Rei Ao: "No, no, Mafuyu's not that easy. You don't know how much effort I put in beforehand."
Hiratsuka Shizuka: "Ha? Are you saying I was easier to get?"
Rei Ao: "Hmm? Weren't you? You agreed to help me do, well, stuff with no fuss. For Mafuyu, I had to put in more foreplay."
Mafuyu Kirisu: "Aaaahhhh!"
Mafuyu Kirisu: "W-what are you talking about?! Stop it! Stop!"
She couldn't handle it anymorefar too shameless.
Mafuyu covered her face, feeling she had no dignity left. Yet seeing that everyone seemed to accept her also gave her a sense of relief. Admitting her desires wasn't so bad, after all.
Soon Mafuyu's cheeks started burning again. She felt Rei Ao beginning to get handsy once more.
"R-Rei Ao, you"
"Mafuyu, can't help it. You're too tempting. I can't hold back."
"S-so, should I just take tomorrow off?!"
"Huh?!"
Friday: The test results came out.
"What?! Impossible!"
Staring at the ranking board, with Rei Ao's name still at the top, Kaguya Shinomiya went cold inside. She couldn't believe she'd studied so hard only to fail so miserably. Not only thatRei Ao had perfect scores in every subject again.
She wasn't superhumanshe did get perfect scores in a few subjects, but lost points here and there in others. But even that wasn't what shocked her most. The worse blow was: she wasn't even second place!
The leaderboard went:
1. Rei Ao
2. Yukinoshita Yukino
3. Sawamura Eriri
4. Sakurajima Mai
5. Shinomiya Kaguya
She'd mentally prepared herself for losing to Rei Ao, but what about these other three?!
~~~
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Chapter 533: Mrs. Yukinoshita's Master Plan?
"Kaguya-chan, Rei Ao-kun is number one again with a perfect score!"
Chika Fujiwara burst into the Student Council room, clutching the printed rank listonly to see Kaguya Shinomiya looking grim.
"Uh"
Whatever Chika had been about to say got stuck in her throat, because she also knew that this time, Kaguya was surpassed by three other people. As the daughter of the Fujiwara family, she was aware of those three who had outperformed Kaguya Shinomiya:
Yukinoshita Yukino, the second daughter of the Yukinoshita family, known in local political circles
Sakurajima Mai, a famous teen actress who had announced her retirement from the entertainment industry
Spencer Sawamura Eriri, the daughter of a deceased diplomat from the Spencer family
Even Chika hadn't expected Kaguya to end up fifth place. It was clear Kaguya was not in a good mood.
""
After a moment's thought, Chika decided not to say anything else.
In the girls' restroom
"So the young lady still lost, after all."
Seated on a toilet, Ai Hayasaka glanced at the computer on her lap, displaying the newly published exam results.
She wasn't surprised. She knew her mistress, Lady Kaguya, was capable and had worked hard, but Kaguya's opponents simply weren't normal peoplethey were more than human.
After intentionally acting like she didn't see anything, all while trailing and observing Rei Ao, Ai Hayasaka was nearly certain that Rei Ao was superhuman.
She also discovered some intriguing information. Tapping her keyboard a few times, the computer screen brought up a photo of Rei Ao, along with lines connecting to other images, forming a relationship web. Those pictures included Yukino, Eriri, and so on.
Observing them closely, Hayasaka was shocked by how many complicated ties Rei Ao had with these girls. But what really caught her attention was Yukinoshita Yukino, Eriri, and Mai abruptly surpassing Kaguya Shinomiya in rank. Especially Eriri and Mai.
Yukinoshita Yukino had always been near the top academically, so her rising to a higher echelon wasn't impossible. Yet Eriri and Mai, in their last tests, had performed well but not top-tier. Suddenly, they soared just like Rei Ao, which drew Ai Hayasaka's notice.
Staring at their photos, Ai mumbled:
"Sakurajima Mai and Sawamura Eriri started getting closer to Rei Ao-kun around that time, right? Could it be"
Could they have become superhuman too?
Startled by her own speculation, she found the possibility hard to shake. In the end, all signs pointed back to Rei Ao.
"Does he have the power to turn ordinary people into superhumans?"
At the Yukinoshita residence
"What a rare break."
In the living room, Haruno Yukinoshita stretched lazily. Ever since Rei Ao's relationship with Yukino was exposed, their mother had relaxed her demands, lightened her workload, and Haruno had more free time than eversomething she'd never have dreamed of.
