The son of the Shinomiya family head's second wife? A petty man who only uses insidious strategies in the dark? This was the outside world's assessment of Shinomiya Un'yo.
A person's upbringing and the people they interact with are enough to change their personality, but whether they can change due to external factors is up to the individual.
If Shinomiya Kaguya hadn't joined the student council, her future would probably have been the same as Shinomiya Un'yo's, becoming a venomous snake in the shadows.
If Ishigami Yu hadn't met President Shirogane, he might have remained a reclusive otaku for the rest of his life.
What choice would Shinomiya Un'yo make? If he really wanted to choose the first two options, then Uchiha Ryo would really make a move.
After all, it was his own decision. He didn't much care if the Shinomiya family fell. At worst, he could find another partner. But for now, the Shinomiya family could indeed provide him with a lot of information from the human world about the world of youkai.
"I understand, Mr. Ryo. I will step into the light and, at the same time, risk everything to slowly chip away at my two older brothers' power. But when the time comes...."
Uchiha Ryo stood up. "If your brothers want to make a move, then don't blame me for teaching them a lesson."
Shinomiya Un'yo's feelings were complicated. Although the man in front of him had used an absolutely irresistible method to force this cooperation, if Uchiha Ryo could really help him achieve the position of family head... what did any of this matter!
Perhaps he should also show some goodwill... But what hobbies did this Uchiha Ryo have?
"Mr. Ryo, someone will be here later to give a secret report. You should come and listen in as well."
"Hmm?"
Shinomiya Un'yo gave a smile that all men would understand. "Of course, if you're interested, little brother Ryo, I can make the decision to give her to you."
"Hmm???"
.....
At a Shinomiya branch residence, although the banquet was over, Shinomiya Kaguya still had many learning tasks every day. This all-around genius, Shinomiya Kaguya, naturally couldn't do without daily practice.
"Lady Kaguya, then I will take my leave."
Watching Shinomiya Kaguya's serious expression as she studied, Hayasaka Ai let out a long sigh.
"It's all because of that Uchiha Ryo. It's been a long time since I've seen Lady Kaguya so determined to defeat someone. Well then... I also have to go do my most hated... spy work."
Hayasaka Ai. The once-prestigious Hayasaka family had lost in a competition with the Shinomiya family, and their excellent bloodline was noticed and absorbed by the Shinomiyas.
And Hayasaka Ai, who had been raised as an elite attendant since childhood, was given a special mission by Shinomiya Un'yo when she was seven years old.
[Obey, Protect, Monitor, Report]
And the target of that protection and surveillance was Shinomiya Kaguya!
Although Shinomiya Kaguya had been raised by Shinomiya Un'yo since she was a child, he had never trusted this younger sister who was smarter than him. It would be best if this sister could be a good gun in his hand, a resource for his competition for the family headship.
But if this resource he had painstakingly cultivated was snatched away or ran away on its own... Shinomiya Un'yo never treated those who betrayed him kindly.
The young Hayasaka Ai became a spy between the main Shinomiya family and Shinomiya Kaguya. But after coming into contact with Kaguya, who was cold on the surface but didn't want to hurt others on the inside...
Hayasaka Ai swore that the object of her loyalty was no longer the main Shinomiya family, but Shinomiya Kaguya alone! Compared to her loyalty to the Shinomiya family, Hayasaka Ai undoubtedly valued Kaguya's happiness more. She... became a double agent.
Of course, Shinomiya Kaguya didn't know this, and Hayasaka Ai would never let her know! She sincerely hoped that Shinomiya Kaguya would not be drawn into the vortex called the [Shinomiya Family]...
After all, in the Shinomiya family, Kaguya's three older brothers each had their own plans. As a daughter, Kaguya had no inheritance rights, so she could only attach herself to one of the winners.
And Hayasaka Ai's goal was to get involved in the main family's struggles in advance and fight for Shinomiya Kaguya's right to true happiness.
