"Why?"
Facing the head servant's objection, Kaguya asked this question.
"Kaguya-sama's recent behavior is truly intolerable."
The household servant from the family responded.
"Kaguya-sama and Fujiwara-sama went shopping together a few days ago, which was very risky, and now they're going to the fireworks show."
"In crowded places like this, even if the servants and guards go together, some unexpected situations are easy to occur, making it impossible to protect Kaguya-sama."
"If something happens to Kaguya-sama, in a place like that, how should we explain it to the head of the family?"
(That person surely doesn't care)
Kaguya said to herself.
"Moreover, Oko-sama is also very concerned about Kaguya-sama's safety, so please, Kaguya-sama, please don't make it difficult for us."
"Nii-san?"
Upon hearing that name, Kaguya felt like she understood everything.
"Yes."
The head servant bowed his head, his demeanor still respectful.
"So that's it."
Kaguya fell silent for a long time, then turned and left from here.
She wasn't surprised if her older brother knew that she was going to the fireworks show.
On the contrary, it would be surprising if he didn't know.
To participate in the fireworks show, she went to buy yukatas with Chika and Moeha.
Someone would surely inform Shinomiya Oko about something as big as this.
Moreover, most of the people around her were informants and would report her every move to the family.
Except Hayasaka Ai.
Hayasaka was the only person she could trust.
It's impossible, absolutely impossible.
With her current situation and circumstances, it's impossible to go against her older brother.
But... But Kaguya really wanted to go to the fireworks show.
"Let's go back, Hayasaka."
"Yes."
Watching all this, Hayasaka responded softly.
However, before Kaguya went far, her phone suddenly rang.
(Is Fujiwara-san asking when I'll arrive?)
With this thought, she took out her phone.
But after seeing the contact, her expression immediately changed.
Clicking to connect, a cold voice came from the phone handle.
"Good evening, Kaguya."
"Good evening, Nii-san."
Kaguya responded calmly.
Hearing this, Hayasaka, who was following her, bowed her head.
"Nii-san, why are you calling me at this time?" Kaguya asked first.
Communication between her and Oko was very depressing, and there were only a few instances where he took the initiative to call her.
"Actually, it's nothing important. I heard you seem to be going to some fireworks show?" Oko's voice sounded very ordinary.
"That's correct."
Kaguya acknowledged.
"Don't do boring activities like that." Oko said nonchalantly, "Watching TV at home is much more interesting than going there."
"I—"
Before Kaguya could say what she wanted to refute, Oko's voice came again.
"You've caused a lot of trouble for the security personnel when you went shopping before, and now it would be more troublesome for you to go to the fireworks show."
"And father is also very concerned about your safety, so you don't want to go to the fireworks show."
"So that father and I don't have to worry about you unnecessarily."
Kaguya's hand holding the phone trembled slightly. "Honestly, I will stay at home."
"That's the right thing to do."
Hearing her answer, Oko smiled satisfied.
"By the way, when will the fireworks show end? You surely know this, right?"
"9:30 p.m."
Kaguya knew this well.
"Then I'll call you again at that time. Don't forget to answer, Kaguya."
Oko uttered the threatening words without hesitation.
"Otherwise, I'll be very upset."
"Fine."
Kaguya said coldly.
After she finished speaking, the call ended.
"Kaguya-sama..."
Seeing her put down her phone, Hayasaka hurried to say something.
"Hayasaka, let's go back to the room." Kaguya bowed her head and said weakly, "We won't go to the fireworks show."
"Yes."
Hayasaka responded quickly.
After returning to the room, Kaguya immediately collapsed on her bed and handed her phone to Hayasaka. "Hayasaka, please send an email to Kamikawa-kun and Fujiwara-san for me, tell them that I won't go."
"Understood."
Hayasaka took the phone from her hand.
She found Ren's email address and began to think about her words.
"No, I'll send it myself."
Kaguya sat up from the bed and took her phone.
"I'd better apologize like this myself."
Shinomiya Kaguya: [I'm sorry, I won't be able to go today]
Shinomiya Kaguya: [I'm truly sorry]
"That should be fine."
Seeing the successful delivery notification displayed on her phone, Kaguya closed her eyes.
She had been looking forward to the fireworks show.
Her anticipation started early.
Since she received the invitation from Ren, she began to anticipate it.
Her summer vacation was almost eventless, just like before.
The only problem was shopping with Chika and Moeha, then choosing yukatas for herself.
She was so happy that day because it was the first time she went shopping with her friends.
At first, she thought she would be even happier today.
Isn't the happiest thing when something awaited finally becomes a reality?
Only that phone call shattered all her expectations.
It would have been better if... if she had never looked forward to this fireworks show.
As long as she didn't anticipate it, at least she wouldn't feel uncomfortable now.
But it's okay.
She's used to watching fireworks from her room.
It's okay.
It doesn't matter if she can't watch the fireworks with everyone else.
Hayasaka, who had been thinking for a long time, took the initiative and asked: "Kaguya-sama, do you really want to go to the fireworks show?"