"So I'm just reaping the benefits of Yukino's situation?"
She pursed her lips in thought, wondering how Yukino was doing lately. Because her mother knew about the special abilities Rei Ao and Yukino possessed, she had refrained from reactivating any thermal imaging surveillance.
Haruno hadn't yet gotten used to her mother's sudden change in attitude.
She was still lost in thought when a voice snapped her back to reality:
"HarunoHaruno, what are you spacing out for?"
"!!!"
Haruno jolted, turning to face their mother, who wore a slight frown at her daze. Under normal circumstances, she'd receive a swift, cold scolding. Now, however, their mother merely eased her brow without a word of rebuke.
That shift in her mother's demeanor still unsettled Haruno, but she dutifully asked, "Mother, is something the matter?"
""
Their mother seemed to be mulling something over. After a moment, she regarded Haruno carefully:
"Haruno, what are your thoughts on Rei Ao-kun, your sister Yukino's future husband?"
"Eh"
Haruno's eyelid twitches. She blurted,
"He has outstanding looks, a superb figure, and he's very strong and mysterious"
She refrained from mentioning that he was also quite "libidinous." Their mother wasn't in the chat group, so she didn't know.
Haruno herself had seen far too much in the group, things ordinary people would never acceptespecially those "live broadcasts" from Rei Ao.
Fortunately, Yukino hadn't appeared in them. Otherwise, Haruno would surely have had a meltdown, being the ultimate sister-con.
Though Haruno knew perfectly well Rei Ao was lustful and hardly likely to stay faithful to Yukino alone, she couldn't stop it.
Someone powerful enough to become a planet-sized dragon and casually incinerate entire worlds was far beyond her ability to fight. She could only imagine scenarios of Yukino stuck in large parties with others, leaving Haruno privately upset.
"I see?"
Their mother studied her for a second.
"Sounds like you hold a high opinion of him."
""
"Apologies, Mother, but I can't really judge him."
She took a small sip of tea.
"Haruno, do you think Yukino can hold onto his heart, among all the many women around him?"
""
Haruno froze. Instantly, she realized her mother's worry. Wealthy or noble young men often played around with women as they pleased. And her mother already knew from Rei Ao that he had many lovers, so she was anxious that Yukino might be "used and discarded."
Haruno herself knew that might be too big a concernRei Ao was building a real harem, so "discarded" wouldn't happen. Yet losing favor was definitely possible. Even an emperor with three thousand concubines grew tired, favoring only a few.
"Mother what are you getting at?"
Haruno's eyes grew serious, sensing a deeper motive.
""
Their mother set the teacup down and spoke gravely:
"Haruno, I want you to forge a good relationship with our future son-in-law."
"!!!"
Haruno's pupils shrank.
"Mother, you don't just mean that. You want me to get close to him, gain his affection, and become one of his women?"
Her tone turned heavy. "That might make Yukino truly despise me."
She was the last person Haruno wanted to be hated by.
~~~
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Chapter 534: Haruno wants to Drag her Mother Down!
Confronted with her daughter's skeptical gaze, the "Frost Mother" felt a subtle tremor of her hearta sourness she couldn't quite name.
Her change in attitude toward Haruno and Yukino was naturally influencing her as well. She gradually realized that ever since bringing her eldest daughter into the Yukinoshita household, Haruno had been forced to bear its pressures, never able to enjoy a normal girl's youth. Haruno also maintained a constant fear and vigilance toward her own "mother."
But this time, what she said wasn't for the sake of the Yukinoshita household's benefit.
Her expression complicated, she spoke:
"Haruno, do you think I'm trying to use you and Yukino, as sisters, to tie Rei Ao-kun down and thereby gain advantage for the Yukinoshita name?"
"Aren't you?"
Haruno herself didn't quite know where she found the boldness to question her mother so directlyperhaps it was because it concerned her beloved little sister.
Misunderstood, the Mrs. Yukinoshita again felt a pang in her heart.
Yet she still laid out her thoughts:
"I'm not demanding you do such a thing. Yes, it's a rather over-the-line idea. My only wish is to keep Yukino from getting hurt by love. If you, Haruno, help her, I'd feel at ease. But I hope that premise is built on your own willingness. If you don't want to, I won't force you."
In a rare instance, she was revealing her genuine feelings.
Compared to the naive Yukino, Haruno was better at discerning others' hearts. Facing someone like Rei Aowhom no conventional rules could bindMrs. Yukinoshita still worried Yukino might be taken advantage of.
