"That's it, Kaguya, just like that. Capture the essence of Rinji."
While Kaguya endured mental pressure at the main house, Hayasaka was two kilometers away, drinking bubble tea at a café.
She sat in the far corner, watching Oko through the tiny webcam feed from Kaguya's side.
Honestly, seeing the man who used to terrify her looking so frustrated now was satisfying, even if it might not last. After all, he wouldn't be around much longer.
Hayasaka clearly remembered how Rinji, disguised as Kaguya, had once thrown the main family into chaos. By analyzing Rinji's personality, she could predict the kind of things he would say.
For someone like Hayasaka, who had long mastered pretending to be different types of people, this wasn't hard.
But for Kaguya, who had to say those things directly to Oko's face, it was incredibly difficult.
It meant she had to abandon her restraint and act like a foul-mouthed delinquent.
"That's the momentum. Next…"
"Hey~ Ai-chan."
"Hm?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Hayasaka looked up.
A short-haired, black-sclera woman with a fine figure was waving at her.
"Fusui? What are you doing here?"
"No classes today, so I came home to Kyoto." Kure Fusui smiled as she approached Hayasaka. "Ai-chan, here for sightseeing?"
"School trip."
"I heard Rinji and Karura went back to his hometown for New Year. You didn't go with them?"
"…"
This woman really knew how to hit a nerve.
"I'm working. Don't bother me."
"Alright." Fusui shrugged. "But a few days ago our family got a mission. Seems it was requested by Rinji."
"Hm?"
"Since winter break I've been monitoring the Shinomiya family with Rinji. We had people stationed around to send useful intel to him."
"So that's why…"
No wonder Rinji always knew the Shinomiya family's movements. He had people stationed there screening information for him.
It seemed like he'd just been living a normal school life in Tokyo, but in reality he was paying close attention to Kyoto.
"A few days ago—right before New Year—Rinji gave us another mission. Some of our assassins are now stationed around the Shinomiya house."
"Didn't you just say it started at winter break?"
"Different. Those at winter break were intel agents. The ones now are snipers."
"…"
"Actually…"
Fusui began sharing what she knew, and Hayasaka nodded thoughtfully.
"I see. But are you sure it's fine telling me? Shouldn't your mission be secret?"
"Rinji never said not to tell you." Fusui smiled, glancing at Hayasaka's laptop. "Besides, you're already involved in our mission, aren't you?"
"That's true."
Hayasaka chuckled.
"But this is also a point we can use."
---
Kaguya wasn't feeling well.
She had been forced to say things she never would have dared just to keep the conversation going.
Having grown up under the strict education of a powerful family, she once thought even playful teasing was unforgivable. Now here she was spewing vulgarities at her brother.
If there had been any way to back out, she never would have continued acting.
"That's right."
Oko kept smiling.
"Since you can't manage those industries from Tokyo, I've been handling them for the family."
"Great. Where's the money?"
"I'm supposed to give it to you quarterly…"
"Quarterly my ass. You think I don't know the profits? Did you burn the rest as an offering to your dead mother?" Kaguya forced the words out.
'Hayasaka, what the hell are you making me say!?'
Clearly, speaking those insults was crushing her mentally.
[That's it. You're doing well.]
'I just want to die…'
[Don't just use words. Match expressions and gestures too. Now take out the props I gave you.]
"…"
[Hurry.]
"…"
Kaguya was beginning to suspect Hayasaka was just playing around.
Reluctantly, she reached into her pocket and pulled out…
A pack of cigarettes and a lighter.
These were the props Hayasaka had prepared for her (actually confiscated from Rinji). When the argument hit a stalemate, lighting up would give her the aura of a crime boss.
Hands trembling, she put one in her mouth. She never imagined she would one day smoke.
[Light it. Don't worry, you don't need to inhale, just look the part. This is all for the negotiation.] Hayasaka's voice echoed in her ear.
'…Screw it. Here goes!'
She lit the cigarette, puffed, and blew out smoke.
With smoke curling around her, Kaguya glared coldly at Oko.
"Oko, I'm a forgiving person, but your little tricks are nothing but betrayal. You know what happens to traitors with me."
"…"
Since winter break, Oko had felt something was wrong.
He knew Kaguya well—her personality, her weaknesses. To him she was like a chess piece he could move at will.
But the person before him no longer fit that mold.
First his planted spy was eliminated. Then Kaguya forced him to hand over part of his industries. Now today…
The Kaguya before him was no longer the little sister he could control, but a real threat.
"So… Kaguya, what do you want?"
"I want five times the profits."
"Five times?"
"Five times."
Feeling like nothing mattered anymore, Kaguya repeated Hayasaka's lines like a machine.
"Your money or your life. You'll hand me at least one of them."