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Shinomiya Kaguya sat in front of a vanity table, gazing at her reflection in the mirror.
Her silky black hair cascaded down her back, framing her porcelain skin and delicate features. Her crimson eyes shimmered like rubies, creating an arresting contrast with her jet-black hair. The combination was striking—she looked like a vivid painting, yet her expressionless face also evoked the image of a traditional Japanese doll.
Outside her room, a figure knelt on the floor.
"Miss Kaguya," a voice called out respectfully.
"Is that Hayasaka? Come in."
Kaguya didn't turn her head as she spoke.
The sliding door opened, and Hayasaka Ai entered, dressed in a maid's uniform. Her hands were clasped neatly over her abdomen, her gaze lowered slightly—everything about her exuded the image of a perfect maid. She moved carefully, every step measured and precise.
"Has the family arranged my meeting already?" Kaguya asked in a flat tone.
As the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya family, Kaguya rarely needed to personally involve herself in important matters. Decisions were often made above her and relayed through Ai or others. All she had to do was obey.
On the surface, it seemed like the carefree life of a pampered young lady, free from worries. But in reality, it was a subtle form of control—a way to ensure Kaguya couldn't make any decisions for herself.
"Yes, Master Kōgen has arranged everything. You will 'accidentally' meet Mr. Fujiwara during your outing," Ai replied softly.
When they were back at the Tokyo residence, Ai sometimes allowed herself small moments of relaxation, even deliberately making minor mistakes to relieve the stress of serving Kaguya. But here, in the Kyoto estate, her movements were rigidly controlled. She knew countless eyes were watching her every move.
"An accidental meeting? Why not just arrange a formal introduction?" Kaguya tilted her head, puzzled. "If this is about marriage, shouldn't we simply agree on a location and meet directly?"
Ai hesitated before answering. "Mr. Fujiwara Tōru is the illegitimate son of the Fujiwara family. While they've arranged this marriage, they're being cautious about revealing it openly. Hence, the staged encounter."
Kaguya nodded slowly, understanding dawning on her face. It was a mix of envy and resentment. The Fujiwara family treated their heir with such care, ensuring he remained happy, while she… she had no freedom, no status. To the Shinomiya family, she was nothing more than a puppet to be manipulated.
She understood this. She accepted it as the rule of survival within the Shinomiya household. Still, suppressing her own thoughts and desires wasn't easy. As a human being, she couldn't help but have feelings.
"About Mr. Fujiwara…" Kaguya began. "I've heard of him. He was quite famous at Shuchiin Academy, though I was only in middle school at the time and didn't pay much attention to the high schoolers. But you, Ai, are older than me. Weren't you a freshman when he became student council president? Do you remember anything about him?"
This was part of her upbringing—to gather as much information as possible before taking action. Even if it was just a staged meeting, she wanted to know more about the person she would soon encounter.
Ai thought for a moment. "I wasn't part of the student council, so I can't comment on his personality. However, I do recall that the students respected him greatly. He handled numerous challenges during his time at Shuchiin and still managed to graduate with excellent grades, earning admission to Tokyo University."
At Shuchiin, Ai had played the role of a rebellious delinquent. Forget joining the student council—she barely avoided constant scrutiny from the disciplinary committee.
"To earn the trust of all the high school students… that's impressive," Kaguya murmured, nodding slowly.
Shuchiin Academy was divided into two factions: those who had attended since elementary school and those who transferred in later. The latter group was often looked down upon by the former. For someone like Tōru, who transferred in during his final year, to effortlessly claim the position of student council president and gain the respect of everyone—it took undeniable skill.
"I don't think I could do that," Kaguya admitted quietly.
"Do you have more information?" she asked.
Knowing someone was capable was one thing, but what she really needed was insight into his personality, preferences, and habits.
Ai hesitated. "While studying abroad in America, Mr. Fujiwara's personal life… well, it was somewhat chaotic." She caught herself before using harsher words, softening her tone.
"What do you mean by 'chaotic'?" Kaguya frowned.
"He dated many women, but none of the relationships lasted long," Ai explained carefully.
A faint blush crept across Kaguya's cheeks. "You mean… he kissed many women, right?"
Ai blinked, momentarily stunned. "Ah… yes, among other things."
"Other things?" Kaguya tilted her head. "What else could there be besides kissing? Isn't kissing enough to have children?"
Ai resisted the urge to bury her face in her hands. Dear heavens, what kind of education has Miss Kaguya received?!
