"Hayasaka, what's going on?!"
Kaguya pointed at Yuto, her face tinged with excitement.
This was the first time Yuto had seen Kaguya like this. He had only met her twice before, and both times she had been cold and unapproachable.
Seeing her now, her face flushed with emotion, was a welcome change from her cold demeanor.
At least she seemed more human this time.
Hayasaka approached Kaguya with a steamed fish.
She remained calm despite her young mistress's interrogation. Having worked with Kaguya for so long, she knew the difference between genuine anger and mere embarrassment.
This was clearly the latter.
"Miss, several chefs had unexpected business today. While I was out shopping, I happened to run into the Boss, so I invited him to fill in for the absent chefs," Hayasaka explained, her voice composed.
She showed no trace of nervousness or guilt, as if lying without batting an eyelid were simply another skill required of a good maid.
"I see... well, in that case, very well," Kaguya replied, accepting the explanation.
Though she sensed there was more to the story, she knew this wasn't the time for a thorough interrogation.
Yuto watched the scene before him, a sense of wonder stirring in his heart.
'Kaguya seems easy to handle.'
"Miss, this is the Boss's second dish: steamed fish."
Hayasaka lifted the lid, revealing the fragrant fish before Kaguya.
Though drawn by the aroma, Kaguya hesitated, her discomfort palpable in Yuto's presence.
A restlessness had settled in her heart, stirred by thoughts of him during her earlier soup. Now that he stood before her, she felt unprepared.
"Hmm..."
To feign composure, Kaguya forced out a noncommittal sound, a low, almost feline noise that concealed a trace of embarrassed irritation.
She picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks and placed it in her mouth.
The awkwardness that had lingered moments before vanished, replaced by a sense of immersion in the moment.
This sensation differed from the warmth she had felt with the fish soup. If the memories stirred by the soup carried a bitter-sweetness, then the recollections evoked by the steamed fish were vibrant and joyful.
It was as if the fish soup had been created specifically to complement this dish.
The perfect pairing brought immense joy to the heart.
Kaguya let out a soft sigh, like a contented kitten purring in the sun.
Remembering that Yuto was watching her, she snapped back to her senses, her pale face flushing crimson...
Kaguya's heart burned with shame and excitement.
Her cold demeanor had vanished, replaced by an endearing vulnerability.
Yuto couldn't help but smile at her.
Kaguya kept stealing glances at him. Seeing the smile on his lips intensified her embarrassment, as if he had caught her doing something humiliating.
This was the second time she had displayed such uncharacteristic agitation in front of him—once in the restaurant, and now in her own home.
Each encounter left her with a unique feeling, a complexity of emotions only she could understand.
"How is it? Does it suit your taste?" Yuto asked, stepping closer to Kaguya.
Hearing his question, Kaguya savored the lingering flavors of the exquisite dish.
Her subconscious nod made her look a bit like a dazed kitten.
Yuto chuckled, and Kaguya, snapping out of her daze, avoided his gaze.
"Kaguya-sama, there's something I need to apologize for."
At that moment, Hayasaka's serious voice interrupted, causing Kaguya's expression to turn solemn.
Though her gaze flickered away from Yuto, she had regained her composure.
"What is it?" Kaguya asked, glancing at Yuto. Her intuition told her that what Hayasaka was about to say involved him.
"While you were away, Un'yo-sama came..."
The moment Hayasaka mentioned Shinomiya Un'yo's name, Kaguya's expression turned grave.
A trace of disgust and concern flickered in her eyes.
Hayasaka recounted the earlier incident to Kaguya, omitting certain details—such as the exact words Shinomiya Un'yo had spoken to her—and replacing them with a different account.
Kaguya didn't notice anything amiss, but when she learned that Yuto had also been present, her gaze grew complex.
Kaguya understood her three elder brothers' intentions.
To increase their chances of inheriting the Shinomiya family fortune, each of them had tried to win her over.
Although she was the eldest daughter, as long as her three brothers remained, she held no claim to the inheritance.
Yet, her position and stance remained crucial.
Her brothers never saw her as a sister, merely a strategic pawn to be manipulated.
For a long time, Kaguya had maintained her neutrality.
Hayasaka, as her personal maid, was an easy target for overtures.
Kaguya could picture Shinomiya Un'yo approaching Hayasaka while she was away. However, she had always trusted Hayasaka, never considering she might betray her.
This wasn't the first time such a situation had arisen. In the past, Hayasaka had reported similar incidents to her, just as she had done this time.
Therefore, Kaguya had never taken such matters seriously.
But this time, Yuto had been drawn into the situation.
Kaguya knew her third brother's temperament.
He would undoubtedly target Yuto, and the young man might come to harm because of it.
Though she appeared cold, a core of kindness had always existed within her.
Now, faced with this predicament, she couldn't help but press a hand to her forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
Yuto listened to Hayasaka's account from the side. He didn't point out the parts she was omitting or altering, she had asked him to keep silent about it.
The content in question involved Shinomiya Un'yo's earlier remarks.
In exchange, she offered to grant him any reasonable request. Yuto didn't care about her offer. He had no interest in participating in such coercive games.
