge of anger.
If she had the power, she'd gladly slap Oko across the face. But in reality, she had no choice. With a bitter heart, she forced herself to type a single reply.
"Understood."
For the sake of her family, Hayasaka had no choice but to obey, even as it pained her to betray Kaguya's trust in such a way.
The more this happened, the heavier the guilt Ai felt towards Kaguya. Though she'd become adept at hiding her emotions, she couldn't shake the weight of betraying her mistress, someone she had grown close to despite their formal relationship.
By the time she left the bathroom, Ai had composed herself, her expression returning to its usual calm, detached demeanor.
Returning to Kaguya's room, she was greeted by an unexpected sight.
"Hayasaka! Hayasaka!" Kaguya called out excitedly, her usual reserved tone replaced with eagerness. "Come here, quickly! I want you to teach me how to use a smartphone!"
Ai blinked in surprise. "Why the sudden interest?"
Kaguya, brilliant as she was, had always been something of a technological klutz. Despite her vast knowledge in other areas, smartphones and social media were uncharted territory for her. Up until now, she'd never shown any real interest in learning.
Kaguya hesitated for a moment. "Well… next time we meet, I'd like to add Mr. Ryuji on Line. It seems I need to have the right kind of phone to do that."
Up until now, Kaguya had been using a PHS flip phone, something ancient by today's standards, which could only make calls and send basic text messages.
"Ah, I see." Ai suppressed a knowing smile, quickly grasping Kaguya's intentions. "Alright, I'll help you get set up."
---
Meanwhile, across town at the Izumi residence, Izumi Sagiri was looking at Ryuji with wide, admiring eyes. "Ryuji-nii, was that really you in the live broadcast today?"
Izumi Sae, Sagiri's mother, was setting the table, but she couldn't help glancing over as well, curious. They had watched the live stream earlier, and seeing Ryuji's abilities on full display had been nothing short of shocking.
"Of course," Ryuji replied with a smile, nodding. He hadn't gone out of his way to hide his strength, and now everyone had seen it firsthand.
"Wow… that was amazing!" Sagiri exclaimed, her face glowing with excitement.
Compared to how shy and withdrawn she'd been when they first met, Sagiri was now much more cheerful. The discovery that her mother was alive had lifted a huge weight off her, and her confidence had blossomed as a result.
"Alright, alright. Let's eat first," Ryuji said with a chuckle, ruffling her hair as she beamed up at him.
As the family gathered around the dinner table, Sae took a moment to ask, "So, does this mean you won't be going to school for the next few days?"
Ryuji sighed. "I'd rather not feel like an animal on display."
He had no problem with people knowing about his powers, but he wasn't interested in being swarmed by curious classmates gawking at him as if he were in a zoo. He could already imagine the crowds that would gather just to catch a glimpse of him.
Sae nodded thoughtfully. "That's understandable. Maybe this is a good chance to take a break and relax for a few days."
Ryuji just smiled, not bothering to explain further. Relaxing was all well and good, but he had no intention of letting his training slip. If any powerful cursed spirits emerged, he'd be the first to confront them. Power and strength were things he constantly pursued, knowing they were essential to his freedom and goals.
"Well, at least this means I'll have more time to spend with both of you," Ryuji added, glancing first at Sae and then at Sagiri.
Sae's cheeks reddened slightly at his words, though she tried to hide it by focusing on her food. She knew he was including Sagiri to be polite, but the underlying warmth in his words wasn't lost on her. Despite herself, Sae felt a flutter of excitement.
"Hehe, Sagiri likes spending time with Ryuji-nii too!" Sagiri said cheerfully, completely oblivious to the undertones in the conversation.
"Sagiri, you should really call him 'uncle,'" Sae interjected, though there was a slight awkwardness in her tone.
"No way, I want to call him brother!" Sagiri pouted, crossing her arms defiantly.
Sae was about to insist, but Ryuji laughed, cutting her off. "It's fine. I like it when Sagiri calls me 'brother.'"
