"Hah…"
Shikime Natsu let out a mildly exasperated sigh, regarding the silver-haired girl in the maid outfit before him the way one might look at a child stubbornly barking up the wrong tree.
"I have to say, Sakayanagi-san."
"Why do you care so much about something as trivial as… who's a 'genius'?"
He leaned back in his chair with easy nonchalance, savoring the touch of fingertips against his shoulders — familiar yet slightly out of practice, still undeniably soft — and asked in a completely offhand tone:
"A vague, hollow title like that… does it really matter that much?"
Hearing those words delivered so lightly,
Sakayanagi Arisu — currently standing behind him, working her hands into his shoulders — faltered for just a moment, her movements stuttering to a near-stop. A flicker of genuine confusion passed through those amethyst-clear eyes of hers.
Something like that… didn't matter?
In this world, a genius was, by definition, a different kind of creature from everyone else. It was the privilege of the strong, the capital from which one looked down upon the masses — the label she had worn with pride her entire life.
If even that didn't matter, then what did?
"Of course it matters."
Sakayanagi Arisu answered without a moment's hesitation, her tone carrying a note of genuine bewilderment — as though she found it far stranger that Shikime Natsu would think otherwise, and that her own view was simply the normal one.
Shikime Natsu gave a quiet, derisive laugh.
"Heh."
"If we were talking about the old Sakayanagi Arisu — the one who'd never lost to anyone, who sat so high above it all and called herself a genius — caring about something like this…"
"Well, that would at least make sense."
At that, he tilted his head slightly, catching her in his peripheral vision. The corner of his mouth curved into something distinctly wicked.
"But…"
"For the Sakayanagi-san standing here right now…"
"What's the point in fixating on something like that anymore?"
Hearing that.
The cool, composed poker face Sakayanagi Arisu had so carefully reassembled in the bathroom — elegant, unruffled — crumbled again in an instant.
This guy…
Did he have any idea how to have a normal conversation?!
Every single time. Every. Single. Time.
He landed directly on every one of her landmines and started dancing on them.
He had an absolutely supernatural gift for poking exactly where it hurt most!
He was doing it on purpose. He had to be.
Sakayanagi Arisu drew a slow breath, forcibly stamping down the surge of fury rising inside her.
She was Sakayanagi Arisu. She couldn't let herself be so easily swept away by her emotions.
She reset her expression, and once again coaxed a faint smile back onto her lips.
"Shiki-san is quite right — I'm not really a genius at all. After all, what kind of genius loses to an ordinary person?"
When those words actually left Sakayanagi Arisu's mouth, Shikime Natsu nearly did a double-take. She was voluntarily admitting she wasn't a genius? Had his words that day really hit that hard?
Then again, making someone as high-and-mighty as Sakayanagi Arisu lose to Kamuro Masumi was no small blow by any measure — so hearing her say something like this now was, in a way, oddly fitting.
"But…"
"I think Shiki-san… is absolutely, genuinely a genius."
"You could even say… a monster standing above everyone else."
That part, at least, she meant entirely. Sakayanagi Arisu did acknowledge Shikime Natsu's abilities without reservation. He was insufferable, yes — but his capabilities were not something to be taken lightly.
And yet Shikime Natsu's response was completely contrary to anything she'd expected.
"Sakayanagi-san really does… think far too highly of me."
He waved a hand dismissively, his expression utterly unbothered as he said:
"I'm not a genius."
"At most…"
"I'm just a slightly-above-average ordinary person who got a little lucky." That's all.
Even saying something like that, his face wore that same unhurried, relaxed smile as always.
Internally, however, he added a quiet footnote:
Right. Exactly.
I'm really not a genius.
I'm just a simple… walking cheat ability. Nothing more.
Listening to Shikime Natsu's words,
Sakayanagi Arisu couldn't help but blink, her hands faltering half a beat behind.
She genuinely hadn't expected this.
This guy — who usually came across as remarkably arrogant, borderline contemptuous of everyone around him — was, of all moments, saying something like this.
