Ai Hayasaka's Thoughts

"Welcome back, Master."

Upon returning home, the first person Shin encountered was not Tohru, but Ai Hayasaka.

She was dressed in a maid outfit—not a substitute, but a regular maid uniform, so not only could Shin see it, but everyone else in the house could as well.

Behind Ai Hayasaka stood Tohru, who looked somewhat puffed up with anger. It seemed that Ai Hayasaka's appearance in the maid outfit had put considerable pressure on her.

"Why are you here?"

Shin was somewhat surprised and handed over his school bag, which Ai Hayasaka took.

Logically, Ai Hayasaka should still be by Kaguya Shinomiya's side. Although it was clear that she was his maid, she was serving someone else. But since that someone was Kaguya Shinomiya, Shin didn't bother to say much.

After all, Shin knew a thing or two about the relationship between Ai Hayasaka and Kaguya Shinomiya. Forcing them apart wouldn't do him any good, so it was better to let them adjust naturally.

Anyway, Ai Hayasaka seemed to know her place well and wouldn't forget who her real master was just because she was serving Kaguya Shinomiya.

"Shin-kun!"

Before Ai Hayasaka could answer, Tohru rushed forward and straight into Shin's arms.

If Shin were an ordinary person, being bumped into by Tohru like this would probably have knocked him out—after all, Tohru was a dragon, and her strength was far beyond what an average person could withstand.

But when she crashed into Shin's chest, he didn't even budge, easily catching her. He looked down at Tohru, who buried her face in his chest, and asked in a pitiful tone:

"Shin-kun, you wouldn't give the head maid position to someone else, right? I'm your head maid, aren't I?"

"What did you say to her?"

Seeing Tohru like this, Shin knew that Ai Hayasaka must have said something to her.

In terms of combat power, Ai Hayasaka, even with her substitute, was no match for Tohru. But when it came to verbal sparring, Tohru, who was new to this, was no match for Ai Hayasaka, who had long played the role of a spicy girl.

Tohru was still learning about human society through the computer, so she was naturally outclassed by Ai Hayasaka in verbal exchanges.

"I was just defending myself. As soon as I arrived, she told me she was your head maid and not to compete with her for the position, even calling me an inferior species."

Ai Hayasaka put on an innocent expression and shrugged.

"Then I told her that I became your maid before her and had done 'that' with you earlier... and then she just broke down."

Well, Tohru was indeed the type to be easily shaken. Ai Hayasaka's casual remark had made Tohru anxious.

"Don't worry, Hayasaka has no intention of competing with you for now. She has her own things to do."

Shin patted Tohru's tail in exasperation—he had meant to pat her butt, but Tohru's tail was too big, so he ended up hitting the tail instead.

Hearing Shin's words, Tohru finally let go of him, but her sullen expression showed that Ai Hayasaka's words still lingered in her mind.

It seemed that to dispel this influence, Shin would have to put in some effort with Tohru tonight.

Shin glanced helplessly at Ai Hayasaka, who was smiling beside him:

"Alright, tell me, what brings you here this time?"

Although Ai Hayasaka wanted to say, "Can't I come see you without a reason?", she had already used that line the last time they met at the school gate.

So Ai Hayasaka got straight to the point:

"The Shinomiya family wants to invite you to a banquet in a few days."

"A banquet? I don't want to go. Please decline on my behalf."

Shin was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head and refused the invitation.

He could understand the Shinomiya family's intentions—they probably wanted to use this opportunity to introduce Shin to other conglomerates or dignitaries, making it easier for him to gain more power in the future.

But the reason Shin didn't reveal his true relationship with the Shinomiya family was to avoid such troublesome matters. He was content with just enjoying the benefits the Shinomiya family provided.

Even if he had to do something for the Shinomiya family, Shin preferred not to show his face. Otherwise, he would be constantly surrounded by annoying people, which, even if they posed no threat, would still be quite bothersome.

Sometimes, compared to battles, the intricate interpersonal relationships were even more troublesome. Shin didn't want to be provoked by those politicians and end up in a violent incident.

The everyday world was his rare place of rest, and he preferred to keep it as relaxed as possible.

"Actually, the Shinomiya family's goal this time is likely to get you to interact with Miss Kaguya."

Shin's refusal didn't surprise Ai Hayasaka. She had already guessed that Shin was someone who disliked trouble.

But out of concern for Kaguya Shinomiya, Ai Hayasaka still revealed what she suspected was the real situation.

As the daughter of the Shinomiya family, Kaguya Shinomiya essentially had no inheritance rights, so her only role would likely be in an arranged marriage.

The marriage partner might have originally been the son of some major conglomerate or politician, but now... was there a better candidate than Shin?

Previously, Oko Shinomiya had mentioned this to Gan'an Shinomiya, but Gan'an Shinomiya hadn't immediately agreed and wanted to think it over.

It seemed that he had now reached a decision.

Ai Hayasaka obviously knew that this wasn't something a maid like her could prevent, but on second thought, if Kaguya Shinomiya could establish a relationship with Shin, her life might improve.

After all, Ai Hayasaka herself had been placed by Kaguya Shinomiya's side as a pawn.

So Ai Hayasaka knew better than anyone that while Kaguya Shinomiya seemed to pose no threat to Oko Shinomiya's inheritance, Oko Shinomiya remained highly wary of her.

Now, Oko Shinomiya dared to plant pawns around Kaguya Shinomiya, but if Kaguya Shinomiya were connected to Shin, Oko Shinomiya likely wouldn't dare to do so.

Therefore, Ai Hayasaka now actually supported the idea of Kaguya Shinomiya establishing a relationship with Shin.

"I see."

Hearing Ai Hayasaka's words, Shin roughly understood the Shinomiya family's intentions.

Although he had no interest in the banquet, since Ai Hayasaka had put it this way... he could give his maid some face.

But just as he nodded in agreement, he noticed Tohru giving him an unhappy look:

"Who is this Kaguya?"

Shin was both amused and exasperated. Tohru seemed to be getting jealous everywhere.

He rubbed Tohru's head, who had wrapped herself around him again, and looked at Ai Hayasaka:

"Do you have any plans for tonight?"

"..."

Ai Hayasaka's face turned slightly red, as she probably guessed what was coming.

Fortunately, she had already made preparations before coming here, so she answered Shin's question:

"I've already taken leave before coming here."

To be continued…

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