Hayasaka Meets the Nakano Sisters
After taking off his shoes at the entrance, Ren casually stepped into the apartment.
"I'm home."
His calm, familiar voice echoed through the living room.
On the sofa, a short pink-haired girl in casual clothes immediately stood up and trotted over to him. Her bright eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
"Welcome back, Rokuhara-san!" Yotsuba greeted him with a wide smile before her gaze suddenly fell on the figure standing behind Ren.
Instantly, her expression turned to one of surprise.
"Eh? Hayasaka-san?"
Just like before, Hayasaka maintained her composure. There was no trace of the cheerful gyaru persona she displayed at school. This time, she was showing her true personality.
"Good evening, Uesugi-sensei."
She gave a slight bow, showing perfect respect.
However, Yotsuba could only blink, still trying to make sense of the situation. How could she not recognize her? Although she didn't remember every student at Shuchi'in Academy, Hayasaka was one of the more prominent ones. As a physical education teacher there, Yotsuba knew her because of Hayasaka's sociable personality.
"What's going on? Why is Hayasaka-san here?" Yotsuba looked at Ren with a suspicious gaze.
Ren wasn't bothered by the suspicious look.
"We can talk about it later. Ai, you can use the empty guest room. Let Yotsuba-san show you the way."
"Understood, Ren-sama." Hayasaka replied without hesitation.
"..?!"
Yotsuba felt even more confused.
'Ren-sama?! Since when did Hayasaka-san start calling Rokuhara-san that? And how do they even know each other?'
However, seeing that Ren didn't seem willing to explain further, Yotsuba decided not to dwell on it for now.
"Sorry for the trouble, Uesugi-sensei. Could you show me to the guest room?" Hayasaka spoke politely, as if there was nothing unusual about the situation.
"Alright, follow me."
Turning around, Yotsuba led the way down the spacious apartment hallway, with Hayasaka following lightly behind.
When they reached the guest room, Yotsuba opened the door.
"This is the only guest room left. The other one is being used by Ichika... my sister."
Hayasaka glanced around the room. It was quite spacious, with a queen-sized bed, a large wardrobe, and a window overlooking the city.
"Thank you, Uesugi-sensei."
Yotsuba stared at her back for a few seconds before finally asking cautiously,
"Hayasaka-san... what exactly is your relationship with Rokuhara-san?"
Hayasaka paused for a moment before turning around.
"I am his personal maid."
"..."
Yotsuba fell silent upon hearing this unexpected answer.
She didn't know whether to believe it or not. But seeing how Hayasaka spoke—calmly, confidently, and without any signs of lying—she felt that the answer wasn't just a joke.
'I really don't understand the situation... Oh well, Rokuhara-san will probably explain it later. There's no way he won't give Itsuki some kind of explanation.'
Still unable to process everything, Yotsuba stopped making wild assumptions.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Living room.
In the room, there were three women and one man.
Ren sat casually on the sofa after changing into a plain black T-shirt and training pants. Beside him, Itsuki, now in the final month of her pregnancy, looked at him with a serious expression.
Meanwhile, on the opposite sofa, Ichika sat comfortably next to Yotsuba, leaning back elegantly. Unlike her two sisters, her expression was full of mischief.
On the other side, Hayasaka sat alone on the sofa, maintaining a polite and calm posture, though it was clear she wasn't entirely accustomed to the atmosphere of the apartment yet.
Ren glanced at Ichika, who seemed to be watching a TV drama.
"You're still here, Ichika-san?"
Ichika turned to him with a teasing grin.
"Ara ara~ Is Onee-san's presence not welcome here? Ren-kun should be grateful—there are plenty of men who would pay just to be with me."
"Unfortunately, I'm not one of those men." Ren replied, uninterested in playing along.
"Fufufu~..." Ichika crossed her long legs, her eyes narrowing mischievously. "Rather than talking about me, let's hear the defendant's reason for bringing another woman home while Itsuki is pregnant."
