"Huh...? You... you can help?" Ai Hayasaka looked at Karen with disbelief. She naturally understood how massive the price Karen would have to pay to take Kaguya away, how huge the interests that would have to be ceded were, and that it might even slow down the Onjouji family's offensive against the Shijo family. Ai Hayasaka had long prepared herself for rejection. However, like a drowning person grasping at a straw, she had to try no matter what.
She didn't expect Karen to actually agree!
Karen winked with a mischievous smile at the sight of Ai Hayasaka, whose hope had been rekindled.
It wasn't that Karen genuinely wanted to help Ai Hayasaka. Although Karen deeply understood Ai Hayasaka—her feelings for Kaguya were like Karen's for Shion, and Karen would definitely intervene if Shion were to be used as a tool for a political marriage. It would indeed be incredibly costly for the Onjouji family to formally negotiate Kaguya Shinomiya's release from the Shinomiya family... but what if the Onjouji family didn't intervene directly?
If Kaguya Shinomiya could be successfully severed from the Shinomiya family without the Onjouji family openly proposing a trade, the Shinomiya family would lose a bargaining chip they could use for a profitable political marriage. It was worth trying.
"I understand your feelings for Kaguya Shinomiya. You two are like Shion and me, so I will do my best to help you. However, I can't guarantee success, and... I won't help for free, either." Even the usually composed Ai Hayasaka couldn't suppress the joy in her heart... I can't believe Miss Karen actually agreed!
"I know. Any price is acceptable," Ai Hayasaka quickly said, as if afraid Karen would change her mind.
"You may go now."
"Yes, Miss Shion." Ai Hayasaka bowed and exited the study. As she looked up, she saw her mother waiting for her nearby. Nao extended a hand and lightly stroked Ai Hayasaka's bright blonde hair, which was as brilliant as her own... How could Nao, as a mother, not know her daughter's little secret?
However...
Although the Onjouji family had avenged the Hayasaka family, Nao was well aware that the Onjouji family was the same as the Shinomiya family and even the former Hayasaka family—they were all equally ruthless.
"Mom...?"
"Nothing. You go back to your work. I have some matters to discuss with Miss Karen."
Nao knocked on the door and re-entered the study. The girl sitting at the desk was still a bit young, but she was indeed the future heir to the Onjouji family.
"Aunt Nao, is there something you need?"
"Miss Karen, Ai just spoke to you about Kaguya Shinomiya, didn't she?" Nao asked solemnly.
"That's right." Karen wore an inscrutable smile. "Aunt Nao, your daughter's feelings for Kaguya Shinomiya are like mine for Shion, so I've decided to help her try to take Kaguya Shinomiya away from the Shinomiya family. Do you have any suggestions, Aunt Nao?"
Nao didn't believe Karen's explanation. Go to all that trouble for the wish of a girl she only met less than two weeks ago? This matter must align with the Onjouji family's interests; otherwise, Karen wouldn't agree, no matter how much she sympathized with Kaguya. Self-interest always came first. These large families were always like this, and Nao knew it only too well—they were always insatiably greedy. Even if Karen pursued this for her own benefit, she would maximize the gain, and her daughter would inevitably pay the corresponding price.
Nao's expression was calm. "Whatever Ai promised, I will bear all the responsibility."
"I think you misunderstand, Aunt Nao." Karen's smile remained purely professional, seemingly gentle but devoid of any real emotion. Only in front of Rin Ito, only when she was submissive like a breeding animal at her Master's feet, did Karen fully release herself, revealing the side she usually hid and completely releasing all her stress. At the Onjouji estate, she was the future heir, but next to her Master... she was just a bitch.
Karen, sitting behind the desk, interlaced her fingers and rested them against her chin. The only pity was that she wasn't wearing reflective glasses. "Aunt Nao, you should know that the Onjouji family cannot intervene in the relationship between Kaguya Shinomiya and the Shinomiya family, as that would give the Shinomiya family an opportunity for an exorbitant demand. I will ask... I will ask my friend for help. I don't need Aunt Nao to bear anything." Karen almost slipped and said 'Master' but managed to stop in time.
"Then, what does your friend require, Miss Karen?" Nao asked, composing herself. There was no such thing as free help between these major families; everything was an exchange of interests and favors.
"Let's not talk about what he requires yet. My friend might not even agree. After all, even if the Shinomiya family is falling, it is still a massive entity. If my friend needs anything, I will tell you then, Aunt Nao... Today is the weekend, so I'm heading over to my friend's place."
"Thank you very much for your help, Miss Karen."
Nao curtsied to Karen and left the study. Karen then stood up, a smile spreading across her face. "Shion, let's go~ It's been a long time since I've seen Master~"
"Yes, Miss Karen." Although she said yes, Shion thought to herself... The sow-Mistress wants to be fucked again, doesn't she!?
To surprise Rin Ito, Karen didn't notify him in advance. Based on her understanding of Rin Ito, he spent most of his time at home drawing manga, whether it was a weekday or a holiday. However... when Karen and Shion arrived at Rin Ito's house, they only found Nanami and Mashiro.
"Rin Ito went out this morning."
"...." Karen was speechless. She was so busy and finally managed to carve out some time, and Master wasn't home!
"I don't think he said he was staying out overnight. Do you want to wait for him here?"
"Then we'll wait for Master to come back."