Sagiri grinned triumphantly, sticking her tongue out at her mother, clearly pleased by Ryuji's support.
Sae just rolled her eyes, letting it go. It was just a title, after all, though she couldn't shake the slight unease she felt about it.
---
After dinner, while Sae was cleaning up in the kitchen, Ryuji entertained Sagiri by using his shadow manipulation technique, creating little figures that danced around in his hand. The shadows shifted, forming into shapes like horses, cats, and puppies, much to Sagiri's delight.
"Amazing!" she said for the hundredth time, clapping her hands in wonder.
When Sae finally finished washing the dishes and returned to the living room, she paused to watch the scene, a soft smile on her face. For a single mother, moments like these seeing her daughter so happy were priceless.
But then she cleared her throat, putting on a stern face. "Alright, Sagiri. It's getting late. Go wash up and get to bed. You have school tomorrow."
"Aww… okay," Sagiri grumbled, though she didn't put up too much resistance.
As she headed to the bathroom, Ryuji reassured her, "Don't worry, Sagiri. I'll be around more often."
Sagiri's eyes lit up. "Really? Promise?"
"Promise," Ryuji replied with a smile.
Sagiri ran off happily, and Ryuji watched her go before turning his attention to Sae, who was standing nearby.
"Don't you want to come over?" he asked, reaching out his hand and smiling invitingly.
Sae hesitated, glancing towards the bathroom where Sagiri was washing up. "Sagiri hasn't gone to bed yet…"
"Don't worry," Ryuji replied with a smirk, gently pulling her closer. "Just keep your voice down."
"You…" Sae blushed deeply, but didn't pull away, leaning into him instead.
---
The next day, Ryuji had intended to relax, maybe even spend some more time with the Izumi family. But just as he was settling in, he noticed Sae sitting on the sofa, looking unusually tense. She held a piece of paper in her hands, her face etched with worry.
When she noticed him, she quickly tried to hide the note behind her back.
"You… why are you here?" she stammered, looking caught off guard.
Ryuji raised an eyebrow, seeing right through her attempt. "Is that a letter… for me?"
Sae hesitated, clearly conflicted.
"Don't worry," Ryuji said calmly, giving her a reassuring smile. "You know my strength, don't you? I'd like to see who sent this letter."
After a moment of hesitation, Sae handed him the envelope. "Alright… but just be careful."
Ryuji opened it and quickly skimmed through the contents. It was a request for him to join a certain family, with promises of wealth, power, and any other luxuries he could imagine.
The letter was signed by the Black Dog family.
"Black Dog?" Ryuji muttered, frowning. He'd never heard of them before, but from the tone, he could tell they were some kind of influential organization, possibly even a crime syndicate.
However, something else caught his attention. Sae handed him a second piece of paper a photograph.
Ryuji's eyes narrowed as he looked at the picture. It was a candid shot of Sagiri, taken from outside her classroom window. The angle suggested that whoever took it had been watching her for some time.
Clearly, the Black Dog family wasn't just offering him an invitation they were using Sagiri as leverage.
Realizing that they intended to threaten him through the people he cared about, Ryuji clenched the photo tightly, his expression darkening.
"Those bastards…" he muttered, his voice filled with barely restrained anger.
He glanced at Sae, who looked visibly shaken. "Were you planning on hiding this from me?"
Sae lowered her head, guilt flashing in her eyes. "I… I didn't want you to get hurt because of us."
"Idiot," he said softly, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "I don't think you fully understand my strength."
Sae let out a shaky breath, her anxiety slowly easing under his touch. "You're… you're really going to handle this?"
"Of course," he replied, his voice calm and resolute. "Leave it to me."
Seeing his confidence, Sae's worries finally faded. As long as Ryuji was there, she felt certain that everything would be alright.
After spending a few more moments with her, Ryuji left the house, his mind focused on one thing: finding out more about the Black Dog family.
---
Back at Ryuji's house, Mimiko and Nanako were lounging on the sofa, watching TV. Since Ryuji wasn't going to school, they'd decided to skip as well. When Ryuji walked in, they immediately noticed the hard look in his eyes.
