As the night deepened.
"I can't sleep..."
Chisato lay on the bed, her bright eyes wide open as she stared at the ceiling, not a hint of drowsiness in her mind.
Beside her, Takina lay curled on her side, her small mouth emitting soft, even breaths—clearly already asleep.
But Chisato couldn't sleep at all.
Earlier, during the surgery, she had dozed off on the operating table for about ten minutes, yet it felt like she had slept for two or three hours. The moment she got off the table, she was full of energy, bouncing around, and even now, she didn't feel the slightest bit sleepy.
And it wasn't just because of that short nap—there was another reason keeping her awake.
"That sound... it's making it impossible to sleep!"
Chisato abruptly sat up in bed, her face darkening as she glared out the window.
A faint heat flickered in her eyes.
Her hearing wasn't particularly sharp, but the noises coming from the master bedroom were simply too loud to ignore—those sobbing, moaning sounds, like strings and flutes, chaotic yet somehow irresistibly captivating, making it impossible for her to tune them out.
Couldn't they at least put up a barrier or something?!
Chisato grumbled inwardly.
Just because they're at home, they're being so unrestrained.
Her eyes gleamed mischievously as an idea struck her, a sly smile spreading across her face.
"If you're going to be this shameless, then you can't blame me for taking a peek, right?"
Her cheeks flushed crimson, but she couldn't suppress her curiosity.
Ever since entering this mansion, Chisato had already steeled herself—she knew there was no escaping it, and doing that kind of thing in the future was practically inevitable.
So why not learn a thing or two in advance?
Tiptoeing silently, she slipped out of bed and headed for the door.
"...Chisato?"
Behind her, Takina's drowsy voice called out.
As a former special agent, there was no way she wouldn't notice when the person beside her got up shortly after falling asleep.
"Shh!"
Chisato quickly turned around, pressing a finger to her lips, signaling Takina to stay quiet, then carefully opened the door.
With a mischievous grin, she pointed toward the master bedroom and tiptoed out.
Takina, just coming to her senses, suddenly heard the strange noises. After a brief moment of confusion, her face turned as red as a boiled crab.
Watching Chisato sneak toward the master bedroom with that sneaky smile, Takina panicked.
"Chisato! Come back!"
She called out in the softest voice she could manage, trying to get her to return and not disturb them at a time like this.
But Chisato paid no attention, scurrying all the way to the master bedroom window—even boldly peeking inside.
"Whoa!"
Chisato clapped a hand over her mouth, letting out a silent gasp, her eyes wide with shock.
"There's not just one, but two of them?! And wow, the outfits they're wearing are so lewd! What kind of knowledge is this—I've never seen anything like it!"
In the master bedroom were the raven-haired literary girl and the golden-haired maid, both dressed in rather risqué outfits. It was currently the raven-haired girl's turn, her face already streaked with uncontrollable tears, while the golden-haired maid rested nearby, taunting her all the while.
The scene was so impactful that Chisato couldn't help but stare in shock.
Takina tiptoed over, intending to pull Chisato back, but her eyes inadvertently drifted into the room, taking in the sight. The sheer intensity of the scene stunned her as well.
Two little heads peeked through the window, their expressions shifting from initial shock to curiosity, then to rapt attention, the corners of their eyes quickly tinged with pink.
Suddenly, a gaze from inside the room landed squarely on Chisato and Takina.
"Had enough?"
Roy's deep, shadowed eyes seemed to convey just that.
Chisato and Takina scrambled away in a fluster.
They fled back to their room at top speed, burying their faces in their pillows, their hearts pounding wildly.
"...That was the first time I've ever actually seen something like that."
"..."
As if anyone else had.
Takina took deep breaths while silently grumbling in her heart.
"Takina, I don't have any spare underwear left."
"...That's why I told you not to go."
Takina rolled her eyes. Who else could she blame when she insisted on going?
Chisato looked thoughtfully at Takina beside her, her eyes brimming with curiosity.
"Takina, why do you think that girl Utaha's singing is so beautiful?"
"You're asking me?"
Takina turned to lie side by side with Chisato, glaring at her in exasperation.
Neither of them had any experience—how would they know what it was really like in the heat of the moment?
"Alright, Takina, let's practice together!"
"...Huh? What? Wait—!"
...
The next morning.
Takina woke up with heavy dark circles under her eyes.
The spot beside her had been empty for a while—it seemed Chisato had already gotten up.
She silently stared at the bed, then gathered the sheets and tossed them into the laundry basket.
"Miss Hayasaka, where in the mansion can I do laundry?"
She approached Hayasaka, who was hanging clothes, basket in hand.
Just as she asked, she noticed the items Hayasaka was hanging out—among them was a bedsheet.
And some rather peculiar outfits.
The very same ones they'd seen the night before.
Takina's face instantly flushed crimson.
"Leave it to me."
Hayasaka took the basket from Takina without batting an eye, as if completely unembarrassed.
"Ah, no need—"
Distracted, Takina only snapped back to reality when the basket was already taken, her expression shifting.
But before she could finish—
Hayasaka suddenly frowned, sniffing lightly.
Her gaze then fell on the bedsheet, and she shot Takina a knowing look.
Takina's face burned red in an instant, her ears and neck turning scarlet.
"I didn't realize the two of you had that kind of relationship."
Hayasaka gave Takina a meaningful look, her eyes filled with understanding.
"Don't worry though, Lord Roy isn't opposed to such relationships. I just suggest you show some restraint. If you have this much energy, you might as well vent it at Lord Roy's place."
"It's not like that between me and Chisato...!"
Takina desperately wanted to deny Hayasaka's misunderstanding, her hands waving frantically in an attempt to clarify.
But then her gaze fell upon the bedsheets in the laundry basket.
The evidence was undeniable.
How could she possibly explain this now!
With a weary sigh, she could only flee in embarrassment under Hayasaka's knowing look.