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Held openly in Yuto's arms, Kaguya's cheeks burned a deep red. She resembled a shy little rabbit, her head ducked low, too embarrassed to meet anyone's gaze. The curious stares from passersby stung like tiny needles, intensifying her discomfort.
Her heart pounded in her chest.
"Your ankle's not too bad. A quick massage should do the trick," Yuto said, carrying her to a quiet, empty park. Without a pause, he slipped off her small leather shoes.
Shuchiin Academy, a renowned elite school, equipped its students with the finest uniforms and accessories. Her warm shoes carried a faint, pleasant scent as he set them aside.
Kaguya leaned into him, her gray-black pearl socks clinging to her slender calves, lending her a pure yet charming air. Yuto gently peeled off one sock, resting her delicate, snow-white foot on his knee. "This might hurt a little. Hang in there."
"Mm."
Kaguya nodded meekly, her eyes fixed on the ground. Strands of black hair draped over her flushed cheeks and ears.
Yuto cast a healing spell, his hands carefully kneading her small foot. Kaguya let out a soft whimper, startled by the warmth of his touch. Her leg tensed, the slim lines of her calves and thighs curving gracefully under the pressure.
This was a basic spell, standard for Clock Tower apprentices—straightforward and quick to take effect. Kaguya straightened slightly, her hair falling messily across her face. A faint mist clouded her ruby-red eyes, giving her a dazed, almost enchanting look.
Her heart still raced. The embarrassment seemed to melt her thoughts into a haze.
After a while Yuto had lingered long enough—he pulled his hands back.
"Kaguya, what's next? Got any plans?"
"Plans? Aren't we heading to school?" Kaguya asked, blinking in surprise. She wiggled her foot and realized the pain had vanished.
She fished out her old flip phone and checked the time. "Oh no, it's already 9:30. We're late!"
"Perfect timing, then. Let's skip and have some fun. I'll get a classmate to cover for us, and I'll take you to places you've never seen."
"Is that alright?" Kaguya hesitated, torn between temptation and worry about her family's reaction.
Her father, Shinomiya Gan'an, head of the Shinomiya Group, rarely paid her much attention. But the family's strict rules meant skipping school could bring harsh consequences if word got back to him.
"Don't worry, I'll handle it. Come on," Yuto said, grasping her soft hand.
"Okay, let's go."
Kaguya's face warmed again. She figured he was just being spontaneous, but she wasn't about to miss this rare chance to be with him, even if it meant trouble later.
"Master, you're awfully good at this," Nero, perched on Yuto's shoulder, teased through their mental bond.
"Nero, don't you approve?" Yuto shot back.
"Not quite. I enjoy all forms of beauty—you, this sweet girl, everything. You're both lovely," Nero said, propping her chin on her hand. "I just thought you were a good kid. Turns out you're a bit of a hunter."
"You've picked up modern slang pretty well, Nero."
Yuto grinned at his Servant. "With my skills, how could I stop at just one girl?"
"UMU!," Nero agreed with a nod. "As Rome's emperor, I never thought love had to be exclusive."
Yuto glanced at the tiny Servant, her lavish reputation flashing through his mind.
"The young miss is leaving with that guy."
As the pair strolled off hand in hand, a blonde figure stepped out from the bushes. Hayasaka Ai lowered her binoculars, jaw dropping.
"I've got to follow them," she muttered.
......
From the zoo to the amusement park, ramen joints to fast-food spots, and finally the movie theater, Yuto guided Kaguya through a day of new experiences. Free from stifling rules and prying eyes, she laughed freely, shedding her usual restraint.
"That movie was so touching," Kaguya said as they stepped out of the theater. Under the moonlight, she stretched her slim frame, smiling at Yuto. "Thanks for bringing me."
Yuto took her warm hand. "Did you enjoy today?"
Her cheeks flushed, her pulse quickening, but she mustered her courage. "It felt like a dream. I've never been this happy."
Suddenly a blackout happened.