"What's wrong?" Mimiko asked, sensing his tension.
"Do you two know anything about the Black Dog family?" Ryuji asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Mimiko and Nanako exchanged a look, searching their memories. After a moment, Mimiko's eyes lit up as she recalled something.
"Oh, right!" she said. "When we were with the Star Religious Group, the Black Dog family was one of the groups that sought our help."
Nanako nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I remember now. The Black Dog family is a consortium that made its fortune in the underworld. They were involved in all sorts of shady business, smuggling, black market deals, you name it."
The two sisters had never paid much attention to the politics and power struggles between sorcerers and non-sorcerers before. At most, they'd heard rumors or occasional gossip while with their former companions.
"A consortium that came from the underworld?" Ryuji muttered, putting the pieces together. "No wonder they had the guts to pull something like this."
Without any hesitation, he looked at the two sisters, Mimiko and Nanako, and gave a direct order.
"Find the Black Dog family's location. And leave no one alive."
"...???"
The two sisters were momentarily surprised. Ryuji rarely gave such absolute orders, especially with such a cold tone. But as they looked at his steely, resolute expression, any doubts they might have had quickly faded.
"Understood!" they replied in unison, without a hint of hesitation.
They didn't ask Ryuji why he suddenly wanted to wipe out the Black Dog family. For them, it was enough to know that this was his command.
---
That night, the head of the Black Dog family was sleeping soundly in his grand bedroom. But suddenly, his face twisted, turning red as if he couldn't breathe. He clawed at his throat, struggling desperately, but there was no one around him. His breathing became more ragged, his struggles weaker, until finally… he suffocated to death, alone in his room.
The same fate befell the rest of the Black Dog family members. One by one, they showed identical symptoms, as if something invisible was choking the life out of them. Each member gasped, struggled, and then died, leaving a strange and eerie silence in the mansion.
Outside the Black Dog family estate, Mimiko relaxed her grip on a small Sunny Doll she held by a rope around its neck, exhaling in satisfaction.
"It's done," she murmured.
This was Mimiko's Curse technique, a unique sorcery that allowed her to project effects onto her targets through the doll. Whatever happened to the doll was reflected in the person cursed by it.
"Your abilities have gotten so much stronger," Nanako said with admiration, watching her sister's handiwork.
Ever since Ryuji had removed the curse that had once bound the twins, both Mimiko and Nanako's powers had advanced rapidly. Mimiko's Binding Curse, once limited to affecting only a single target within her line of sight, now could impact multiple targets within a given range.
"I just hope one day my technique can be used without needing photos," Nanako sighed, a hint of envy in her voice.
Her own technique required a photograph of the target, saved or taken in real-time, to activate her curse. Without it, her powers were useless.
"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself!" Mimiko replied, reassuring her sister with a smile. "Remember, you used to need to take photos on the spot. Now you can use saved images whenever you want. That's huge progress!"
Indeed, Nanako's technique had evolved. Originally, she had to capture her target's image in real-time. But now, she could cast her curse using photos stored on her phone, significantly increasing her flexibility.
"Besides," Mimiko added, "maybe when you awaken your Domain someday, you won't need photos at all."
The concept of Domains had once felt impossibly distant for the twins. But with Ryuji's guidance, they'd started to believe that maybe, someday, they could achieve it.
Nanako laughed, though it was a bit self-conscious. "A Domain, huh? That still feels pretty far away."
But she didn't dwell on it, knowing they'd done what they came to do. "Anyway, let's head back. Our job's done."
Leaving behind the scene of their work, the two sisters made their way back, unbothered. They had done similar things before under the orders of the Star Religious Group. For Mimiko and Nanako, taking lives when necessary was just part of the job.
Cruel? Maybe. But in the world of sorcery, few hands were truly clean.
"By the way, why did Ryuji suddenly target the Black Dog family?" Mimiko asked as they walked.