"Okay, make yourselves at home. I'm going to the yard to practice voice acting." Nanami left the living room. Mashiro was drawing upstairs and rarely came downstairs. Only Karen and Shion remained on the first floor.
"Ugh... waiting like this is a bit boring, isn't it~" A smile curled at Karen's lips. Shion sighed helplessly... What is my Mistress up to now?
...
After taking Orie and Shiroyuri's virginity, Rin Ito and the others started the serious part of the one-day assistant experience. Shiroyuri drew the storyboards and main characters, Rin Ito drew the backgrounds and marked the areas to be inked black, and Misaki and Marin inked the marked areas under Saho's guidance.
Meanwhile, at Kaede's place, the camera system was disconnected after Rin Ito and the others started drawing. Kaede wiped her wet crotch with a tissue and sighed. "Phew... it's finally over. Misaki is really a pervert. To want to experience that public restroom play..." Kaede didn't understand, but she was deeply shocked.
However, Kaede had seen similar play in Cuckolding manga—for example, where she... no, the cuck, the cuck was tied up and could only watch as another woman thoroughly drained the cuck's boyfriend. After the other woman drained the protagonist, she would kick the cuck, who was tied to a chair, onto the floor. Then, the other woman would straddle the cuck's face, pressing down on her abdomen. She would squeeze all of the cuck's boyfriend's bodily fluid onto the cuck's face and finally urinate on the cuck's face... To be honest, Kaede had experienced everything except being urinated on.
Suzu liked to feed Rin Ito's stuff to Kaede after she had thoroughly drained him, or after Rin Ito had filled Suzu up, saying affectionately, "This came out of your boyfriend." At first, she would use condoms to hold it for Kaede to eat, but eventually, she would just sit on Kaede's face and squeeze her stomach, forcing it into Kaede's mouth. Kaede actually hated this play, but... the System always assigned a task! There would be a penalty if she didn't do it, and a penalty if she didn't eat it cleanly! Seriously... I always eagerly went over to eat it, which made Suzu think I enjoy this kind of play! For the record! Everything is because of the mission!
The only thing Kaede was thankful for was that the System only required her to eat what came out of Suzu's body. The truth was, the protagonists in so-called Cuckolding manga weren't the ones who conquered the male/female lead; Kaede felt that Cuckolding was the ultimate insult from one male to another, or one female to another—a complete dominance between the same sex. As for the protagonist? They were just part of the other woman's play with the cuck! If it were any other girl... Kaede would rather take the penalty.
After taking a shower, Kaede returned to her room refreshed and picked up her phone, but as soon as she opened the screen, she saw a message from Nanami. "Hmm...? Karen is here? She didn't tell me." Kaede put on her slippers, grabbed her key, and walked to Rin Ito's front door. With a click, the door opened, and Kaede saw Karen and Shion. Kaede quietly took out her phone.
"Master, you... why is it Kaede!?"
"Why does my being at my boyfriend's house concern you? What were you two... doing just now?" Kaede's lips twitched because the scene before her was extremely abstract. Karen and Shion were naked, prostrated in the dogeza position in the entryway. Their clothes, shoes, socks, and even small accessories like hair clips were removed and neatly placed beside them.
Kaede raised her foot and offered it to Karen, who was kneeling on the floor. "Lick it."
...Gulp. Karen involuntarily swallowed, looking at Kaede's soft, freshly-washed toes. Karen tremblingly leaned down, but just as the Onjouji family's young mistress's lips were about to touch the instep of the foot, Karen suddenly raised her body.
"Why should I lick your foot!? I'm Master's pet, not the pet of a cuck-loving pervert like you!" Karen slapped Kaede's foot.
"Who are you calling a pervert!?"
"Whoever is naked and kneeling in the entryway is the pervert."
"I... I..." Karen argued with Kaede, blushing. "I... I'm just acting like a pet waiting for her Master to come home!"
"I was forced to do this by my sow-Mistress," Shion said expressionlessly, distancing herself from Karen... she didn't want to be thought of as a pervert.
"Heh heh..." Kaede sneered a few times. "He went out to be an assistant. He might not be back until tonight. You can kneel if you want." After saying that, Kaede turned and closed the door. Karen pouted at the closed door. She said a few words and left. She definitely came specifically to notify Shion and me. Kaede is such a Tsundere!
However... since she was a pet welcoming her Master home, she had to keep waiting! Thinking this, Karen tidied up the things that had been scattered, then knelt down in the dogeza position again. If one looked at Karen's back, a small puddle of water could be seen on the floor.
Kaede didn't tell Rin Ito that Karen had brought Shion... she also wanted Rin Ito to be surprised. Even Rin Ito probably didn't expect the Onjouji family's young mistress to be waiting for him naked in the dogeza position in the entryway, right?
Rin Ito arrived back at the house around 7 PM. Shiroyuri had finished one-third of the work with everyone's help. The rest could be completed if they didn't slack off before the deadline.
He opened the door... Two naked girls were prostrating themselves in the dogeza position in the entryway. Seeing the door open, Karen raised her head. "Master~" Karen scooted closer to Rin Ito on her knees and rubbed her body against Rin Ito's calf like a small dog greeting its owner... but what kind of dog pees on the floor while waiting for its owner to come home!? Although it wasn't urine, it was close enough.
Rin Ito glanced at Karen's reddened knees, then at the sticky little puddle on the floor. "Lick up what you secreted yourself, and then tell me what you need."