Slightly above average?!
Was he serious? That was far too modest to even be called false humility!
She thought back over everything Shikime Natsu had done since enrollment…
He'd ranked seventh on the entrance exam — nothing remarkable. And yet in every subsequent test he'd claimed the top spot with a perfect score. Not only that, but his academic insight and analytical ability were exceptional, his physical capabilities were outstanding, and Sakayanagi Arisu had even lost to him in chess — her own greatest strength. And on top of all that… he had somehow coached Kamuro Masumi — that idiot — into defeating her at full power, head-on.
Any single one of Shikime Natsu's abilities would be enough to call someone a genius. And yet here he was, claiming to be merely above average?
What did that make everyone else at this school, then?
Insufficiently evolved primates?
No matter how she turned it over in her head, Sakayanagi Arisu simply could not accept that this thoroughly irritating man was some ordinary person hovering slightly above the mean.
At least within this school — within the bounds of Sakayanagi Arisu's understanding — no one was Shikime Natsu's match.
Not even Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, whom she had held in high regard before enrollment. That so-called artificially crafted genius — in her eyes, he wasn't even her own equal. Meanwhile Shikime Natsu had been, upon her entry into Class A, nothing more than a mildly interesting oddity she'd thought she might toy with to pass the time.
But now… Sakayanagi Arisu had come to fully understand the gap between them. Those so-called wagers and contests she'd initiated — she'd been playing the clown the entire time. No matter what she did, Shikime Natsu could defeat her with ease, and then pin her firmly beneath him.
Especially after losing to Kamuro Masumi — after that, the way Sakayanagi Arisu saw things had shifted entirely.
Shikime Natsu… was the tallest, most insurmountable mountain in this school.
As for Nagumo Miyabi or Horikita Manabu…
Compared to an existence as unfathomably deep as Shikime Natsu's, they were nothing but pebbles by the roadside.
"Shiki-san…"
Sakayanagi Arisu continued kneading his shoulders, her tone shifting into something gently teasing as she spoke:
"You really are remarkably humble, aren't you."
"Excessive humility… can come across as its own kind of arrogance, you know."
Shikime Natsu didn't take the bait.
He simply rolled his neck slightly, then issued a blunt command without any ceremony:
"Less talk."
"Focus on the massage. Stop letting your mind wander."
"The current Sakayanagi-san… is my maid."
"Don't forget that."
Hearing Shikime Natsu's imperious words, Sakayanagi Arisu had no choice but to grit her teeth and endure.
When you're under someone else's roof, you bow your head.
She drew a deep breath and pressed harder with her hands.
However.
It wasn't long before Shikime Natsu started picking fault again.
"Tch."
He furrowed his brow slightly, his tone carrying a hint of displeasure:
"Sakayanagi-san."
"Been away from the maid role so long you've gotten rusty?"
"This technique… is a clear step down from before."
Hearing that,
Sakayanagi Arisu was very nearly combusting with rage on the inside.
Why would she ever need to practice this?!
Did this insufferable jerk actually think she was going to be his maid for the rest of her life?!
Absolutely not. Not a chance.
Sakayanagi Arisu made a silent vow to herself right then and there.
If she ever agreed to another one of these humiliating wagers again, it would not be without absolute certainty that she could win. Next time, she'd be sure before she bet.
Which meant…
She just had to survive the rest of this month!
Then she'd be completely free!
And as for those three days she'd lost — Sakayanagi Arisu had absolutely no intention of making them up. After all, it was Shikime Natsu himself who had voluntarily given her the time off. She hadn't gone AWOL.
If the boss gave you a holiday, why on earth would you give it back?
With that thought, her mood settled somewhat, and her hands moved with just a little more genuine effort.
Because she hadn't come here today just to be a maid and take abuse.
She had a far more important purpose.
Shikime Natsu seemed to sense something.
