Chapter 359: Masters Cross Paths

It was around 4 PM by the time Rinji got home.

When Hayasaka first offered to work as a maid at his place, Rinji had given her a spare key so she could come and go even when he wasn't home.

Although there wasn't much for her to do at his house, Rinji's intention was simple: Monday to Thursday she worked tirelessly at Kaguya's place, so Friday through Sunday she could come here to relax.

That was just Rinji's interpretation though.

As soon as he approached his door, he noticed all kinds of equipment piled outside—power drills, wires, steel plates—everything you'd expect to find in a hardware store was there.

"This…"

Looking at the tools stacked outside his house, Rinji immediately opened the door and stepped inside, only to find Hayasaka wielding a welding torch at the entrance of his bedroom, bright sparks flying everywhere.

"…Hayasaka, what are you doing?"

"Hm? You're back, Rinji?"

Hayasaka lifted her welding mask and took off her gloves.

"Give me a moment, I'm almost done."

"No... I mean, what exactly are you doing?"

Rinji blinked, confused.

He knew Hayasaka had returned to fetch some equipment—but he had no idea what kind of equipment. And now it looked like she was setting up something serious.

"Just adding a few anti-theft measures."

"Oh, I see. Anti-theft."

Rinji quickly accepted her explanation.

From his perspective, it wasn't strange to install traps or landmines in case of surprise attacks. But since Sagara Kaname forbade him from rigging his own house with danger, he hadn't installed anything.

But if Hayasaka was doing it? Well, that had nothing to do with him. If Aunt Kana complained, he'd just say it wasn't his doing.

"I think it's great. You have a strong sense of home security."

Rinji nodded approvingly.

"So, what modifications did you make?"

"I changed your bedroom lock."

Hayasaka jiggled the new doorknob, revealing a dual-security system that required both a password and a key to unlock. The password had twelve digits, and the key was a complex three-dimensional structure.

"…Where exactly did you get all this stuff?"

Rinji glanced from the new lock to the array of tools outside.

They definitely weren't things you could pick up at your local shop.

"Back when I worked as Kaguya-sama's personal assistant, I made some connections. I got these from trusted sources."

"I see."

"Also, Kaguya-sama mentioned your weekend habits, so I thought enhanced security was necessary."

"Wait, what did she say?"

———

"Rinji~ We're here!"

It was Saturday night. Karura was coming over for dinner and to stay until the next morning.

As Rinji's girlfriend, her arrival was always welcome. He would cook something nice for them to enjoy together.

Only…

"Rinji, I came too~"

Rinji: "…"

Almost every time Karura showed up, Fusui would also arrive.

"Look, I don't mind you coming over… but do you have to arrive at exactly the same time as Karura?" Rinji squinted. "Can't you just give me and my girlfriend some private time?"

"What's the big deal? Even if you two had alone time, nothing would happen anyway. So I might as well come too~"

Fusui licked her lips.

"With two people, don't you have even more play options?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Rinji turned around and brought out a steaming plate of food.

"Huh? Ai's here too?"

Karura looked around and spotted Hayasaka, who was standing quietly in a maid outfit.

"Yes, I'll be working here as Rinji's maid these next few days."

Expressionless, Hayasaka gave Karura a polite bow.

"Wow! Ai's outfit is so cute! Is that a maid uniform?"

Karura bounced up and excitedly examined her.

Oddly enough, Karura didn't seem the least bit bothered by another pretty woman being in Rinji's house.

Seeing the adorable girl clinging to her side, Hayasaka couldn't help herself. She gently patted Karura's head.

Despite technically being rivals, she found it impossible to dislike the girl.

"Oho~ A maid, huh?"

Fusui sidled up beside Hayasaka, sizing her up with a smirk.

"So that's your move."

"Hm?"

"Nothing. Just that it's a pretty solid plan."

Fusui leaned in and whispered by her ear.

"Looks like you've got a strategy of your own."

"I do."

Hayasaka knew exactly what Fusui was insinuating and casually admitted it.

"But my purpose here isn't just what you're thinking."

"Huh?"

As they chatted, Rinji had already brought out all the food.

The four of them enjoyed a delicious and hearty dinner. During the meal, Fusui asked Hayasaka, "So Ai, do you come at regular times?"

"Yes. I'm here from Friday to Sunday every week."

"I see…"

From Fusui's perspective, the best time for Hayasaka to act would be outside the weekend—any day except Saturday and Sunday. That way she could avoid overlapping with Karura.

But Hayasaka deliberately chose the same schedule.

"By the way, Ai, do you have to wear the maid uniform?"

"Of course. I am a maid, after all."

"Ai looks adorable in that outfit," Karura giggled.

"Thank you."

After dinner, Rinji did the dishes, with Hayasaka volunteering to help.

Later, the four of them sat on the couch to watch TV. Before long, it was already 10 PM.

Stretching his arms, Rinji got up and said, "I'm going to bed. You guys should watch the time too, don't stay up too late." He turned to Fusui. "And I have to get up early tomorrow, so no 'night raids,' okay?"

"Of course~" Fusui responded sweetly.

Closing the door, Rinji returned to his room to sleep.

A while later, Hayasaka stood up.

"I'm going out to buy some snacks. Karura, Fusui, do you want anything?"

Karura: "I'll go with you."

"No need. I'm the maid, so doing errands is part of the job."

"Then… ice cream!"

Fusui: "Bring back some chips."

"Okay."

Hayasaka nodded and headed for the door.

Just as she opened it, she paused.

"I'll be out for about an hour. During that time, it'll be just you two here. You'll just be watching TV, right?"

"Of course."

"I mean, just watching TV. No weird stuff, right?"

"Right," Fusui replied with a smile.

"Good."

Hayasaka gave a faint smile, stepped out, and closed the door behind her.

As soon as she left, Fusui nudged Karura with her elbow.

"Karura, time to act?"

"Eh? But Rinji said he's busy tomorrow..."

"What are you thinking? Making a baby is the top priority. We failed the last few times, but this time we have to succeed."

Fusui crept to Rinji's bedroom door.

"He should be asleep by now. If we sneak in now—huh? Who changed the lock?"

…

At the same time, at the complex entrance—

Leaning against the wall, Hayasaka smirked.

A small earpiece was tucked in her ear, allowing her to hear every word Fusui said.