Kaguya's vacant eyes regained their clarity as she registered Ai's words. She looked at her, disbelief etched on her features.
"Really?"
Was Oko truly using soone's parents as leverage? That was beyond despicable.
Although Kaguya had known her brother Oko wasn't the most honorable person, she hadn't expected him to stoop so low. If Ai was telling the truth, then Kaguya could begin to understand her maid's perceived betrayal.
After all, Kaguya thought, if her own mother were still alive and soone used her to threaten Kaguya, she would probably act cautiously as well.
"Miss!" Ai didn't waste any more ti. She picked up her phone and handed it to Kaguya, showing her the ssages Oko had sent.
"…"
There was no room for doubt now. The proof was right there. Kaguya's expression darkened.
"That man!" She clenched her fists. How vile could one be? And to think that such a person was her own brother—it was beyond repulsive.
"Don't worry!" Kaguya said resolutely, eting Ai's eyes with determination. "I'll go to Father. Once he knows, he'll intervene. Your parents will be safe, I promise."
Before Kaguya could reach for her phone to contact Gan'an, Ai stopped her.
"Miss, there's no need. It's enough that you don't hold this against ."
Kaguya frowned. "But you—"
Ai interrupted her worried words with a soft smile. "Oko gave a half-hour deadline. There's still ti. If I go now, I can handle this."
"Eh?"
Kaguya blinked, stunned. What did Ai an by handling this herself? Going to Oko in this state was risky—if he snapped, there was no telling what he might do.
Seeing Kaguya's concern, Ai raised her hand. With a small burst of cursed energy, a dagger materialized in her palm.
"!! Is that—"
Kaguya's initial shock gave way to realization. She looked at Ai, astonished.
It was unexpected, but it made sense now.
"I didn't know I had this potential myself," Ai admitted. In truth, she wanted to tell Kaguya about Ryuji's involvent. But since Ryuji hadn't ntioned it himself, Hayasaka chose to keep that part to herself. Perhaps he wanted it kept secret for now.
"So, this is sorcery?" Kaguya murmured, more to herself. Although she had witnessed Ryuji's powers earlier, seeing them up close like this was entirely different. She hadn't expected Ai to have such talent.
"That's why, Miss, you don't have to worry. Just don't hold the past against , and I'll handle Oko."
"…"
If Ai had still been an ordinary person, Kaguya would've been terrified for her. But now, with Hayasaka wielding sorcery, Kaguya felt a little less anxious. No matter what tricks Oko might have, he couldn't possibly outmaneuver a sorcerer.
As for forgiveness…
Kaguya hesitated for a mont before looking at Ai seriously.
"I'll forgive you, but you have to promise one thing: never lie to again."
"???"
Ai was taken aback. It was a tall order. Kaguya's innocence made it tempting to keep certain truths from her, to joke and tease her occasionally. But Ai knew better than to voice that thought aloud.
Instead, she nodded with a small smile. "Okay."
"I'm sorry, Miss, but I'm already lying to you now."
"Good."
Kaguya's trust was unwavering. Seeing Ai's agreent brought a smile to her face.
"Make sure you co back safely."
Kaguya knew Ai had sothing important to do and didn't want to hold her back any longer. Her only wish was for Ai to return unhard.
"Don't worry," Ai said confidently. It wasn't that she placed absolute faith in her newfound sorcery, she had only just awakened and hadn't even had a full day to train with it. But knowing Ryuji was behind her gave her an unshakeable sense of security, even if he wasn't physically there.
After a few more reassurances, Ai turned and left Kaguya's side.
"…Phew."
Watching Ai's retreating figure, Kaguya felt a weight lift off her shoulders. The day had been an eye-opener, to say the least. First, she witnessed Ryuji's imnse power during the day. Now, at night, she faced the underhanded sches and depravity of her brother, Oko. She had never thought he was capable of such shalessness, using soone's parents as leverage.
In the past, Kaguya had thought the competition between heirs was straightforward, a matter of proving oneself to be the best through hard work and accomplishnts. But now, she realized just how brutal and cunning the real struggle was.
"…"
She exhaled slowly. Thankfully, that battle for the position of heir no longer concerned her. Kaguya already knew she was destined to stand beside Ryuji. When that day ca, the affairs of the Shinomiya family would be beneath her concern. The inheritance and all the treacherous infighting would beco irrelevant.
What Kaguya failed to realize, however, was that because of Ryuji's influence, she had already surpassed all her brothers. The simple truth was that having soone powerful behind you changes everything.
