Ever since leaving the Shinomiya villa, Akira had been in an exhilarated, triumphant mood—like someone who had suddenly struck it rich overnight.
Even just sitting in a simple breakfast shop felt remarkably different, as if the world had changed color.
Of course, this was mostly because it had been ages since he'd had a proper breakfast.
And when someone experiences a sudden windfall—no, rather, when they've just achieved a great goal—what's the first thing they want to do?
Naturally, it's to celebrate to the fullest: lay out a table of fine food and drinks, and call over a few close friends...
To show off, obviously.
Sure, everyone despises those obnoxious show-offs, the kind that jump around begging for attention, and they'd love to crush them—but given the chance, who wouldn't want to be one of them, leaping about for the world to see?
As long as he didn't lose his humanity, Akira had no problem being honest about his desires.
Even if being a show-off was a little shameless, it couldn't be helped—after all, it was Miss Yuuko who had started being unreasonable first.
So he couldn't be blamed for following suit.
With his decision made, Akira sent a LINE message to Nanami.
[Do you remember those soups I had delivered when you were sick last time?]
Nanami had been sick for three days. The first day, Akira personally took her to the hospital.
On the second, she forced herself to attend a voice actor event, burning through her energy and ending up even worse.
By the third day, she barely managed to recover by the afternoon.
During that time, Watanuki Kimihiro, being an earnest kid, had run around for three days straight delivering nourishing soup on Akira's orders.
Nanami replied quickly: [Of course I remember. Are you asking for a return gift?]
[Let's call it that. Do you think, with your current cooking skills, you could outdo the chef who made that soup?]
[You mean Watanuki, right? I wouldn't say I can surpass him, but I probably wouldn't lose either.]
Nanami was humble by nature, so if she said that, it meant she was confident her skills were at least on par with Watanuki's.
And considering how Akira had been feeling about dinner recently—how her meals compared favorably, maybe even surpassed the ones he ate during some of his darkest days—it gave him plenty of confidence.
If the cooking was on par and he had financial power backing him, how could he possibly lose?
Feeling assured, Akira sent another message with specific instructions.
[Pick up more ingredients tonight. Don't worry about the cost. I'm hosting a guest—also Watanuki's employer—and Watanuki will likely join too. Four people in total.]
[Yes! Got it! What kind of alcohol should I prepare?]
Just seeing the word "alcohol" made Akira remember the terrifying feeling of being dominated by Miss Yuuko at the drinking table.
His head ached just thinking about it.
But whatever. They'd be at his house. If he drank too much, he could just collapse and sleep it off.
When you're riding high in life, you should celebrate to the fullest. Today was a day worth showing off.
[I'll get the alcohol myself. Just focus on dinner.]
After sending the message, Akira dialed a number. Using the same phrase from when he was first invited, he said:
"Hello, Miss Yuuko, come drink at my place tonight. A very cute kid is staying with me recently, and she's a great cook~"
…
After leaving her room, Hayasaka Ai's first task was to check on Kaguya's lunch arrangements.
But outside the kitchen, she found Nanami staring blankly at her phone.
"Good afternoon, Miss Aoyama. Finished with your cooking lesson?"
Hearing Hayasaka Ai's voice, Nanami quickly looked up with a bright smile. "Yes! Miss Hayasaka, how did you sleep last night?"
"Mmm, very well actually."
The marks on the bed sheets had already been washed out.
She had done her best to dry them with tissues and covered everything up with the blanket.
It might still be a little damp when she slept tonight, but that was no issue—she could just sleep somewhere else.
As long as no one tried to flip the mattress today.
Thinking about that, Hayasaka felt incredibly thankful that Nanami had changed the sheets yesterday.
If Nanami had suggested changing them today instead—with the pretext of her daily training—then whether she refused or allowed it, it would've been a headache either way.
Refusing would be suspicious. Allowing it would be humiliating.
"…Are you sure you really rested well?" Nanami asked as she stepped closer, looking slightly puzzled.
"It kind of seems like… you're walking a little funny? Like you're floating?"
Hayasaka Ai replied without changing expression, "Probably because I haven't slept that long in a while. I do feel a bit weak, kind of limp."
Nanami nodded in realization. "Ohh, I get it. If you sleep way longer than usual, your body can react like that. Just move around a bit and it'll pass."
Good. She bought it.
Besides, from the looks of it, Miss Aoyama and Mr. Ogiwara didn't have that kind of relationship—and likely weren't heading in that direction either.
So… there was no need to feel that kind of guilt anymore… right?
Putting aside her worries for the moment, Hayasaka changed the subject. "You looked a bit distracted just now, Miss Aoyama. Something on your mind?"