In modern society, especially in places like America, casual relationships were far more common than mere kisses. But Kaguya's innocence stemmed from years of strict control by the Shinomiya family. She hadn't been exposed to any knowledge about relationships or intimacy.
Ai recalled Master Kōgen's instructions: educate Kaguya on these matters. If she remained too naive, it might cause complications later—like rejecting advances from Tōru due to ignorance, which could offend him.
"Miss Kaguya," Ai said delicately, "there's more to relationships than just kissing. Some acts go deeper…"
"Deeper? How deep can it get? Don't people just kiss and then have babies?"
Ai sighed inwardly. Teaching Kaguya about relationships felt daunting. In ancient times, maids sometimes accompanied their mistresses on wedding nights, but this wasn't feudal Japan anymore! Perhaps educational materials could help…
No, she decided. That might be too overwhelming. We should proceed gradually.
"There's a lot to explain, Miss Kaguya. It's complicated. Maybe you could read some books? Let's visit the library."
Kaguya agreed. "To the library, then."
Her life was tightly controlled. Outside of school, she rarely left the estate, and when she did, she was always accompanied by attendants.
As Ai glanced at Kaguya through the mirror, she cautiously asked, "Miss Kaguya, do you have any thoughts about Mr. Fujiwara's past relationships?"
"What do you mean?" Kaguya blinked innocently.
"I mean, regarding his history with women. Most women would feel uneasy about their fiancé having multiple partners."
But Kaguya merely shrugged. "It doesn't matter what I think. My opinions don't count here."
Her calm response left Ai speechless. Despite being a modern woman herself, Ai couldn't help but pity Kaguya. Raised under such rigid circumstances, Kaguya viewed men's infidelity as normal—a product of her environment.
Kaguya's brothers had countless affairs outside their marriages, treating their wives as tools for procreation. Women held no real power in the Shinomiya family.
Though Kaguya felt a pang of jealousy and possessiveness—natural instincts for any woman—her upbringing overshadowed those emotions. Society had conditioned her to accept such arrangements without question.
Ai said nothing further. This was the Shinomiya family—a household steeped in tradition and suffocating control.
Meanwhile, at a Western-style Mansion in Northern Tokyo
Gray-haired Shiho Miyano sat on a tall stool in the spacious living room, typing furiously on a laptop. Beside her sat a cup of black coffee. Though young in appearance, her demeanor was cold and detached.
She wore a wool sweater and a short skirt, her slender legs bare save for her doll-like feet, which twitched unconsciously as she typed.
Noticing Tōru Fujiwara preparing to leave, she raised an eyebrow. "It's Saturday. Where are you going?"
"Precisely because it's Saturday," Tōru replied, slipping on his shoes. "I need to check on the shop. Someone's coming in for an interview today, and the café upstairs needs attention too."
Shiho knew the "café" was actually a CIA liaison point. Tōru hadn't hidden this fact from her.
This particular interview intrigued him. One résumé stood out: Amuro Toru, formerly known as Rei Furuya, an undercover agent working for the National Security Bureau within the Black Organization. His codename was "Bourbon."
Amuro applying to work at his café? That wasn't a coincidence—it reeked of the Black Organization's interference. Tōru intended to find out whether they suspected him of attacking their research facility or if they were trying to monitor him.
Or perhaps both.
"When will you be back?" Shiho asked, returning her focus to her laptop.
"Probably late evening. Order takeout if you're hungry, or cook something if you're up for it."
Tōru smirked. "Don't tell me you'll miss me, Aoi?"
A flicker of sarcasm crossed Shiho's lips. "Do you know your biggest flaw? Your arrogance."
Tōru chuckled, unfazed. "Try not to drink too much coffee—it's bad for kids."
"I'm not a kid."
"But your current body is."
"You meddle too much."
"Fine, suit yourself. I'm leaving."
With that, Tōru departed.
Once he was gone, Shiho abandoned her seat and moved to the window, watching his retreating figure. When he disappeared from sight, she closed the curtains, curling up on the sofa. Her hands trembled, and anxiety washed over her.
She had lied earlier—she did feel uneasy about Tōru leaving. Not because of affection, but because of fear. Alone in the mansion, she felt as though countless eyes from the organization were watching her every move.
Tōru, meanwhile, monitored her via the house's security cameras. Seeing her shiver in fear, he chuckled. "Stubborn pride will only bring suffering."
Just then, he noticed a girl with light blue twin tails and a plaid dress peering into the courtyard. Alert, he approached her. "Can I help you?"