Nanako smirked. "Isn't it obvious? The Black Dog family must have been stupid enough to threaten him somehow. Probably tried to use someone close to him as leverage."
The twins had spent enough time with Ryuji to understand his character. He was usually calm and easygoing, not someone to seek conflict lightly. If he'd wiped out an entire family, there had to be a serious reason.
"Idiots…" Mimiko scoffed. "They really thought they could threaten Ryuji?"
"Looks like they learned the hard way," Nanako replied with a chuckle.
---
Back at Ryuji's house, he welcomed the twins back. Seeing them return safely, he wasn't particularly concerned. After all, Mimiko and Nanako were now first-grade sorcerers. Against ordinary humans even those from a third-rate crime family like the Black Dog, they'd been more than equipped to handle things.
The truth was, ordinary people stood no chance against a trained sorcerer. Even lower-level sorcerers, depending on their technique, could easily take down entire groups without breaking a sweat. This imbalance was why sorcerers rarely saw ordinary people as equals. Whether they acknowledged it openly or not, most sorcerers carried a sense of superiority over non-sorcerers.
Ryuji looked at the twins thoughtfully, remembering his recent conversation with Gojo Satoru. After witnessing the decay of the Jujutsu administration firsthand, Gojo had wanted someone reliable to eventually take over. That thought lingered in Ryuji's mind as he gazed at the two girls.
"What if I asked you to help manage the jujutsu world someday? Would that be a problem?"
Mimiko and Nanako blinked in surprise, clearly taken aback. They hadn't expected Ryuji to ask such a question.
Nanako's eyes lit up with excitement, clearly thrilled at the prospect. "Are you saying you're planning to take down the higher-ups?" she asked, grinning. She was already imagining the chaos that would ensue.
Mimiko, however, looked at her sister with exasperation before turning back to Ryuji, her expression more serious.
"Did they do something to provoke you, Ryuji? You know, if you go after the higher-ups, you'd probably end up facing the entire jujutsu world," she said with concern. Mimiko was well aware of Ryuji's strength, but the thought of him being hunted by every sorcerer made her worry.
"Tch. Big deal," Nanako interjected, crossing her arms. "Once I become a special-grade sorcerer, I'll do it myself if I have to. That rotten group at the top deserves it."
Mimiko rolled her eyes, but Ryuji just chuckled, finding her enthusiasm amusing.
"Don't worry," he reassured them, patting Mimiko on the head. "If I say I'll do something, it's because I'm ready for it. Besides, if it ever comes down to that, I probably wouldn't even need to make a move myself."
"...What do you mean?" the twins asked, curious.
Ryuji explained his recent conversation with Gojo, telling them about Gojo's desire to change the system and eliminate the corrupt higher-ups.
"Wait, so Gojo Satoru wants to take down the higher-ups too?" Nanako asked, surprised. She'd known Gojo as the strongest sorcerer and a bit of a troublemaker, but hearing he wanted to topple the establishment was something else entirely.
Ryuji nodded. "Yeah, and he's serious about it. I know he can be a bit chaotic, but he has a reason. The current system is rotten, and he's tired of seeing it get in the way of what really matters."
"But can we really trust him?" Mimiko asked, still hesitant. She trusted Ryuji implicitly, but Gojo was another story.
"Relax," Ryuji said with a confident smile. "Even if things go sideways, don't forget—I'm still here. If Gojo ever tries to pull anything, I can handle him."
Ryuji's unwavering confidence made both sisters feel more at ease. He didn't need to boast or make threats; his strength spoke for itself. And if it came to it, they had no doubt he could stand toe-to-toe with even Gojo.
"Over the next few months, I want you both to start learning more about the world of sorcery and how it's organized," Ryuji instructed. "And eventually, we'll need more people. Just the two of you won't be enough."
The twins nodded, determined. They'd follow Ryuji's lead, and if that meant preparing for a new era of sorcery, they'd be ready.
---
The next day, for ordinary people, everything seemed calm. But for certain powerful families, it was anything but.
News had spread that the entire Black Dog family had been wiped out overnight.
