"Hayasaka?"
Toru looked at her with mild surprise.
Right now, Hayasaka wasn't dressed in her usual maid uniform, composed and professional, nor in her formal women's suit that made her look stern and capable.
Instead, her golden hair was down, and she wore a British-style academy skirt. Her long, smooth legs peeked out from beneath the hem, wrapped in black knee-high socks. She had the air of a stylish, youthful JK girl.
Toru had to admit, Hayasaka had a wide range of temperaments. She really shouldn't be a maid—she could totally follow Yukiko or Vermouth's path and become an actress.
Meanwhile, Hayasaka was screaming inside. She hadn't expected to run into Toru at the newly opened Aquarium.
If she had known this, she would've gone literally anywhere else!
It wasn't that she disliked Toru. On the contrary, she had a favorable impression of him—maybe even admired him a little.
But today was her rare day off from the Shinomiya family. She had finally gotten a chance to enjoy a day as a normal high school girl.
Now that she had run into Toru, her precious holiday might disappear in an instant.
If Toru gave her a single command to resume maid duties, she'd have no choice but to obey.
While her mind was spinning with conflicting thoughts, Toru asked, "Hayasaka, why aren't you with Kaguya? Don't tell me she's here too?"
He looked around as he spoke.
Hayasaka quickly responded, "Today I requested a day off from Kaguya-sama. I didn't expect to run into Young Master Fujiwara and Ms. Haibara here."
She hoped her words would make Toru understand not to assign her any work today. She was exhausted!
Whether her prayer worked or not was unclear, but Toru smiled and said, "So you're on holiday today. That's fate. Want to join me and Haibara for a stroll?"
Hayasaka wanted to say no. She really, really wanted to enjoy this day alone, to unwind.
But standing in front of Toru, she couldn't bring herself to say it. She opened her mouth and instead said, "Then I'll trouble Young Master Fujiwara."
"Hayasaka, no need to be so formal. When you're not working, just treat me as a friend."
"Sorry, Young Master Fujiwara. I'm afraid if I get too used to that, I won't be able to return to proper form. It's better to keep things respectful."
"As you wish. Anyway, I'll cover the costs today. Buy anything you like."
"You don't have to pay for me, Young Master Fujiwara. I have my own income."
Hayasaka's monthly salary was around 500,000 yen. Annually, that came to about 6 million yen. She also received a yearly bonus of 4 million yen.
That added up to 10 million yen a year.
For Japan, that was quite a high income—upper-middle class. It even exceeded what most doctors and lawyers earned.
In other words, her job was enviable. Plenty of people would kill for the chance to be a maid for the Shinomiya family and earn 10 million a year.
"Haha, Hayasaka, don't be so modest. I've heard your job at the Shinomiya household is pretty tough. I don't know Kaguya that well, but from what I've seen, she's definitely not easy to look after."
"You've been taking care of her all this time. You must be exhausted. Just think of this as a little bonus from me. Or... do you think it's not enough?"
At that moment, Hayasaka really wanted to cry.
Not because Toru was giving her a bonus or offering to pay.
But because finally—finally—someone understood how much pressure and fatigue came with her job.
Young Master Fujiwara... gets it!
Still, despite her inner gratitude, Hayasaka maintained her maid composure and said, "I think you may have misunderstood, Young Master Fujiwara. Kaguya-sama is actually very easy to take care of."
As a maid of the Shinomiya family, she couldn't speak ill of her lady. That was part of the job.
Toru wasn't naïve enough to believe that.
After thinking for a second, he said, "Last time in Kyoto, you really took good care of me."
"By all rights, I should reward you."
"Young Master Fujiwara, really, you don't have to..."
"Your work is intense. One day off isn't enough. You should take another."
"I..."
Hayasaka's words of refusal got stuck.
She could get two whole days off? That was unheard of.
Her heart was pounding. But she still said, "I'm under contract with Oko-sama and technically an employee of the Shinomiya family."
"You might not like to hear it, but even if you want to give me time off, you don't have the authority. Not even Kaguya-sama can approve it on her own."
It was true. Before taking today off, she had already gotten Oko's permission.
Kaguya was more of a formality. She knew Kaguya would never refuse her.
The current Shinomiya family head was in poor health. The real person running the Zaibatsu was Oko. He held the true power.
