Yui nodded and turned to leave, but she hadn't taken more than a few steps when she heard Kaguya's voice calling from behind.
"Wait."
"What is it?" Yui turned back to answer.
"It's… already so late… it's not safe for you to walk home alone… So, um… why don't you stay here tonight?" Kaguya said with a hint of hesitation in her voice.
Yui was surprised by the sudden invitation. No matter how she looked at it, Kaguya didn't seem like the type to invite someone over after only a few encounters, even if they were classmates.
"She said she hated me just a few days ago…" Yui thought. "Well, turning her down twice in one day wouldn't be very nice."
So Yui nodded.
Kaguya looked visibly pleased and led Yui back inside. The mansion was large, but the interior was surprisingly simple, with only a few paintings and decorations in the living room. It was also eerily quiet—Yui didn't see any maids or servants around.
"The staff are all gone at this hour, so you'll have to manage on your own," Kaguya explained.
Yui didn't say much, only nodded.
"Can't even bother to give a proper answer?" Kaguya suddenly snapped and stormed off.
"What's she so mad about now…?"
While Kaguya went upstairs, Yui wandered around until she found an empty room. She wasn't sure if she was allowed to use it, but since there weren't any signs saying otherwise, she decided to settle in for the night.
"So… what now? I don't have a change of clothes… not that hungry… not sleepy either."
Even though she had spent the whole afternoon in a storage room, Yui's body still felt fine. Compared to before—when she went two or three days without food and had to constantly move through the forest—this was nothing.
Having nothing else to do, Yui decided to wander around, even though she knew she probably shouldn't. But boredom got the better of her.
After walking for a while, she found herself in a garden behind the house.
"I didn't think there'd be such a large garden here."
There were many different kinds of flowers, but the most abundant were tulips.
She stood quietly, gazing at the sleeping blooms as they swayed gently in the autumn breeze under the bright moonlight. The world was silent—just as it had been moments ago, yet somehow even more serene now.
Yui tilted her head up, letting her eyes absorb the radiance of the moon. It was so dazzling and clear that it brought back memories from the past. As she was lost in thought, a voice suddenly cut through her reverie.
"What are you doing here?" It was Kaguya.
"The garden is beautiful… and the moonlight adds to the charm. I got a little caught up in it. Is there something you need, Shinoma-san?" Yui turned to see Kaguya holding a set of clothes.
"Here. You can wear this."
"Thank you," Yui said, taking the clothes and giving them a once-over before glancing back at Kaguya.
"These can't be hers. We're clearly not the same size," she thought.
"Don't get the wrong idea! They're my sister's. She moved out, but she left a few things behind."
Kaguya had no idea why she felt the need to explain, but Yui's gaze made it impossible not to.
Yui nodded and thanked her again.
"That's enough. Do whatever you want," Kaguya said as she turned away—but then a loud growl came from her stomach, causing her to freeze.
"Shinoma-san… are you hungry?"
Kaguya didn't answer and instead continued walking, muttering, "None of your business."
Yui found Kaguya's behavior puzzling, but didn't dwell on it. She began searching for a bathroom—Kaguya hadn't told her where it was.
About thirty minutes later, Yui had finished showering, but instead of staying in her room, she went back to the garden.
"Found it…"
After some searching, she had located a few gardening tools.
"I noticed earlier that some of the flowers were wilting due to poor care. I thought I'd help out a bit," Yui spoke softly, half to herself and half to Kaguya—who was quietly standing behind her.
"How did you know it was me?" Kaguya asked after a pause.
"I have a habit of memorizing people's footsteps. I've heard yours a few times, so I recognized it," Yui replied.
"You really pay attention to pointless things, don't you?" Kaguya teased.
"But sometimes, those things come in handy."
"It's such a pain to remember stuff like that!" Kaguya said with a frown.
"Is that because there's something you'd rather forget?" Yui asked suddenly, catching Kaguya off guard.
"Damn… that might've been too personal…" Yui thought, realizing she'd overstepped.
"Don't project your own problems onto me!" Kaguya snapped and turned away, clearly avoiding the question.
Yui didn't understand why she'd asked in the first place. Normally, she wouldn't pry into other people's lives. She was starting to feel that she'd been changing ever since watching that recording.
"People only truly live when they learn to empathize," she recalled her captain's words—words that had left her pondering for days without understanding.
"Is this what empathy is?" Yui wondered aloud.
"Alright, enough nonsense. Go to bed. There's already someone assigned to take care of the garden, so don't bother," Kaguya said.
"I'm not sleepy. I just wanted something to do. As for you, Shinoma-san, are you awake because you're hungry?"
"I said it's none of your business."
As soon as Kaguya said that, her stomach gave an even louder growl. Embarrassed, she turned away, ready to leave.
"Wait. If you don't mind, I can cook something. Consider it my thanks for letting me stay."
Kaguya didn't say a word, but she didn't refuse either. She simply walked ahead, and Yui followed. Soon, they arrived at the kitchen.
Kaguya sat down at the table like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Yui checked the fridge and quickly picked out a few ingredients. She didn't prepare anything too fancy, but made sure the dishes were nutritious and well-balanced.
Before long, the food was ready.
Kaguya acted indifferent, but her eyes kept darting to the dishes. From the presentation alone, it was clear the cook had real skill. The enticing aroma only intensified her hunger.
"It's ready," Yui said.