"..."
Haruno was surprised. From her mother's tone and gaze, she only saw sincerity. She was really caring about Yukino? That notion felt astonishing.
"Mother really has changed?"
Her heart stirred. Since it was for Yukino's sake, Haruno decided to put aside her old grudges for a moment and speak openly:
"Mother, do you think it's that easy to get close to that man?"
Nave. Her mother had never personally witnessed how Rei Ao could obliterate an entire planet and all its life. Haruno remembered her first encounter with him: the shock, the terror. She had once regarded him as a being indifferent to life.
However, after deeply understanding that other world, even she had to admit that the humans there were quite twisted and detestable. This changed her impression of Rei Ao somewhat. Even she had to concede there might be no man in this world more outstanding. Part of her envied Yukino for that.
But precisely because she knew Rei Ao's power and uniqueness, she also knew small ploys or tricks would be useless to him. Trying them might even backfire.
Mrs. Yukinoshita shook her head in response.
"Though I don't know how powerful Rei Ao-kun truly is, I do know we must face him with sincerity. So, Haruno, what I really want to ask ishave you grown fond of Rei Ao-kun?"
Her gaze sharpened. Haruno often seemed absentminded these days; as a mother, she'd noticed. That had begun after the big "incident." Now she was finally broaching the topic to confirm her suspicion.
"I"
Haruno wanted to say no. But her mind recalled that broad back which shielded her from the swirling murderous auraand she could not forget that moment.
That was certainly the first time she'd been so deeply impressed by a man. It was indeed the feeling of attraction. Buthe was little Yukino's boyfriend!
Seeing Haruno stand there speechless
"Sigh."
Mrs. Yukinoshita let out a small sigh.
"As I thought."
Even with no reply, the look on Haruno's face revealed it all. None of the high-society heirs had ever won Haruno's favor. Yet the uniqueness of Rei Ao seemed to have touched even her
Gathering her thoughts, the Mrs. Yukinoshita spoke earnestly:
"Haruno, if you truly have feelings for him, then go after them."
"Mother, what are you talking about? Yukino"
Haruno jumped up, agitated. She'd nearly agreed in that instant! That was absolutely impossible!
"Yukino would understand you." Mrs. Yukinoshita's voice was meaningful. "If you don't try for something you desire, you may regret it. Think it over."
She rose and headed toward her bedroom, leaving behind words that felt like a key opening an indescribable door. Staring at her mother's departing figure, Haruno's expression turned strangely complicated.
"Wait, Mother." She suddenly stopped her.
"Hm?" Mrs. Yukinoshita paused, glancing back.
Haruno gave her a peculiar look and said, "Mother, do you know the Spencer family?"
"Spencer" Mrs. Yukinoshita frowned, recalling. "The deceased diplomat?"
"Mm."
"Why mention them now?" She was puzzled.
"No, I'm not talking about him, but about his nominal wife, Sawamura Sayuri, and her daughter, Sawamura Spencer Eriri."
Haruno's gaze flickered.
Mother, if you're pushing me onto a path of no return, I'll drag you along too.
Even if Yukino won't forgive me, she'll still forgive you.
Haruno decided to open the door of a new world for her mother, who was still in the prime of her life.
"Another one!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes went wide in disbelief.
So soon, another new group memberand it was Ms. Mafuyu Kirisu, who apparently had already been "taken" by Rei Ao.
"How does he keep doing this?"
Mafuyu Kirisu was her own homeroom teacher, so no one knew better than Utaha how strict she was, how obsessed with rules. Even so, this teacher somehow disregarded professional ethics and social norms to be with Rei Ao.
"Tch how's he managing it?"
She tapped a leg clad in black stockings, jiggling it in frustration. That showed her inward restlessnesspartly confusion, partly jealousy.
Now she was certain she felt something for Rei Ao. But her pride kept her from showing it. Most crucially, Utaha didn't grasp why she had no apparent allure for him. She'd been in the group longer than Eriri and the others. Yet even Eriri had ended up in Rei Ao's arms.
"He's supposed to be a lecher, right? Why not come for me?"
He'd rather target the older Ms. Mafuyu than choose her! For the first time, Kasumigaoka Utaha felt uncertain about her own feminine appeal.
She bit the nail of her thumb lightly.
"Maybe I should take Machida's advice and be more proactive?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha wanted to make a change!
~~~
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