When Yukima Azuma suddenly reached toward her, Hayasaka Ai felt her heart leap into her throat.
But she didn't flinch.
She didn't dare. A wrong move could provoke the man before her—a man who had single-handedly taken down a gang without breaking a sweat. If she angered him, she might endanger her young mistress.
Yet, to her surprise... he didn't hurt her.
Instead, he gently pinched her cheek.
"You must be Hayasaka Ai," he said casually. "Given your seniority, you can call ... 'uncle.'"
Ai froze.
Uncle?
She had no idea who this man was. He didn't look related to the Hayasaka family at all—jet-black hair, deep black eyes, and that effortlessly sharp handsoness of an elite Tokyo native. No matter how she looked at it, this couldn't be a relative.
Before she could process his audacious claim, Azuma continued with a smile.
"A few days ago, I t your mother, Hayasaka Nao. She said she misses you dearly."
Ai's expression tightened.
That was suspicious. Her mother had been transferred overseas—currently on Wall Street as part of a covert Shinomiya Group maneuver. Even Ai had only learned of it days ago.
How did he know?
Is this so elaborate scam? A trick to get close to her and Kaguya?
Her eyes sharpened. She ntally prepared for a counter-response.
But then, Azuma casually pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"Better call your mother," he said. "She'll be worried if she hears you were attacked."
He held the screen up.
Ai's heart skipped a beat.
That number—it was her mother's personal contact. Not a business line. A private number only family and trusted people had.
Impossible... Could it be spoofed?
But the call connected, and on the other end...
"Ai, did sothing happen?"
That voice. That familiar tone. That was her mother.
Completely disard, Ai took the phone and stamred, "Mom?"
She quickly recounted everything that had just happened—from the ambush to Azuma's unexpected intervention.
It had been a routine evening of social obligations for Kaguya, attending a high-society banquet in Ochanomizu. Everything had gone smoothly until this morning—when the Shinomiya car was ambushed and the tires blown out. With no ti to think, Ai had taken Kaguya and fled.
Then, fate had handed them Azuma.
After ending the call, Ai returned the phone to him and bowed respectfully.
"I'm sorry for my earlier rudeness. And... thank you. Truly."
Azuma simply smiled and pinched her cheek again.
"No need to be so formal. If 'uncle' sounds too old, 'Onii-san' works too. You, your mom, and I—we're practically family now."
Ai's cheek twitched.
Her mother had ntioned this man. Yukima Azuma—recently appointed as her superior. A terrifyingly capable man... and barely older than herself.
"Uncle," huh? Was her mom joking?
Still, Ai wasn't the type to disobey.
Despite her irritation, she lowered her head and said in a quiet voice, "Yukima... Onii-san."
Azuma nodded, satisfied.
From his past life mories, he knew: the Hayasaka family was a hidden gem.
Both mother and daughter were talents—unfairly buried beneath the Shinomiya family's oppressive legacy. Years ago, Shinomiya's family head had absorbed the Hayasakas into his corporate empire, reducing them to loyal retainers.
But his sons lacked vision. That's why Hayasaka Nao had been cast out from the core of power.
And that's why Azuma had his eye on them.
If there was ever a chance, he intended to take the Hayasaka family under his own wing.
Before his thoughts could drift further, Shinomiya Kaguya stepped forward.
Even after such chaos, she moved with poise and elegance, her hair cascading like silk, her evening gown flowing like royalty.
She gave a graceful curtsey.
"I am Shinomiya Kaguya, Hayasaka's sister. Since she calls you Onii-san... may I do the sa?"
Azuma raised a brow.
So this was Kaguya before love softened her. Sharp, cold, calculating. She didn't wear her charm like a mask—she wielded it like a weapon.
Kaguya had already recognized his value.
"I've heard of you," Azuma replied politely. "A pleasure to et you."
Kaguya narrowed her eyes slightly.
He wasn't warm. Not like he was with Ai. With Ai, he showed familiarity, even rudeness. With her? re courtesy.
It was the first ti soone hadn't tried to win her over instantly.
"You saved my life," she said. "May I invite you to the Shinomiya estate? I'd like to repay you properly."
Her smile was perfect—ticulously asured for maximum effect.
Azuma shrugged. "I appreciate it, but I have breakfast to cook. Soone's waiting for at ho. Just send a clean set of clothes."
He showed her the bloodstains on his sleeve.
Kaguya's expression didn't change, but her heart skipped slightly. She nodded.
Soon, a convoy arrived. Security sward to protect Kaguya, but she waved them down.
Another car pulled up, and a butler handed Azuma an elegant set of casual wear. He changed nearby and returned.
"Thanks for the clothes, Shinomiya-san. I'll take my leave."
Kaguya smiled and bowed again.
But halfway down the street, Azuma suddenly turned around.
He walked straight back to Ai, extended his hand, and said:
"Give your phone. Add on Line."
His lips curled upward.
"Since you call Onii-san, feel free to contact anyti you need sothing."
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