That fleeting kiss lasted but an instant, leaving almost no tangible sensation behind.
It wasn't until after it ended that Takakai belatedly registered the soft warmth lingering at the corner of his lips, finally processing what the girl before him had just done.
How many times has a girl kissed me now?
Unconsciously, he pressed his lips together, trying to recapture that momentary touch.
This kiss was different from those shared with Maki and Chika.
There was no scorching heat, no honeyed moisture.
If he had to describe it—the only sensation was softness.
A tenderness like pressing one's lips to a trembling pudding.
Sweetness... is it?
Takakai found himself momentarily lost in thought.
As for Hayasaka, though she appeared to be engaging in intimate contact by leaning against Takakai, in reality she currently lacked even the courage to raise her head and meet his gaze. She could only avoid potential eye contact this way, her heart pounding wildly from the physical proximity.
What am I even doing?
The girl wailed silently in her heart.
She had recognized Takakai's earlier words as a joke—had it been Maki or Chika, they might have assumed his playful comment signaled frisky intentions. But after over a month of surveillance, Hayasaka understood his personality well enough to know he'd just been teasing.
Yet for some reason, she couldn't simply laugh it off.
And so she'd actually kissed him.
Why did I do that?
Hayasaka didn't know how to describe her current emotions.
She was supposed to be helping Ojou-sama secure Takakai's affections! She'd drafted so many plans, devised countless strategies for her lady—only to ultimately commit this act of betrayal.
The pressure of having to report Kaguya's daily life to oko had already weighed heavily on her. Now, the thought of stealing kisses behind her mistress's back—especially while Kaguya remained trapped as a specter—threatened to short-circuit her mind entirely.
And yet...
It hadn't felt unpleasant.
No—not unpleasant at all.
In fact... had she perhaps enjoyed it?
More satisfying than watching hydraulic press videos, even sparking an urge for more?
What is this feeling...?
After impulsively kissing Takakai—
After seeing his stunned expression, watching him lose his usual composure because of her actions—
After nestling against him, curling into his embrace, feeling his body heat and heartbeat—
Hayasaka realized something as she reminisced about that clumsy kiss.
She might be starting to like this.
So this is what it feels like to have someone you can rely on completely.
Now she thought she could understand the choices made by the young ladies of the Shijou and Fujiwara families. In their position, she likely would have done the same—formed this kind of intimate bond with this man. Even without exclusive possession, the thought of letting go had become unthinkable.
How troublesome humans are...
Unbidden, memories of the freezer room resurfaced.
Sitting naked in Takakai's lap, held tightly against him, nearly losing herself in the contrast between icy cold and searing heat.
Looking back, hadn't she felt a pang of失落 when she'd finally dressed and left his embrace?
Perhaps that was the moment she'd begun falling for the security he offered, started craving his presence on an instinctive level.
Yes—that had to be it.
Even if this was betrayal... it was a sweet betrayal indeed.
So this is who I really am. Ojou-sama... I'm sorry. Perhaps I was destined to fail you...
Like a chrysalis shedding its cocoon, Hayasaka felt something within her transform.
She looked up at Takakai with newfound clarity, her aqua-blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Trembling slightly, she pressed closer before shyly biting her lip—even as her arms stubbornly refused to release their grip around his waist.
"Takakai-san... about what just happened... please don't tell Ojou-sama."
This was the extent of the girl's courage for now.
"...Right. Sure."
For his part, Takakai nearly choked hearing this classic "don't tell my best friend" line. A dozen sarcastic responses sprang to mind, but the girl's embarrassed expression silenced them all, leaving only that awkward agreement.
Never imagined that coming here to rescue Hayasaka for Kaguya would somehow lead to this.
Though I probably should have seen it coming after the nudity, outfit changes, and close contact. Add in the reliable old bridge effect, and this outcome was practically guaranteed. Ugh, thinking like this just makes me feel scummier—using dangerous situations to romance girls?
Despite his mental self-flagellation, Takakai made no move to release Hayasaka, perfectly content to enjoy the embrace of a lovely young maiden.
Hmm, front-to-front like this, she's got a bit more going on than Maki, though not by much. Chika's in a league of her own though, and miko's noticeably smaller too. I'd rate this a modest handful.
Still, this really wasn't the time or place for such activities. They needed to investigate this area, gather clues, and find a way to clear the dungeon.
Getting distracted by hormones is unacceptable.
"Alright, time to get moving. We've come too far to stop now."
Feeling his strength returning, Takakai placed his hands on Hayasaka's shoulders to gently separate them.
"Mmm..."
The girl simply nodded obediently, stepping back to help Takakai steady himself as he stood.
There was something almost... pet-like in Hayasaka's demeanor now. Takakai could practically see imaginary dog ears twitching atop her head, a tail wagging furiously behind her.
If I told her to start calling me "Master" right now—no no no, bad thoughts. Save that for later.
Suppressing his mischievous impulses, Takakai wondered if Hayasaka's extended time as a dog might have influenced this behavior. Stretching his sore limbs, he moved toward the door.
His body had mostly recovered, the stomach wound now completely healed. Though his reflexes, strength, and agility remained slightly below peak, he could finally begin proper exploration. Takakai doubted they could remain safely in this room indefinitely—they needed to uncover the core grudge's secrets.
His gaze fell upon the aged wooden door—then lowered to the thin sliver of light seeping beneath it. Curiously, only half the gap showed illumination, the other half remaining pitch black.
"..."
Turning, he signaled Hayasaka to stay quiet.
Then slowly, keeping his feet planted, he bent at the waist—adjusting his angle for several seconds before suddenly lunging downward, slamming chest-first onto the floor to peer under the door.
His eyes met another pair staring back from the hallway.
CRASH—
Something toppled outside as rapid footsteps immediately retreated down the corridor.
Takakai scrambled up, grabbing the doorknob—but by the time he yanked it open, the unseen observer was already fleeing.
"Move!"
Without hesitation, he hauled Hayasaka into the hallway, tucking her under one arm as he gave chase.
The dilapidated corridor matched his earlier visions of the orphanage—only more ruined. Cracked floors, collapsed ceilings, most doors missing or reduced to fragments, all permeated by a foul odor.
But Takakai's focus remained fixed ahead—on the small figure scrambling desperately toward the hallway's end.
The silent voyeur who'd been peeping through the door crack.
Hachiya Chiyo.
He couldn't mistake those features, even from that brief glimpse.
So she really is here. Have I finally reached the key to clearing this dungeon?
As he ran, something like excitement kindled in Takakai's chest.