Kaguya sat in front of a vanity, looking at her reflection in the mirror.
Her black hair, smooth as silk, draped down naturally. Her skin was fair, her features delicate, and her ruby-like eyes gleamed.
The ultimate contrast of black and red made her appear like an enchanting painting. Yet her expressionless face gave her the lifeless air of a traditional Japanese doll.
Outside the room, someone knelt down and called softly, "Kaguya-sama."
"Hayasaka? Come in."
Kaguya didn't turn around as she spoke.
The sliding door opened. Hayasaka Ai, dressed in a maid uniform, entered with her hands folded neatly in front of her, eyes slightly lowered, her expression serious—the perfect image of a maid.
"Hayasaka, has my family already set the meeting time?"
Kaguya's tone barely fluctuated.
There was no need for someone like Kaguya to personally ask about such matters. Many decisions weren't even relayed to her directly, but passed through Hayasaka instead. She simply had to listen and obey.
On the surface, it looked like she was a pampered daughter, free from concerns. But in reality, it was a form of control. She wasn't allowed to make decisions.
"Yes, Oko-dono has arranged it. He plans for you and the Fujiwara heir to have a chance encounter."
Hayasaka spoke respectfully.
Back at the Tokyo residence, she would occasionally allow herself to relax and even intentionally make small mistakes to ease the pressure of constantly serving Kaguya.
But here at the old Shinomiya estate in Kyoto, her every move was precise. She didn't dare slip once.
She knew well, many people here were watching both her and Kaguya.
"A chance encounter? Why a chance encounter?"
Kaguya, still stroking her temple with her fingers, asked in confusion.
A marriage setup—no, this didn't even qualify as a formal engagement, should just be arranged directly. Why stage a chance encounter?
Hayasaka lowered her head and relayed Oko's explanation.
"I see. Toru is an illegitimate child of the Fujiwara family. Even if they arranged a marriage for him, they wouldn't dare tell him directly. So they have no choice but to introduce me through a chance encounter."
"That's the general idea, Kaguya-sama."
Complicated emotions stirred in Kaguya's heart.
If she had to name them, it would be envy and jealousy.
The Fujiwara family was cautious not to offend Toru. This clearly showed his standing.
And what about her? She had no freedom, no status. Within the Shinomiya family, she was nothing more than a puppet, without agency.
Kaguya understood this, and she also understood that this was simply how the Shinomiya family operated.
So she tried hard to eliminate her own thoughts. Everything was based on logic and benefit.
But it was easier said than done. She was still human, after all. She still had her own desires.
"I've heard of that Student Council President Fujiwara. He was famous at Shuchiin Academy, but I was only in my third year of middle school then. I didn't really know the high school department."
"Hayasaka, you were a year ahead of me. You were in your first year of high school when he was the student council president, right? Do you remember anything about him?"
This was what she had been taught since childhood—gather information first. It saves time and effort.
Even a staged encounter should be prepared with prior knowledge.
Hayasaka thought for a moment. "I wasn't part of the Student Council, so I don't know much about his personality."
"But I could sense that the students at Shuchiin really trusted him. He solved a lot of school issues and was accepted into Tokyo University with excellent grades."
Hayasaka had played the role of a gyaru at school. She was lucky not to be on the Disciplinary Committee's radar, let alone join the Student Council.
"To be trusted by all the students, that's impressive."
Kaguya nodded slowly.
Shuchiin Academy, as an elite institution, had a continuous program from elementary to high school.
Students were roughly divided into two types, those who entered from elementary school, and those who transferred in.
Transfer students were often looked down upon by the arrogant sons and daughters of wealthy families.
Toru had transferred in during his final year of high school, yet not only became Student Council President, but earned everyone's respect. That alone had won Kaguya's recognition.
At the very least, she didn't think she could have done it.
"Do you have any more information?"
Kaguya asked again.
Just knowing someone is capable isn't enough. She wanted to know his personality, interests, and tendencies.
Hayasaka hesitated, then replied, "When he was in America, his private life was… a little messy."
She had originally wanted to say "indecent," but quickly changed it. That word wasn't appropriate in front of Kaguya.
"What do you mean?"
Kaguya frowned slightly.
"He had many girlfriends in America, but none of the relationships lasted long."
Kaguya's pale cheeks flushed. She muttered under her breath, "Did he… kiss many women?"
"Eh?"
Hayasaka was stunned for a second, unsure why Kaguya would say something like that.
Kiss? That's way too innocent. In America, things likely went much further.
Then it hit her—Kaguya was too sheltered. She'd never received any sex education.
In a way, that was terrifying.
Hayasaka recalled that Oko had instructed her to educate Kaguya on such matters.
After all, a woman being too naive wasn't good. If Toru tried something, and Kaguya reacted poorly out of ignorance or shyness, it could damage their relationship.
