Chapter 15

["Ah!" The door was opened by a small girl with long white hair and delicate features.]

[She let out a startled cry when she saw you.]

[A servant behind her asked, "Young Lady, what happened?"]

[The girl quickly stepped back into the room, closed the door, and shut off the servant's view.]

["It's nothing. Please leave. I'd like to be alone," she said.]

["Understood."]

[You looked at her inquisitively, unable to figure out why she would conceal your presence.]

[She met your gaze with curiosity and asked, "Who are you? Why are you in my room?"]

[Because of her earlier actions, you found yourself trusting her a bit more. You explained in full why you had sneaked into the inner residence.]

["I see," the girl said after listening, a kind understanding in her tone. "The pursuit of knowledge is something to be proud of. I'll help you."]

[She told you that you could read the books in her room as much as you wanted, and that you could come back every day.]

[Although you couldn't fathom her motives, your goal had already been achieved. Naturally, you wouldn't pass up this opportunity.]

[You began finding ways to sneak into the inner residence every day, coming to the girl's room to absorb the knowledge you needed.]

[At age six: You had been secretly interacting with the girl for some time, and you now knew her identity. Her name was Kamisato Ayaka, the eldest daughter of the Kamisato Clan. You also learned why she was so willing to help you. She was terribly lonely, and you were the first peer she had ever met.]

["Would you be willing to be my friend?" Kamisato Ayaka asked cautiously.]

["I thought we were already friends," you answered without hesitation.]

[Her face lit up with joy at your response.]

[At age seven: You quickly finished reading all the books in Ayaka's room, and she had to frequently borrow books from the family's library for you. This arrangement did not go unnoticed by the Kamisato Clan head.]

[The family head soon discovered your presence.]

[You were brought before the Kamisato Clan head by the family's samurai.]

[The family head spoke with you for a while and was astonished by your extensive knowledge and talents.]

[At such a young age, your insight was remarkable. The family head greatly admired you.]

[He decided to bring you into the inner residence to become a study companion for Kamisato Ayato.]

[Such a promising individual must be nurtured from a young age to ensure loyalty. He was confident you would become one of the Kamisato Clan's most trusted retainers.]

[To cultivate your relationship with Ayato, the family head had you move into the inner residence to study and live alongside him.]

[No one was happier with this outcome than Kamisato Ayaka.]

[Your move into the inner residence meant she could see you anytime she wanted.]

[At age eight: Although you were several years younger than Ayato, you quickly caught up to his progress after studying with him.]

[Everyone was amazed by your intelligence, but only you knew that this was the result of holding back.]

[In truth, through self-study, you had already surpassed Ayato's level. Despite your young age, you understood the intricacies of human interaction.]

[If you outshone Ayato, the family head's admiration would immediately turn into suspicion.]

[He would worry that Ayato wouldn't be able to keep you in check in the future.]

[So the talent you showed now was exactly what he wanted to see.]