"Hmph. I'm only eating this so it doesn't go to waste," Kaguya said, still trying to save face—but the way she picked up her chopsticks and reached for the food betrayed her eagerness.
Just before the first bite reached her mouth, she swallowed hard.
"This is amazing!" she blurted out after the first bite. Her eating pace quickly sped up, though she slowed down when she noticed Yui watching.
"You're not eating?" she asked.
"I'm not that hungry."
"But you haven't eaten all day."
"Oh? How do you know I haven't eaten all day?"
"I… uh…" Kaguya stumbled, unable to find a response.
"Hmph. Fine, don't eat. What a waste. You cook so well but don't even enjoy your own food."
"To me, food is just something to consume when hungry. Eating for pleasure when I'm not hungry doesn't make sense," Yui replied.
"What kind of weird logic is that?" Kaguya mumbled, her mouth full.
"It's nothing."
"This is really good," Kaguya admitted, temporarily forgetting the previous topic.
"Thanks."
"Hey," Kaguya spoke up again.
"What is it?"
"Become my maid!" After a moment of silence, Kaguya made a suggestion.
"…Why?"
"Because you cook really well."
"That's it?"
"Well… can you do housework?"
Yui thought for a moment and nodded.
"Even better! You're quick on your feet, too. My current maid is slow and can't cook half as well as you. I've been wanting to replace her for a while now but haven't found the right person."
"But I have no reason to accept."
"You're rejecting me again?! What do you want? Money? I can pay you double!"
"I don't really spend money, so it's not that important to me."
"Ugh… Then what about your family? Are your parents in business? I can help them succeed faster."
"I live alone now."
"Huh? But didn't you say your family moved to Tokyo with you?"
"I did. But who said 'family' has to mean parents?"
"Then who is it?" Kaguya asked again, her attitude seemed to be filled with determination.
"I'm not sure how to describe it. Let's just say… an older brother."
"What's your brother doing now?"
"I don't know. He dropped me off here and left."
"…."
At that, Kaguya was truly speechless. It felt like nothing could spark Yui's interest, and her earlier proposal was likely doomed to fail.
The conversation hit a dead end. Kaguya realized she had nothing left to use as persuasion—so she resorted to a different tactic.
"You really dare to reject me? What if I said you're not allowed to leave here?" Kaguya suddenly shouted, though it came out rather comically since she still had food in her mouth.
"I don't believe you," Yui calmly replied.
Her blunt answer and composed demeanor left Kaguya speechless once again.
"Hmph, you're so annoying."
"Do you really have to be so stubborn?" Yui asked.
"Of course! I always get what I want. You'll see," Kaguya said, finishing the last of her food before running off.
"Seriously… Why'd you leave me to deal with someone like this, Captain?" Yui sighed and began cleaning up the dishes before returning to her room.
"Guess I should get some sleep too."
Yui lay down, closed her eyes, and quickly drifted off. Though she showed no sign of it on the outside, today had been rather exhausting.
While she slept, someone quietly crept into her room. The figure drew closer and took out a phone, snapping a few photos. But that wasn't enough—they began to pull back the blanket.
In that instant, Yui woke up, grabbed the intruder's arm, and slammed them onto the bed.
"Ah—!"
"Shinoma-san?"
"Ow… That hurts! Let go!"
Yui immediately let go.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, then glanced at the phone that had fallen to the floor. She picked it up and saw the photos.
"Sigh… What's this supposed to be, Shinoma-san?"
Kaguya sat up, rubbing her arm and looking at Yui with a hint of fear.
"Well? Say something." Yui dangled the phone in front of her.
"It's nothing! Just give it back!" Kaguya reached for the phone, but Yui easily dodged her.
"You sneaked into my room in the middle of the night and took pictures of me—aren't you going to explain?"
"Whether I explain or not is my business."
Yui began to lose patience. She gripped Kaguya's arm and pinned her down again.
"What… what are you trying to do?" Kaguya panicked, struggling but unable to move.
"I was hoping we could be friends… but if you keep making trouble, maybe I should deal with you right now?"
"Ah… no, please!"
Seeing Kaguya so terrified made Yui realize she had gone too far, and she let go.
Kaguya slowly sat up, warily watching Yui.
"Give me your hand."
"What for?"
"Just give it."
Kaguya reluctantly held out her hand. Yui took it, and instead of doing anything forceful, she began to massage it.
"I overdid it earlier. Let me fix that."
"…"
"Still not going to explain?"
"You really are perfect as a maid for me."
"Still on about that?"
"I told you—I always get what I want."
"What am I going to do with her?" Yui sighed. "If it were the Captain, what would he do?"
After thinking for a moment, Yui finally replied, "Sorry, I'm just not interested."
"So if you were interested, you'd agree?"
"…I guess?"
Yui wasn't even sure what she was saying anymore. It felt like she was being pulled along by Kaguya's words.
"Alright then. I'll make you interested."
"Please don't do anything weird…" Yui was beginning to worry.
"Think you can stop me? Anyway, my arm's fine now."
Yui handed the phone back. "Ah… those pictures…"
"I'm not deleting them. I will have you—your cooking, your massage skills, and all the other talents I haven't discovered yet. I'll take them all! Just you wait."
With that, Kaguya left the room.
Yui felt there was something a bit off about Kaguya's final words, but the only thing she knew for sure was that trouble was likely coming her way.
"Am I really here for a peaceful life…?" she muttered, then climbed back into bed and quickly fell asleep.