"Yes~ Master~" Karen lowered her head, stuck her butt out, and wiggled it while licking the mess on the floor, but the more Karen licked, the more excited she became, and the more she secreted. She'd finish licking the front, and the back would get wet. She'd finish licking the back, and the front would get wet again.
"Master... I can't clean it up completely," Karen said, wiggling her soaking wet butt. "Please punish your useless pet, Master."
Rin Ito expressionlessly picked up her panties, which were placed nearby, rolled them into a ball, and stuffed them in... at least they wouldn't leak and dirty the floor for now. Although it was a bit perverted, Karen's mind was completely at peace. The pressure of being the Onjouji family's heir was fully released. Her previous aggressive attitude toward her classmates was actually one of Karen's ways of releasing stress, but since becoming Rin Ito's pet, her attitude toward her classmates had improved significantly.
Rin Ito had the two of them put on clothes and come to the living room. Shion was properly dressed, but Karen... although she had her clothes on, she hadn't removed the panties she had stuffed inside to block the fluid. Well, don't take it out then. It saves Nanami the trouble of washing the sofa cover.
That's what Rin Ito thought, but when Karen saw Rin Ito sit on the sofa, she immediately crouched in front of him. As for Shion, the professional maid, she stood beside Karen and Rin Ito. I haven't seen her in a few weeks. Is her bitch-mode acting up? Forget it, I won't bother with her.
"Why the sudden visit?" Rin Ito rubbed Karen's head like he was petting a dog.
"Master, have you heard of the Shinomiya family?"
"Shinomiya...?" Rin Ito raised an eyebrow at the name. He remembered the name Shinomiya, and he often saw the Shinomiya family's logo on the street. However, Rin Ito didn't know if this world's Shinomiya family was the same as the one in his memory. Rin Ito had a deep impression of the Shinomiya family from his memory, partly because it was a popular series, and partly because... Why did they switch from such a great slice of life to some ridiculous corporate war in the later chapters?
"What about the Shinomiya family?" Rin Ito asked curiously.
"The Shinomiya family has always been a rival of the Onjouji family. Twenty years ago, the Shinomiya family absorbed the Hayasaka family..."
When Rin Ito heard the surname Hayasaka, he knew this Shinomiya family was the one from his memory. However, the Shinomiya family's trajectory was different from his memory. In his memory, the Shinomiya family was a national conglomerate, but in this world, its scale was much smaller. Nao Hayasaka had become a spy sent by the Onjouji family, and Ai Hayasaka, just like in his memory, became Kaguya Shinomiya's maid and worked with Nao to secretly gather intelligence on the Shinomiya family for the Onjouji family.
Currently, the Onjouji family had successfully used this intelligence to deliver a heavy blow to the Shinomiya family, and Nao Hayasaka and Ai Hayasaka were safe under the Onjouji family's protection. In addition to the information from the Hayasaka mother and daughter, the current head of the Shinomiya family was gravely ill and near death, and the internal strife among the Shinomiya family's sons also contributed significantly to the situation.
However, Ai Hayasaka was not concerned with these matters. Her biggest concern was her friend Kaguya Shinomiya, who she grew up with and was as close as a sister. When the Shinomiya family was prosperous, things were fine, but now that the Shinomiya family was starting to decline, the Shinomiya family, which treated women as tools, would surely use Kaguya for a political marriage. Ai Hayasaka came to Karen, and Karen came to him.
To be honest, Rin Ito was interested.
But... "Seriously... why do you think I, a doujinshi artist, can fight the Shinomiya family and bring Kaguya Shinomiya back without the Onjouji family's intervention?" Rin Ito was curious... Who gave Karen this confidence? "Or do you have some idea?"
Karen smiled mischievously when Rin Ito asked this. "Master, all you have to do is get her pregnant!"
"???" When Rin Ito types a question mark, it's not because he has a problem, but because he thinks you have a problem! Seriously? Rin Ito was astonished. "If Master gets her pregnant, and once her pregnancy can no longer be hidden, a little publicity online will make sure that even if the Shinomiya family has a deal with another conglomerate, Kaguya Shinomiya won't be used for a political marriage."
"Ai Hayasaka is worried Kaguya Shinomiya will be used as a tool for a political marriage, so she asked you for help. And you're suggesting ruining her reputation and life to prevent it?"
"Master, just tell me if she will be taken away for a political marriage!"
".... Fine, she certainly won't be." Rin Ito smiled helplessly. "But I feel if you told Ai Hayasaka your plan, she might think letting Kaguya Shinomiya go through with the political marriage wouldn't be so bad after all." Karen's plan was too childish. Rin Ito guessed Karen only agreed to Ai Hayasaka because she was stressed and desperate to be fucked.
"Master, do you have a better idea?"
"Let me think... don't pull down my zipper." Rin Ito gently pushed Karen's hand away. She wasn't this much of a masochist the last time I saw her. She mostly kept her rich girl demeanor, only obeying my commands. It seemed her stress had indeed accumulated too much and needed to be released.
Rin Ito patted his thigh, prompting Karen to lie across it. Then, he raised his hand and sharply slapped Karen's butt. "Ugh!!! I'm sorry!!! I'm a useless bitch, woof woof woof~" After being spanked after so long, the single slap made Karen arch her back on his thigh. Even with her panties stuffed inside, she still gushed fluid all over Rin Ito's hand.
