"Ryo-kun.... Where is Shinomiya... Oko?"
The first person to wake up was Hayasaka Ai. When she opened her eyes, she saw Uchiha Ryo sitting opposite her, drinking coffee.
"I have some good news and some bad news. Which do you want to hear?"
Hayasaka Ai looked around. There was no sign of Shinomiya Oko or the bodyguards. But when she looked at Uchiha Ryo, she remembered his words from before she fainted.
"A tiger... I'll hear the good news first."
Uchiha Ryo put down his coffee. "The good news is that Shinomiya Oko and his group have left. They said something about going drag racing. They probably won't be bothering me again."
Hayasaka Ai frowned. How could Shinomiya Oko leave so easily? Did he and Uchiha Ryo reach some sort of agreement.... And why did I suddenly faint?
"Then... what's the bad news?"
Uchiha Ryo pulled the table aside and stood in front of Hayasaka Ai.
"The bad news is, please explain, Hayasaka-san, why did the cafe you chose have people from the Shinomiya family?"
Hayasaka Ai fell silent... She glanced at Shirosaki Hana, who was still fast asleep, then raised her head to look Uchiha Ryo straight in the eye.
"Do you remember that fable I told you?"
Uchiha Ryo: "The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse?"
Hayasaka Ai nodded, then gave a self-deprecating smile.
"What do you think happens when the house mouse is discovered by humans...."
A mouse that steals food, if it cannot become a domesticated hamster, will lose everything. The Hayasaka family was just like that. After losing the struggle against the Shinomiya family, the Hayasaka family became cattle to be slaughtered at the Shinomiya family's whim.
If the Shinomiya family hadn't taken a fancy to the Hayasaka family's excellent bloodline and absorbed them, the Hayasaka family might have long since disappeared or left the country under an assumed name.
And the person in the Shinomiya family who truly controlled the Hayasaka family was named Shinomiya Oko. But as early as ten years ago, this guy had secretly assigned the Hayasaka family to his third brother, Shinomiya Un'yo.
The purpose was simple: while the Hayasaka family helped Shinomiya Un'yo, they were to report all of Shinomiya Un'yo's intelligence to Shinomiya Oko.
The Hayasaka family could only survive by clinging to the strong. Hayasaka Nao had to navigate between Shinomiya Un'yo and Shinomiya Oko by herself, while Hayasaka Ai firmly believed in Shinomiya Kaguya, but she also couldn't ignore the orders from above.
Shinomiya Oko wanted to meet Shinomiya Un'yo's partner, so he used Hayasaka Ai's "date" to lead Uchiha Ryo to this cafe.
"I'm sorry... although I know apologizing is meaningless, I still led you here."
Uchiha Ryo's expression didn't change at all, as if Hayasaka Ai's explanation and apology had no effect.
"There's no need to apologize. Our positions are different. Your choice was logical. If you had really stood by me against Shinomiya Oko, I would have doubted your intelligence."
Uchiha Ryo: "And this time, I should be the one thanking you. First, as Shinomiya Un'yo's partner, I helped him clear away some obstacles. Second... the Hayasaka family's allegiance no longer belongs to Shinomiya Oko."
Hayasaka Ai's head shot up. Shinomiya Oko gave up the Hayasaka family? How is that possible! Never mind herself, Hayasaka Nao also held a slight position in the main family.
"He gave up the Hayasaka pawn? Does that mean the Hayasaka family now belongs to Shinomiya Un'yo?"
Uchiha Ryo smiled. "No. Shinomiya Oko personally admitted that from today on, the Hayasaka family belongs to me!"
"Hayasaka, the Shinomiya family no longer has any power over you. But... no matter what, you did lead me here today, even if you were forced. How should I punish you~"
→
A hand slowly reached out and flicked her on the forehead.
"Ouch..."
Uchiha Ryo: "Hayasaka Ai, when the Shinomiya family vortex calms down, and when your Lady Kaguya is no longer held back by the family, you should resign. And then, become my maid."
"Like I said, you're not a mouse, so you don't have to think about those problems. I'll give the cunning little fox a chance to borrow the tiger's prestige. It just depends on whether she's willing to stand by my side."
Hayasaka Ai's eyes lit up. Perhaps it was because the weight of the Shinomiya family on her shoulders had finally disappeared, or perhaps it was because she had finally seen the dawn of her dream. Hayasaka Ai... made her choice.
...
[Hayasaka Ai's affinity has increased—G-Points +200]
[Detected that Hayasaka Ai's affinity for you has exceeded 60. Reward: One-stage upgrade for any ability.]
Oh my, the major stage rewards for capture targets are really rich.
Uchiha Ryo remembered that Takashi's affinity breaking 90 had only rewarded 1000 G-Points.
"Strange, why did I fall asleep.... Ryo-oniichan, Hayasaka-oneechan, should we be going?"
Shirosaki Hana rubbed her eyes. After looking at the clock, which was already pointing to one o'clock, she suddenly remembered that she had plans to go to a friend's house today.
Uchiha Ryo: "Is Hana-chan going to a friend's house? We'll take you."
"Mhm, thank you, Ryo-oniichan."
[Shirosaki Hana's affinity has increased—G-Points +20]
The three of them walked out of the cafe. The Ginza commercial district in the afternoon was truly overcrowded. To prevent the cute little child from getting lost, Uchiha Ryo took the initiative to hold Shirosaki Hana's little hand.
"Are you afraid of getting lost too?"
Uchiha Ryo looked at Hayasaka Ai. Before he could even extend his other hand, Hana-chan took Hayasaka's hand.
Hayasaka Ai naturally wouldn't refuse Shirosaki Hana's kindness. Uchiha Ryo's outstretched hand could only pretend to swing, and then he put it in his pocket.
Uchiha Ryo: "Which friend's house are you going to, Hana-chan? The one you were with at the mall last time?"
Shirosaki Hana shook her head. "Hinata is busy today. I think she went out with her family. A younger classmate named Gotou Futari invited me to her house for snacks~"
"Gotou?"
Uchiha Ryo was thoughtful.
.....
At the STARRY music bar, Ijichi Nijika raised her hand. "Anyway, to earn the performance quota money, and cover miscellaneous expenses like equipment fees, let's get part-time jobs!"
Gotou Hitori: "A part-time job?!!"
Because her afternoon was already booked, Gotou Hitori left STARRY under the disbelieving gazes of Nijika and Ryo.
Ijichi Nijika: "Does Bocchi-chan really have plans this afternoon?"
Yamada Ryo took a sip of tea. "She was probably just scared off.... She seemed to really hate the idea of a part-time job."
Gotou Hitori returned home. Looking at the clock, which was already pointing to one, she took out her phone.
"Why hasn't he contacted me yet..."
"Don't tell me I have to contact him first! That can't be, Uchiha-kun isn't that kind of person... He didn't forget, did he!"
Gotou Hitori flopped onto her bed, hugging her phone and staring at the LINE chat interface. This was the first friend she had added since starting school! Maybe... I should take the initiative to ask.
"....Ahhh, how should I even ask?"