The Black Dog family wasn't the most powerful, but they were a well-known crime syndicate, a third-rate consortium with deep underworld connections. The fact that they were eliminated overnight sent a chilling message through the ranks of high society.
Even more disturbing was the nature of their deaths. Every family member appeared to have died the same way, as if they had all been strangled at once. Security footage showed nothing unusual, as if the deaths had happened without anyone entering the estate.
For some in the world of wealth and influence, the message was clear. The Black Dog family had crossed a line. And now, they were gone.
In the days prior, there had been whispers among several consortiums about using unconventional methods to bring Ryuji to their side. Many of them saw sorcerers as tools, powerful weapons that, if controlled, could elevate their influence and ensure dominance over rival families. But they hadn't yet dared to act, waiting instead to see if using those close to him as leverage would work.
The Black Dog family had been the first to make a move, and they had paid the price.
Now, with the entire family wiped out in a single night, any plans the other consortiums might have been quietly discussing came to an abrupt halt. The message was loud and clear: crossing Ryuji meant courting death.
The panicked orders echoed in the halls of the powerful families' estates:
"Hurry, call back the surveillance teams! They don't stand a chance!"
The realization had finally dawned on them. Ryuji's power wasn't something they could control or intimidate. Attempting to monitor him, hoping to find a weakness, was a foolish endeavor. If he decided to target them, there would be no place to hide. And after witnessing the brutal fate of the Black Dog family, these influential families understood they were dealing with someone beyond their reach.
"Is this what a sorcerer truly is?" one of the more ignorant family heads murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. Up until now, he'd assumed wealth was the ultimate power, that their influence was unshakable. But now, they understood that in the face of true strength, they were nothing more than lambs before a lion.
The world, they realized, was changing.
---
The next morning, Ryuji noticed that the usual surveillance presence around his residence had vanished. He'd been aware of their presence from the beginning but had ignored it, finding it more amusing than bothersome. However, the sudden absence was a clear sign that his message had been received.
"Tch! See? Sometimes you need to remind people of the food chain," he muttered to himself with a faint smile. Apparently, his demonstration had left the right impression.
With a rare stretch of peace ahead of him, Ryuji decided he'd use the time to rest and enjoy himself for the next couple of days. The attention he'd drawn at school hadn't faded yet, so he figured it was best to avoid the inevitable gawking crowds of students for a while longer.
As he settled in, his phone rang. Glancing at the unknown number, he hesitated only a moment before picking up.
"Hello, is this Mr. Ryuji?" The voice on the other end was clear, feminine, and unmistakably familiar.
"Speaking," he replied, recognizing the voice. "Hayasaka, right? Kaguya's maid?"
"Yes, Mr. Ryuji," she confirmed politely. "I am Hayasaka Ai, Miss Kaguya's personal assistant."
Ryuji raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He knew Hayasaka as the "perfect maid" type, someone who could blend into any role seamlessly. But right now, she was reaching out in an official capacity, and he wondered what the Shinomiya family had in store.
"Is there something you need?" he asked, his tone casual.
Hayasaka continued, "There are two days left until Miss Kaguya's birthday party. The family wanted me to inform you that, should you be otherwise occupied, they are more than willing to postpone the event for your convenience."
Ryuji smirked, amused by the Shinomiya family's eagerness to please. Despite their untouchable reputation among ordinary people, here they were, bending over backward to accommodate him. It was almost flattering—if not somewhat amusing.
"No need to change the date," he replied. "I'm free. I'll be there on time."
He sensed Hayasaka's relief on the other end. "Thank you, Mr. Ryuji. I'll relay the message. And… if you don't mind, I'll be the one to pick you up on the day of the event."
"Fine by me," Ryuji said, ending the call with a shrug. The Shinomiya family's invitation wasn't something he particularly cared about, but he was curious to see what they had planned.
On the other end, Hayasaka ended the call and turned to Kaguya, who had been waiting anxiously. Ever since the phone call began, she'd been hovering nearby, her eyes filled with anticipation.