"..."
Ren could see the corner of her lips curling, enjoying the chaos she was creating. There was no doubt that Ichika had a dark personality.
Although her tone sounded like she was joking, the words she chose were deliberately ambiguous. It was as if Ren was a scumbag who casually brought another woman home while his couple was heavily pregnant.
Although, if thought about it, wasn't that true?
"Hubby, why did you bring a female student from Shuchi'in Academy to our home?" Itsuki asked earnestly.
There was no anger in her voice, only a hint of curiosity. From the way she looked at him, Ren could guess that Itsuki already had some speculation in her mind.
However, she still needed direct confirmation from him.
Not one to beat around the bush, Ren got straight to the point.
"In simple terms, the Shinomiya family has pledged their loyalty to me. As part of that agreement, they've given Hayasaka Ai to me as both an assistant and my personal maid."
"..."
The room fell silent for a few seconds.
Ichika and Itsuki exchanged glances, while Yotsuba blinked several times, as if trying to make sure she hadn't misheard.
Less than ten minutes later, after a few brief questions and answers, Ichika and Itsuki finally fully understood the situation.
Hayasaka Ai—the former personal maid of the Shinomiya family's young lady—had now been handed over to Ren as part of the family's loyalty to him.
"Even a consortium as large as the Shinomiya family is willing to give half of their shares to Ren-kun... It seems I've still underestimated the meaning of Campione." Ichika said with a smile.
"Fufufu~... By the way, my agency is under the Shinomiya family's umbrella. Doesn't that technically make you my boss, Ren-kun?"
"Of course. Should I cut your salary?"
"Ara~ ara~ how can a boss threaten his employee like this?"
Ichika pretended to look shocked before letting out a small laugh. Ren wouldn't abuse his power over her, right?
'My husband is amazing. I'm lucky to be his first woman.'
While Ichika continued to tease Ren, Itsuki felt a sense of pride in her heart.
Setting aside the fact that Ren was a playboy, he was extraordinary in every aspect.
Not only did he possess unimaginable power, but he was also capable of securing the loyalty of a major Japanese consortium.
As the woman carrying his child, Itsuki felt relieved.
At the very least, the father of her child was a reliable man.
On the other hand, only Yotsuba felt left out.
From the beginning of this conversation, she couldn't follow at all.
Campione? The mystical world? Half of the Shinomiya family's shares?
What was really going on?
Her confused gaze shifted from one person to another, but no one seemed to care to explain it to her. Ichika and Itsuki were too shocked by the news to remember that Yotsuba was completely in the dark.
"Ai is a very capable maid. From now on, she'll help take care of Itsuki."
Hearing Ren praise Hayasaka, Itsuki herself seemed surprised.
"I don't need a maid, hubby. I can still take care of myself."
"Itsuki, you're pregnant. Your due date is approaching. You need to focus on your health and our baby."
Itsuki couldn't argue and obediently accepted Ren's arrangements, as he was the head of their small family.
At that moment, Hayasaka stepped forward. Her expression was calm, her voice full of firmness and professionalism.
"Starting today, I will serve you, Itsuki-sama."
Itsuki was taken aback. "Huh? There's no need to call me that—"
"I am a maid, it's my duty." Hayasaka interjected softly, leaving no room for refusal.
She gave a slight bow, showing her respect, leaving behind all traces of the gyaru persona she displayed at school.
"From now on, all your needs—whether it's food, clothing, or daily comfort—will be my responsibility. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to let me know."
Ichika chuckled, enjoying Itsuki's flustered reaction.
"Fufu~... Itsuki, you should accept it. Ren-kun is doing this because he cares about you."
"Sigh... Alright, I'll be in your care from now on, Hayasaka-san."
"It's my duty, Itsuki-sama."
Finally, Itsuki accepted Hayasaka as her maid.
"..."
Yotsuba, who had been watching the scene, could only feel more left out.
'What on earth is going on with everyone around me? Someone, please explain!'