Hayasaka reluctantly accepted the situation. She thought through what she still had to do—and realized only one thing actually mattered.
The rest didn't matter now, nor did she have the mindset for it.
After another moment of hesitation, she sat at the edge of the bed, pulled out her phone, and made a call.
That all-too-familiar, unpleasantly cold voice came through the receiver.
"You're early today. Something happened?"
Back in her usual tone, Hayasaka replied, "No, everything's normal. Just not feeling well today, so I wanted to rest early. I thought I'd report ahead of time."
She glanced at Akira, who had set his phone down and sat beside her. The bed shifted under his weight, and her body tensed reflexively.
The voice on the line continued, clearly displeased, becoming even more grating.
"The young miss shouldn't be asleep yet. You're neglecting your duties, Miss Hayasaka."
Her expression faltered. She instinctively looked at the man beside her—who met her eyes with a cold smile and gave her a slight nod.
Encouraged, Hayasaka mustered some courage and replied,
"I really am unwell today. Besides, you know how the young miss always comes to me when something's up. If anything happens, I'll include it in tomorrow's report."
There was a pause on the other end. Then a curt, "Fine. Talk."
Hayasaka's gaze flickered, and she began reporting from Kaguya's wake-up routine and meals, all the way through to idle chatter after dinner—detailed as always.
After hanging up, Akira chuckled. "Didn't I say to just bluff your way through it? Why still so thorough?"
"The obvious things—like her schedule—are things the other servants can easily confirm. No need to hide those. As for her private life, I'm no longer reporting that honestly."
"Like her romantic affairs?"
Hayasaka nodded faintly.
"You're not cutting ties with the Shinomiya family yet because you want to protect her, right?" Akira said knowingly.
"So? Is it going well?"
"Not yet. They both know, but neither will admit it. It's honestly frustrating."
Akira laughed again. "You really have it rough."
Hayasaka let out a quiet sigh. Watching her mistress flail around and make no progress was indeed exhausting.
"I'll go dry my hair."
Driven by tension, she found a reasonable excuse to escape for a moment.
Akira lifted a finger in acknowledgment and watched her go with interest.
Even with her back turned, Hayasaka could feel his penetrating gaze.
Her movements grew stiff. After drying her hair, she removed her daily contacts and took a sip from the faucet.
Returning from the bathroom, she stood nervously in front of Akira and stammered,
"It's... a bit early. Maybe we should just... like last time... Ah, I'm terribly sorry, I forgot to prepare... protection..."
"No problem. I brought some. It's not something a lady should have to worry about."
Akira stroked his chin, looking a bit troubled.
"But I don't recommend using one the first time. If you're okay with it, we can skip that warm-up. I can wait."
"Ah… um… sorry, I didn't quite understand. You mean?"
"If we start now, there'll be some residue left. Even with withdrawal, it's not that safe. You understand?"
Hayasaka's brain slowly pieced it together. She nodded. "It's okay. I… I can accept that."
"Alright. I'll go take a shower first. Even though I washed before coming, I sweated a bit on the way. You're too tense—try to relax."
As Akira headed into the bathroom, Hayasaka lifted the blanket with trembling hands and slipped underneath.
But even though she had just bathed and now lay on her soft, familiar bed, she couldn't relax at all.
A few minutes later, when Akira emerged in only a towel, she quickly shifted her gaze to the ceiling, lying stiffly like a doll—barely blinking her sky-blue eyes.
"Still so nervous. Want me to turn off the lights?" he asked, amused.
"Y-yes, please..."
"Alright."
Like he said, pacing was important. Tonight, everything had to go according to Hayasaka's comfort—and be as gentle as possible.
As darkness swallowed the room, Hayasaka's tension only grew.
The blackout curtains allowed no moonlight in, and her eyes hadn't yet adjusted to the dark.
She could only gauge his movements by sound and breath.
The first touch was a hand on her head and a kiss on her forehead.
The unexpected tenderness eased some of her anxiety. But still worried, she whispered, "It's… still a bit early..."
"It's about time. Let's start by helping you relax. There are a few steps before anything really happens."
The blanket shifted.
The bed dipped again.
Warm, slightly rough fingers brushed her neck, sliding to her shoulder, gently pulling her robe down.
Her body trembled.
Even biting her lip, she let out a faint whimper.
"See? Just calming you down is already a big job."
As the bed swayed slightly again, Akira slipped into the blanket and slid an arm under her neck, pulling her into his arms.
"I noticed last time you seemed to like being held. Does this feel better?"
Last time, they'd been clothed and she had been facing away.
But even so, she felt relaxed—like soaking in a bath.
She liked it.
This time, with her face against his bare chest, her exposed shoulder touching his skin, and her legs frozen by tension, his hand slowly, soothingly rubbed her back.
Gradually, her body and heart both began to unwind.
And heat up.
She opened her mouth, breathing softly, and answered his earlier question.
"Mm… I like it..."
"Oh? So Hayasaka is a little girl who likes to be hugged."
"It's not that… It's just… you're too gentle, Mr. Ogiwara..."
Of course, gentleness is best. A bad first experience could lead to trauma or fear.
"I… I'm feeling much better now, Mr. Ogiwara."
Hearing this, and sensing how relaxed she'd become—her body even shifting restlessly like she was eager—Akira lowered his head and gently kissed her ear.
"Ah..."
Caught off guard, Hayasaka gasped, then quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, stifling her voice with heavy breathing and quiet whimpers.
So cute.
Akira kissed slowly down from her ear, listening to her gasping sobs, watching her squirm under him—and smiled with satisfaction.
In that pitch-black room where no light could reach, Hayasaka Ai slowly lost herself.
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