The black iron gates of the Shinomiya estate creaked open, the heavy scrape of metal echoing in the air.
A sleek black luxury sedan rolled smoothly up the gravel drive, its tires crunching faintly over the stones.
Hayasaka Nao gazed through the car window at the residence she had visited many times before, yet today it felt strangely unfamiliar.
"We've arrived," the driver said respectfully.
The instant the car door swung open, a cool breeze carrying the fragrance of osmanthus from the garden washed over her.
Hayasaka Nao stepped out with practiced grace.
The white hem of her dress swayed, and the sash embroidered with a subtle pattern gleamed discreetly in the sunlight.
She instinctively smoothed a wrinkle that wasn't there on her sleevean unconscious motion betraying her unease.
"Mom"
A familiar voice came from the side entrance.
Hayasaka Ai stood there. Her long blonde hair, usually tied up immaculately, now fell loosely over her shoulders.
She wore a simple white blouse and a black skirtno longer a maid uniform, but the clothes of an ordinary schoolgirl.
"Ai?"
Nao's eyes widened.
She noticed her daughter's eyes were still a little red, as though she had been crying, yet a look of relief lingered at the corners of her mouth.
"Kaguya-sama is waiting for you in the tea room," Ai said softly, without her usual reserve.
"I'll take you there."
As they walked the corridor, Nao keenly sensed the mansion's atmosphere had changed.
The maids still bowed with courtesy, but curiosity and speculation now flickered in their eyes.
Portraits of past Shinomiya heads lined the walls; in the dim light their stern faces seemed to silently interrogate every visitor.
"What on earth happened?" Nao whispered. "Why would the head of the family suddenly"
"Mom." Ai stopped, turning to meet her mother's gaze headon.
"From today onward, I don't have to report Kaguya-sama's every move to Shinomiya Oko anymore."
The words thundered through Nao's mind.
"It's the family head's order. From now on, the Hayasaka family answers to Kaguya-sama."
A light gleamed in Ai's eyes that Nao had never seen before.
"Kaguya-sama has changed."
The paper door of the tea room slid open quietly.
Shinomiya Kaguya sat at the host's seat.
The afterglow of sunset streamed through the shoji lattice, dappling her figure with light and shadow.
Black hair like a waterfall.
Eyes crimson as blood.
An aura both commanding and elegant.
What stunned Nao most was her gaze: no longer lofty and hollow, but sharp and alive.
"Aunt Hayasaka," Kaguya said, her voice calm yet forceful.
Nao immediately offered a perfect bow.
"Kaguya-sama."
She held the bow, catching in her peripheral vision how Ai naturally took a position half a step behind Kaguya.
"Please sit," Kaguya invited.
Seated, Nao found herself rubbing the fabric of her dress unconsciously.
On the low table sat exquisite teaware; steam drifted from the pot, carrying a faint matcha fragrance.
"From today, the Hayasaka family will devote itself fully to assisting Kaguya-sama," she recited, voice smooth and steady.
"How may we serve?"
Kaguya did not answer at once.
Instead, she poured Nao a cup of tea with her own handsenough to make Nao's fingers tremble. The Shinomiya heiress, serving tea herself.
"Aunt Hayasaka," Kaguya set down the pot, lips curving slightly, "what I need is an ally I can trust, not merely a tool that follows orders."
The sentence was like a key, unlocking a longsealed chest in Nao's heart.
Her head shot up, meeting eyes that seemed to see straight through her.
"You know?"
Kaguya nodded gently.
"I know the role the Hayasakas have been forced to play all these years, and what Ai has endured."
She turned to Ai, her gaze softening.
"From today on, it's over."
Nao's eyes darted between her daughter and Kaguya.
She saw tears glimmering in Ai's eyes, and a rare sincerity on Kaguya's face.
Years of treading on thin ice in the Shinomiya household made her instinctively doubtfulyet a mother's intuition told her: this was real.
"Mom" Ai's voice finally broke, choking with emotion.
"We're free."
Nao's hands trembled uncontrollably.
"Kaguya-sama"
She bowed deep.
"The Hayasaka family pledges its life to serve."
Kaguya gently helped her up. "Nonot to serve," she said softly. "To stand as allies."
She then spoke of her intention to vie for the Shinomiya successionand that she already had her father, Shinomiya Gan'an's, approval.
Nao's surprise was evident, though she quickly furrowed her brows in warning.
"Shinomiya Oko and Shinomiya Un'yo their factions won't be easy to face."
