Hayasaka knew very well—she was a coward.

"Understand this clearly. Some things are allowed, and some are not. That's for your sake, and for that boy's as well."

"…Yes."

Because of her cowardice, she once rejected Rinji.

"Sorry, Hayasaka. I could never become the person you wanted me to be."

Because of her cowardice, the words she wanted to say never left her lips out of fear, making Rinji give up on her completely back then.

"Listen carefully. From today on, your master is Kaguya. You must obey her commands."

At just seven years old, Hayasaka timidly stood before the aging Shinomiya Oko. Smiling as he patted her head, his gentle expression hid a trace of malice.

"And also, you are to gain Kaguya's trust and report her every move to me."

"…Yes, Lord."

Because of her cowardice, her relationship with Kaguya had always been bound by guilt.

Her life had never gone the way she wanted.

---

"Hayasaka, even if your cover beside Kaguya was blown, I don't blame you. After all, Rinji is the kind of unforeseen variable the Shinomiya family has been wary of for these four years."

Oko smiled kindly at the bowed Hayasaka before him.

"You should know very well what kind of ruthless existence Rinji is. To the family, he is an enemy that must be eliminated. So… for the sake of the family, can you tell me exactly what your relationship with him is?"

"…I should have already made that clear. He's simply a classmate from the same school."

"Are you kidding!?"

Before Oko could speak, a cadre beside him shouted first.

"If you had no connection with him, how did he get your phone? Hayasaka, are you trying to hide something!?"

Oko raised his hand to silence the man, then smiled again at Hayasaka. "Hayasaka, you've always been a good child who never disobeyed my orders. I trust your loyalty."

"…"

"This is for your own good, as well as for the Hayasaka family's standing in the Shinomiya household. Don't you agree?"

He smiled and slowly lifted his hand.

Just like ten years ago when he ordered a seven-year-old girl to go undercover, burdening her with a decade of guilt and pressure, Oko wanted to seize control of Hayasaka once again.

And Hayasaka knew perfectly well who she was facing. She also knew perfectly well who she herself was.

She was a coward.

But she was also Rinji's girlfriend.

Smack!

Just before Oko hand touched her head, Hayasaka slapped it aside.

Expressionless, she raised her head and stared straight into his stunned eyes.

"You'll get nothing about him from me."

Her defiance shocked all the cadres present.

After a moment of surprise, Oko regained composure and said, "So your relationship with him isn't ordinary. That's actually good news. It means you must hold quite a bit of valuable information."

He clapped his hands and smiled. "Then you'll remain here at the main house for now. You can speak when you're ready."

His intention was simple. As long as he controlled Hayasaka, both information and leverage over Rinji would come naturally.

The clap was a signal for those waiting outside to enter and seize Hayasaka.

But after a full minute, no one came in.

"… …"

The atmosphere turned awkward.

Clap, clap!

Oko clapped forcefully again, and the door finally opened.

Yet it wasn't his men who entered—it was Kaguya.

"Stop clapping. I'm the only one outside."

"Kaguya!?"

Everyone was shocked at her sudden appearance, except Hayasaka, who quickly understood and smiled.

Because this 'Kaguya' wasn't Kaguya at all, but Rinji after a consciousness exchange.

Rinji looked at the stunned Oko, digging at his ear with his pinky, clearly impatient.

"What's with the sneaky theatrics? A bunch of your men blocked the door, acting all high and mighty when I tried to come in. They only let me through after I shoved scissors into their throats. Which idiot in this family recruited such useless trash?"

"…Kaguya, why are you here?"

"I came for Ai."

"I summoned her here…"

"Tch, so I need your permission just to see someone now?"

"… …"

Oko was momentarily speechless, but a cadre beside him stepped forward angrily.

"Miss Kaguya, Lord Oko is handling important matters. Please leave at once. This place is not for you—"

Squelch!

"AAAAAHHHHH!!!!"

Before he could finish, Rinji flung a pair of scissors into his eye. The man collapsed screaming, blood gushing through his fingers.

Everyone fell silent.

Not from the gore, but from the fact that such an act was committed by the Shinomiya family's young lady.

Ignoring the wailing man, Rinji slowly walked up to Oko, whose calm face now glistened with cold sweat.

"Come to think of it, isn't today my birthday?"

"… …"

"You forgot, didn't you?"

"No, of course not." Oko forced a smile. "Kaguya, if there's any gift you want, tell me and I'll arrange it…"

"Eh, no need. It's enough that you remembered. I don't need gifts."

Rinji patted his cheek with a smile.

In both words and demeanor, this 'Kaguya' no longer resembled the sheltered young lady they knew, but a mafia boss.

"Let's keep it simple. Just give me your blessings."

"…I see."

"No need for banquets either. Keep it low-key."

"Then…"

"How about this—you can celebrate by kneeling and kowtowing to me."

"… …"