"...I got kidnapped again."
"...And I never would’ve dreamed that I’d be the kidnapper this time."
Come to think of it, our first encounter was triggered by a kidnapping. I hadn’t even the slightest inkling back then that I’d eventually be the one playing the role of the criminal.
"...I think we finally managed to lose them."
Hiding in the thicket, I scanned the area. Once I was sure there were no signs of pursuit, I let out a breath of relief.
"So, what was that proposal you mentioned?"
"...I’ll become a hostage," Hinako said. "So, Itsuki, use me to persuade Papa."
"...That sounds less like persuasion and more like blackmail."
"Then blackmail him."
Hinako suggested the reckless plan without a moment's hesitation. I struggled for a heartbeat to find an answer, but after considering it seriously, I realized I couldn't go along with it.
"...I can't do that."
"Why...?"
"Because even if we did, it wouldn't solve anything."
There was no point in achieving a surface-level peace while the underlying problem remained. Besides, Kagon-sama was a man of immense power. Even if I used underhanded tactics to settle this, I had a feeling he’d just use his own resources to overturn the result later.
"I’ll find a way to persuade Kagon-san. That's the only way."
"Can you... really do it?"
"I will."
It was confidence born of absolutely no evidence. Even so, I declared it firmly.
"I will definitely persuade him."
I wanted to put Hinako at ease. I didn't want her to have to force herself anymore. More than anything, I wanted to repay the girl who had given me a place to belong when I had nowhere else to go. For that sake, I would fight as stubbornly as I had to.
"Just where do you intend to take the Young Lady?"
At the sound of that familiar voice, I looked up... and broke into a cold sweat.
"...Ms. Shizune."
The Head Maid of the Konohana family—a woman who could do anything. The opponent I hadn’t managed to beat even once during our self-defense lessons stood directly in my path.
"Secure him."
Immediately after Ms. Shizune gave the short command, servants closed in from all four directions.
"Ugh—!?"
Once they grabbed hold of me, I’d be pinned. I lunged toward the servant with the slightest build, attempting to break through the perimeter while dodging a swung fist. Their movements were on a different level than the guards I’d faced earlier. They were calm, professional, and perfectly coordinated. If Ms. Shizune had brought them, they were undoubtedly thoroughly trained.
At least one person was constantly maneuvering into my blind spot. Sensing the movement, I unleashed a spinning back-kick without turning around. The sole of my foot caught a servant in the chest, sending them back with a cry. The remaining three gasped in shock. Seizing the opening, I pressed close to the one directly in front and took them down with a shoulder throw.
However, in the next instant, someone grabbed me from behind.
"Damn—!?"
Only then did I realize there was a fifth person who had approached soundlessly. The first four had been decoys. I tried with all my might to break the restraint, but the grip didn't budge an inch.
As I gritted my teeth, Ms. Shizune walked up to me with poise.
"You have grown quite a bit in such a short time. You were such a fast learner that I ended up training you quite seriously... but this progress exceeds even my expectations."
"...If you're going to praise me, I’d appreciate it if you stepped aside."
"I cannot do that," she said flatly.
"...Shizune."
Hinako opened her small lips.
"I... from now on, I’ll commit to the act completely."
Hinako spoke as she slowly approached me while I was pinned down.
"I’ll never stop acting again. Always, everywhere, I’ll play the part perfectly. So... please. Let me stay with Itsuki."
Ms. Shizune fell silent, clearly taken aback.
Considering Hinako's personality, such a request was unthinkable. Hinako herself surely understood the burden of maintaining that facade better than anyone. Her time to be free was already limited, yet she was willing to throw all of it away just to keep me around.
That was exactly why I had to reject it.
"...Hinako, that's not right."
I spoke clearly, looking her in the eye.
"I don't want you to force yourself. I want to stay by your side so you don't have to. Even if everyone else expects the act, I want to be the one person you can be yourself around."
"...Itsuki."
I didn't want her to stay with me at the cost of her own soul. Hinako's idea was completely self-defeating.
"So please. Don't throw away the very thing I'm trying to protect."
My words seemed to catch her completely off guard. The girl standing before me, who usually looked so drowsy, had her eyes wide open.
"...Mm."
Softly, but unmistakably, Hinako nodded.
"I understand....I'll believe in you, Itsuki."