"Well?" Kaguya asked, trying to maintain her usual poise despite her curiosity.
"Mr. Ryuji confirmed he'll be attending, Miss," Hayasaka said with a soft smile. She found Kaguya's eagerness endearing, given how reserved she usually was.
"Oh… that's good then," Kaguya replied, attempting to hide her relief and excitement behind a facade of indifference. She cleared her throat, composing herself. "It's not like it would matter if he couldn't come."
Hayasaka, ever the dutiful maid, fought to keep a straight face, her own amusement hidden behind a neutral expression. "Indeed, Miss. On another note, many of the dresses your father had prepared have arrived. Would you like to try them on?"
"Yes, let's," Kaguya replied, a small smile betraying her composed exterior. She was eager to look her best at the party, though she'd never admit it out loud.
As Kaguya busied herself trying on dresses, Hayasaka's mind drifted to the task her other employer, Kaguya's half-brother Oko, had given her. He'd made it clear: she was to do whatever was necessary to prevent Kaguya from securing Ryuji's interest.
Her loyalty to Kaguya was genuine, but so was her loyalty to her family. The Hayasaka family had long been under the Shinomiya family's control, and she couldn't ignore Oko's orders without risking everything her parents had worked for.
"Miss, would you like me to drive to pick up Mr. Ryuji in two days?" she asked casually, her tone neutral.
"Hmm? Sure, that would be fine," Kaguya replied absently, absorbed in examining the fit of her current dress. She trusted Hayasaka completely and didn't think twice about it.
Hayasaka clenched her fists subtly before releasing them. She felt a pang of guilt at the thought of betraying Kaguya, but her resolve held firm. She had a job to do.
---
Two days later, Ryuji stepped outside, expecting to find a standard car waiting to take him to the Shinomiya estate. Instead, a sleek, black, extended limousine was parked in front of his residence.
Hayasaka, dressed in her formal maid attire, stood beside the car. With her golden hair, calm demeanor, and elegant posture, she looked every bit the refined, professional maid.
"Mr. Ryuji," she greeted him, bowing slightly and gesturing toward the open door. "Please, make yourself comfortable."
Ryuji chuckled to himself. "Quite the welcome."
He stepped inside, noting the spaciousness of the limousine's interior. The back seat was luxurious, with plush seats and enough room to comfortably fit a dozen people. The driver's section was separated by a tinted screen, giving him and Hayasaka complete privacy.
Hayasaka entered after him, seating herself gracefully. She gave a signal to the driver, who began to pull away smoothly.
"Not in a rush, are we?" Ryuji asked, noticing the car's slow, leisurely pace.
Hayasaka nodded, her expression polite and calm. "I thought you might appreciate a more comfortable journey."
Ryuji arched an eyebrow. "Thoughtful. Very thoughtful."
She offered a slight smile. "Would you care for a drink, Mr. Ryuji? We have a selection here."
Ryuji glanced at the drink options, choosing a bottle of water. As he took a sip, he studied her with a raised brow. There was something about her demeanor, the way she leaned just a little closer, the subtle glances, that suggested she was… well, being rather forward.
Hayasaka noticed his gaze but maintained her composure, her face giving away nothing but professionalism. "Since we have some time, I thought I could provide you with a list of the other guests attending the party. I imagine many of the financial groups and high-profile families will be present."
She handed him a neatly prepared list. Ryuji accepted it, though he couldn't help but wonder where she'd been keeping it, given her attire. He glanced at the names and raised an eyebrow in surprise.
The list read like a who's who of the anime world's elite families—the Suzuki family, the Nakiri family from Totsuki Academy, the Fujiwara family, and the Shijo family, distant relatives of the Shinomiya family. Even the Yukinoshita family was included, likely due to Yukino's recent involvement in the sorcerer world.
He chuckled softly. "Quite the lineup. Seems the Shinomiya family went all out for this."
Hayasaka nodded. "The head of the family spared no expense to make this event memorable, especially since it's in honor of Miss Kaguya."
