Myraa woke up the morning after the gala feeling equal parts exhausted and triumphant. She'd survived her speech, avoided getting completely drenched in pink punch, and—best of all—Reina had been the one to take the hit. For once, it felt like the universe might actually be on her side.
But that didn't mean she was off the hook.
---
Hajime's Invitation
As she made her way to breakfast, Myraa found Hajime waiting for her in the grand dining hall. He sat at the head of the table, his expression as unreadable as ever, while Camellia sipped her tea with a sly smile.
"Good morning, Myraa," Hajime said, gesturing for her to sit.
"Uh… good morning?" Myraa replied hesitantly, sliding into a chair.
Kyra, seated across from her, gave her a subtle look that said, Brace yourself.
"You handled yourself well last night," Hajime continued, his tone measured.
"Thanks," Myraa said cautiously. "I think."
"But one successful evening does not make you a Reizei," Hajime added, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. "You have much to learn, and I intend to ensure you're properly prepared."
Myraa blinked. "Prepared for what?"
"For your future," Hajime said simply.
"That's… vague," Myraa muttered under her breath, earning a warning glance from Kyra.
"I've arranged for you to accompany me on a trip next weekend," Hajime continued. "We'll be visiting one of the Reizei family's business ventures. It will be an opportunity for you to observe, learn, and prove yourself."
Myraa's stomach flipped. "A… business trip?"
"Yes," Hajime said. "Kyra will join us as well."
At that, Myraa felt a small wave of relief—until she noticed the subtle tension in Kyra's posture.
"Okay," Myraa said hesitantly. "I guess I'm in?"
"Good," Hajime replied, standing. "Be ready."
As he left the room, Myraa turned to Kyra. "Why do I feel like I just got drafted into a war?"
"Because you did," Kyra said bluntly.
---
Kyra's Uncharacteristic Distance
The rest of the day felt… off. Normally, Kyra was always by Myraa's side, offering sarcastic comments and calm reassurance no matter what chaos unfolded. But today, she seemed distant—quieter than usual, and almost distracted.
At first, Myraa thought she was imagining it. But when Kyra skipped lunch and disappeared for most of the afternoon, Myraa's worry began to grow.
By the time school let out, she couldn't take it anymore.
"Kyra," she said, cornering her cousin near the courtyard. "What's going on?"
Kyra raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"You've been weird all day," Myraa said, crossing her arms. "You're not… mad at me, are you?"
Kyra sighed, her gaze softening slightly. "No, I'm not mad at you."
"Then what is it?" Myraa pressed. "Is it the business trip? Hajime? Something else?"
Kyra hesitated, glancing away. "It's nothing you need to worry about."
"That's not an answer!" Myraa exclaimed.
Kyra's lips quirked into a faint smirk. "You're persistent, I'll give you that."
"Only because you're being suspicious," Myraa shot back. "Come on, Kyra. Whatever it is, just tell me."
For a moment, it looked like Kyra might actually open up. But then she shook her head, her usual composure slipping back into place. "It's nothing. I'll see you at dinner."
With that, she walked away, leaving Myraa more confused—and frustrated—than ever.
---
Reina's Latest Scheme
While Myraa was busy trying to figure out what was going on with Kyra, Reina was hard at work on her next plan.
"I can't believe she managed to turn the gala into a win," Reina muttered, pacing her dorm room. "She's like a cockroach. She just keeps surviving."
Her minions exchanged nervous glances, but none of them dared to interrupt her rant.
"This time, I'll make sure there's no escape," Reina continued, her eyes gleaming with determination. "If she thinks she's earned a place in this family, she's about to learn how wrong she is."
"What's the plan?" one of her minions asked timidly.
Reina's smirk widened. "Let's just say it's time for a little… family drama."
---
Kyra's Confession (Almost)
Later that evening, Myraa found herself on the rooftop again, staring up at the stars and trying to make sense of everything.
She wasn't surprised when Kyra appeared beside her—it was practically a ritual at this point.
"You're avoiding me," Myraa said without looking at her.
"I'm here now, aren't I?" Kyra replied, leaning against the railing.
"That's not an answer," Myraa said, turning to face her. "What's going on, Kyra? Seriously."
Kyra sighed, running a hand through her long black hair. "It's… complicated."
"Everything in this family is complicated," Myraa said, rolling her eyes. "Join the club."
Kyra hesitated, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "It's Hajime. He's testing you."
"Yeah, I figured that much," Myraa said dryly. "But why does that bother you?"
Kyra didn't respond immediately, her jaw tightening. "Because I don't trust him. And I don't like the way he's pulling you into his games."
"Games?" Myraa repeated, frowning. "What kind of games?"
Kyra turned to look at her, her dark eyes unusually serious. "Hajime doesn't do anything without a reason. And whatever his reason is, it's not just about preparing you for the Reizei legacy. It's about control."
"Control?" Myraa echoed, her stomach sinking.
Kyra nodded. "He's testing your loyalty, Myraa. To the family. To Camellia. To…" She hesitated, her voice faltering. "To me."
Myraa blinked, caught off guard. "Why would he care about that?"
Kyra looked away, her expression unreadable. "Because he sees me as a threat. And maybe he's right."
"A threat to what?" Myraa asked, her voice soft.
Kyra didn't answer. Instead, she reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Myraa's face—a gesture so gentle it made Myraa's breath catch.
"Myraa," Kyra said quietly, her voice almost trembling. "You're more important to me than you realize. And no matter what happens, I need you to remember that."
Myraa stared at her, her heart racing. "Kyra, I—"
Before she could finish, the sound of footsteps on the stairs broke the moment.
"Miss Myraa?" a maid called. "Lady Reizei is asking for you."
Kyra stepped back, her usual calm mask sliding into place. "Go. We'll talk later."
Myraa hesitated, searching her cousin's face for answers she wasn't ready to give. Finally, she nodded and turned toward the stairs, her mind swirling with questions.