Arriving outside Shinomiya Un'yo's private meeting room, Hayasaka Ai needed to complete the final task she had performed every day since she was seven. To report in detail every word, action, and movement of Shinomiya Kaguya to the main family.
"Young Master Un'yo, today Lady Kaguya....."
From the shadows, Uchiha Ryo carefully observed Hayasaka Ai in her maid uniform. Then, he felt a deep sense of envy.
Why does Shinomiya Kaguya get to have a maid like this? He wants one too!
Preferably one who can serve him tea and water, fetch takeout, massage his shoulders, walk on his back, and knead his knees every day. Help him bathe, massage him, help him dress, and praise how handsome he is all night long.
"Mhm, in the past, we always communicated by message. It was hard on you to come over today. But from now on, your mission to monitor and report on Kaguya's recent situation no longer needs to be reported to me. Instead... he will be fully in charge."
There's someone else in the room? Hayasaka Ai's head shot up. She clearly hadn't sensed anyone else's presence when she came in....
"Hey, hey, don't throw your family's dirty laundry at me."
Uchiha Ryo walked out of the shadows, first giving Shinomiya Un'yo a helpless look, then walking in front of Hayasaka Ai.
"We meet again, Hayasaka-san. Although you've taken out your colored contacts, changed your hairstyle, and even disguised your voice, you still can't escape my eyes."
Hayasaka Ai's small mouth fell slightly agape. This was a hundred times more shocking to her than Uchiha Ryo appearing at the banquet!
Why... why is Uchiha Ryo here? Why is he in Shinomiya Un'yo's private meeting room!
"Tsk, tsk. The gyaru Hayasaka for Shuchiin classmates? The maid Hayasaka for the Shinomiya family?"
"Eh, Hayasaka-san, you're really something. But what were you just doing? Don't tell me, you, the exclusive maid of Shinomiya Kaguya, have betrayed your Lady Kaguya!"
Hayasaka Ai's body trembled slightly... She hadn't betrayed Lady Kaguya. She had been on Lady Kaguya's side from the very beginning! But Shinomiya Un'yo was still standing in front of her. How... how could she say that out loud!
Uchiha Ryo slowly bent down and whispered in Hayasaka Ai's ear.
"Tell me... what do you think will happen if I tell Shinomiya-san about this?"
"N-no!"
Hayasaka Ai felt an inexplicable pressure. Her legs suddenly gave out and she sat on the floor. Looking up at Uchiha Ryo's dark, bottomless eyes, this calm, perfect, top-tier attendant maid raised by the Shinomiya family, Hayasaka Ai... had a breakdown.
Biting her lip hard, Hayasaka Ai desperately tried to hold back her tears.
"Don't cry. It was just a joke. This is the price for trying to stand me up. But you didn't succeed in standing me up, so I won't tell Shinomiya-san about this. Don't worry."
Hayasaka Ai felt a warm hand on top of her head, and at the same time, Uchiha Ryo's voice came again.
"Big Brother Un'yo, since Shinomiya Kaguya won't be participating in the struggle anyway, why not just let her be a little freer? As for Hayasaka-san's surveillance reports, there's no need for them to be submitted anymore."
"I absolutely hate! No, I detest... the dark work of a spy."
Shinomiya Un'yo was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Hayasaka Ai's work tasks have already been handed over to you. Whether to cancel them or not is your business."
Afterward, the dazed Hayasaka Ai was led out of the meeting room by Uchiha Ryo. Everything in her eyes became unfamiliar. She began to suspect that everything she had just experienced was false.
"Ouch!"
Uchiha Ryo retracted the hand that had been pinching Hayasaka Ai's cheek.
"It's not a dream. Your spy mission has been cancelled. And your new mission is... for me to help you with your studies, and at the same time, for you to investigate me and report back to Shinomiya-san, right?"
"....."
Under the moonlight, Hayasaka Ai raised her head. "....Mhm!"