Because Yamai Sisters asked, she gave her answer. That was Origami's reply.
"Origami, I can understand your desire to help Yuzuru and Kaguya. But I also hope you understand that in this household, there is no such thing as 'factions' or 'sides'."
As a King, Ryuya's attitude towards his women was relaxed. As long as major principles weren't violated, they were free to express their own thoughts and opinions.
As for so-called cliques and small groups, isn't that normal? After all, you can't expect Morgan not to look after her sister Artoria, or for Female Gil and Enkidu to have a bad relationship, right?
But... although they had their own small circles, the girls all maintained an appropriate balance.
Simply put, while Ryuya's women might be jealous and compete for his affection in various ways, it was always healthy competition.
There was absolutely no malicious behavior like framing others, as seen in palace intrigue dramas.
The same principle applied in the Date A Live World. Initially, Kurumi and Nia were the same, and their frequent jealousy led to clashes around Ryuya, through which they got to know each other.
As time passed, Kurumi and Nia became the good, albeit rival-like, friends they were now.
Currently, Yamai Sisters, Kurumi, and Nia were in a similar state. The four of them were in an adaptation period. Once they truly accepted and acknowledged each other, that would be the moment Ryuya fully welcomed Yamai Sisters into his heart.
Realizing that Origami might have approached Yamai Sisters to integrate into the family faster, Ryuya decided to give her a warning first.
After all, Origami had a dual personality and might do something unacceptable if her emotions ran high.
This was similar to Tiamat, the Maid Mechanical God Hope, Crimson Moon, and Mio.
While such girls loved Ryuya with their whole hearts, they could truly lose control and do frightening things.
Able to see the dazzling dual personality deep within Origami's soul, Ryuya specifically warned her.
"No factions in this household?"
Intelligently grasping Ryuya's meaning, Origami thought for a moment and indicated she understood.
Pausing, she then asked softly, "Ryuya-sama, should I go change out of this outfit then?"
"Ah, no need. You look quite pleasing to the eye dressed like this, just keep it on."
Smiling, Ryuya's reminder was just that… a reminder. He had no reason to refuse a visually pleasing girl like Origami wearing a maid outfit.
After all, back in Uruk, many female entertainers had performed for him.
"Eh? It's really okay like this?"
Seemingly surprised that Ryuya would say that, Origami thought for a moment, then nodded shyly.
"Ryu, ryu, what are we having for dinner?!"
Just then, Tohka, having changed her clothes, ran back in. Seeing Ryuya preparing ingredients, the gluttonous girl expressed her desire to help.
Assigning Tohka some simple tasks, Ryuya never refused the girls' willingness to make an effort. Even if Tohka might cause a mess due to inexperience, the intention was what mattered.
As time passed, dinner was quickly prepared. In contrast to the lively and cheerful atmosphere at Ryuya's place, the situation at the Itsuka Household was different.
"What? Shiori-nee, you're saying the Emperor is actually your homeroom teacher?"
Because the middle school and high school campuses were far apart, Kotori hadn't received news from Shiori and Mana's side yet.
Hearing Shiori and Mana recount the events at school today, her first reaction was disbelief.
"It's true, Kotori. I also saw the Emperor today, and besides him, the Time Spirit and the Storm Spirits were there too."
Supplementing Shiori's account, Mana explained the situation at the time in detail to Kotori.
"What? It's actually true?"
Never expecting the Emperor, who had been hidden for years, to appear just like that, Kotori's first instinct was to go find Ryuya.
But as soon as she moved, she realized she didn't know his address, and what would showing up so late at night even mean?
Unable to do anything, she could only postpone it until tomorrow. She talked with Shiori and Mana for a long time, wanting to know more about Ryuya.
…
Meanwhile, at DEM Headquarters.
"Westcott, it's news about Ryuya-nii."
In Westcott's office, just as Ryuya had guessed, if AST Headquarters knew of his whereabouts, then Ratatoskr and DEM had no reason not to know as well, right?
Immediately stating she wanted to go to Tengu City, Yoshino was uncharacteristically proactive.
"Yes, I know."
Nodding, seated at her desk with her usual cold expression, Westcott found herself unable to think calmly.
Turning her gaze to the sisters Ellen and Karen beside her, she asked softly, "Ellen, Karen, what are your thoughts?"
"Our thoughts?"
Exchanging a glance, the now mature Ellen and Karen, no longer the children they once were, shook their heads.
Then, in an extremely calm tone, they said, "Westcott, you know it's been thirty years since Sensei disappeared."
"In these thirty years, we never gave up searching for any trace of Sensei. But let alone Sensei, we haven't found even a single clue about the Spirit of Origin."
"And Yoshino, her contact with Sensei was before the Spacequake that destroyed everything. Therefore, we've always believed this news is likely a smokescreen released by 'T'."
As the saying goes, the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment. After years of failed searches for Ryuya, Karen and Ellen had, at some point, closed off their hearts.
Obsessively convinced that Ryuya was dead, the two sisters stated this was simply impossible.
"That's not true! Ryuya-nii must still be alive. I believe it!"
Unlike Ellen and Karen, Yoshino, as a Spirit, clearly remembered what the phantom that made her a Spirit had said: if she became a Spirit, she would eventually see Ryuya.
Firmly believing she would meet Ryuya, she indicated that whatever Ellen and Karen thought didn't matter and she absolutely had to go to Tengu City.
"Enough, everyone stop arguing."
Letting out a long breath, Westcott's intuition told her this news was different from before.
Making the decision directly, she stated that if they were going, they should all go together.
"Whether it's an AST plot or something else, any news about Sensei is worth us making the trip."
"Let's go, Karen, Ellen, Yoshino. We... are going to Tengu City!"