Seeing the anticipation and slight nervousness in Kaguya's eyes, Ryuji couldn't help but ugh softly.

  "Well, now that you mention it, I do feel a bit tired. Maybe I should rest here tonight."

  Fuya to invite him to her home and say those words, Ryuji knew how much ce it must have taken her. If he refused, wouldn't that be a bit too harsh?

  "Really?"

  Kaguya's face lit up with surprise and joy, her eyes sparkling as she nodded quickly. She had been prepared for reje, worried that Ryuji might not feel the same way about her, but his answer filled her with relief.

  She immediately led Ryuji into the mansioeps almost boung with newfound fidence.

  ---

  Since Kaguya had ted her retionship with Ryuji, her status within the Shinomiya family had undergone a signifit transformation.

  Previously, as an illegitimate child, her position in the family was delicate at best. She had the title of heir, but her background always cast a shadow over her. Now, everything was different.

  Her living arras had improved, her influehin the family had grown, and most importantly, Shinomiya Yan'an himself had made it clear: if anyone dared to speak ill of Kaguya, they would face his wrath.

  ---

  "Miss!"

  Ai, who had returo the mansion earlier, greeted Kaguya upon seeing her walk in. She had recovered from her exhaustion both mental and physical from the priht.

  However, her posure faltered the moment she noticed Ryuji following closely behind Kaguya.

  "Wait… what?" Ai thought, her eyes widening slightly.

  She had been uhe impression that Kaguya would spend the day with Ryuji aurn home ter in the evening. She hadn't anticipated that Ryuji would apany her back to the mansion.

  "What, don't reize me anymore?" Ryuji asked, a pyful smile tugging at his lips.

  Caught off guard, Ai's expression wavered for a split sed. But before she could respond, Kaguya's curious gaze turo her.

  Ai quickly straightened her posture, clearihroat. "Mr. Ryuji!" she said with formal politeness.

  Her sudden shift in tone didn't escape Ryuji's notice. The er of his lips twitched as he fought back a ugh.

  Meanwhile, Kaguya's own curiosity deepened. She hadn't realized how well Hayasaka and Ryuji seemed to know each other.

  "I didn't expect to see Mr. Ryuji back so soon!" Ai tinued, keeping her expressioral.

  "Get used to it," Kaguya interjected, her voice light yet filled with happiness. "This won't be the st time Ryuji visits."

  Ai quickly grasped the meaning behind Kaguya's words. From now on, Ryuji would be a frequent guest here.

  While this thought didn't particurly bother her, Ai couldn't help but feel a little guilty. She g Ryuji, who seemed far too amused by her serious demeanor.

  Fortunately, Kaguya didn't pick up on the subtle exge betweewo.

  As night fell, and Ryuji went to freshen up, Ai finally had a moment to speak with Kaguya privately.

  ---

  "Miss, why did you suddenly invite Mr. Ryuji to the mansion?" Ai asked curiously, l her voice.

  Kaguya tilted her head slightly, as though Ai's question didn't make sense.

  "Didn't you suggest it?" she replied, her toter-of-fact.

  "...When did I suggest that?" Ai's brows furrowed in fusion.

  But then, it hit her.

  She remembered. A while back, during one of their private versations, Kaguya had asked her how to get closer to Ryuji. At the time, Ai had been distracted—chatting with Ryuji over text while Kaguya asked for advice.

  Absentmindedly, she had replied, "Why not just invite him over, do what o be done, and the retionship will naturally improve?"

  At the time, Ai hadn't thought much of it. In fact, she doubted Kaguya would a such bold advice. For all her fidence, Kaguya could be surprisingly shy when it came to matters of the heart.

  But now…

  "You actually did it," Ai thought to herself, almost speechless.

  "What's wrong?" Kaguya asked, her tone i.

  Ai shook her head quickly. "Nothing, Miss."

  She wasn't about to admit that she'd given that advice without expeg Kaguya to follow through. The fact that Kaguya had acted so decisively came as a pleasant surprise.

  But even so, Ai couldn't help but ask, "Are you really ready for this, Miss?"

  Her question carried more weight than Kaguya initially realized. Ai wasn't just talking about inviting Ryuji over for a casual visit, she was referring to what it truly meant to deepen their retionship.

  "..."

  Kaguya hesitated. For a moment, her usually posed demeanor faltered.

  But then, as though remembering something important, her eyes regaiheir resolve.

  "Of course," Kaguya said firmly, nodding with newfound fidence.

  Earlier in the day, Alice's boldness had left a deep impression on her. Kaguya realized that if she wao hold onto Ryuji, she couldn't afford to hesitate. As a Shinomiya, ce aerminatioraits she o embrace fully.

  If she couldn't even take this step, how could she call herself a worthy partner for someone like Ryuji?

  Ai blinked, genuinely impressed. While she couldn't quite pinpoint what had caused this ge, she had to admit, this wasn't the timid Kaguya she was used to.

  "Well," Ai said with a small smile, "I wish you the best, Miss."

  Kaguya didn't respond immediately. Instead, she goward the dire of the guest room where Ryuji was staying, her heart pounding in her chest.

  "I do this," she thought to herself. "I, Kaguya Shinomiya, am super brave!"