Toru jumped down from the third floor of the house where Kaguya lived while holding her.
Kaguya's face was filled with terror. Jumping straight down from that height while also carrying someone who weighed as much as she did could easily cause fractures or other injuries.
But even though she was terrified, Kaguya covered her mouth with her hand.
She tried her best to keep her eyes wide open, refusing to let herself close them.
The rapid wind from the fall blew through her black hair, making Kaguya feel as if she were soaring like a bird, escaping the cage that had confined her and gaining freedom and a distant horizon.
Toru landed steadily while holding Kaguya.
If it had been an ordinary person, their legs might have been broken by now.
However, Toru's physical fitness had long since surpassed that of a normal human. Even jumping from such a height while carrying someone placed no burden on his bones or muscles.
After landing, Toru carried Kaguya through the courtyard of the large mansion, avoiding the patrolling bodyguards.
As for the cameras in the mansion, Toru had hacked them long ago and altered the footage, so there was no need to worry about being caught by those cameras.
Carrying Kaguya like this, he quickly reached the wall. Then, with one hand, he grabbed onto it and easily climbed over the two-meter-high wall while carrying another person.
When the two finally left the Shinomiya mansion's courtyard, Kaguya finally lowered the hand covering her mouth and let out a soft breath.
She hesitated for a moment and asked softly, "We won't be discovered, will we?"
Toru asked with a smile, "Will your bodyguards and servants enter your room directly?"
Kaguya shook her head. "They cannot enter my room without my permission."
Even though Kaguya was currently under house arrest, she was still the young lady of the Shinomiya family, not someone who had been completely cast aside.
All of the Shinomiya family's requirements for bodyguards and servants were still in effect, and they absolutely would not dare to break into her bedroom without Kaguya's permission.
Even Oko would not allow his subordinates to do this, because it would be a slap in the face to the Shinomiya family.
Toru said, "Since that's the case, what are you worried about? If someone knocks on your door and you don't respond, they will only think you are asleep. They won't realize you are not in the room."
"After I take you to see the fireworks display, I will bring you back. You don't need to worry too much about these things."
Kaguya gently nodded. Her slender, beautiful arms wrapped around Toru's neck, and her lovely face buried itself in his embrace.
Kaguya's delicate feet were tense. Her toes, covered by white tabi socks and wooden clogs, curled together. Shyness and excitement made her heart pound.
So, this was the pursuit she wanted. So, breaking free from all constraints and being able to do what she wanted was this joyful.
Why had she clung to that tsundere mindset before, unwilling to do something that broke her old rules and was so reckless?
While Kaguya was lost in her thoughts, Toru had already brought her to where he had parked his car.
Opening the car door, he carried Kaguya and placed her in the passenger seat. Toru then turned around and sat in the driver's seat.
He leaned over and gently fastened Kaguya's seatbelt.
Seeing that handsome face so close and smelling the young man's cool scent, Kaguya felt as if she had drunk alcohol. Her head spun, and she even wanted to kiss his cheek.
Kaguya lowered her head, not daring to look at Toru. She only felt her heart pounding like a startled deer.
She had never drunk alcohol and did not know what being drunk felt like, but she believed that even being drunk would not feel as wonderful as she did now.
"What are you thinking about?"
Toru started the car, driving the 911 onto the streets of Tokyo.
Kaguya shook her head. She was too embarrassed to say that she had been secretly looking at Toru. She intertwined her fingers, her expression nervous.
Toru chuckled inwardly. How could Kaguya's little actions escape his notice?
However, Toru did not say anything. He knew that Kaguya was a very shy girl, and if she became too embarrassed, she might lose her mind.
But the current Toru did not want her to lose her mind.
The streets of Tokyo were a little congested, but it did not take long for Toru to bring Kaguya to the location of the fireworks display.
They had come relatively early, and the fireworks display would not start for another forty minutes.
However, even so, the area closer to the riverbank was already packed with people, overflowing with crowds. Many young men and women had arrived early to secure good spots.
By the time Toru and Kaguya arrived, all that was left for them was a corner in the distance.
"Looks like there are no good spots left."
Toru shrugged. Even he was helpless in this situation.
He could not exactly plant a bomb here and scare all the spectators away, could he?
While scaring them away would not be a problem, the fireworks display would likely be canceled.
Kaguya shook her head excitedly. She craned her neck and said with excitement, "Anywhere we can see the fireworks is fine. I don't mind where."
Toru suddenly took her hand.
As Kaguya's heart fluttered, he said, "Since you don't mind, then we don't need to rush for a spot. Let's go wander around the market over there together."
"While everyone is rushing for spots, the market will be less crowded instead."
Kaguya did not say anything. She just stared blankly at the hand held by Toru, feeling the young man's large palm and the warmth and gentleness it brought her.
Kaguya suddenly mustered up her courage. She clasped Toru's hand in return, took two quick steps, and urged, "Hurry up, Toru-kun! Otherwise, the fireworks display will start soon."
Toru smiled and let Kaguya pull him forward.
The event's market was like a temple festival. The stalls on both sides were almost all popular street food and games like ring toss.
Toru was not interested in these games, but he was interested in eating, so he pulled Kaguya around the various stalls, lingering here and there.
Although the popular street food did not taste especially good, it had a strong snack-like flavor, still allowing Toru and Kaguya to eat with relish.
For Kaguya, whether it was eating these snacks or playing the small games, everything made her very curious.
But since Toru only wanted to eat, she temporarily gave up on the games and accompanied him in trying a little from each stall.
These foods were things the past Kaguya-sama had never eaten, because her family would not allow her to eat these so-called unsanitary street snacks.
And now, by Toru's side, she finally broke free from all constraints and rules, allowing her to see a new future.
(To be continued.)