Chapter 37 Failure

　　"How do you feel?"

　　After two days of final exams, Minamiya Yu stretched out in relaxation as he walked out of the exam room.

　　There was no other way. The rules prohibited them from handing in the paper early after finishing the questions. This bored him to death. Looking at Sugisaki Ken and others who walked out together, he asked casually.

　　"It's OK. There aren't any difficult questions. But it might be a little difficult to get a perfect score again."

　　In order to stay in the student union, his grades couldn't be bad.

　　Grandpa Tong didn't say much, just nodded slightly and said it was okay.

　　"There's no need to worry about final exams. By the way, have you decided where to go for summer vacation? If you haven't decided, do you want to go out with me?"

　　The grades of the four people are among the best in the school year. Kitahara waved his hand and said to the three people with some anticipation.

　　"Ah, sorry, I have an appointment with everyone in the student council to do something together, so I can't go with you."

　　While walking on the road, Sugisaki Ken patted Kitahara's shoulder apologetically, but got his expressionless response.

　　"Oh, then I wish your harem dream will come true."

　　No, no, it’s just hanging out with four beautiful girls. Kitahara is not jealous at all.

　　"What about you two?" He turned his gaze to Minamiya Yu and Grandpa Tong.

　　"Me? I'll probably stay at home. It's too hot in the summer, and there are several games I like that have been released recently..."

　　He scratched his cheek a little embarrassedly, and there was a hint of apology in his voice.

　　"Ah, I've already made an appointment to go to Europe, so, sorry~"

　　Minamiya Yu spread his hands, interrupting Kitahara's last hope.

　　"Tsk, you don't have time to go alone? Never mind. My cousin invited me to spend a few days at the beach near her home. I wanted to take you guys with me, but now it seems I'd better go alone."

　　Kitahara scratched his head and said helplessly.

　　"Cousin? What are we going to do at the beach?"

　　Catching a name that Minamiya Yu was concerned about, he asked curiously.

　　"Well, I remember her family seems to run a diving shop. It's quite close to Saint Freya where we went last time. Although I can't swim very well, I heard that diving doesn't seem to require swimming, so I can go and experience it."

　　“I see…”

　　Looking at Kitahara's expectant expression, Minamiya Yu silently mourned for him for a moment.

　　Rest in peace, brave man.

　　......

　　"Princess, Princess?"

　　In the elegantly decorated room, Reisen looked worriedly at Kaguya Houraisan who was kneeling in front of the table with empty eyes and a dazed look.

　　After calling out dozens of times, Kaguya finally caught her attention. She looked at Reisen, her expression still indifferent: "What's the matter?"

　　"No, just, just... you seem to be in a bad state today, not only in the flower arrangement class in the daytime, but also just now..."

　　"Don't worry, I just didn't get enough sleep."

　　Kaguya shook her head slightly, then stopped paying attention to Reisen.

　　She was indeed in a very bad condition now, and not sleeping well last night was just a trivial reason.

　　The real reason was what happened last night.

　　After the game was released, the sales and profit data for the week were released. Given her promise, she had no choice but to go to her father with the data.

　　Because the cost is too high, the company has only barely recovered its investment so far. In the eyes of my father, who controls the lifeblood of the country, this must be a very poor figure.

　　Sure enough, after reading the document, her father didn't say a word, and didn't even look at her. He just sneered slightly and threw the document into the trash can.

　　And Kaguya could only go back alone with a gloomy look in her eyes.

　　She still doesn't understand why a work like "To the Moon" would appear on a stage aimed at newcomers. Isn't this intentional bullying?

　　Unfortunately, it is no use thinking about these things now. She has lost her only chance and also lost the destiny of gaining freedom.

　　It is estimated that in the future, her father may arrange for her to marry other powerful people, marry a man she has never met, and then stay at home to take care of her husband and children, and worry about the trivial matters between the wealthy families.

　　A gentle sigh dispelled the helplessness in my heart.

　　Forget it. Hasn't she prepared herself mentally for this situation? Kaguya had foreseen this future a long time ago. This time, even Eirin probably can't save herself.

　　You want the treatment of a wealthy family, and you also want freedom. How can such a good thing be taken for granted in this world?

　　Just when Kaguya was still a little dazed, there was a knock on the bedroom door.

　　"Come in."

　　As soon as Kaguya finished speaking, the exquisite wooden door was pushed open, and a mature-looking woman with a big white braid walked in with a hint of sadness on her face.

　　After coming in, she was about to say something, but when she saw Reisen beside her, she stopped silently.

　　The quiet air froze for a moment. If Reisen couldn't see the current atmosphere, she wouldn't have to stay in this country.

　　Reisen nodded to the two of them awkwardly, then quickly retreated and closed the door tightly. She even deliberately amplified the sound of her footsteps when she left.

　　Until there was no more sound in her ears, Kaguya seemed to let go of a heavy burden on her body, and she sighed and said, "You're here, Eirin."

　　Looking up at her, Kaguya's smile was a little bitter: "I'm sorry, Eirin, I failed."

　　The woman called Eirin by Kaguya was silent for a moment. Her voice was comforting: "No, you have done well enough. This incident was just an accident."

　　"A surprise? It seems that I am really unlucky. I wasted the only chance you fought for me, Eirin."

　　As a person who is not even the eldest daughter in the family, she has been trained as a top-notch "tool" since she was born. If it weren't for her friendship with Eirin, her teacher who taught her and is also a senior executive of the group, she might not even have the chance to resist.

　　"So, what's the matter with Eirin coming here so late?"

　　It's almost time for dinner, so Eirin should still be busy.

　　At this point, Kaguya suddenly noticed that Eirin frowned, and then even her voice became a little heavy: "Your father... asked me to take you to the banquet tonight. It is said that... there will be important guests."

　　Hearing this, Kaguya's expression froze for a moment, but then she blossomed into the most beautiful smile, just like the red spider lily by the Sanzu River, so enchanting, yet so fragile.

　　"Really? That person really likes to kill people and destroy their hearts. He specially asked you, Eirin, to invite me."

　　Slowly standing up, Kaguya slowly walked to the window.

　　The thick black hair suddenly broke free from the restraint of the hairpin and fell down in the breeze. The orange sunset shone through the window onto Kaguya, as if reflecting the little remaining glow on her body.

　　"I'm already 18 years old and still unmarried. I wonder if anyone would still like an 'old woman' like me~"

　　Looking back, Kaguya seemed to be smiling happily.

　　Eirin could only respond with silence.