Seeing the anticipation and slight nervousness in Kaguya's eyes, Ryuji couldn't help but laugh softly.
"Well, now that you mention it, I do feel a bit tired. Maybe I should rest here tonight."
For Kaguya to invite him to her home and say those words, Ryuji knew how much courage it must have taken her. If he refused, wouldn't that be a bit too harsh?
"Really?"
Kaguya's face lit up with surprise and joy, her eyes sparkling as she nodded quickly. She had been prepared for rejection, worried that Ryuji might not feel the same way about her, but his answer filled her with relief.
She immediately led Ryuji into the mansion, her steps almost bouncing with newfound confidence.
---
Since Kaguya had cemented her relationship with Ryuji, her status within the Shinomiya family had undergone a significant transformation.
Previously, as an illegitimate child, her position in the family was delicate at best. She had the title of heir, but her background always cast a shadow over her. Now, everything was different.
Her living arrangements had improved, her influence within the family had grown, and most importantly, Shinomiya Yan'an himself had made it clear: if anyone dared to speak ill of Kaguya, they would face his wrath.
---
"Miss!"
Ai, who had returned to the mansion earlier, greeted Kaguya upon seeing her walk in. She had recovered from her exhaustion both mental and physical from the prior night.
However, her composure faltered the moment she noticed Ryuji following closely behind Kaguya.
"Wait… what?" Ai thought, her eyes widening slightly.
She had been under the impression that Kaguya would spend the day with Ryuji and return home later in the evening. She hadn't anticipated that Ryuji would accompany her back to the mansion.
"What, don't recognize me anymore?" Ryuji asked, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
Caught off guard, Ai's expression wavered for a split second. But before she could respond, Kaguya's curious gaze turned to her.
Ai quickly straightened her posture, clearing her throat. "Mr. Ryuji!" she said with formal politeness.
Her sudden shift in tone didn't escape Ryuji's notice. The corner of his lips twitched as he fought back a laugh.
Meanwhile, Kaguya's own curiosity deepened. She hadn't realized how well Hayasaka and Ryuji seemed to know each other.
"I didn't expect to see Mr. Ryuji back so soon!" Ai continued, keeping her expression neutral.
"Get used to it," Kaguya interjected, her voice light yet filled with happiness. "This won't be the last time Ryuji visits."
Ai quickly grasped the meaning behind Kaguya's words. From now on, Ryuji would be a frequent guest here.
While this thought didn't particularly bother her, Ai couldn't help but feel a little guilty. She glanced at Ryuji, who seemed far too amused by her serious demeanor.
Fortunately, Kaguya didn't pick up on the subtle exchange between the two.
As night fell, and Ryuji went to freshen up, Ai finally had a moment to speak with Kaguya privately.
---
"Miss, why did you suddenly invite Mr. Ryuji to the mansion?" Ai asked curiously, lowering her voice.
Kaguya tilted her head slightly, as though Ai's question didn't make sense.
"Didn't you suggest it?" she replied, her tone matter-of-fact.
"...When did I suggest that?" Ai's brows furrowed in confusion.
But then, it hit her.
She remembered. A while back, during one of their private conversations, Kaguya had asked her how to get closer to Ryuji. At the time, Ai had been distracted—chatting with Ryuji over text while Kaguya asked for advice.
Absentmindedly, she had replied, "Why not just invite him over, do what needs to be done, and the relationship will naturally improve?"
At the time, Ai hadn't thought much of it. In fact, she doubted Kaguya would act on such bold advice. For all her confidence, Kaguya could be surprisingly shy when it came to matters of the heart.
But now…
"You actually did it," Ai thought to herself, almost speechless.
"What's wrong?" Kaguya asked, her tone innocent.
Ai shook her head quickly. "Nothing, Miss."
She wasn't about to admit that she'd given that advice without expecting Kaguya to follow through. The fact that Kaguya had acted so decisively came as a pleasant surprise.
But even so, Ai couldn't help but ask, "Are you really ready for this, Miss?"
Her question carried more weight than Kaguya initially realized. Ai wasn't just talking about inviting Ryuji over for a casual visit, she was referring to what it truly meant to deepen their relationship.
"..."
Kaguya hesitated. For a moment, her usually composed demeanor faltered.
But then, as though remembering something important, her eyes regained their resolve.
"Of course," Kaguya said firmly, nodding with newfound confidence.
Earlier in the day, Alice's boldness had left a deep impression on her. Kaguya realized that if she wanted to hold onto Ryuji, she couldn't afford to hesitate. As a Shinomiya, courage and determination were traits she needed to embrace fully.
If she couldn't even take this step, how could she call herself a worthy partner for someone like Ryuji?
Ai blinked, genuinely impressed. While she couldn't quite pinpoint what had caused this change, she had to admit, this wasn't the timid Kaguya she was used to.
"Well," Ai said with a small smile, "I wish you the best, Miss."
Kaguya didn't respond immediately. Instead, she glanced toward the direction of the guest room where Ryuji was staying, her heart pounding in her chest.
"I can do this," she thought to herself. "I, Kaguya Shinomiya, am super brave!"
***
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