Rin passed the kitchen as she made her way down the hall. She slowed, then stopped just short of the doorway.
Inside, a single young woman moved between counters and ovens, hands working without pause. No one supervised her. No one helped. The silence pressed heavier than the heat.
What a surprise that no one wanted to work in a place like this.
Rin hesitated. Only for a second. Then she pushed the feeling aside and stepped in.
The scent of freshly baked bread washed over her, warm and rich. It caught her off guard, and a small grin tugged at her lips. The maid turned at the sound of footsteps and nearly jumped out of her skin.
"M-Miss, I didn't see you there." Her eyes dropped immediately, fixed on the tiled floor. "I apologize for the wait. Master Makoto has already informed me of my… wrongdoings."
Rin swallowed. Hearing Makoto's name felt like trying to choke down something rotten.
She waved a dismissive hand. "It's fine. Really. I didn't mean to interrupt." She tilted her head. "What's your name?"
The maid stiffened, then gave a practiced bow. "Amanda."
"Alright, Amanda." Rin smiled wider, softer. "I hope things start looking better for you around here. And don't apologize if you're working hard."
She gave a casual thumbs up, as if this were a normal kitchen and not a pressure cooker disguised as one. She tried to keep it light. Tried not to draw attention. Judging by Amanda's expression, she wasn't sure she succeeded.
Rin stepped back into the hall and continued on toward the dining room.
Makoto sat at the table, tearing into his meal like it might disappear if he slowed down. Sunlight poured in through tall windows, curtains drawn wide to showcase the mountain view. Wealth on display, again.
Without announcing herself, Rin pulled out a chair and sat.
Makoto dabbed at his mouth with a napkin, then cleared his throat. "You caught me at an awkward moment. What is it you want?"
"Geez. Straight to business." Rin leaned back and crossed her arms, letting out a long, theatrical sigh. "I just wanted you to know I'm fully committed." She paused. "And I had a question."
Makoto nodded once.
Rin leaned forward, forearms resting on the table, fingers interlaced. "What's the plan here? The Sakurai name is seen as washed up. Barely pulling enough value to matter."
His eye twitched. Brief. Telling. Makoto recovered quickly.
"That may be true to some," he said evenly. "But we have you now." His gaze sharpened. "What would you know about politics? I doubt you understand how this election will even function."
Rin shrugged. "Of course I do. I did my research before coming here, despite my better judgment." She met his eyes. "The people are going to judge the three clan heads as potential leaders of the nation. So what's your move?" Her tone hardened slightly. "Me being here means nothing if I don't have a role."
Makoto looked away, gaze drifting toward the window. His fingers tapped against the table in a steady rhythm. "There's something you haven't heard yet." He exhaled. "It only reached me this morning."
He paused.
"Gabriel Aurelius has entered the competition."
"Aurelius…" Rin whispered.
Her hand rose to cover her mouth, more instinct than choice.
So it really happened. Of course it did. A man like him taking power was inevitable.
But if he knew about the Clan War, then why now?
"My mother always said the best way to seize the public's attention is to present a flawless image," Makoto continued, his voice quieter. Almost reverent.
Rin let out a short, incredulous chuckle before she could stop herself. "You're really listening to her?" She shook her head. "She's the same woman who ran this clan into the ground and decided banishing me was a solution."
THUD.
The table shook as Makoto's fist slammed down. Wood cracked beneath it, splinters spreading like veins through old grain.
"Do not speak of my mother that way." His voice rose, sharp and strained. "You are beneath me. Reputation or not, I am the clan head, and you will listen."
Rin's gaze dropped to the table. The damage wasn't fresh. The wood looked tired. Worn down over time, like it suddenly aged several years in an instant.
She stood.
"You'll need to learn to trust me if you want to win, Lord Sakurai."
She left without waiting for a reply.
On her way back to her room, Amanda stepped out from the kitchen. Her face was carefully neutral, but the tension in her shoulders told another story. A letter was clutched tightly in her hand.
She held it out to Rin.
No words. Just a quick bow, then she hurried away down the hall.
Rin stared at the letter in her hand, already knowing it wouldn't be something simple.
———
Sosuke's hand fell back to his side.
He'd knocked on Rin's door for nearly five minutes. No answer. No movement from inside. Not even the faint hum of life.
"Guess she already left." He exhaled through his nose and stepped off the porch, boots crunching softly against dirt and gravel.
The road stretched ahead, winding through sparse brush before disappearing into the treeline. Wilderness pressed in from all sides. Quiet. Too quiet.
Maybe I'll walk.
The thought came easily. Too easily. He turned and followed the dirt road, letting his pace slow until it matched his breathing.
Time passed without him noticing. Minutes blurred into the steady rhythm of footsteps and wind brushing through leaves.
I should do this more often. I always feel better after.
So why don't I?
He frowned, gaze drifting across the trees.
Something tugged at him. A faint prickle at the back of his neck.
Hold on.
No way.
Him…?