"Oko?"
Toru narrowed his eyes. Then, right in front of her, he pulled out his phone and dialed.
Hayasaka stared, stunned, as Toru said, "Oko-nii."
"Toru-kun, calling me this early? Is something the matter?"
Oko's voice was friendly.
"Sorry to disturb your rest, Oko-nii. I have a small favor to ask."
"Haha, no need for such formality. Go ahead."
"It's like this. I came to the Aquarium today and happened to run into Hayasaka, your maid. She's always been very attentive. I'd like to ask you to give her two more days off so she can accompany me around Tokyo."
"Oh, I thought it was something serious. That girl Hayasaka? If you're fond of her, Toru-kun, it's her honor. Forget two days off, if you want her to be your maid, it's no problem at all."
Toru had the speakerphone on. Hayasaka heard everything.
Her heart skipped a beat, and for a second, she really felt the urge to leave the Shinomiya family and go serve Toru instead.
Toru wasn't like Kaguya, who had zero common sense and made impossible demands.
Being his maid might actually be easier.
But the next moment, she killed that thought.
If she really became Toru's maid, she'd also become a spy.
Oko would definitely order her to monitor Toru.
And that was something she didn't want to do.
Unfortunately, she had no choice. Her parents were tied to the Shinomiya family, and her family owed them a massive debt. She had to obey.
After a few more pleasantries with Oko, Toru hung up.
"Hayasaka, Oko gave the green light. You can relax and enjoy the day."
"You even called Oko-sama over this..."
"Come on. Don't be so uptight. You're here to have fun."
"...Okay."
Haibara, who had been watching the whole time with arms crossed, sighed. This guy... really knows how to win girls over.
Just look at how touched Hayasaka looks.
Meanwhile, back at the Shinomiya estate in Tokyo.
Oko set down his phone, deep in thought.
So Toru is interested in Hayasaka?
Based on what he knew about Toru—especially his womanizing in America—Oko figured he had found Toru's weak spot.
"He likes women? Good. It's easier to control a man with desires than one with none."
"If he's into Hayasaka, I'll have her sleep with him. That girl wouldn't dare refuse."
Oko was very satisfied with Toru lately.
Not long ago, Toru had approached him and directly helped him secure that prime piece of real estate from the Sakanayagi family.
Originally, the plan to crush the Sakanayagi had been orchestrated by other Zaibatsu groups. It had nothing to do with the Shinomiya family.
Oko had been jealous but couldn't find a way to get involved.
Then Toru showed up, and suddenly, old man Sakayanagi was practically begging to sell the land.
The Shinomiya family got twenty percent—granted, not a majority—but the price was far below market. It was like making hundreds of millions for free.
And once the land was developed, they'd make even more.
Sure, the Shinomiya Zaibatsu was wealthy, but a 20-billion-yen plot of land? No one could ignore that.
...
"Your matcha, blueberry, and vanilla ice cream."
"Thanks."
Toru handed the ice creams to Hayasaka and Haibara.
Hayasaka thanked him politely, then gently licked her matcha cone with her little tongue. She asked curiously, "Young Master Fujiwara, you like vanilla?"
"Yeah. If vanilla's on the menu, I always go with it."
Hayasaka secretly took mental notes of his preferences.
Just then, Toru looked toward a bench ahead.
Hayasaka and Haibara followed his gaze.
There, a woman with long silver hair and pale lips sat alone.
Her clothes were dirty, like she had just rolled in mud. Her exposed skin was scratched in multiple places.
A group of children had gathered around her, asking if she was okay.
Haibara paused mid-lick of her blueberry ice cream.
She spotted Kudo Shinichi among the kids and instantly tensed up.
Her expression darkened as she whispered to Toru, "Is that... Curacao?"
Their main objective today was to find Curacao.
But something didn't add up. With her special sense for members of the Black Organization, Haibara couldn't feel any of that usual ominous aura from this woman.
And why would Curacao, a key figure in the Organization, be hanging out with children? Was she planning to use them as hostages?
While Haibara was deep in thought, Toru had already walked toward the group.
Conan, who had been examining Curacao's phone, lit up when he saw Toru.
But the moment he spotted Haibara behind him, his face darkened.
Damn it, why is that woman here too? Is she after Curacao as well?
(To be continued.)