"Of course I'm sincere."
Eto appeared completely natural, her face showing no hint of panic or nervousness. "Think about it—no matter what, I'm still a girl. Even if I were just looking for someone to pretend to be my boyfriend, I wouldn't choose someone I didn't like, right?"
But Rize showed no reaction. She clearly wouldn't so easily believe what Eto said.
After all, she knew Eto was the One-Eyed Owl. She knew what the One-Eyed Owl had done. This woman was definitely not as simple as she appeared on the surface.
"As the One-Eyed Owl, your words carry no credibility whatsoever."
Rize's words made her stance clear.
"Shh!..."
Eto immediately made a shushing gesture. "Rize-san, please keep your voice down. It wouldn't be good if someone overheard."
Rize paid this no mind—she could sense there was no one else nearby. In her view, Eto was just trying to divert her attention.
Seeing that Rize wasn't easily fooled, Eto had no choice but to get serious.
"Actually, whether I'm sincere or not—Rize-san will know once my new book is released."
Eto said. "Even if I say I'm sincere now, Rize-san won't believe me."
"True enough."
Rize nodded slightly.
She stood and left one final remark before departing. "Takatsuki-sensei, if you're just toying with Byakuya's feelings, I definitely won't let you off easy."
With that, Rize left.
"My, my, how frightening..."
Eto sighed.
But her expression remained composed.
Today she'd discovered something slightly unexpected.
Rize-san had completely fallen.
Or rather, she was deeply in love with Byakuya.
"What a sinful fellow..."
Eto murmured to herself. "Oh well, I should probably abandon that playboy scheme after all..."
For the follow-up to this publicity campaign, she had originally subdivided it into more than one plan.
One was for her and Byakuya to avoid public appearances for a while, maintaining a certain air of mystery.
The other was the "playboy scheme," which she'd teased Byakuya about before.
Teasing aside, the scheme did have merit. A genius young beauty author having her feelings deceived by a huge playboy could drive the hype to new heights.
But she wouldn't actually implement this plan. After all, that buzz would come at the cost of Byakuya's reputation—and to a degree that virtually everyone would know about...
She didn't know whether Byakuya would be upset—that guy was quite self-aware about his playboy tendencies. But she knew Rize-san definitely wouldn't be happy about it.
Out of consideration for Rize's feelings, she was even less likely to execute the playboy scheme.
Otherwise, if Rize really turned against her...
It wouldn't matter that she was stronger than Rize. After all, in her impression, Rize cared about Byakuya more than anyone. Byakuya wasn't stupid—he could probably see that too.
Meaning Rize's position in Byakuya's heart was certainly higher than hers. So she figured it was best not to offend Rize.
Thinking about this, Eto suddenly found herself inexplicably curious about where she stood in Byakuya's heart...
Probably not very high?
After all, she'd done quite a few excessive things—like Akira Mado's mother, and Suzuya and that Shinohara investigator...
It was already good enough that Byakuya hadn't come to settle scores with her.
...
By now, Rize had returned to Byakuya's side.
Seeing Rize approach, Touka also ended her conversation with Byakuya.
"You're done talking with Eto?"
Byakuya asked.
"Mm."
Rize nodded.
She glanced at Touka and Hinami sitting there, still smiling warmly, showing no unfriendliness.
"Nothing happened, right?"
Byakuya asked with some concern.
"Nothing at all."
Rize said.
"Good."
Though somewhat skeptical, since Rize said so and he hadn't heard any strange noises from Eto and Rize's direction earlier, Byakuya could only take her word for it.
"Hinami, Touka-san, Byakuya and I will be heading back now."
Rize spoke to Touka and Hinami, then linked her arm through Byakuya's and left.
"Okay. Goodbye, Byakuya-oniichan, Rize-neesan."
Hinami said.
"Goodbye."
Touka also said.
But she felt something was slightly off—Rize-san seemed a bit strange somehow, though she couldn't put her finger on what exactly...
...
Walking home.
Rize still had her arm linked through Byakuya's.
Then she gently leaned against his shoulder.
This surprised Byakuya slightly.
It felt like...
Rize seemed to have become a bit clingier than before?
Of course, maybe she was just being a little willful...
Byakuya didn't think too much about it.
Along the way, Rize didn't mention anything about Eto. She simply stayed on his arm the entire walk home.
...
At home.
Byakuya went to handle CCG matters.
Kurona and Nashiro were at work as usual—they typically didn't return until evening at the earliest.
Mayu and Chika often studied fashion magazines together, researching cute outfits. Today was no exception—they were in their room looking at outfits again.
Since Kanae was cleaning upstairs, only Matsumae was in the living room keeping Rize company.
Rize sat on the sofa, reading a book.
"Madam, are you sure you don't need to tell Master about this?"
Matsumae, sitting beside Rize, suddenly asked.
"No need."
Rize shook her head. "He's at a critical time right now. He's about to make the final move against the Washuu Clan. I don't want to distract him. Besides, it can be a surprise for him later."
She did believe Byakuya's explanation—what he and Eto were doing was to build hype for the new book, and the book was meant to expose the Washuu Clan's true nature.
This meant Byakuya was preparing to officially move against the Washuu Clan.
Though Rize knew Byakuya's strength was formidable, that didn't diminish the importance of the campaign against the Washuu Clan in her eyes. So she planned to keep a certain matter hidden from Byakuya.
As for what exactly that matter was, currently only Rize herself and Matsumae seemed to know...
"Understood."
Matsumae nodded expressionlessly.
"Then... Matsumae-san, please bring my dinner to my room again today."
Rize said.
"No problem. Please wait a moment, Madam."
Matsumae nodded in acknowledgment, then headed to the kitchen.
...
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