Rin Ito didn't mind. After spanking her for a while, the now-released Karen returned to her previous state. Rin Ito offered his hand to Karen and made her lick it clean. "You must have gathered information on Kaguya Shinomiya, right? Send it to me."
Karen looked at Shion, and Shion sent Kaguya Shinomiya's profile to Rin Ito. Born out of wedlock, mother from Gion...
Rin Ito looked at Kaguya Shinomiya's profile, thinking about methods other than tying Kaguya up and screwing her until she was pregnant. Rin Ito searched through his memories. However, even familiar characters' experiences might not be completely consistent with his memory. Furthermore, taking Kaguya Shinomiya away from the Shinomiya family without relying on the Onjouji family's power required one prerequisite: Kaguya herself must want to leave. Otherwise, even if he had a method, how could she trust a complete stranger she hadn't even met?
After much thought... "Maybe I should just grab her and screw her until she's pregnant... Just kidding." Rin Ito smiled. "But I might actually have one way."
"Oh?" Karen raised an eyebrow, looking at Rin Ito with curiosity. Karen hadn't really expected Rin Ito to have a solution. She knew Rin Ito was just a normal doujinshi artist and couldn't possibly fight the Shinomiya family. But now he said he had a way? Karen was very curious what Rin Ito's plan was.
"The current head of the Shinomiya family is..."
"Gan'an Shinomiya," Karen completed Rin Ito's sentence.
"Hmm... Karen, if your dad had a child out of wedlock, what would you do to prevent that child from taking part of the inheritance?"
"I'd secretly eliminate them, of course," Karen said bluntly.
"Tsk tsk tsk, how ruthless, but... that's exactly right." Rin Ito nodded. "If the age difference was small, it might be difficult, but the age gap between Kaguya Shinomiya and her brothers seems pretty significant, right?" "The best choice when dealing with such a child is to eliminate them. Although Kaguya doesn't hold real power, she's still living a normal life in the Shinomiya family for now. This means someone must be restraining Kaguya Shinomiya's brothers, and that person can only be the family head."
"But..." Karen pondered briefly before speaking. "The intelligence gathered by Ai Hayasaka shows that the Shinomiya family head seems to have no affection for Kaguya Shinomiya. Ai Hayasaka has never witnessed any father-daughter interaction between Kaguya Shinomiya and her father. This intelligence is provided by Ai Hayasaka, and it's absolutely accurate. Perhaps they just can't bring themselves to be cruel to their sister who has no inheritance rights?"
"Tsk tsk tsk... No inheritance rights? The so-called inheritance right is just one word from the family head. Seeing is not always believing. I dare say her father absolutely still loves her." Combining the intelligence gathered by the Onjouji family and his memories from his previous life, Rin Ito was certain. Furthermore, even if Kaguya's father's trajectory differed from Rin Ito's memory, his love for Kaguya shouldn't have changed much. "And Kaguya's mother being from Gion, a pleasure quarter, gives Kaguya a bad reputation. Normally, the child would be secretly raised and given money every month, but he chose not to hide her and brought her home, allowing her to receive the same education and enjoy the same conditions as his other children. This is enough proof that he still deeply loves his daughter."
Rin Ito's lips curved, and a hint of excitement surfaced in his eyes. "The Onjouji family cannot and will not intervene, so the only person who might help Kaguya Shinomiya is her father. However, he is gravely ill and near death. A person's final words are often kind. Even if his love for Kaguya is not that deep, he will show the greatest kindness when he is gravely ill and about to die, so we must establish a fait accompli before he passes away."
Karen roughly understood Rin Ito's idea. "Although I can't arrange a meeting between you and him, a phone call shouldn't be a problem... Master, can you persuade her father to entrust her to you?"
"I have no problem with that, but... why should I do it?" Rin Ito blinked. He had no personal connection to Kaguya Shinomiya. Although Rin Ito was the kind of person who wouldn't hesitate to help if it was convenient, Kaguya Shinomiya was different. Helping her meant risking the displeasure of her brothers. His only connection to her was a TV show he watched in his past life, and he hadn't even met her once in this world. Why risk offending her brothers to do this? Forget Kaguya Shinomiya, Rin Ito hadn't even met Ai Hayasaka. Why help Kaguya Shinomiya for her sake? Furthermore, the System's daughter had advised him that everything should happen naturally, and deliberately forcing things might backfire.
"Ai Hayasaka and Aunt Nao Hayasaka said... if you can help Kaguya Shinomiya, then anything is possible." Rin Ito might have hesitated if it were just Ai Hayasaka or Nao Hayasaka alone, but both mother and daughter... honestly, Rin Ito was tempted.
"Cough, cough, cough. I'm the kind of person who can't stand seeing others suffer. Since that's the case, I'll do my best to try." Seeing Rin Ito's expression, both Karen and Shion wanted to laugh. Karen smiled, her lips pressed together. "Master, go ahead and try. I will always stand by your side!" Karen paused. "But... shouldn't Master punish the naughty bitch who took the liberty of troubling him now?"
...
The time came to Monday, the next day. Today was a school day, but Karen took the day off specifically for the Kaguya Shinomiya matter... of course, in addition to Kaguya Shinomiya, it was also because Karen's legs were still shaky from being thoroughly screwed the night before.
"Master, are you ready? I'm going to call now." Although the Onjouji family and the Shinomiya family were rivals, they could still contact each other. Karen specifically asked her father for Gan'an Shinomiya's private contact information.
