Poor Tobe Kakeru remained under the watchful, maternal care of Mrs. Tamura. Regardless of his true condition or desires, his apparent fragility had cemented her belief that he was unfit for further labor. He desperately wanted to confess it was all an act, but the thought of Ebina Hina's potential disdain—of being exposed as a deceitful, clumsy fool—kept his mouth firmly shut. Powerless, he could only languish on the lounge sofa, wanting to cry but finding no tears.
A sliver of hope, however, persisted. Perhaps Ebina would be moved by his apparent weakness? Maybe, after finishing her tasks, she would come to check on him, her gentle nature compelling her to care for an ailing friend? Buoyed by this fragile fantasy, and genuinely exhausted from the morning's physical toil, Tobe Kakeru soon forgot his elaborate plans for romantic advancement and succumbed to a deep, oblivious sleep.
On the shop floor, freed from the weight of Tobe's persistent, yearning gaze, Ebina Hina felt a tangible wave of relief. The atmosphere lightened for her, and even the simple act of handing out samples became more enjoyable. The group of girls chattered and laughed, offering opinions on displays and working in tandem. The shared experience of this part-time job seemed to strengthen their bonds further, creating a bubble of effortless camaraderie.
Observing this from a distance, Hozuki Nozomi felt a private sense of reassurance. Thankfully, there's no harem strife around me. He credited this peace to his own upfront honesty from the very beginning. Moreover, the girls were genuinely good friends; their affection for each other fostered a harmonious dynamic. His role today was simple: be a reliable presence, escort them through this experience, and ensure everything went smoothly.
And, of course, to be the official food taster.
To be perfectly honest, the only culinary offering he approached with trepidation was anything made by Yui Yuigahama. But since she had, with tremendous effort, produced a (slightly charred) cake, wasting it was out of the question. With the stoicism of a soldier, he mentally prepared himself to deal with that particular dessert.
With Tobe sidelined, the remaining boys—Nozomi, Kosaka Kyosuke, and Hayama Hayato—found their workflow unaffected. If anything, it was more efficient. The unanimous, unspoken verdict was clear: Tobe was simply too physically weak and unsuited for labor. His presence or absence was functionally irrelevant—the very definition of a dispensable element.
Elsewhere, in a world far removed from part-time jobs and burnt cakes, Yuki Suou and her ever-present shadow, Ayano Kimishima, returned to the imposing main residence of the Suou family. Dressed in neat, sophisticated attire, their purpose was specific: to prepare for the evening's engagement banquet hosted by the Yukinoshita family.
As the young lady of the Suou family, Yuki's attendance was mandatory. On a personal level, the idea of formally blessing her beloved Onii-chan's engagement to someone else stirred complex emotions. Yet, she also held her own future vision close. She would have a similar ceremony one day, and she found herself looking forward to the life that would follow, once she and Yukino Yukinoshita were officially family.
"Speaking of which, Ayano," Yuki mused aloud as they walked through the meticulously kept gardens, "Onii-chan really is like a light novel protagonist, isn't he? More and more cute girls seem to be gathering around him."
"Yes," Ayano replied, her voice flat and serious. "The number of rivals is increasing. Should we initiate elimination protocols?" To emphasize her point, she drew a finger slowly across her own throat in a stark, unambiguous gesture.
Yuki couldn't help but let out a sigh of exasperation. "There's no need for anything that drastic. Onii-chan fears loneliness more than anything. Having more people around him is a good thing." She paused, a faint, knowing smile touching her lips. "And… realistically, a smaller number might not be able to handle him anyway. Alright, that's enough. Let's go in and choose our dresses."
With that, Yuki Suou strode forward, her demeanor shifting to one of poised authority. "Yes, Miss," Ayano responded, falling into step behind her with tacit understanding.
Soon, they entered the grand foyer of the Suou main house. Awaiting them was Yuki's mother, Yumi Suou, a woman of elegant grace currently dressed in a beautiful, understated kimono. Her father, Kyoutarou Kuze—the son-in-law who had taken the Suou name—stood beside her, his expression characteristically stern.
"Yuki, you've finally decided to come home," Yumi said, her smile warm as she opened her arms. "I was beginning to think you planned to live in that apartment forever."