As he skimmed the list, Ryuji noticed that Hayasaka had quietly shifted closer. When he looked down, he found her kneeling in front of him, her gaze steady as she met his eyes.
"What are you doing?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in genuine surprise.
Without a hint of fluster, Hayasaka looked up at him calmly, her tone professional even as a slight blush colored her cheeks. "I simply thought, Mr. Ryuji, that the journey might be more… enjoyable if I helped you pass the time."
There was a faint crack in her mask, the blush on her cheeks betraying her nerves, but she held his gaze, unwavering.
Ryuji chuckled, lifting her chin with a finger. "Did someone put you up to this?"
Hayasaka didn't confirm or deny it. Instead, she offered a soft smile. "Does Mr. Ryuji lack confidence in his own charm?"
Ryuji laughed, genuinely amused. "You're an interesting one, Hayasaka."
She didn't break her gaze, her poise unshaken. "Then, shall we continue?" she asked, her voice as calm as ever, though the faint blush on her cheeks hinted at a crack in her otherwise flawless composure.
Ryuji leaned back, a faint smirk on his face. "Go ahead," he said, deciding to play along. He was curious to see just how far she was willing to go and what her true intentions were.
Hayasaka moved with practiced grace, every action precise and calculated. Despite her composed demeanor, Ryuji could sense the slight tension in her movements, the way she kept herself perfectly poised but not completely at ease. For all her professionalism, this was clearly not something she did often.
As she settled into her position, she looked up at him, her expression unreadable but her eyes sharp, calculating. For a brief moment, Ryuji wondered if this was all a performance, a façade meant to draw him in or test him somehow. Was she simply following orders, or was there something deeper here?
"So, tell me, Hayasaka," he began, his tone casual but his gaze intense. "Do you do this for every guest, or am I just that special?"
Hayasaka's lips curved into a subtle smile, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "You're very special, Mr. Ryuji," she replied smoothly, without missing a beat. "It's rare that we have someone of your… caliber attending one of our events."
Her voice was calm, almost detached, as if she were simply stating facts.
Ryuji chuckled, recognizing the game she was playing. "Well, I'll be sure to make it worth your while," he replied, leaning forward slightly. "But tell me, what does your master think of this approach?"
Hayasaka's expression remained perfectly composed, though her gaze grew slightly sharper. "My master doesn't need to know every detail," she said quietly, her tone almost conspiratorial. "Besides, I believe it's my job to ensure that you enjoy the experience in every way possible."
Ryuji raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. Hayasaka was clearly more than just a maid; her loyalty and dedication went beyond simple servitude. But at the same time, there was an air of independence about her, a sense that she was acting of her own accord, perhaps even defying her master's expectations.
He decided to push a bit further. "And what about Kaguya? How does she feel about her maid getting so… personal with her guests?"
For a moment, Hayasaka's mask slipped, and a flicker of genuine emotion crossed her face—surprise, perhaps even a hint of frustration. But she recovered quickly, her expression smoothing back into calm professionalism.
"Miss Kaguya trusts me completely," she said quietly, a hint of defensiveness in her tone. "She knows that I'll do whatever is necessary to serve her best interests."
Ryuji studied her carefully, his eyes narrowing. He could sense the underlying tension in her words, the weight of a conflict she hadn't fully resolved. Hayasaka was a master at hiding her emotions, but in that brief moment, he'd glimpsed the cracks in her armor.
"You're an interesting one, Hayasaka," he said, his tone softening slightly. "Loyal to a fault, but there's more going on here, isn't there?"
Hayasaka met his gaze, her calm exterior wavering just slightly. For a moment, it seemed as though she might say something, reveal something beyond her practiced professionalism. But then, with a slight smile, she regained her composure, tilting her head in acknowledgment.
"Perhaps," she murmured. "But some secrets are best left unsaid, don't you think?"
Ryuji chuckled, leaning back in his seat, a glint of admiration in his eyes. "Fair enough. Just remember, I don't mind a little mystery, keeps things interesting."