"Call him." Rin Ito felt no psychological pressure. If it worked, great. If not, whatever. Kaguya Shinomiya was a stranger to him, so her fate wasn't his concern. If it succeeded, he'd profit handsomely; if not, he wouldn't lose anything. It was like those online stores selling pills to guarantee a girl or boy—they advertised "money back if ineffective." This was the ultimate win-win scenario.
Soon, the call connected, and before Rin Ito could speak, a frail, elderly voice came through the phone. "When is it your turn, junior, to call me? Is your father dead?" Seriously, the first thing he says is 'Is your father dead?' However, Gan'an Shinomiya probably thought Karen was calling him. Karen's father must have informed him that Karen would be calling him.
"It's only natural for juniors to handle the communication. Mr. Gan'an Shinomiya, today I would like to speak with you as a father about your daughter."
Hearing Rin Ito's voice, Gan'an Shinomiya on the other end was clearly surprised... Wait!!! Talk about Kaguya as a father? Does this sound like a marriage proposal!? The originally frail Gan'an Shinomiya instantly became alert. Wait a minute. My daughter is so cold; she doesn't even have friends. Where would she get a boyfriend!? And is he connected to the Onjouji family? Wait, the old man Onjouji only has one daughter and no son! Is this guy also a child out of wedlock, like Kaguya?
"I am not a member of the Onjouji family. My name is Rin Ito. Karen is my friend, and I asked her to help me contact you."
"What bastard dares to set his sights on Kaguya!? Cough, cough, cough..." He spoke without the composure of the Shinomiya family head. Today, he was speaking to Rin Ito as a father, not as the Shinomiya family head. If he were speaking as the family head, he would have hung up long ago. What status does Karen Onjouji have to call me!? But today, he was a father.
"I don't know Kaguya Shinomiya, and I've never even met her. However... the people who have set their sights on Kaguya are probably more numerous inside the Shinomiya family than outside."
Hearing Rin Ito's words, Gan'an Shinomiya fell silent. Although he was close to death, he still worried about the Shinomiya Group, and he understood the recent events within the Shinomiya Group. The two Hayasaka women were spies who cooperated with the Onjouji family's heavy blow, combined with the internal strife among his three sons, and the Shinomiya family's decline was inevitable. Gan'an Shinomiya understood many things without Rin Ito needing to say them, such as who sent Rin Ito—he could roughly guess. After a long silence, his voice carried a hint of helplessness. ".... Heh, I should have only had one child, like that old man Onjouji." After a sigh, he continued, "Young man, you want Kaguya to take the name Ito, right?"
"Although I did consider it, I have a girlfriend. Even if Kaguya Shinomiya agreed, my girlfriend wouldn't."
"That's good. You're not from the Onjouji family, are you?"
"No." Rin Ito paused. "I wasn't before, I'm not now, and I won't be in the future. But maybe the Onjouji family belongs to me."
"Haha, you sound very confident! But I won't live to see the day the Onjouji family changes hands... Come and see me at the Shinomiya main residence. That little girl Karen is not allowed to come." After saying that, Gan'an Shinomiya hung up. Lying on the hospital bed, he looked at the ceiling and gave a self-mocking smile. Entrusting his daughter to a complete stranger he had never met, entrusting his daughter to the Hayasaka family traitor, was actually safer than keeping her at home... I couldn't hold onto Nayo-take back then, and now I can't hold onto Kaguya. As a husband and father... I've truly failed.
...
"We've arrived. This is the Shinomiya family's estate." Gan'an Shinomiya didn't allow Karen to come, so Karen had Shion drive Rin Ito to the Shinomiya main residence. Stepping out of the car and looking at the beautifully carved gate of the Shinomiya estate, Rin Ito was slightly astonished... Damn rich people.
Led by the Shinomiya family's bodyguards, Rin Ito walked through the avenue and the potentially confusing gardens before finally meeting Gan'an Shinomiya in a room deep within the Shinomiya estate, where he was lying on an electric hospital bed, breathing oxygen. The formerly spirited commander-in-chief of the Shinomiya Group was now an old man on his deathbed, yet the aura in his eyes still commanded respect.
"You're Rin Ito? Hmph... you look decent, but I haven't heard of any family named Ito that is associated with the Onjouji family." Rin Ito smiled, his gaze unwavering. Seriously... why would someone who has been through a major disaster and died once be afraid of him?
"I'm just a manga artist." A manga artist? That suddenly makes him sound unreliable again. Never mind. Gan'an Shinomiya was well aware that the biggest problem for the Shinomiya Group wasn't Nao's betrayal or the Onjouji family's heavy blow. The castle was breached from within. The Shinomiya family's current state was caused by the internal strife of his three foolish sons. The Onjouji family merely gave it a push.
Entrusting Kaguya to him, to the Hayasaka traitor, or even to the Onjouji family was better than keeping her in the Shinomiya family. This way, at least his three foolish sons would not dare to touch her out of fear of the Onjouji family. Perhaps Kaguya could even use this opportunity to infiltrate the Onjouji family and avenge him.
Besides, the most important thing was... Kaguya's mother was a top geisha from Gion. Kaguya might not even be his own daughter. It would be better for her to leave the Shinomiya family and stay away from the conflict. Like a patient avoiding treatment due to fear, Gan'an Shinomiya didn't dare to conduct a DNA test because he couldn't accept the fact that Kaguya might not be his daughter.
