Shuchiin Academy.
Kaguya, who had been gripping her underwear, gradually calmed down and regained her composure.
But as soon as she thought about Lynn, her thoughts couldn't help but stir again.
She raised her eyes and looked at Hayasaka. Unable to suppress the question in her heart, she asked, "The president of the Supernatural Investigation Club… are you sure he's just an ordinary person?"
Hayasaka was momentarily stunned.
The topic shift caught her off guard, but she quickly regained her composure. Her eyes flicked toward the underwear in Kaguya's hand.
So… this has to do with the president of the Supernatural Investigation Club?
A few thoughts clicked into place in her mind, but she maintained a calm expression. "According to our investigation, there's nothing unusual about him, but…"
"I can't confirm that he's truly ordinary."
After all, someone capable of drawing the attention of Shinomiya Oko and being assigned to Kaguya, even without obvious abnormalities, couldn't be dismissed as just anyone.
When Kaguya heard that, her gaze grew distant, and she fell into silence.
She was now absolutely sure.
Lynn wasn't ordinary.
That kind of speed… completely defied common sense. No human could move like that.
And those eyes…
Just thinking about them made her feel unsettled again.
After a moment's hesitation, she asked in a whisper, "Hayasaka… do you believe in the supernatural?"
The supernatural?
Hayasaka was again caught off guard, but she observed Kaguya's expression closely.
Even though she kept her usual cool façade, Hayasaka could see the worry in her eyes.
Narrowing her gaze subtly, she thought to herself—
So that's it…
Supernatural powers?
And that Lynn?
Though Hayasaka had always been skeptical of such things, she had no reason to doubt Kaguya.
Especially considering how Shinomiya Oko had arranged for Kaguya to get close to Lynn, despite his lack of a notable background.
That would make sense… if Lynn was something more.
Everything suddenly clicked.
It all lined up.
Hayasaka's heart began to beat a little faster.
Still, it needed to be verified.
Maybe…
She could use Kaguya to investigate further.
"I believe it," she finally said.
"Huh?"
Kaguya blinked.
She'd been thinking of how to explain things to Hayasaka, but…
Wait, did she already know?
Kaguya looked surprised. "You've seen it too?"
Hayasaka tested the waters. "Lynn?"
"...I knew it," Kaguya muttered, then asked in a low tone, "If you knew, why didn't you tell me?"
"Ah…"
Hayasaka kept her expression neutral, even though she felt a little awkward. "I only just found out too."
It really was him.
Still…
Kaguya didn't press any further. Instead, she clutched Hayasaka's arm and recounted everything that had happened earlier.
Hayasaka's eyes twitched slightly at the touch.
Can we… use another hand?
She really wanted to say it.
But… she was the lady's attendant. She had to endure.
After Kaguya finished recounting everything, she looked anxious. "Hayasaka, do you think…"
"Did I offend him?"
Kaguya had always thought that, as a Shinomiya, there was no one in Japan she couldn't afford to offend—even with her brother's warnings.
After all…
She had always been proud, looking down on all equally.
But now…
No one ever told her supernatural beings existed!
Hayasaka fell silent for a moment, then looked her straight in the eye. "Without a doubt. You offended him."
"…"
Kaguya stiffened. "Then… will there be consequences?"
Hayasaka shook her head. "I don't know either."
It was her first time dealing with anything supernatural too.
But one thing was certain—
You never treat the unknown lightly.
Kaguya bit her lip. Her usual calm had long since shattered.
"Is there…"
"Any way to make up for it?"
"Money? A house?"
Hope flickered in her eyes.
Hayasaka hesitated. "Can someone like him really be pleased with material things?"
"Then what are his interests?"
Kaguya tightened her grip on Hayasaka's arm.
Hayasaka fell silent again.
Then…
The rumors about the harem popped into her head.
She looked at Kaguya for a long moment.
No doubt about it. Kaguya was a stunner.
No wonder Shinomiya Oko had pushed her into Lynn's path.
After a moment of deliberation, Hayasaka said slowly, "Maybe… try using a beauty trap?"
"...?"
Kaguya fell silent.
She had once publicly declared she would abolish the Harem Department.
And now…
She was about to offer herself to expand it?
