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So, everything Kaguya-sama did just now was actually a facade?

After waking up, she didn't open her eyes immediately. Instead, she squinted and waited for her consciousness to gradually clear. Then, she deliberately acted cute and adorable in front of Higashino-sama.

Or perhaps, that attitude is only shown in front of Higashino-sama?

Regardless of the reason, Hayasaka Ai realized that her young lady had suddenly grown up too much. In just one night, she went from being someone who wouldn't seize any opportunities to someone who would actively try to please men, while still maintaining composure and not indulging in male beauty.

This appearance felt very familiar to Hayasaka Ai.

I feel like I've seen this somewhere before.

She kept going through her mind, and then one face after another appeared, and her mood became somewhat depressed.

It's the kind of cold rationality that people from the Shinomiya family possess.

All along, the young lady she served, who was raised in seclusion and was so innocent that she believed kissing would result in having a child, and whose child was not born from her mother's womb but was delivered by a stork, finally became the person a member of the Shinomiya family should be.

Hayasaka Ai was not happy about this.

She remained outwardly calm, suppressing her heavy thoughts, and offered her congratulations, "Congratulations, Miss Kaguya, on successfully getting close to Lord Higashino."

Upon hearing this, Kaguya Shinomiya calmly nodded, reached out her hand, and with Hayasaka's support, her body, trembling from exhaustion, shakily stepped off the bed.

Hayasaka Ai glanced at it casually; her petite body was covered with marks from being battered by the wind and rain.

Moreover, even though it's shaking like this, the parts that should be shaking don't shake at all.

Kaguya-sama, so pitiful.

On her way to the bathroom, Kaguya Shinomiya looked puzzled, subconsciously feeling a sense of offense lingering around her, but she couldn't pinpoint its source.

The girl, having racked her brains to no avail, had no choice but to give up.

"Haasaka."

"I'm here, Kaguya-sama."

"I'll call the school later. I'm not feeling well and I'm asking for leave this morning to rest for half a day."

"clear."

Xiao Ai nodded knowingly, keeping Kaguya's arrangements in mind.

At the same time, I can't help but complain, "Wow, you're so weak! Kaguya-sama, you're so weak!"

Yukino Yukinoshita, who had previously played games all night, still went to class as usual the next day. Ichi Nijika, who came to the mansion a while ago, also encountered such a situation for the first time. She was matched with a high-pressure game. She had eavesdropped and also played until late at night, but the next day she went out without much trouble.

But when it came to their own young lady, she was the one who needed to take leave and rest.

Everyone here is a cute girl. If Kaguya-sama can't compete with her figure, and her skills and stamina aren't up to par either, then she'll be very weak in the competition, right?

"Oh, right." Kaguya Shinomiya suddenly spoke up, startling Hayasaka Ai, who was secretly having wild thoughts, "Next time Higashino-sama comes back to rest, Hayasaka should come along too."

Hayasaka Ai: "Huh!??"

No, young lady, this isn't how a dowry is prepared!

In order to ensure the status of the main family, wasn't her role only to step up and take over during Kaguya's menstrual period and pregnancy?

Since Kaguya-sama is neither menstruating nor pregnant, we let her join.

What if... what if she gets infected first? Wouldn't that be terrible?

Ignoring Hayasaka's surprise, Kaguya Shinomiya lay in the bathroom with her back to Hayasaka, closed her eyes, and silently accepted Hayasaka's cleaning service.

After a moment, he added quietly, "I can't hold on by myself."

Of course, the more important reason is that she understands that her advantages are not outstanding. If she wants to break through the encirclement, she needs to constantly consolidate her importance in that man's heart, and even develop her status.

They must not only demonstrate their abilities but also constantly maintain a sense of novelty and expand their own advantages.

If one person isn't enough, she'll find other outside help!

Bring Hayasaka, bring Fujiwara Chika, and even the girls at school.

As long as she can be sure she has complete control over them, they can all be together!

She may not have any biological sisters, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have any other relatives!

Whatever Yukino Shino can do, she will only do better, more, and more excitingly!

emotion?

She admitted that the man did give off a good feeling, but she, Kaguya Shinomiya, would never indulge in such an illusory and bubble-like emotion because of a man. She would only use any means necessary to climb up and become stronger!

Since her brothers felt that her existence was a disgrace to the Shinomiya family, she had to use her achievements to slap them in the face.

Since the Shinomiya family didn't like her, she started her own new Shinomiya family!

The new Shinomiya family, which began with her!

Kaguya Shinomiya's resolve was firm, her eyes like those of a lion.