"Here." Gan'an Shinomiya took a folded piece of paper from beside his pillow and handed it to Rin Ito.
"Is this a will?" Rin Ito took the paper and glanced at it. "A marriage application? And Kaguya Shinomiya's name is already written on it? Are you joking?"
"Of course, I'm joking. Did you think I would let Kaguya marry you?"
"...." Fine, fine. He still has the energy to joke now. Isn't he afraid of dying from laughter? Gan'an Shinomiya then handed Rin Ito another piece of paper, this time a genuine will. It stipulated that a portion of his assets would go to Kaguya upon his death. This asset was a drop in the ocean for the Shinomiya Group, so it wouldn't provoke Kaguya's three brothers' jealousy. However, it was enough to maintain Kaguya's current affluent lifestyle. It was impossible for her to squander it unless she gambled heavily. At the same time, this inheritance was structured as a foundation, preventing Rin Ito from scamming her out of the money.
After handing the will to Rin Ito, Gan'an Shinomiya waved his hand, dismissing him. Leaving the Shinomiya family, Rin Ito got into the passenger seat and handed Gan'an Shinomiya's will to Shion. Besides a sum of money, it was a request to Rin Ito to look after Kaguya. Rin Ito was chosen because Gan'an Shinomiya valued his connections to the Onjouji family and the Hayasaka family. Gan'an Shinomiya felt a sense of sadness. His daughter's only close friend was a traitor. He knew Rin Ito was here because of Nao, and he knew Ai Hayasaka would be good to Kaguya, but Nao was a traitor, and the Onjouji family was the enemy. He couldn't possibly entrust her to them, could he? Where would that leave the Shinomiya family's dignity? Rin Ito, who was neither a Hayasaka nor an Onjouji, was the best candidate.
Rin Ito suspected that if he had accepted that marriage application, Gan'an Shinomiya wouldn't have called it a joke.
"Should we go find Kaguya Shinomiya now?" Shion glanced at Rin Ito through the rearview mirror. "She should be at school right now."
"No, no, no. Since it's our first meeting, let's go buy some gifts first."
"Gifts?" Shion slightly frowned... Since when is he so particular?
"Let's go to a camera shop and buy her a camera as a gift."
"????" Seriously... what kind of tactic is giving a camera as a first-meeting gift?
Although Shion didn't know why Rin Ito was giving Kaguya Shinomiya a camera, she accompanied him and picked out a professional entry-level camera suitable for beginners. Of course, Shion paid for it. After buying the gift, Rin Ito estimated Kaguya would be back at the villa and went to visit her alone.
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Kaguya Shinomiya. My name is Rin Ito. I was entrusted by Mr. Gan'an Shinomiya to deliver his will to you." Kaguya, who had only just returned to the villa, hadn't had time to change out of her uniform. She was still wearing a black long-sleeved dress uniform, and her black shoulder-length hair naturally hung over the white sailor collar of her uniform. Her red eyes were cold and emotionless. Hmm... so she's Ice Kaguya. He had thought she would be the normal Kaguya from his memory, but it turned out to be Ice Kaguya.
Rin Ito presented the will first, followed by the camera as a gift. Kaguya read the will and nodded, accepting it. Kaguya had no objection to her father's arrangement; she didn't want to be involved in the Shinomiya family's struggles anyway. Besides... given the current situation, who knew if the Shinomiya Group would even exist in a few years?
After accepting the will, Kaguya's gaze fell on the camera, and a hint of curiosity flashed in her eyes. As the young mistress of the Shinomiya family, Kaguya had received countless gifts, especially jewelry, but a camera was a first.
"Why a camera?"
"Because I think you'll like it." Rin Ito smiled and exchanged contact information with Kaguya. "Your father asked me to look after you. If you need anything, just contact me." Rin Ito didn't say much to Kaguya on their first meeting. Furthermore, Kaguya was still in her "Ice Kaguya" state, so there wasn't much to talk about. After a few brief words, he left. Compared to Kaguya, Rin Ito was more looking forward to the Hayasaka mother and daughter—both Nao Hayasaka and Ai Hayasaka.
...
The Onjouji Estate. Karen, who had spent the afternoon resting at Rin Ito's house, immediately returned to the Onjouji estate after receiving the photograph of the will from Rin Ito. Back home, Karen immediately went to the study and had a maid call for Ai Hayasaka. Ai Hayasaka hadn't attended school since betraying the Shinomiya family. It wasn't that Karen forbade her, but that Ai Hayasaka didn't want to go... Kaguya hated traitors the most. Ai Hayasaka, who had betrayed the Shinomiya family and Kaguya, didn't know how to face Kaguya.
"Hayasaka, the matter is resolved."
"Eh? That... that fast?" Ai Hayasaka was stunned. She only mentioned it to Karen yesterday, and it was resolved today? The efficiency was too quick! As she spoke, Karen handed her phone to Ai Hayasaka. Ai Hayasaka took the phone skeptically and glanced at the screen, which showed a picture of the will. Seeing the contents of the will, Ai Hayasaka's hand trembled. This meant Kaguya was severed from the Shinomiya family and would no longer be used as a tool for political marriage by her brothers. Although the inheritance share was small, it would prevent her brothers' jealousy and avoid disaster. If Gan'an Shinomiya had lasted a few more years until Kaguya started managing the Shinomiya family's assets, she could have shared equally with her brothers once she had the means to protect herself. But Gan'an Shinomiya didn't have much time left.