Taking advantage of the blackout, he slid an arm around her waist and pressed his lips to hers. He wasn'ts dense protagonist or the type to dawdle like Shirogane Miyuki.
Five minutes later, the lights flared back on, revealing Kaguya's flushed, dazed expression. Her youthful figure shifted slightly beneath her uniform, hinting at her emerging charm.
Kaguya blinked, her red eyes misty. Though he'd taken her first kiss, she felt no resentment—just a sweet, fluttering warmth.
Their foreheads nearly touched, breaths mingling in the close space. A flush spread across Kaguya's face.
Yuto smiled, tempted to whisk her away and bypass the drawn-out drama of her original story. But Hayasaka Ai, lurking in the bushes, couldn't hold back any longer. She dialed Kaguya's phone in a panic.
"I can't let him steal her away!"
Kaguya's outdated ringtone chirped loudly. Answering the call pulled her back to reality. She gently nudged Yuto's hand off her waist.
"Yuto, it's late. My family's calling. I need to get home."
"Alright, I'll walk you back."
........
At the Shinomiya estate, three of Kaguya's brothers had gathered at their father's command.
"Sit," Shinomiya Gan'an said, his voice tired, his cloudy eyes half-lidded.
"Yes, Father," the three sons replied, settling into their chairs with respect.
Gan'an's health had been fading for years, propped up only by the best medical care money could buy. He knew his sons well: the eldest, Shinomiya Ouko, was the heir apparent; the second, Shinomiya Seiryu, was carefree and the youngest, Shinomiya Un'yo, had ambition but little influence due to his mother's lower status.
"Kaguya's not here?" Gan'an asked, irritation flickering in his tone.
"Ha, Father, you won't believe this—Kaguya skipped school today and still hasn't shown up," Ouko said, smirking as he seized the chance to tattle.
"We'll deal with her later. Let's move on," Gan'an said, his brow furrowing. His feelings for Kaguya were tangled, her late mother, a courtesan, had been his deepest love, but doubts about Kaguya's parentage kept him distant.
"I called you here to warn you: stay away from anyone called the 'Envoy.' If you hear that name, leave immediately. Don't drag the family name into trouble with him."
The brothers exchanged confused looks. With the Shinomiya Group's power, who could intimidate them besides the other top conglomerates?
"Father, are you serious? Who's this 'Envoy'?" Seiryu asked with a light laugh.
"Come here," Gan'an said evenly.
Seiryu stepped forward, only to catch a sharp slap across the face. "Do you think I'm losing my mind?"
Gan'an's expression darkened. "The world's different now. Demons and curses are everywhere. Even as one of the four great families, crossing a Special Grade transcendent means death. And this Envoy? He's beyond that, even the government bows to him. You think you're untouchable?"
"The Envoy's stronger than a Special Grade?" Seiryu paled, the weight sinking in. Unlike the upstart Yukinoshita family, the Shinomiyas had long been aware of the supernatural. They knew how terrifying such power could be.
Just then, a servant announced Kaguya's arrival. She stepped in, looking small and unsure.
"Finally back, huh? Making us wait isn't polite, little Kaguya," Seiryu snapped, venting his frustration.
"Sorry for being late," Kaguya said, frowning at his sharpness.
"An apology doesn't fix it—" Seiryu started, but Ouko cut him off with a pat on the shoulder.
"Ease up, Seiryu. She's just a kid," Ouko said smoothly, though his tone carried a subtle jab.
Kaguya bit her lip, ready to explain, but Ouko spoke again. "Kaguya, you're not a child anymore. As a Shinomiya, you'll marry into another elite family. Why are you hanging out with commoners?"
Kaguya's face drained of color, wondering how they'd found out.
Then, a clear voice cut through the tension. "Oh, I didn't know my girlfriend was promised to someone else."
Yuto stepped into the room, startling the brothers. They reached for their phones to call security, but Gan'an's face froze in recognition. "You're the Envoy?"
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