In the end, he agreed to her request without accepting her condition.
This was why Hayasaka's attitude toward him had become friendlier.
Watching Shinomiya Kaguya's troubled expression, he was surprised. He had assumed that a scion of a prominent family like the Shinomiya clan would never concern herself with someone like him, a commoner.
But now it seemed Kaguya was genuinely worried about him.
"It doesn't matter to me. You don't need to worry about me."
Yuto didn't think much of Shinomiya Un'yo.
To him, the man wasn't even as important as a good meal.
Kaguya's expression didn't relax at his words.
Her brow remained furrowed, her eyes filled with concern. "Yuto-san, first, I apologize on behalf of Hayasaka for involving you in this. I'm truly sorry. Second, I have a solution."
After a moment of contemplation, Kaguya's tense expression softened.
She stood and bowed to Yuto with perfect courtesy.
Hayasaka, standing beside her, followed suit. Then, with a serious expression, she looked at Yuto.
She had already devised a plan.
Though Yuto didn't care about Shinomiya Un'yo, he was intrigued by Kaguya's proposed solution.
"Why don't you stay here, Yuto-san? I can guarantee that my brother won't bother you, and I'll ensure your daily income here is at least as much as what you'd earn in a regular five star hotel."
When Kaguya proposed this solution, her cheeks flushed.
This proved that her heart was far from calm.
This solution also contained a hint of her own selfishness. If she could keep Yuto in her home, she wouldn't have to agonize over this daily.
Yuto couldn't help but smile when he heard Kaguya's proposal.
He suspected that the young lady was only saying this because she wanted to eat his cooking.
Hayasaka was shocked by Kaguya's words.
She knew Kaguya's past experiences, and how those experiences had made her reluctant to interact with others.
The reason there was only one maid in this vast mansion was Kaguya's extreme exclusivity.
But now, Kaguya was offering to let Yuto enter the mansion.
She had said "stay here," which meant she was agreeing to let him live there.
Even the chefs responsible for preparing Kaguya's meals were not allowed to stay overnight in the mansion.
They were hired daily to prepare her three meals and then required to leave. In truth, the only permanent residents of the entire mansion were Hayasaka and Kaguya.
Yet now, Kaguya had invited Yuto to stay.
Though Shinomiya Un'yo's influence likely played a part, the invitation still stunned Hayasaka.
"Let's forget this proposal," Yuto declined Kaguya's offer.
She seemed surprised, but quickly composed herself and considered for a moment.
"Are you concerned about your freedom? If so, there's no need to worry. If you wish to leave, you may do so freely. I will arrange for someone to accompany you."
As the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya family, Kaguya naturally had many attendants at her side.
Even without inheritance rights, her presence outside still represented the family's reputation.
Any mishap would bring immense shame upon the Shinomiya name.
Listening to Kaguya's words, Yuto felt helpless. "No, I'm simply refusing outright."
Yuto's words left Kaguya puzzled.
"But if you're out there, my brother will easily find you."
"Don't worry about that. I'll be fine."
After receiving Yokai essence from Yuuka for the first time, Yuto's physical abilities had become several times stronger than an ordinary person's, granting him dynamic vision that most people lacked.
Later, Yuuka provided him with another dose of Yokai essence, and after this enhancement, he also received a blessing from Hestia.
Yuto didn't believe ordinary people could do anything to him.
Looking into Yuto's confident yet gentle eyes, Kaguya fell silent.
She found herself drawn to his gaze, as if something had struck a chord within her. Her expression grew dazed.
"Kaguya-san, let's leave it at that. I think it's time for me to go."
Yuto's words snapped Kaguya out of her daze.
Her expression shifted to one of agitation and embarrassment, and she avoided meeting his gaze.
Yuto smiled.
Today, he had seen a completely different side of Kaguya.
Beneath that icy demeanor, she was just an adorable young girl!
Hayasaka looked at Kaguya, her gaze peculiar.
She felt that her Mistress... might have gone a little too far.
This kind of behavior from her made Hayasaka recall many things.
"Alright, then I'll see you out."
"Thank you, Hayasaka."
Kaguya didn't say much else, simply instructing Hayasaka to escort Yuto.
Yuto nodded at Hayasaka.
Before leaving, he had one more thing to say.
"Kaguya-san, if you want to taste my cooking again, just come to the restaurant. I promise you, no one will laugh at you."
Hearing Yuto's words, Kaguya's face flushed crimson.
She glared at Hayasaka, but Hayasaka deliberately looked away, refusing to meet her gaze.
"I... I... Hmph!"
After a long, awkward pause, Kaguya finally let out a huff.
Yuto didn't press the matter.
He smiled at Kaguya, bid her farewell, and followed Hayasaka out of the Shinomiya Estate.
Left alone, Kaguya sat down again.
The earlier conversation had left her feeling unsettled and unsatisfied.
Alone, she felt most at ease.
She picked up a piece of fish and put it in her mouth, then took a sip of the fish broth.
"Hmph!"
She huffed again.
The Young Lady seemed to be grumbling, but no one knew what she was grumbling about!