"Th... thank you so much, Miss Karen!!!" Ai Hayasaka bowed deeply, tears streaming from her blue eyes and falling to the floor.
"Don't thank me. I just helped connect the two of you. The one who truly negotiated with Gan'an Shinomiya was my Ma... my friend, so you should thank him later."
"Mhm!" Ai Hayasaka wiped her tears and nodded firmly. "Please let me thank him in person." Ai Hayasaka thought the situation was hopeless, but it was resolved in just one day. After all, Kaguya was an excellent tool for political marriage, and the resources she could leverage were like a lifeline to the struggling Shinomiya family. But Miss Karen's friend somehow negotiated directly with the head of the Shinomiya family, Gan'an Shinomiya, to sever Kaguya from the Shinomiya family!? What price did Miss Karen's friend pay to achieve this?
"I'll arrange for you to thank him in person when there's an opportunity." After saying this, Karen waved her hand, dismissing Ai Hayasaka from the study. Without Karen needing to call her, Ai Hayasaka's mother, Nao Hayasaka, entered the study a moment later.
"Aunt Nao, the matter your daughter requested is resolved. She no longer needs to worry about Kaguya Shinomiya being used for a political marriage."
"Then, what does your friend require, Miss Karen?" Although Nao seemed composed, she was deeply surprised. Having worked for the Shinomiya Group for nearly 20 years, Nao was very clear about what Kaguya represented to the Shinomiya family at this time. Giving up Kaguya must have required a considerable price, a price that Ai couldn't bear. So... whatever the cost, whatever the favor, she would repay it.
After a moment's consideration, Karen smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Hmm... he lacks a maid. How about you work as his maid on weekdays and continue teaching me on weekends, Aunt Nao?"
"Just a maid?" Nao was slightly confused. The cost of giving up Kaguya was so high that she couldn't repay it even if she worked as a maid for a lifetime.
"Of course." Karen's face showed a slight, impish cunning. "However, I don't know what he will ask you to do. His name is Rin Ito. But Aunt Nao, rest assured, he is a very gentlemanly person~"
Following the address Karen provided, Nao arrived at Rin Ito's front door. But... Did Miss Karen get the wrong place? Nao took a picture with her phone and sent it to Karen. After confirming the address with Karen by checking the nameplate on the door, Nao finally rang the doorbell. The person who helped her daughter lives in a place like this? Nao had thought he was someone from a large family who used a trade of interests to force the Shinomiya family to give up Kaguya, but now it seemed that wasn't the case? Or was he just living modestly?
She rang the doorbell, but no one answered for a long time. The house was probably empty. Nao stood elegantly at the door, waiting. It wasn't until a while after school let out that Nao saw four girls in uniform approaching her.
"Hello, ma'am. Can we help you? Are you looking for someone?"
"My name is Nao Hayasaka. I'm here to see Mr. Rin Ito," Nao replied with a cold but elegant tone.
"Looking for him? He might be a bit late. I'm Kaede Hoshizuki, his girlfriend. Please come in." Kaede opened the door with her key and ushered Nao into the house. Mashiro and Nanami went upstairs, while Kaede and Suzu sat with Nao in the living room. In the living room, Kaede scrutinized Nao... Is she going to be another woman who cuckolds me? No, no, no, she shouldn't be. He always seems to prefer younger girls. Based on Kaede's estimation, the woman named Nao Hayasaka, although she looked very young and well-preserved, with smooth skin, was likely a little older than Rin Ito.
"Why are you looking for Rin Ito? Who told you he lives here?" Kaede asked curiously after serving Nao tea.
"It was Miss Karen Onjouji. Mr. Ito helped my daughter with a very big favor, and as repayment, Miss Karen suggested I become his maid." Hearing Nao's words, Kaede breathed a sigh of relief. Although she was blonde, she had a daughter, so she definitely wasn't a cuckolding woman. Also, although she didn't know what favor he had done for her daughter, since Karen suggested she become his maid... Karen definitely has ill intentions! Karen might have had ill intentions, but Nao seemed genuinely intent on repaying the favor. Although she was here to repay a debt, she was still a guest. It wouldn't do to make a guest a maid. Furthermore, even if she wanted to be a maid, there were no spare rooms here... unless she shared a room with Rin Ito. No, no, no, no!!! Absolutely not!!!! To be honest, if he cuckolded her, she could live with it, but sharing his room was absolutely impossible!!!!
...
On the other side. After leaving Kaguya's house, Rin Ito didn't linger anywhere else and went straight home.
"I'm home... huh?" In the entryway, Rin Ito saw a pair of unfamiliar women's shoes. A guest? Rin Ito walked through the entryway with confusion, then saw an unfamiliar figure in a maid uniform in the kitchen. Kaede was standing beside her, cooking with her.
Seeing Rin Ito, Kaede pointed with her thumb and said, "That's Rin Ito."
Hearing Kaede's words, the unfamiliar woman in front of Rin Ito clasped her hands in front of her and slightly bowed. "Welcome home, Master."
"What the heck?" A bewildered Rin Ito looked at Kaede, who was standing beside the strange woman.
"Karen sent her. She said you did her daughter a huge favor, and as repayment, she wants to be your maid... well, that's what she said. What exactly did you help her daughter with?" Kaede shrugged, looking helpless.