With his eyes still closed, enjoying the massage, he gave a quiet laugh and spoke up:
"By the way…"
"Today's Sakayanagi-san actually showed up this early of her own accord."
"And she was already waiting at the door… before even Kushida-san or Horikita-san had arrived."
"That really isn't like you."
He tilted his head slightly, fixing her with a half-smile from the corner of his eye:
"Is there something… you want to say to me?"
"Nobody shows up bearing gifts without an ulterior motive."
"I really don't think a young lady like Sakayanagi-san would come this early purely out of missing me."
Hearing Shikime Natsu put it so directly,
Sakayanagi Arisu's hands stilled.
She moved around to stand in front of him, those violet eyes burning with a clear, resolute light.
Since he'd seen through her anyway, there was no point in dancing around it.
"You're right."
Sakayanagi Arisu acknowledged it openly:
"I do have something I want to discuss with Shiki-san."
She drew a slow breath, held his gaze steadily, and spoke the true purpose of her visit:
"I want Shiki-san… to cure my illness. Completely."
It was the curse that had haunted her entire life. The greatest shackle limiting her full potential. Since childhood, her family had been bound by it — and even as she had called herself a genius and told herself that brute physical ability wasn't what genius was measured by, that it wasn't something worth proving…
Deep down, Sakayanagi Arisu desperately, desperately wanted to be healthy. To be free of the illness that tormented her. She wanted a normal person's body. At the very least… not to be like this — needing a cane just to walk.
Once before, Shikime Natsu had used that extraordinary massage technique to restore her health — but that had only been a temporary trial. Not permanent. And the feeling of having it ripped away again, of plunging back into the depths after that glimpse of what could be… was even more despairing than never having experienced it at all.
She wanted real health.
She wanted to run like any other person. To use her mind and her body without any reservation or restraint.
"As for the price…"
Sakayanagi Arisu lifted her chin slightly, displaying the confidence befitting the young lady of the Sakayanagi family:
"Whatever it is… as long as it's within my power, I'll pay it."
"Any amount of money is no problem."
"And furthermore…"
She paused for just a moment, then placed an even more enticing offer on the table:
"I can guarantee that Shiki-san will never need to work a day in his life after graduation — and will want for nothing, ever."
"Every expense you could ever have — food, clothing, luxury cars, a villa…"
"Even if you marry your girlfriends and have children someday…"
"Every last cost — the Sakayanagi family… will cover all of it!"
After listening to Sakayanagi Arisu finish her offer, Shikime Natsu raised an eyebrow.
He couldn't help an inward murmur of appreciation:
Well, damn.
A genuinely loaded heiress, alright.
The young lady of the Sakayanagi family was casually offering to be his patron for life?
Even extending that patronage to his wives and children?!
Still…
Shikime Natsu rubbed his chin.
Tempting as it sounded, he wasn't exactly the type who yearned to be kept by someone.
Being a kept man… was fine as the occasional novelty. Making it a career was another matter entirely.
Besides…
With the cheat system he had now, if he wanted money, couldn't he have it in a heartbeat anyway?
Still, watching Sakayanagi Arisu with that air of total confidence — certain she'd already won — Shikime Natsu decided he might as well tease her a little.
And so, with a light laugh, he said:
"Oh?"
"Never needing to work after graduation, set for life…"
"You'd even cover all my harem expenses?"
"That does sound… quite enticing, I have to admit."
Hearing that,
The tension in Sakayanagi Arisu's brow relaxed ever so slightly, a quiet flicker of triumph passing through her heart.
Just as she'd expected.
Ever since Shikime Natsu had demanded her private points in every single wager, she had mentally filed him under "greedy." She didn't understand why someone so capable would care about something as vulgar as money — but desire was desire. And where there was desire, there was a lever to pull.
There currently existed no medical treatment in the world capable of completely curing her congenital heart condition.
But since Shikime Natsu had managed to give her a full month of perfect health, it was proof enough that he could free her from this illness entirely — or even if it wasn't permanent, even if it had to be renewed periodically, that was completely fine. As long as Shikime Natsu was nearby, she could always have him lift the weight of that frail body from her.