She put it diplomatically: on paper, Kaguya held almost no advantage, and the Hayasaka family possessed virtually no formal power.
Kaguya's lips quirked upward.
"I know. That's exactly why I need you and Aiand I do have cards to play."
The sun was setting.
The courtyard in front of the Rei Ao residence was bathed in goldred light.
Clusters of girls gathered, saying their goodbyes before heading home.
"Ahfinally, I can go play my game."
Gabriel stretched, the halo above her head tilting crookedly, white feathered wings drooping listlessly.
She pulled out her phone to check the time.
"My limitedtime event ends in two hours"
Satania leapt forward, her red devil tail wagging with excitement.
"Hahaha! Mere Gabrielonce I get home, I'll find a way to defeat you for sure!"
She brandished the fork in her hand.
"Next time we meet, I'll use this 'Fang of the Abyss' to crush you utterly!"
Their contest was clearly still far from over.
Vignette sighed and snatched the fork away.
"How many times must I tell youthat's a barbecue fork, not some 'Fang of the Abyss.'"
She turned to Gabriel. "And you, Gabcould you at least straighten your halo?"
~~~
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(Bonus Chapter) Chapter 801: Daily Life of Rei Ao
Raphiel watched the scene with a beaming smile.
Suddenly struck by an idea, she tiptoed up to Rei Ao.
"Then, before we part"
She deliberately drew out the words, a sly light dancing in her eyes.
Rei Ao got the hint at once.
He slipped an arm around her waist and, to everyone's surprise, lowered his head and kissed her.
Raphiel's triumphant grin froze.
Her fair cheeks flushed bright red in an instant; even her pointed ears turned pink.
"Wwwow! Raphi is actually blushing!"
Like a sailor spotting a new continent, Satania pointed and shouted, forgetting all about reclaiming her fork.
"Shshut up!"
Raphielfor oncepanicked, clamping both hands over her burning face.
"Iit's only a tactical move"
Rei Ao let her go with a wicked grin and turned to his next target.
Gabriel backed up two full steps.
"Wwait, I never agreed"
Before she could finish, Rei Ao cupped her face and kissed her.
The angel girl went rigid; her normally lazy expression froze, and every feather on her wings puffed out.
"Pffhahaha!"
Satania doubled over with laughter.
"The fallen angel got kissed so hard her feathers stood on end!"
Gabriel snapped out of it, mortified, and gave Satania a furious kick.
"Go to hell, Satania!"
But the redness creeping up her ears betrayed her feelings completely.
When Satania's turn came, she threw her arms around Rei Ao eagerly.
"Hehe, Master, gimme a kiss~"
She didn't even finish the sentence before rising up on her tiptoes herself.
Vignette watched helplessly, muttering under her breath, "Ththis is so shameless"
Yet when Rei Ao turned to her, she didn't dodge; she just blushed and shut her eyes.
When the farewell kisses were done, her demon wings gave two small, involuntary flapsexposing the joy inside.
The Yukinoshita sisters reacted very differently.
Yukino glared coldly at Rei Ao, but when he came close she didn't pull awayonly turned her face slightly aside.
Haruno, by contrast, stepped in with a sweet smile and even nipped him playfully during the kiss.
Miyuki blushed, but kept her composure.
Mafuyu Kirisu was shy as well, yet at Rei Ao's signal she still walked up, clicking toward him in blackstockinged heels.
Mabel was terrified he would force a kiss and then bolt.
Finally, it was Alicia's turn.
She stood off to the side, twisting her skirt hem without realizing it.
Her cheeks were pink, her gaze flitting everywhere.
When Rei Ao looked at her, her heart hammered so hard it nearly leapt from her chest.
But he only smiled gently and ruffled her hair.
"Go get some rest."
Only then did Alicia drift out of the flirtatious haze.
She remembered she wasn't as close to Rei Ao as Yukino and the others, and an unaccountable disappointment washed over her.
Head down, she replied in a voice as soft as a mosquito's: "Okay"
He watched the girls leave one after another, then walked back to the living room.
Sora was sprawled on the sofa like a lazy cat, silver hair spilling over a cushion.
"Ahh, the beach was fun, but home is the comfiest after all!"
She nuzzled the pillow contentedly.
Clang, clatter!
From the kitchen came the clash of ladle and wokTohru was making dinner.
Her dragon tail swayed happily as she hummed a tune from another world.
MaiSakurajima and NodokaToyohama were repacking luggage in one corner.