"Hmm~"
With her spirits lifted, Kaguya humd a light tune. Picking up her phone, she sighed at its complexity. It had so many features that she hadn't yet mastered.
"This thing has so many functions…"
Even with her intelligence, it was a lot to take in.
"Whatever, I should just get familiar with Line first and leave the rest for later," she decided. The main reason she wanted to learn how to use her smartphone was to contact Ryuji more easily. Everything else could wait.
"But I don't even know Mr. Ryuji's Line ID. What a sha," she muttered, feeling a twinge of disappointnt. If only she did, she could be chatting with him right now.
---
"Ah!"
anwhile, in the Hayasaka household, a soft gasp echoed through the room.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"
Oko's face was twisted with anger. He hadn't touched the tea set before him, which had long gone cold. His mood was far from composed.
Ai's parents exchanged uneasy glances, both holding their breath as they waited in silence. Speaking up could make things worse, so they remained mute, hoping their daughter wouldn't return as instructed.
They had failed to protect her before, but this ti, they were determined not to let her suffer again.
"That accursed sorcerer!"
If you asked Oko who he hated the most right now, it was undoubtedly Ryuji. Why did the old man have to regain his youth? Wouldn't it have been better for him to pass away quietly?
Just when it seed like his father's health was deteriorating, ready to succumb to age, Oko had already envisioned himself taking over as the head of the family. But with one casual act, Ryuji had shattered those dreams.
Gan'an had been revitalized. This was just the first ti; who knew how many more rejuvenations were possible? There was even the absurd possibility that Gan'an could outlive Oko himself. The thought was unbearable.
"Master!"
At that mont, a maid rushed in, breaking Oko's spiraling thoughts.
"The young lady has returned!"
"What?!"
Ai's parents shot up from their seats, their faces a mixture of shock and disbelief. Despite their ssage warning her not to co, Ai had returned.
Oko smirked. "Looks like your daughter cares about you after all."
In truth, he had anticipated that the parents would warn Ai. It didn't matter; Oko knew her well enough. Using her parents as leverage would make her hesitate, ensuring she ca back.
Standing up, Oko prepared himself, savoring the anticipation. "Don't worry, I only want to have a little chat with her," he said, the false kindness in his voice making it all the more chilling.
This was the part he loved most, having people fear him, seeing the respect that ca with power. It was intoxicating and the primary reason Oko aspired to lead the Shinomiya family. Power ant control, and control was everything.
As Oko basked in his self-assurance, Ai stepped into the room.
"Ai!"
Her parents rushed to her side, tears brimming in their eyes.
"Why would you co back?!" her father whispered, voice thick with emotion. "You should have stayed away, no matter what."
"Dad, Mom," Ai said, relief flooding her at seeing them unhard. She felt a pang of guilt for worrying them so much.
"Hayasaka Ai," Yunying's voice cut through the reunion, laced with contempt. He sneered at the display of familial love. "Don't you have sothing to say to ?"
Ai's father moved forward again, his expression tense as he tried to shield his daughter from Oko's glare.
"Master Oko, I beg you, if you need to take your anger out, do it on . Let my daughter go," he pleaded, voice trembling but determined.
But Oko's smile only grew colder, sharper. He leaned back, crossing his arms as if enjoying a show ant solely for his amusent.
"Do you truly think I would waste my ti on a re servant? Your daughter's incompetence failed ," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "And now, all of you will understand the consequences of that failure."
Ai's father clenched his fists, his expression filled with desperation. But before he could respond, Ai's voice cut through the tension, clear and resolute.
"Father, that's enough," she said, stepping forward. Her eyes t her father's, full of unyielding resolve. "You don't need to beg. None of us are going to suffer today."
Her declaration hung in the air, heavy with an unexpected weight. Even Oko raised an eyebrow, a glimr of intrigue sparking in his cold eyes.
"Ai, do you even know what you're saying?" He leaned forward, a mocking laugh bubbling up as he studied her expression. "Or has the pressure finally gotten to you?"
But instead of the fear or nervousness he expected, Ai's gaze remained steady.
"I know exactly what I'm saying, Oko," she replied, her voice unwavering. "You no longer have control over my family or ."
For a mont, the room fell into a stunned silence. Ai's parents exchanged worried, puzzled glances, unable to comprehend where her sudden confidence had co from.
Oko's expression darkened, a vein throbbing in his temple. His smirk twisted into sothing more nacing as he rose from his chair, eyes locking onto Ai with a predatory glint.
***
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