Regardless of Kaguya's thoughts, after hearing her reasons, Xiao Ai smacked her lips and said, "If Lady Kaguya needs me, I am always ready to provide you with any assistance."

Okay... I guess.

This day will come sooner or later anyway, it's just a matter of sooner or later.

However, there's one thing we need to discuss beforehand.

"However, please remember, Miss Kaguya, if Lord Higashino shows favoritism, don't blame me entirely. I'm one of your own, always firmly on your side!"

According to her investigation of Akira Higashino, that man simply prefers large breasts; among all his girlfriends and ambiguous relationships, very few had small breasts.

As for the great scholar, as long as he is big enough, he can tolerate even the troublesome personality of Goto Ichiri, who is socially anxious and introverted, and find it cute and amusing.

From this perspective, her advantage is greater than that of her family's eldest daughter.

Although she wouldn't call herself a giant, it all depends on who you compare her to. With enough comparison, even a country girl can look like a fairy.

If she were to be compared to Kaguya-sama, without any other variables, her sheer size, psychologically speaking, might temporarily make her seem like a giant.

Xiao Ai (Xiaomi's AI assistant) has stated beforehand that it intends to act like a gentleman first and then a villain.

Upon hearing this, Kaguya Shinomiya couldn't help but puff out her cheeks and look at the boy she had grown up with with a resentful expression.

What do you mean?! What do you mean?!

Ugh, this is so infuriating!!!

You can't beat me!

The girl snorted coldly and stubbornly replied.

"Hey hey~" Hayasaka Ai didn't refute this at all, and obediently responded with two perfunctory replies.

As for how to deal with Kaguya-sama, Ai has her own unique techniques!

sincere!

Unparalleled sincerity!

For Kaguya, who has always lacked a sense of security and lived in loneliness since childhood, someone who can understand and feel her true inner emotions is more trustworthy than someone who is cold and emotionless or full of insincerity.

So, she stopped pretending!

Just as Hayasaka Ai had predicted, Kaguya Shinomiya sensed only two words about her attitude: perfunctory!

Hayasaka is clearly treating her like a child, he's really looking down on her!

Even in becoming a real woman, she was the first to take the lead!

Hayasaka is nothing special!

Kaguya Shinomiya silently condemned the wicked maid in her mind, but never revealed it to anyone, instead maintaining a serious and businesslike demeanor.

"After you get back to school this afternoon, Hayasaka, go and submit your application to join the student council. I'll approve it."

"I no longer have time to play house at school. Master Higashino has agreed to let me participate in the operation and management of Yunmeng, and work my way up from the bottom through my own abilities. So, from now on, I need to go to Yunmeng Group for an internship after class."

"I need you to help me share the burden of student council affairs."

Sigh, my workload is going to increase again.

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is a scoundrel and a scab!

Life is tough, Xiao Ai sighed.

"Understood, Kaguya-sama~"

The girl agreed listlessly.

I have a vague idea that with such a motivated and ambitious young lady by her side, her vacation is slipping away.

The Yunmeng Group, founded by Higashino Keigo, has always been known for its humane approach and compassion.

Only at times like this do Xiao Ai, a working-class girl, feel even more respect for this adult. He is simply a shining god in the eyes of working-class people!

Their kindness is as vast as the sea, shining in all directions.

It's never going to end, it's never going to end!

I regret entering the Fourth Palace in this life; in the next life, I wish to be born in Yunmeng.

It's impossible for her not to work. Ai has to work for the Shinomiya family, so she can't escape. Even if she doesn't want to work for the Shinomiya family anymore, and even if she has Higashino-sama's protection and isn't afraid of danger, her mother will be in trouble.

Letting Mom run away is not an option either. She has served the Shinomiya family for too many years and knows too many secrets. She can't escape. The Shinomiya family will not let her leave easily. The moment they realize that Mom has such thoughts, the dark side of the Shinomiya family will probably take action and make Mom physically disappear.

.........

Special investigation team for Yunmeng Group.

Almost a week has passed since they began their investigation.

There were absolutely no results.

It's not that there's absolutely no problem, but every time I submit a result, my supervisor rejects it outright for reasons such as insufficient data, lack of comprehensiveness, not keeping up with the latest progress, or not fully investigating the matter, and sends it back for re-investigation.

Since that's the case, let's investigate.

Anyway, the investigation team has high salaries and ample funding.

They couldn't find anything out of the investigation, and they didn't dare to find anything out of nothing at all.

If nothing can be found, it's at most a lack of work ability.