Nodoka folded each piece of clothing carefully, sneaking glances at Mai every so often.
Since last night she hadn't known how to face her cousin.
"Where should this go?"
She held up a delicate shell ornamenta seaside souvenir.
Mai didn't even look up.
"Anywhere. It'll vanish into some corner soon enough."
Her voice was bland, yet held an almost imperceptible fondness.
Elsewhere, Futaba and Ilias were curled on the long sofa watching TV, colorful special effects lighting their absorbed faces.
Seeing such a warm tableau filled Rei Ao with gratitude.
He leaned on the doorframe, a smile creeping across his lips.
These ordinary, everyday moments were the most precious treasures.
But then
The snap of Emilia closing her book shattered the peace.
She gazed at Rei Ao; emerald eyes shimmered with displeasure.
"Rei Aokun, these last two days you seem very busy."
He raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
"Busy entertaining the newcomersno time for us."
She huffed, cheeks puffing slightly.
"Tell me, have you grown tired of the old and fancy the new?"
Pleased though she was to welcome the Amagami family and Shirahi girls, Emilia was a little jealous.
Tohru's tail shot boltupright; dragon ears twitched alertly as she poked her head out of the kitchen.
"Eh? Rei Ao-sama doesn't like Tohru anymore?"
Her eyes welled at once, as if tears would fall the next second.
Futaba and Sora paused their game, turning simultaneously, eyes brimming with reproach.
Rei Ao felt a headache coming on.
He strode straight to Emilia.
Before she could react, he scooped her into a bridal carry.
"Wwait! What are you"
She yelped; the book thudded to the floor.
"You think I'm fickle? Looks like I'll have to prove just how much I like you."
Rei Ao grinned devilishly and carried her toward the bedroom.
Bang!
The bedroom door banging open startled the others.
Tohru's eyes lit up; she dropped her spatula and dashed after them.
"Me too!"
Futaba, Sora, and Ilias shared a look, then followed without a word.
In the spacious living room only MaiSakurajima and NodokaToyohama remained.
Nodoka stared blankly at the open bedroom door.
It's already started!
She swallowed, face crimson, and looked awkwardly at Mai.
"Aare they always this bold?"
Mai pressed a weary hand to her forehead.
"You saw exactly what he was like yesterday, didn't you?"
At the memory of last night, Nodoka blushed to the tips of her ears and ducked her head in shame.
"Ssorry"
Mai sighed deeply and patted her head.
"It's not your fault."
She glanced toward the bedroom, tone complicated.
"Blame that playboy. Looks like we're sisters for life now."
~~~
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Chapter 802: Mio's Social Death!
Inside the Light Music Club's mountain lodge
Moonlight slips through the gap in the curtains and pools across the quilt.
AkiyamaMio's eyes flutter open. Every muscle aches as if she has been run over by a truck.
"Ugh it hurts"
She struggles upright
only to find HirasawaYui, TainakaRitsu, and KotobukiTsumugi sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at her in perfect unison.
"Mio! You're awake!"
Yui throws herself forward happily, round eyes brimming with concern.
Mio freezes.
Then the realization strikes her: she is completely naked. She yanks the duvet around herself in a flash, her face blazing crimson.
"WWhen did you three come in?!"
The girls look at one another; an awkward silence thickens the air.
Tsumugi clears her throat softly and adjusts her glasses.
"Um Mio, actually we all know."
"KKnow what?"
Mio's voice quivers; her fingers clutch the blanket's edge.
"About you and that Rei Ao"
Ritsu scratches her cheek, for once looking almost embarrassed.
"And about Yui, too"
Yui bows her head, fingers twisting nervously together.
"I'm sorry, Mio it's all because of me"
"!!!"
Mio's mind goes utterly blank.
ThThey know?
Yesterday's scene of her taking the initiative with Rei Ao flashes backthe shameful sounds, the sensations
And now her best friends know everything!
Social death.
Absolute social death!
She slowly curls up under the covers and mutters, "Could I be alone for a bit?"
"But"
Ritsu starts to speak but Tsumugi stops her with a shake of the head.
This isn't the moment for more words.
The three file out.
When the door clicks shut,
Mio flings the quilt aside again. Her entire face is scarlet, and a whimper of unbearable embarrassment slips between clenched teeth.
"Uuu I can't face anyone now"
Outside, a nightingale happens to trill, as if echoing the girl's mortification.
Academy City, District7 General Board Executive Tower, top floor
Floortoceiling windows mirror the city lights.
