Aria signed the Absolute Covenant Codex.
From now on, she would remain at the Foundation site, cooperating with their research on the Crimsonite.
After a "conversation" with Haruto, Aria had undergone significant changes.
If her behavior continued to improve over a period of observation, she would be granted approval to officially join the Foundation.
After all, Aria was the only successful case of merging with the Crimsonite—her value was immeasurable.
So guiding her patiently was indeed worthwhile.
As for Haruto, after handling everything, he returned to Japan from Paris.
That evening, Haruto received a message from Kaguya.
It was basically asking if he had run into any trouble or if he needed help with anything. The kind of message where you could instantly tell it was a girl's concern. Clearly, it was because Haruto had been skipping school and hadn't shown up at Shuchiin Academy for a while.
Not being able to see him at all left Kaguya quite displeased.
Haruto replied, saying he would go to school the next day.
Meanwhile, at the Shinomiya household—
Lying on her bed, Kaguya was grinning from ear to ear as she read his reply. Her pale little feet kicked up and down in the air, clearly displaying her joy.
At that moment, Ai Hayasaka had just arrived to report some minor information. She was about to knock, but then caught sight of her lady through the gap in the door.
Her hand froze in midair.
Hayasaka's mouth twitched.
Well, it was only a small report anyway, so Hayasaka turned and left.
"Isn't the lady getting a bit too obsessed with that damn president?"
On her way back, Hayasaka muttered to herself, somewhat troubled. Just then, a maid respectfully greeted her in the corridor.
Hayasaka instinctively nodded back.
After walking a few more steps, she suddenly let out a chuckle.
"Honestly, what do I have to complain about? Things only turned out like this thanks to that damn president."
At present, the Shinomiya Conglomerate had been completely handed over to Kaguya.
Although that was the case, she was still tied up with schoolwork and didn't yet have the experience to fully manage everything.
It was impossible for her to handle everything alone.
As a result, the people close to Kaguya naturally saw their status rise, gaining more power.
Hayasaka was now practically second only to Kaguya within the Shinomiya household.
Not that she craved power.
But she thoroughly enjoyed her current life.
Having grown up with Kaguya since childhood, she was the perfect maid on the surface—but in private, more like a sister figure.
In truth, Hayasaka had always seen Kaguya as a little sister. Perhaps that explains why she doted on her to an almost excessive degree. However, there had always been something weighing on Hayasaka's heart—
Originally, she had been planted beside Kaguya as an undercover agent.
She was tasked with monitoring her every move and reporting it back to Kaguya's father.
Although she had been forced into the role, it still tormented her for years. The one thing Kaguya could never tolerate—was betrayal.
That's why she kept almost no one close.
She couldn't easily open her heart to others, nor was she willing to raise confidants. Until Haruto came into the picture, the only person around her had been Hayasaka.
Which made Hayasaka even more terrified.
Terrified of the day Kaguya might find out—that her only friend had also betrayed her.
Hayasaka didn't even dare to imagine what would happen.
Because of this, she once considered resigning, distancing herself from Kaguya. Leaving… was better than someday being forced to play the role of a traitor.
But the issue was unexpectedly resolved.
During the Tomie incident, a fire broke out that eliminated all the people who knew about her original mission.
All the evidence of her betrayal was burned away—forever.
Though she still felt guilty, Hayasaka shamefully felt relieved. Now, she could continue to stay by Kaguya's side. And all of this was thanks to the one she often called "that damn president."
Lost in thought, Hayasaka suddenly remembered her mother.
"Maybe I should take a day off and slack a little?"
She stopped in her tracks, the thought popping into her mind.
That damn president once said: work (or anomalies) never ends; slacking off occasionally is human nature.
She used to scoff at that.
But now…
It makes sense!
With that thought, she turned back toward Kaguya's room.
And flung the door open.
The sudden noise startled Kaguya, who was still lying in bed grinning like a lovesick girl. She rolled over and hurriedly stuffed her phone under the covers, clearly flustered.
"Hayasaka? What's going on?"
Seeing who it was, Kaguya slowly calmed down.
"Miss, I'd like to take a day off to visit home," Hayasaka said—and left immediately after.
Leaving a dumbfounded Kaguya behind. It took a while for Kaguya to snap out of it.
"What's gotten into Hayasaka today…?"
Though puzzled, Kaguya would never know the answer.
Meanwhile, Hayasaka had already left the Shinomiya estate and was rushing home to see her mother.
There were some things she simply had to talk to her about.
Passing by the subway station, she checked the time.
It was already 10 PM.
The last train had departed at 9:10.
Clearly, she had missed it.
Hayasaka decided to give up and just call a taxi instead.
Though it would be pricey…
She could just file for reimbursement later—one of the perks of being a Foundation investigator.
As for why she didn't use a Shinomiya family car—
Perhaps it was because the guilt toward Kaguya still lingered, and she subconsciously didn't want to rely on the family.
Just as Hayasaka turned to leave—
A train arrival announcement rang out inside the station.
She paused, looking toward the platform—and sure enough, a train was slowly pulling in. It just so happened to be the line she needed.
"The last train got delayed?"
Hayasaka muttered and entered the station.
The train pulled in, and the doors opened. She glanced inside and saw a few passengers—
Office workers in white-collar attire, holding briefcases, visibly exhausted.
A normal scene, really.
This late, the only people still riding trains were typically overworked employees.
No longer suspicious, Hayasaka stepped aboard.
She found a seat and sat down.
Soon after, the doors shut, and the train began to move. Hayasaka took out her phone, but a wave of fatigue washed over her.
She shook her head.
"I really am too tired lately. The lady better appreciate me! Or karma will come for her!"
With a mutter, her eyelids drooped further.
Right before falling asleep, Hayasaka struggled to type out a message—and sent it.
The Next Morning
Haruto woke up early, tidied up his appearance, and put on the Shuchiin Academy uniform.
Since he had promised Kaguya, it would be rude to skip again.
After a simple breakfast, he picked up his phone, ready to head to school.
The screen lit up automatically.
A new message had arrived—from Ai Hayasaka.
The message?
Just one word: "Jerk."
Haruto was stunned.
Wait, what? Since when was Hayasaka this bold?
Calling him a jerk to his face now?
He replied with a question mark—but got no answer.
Frowning in confusion, he made his way to Shuchiin.
Upon arrival, he went straight to the student council room. From outside, he heard Chika Fujiwara's voice.
"Kaguya-chan, you've got dark circles! Didn't sleep well last night? Tossing and turning thinking about someone, maybe?"
Haruto's mouth twitched.
Classic Fujiwara—truly the cancer of Earth. One line, and the chaos begins. Inside, Kaguya could be heard frantically denying it.
Which pretty much confirmed it.
If it wasn't true, with her personality, she would've coldly refuted it—not panicked.
Just then, Haruto opened the door and walked in.
Everyone turned to look at him.
Kaguya, seeing Haruto, looked even more flustered.
Aside from her and Fujiwara, both Yu Ishigami and Miko Iino were present as well.
Seeing Haruto surprised them a little.
After all, him skipping class was the norm—showing up was what felt unusual.
"Haruto! Listen—Kaguya didn't sleep well last night! She even has dark circles..."
Chika ran over excitedly.
Kaguya: !!!
Seeing Chika about to unleash chaos, Haruto hurried to divert the conversation.
"Really? Good thing I brought eye cream. It actually works pretty well."
Just like that, the topic was shifted.
Chika, curious about the eye cream, forgot what she was about to say.