The golden evening sun spilled into the room, casting its glow on the large bed—and on the girl who had buried her face in the covers.
Hayasaka Ai quietly watched this scene for a moment, then silently turned and walked out.
As a proper maid, this was not the time for empty words of comfort.
Her duty was to prepare for her mistress's escape, then return to inspire her—rekindling hope from sorrow and isolation, helping her scale the garden walls and fulfill her wish.
There were two stewards sent from the main family, and twenty servants stationed in the mansion.
However, when not on duty, they were not allowed to move around freely. Tonight there were no special tasks—just regular coordination with the main family's stewards.
Under such strict rules, the grand mansion remained deathly quiet.
Hayasaka Ai encountered the first steward at a hallway corner. She bowed slightly; he returned the courtesy politely.
"Miss Hayasaka , are you heading back to your room?"
"Just going to rest for a bit. The young lady doesn't want to see anyone right now. I'll return at dinnertime."
"Understood."
After the brief exchange, they passed each other. Their footsteps barely made a sound on the polished floor.
Judging by the patrol route, the entire second-floor corridor was covered—so the front door was a no-go. She'd have to use the window.
With that confirmed, Hayasaka Ai went down the stairs on the eastern side of the mansion, which led to the kitchen and servants' quarters.
There, she encountered the first household servant.
"Miss Hayasaka ." The servant greeted her with a bow, since Hayasaka Ai was the head maid.
Hayasaka Ai nodded slightly. "Once dinner prep is done, head back to your room. Any special instructions from the main house stewards tonight?"
"None."
"Alright. Remind the others to strictly follow the rule about not wandering after work. If the stewards get upset, I won't be able to protect anyone."
"Yes, I'll tell everyone."
The servant bowed again and hurried off.
No issues with the servants. Now for the final step.
In the living room, Hayasaka Ai found the second steward.
"Miss Hayasaka , do you have any duties tonight?"
"No. Just checked on tonight's dinner and preparations for tomorrow. The young lady is in a bad mood, so her meals need to be lighter."
With that, the steward nodded slightly and continued standing watch at the stairs near the living room.
From there, one could see the front yard; the upstairs corridor offered a view of the sides. The back yard was clearly the safest escape route.
With that conclusion, Hayasaka Ai fetched a rope from the tool shed, then climbed out through its rear window, reaching the backyard.
As the head maid, she naturally knew the backyard's layout inside and out.
She knew exactly which tree stood closest to the perimeter wall—perfect for climbing over. The distance was considerable, but with a rope swing, it would work.
With the young lady's physical condition, she could pull it off.
Slipping the rope over her shoulder, Hayasaka Ai ran a few steps, leapt up to grab a branch, and climbed deftly.
Once she reached a height where she could see over the wall, she stopped and began tying the rope.
But just as she was about to secure it, she paused.
Was this really okay?
Yes, this would help the young lady achieve her wish. But what about next time?
The stewards from the main house weren't fools.
Even if the young lady managed to escape undetected this time, and she covered for her perfectly, there was still a high chance they'd get found out afterward.
With the risk involved, pulling this off two or three more times was extremely unlikely.
If they failed, aside from punishment, the young lady would face even stricter surveillance.
After all, this would be seen as defying the orders of the family head—a man she was already dissatisfied with.
Something as simple as going out shopping would likely be impossible for at least the next two years.
If there were no other options, Hayasaka Ai wouldn't hesitate. But if there were, of course she would consider them.
As a maid, she had to think everything through.
Sitting in a stable position, she pulled out her phone.
If this succeeded, maybe the young lady could enjoy a little more freedom in the future.
And if that happened…
…maybe her own suffering would ease, too.
With that resolve in her heart, Hayasaka Ai focused for a moment and dialed the number.
...
"Hello, Mr. Ogiwara."
"Mmh? Miss Hayasaka ? What's up?"
"I'd like to ask you for a favor."
In a hotel room, Akira took the call from Hayasaka Ai.
It was a hotel near the fireworks festival venue—close enough to enjoy the fireworks up close.
Compared to the growing crowd outside which would become a sea of people within the hour, this was without doubt the best place to enjoy the festival, especially for someone like Akira who hated being packed in like a sardine.
Rooms like this didn't accept same-day reservations, so Akira had booked it a week in advance and paid for seven nights up front.
"I'm willing to accept a commission from you, Miss Hayasaka , but as you know, my fees are on the higher side. Hmm… I'll give you a 30% discount for Nanami's sake."
"No need for discounts. Is thirty million enough?"
"That's a hefty price. Sounds like this isn't a small matter. Go ahead—let's hear it."
Then, she stated her request.
"I want the young lady to attend the fireworks festival."
Akira narrowed his eyes.
He remembered this part of the original story—except in his memory, it was a passionate, emotional sprint that resolved things perfectly.
There shouldn't have been any need for a request like this.
"Thirty million… I hope that's not just for me to be a taxi driver?"
"Of course not. I wouldn't trouble you for something so trivial."
"And it's not just about this fireworks festival?"
"No. I want her to be free to go to future ones too—not trapped at home."
Akira began to understand.
So this was the butterfly effect of his arrival. With his presence, there were now other potential, perhaps more effective ways of resolving things—prompting Hayasaka Ai to take a different approach.
But what he didn't understand was why Hayasaka Ai was willing to pay such a high price.
If he remembered correctly, she had only saved about 40 million yen over her years working for the Shinomiya family.
Was there something deeper going on?
"I'm sorry. If that's what you're asking for, thirty million isn't enough."
"Forty—no, fifty million!"
"Still not enough. Miss Hayasaka , I think I need to explain the real weight of this request."
Akira let out a somewhat helpless sigh.
"If it were just for this one festival—and without what happened last time—I'd gladly talk to the Shinomiya family head for a few million yen.
Heck, maybe I'd even do it for free, out of appreciation for how well you've taken care of Nanami lately. I'd chalk it up as a favor."
"But right now, I already have a minor conflict with the Shinomiya family head."
"That incident last time—returning the gift and calling one of his moves—wasn't a big deal. It didn't contradict my stance, so there were no consequences.
But this? Interfering with how he disciplines his daughter?
For a man with high status and a serious control complex? You know exactly what that would mean, don't you?"
Hayasaka Ai stayed silent for a while.
Then softly muttered two words: "Open provocation."
"Exactly. A shift in stance—a hostile provocation. Aside from some suicidal maniac who plans to burn bridges and run, who would provoke the Shinomiya patriarch over fifty million?"
Twirling his lighter in his fingers, Akira continued:
"And that's the optimistic scenario. If the Shinomiya family head is feeling especially paranoid, what do you think he'll suspect?
That I'm trying to influence the selection of the next head of the Shinomiya family?"
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