Chapter 22: Two Women, a Surprise, and Death
[After you walked outside, you wandered the streets like a ghost. You didn't know what you were doing; you just wanted to go out for a walk, to see the world.]
[Walking aimlessly down the street under the flashing neon lights, you failed to notice two women spotting you at the same time.]
[Before you knew it, you had actually walked all the way back to Sobu High. Looking at the silent, empty school after hours, you stopped and stared for a long time.]
[It has to be said... pressure really does follow you like a shadow.]
[Not far away, Yukino Yukinoshita and Ai Hayasaka, who hadn't seen each other in a long time, crossed paths.]
"You are... Yukino Yukinoshita?"
Dressed in a black-and-white office lady outfit, Ai Hayasaka pushed up her gold-rimmed, non-prescription glasses and scanned Yukino.
The Yukino before her was dressed in casual loungewear, radiating a chill as if she were a recluse who hadn't communicated with anyone for years.
"You know me?"
Yukino's voice was very cold.
This demeanor inexplicably reminded Ai Hayasaka of Kaguya-sama. They... seemed faintly similar.
No, there was a fundamental difference!
The woman in front of her was an idealist, an arrogant soul who actively isolated herself from the world to uphold her own philosophy. Her Lady, on the other hand, was someone twisted by erroneous education, a truly indifferent person.
As for why Hayasaka knew and even understood this woman…
Because she came from the wealthy Yukinoshita family. Just like Kaguya-sama, she was born into a powerful household, and as her maid and assistant, it was only natural for Hayasaka to look into someone from such a background.
Though, to be honest, she had actually noticed her earlier, back when she was staking out Haruka.
…Wait.
I'm basically stalking him again now, aren't I?
Why am I always stalking him?
Ai Hayasaka suddenly realized this point.
"Are you stalking him?"
Yukino suddenly spoke the words out loud.
"No, no, no. I'm just worried about our President. It's an assistant's duty. As for you... I heard the culture of female stalkers has been quite prevalent in Tokyo recently..."
Ai Hayasaka replied with ease, not forgetting to offer a polite smile.
Yukino just gave Hayasaka a cold look, having no intention of engaging in a verbal spar.
She looked up into the distance where Haruka was still standing.
Yukino frowned. "It really is you..."
After hesitating for a moment, Yukino Yukinoshita walked away in the opposite direction.
Knowing it was him was enough. It was just a chance encounter anyway.
Right now, she needed to go back and deal with her domineering mother...
Watching Yukino leave, the smile on Ai Hayasaka's face vanished. She turned her head to look at Haruka, her emotions complex.
She didn't know if she should go over to him right now.
She could tell that her usually resilient boss was probably feeling lonely and lost.
It was exactly when there was a gap in the heart.
If...
"..."
"Heh, it's not like I like him that much anyway."
In truth, even Ai Hayasaka couldn't quite distinguish why she cared so much about him now.
She admitted that when she first saw him, the image of him bravely taking the stage left a very good impression on her.
Later, when she was observing and tracking him, she felt even more strongly that he was a suitable partner who matched her values. Maybe when she retired from serving her Lady one day, they could develop something.
But honestly, that didn't amount to much—just a favorable impression.
When did she truly start caring about him? Was it when she was kicked out by her Lady over the double agent issue, wandering the streets in a daze like a beggar, and he came out, took her to a restaurant, and didn't have any ulterior motives toward her?
Heh, that counts as the suspension bridge effect, doesn't it?
It wasn't until all the dust had settled.
She couldn't go home.
She couldn't see her Lady, nor did she dare to.
She didn't have a single real friend.
Overnight, she became homeless.
The only place she could think of going back then... seemed to be his place...
"I like you a little, but it seems not that much... Sigh..."
[Ai Hayasaka stood there for a long time, watching until you returned home safely before choosing to leave. Her solitary figure slowly merged into the shadows.]
[She didn't choose to take advantage of your vulnerability, nor did she go find Shoko to comfort you. She just watched silently.]
[Unaware of any of this, you recovered your usual confidence the next day.]
[You began secretly preparing a surprise.]
[The time you spent with Shoko suddenly decreased. You were never home during the day, always out somewhere. For a moment, it seemed like everything had returned to how it was a year ago.]
[Yuzuru took on the role of comforting Shoko. No, perhaps Shoko didn't need comforting. She showed no dissatisfaction with your sudden busyness, simply readjusting her own schedule.]
[Time passed by.]
[On this day, you called Shoko and asked her to come downstairs to the sign language classroom.]
[When Shoko arrived...]
Shoko held a flashlight, feeling a little scared looking at the pitch-black environment. But thinking of Haruka, she tightened her coat and walked forward.
At the same time, she was puzzled. She remembered there were streetlights here. Were they broken?
Also, why did there seem to be a fragrance in the air?
Shoko wrinkled her nose cutely.
Suddenly, Shoko's phone rang.
The moment Shoko answered the call.
Buzz!
Buzz!
Buzz!
One light after another lit up.
White light illuminated the earth, making it as bright as day.
Interwoven with red and orange hues, the ground floor was transformed into a sea of flowers.
All of this was like a magnificent painting, displayed only for the master before it.
And Shoko was undoubtedly that master.
However, in the face of such a romantic spectacle, Shoko's face suddenly turned pale. The hand holding the phone to her ear trembled uncontrollably.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
The sound of handheld confetti cannons rang out.
Colorful streamers shot out from the tubes.
In front of that sea of flowers, a group of her students walked toward her with smiles on their faces.
And in the very center stood Haruka.
This was his surprise.
Confidence?
A real man would always have confidence—not only possessing it himself but bringing it to others!
Doing this now was to cut off any so-called retreat and to establish a fait accompli.
As for his parents...
There was still time to work on them.
He believed that after spending enough time together, his parents would accept Shoko. He understood his parents; they also felt Shoko would become a burden to him in the future. But he had money now, so even if it affected things, so what?
However, once he and Shoko were truly together, he would need to pay extra attention since she couldn't hear...
Thousands of thoughts raced through Haruka's mind in this instant. He was even considering their future after marriage. The bouquet in his hand was gripped tightly.
Just as Haruka walked over, preparing to speak.
His whole body stiffened.
Looking at Shoko, he fell silent.
"Sob... sob..."
Shoko cried out loud. Holding the phone, looking at the scene before her, her expression was somewhere between a smile and a sob, between joy and grief.
"Grandma... is gone... Sob..."
Thud!
The bouquet fell to the ground, petals scattering everywhere.
The world seemed to turn gray in that instant.
The originally romantic scene was dyed with a shade of tragedy in the night.
[Grandma Nishimiya's passing interrupted your proposal surprise.]
[Your plan fell short at the last moment.]
[A few days later.]
[You attended Grandma Nishimiya's funeral.]
[Grandma Nishimiya passed away from old age, which is considered a peaceful death.]
[At the funeral, Yuzuru suddenly told you that Grandma left a final message for everyone in the family, including you.]
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