"Hello, Master. My name is Nao Hayasaka. Thank you very much for helping my daughter." Nao Hayasaka was very respectful, but perhaps because of her nature, her voice always carried a cold, elegant tone. Although she called herself a maid, Kaede felt that standing next to her, Nao was the young mistress and Kaede was the maid.
"That Karen didn't tell me in advance... It was just a small favor. We can talk about the maid thing later. My house is already full." Rin Ito smiled, declining Nao's request to stay and repay the favor as a maid. Repaying the favor is not urgent. How can she repay the favor alone as a mother? It's only right that she brings her daughter to repay the favor too.
Hearing Rin Ito say the house was too small, Nao nodded thoughtfully and said, "Since Master finds the house small, I can buy a larger estate for Master."
"????" Seriously... a maid buying a house for her Master? Who is the Master, and who is the maid? Rin Ito laughed, shaking his head. "No need, no need. You should go back to Karen's place for now. I'll call you if I need you."
"Yes, Master." Hearing Rin Ito's words, Nao left without saying anything more. After stepping out the door, Nao looked back, and the corner of her mouth involuntarily curved into a smile. Miss Karen was right; he is a very gentlemanly Master. She had been worried he might do something strange to Ai, which was why she wanted to take her daughter's place. But now it seemed there was no need. This way, she could safely let Ai come and be his maid. It would be freer here than at the Onjouji estate.
After seeing Nao off, Rin Ito, full and satisfied, returned to his room and stretched in front of his computer. Rin Ito had originally planned to finish the Kocchi and Sagiri avatars quickly so they could start streaming and gain confidence, but the Kaguya Shinomiya and Ai Hayasaka situation had delayed him for two days. He needed to work harder for the next few days to catch up.
...
Meanwhile, at the Onjouji estate, Nao, who had rested for the afternoon at Rin Ito's house, knocked on her daughter's door.
"Mom... Mom..." Seeing her mother outside the door, Ai Hayasaka's usual cold expression was replaced by a blush and a smile. "Mom, come in quickly. What's wrong? Why did you suddenly come to see me?" Ai Hayasaka pulled her mother to sit on the bed. Seeing her daughter happy made Nao happy too, but... the happy expression on her daughter's face couldn't hide the pain in her heart.
"Kaguya has been severed from the Shinomiya family. Aren't you going to go see her?"
"...." The happy expression on Ai Hayasaka's face instantly disappeared, replaced by pain and struggle. "Mom, I... I... I don't know how to face her." Ai Hayasaka's lips turned pale, and her body slightly trembled. "She... she hates betrayal the most, but I... I didn't just betray her once; I betrayed her twice. She... she will never forgive me... never..."
Seeing her daughter's pain, Nao gently hugged her. Although Nao's face still didn't show much emotion, she gently stroked her daughter's hair and lightly patted her trembling back. In the past, Ai Hayasaka had a thousand faces. At school, she was a non-conformist, energetic gyaru. At the Shinomiya estate, she was a capable, handsome maid who could handle anything. She could even disguise herself as a cute boy. In front of others, Ai Hayasaka's happiness or pain were all masks. Only in front of her mother could she drop her disguise and show her true self.
Seeing her daughter in pain, Nao couldn't help but comfort her while contemplating... betraying her best friend had left a shadow in Ai's heart. Once Kaguya was mentioned, Ai would become incredibly distressed. This won't do. She had to arrange a meeting between Ai and Kaguya, and... Kaguya must also be suffering, right? For Nao, Ai Hayasaka was her daughter, and Kaguya was also her daughter. Nao even gave Kaguya her name. When they were little, Nao was the one who attended all the parent-teacher meetings. Ai Hayasaka and Kaguya were like sisters, and Nao and Kaguya were like mother and daughter. Kaguya, who hated betrayal the most, was betrayed by both her sister and her mother... Nao couldn't even imagine how Kaguya must have felt when she learned they had betrayed her.
She held Ai Hayasaka tightly, as if she were holding Kaguya. Ai Hayasaka didn't dare to face Kaguya, and neither did Nao. She wanted to apologize but didn't dare to seek out Kaguya, afraid Kaguya wouldn't forgive her. Both mother and daughter were passively avoiding Kaguya.
That's right! Rin Ito's image appeared in Nao's mind. If she asked the Master who made the Shinomiya family give up Kaguya for help, if Master could help... as long as Kaguya forgave them, anything was acceptable. Nao gently patted her daughter's trembling back with one hand, while the other took out her phone and opened the chat with Rin Ito.
Nao: [Master.]
Rin Ito, who was busy working on the avatars, had a bad feeling... She's asking for another favor, even though I just helped them rescue Kaguya today?
Rin Ito: [What is it?]
Nao: [Kaguya must be angry because Ai and I betrayed her. Kaguya hates betrayal the most. We want to apologize to Kaguya. Master, can you think of a way for Kaguya to forgive us?]
Another hassle before I even get paid for today's work? Not only did he have to rescue Kaguya, but now he had to help them apologize and fix their relationship? How the hell am I supposed to know how to do that? Fix what kind of relationship, dammit! Will stripping them naked, stacking them, and screwing them until they both climax fix their relationship? If once doesn't work, try twice! If twice doesn't work, try three times! If three times doesn't work, try four times! They're bound to fix their relationship eventually!
Nao: [Anything is possible, as long as Kaguya can forgive us... at least let Ai be forgiven.]