Still—
After witnessing Lynn's power firsthand, the arrogance she'd clung to had already crumbled.
So…
If a beauty trap was necessary...
Then who should be the one to go?
She instinctively excluded herself, then turned to Hayasaka, her eyes sparkling.
Clutching Hayasaka's shoulders, she said with emotion, "Hayasaka… I didn't expect you to make such a big sacrifice for me!"
"…?"
Hayasaka froze.
—
Meanwhile.
Asuna returned to the student council room in a daze.
"President?"
Yuki looked over from her black tea, surprised. "You don't look so good..."
Asuna was silent for a long moment, then said, "I feel like… I need to reevaluate everything I know about the world."
Yuki immediately understood.
Seems like she encountered something supernatural while with Lord Lynn.
She stood up, walked behind Asuna, and patted her shoulder like a senior comforting a junior.
"You'll get used to it."
Then, blinking excitedly, she added, "President... would you be willing to share with your most loyal member?"
Asuna sighed, held her forehead, and began recounting her experience.
When she got to the part about Lynn's battle with the Heavy Stone Crab, Yuki's eyes sparkled with awe.
As expected of Lord Lynn. The future hope of the Suou family!
"Hmm…"
Chika puffed out her cheeks unhappily. "President! You didn't even bring me for something so cool!"
Asuna rolled her eyes. "If you're that curious, why not go to the Supernatural Investigation Club?"
Chika's eyes lit up.
"You're right!"
Like waking from a dream, she stood up.
"You're the best, President!"
Then she turned and dashed out the room.
"Supernatural Investigation Club, here I come!!"
Asuna opened her mouth to stop her but ended up mumbling helplessly, "Lynn isn't even there right now…"
—
Lynn's Apartment.
At the entrance.
After changing into slippers, Hitagi glanced around curiously.
"This place…"
She frowned slightly. "Why are there so many things that clearly belong to girls?"
"It's the Harem Department, after all."
Hearing Lynn's response, the corner of Hitagi's eye twitched, but she still nodded. "Makes sense."
"So…"
"What exactly are we here for?"
Her face flushed a little.
Even though she had boldly declared she would join the harem...
She hadn't expected things to move this fast!
Did he really just bring her straight home?
Lynn didn't answer. He simply walked to the living room.
Hitagi hesitated, took a few deep breaths, then followed.
—
In the living room.
Inukimi was lying lazily on the sofa. The moment she spotted Lynn, her tail swayed excitedly.
But the moment she noticed Hitagi…
The tail drooped.
Inukimi muttered, "Another annoying woman…"
Himari, on the other hand, didn't care. As soon as she saw Lynn, she jumped into his arms.
Inukimi: "…"
Such a clingy cat…!
"So cute…"
Hitagi's eyes lit up when she saw the two pets. She reached out to pet Himari.
Only for Himari to nimbly dodge her hand.
Her face froze.
Then she turned to Inukimi.
Inukimi gave her a cold glance. "I'm not some pet of the Peerage."
She was Lynn's personal companion!
As royalty of the dog demon clan, she would never allow anyone else to touch her!
"...?"
Hitagi blinked. "A talking… dog?"
She was stunned.
Lynn explained calmly, "Inukimi and Himari are also members of the Peerage. Think of them as your senpais."
After a quick explanation of monsters, Hitagi nodded in understanding.
So they were girls too, huh?
She glanced between them, expression subtle, and began to revise her understanding of what the Harem Department really entailed.
—
After a while, Lynn sat down on the sofa and looked at her.
"Take it off."
"…?"
"Here?"
Hitagi hesitated, her lashes trembling slightly. She glanced toward Inukimi and Himari.
Wait, could it be…
He likes being watched?!
But Lynn's next line interrupted her thoughts.
"Just your back is fine."
"…?"
Even more confused now.
After Lynn gave her a proper explanation, she finally understood.
The ritual for reincarnation as a devil. The seal of blessings.
"I see…"
She pouted, whispering, "I thought…"
"What?"
Lynn looked at her, amused.
She smirked. "Because the way 'Dad' said it was so misleading."
"…"
Lynn was speechless.
Inukimi and Himari froze.
Dad?!
What kind of role play was this?!
An immediate alert was raised.
They had a new top threat on their hands!
(To be continued.)