As he had finished lecturing these girls, Kyouya's gaze flicked to the ornate grandfather clock in the corner, its steady tick-tock amplifying his impatience. The "exercise" was dragging on. He'd expected more from this cohort, a swifter resolution to his carefully constructed problem. Finally, a few girls began to push their papers forward. Mei, ever efficient, was among the first. Then Ayaka, her brow still furrowed in concentration. Scarlet submitted hers with a confident flourish, followed by a composed Himari, and finally, Anastasia, a faint smile playing on her lips.
But a scattering of desks remained occupied, students still hunched over their equations, pencils scratching softly in the quiet room. Kyouya stifled a sigh. He had to wait. The unveiling of his ally, the true test, required every single participant to be dismissed.
The last of the girls had departed, leaving the opulent room in an echoing silence that seemed to hum with the residual tension of the "exercise." Kyouya remained seated, observing the meticulous way the maids cleared away the envelopes, their movements precise and practiced. He watched until only one remained, her back to him as she tidied a distant table.
"You may drop the act, Mei," Kyouya stated, his voice devoid of inflection.
The maid paused, her hands still. Slowly, she turned. Gone was the subservient posture, the demure gaze. Her eyes, sharp and intelligent, met his directly. It was Mei Tsukishima, Himari's most trusted and fiercely loyal confidante, known to a select few by her operational alias, Maika.
"As you wish, Kyouya-sama," Mei replied, her voice now calm and crisp, a stark contrast to the deferential whispers she'd used moments before. She moved with an easy, confident grace to stand before him, no longer playing the part of a mere servant.
"All envelopes have been secured and are untouched, as per your instructions."
Kyouya merely nodded, a slight curve to his lips. "Himari's most formidable shadow, playing the role of a domestic with me. A delightful irony, wouldn't you agree?"
Mei allowed herself a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Necessity dictates many roles. Himari-sama requires eyes and ears in places others might overlook. And your... unique pursuits often align with her broader objectives."
- Mei's Calculated Deception -
My hand instinctively went to the internal pocket of my maid uniform, where the collected envelopes now lay, silent witnesses to his hidden agenda. The true game had just begun.
My pulse, usually a steady drum, threatened to quicken, betraying the practiced calm I wore like my maid uniform. Kyouya Kanzaki's gaze was like a laser, dissecting, piercing through the careful facade I had maintained for weeks. The pretense of the "maid" was second nature, a thin veil over years of rigorous training and a lifetime of unwavering loyalty to Himari-sama. But that veil had just been ripped away.
He was right; it was a delightful irony, but it was also a strategic one, on Himari-sama's part. My presence here wasn't merely a coincidence. It was a meticulously planned infiltration, orchestrated weeks in advance. Himari-sama, always one to gather intelligence and cultivate unusual alliances, had seen the opportunity when Kyouya had subtly initiated contact, seeking a "reliable, highly perceptive observer" for his peculiar project. She knew of Kyouya's reputation, his sharp intellect, and his... unconventional methods.
The role of a maid offered unparalleled access. I was virtually invisible, able to move through the house, observe the contestants, and even handle their possessions under the guise of service. My training extended far beyond domestic tasks; observation, psychological profiling, micro-expression analysis – these were my true skills. I was here for Himari-sama, to understand Kyouya's true intentions, to gauge the girls' strengths and weaknesses.
Kyouya had outlined his intent for this "exercise" with chilling precision. He hadn't revealed the full extent of his "intimate experiment" to me, but he had hinted at a desire to push intellectual boundaries, to observe raw, unfiltered thought processes. He'd even given me specific parameters for observing the girls during the test, beyond just ensuring no cheating. He wanted to note their initial reactions, their posture during concentration, the subtle signs of frustration or epiphany. He was looking for more than just correct answers; he was searching for a particular kind of mind.
Our "collaboration" worked because we were both pragmatists. Kyouya needed uncompromised data for his unique pursuits, and Himari-sama needed a deeper understanding of the complex web of relationships and intellectual capacities surrounding her. I was the bridge between those needs, gathering data for my master.
"The girls are unaware of the true nature of the selection, Kyouya-sama," I confirmed, my gaze steady, trying to project the usual indifference. "They perceive it as a purely academic challenge for some unspecified future benefit. Their focus is entirely on the problems."
He nodded, a flicker of something unsettling in his eyes. "Excellent. The purest data is gathered when the subject is unburdened by extraneous awareness. Your involvement was, as always, executed with precision."
My hand instinctively went to the internal pocket of my maid uniform, where the collected envelopes now lay. They held the answers, the observations I was supposed to report back to Himari-sama. But then, his voice, a low rumble, cut through my thoughts, cold and precise.
"And yet, you were not just observing for me, were you, Mei?"
The blood drained from my face. My carefully constructed composure shattered. He had seen through me. My training, my years of deception, amounted to nothing against his uncanny perception. He hadn't just suspected; he knew.
"I find your primary allegiance... inconvenient," he continued, a predatory smile slowly spreading across his lips. "But your skills are undeniable. Tell me, Mei, what is worth more? Loyalty to a master who binds you to their will, or the ultimate freedom to pursue your own truth? Help me, and I will show you a path beyond any master's leash."
My mind reeled. Betray Himari-sama? The thought was sacrilege. But his words resonated with a hidden desire I'd never dared to acknowledge: Freedom.
The true game had just begun, and I was no longer a mere double agent. I was a pawn in a far grander, and far more dangerous, scheme. The collected envelopes felt suddenly heavy, a silent testament to a loyalty now irrevocably divided.