Hayasaka tried to explain tactfully. "It wasn't just kissing. There were deeper things involved."
"Deeper? How can it be deeper than that? Isn't that how you have children? Just from kissing?"
Kaguya stared at her blankly.
Hayasaka wanted to slam her head into the wall.
What kind of absurd upbringing did this family give her?
How was she even supposed to teach this? She couldn't just… demonstrate it.
Sure, in ancient times, maidservants served as dowry and taught the bride such things, but that wasn't going to happen here.
Maybe she could get some DVDs? Japan had plenty of "informative" content.
No, that would be too much. Better to ease her into it.
"Kaguya-sama, it's a bit complicated. It's not something I can explain in a few sentences. Since you like books, how about we go to the library sometime?"
Hayasaka knew Kaguya didn't use the internet. Her phone wasn't even a smartphone, just an old Symbian model.
That she could live like this in the modern world said a lot about the Shinomiya family's power.
"Go to the library? That's fine."
Kaguya nodded.
She was tightly managed by the family. Unless it was for school, she rarely got to go out. Even then, she needed a proper reason.
Hayasaka glanced at the mirror, using it to observe Kaguya's expression.
"Kaguya-sama, do you have any thoughts?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean… about Young Master Fujiwara's messy dating history."
Normally, girls would care if their fiancé was a playboy, right?
But Kaguya calmly replied, "Is that a problem? My opinion doesn't matter. All three of my brothers are like that."
Hayasaka was left speechless.
As a modern woman, she pitied Kaguya.
Her brothers all had countless women outside the family. Even if they were married, their wives were seen as little more than childbearing tools. Women had no real place in the Shinomiya household.
A man having mistresses wasn't something women were even allowed to comment on.
Kaguya had grown up in that world.
Sure, as a woman, she felt a little unhappy. But that was more instinctive possessiveness than anything else.
The rest was just a product of her environment.
Hayasaka didn't say anything more.
This was the Shinomiya family. Rigid to the core. Feudal to the extreme.
...
In Tokyo's North Ward, inside the Western-style mansion where Toru lived.
Haibara sat on a high stool in the spacious living room, rapidly typing on her computer. A cup of Americano sat nearby.
She looked young, but her demeanor was cold.
She wore a wool sweater, a short skirt, and her fair legs stretched out beneath her. Her small, delicate feet were bare. Her toes flexed instinctively as she typed.
She noticed Toru getting dressed and frowned.
"It's Saturday. You're still going out?"
"That's exactly why I'm going out."
Toru tied his shoes. "I have to go check on the café. Someone's coming in for an interview. The café on the second floor is finally opening."
Haibara knew full well that the café was actually a CIA liaison point. Toru hadn't hidden anything from her.
The reason he was personally handling this interview today was because of an interesting name on the application.
Toru Amuro. Real name, Rei Furuya. A Public Security Bureau agent embedded in the Black Organization, codename: Bourbon.
He had sent in a resume to apply for a job at the café.
This obviously wasn't a mission from the PSB. It had to be from the Organization.
Toru wanted to know what the Organization was planning. Did they suspect he was the one behind the research facility attack? Or were they trying to monitor him?
Likely both.
"When will you be back?"
Haibara didn't look up as she typed.
"Probably in the evening. If you're hungry, order food. Or cook something."
Toru finished getting ready and smiled at her. "Haibara, don't tell me you're sad to see me go?"
She smirked. "Your biggest flaw is how narcissistic you can be."
Toru ignored the jab. "Drink less coffee. It's bad for kids."
"I'm not a kid."
"But your body is."
"You meddle too much."
"Alright, alright. I'm leaving."
With that, he stepped out the door.
Haibara stood and walked to the window, watching him leave.
Once he was gone, she closed the curtains, then curled up on the sofa, trembling slightly, her face filled with unease.
She'd lied.
She didn't want him to leave.
It wasn't that she had deep feelings for him. In fact, she still didn't trust him.
Toru's motives were unclear. Everything he did seemed kind, but to Haibara, it felt like a threat.
He kept reminding her that if she left, the Organization would hunt her down. That fear was why she stayed.
Still, as much as she didn't trust him, she feared being alone more.
She couldn't shake the feeling that the moment she was alone, eyes would be watching from every corner.
Haibara huddled on the sofa, unmoving.
Meanwhile, outside, Toru looked at the surveillance feed on his phone, watching her.
He chuckled. "Too tsundere. She'll have to deal with the consequences herself."
Just then, he noticed a girl with long, light-blue twin tails in a plaid dress standing outside the iron fence, peering into the yard.
He raised an eyebrow, grew alert, and walked over.
"Excuse me, can I help you?"
(To be continued.)