Paying money to buy back her own health — that was undeniably an excellent deal.
As for her father… if it meant she'd be healthy, she was certain he'd agree without a moment's hesitation, no matter the price.
Just as Sakayanagi Arisu was convinced Shikime Natsu was about to nod and agree —
Shikime Natsu abruptly changed course.
He looked at Sakayanagi Arisu, and the smile on his face shifted into something playfully knowing. Then, slowly and deliberately, he delivered that classic line:
"But…"
"I refuse."
"…!!!"
Upon hearing those words,
The smile on Sakayanagi Arisu's face froze solid once again.
He refused?!
He actually refused?!
Sakayanagi Arisu stared at Shikime Natsu in near-disbelief, unable to stop herself from asking:
"Why?"
"Surely… Shiki-san doesn't doubt the Sakayanagi family's ability to deliver?"
"We may not have the kind of all-reaching, sky-covering influence that the Kouenji financial conglomerate commands…"
"But…"
"When it comes to money itself… we have absolutely no shortage."
Shikime Natsu gave a quiet laugh and shook his head:
"No."
"I have no doubt the Sakayanagi family has that capability."
Now Sakayanagi Arisu was thoroughly lost as to what he was actually thinking.
Then again — from beginning to end, she had never truly seen through this man's real thoughts. His logic was always alien to hers. He never followed any recognizable pattern.
"Then… why?"
Sakayanagi Arisu pressed, refusing to let it go:
"If it's not about doubting capability, then what is the reason?"
Shikime Natsu answered with an easy laugh, his tone perfectly flat.
"The reason is simple."
"Because… money doesn't hold nearly as much appeal for me as you seem to think."
Hearing that.
Sakayanagi Arisu fell silent.
Fair enough.
For someone like Shikime Natsu — with abilities as singular and extraordinary as his — money was perhaps nothing more than a number on a screen.
If money wouldn't work…
Then what did Shikime Natsu actually want?
A girlfriend?
He already had Kamuro Masumi, and would likely have more in the future — after all, Shikime Natsu was, in this place, the only person with a legitimate license to run a harem. With his methods, adding a few more members was something he could sustain entirely on his own. Unless she intended to deploy the full might of the Sakayanagi family's connections to cut off every avenue of income Shikime Natsu had — but that… wasn't something even the Sakayanagi family could pull off.
So then…
Was it power?!
Like that person — Ayanokouji Atsuomi?
She did know a little about Ayanokouji Atsuomi. From the time she was young, her father had brought her to the White Room — she had been there, seen that place, and it was during that visit she'd first laid eyes on the so-called artificially crafted genius.
Though she held no particular fondness for Ayanokouji Atsuomi, even knowing her father apparently had some kind of cooperative relationship with him.
If Shikime Natsu was angling for something in that direction… Sakayanagi Arisu might be the chairman's daughter, but she was still just a student. Her reach there was limited.
She bit her lip, those violet eyes fixing on Shikime Natsu with fierce intensity. She decided to stop guessing and lay everything on the table:
"Then…"
"What exactly do you want, Shiki-san?"
"Whatever I can provide… no matter what the price!"
"I'll give it!"
If it could buy her a healthy body, she was willing to pay anything.
Since experiencing what it felt like to have a normal person's body — since being able to cast that cane aside and walk properly, even jump, even run — she had become utterly, helplessly addicted to that feeling of being reborn.
And so Sakayanagi Arisu stepped up to stand directly before Shikime Natsu, those violet eyes meeting his without flinching.
After hearing Sakayanagi Arisu's declaration, Shikime Natsu gave a soft laugh. Those pale-gold eyes of his lifted to meet her gaze — and the moment their eyes locked, Sakayanagi Arisu felt, quite suddenly, a very bad premonition settle over her.
This man with his terrible personality… wasn't about to propose some outrageous new condition, was he?
____
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