Yuki stepped into the hug, allowing herself a moment to nuzzle against her mother's shoulder like a much younger girl. "I did consider it," she admitted, her voice muffled slightly. "But it's my turn to make an appearance. I can't miss tonight's banquet."
Kyoutarou's voice cut through the moment, firm and expectant. "Since you are back, conduct yourself in a manner befitting your status, Yuki. You are the young lady of the Suou family. Remember your place."
Yuki's affectionate smile vanished, replaced by a cool, detached mask. "I understand," she stated flatly. She stepped back from her mother. "Mother, I'll be in my room selecting a dress." Without another glance at her father, she turned and headed for the grand staircase, Ayano following silently in her wake.
"Sigh… Daughters grow up and leave the nest," Kyoutarou muttered, watching her retreating form with a mixture of frustration and resignation.
Yumi Suou shot him a sharp look. "Isn't that what you and Father orchestrated? The girl is still upset about the Masayuki incident." Her voice lowered. "I trust you also understand that the one getting engaged tonight is precisely the 'Divine Child' we once served."
Kyoutarou's face darkened with a gloomy nod. "Of course I know. And to think, he's engaging two at once—taking both Yukinoshita daughters…"
"What?" Yumi's eyebrow arched dangerously. "Are you envious?"
"Wha—? Madam, how could you think that?" Kyoutarou sputtered, his stern facade cracking. "You are the only one in my heart, you know that!"
"Hmph. Less flattery. I told you back then we should have brought him home, but you and Father refused. And now look—he belongs to the Yukinoshitas."
Kyoutarou fell into a heavy silence. The situation years ago had been untenable; the disoriented, vulnerable Divine Child could not have remained with the Suous safely. Letting him 'die' was the only way to guarantee his protection. After a long pause, he spoke slowly, "Prepare a generous gift. We will send it."
Had Hozuki Nozomi been present to hear this, he likely would have quipped, "Just send Yuki. That's gift enough for me."
Simultaneously, within the equally opulent confines of the Shinomiya estate, a girl with golden hair tied in a meticulous ponytail—Ai Hayasaka—presented a cream-colored invitation to her mistress.
"Miss Kaguya, please review this."
Kaguya Shinomiya, her cool beauty accentuated by an aura of sharp intelligence, took the invitation. As her dark eyes scanned the elegant script, her normally impassive expression flickered with genuine surprise.
"Is this invitation serious?" she inquired, her voice laced with disbelief. "The Yukinoshitas are holding an engagement banquet? For both daughters? To the same person?"
Ai Hayasaka gave a solemn, confirming nod. "The information has been verified. It is accurate."
Kaguya's confusion was palpable. "Haruno-san… is marrying the same man as her younger sister? It appears this individual must be exceptionally remarkable to compel Mrs. Yukinoshita to bind him with both her heirs." A spark of keen interest ignited in her eyes. "How intriguing. Ai, prepare an appropriate dress. I will attend tonight to assess the situation personally. I wish to see precisely what manner of man this is."
"Understood, Miss Kaguya."
Unaware of the high-society machinations unfolding across the city, the part-time helpers at Tamura Sweet Shop were wrapping up their day. As afternoon softened into evening, a beaming Tamura Manami personally handed an envelope to each of the boys and girls who had assisted.
Receiving their first self-earned wages filled the girls with a palpable, giddy excitement. Even Miura Yumiko looked unusually pleased, carefully tucking her envelope away. Tobe Kakeru, finally released from his sugary confinement, also received his pay, though his expression remained sullen, a cloud of failure still hanging over him.
After a final round of thanks and goodbyes, the group dispersed to head home. Hayama Hayato, finally free from Tobe's clingy despair, entered his own house with a weary sense of normalcy.
That normalcy shattered instantly.
Both his parents were waiting in the formal living room, their expressions uncharacteristically stern. His father, Hayama Sr., stepped forward and placed a heavy hand on his son's shoulder.
"Hayato," he said, his voice leaving no room for question. "Go and prepare your best suit. Tonight, we are attending the engagement banquet hosted by Mrs. Yukinoshita."
Hayama Hayato stood frozen, the words striking him with the force of a physical blow.