WebNovels

Chapter 99 - Chapter 99

The meeting point chosen by Ai Hayasaka and Shinozaki Kaguya was, naturally, not somewhere crowded or noisy.

First of all, it was important to clarify: although Kaguya Shinozaki and Ai Hayasaka were essentially in a master-servant relationship, at Saint Eden Academy, their official personas were "strangers who don't know each other."

This allowed Ai to remain discreet, making her work easier.

Thus, this encounter could not begin with Ai and Kaguya recognizing one another.

Ideally, Yukinoshita Yukino would notice Hara Kei first. Spotting Ai at his side, jealousy would flare in her, allowing the narrative to progress naturally.

Only if Yukino truly failed to notice Hara Kei would Kaguya, as a backup plan, step in—pointing out the seemingly dating pair to Yukino and feigning surprise: "So Hara Kei already has a secret companion? No wonder he's so indifferent toward everyone at the Lamb Club."

Knowing Yukino's personality, she would certainly challenge that claim. To prove Hara Kei's innocence, she would likely approach him directly, and the story would return to its intended course.

While the latter scenario could work, it was clearly less natural.

Hara Kei and Yukino were both intelligent and perceptive; if they were manipulated too overtly, suspicion could arise, possibly derailing the plan.

For Kaguya and Ai, even this small risk was something they were determined to avoid.

Noisy, crowded environments acted as natural visual barriers. To ensure Yukino could recognize Hara Kei without interference, they deliberately chose a quiet, secluded alley.

In this alley was a renowned Kaiseki restaurant, its style deeply rooted in wabi-sabi.

A uniquely Japanese term, wabi signifies simplicity, while sabi conveys quietness. Together, it implies "simple and serene things." That was why the restaurant was tucked away in a peaceful backstreet, far from the urban clamor.

According to their plan, this would be the spot where the four of them would share lunch.

The entire arrangement had been orchestrated by Ai Hayasaka. It wasn't perfect, but it was airtight.

Yet… why was Shinozaki Kumo, the Third Young Master of the Shinozaki family, already waiting here? Could it be…?

The thought sent Ai's heart into a brief panic.

Meanwhile, Hara Kei had successfully subdued the young man who had attempted to attack him. Squatting down, one of Hara Kei's hands bent the man's right arm behind his back, while the other pressed his head against the ground.

Confirming the man was immobilized, Hara Kei lifted his gaze toward the black luxury car and the man stepping out of it.

The man seemed to be targeting Ai—was he an enemy of hers?

Hara Kei didn't recognize any of them.

These individuals, in the original story, were minor characters appearing only a few times; translating them into real life made misidentification inevitable.

Moreover, they lacked distinguishing features. If it had been the killer teacher shaped like a yellow octopus, even in the real world, Hara Kei would have recognized him instantly.

"You must be Hara Kei," the dark, grim-looking man said, seemingly impressed rather than angry, upon seeing his subordinate captured. "As expected, a fine young man. Interested in working for me?"

Hara Kei looked at him, utterly bewildered. Before he could retort, Ai spoke up: "Third Young Master, Hara Kei is the mistress' classmate, please…"

Before she could finish, the man—referred to by Ai as the Third Young Master—immediately scowled.

"When my master is speaking, there's no room for a servant to intervene. Have you forgotten the rules of the Shinozaki household, Ai?"

From his expression, if the servant succeeded in restraining Ai, he would likely strike her without hesitation. In their eyes, a servant had no personal rights.

"I haven't forgotten the Shinozaki rules," Ai said, noticing Hara Kei's surprised glance. At this moment, there was no time for hesitation. "But my master has always and only been Shinozaki Kaguya. It's enough for me to be responsible for her alone."

Her words were firm, though a faint tremor betrayed the fear deep within her heart.

'The Third Young Master's presence here is purely coincidental. It's almost lunchtime, and this restaurant is famous—coming here to eat is completely normal,' she silently prayed.

'God… please…'

Until now, Ai had never truly believed in deities, perhaps why no divine gaze had ever rested upon her. Even now, her fervent prayers might go unanswered…

Upon hearing Ai's words, however, the Third Young Master—Shinozaki Kumo—suddenly lost his angry expression. A mocking smile spread across his face.

"Only one mistress all along? Truly worthy of the Hayasaka name. Betrayal and lies seem engraved in your very bones," he sneered, contempt dripping from every word.

"Now then, perhaps this loyal maid can explain why I received information from my elder brother suggesting she was undermining Kaguya's plans?"

"That information isn't supposed to be known by anyone except you and Kaguya," Ai tried to speak, but Kumo interrupted:

"Save your explanation—I have no interest in Hayasaka nonsense. Actually, I intended to just send you away, but she insisted on hearing your story."

'She?' Ai's unease intensified. Despair crept in as she stared at the luxury car.

A pair of small, familiar leather shoes emerged from the vehicle, followed by slender legs wrapped in thick socks and the hem of a black dress…

The outfit had been chosen by Ai herself.

And the owner of this ensemble gazed at her with a chilling frostiness, her flawless features resembling a perfectly carved jade statue—beautiful, yes, but devoid of any human emotion.

"Ai Hayasaka, my third brother said you are a spy placed by my elder brother to monitor me, reporting every detail of my life," Shinozaki Kaguya's voice was cold, her gaze cutting into Ai like ice.

"Is this true?"

Ai Hayasaka's deepest nightmare had, at this moment, become reality.

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