Her voice was barely more than a murmur, but it reached my ears clearly. Hinako stared straight at me, her eyes reflecting my own image. It was a strange sensation—even without words, I felt like our hearts were finally in sync.
"I am sorry to interrupt such a poignant moment, but..." Ms. Shizune spoke up.
The problem started now. I glared at Ms. Shizune to show my intent to resist, but—
"Itsuki-san. You need not worry. It will not end the way you think it will."
"...Eh?"
I blinked as Ms. Shizune spoke with a heavy sigh.
"The achievements you have accomplished as a caretaker will soon reach Kagon-sama's ears. Please wait a short while until then."
"W-Wait, what do you mean...?"
I had no idea what she was talking about. Just then, an electronic beep sounded. Ms. Shizune pulled a smartphone from her maid uniform pocket and checked the screen.
"Good timing."
She put the phone to her ear. After a brief conversation, she looked back at me.
"Kagon-sama has summoned me, so I shall take my leave. Both of you, please wait here just a little longer."
Dropping her stern mask, Ms. Shizune returned to her usual, polite demeanor.
"Ms. Shizune... whose side are you on, anyway?"
"I am in the employ of Kagon-sama." Then, she added softly, "However... I am the Young Lady's ally."
Summoned by Kagon, Shizune knocked on the door of his office.
"Excuse me."
She entered the room to find Kagon sitting behind his massive desk.
"Kagon-sama, you wished to see me—"
"—Come here."
At Kagon's brief command, Shizune obeyed.
"What is the meaning of this?" Kagon asked, pointing to several documents stacked on the desk.
"Those are the RSVPs for the social event hosted by the Konohana family. Since you were staying at the villa, I had the ones delivered to the Main Residence sent over. I thought you should look them over immediately."
"There was no error in that judgment. However..." Kagon sifted through the stack. "...Explain these four guests to me."
He handed four invitations to Shizune. She nodded and began her briefing.
"Ms. Karen Asahi is the daughter of the head of Jays Holdings. They are among the top five domestic electronics retailers and a major client for the Konohana Group."
She moved to the second invitation.
"Mr. Katsuya Taisho's family runs the major transport firm Taisho Moving. They are leaders in the industry, and our banking and real estate sectors have been courting them as partners."
Then the third.
"Ms. Narika Miyakojima's family runs Japan's largest sporting goods manufacturer. The Konohana Group has yet to make a significant move into that industry, so a connection here would be an invaluable foothold."
Finally, the fourth.
"And Ms. Mirei Tennoji is, as you know, the daughter of the Tennoji Group. While they are a direct competitor, they are of a comparable scale. A partnership with them would yield astronomical profits."
Having finished the descriptions, Shizune added one final, decisive point.
"Furthermore... these four are all the Young Lady's school friends."
Kagon put a hand to his forehead, his expression one of pure bewilderment.
"...Asahi and Taisho are solid leads, though we hadn't managed to invite them until now," Kagon murmured. "I knew the president of the Miyakojima family, but they rarely participate in social events. Yet just a moment ago, the president contacted me personally, saying that since his daughter is attending, he 'would certainly like to attend as well.'"
A stroke of incredible fortune. Shizune nodded silently.
"And the Tennoji family... I am acquainted with the Head of the House, of course, but this is the first time his daughter has participated. Our relationship has always been superficial, but this could be the chance to build a true bond of trust. The Tennoji family values personal relationships over raw numbers... if this goes well, we could outmaneuver every other group."
Kagon spoke the last part almost to himself. He looked over the four invitations once more, let out a long breath, and turned to Shizune.
"These are all precious connections....Did Hinako invite all of them?"
"She did."
"She had never invited a single person before... and now, all of a sudden, she has secured connections of this caliber."
Kagon's voice was thick with confusion.
"If I may be so bold..." Shizune said to the silent man. "If you find the Young Lady's transformation to be a positive development, then letting go of the person responsible for it may not be the wisest course of action."
"...The person responsible, eh?"
Kagon caught her meaning instantly. He compared what he had lost to what he had gained: a minor shipbuilding company versus four titans of industry.
He thought of the boy he had hired only a month ago on a whim. His feelings toward the youth had shifted—from shock to genuine admiration before he’d even realized it.
"...The choice of which to prioritize is obvious."
The answer came immediately. Letting out a sigh, Kagon spoke.
"Bring Itsuki-kun back."