"Um…" Nanami's face turned slightly serious and nervous as she nodded.
"Mr. Ogiwara just told me he's hosting a very important guest tonight."
"…What?"
Hayasaka Ai was genuinely shocked by the news.
Although Kaguya didn't hold any real power in the family, she was still a Shinomiya.
As someone from the upper echelon, she didn't need to understand common folk, but she did need to be aware of the dynamics within her own circle.
And when it came to gathering miscellaneous information, Hayasaka Ai was the most well-informed person around.
Among the many bits of information on interpersonal relationships, Akira was unique—he lived like someone with no friends at all.
It wasn't that no one wanted to befriend him—he simply never gave anyone the chance to suck up to him.
Not just Hayasaka Ai—any family's intelligence officer would have the same reaction to this news: "What?"
And after the shock came the seriousness.
Other families would try to use this as a networking opportunity. But for Hayasaka Ai, the priority was figuring out what Nanami should do.
"Hmm, he suddenly said we're hosting an important guest… I'm worried I won't do a good job," Nanami admitted.
Hayasaka Ai quickly began analyzing the situation—but from a completely different angle than Nanami.
"No, your focus tonight isn't on your maid duties."
"Eh?"
"You've already passed the basic level for etiquette and service. And the Ogiwara household doesn't follow the rule where servants don't sit at the table.
If this guest is someone close to him, it likely means you'll be dining together."
"You mean… during the meal?"
"Yes. The focus is on table manners. Oh no—I completely forgot to teach that."
Though this was supposed to be maid training, Hayasaka Ai had long considered the possibility that Nanami might one day become the lady of the Ogiwara household.
So she had been subtly training her with that in mind.
But due to her mindset as a professional maid, she'd overlooked some things a true lady needed to know.
Seeing Nanami's growing anxiety, Hayasaka patted her shoulder calmly. "Don't panic. It's not too late to start. Has the young lady's lunch just been prepared?"
"Yes, it should've just been delivered…"
"Great. Go to the kitchen now and bring your lunch dish to the dining room. On the way, go change into your formal outfit. Be quick!"
Although Nanami didn't know exactly what Hayasaka was planning, she trusted her. Without asking questions, she ran off.
Meanwhile, Hayasaka Ai quickly headed to the dining room and found Kaguya just picking up her utensils, with a housemaid beside her.
"You can go. I'll take over from here," Hayasaka said.
The maid bowed and left. Normally, Kaguya always dined with Hayasaka accompanying her, so having her suddenly return wasn't surprising—but still a bit stressful.
"Ah, Hayasaka, you finally woke up."
As soon as the maid left, Kaguya started grumbling. "It really feels like you've been ignoring me more and more lately."
She didn't actually mind Hayasaka training Nanami—especially after receiving help from Akira at the fireworks festival—but she had grown up with Hayasaka by her side.
The sudden lack of attention had left her feeling abandoned.
Especially yesterday—Hayasaka had seemed lost in thought the whole day.
There was even one moment she hadn't heard Kaguya speak. That had never happened in the past ten years.
Hayasaka did genuinely feel guilty. She responded sincerely, "I'm sorry, Miss. Miss Aoyama only has a few days of summer break left. Once school starts, everything will go back to normal."
"I know, you don't need to apologize…"
Kaguya immediately softened. But just as she picked up her utensils, Hayasaka suddenly said, "Wait a moment!"
"Hm?"
"Miss Aoyama needs an emergency lesson on table manners. If possible, could she dine with you today?"
Kaguya stared blankly at Hayasaka.
At first she was just mildly surprised.
But when she realized the real meaning behind the request, her expression gradually twisted with disbelief and suppressed frustration.
"Hayasaka! You didn't rush over here to eat with me—you're using me as a training prop! Aren't you?!"
"Yes."
"You—you—you—whose maid are you?!"
"If you want to be angry, wait until your lunch break. I'll listen to anything you say then. But for now, Miss Aoyama should be here any second."
"Then why even bother pretending to ask 'if it's okay'? You've already made all the arrangements!!!"
"That's right."
"You—!"
As the dignified daughter of the Shinomiya family, Kaguya had never suffered such treatment.
She glared at Hayasaka with a fiery look, clearly saving her anger for later.
Just then, Nanami appeared at the door in her dedicated maid outfit.
With a hint of apology, she said, "I came at Miss Hayasaka's request. Good afternoon, Miss Shinomiya. I truly apologize for last time."
A moment ago, Kaguya's face was twisted with indignation—but as she turned around, she wore the gentlest, most welcoming smile imaginable.
"It's fine, I already said not to worry. Please have a seat, Miss Aoyama. Today, I'll be your etiquette instructor for this meal~"
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