"???" Yusei looked at Kaguya, who had left the room like a proud little swan, his head full of question marks.
'Huh? Why did it become my chance to confess? Shouldn't it be the other way around? It feels like the cold young lady has suddenly turned into a tsundere big sister.'
The 'little swan' who had just left the room suddenly turned back, even closing the door behind her.
Under Yusei's puzzled gaze, Kaguya came to his side, her expression somewhat somber.
Seeing this, Yusei also became serious and asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Kaguya remained silent for a moment, then hesitantly spoke, "You know my feelings by now, right?"
Hearing Kaguya's words, Yusei nodded. "I'm not a fool. I didn't know before, but when Koken mentioned you might have an arranged marriage last time, I figured it out."
"And I always thought I didn't have any particular feelings for you. But when I heard you were going to marry someone else, I realized how annoyed I felt inside."
Kaguya listened seriously to Yusei's words. When she heard 'annoyed', she couldn't help but chuckle, her expression softening a bit.
She came to Yusei's side and sat with him on her bed.
"We both know how the other feels... but... what about Asuna?"
Kaguya looked seriously at Yusei.
The problem she had suddenly started thinking about earlier was this. What about Asuna?
Asuna was not only Yusei's girlfriend but also her good friend, her close confidante.
Hearing Kaguya's words, Yusei didn't know what to say. The Harem Plan was something he had decided on, and he could accept it. But he couldn't guarantee that Kaguya and Asuna could accept it.
He didn't know how to answer Kaguya right now. Or rather, he didn't dare tell Kaguya about the Harem Plan.
Seeing Yusei's silence, Kaguya sighed. She already knew. Clearly, Yusei wasn't prepared to choose between them.
After a while, Kaguya stood up, her own mind also in turmoil. On one side was the person she liked. On the other was her good friend.
Not only could Yusei not decide, but she herself was also very conflicted.
She didn't want to steal her good friend's boyfriend, but on the other hand, she felt that if she liked someone, she should fight for them. That was the judgment she had nurtured through her swordsmanship training, and also her judgment in handling matters.
But she couldn't make a choice right now... just like Yusei. Because no matter what choice was made here, someone would inevitably become the 'other woman' or have to give up.
But neither of these were outcomes Kaguya wanted. So she couldn't decide either.
Since they couldn't decide for now, it was better not to think about it.
Going outside the room, she instructed Hayasaka to help Yusei get dressed. After all, they still had to deal with that uninvited guest from the Imperial Family later, and they needed to send that guy packing first.
Walking down the hallway, Kaguya was about to head to the main hall in a daze when a familiar voice called out to her.
"Kaguya! Has Yusei arrived yet?"
Kaguya was startled, then looked ahead at her grandfather.
"Mhmm, he's here. I asked Hayasaka to help him get dressed."
Koken nodded, looking Kaguya up and down, unable to hold back his admiration, "As beautiful as your grandmother was back in the day. I bet that Yusei kid can't take his eyes off you."
Hearing her grandfather's words, Kaguya couldn't help but blush, but she retorted coyly, "What do you mean 'can't take his eyes off'? That sounds terrifying."
Koken laughed heartily and left. But as he walked away, he still said loudly,
"Preparing is your business. It's fine to reject the Imperial Family. Also, remember, every time you mastered a new level in swordsmanship before, I would give you a reward, and it will always be something you wanted most."
"This time, you broke through to the level of Sword Intent, and I haven't given you your prize yet. But this time, I already know what you want most."
"Don't worry, Grandpa will get you what you want most."
With that, Koken walked off into the distance.
Looking at her grandfather's back, Kaguya was somewhat silent, 'What I wanted most...'
Thinking about this, the image of Yusei teasing her earlier involuntarily surfaced in her mind. A bit hateful... but also a bit hard to let go of.
'Hmph, that guy...' Kaguya clenched her small fist, feeling like she wanted to punch Yusei right in the face.
'But... sigh.'
Kaguya sighed and continued towards the main hall. The things she wanted, her grandfather had always managed to get for her every time.
But this time... she estimated her grandfather would have to break his promise.
Arriving at the main hall, there was no so-called lavish luncheon feast.
In Kaguya's view, she wished the Imperial Family guys would just get lost quickly, so why would she bother entertaining them?
But the basic etiquette still had to be observed, which is why Kaguya came to the main hall to receive them.
A maid attendant nearby, seeing Kaguya arrive, stepped forward and whispered respectfully, "Ouji-sama has already arrived and is waiting in the reception room. Should we notify them to come to the main hall?" (T/N: Ouji means prince.)
Kaguya was already troubled by the matter between herself, Asuna, and Yusei. Now, hearing the maid call someone 'Ouji-sama', she felt annoyed and couldn't help but glare at her.
"What 'Ouji-sama'? Why should someone from the Shinomiya Family call anyone else 'sama'?"
The young maid felt wronged. Usually, when other distinguished guests came and she used 'sama', Kaguya never objected. Moreover, this was more in line with etiquette and hierarchy.
But in the Shinomiya Family, under the doting of the elders, one could say Kaguya was the absolute authority.
Faced with the young lady's words, the maid didn't dare offer the slightest rebuttal. She could only reply somewhat grievously and respectfully, "Yes. I will not bring shame upon the Shinomiya Family in the future. Please forgive me, Ojou-sama."
Kaguya snorted, preparing to leave. It seemed she had no intention of forgiving the maid.
But just then, Yusei, dressed in the suit Hayasaka had prepared for him, arrived downstairs. He had overheard the entire conversation between Kaguya and the maid.
Yusei smiled slightly, "Alright, Kaguya. If you're upset, taking it out on the maid isn't right, is it? A girl like that won't be very likable."
Kaguya fell silent, not wanting to look at Yusei. She was already facing a tangled three-person emotional dilemma, feeling incredibly agitated and annoyed. How could she have the energy to comfort a maid?
This maid had just happened to be in the line of fire. Actually, it was the first time something like this had happened.
The young maid gave Yusei a grateful look. Yusei waved his hand at her, signaling for her to withdraw.
Yusei smiled and ruffled Kaguya's head, then took her hand.
"Let's go. We're a couple today. Let's go quickly and reject that bastard prince."