Chapter 371: He Died Like a Shit

"Mom!"

"Aunt Nao, it's been a while."

Kaguya politely greeted her as well, then turned to Rinji in confusion.

"You know Aunt Nao?"

"Nope, not at all. I only found out an hour ago that she's Hayasaka's mother," Rinji said. "If anyone from the main house dared to step foot in Tokyo, my people would've already dealt with them. Thankfully, Auntie reported to me beforehand, so she was allowed to enter Shuchiin."

"…Just how much have you done to the main house?"

"Some things are better left unsaid. High schoolers shouldn't be worrying about these things."

"You're a high schooler too—and a year below me at that."

Nao then explained to Kaguya, "Apologies for being abrupt. I was originally here to represent Lord Gan'an at the three-way conference, but… Rinji insisted on going in my place to support you, so I agreed."

"You shouldn't have agreed to something so ridiculous! And Aunt Nao, you seem really familiar with him."

"No, not really."

Nao patted Rinji's shoulder.

"I've just heard about him from my daughter for a long time now. Plus, I met him once at the main house four years ago."

Rinji: "Exactly."

Kaguya: "..."

Hearing her mother's words, Hayasaka

turned away, disappointed.

"So you came for Kaguya… not for me."

"That's not true. I had already taken the day off anyway."

Nao reached out and gently stroked Hayasaka's head, her expression softening as Hayasaka leaned into it.

Kaguya: "…Rinji, you and Hayasaka are kind of alike."

Rinji: "In what way?"

Kaguya: "In how powerless you both are when it comes to your mothers."

Having comforted her daughter, Nao turned to Rinji.

"Well then, Rinji, I'm leaving Kaguya-sama in your care."

"Leave it to me."

"Let's have dinner together after school—the four of us."

"Sure, I'll book the hotel."

"Okay."

After the exchange, Nao led Hayasaka to the side. Kaguya tried to follow but was stopped by Rinji's hand on her shoulder.

"Where do you think you're going, granddaughter?"

"…You're not seriously going to attend my meeting as my guardian, are you?"

"Why not?"

"Are you serious?"

"Very."

Meanwhile, Hayasaka and her mother walked away.

Unlike her usual composed self, Hayasaka blushed and grabbed her mother's sleeve as she followed beside her.

"How are things going with that boy?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"I'm asking about your progress with Rinji. Didn't you say back then you'd win him back? So how far have you gotten?"

"…"

Blushing even more, Hayasaka lowered her head and mumbled, "I'm… staying at his place now."

"Oh my, already living together? That's fast."

"N-no, it's just… I work as a maid at his house on weekends."

"I heard from the main family you'd been dismissed. Now it's Rinji paying you to stay at Kaguya-sama's side," Nao said. "Honestly, I think this is better—gives you more freedom than before."

"It really does."

Hayasaka replied quietly, then asked:

"How did you get in touch with Rinji?"

"Someone contacted me the moment I arrived in Tokyo. Once they confirmed my identity, they gave me Rinji's number," Nao replied. "We chatted for a bit, and he even asked if I wanted to quit working for the Shinomiya family and come work for him. Such a thoughtful boy."

"I see…"

"So when are you going to make that boy yours?"

"Eh…"

---

"…Teacher, if you have any questions, ask away."

"…What exactly are you two here for?"

Inside the faculty office, once the first batch of students had finished, the teacher called for Kaguya's name.

When asked who the guardian was, Rinji raised his hand.

Now, the teacher sat dumbfounded before a facepalming Kaguya and Rinji—wearing a fake mustache on his face.

"What are we here for? Of course, to attend my granddaughter's three-way conference," Rinji said, full of righteous conviction.

Kaguya looked like she wanted to crawl into a hole.

"…Takamine-kun, even with that mustache, I know it's you."

"How do you know my surname is Takamine?"

"…You didn't even try with that disguise."

The teacher covered his own face, exasperated.

Rinji had made quite a name for himself at Shuchiin, and most of the faculty knew of the troublemaker first-year named Rinji.

This teacher was tired.

One after another, these students were all weirdos. First, a girl with terrible grades claiming she wanted to be Prime Minister. Now a freshman pretending to be someone's grandfather.

Was there anyone normal at this school?

"Um… Miss Shinomiya, where is your guardian?" the teacher turned to Kaguya.

She was known for being an outstanding student. He trusted she could give a reasonable explanation.

"Well…"

"Due to some circumstances, her father—that is, my unfilial son—couldn't make it," Rinji interjected.

"…Did something happen?"

"It's a tragic tale," Rinji said, dabbing his eyes with a tissue.

"Her father, Shinomiya Gan'an… has passed."

"…What?"

"He's dead."

"..."

Now, this teacher knew Kaguya's family. Her father was the head of Japan's largest conglomerate. If he really died, it would be all over the news.

And this boy was seriously slandering the head of the Shinomiya family?

"Teacher, my granddaughter's life has been hard. Burdened with a father like Gan'an—frankly, it's a blessing he's dead," Rinji said with mock sorrow. "A few days ago, he went to the bathroom at night, fell into the cesspit, and drowned. What an unlucky family."

"Takamine-kun…"

"Died like a Shit."

"Takamine-kun, he's still her father. Show some respect…"

"A beautiful, talented shit."

"That's not the kind of respect I meant!!"