As the weather gradually turned cold, people changed out of their lighter clothes and put on thick autumn and winter outfits.
On a plane that had taken off from Tokyo, Toru and Hayasaka sat side by side.
Toru, who was already a well-known figure in Japan, wore sunglasses and a hat, covering half his face to avoid being recognized.
Hayasaka was also wearing a long coat, her blond hair tied into a single ponytail. She had both the youthful, lively aura of a young girl and the quiet elegance of a well-bred young lady.
Although she was a maid, Hayasaka had been taught the etiquette of a young lady since childhood in the Shinomiya family.
Coupled with her beautiful mixed-race appearance, simply sitting there quietly made people feel that she was a refined young lady from a wealthy family.
"Excuse me, sir, ma'am, would you like something to drink?"
A beautiful flight attendant came to their side, bending down with a gentle smile.
"Just a bottle of mineral water for me. Hayasaka, what would you like?"
"I'll have a bottle of mineral water too."
Hayasaka's demeanor was reserved.
"Here is your water."
Toru thanked her, took the two cups of water, and handed one of the disposable cups to Hayasaka.
Hayasaka held the cup of water. After taking a sip, she gently turned it in her hands, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
"What's wrong, Hayasaka?"
Toru noticed Hayasaka's hesitant expression.
"Young Master Fujiwara, this time you're going to Hokkaido with Lady Ooka. Is it really all right for me to follow?"
Hayasaka's expression was conflicted. By following Toru like this, wasn't she just being a third wheel?
Or could it be that Toru could not do without her?
Hayasaka was startled by her own thought and quickly shook her head, telling herself not to overthink it.
"You are my personal maid, so of course you have to take care of my daily life."
"Then what about Haibara?"
"Her? You don't need to worry about her. Haibara is at the research institute every day now. For meals and such, just have the institute's cafeteria prepare them. Although the taste is average, the nutrition is fine."
Toru waved his hand.
Haibara was a true research fanatic. Before, she did not have the environment for it, but now she could finally go to the research institute openly and conduct drug research in her own laboratory. Naturally, she would not miss this opportunity.
Hayasaka opened her mouth, her expression still showing disbelief.
In her eyes, no matter how precocious Haibara was, she was still only elementary school age.
But such an elementary school student actually had her own laboratory and could conduct drug research. This made Hayasaka feel depressed, as if she had lived all these years in vain.
Was the gap between people really that big?
Toru saw Hayasaka's expression and knew what she was thinking. He patted her fragrant shoulder and advised her, "Don't compare yourself to others, otherwise you'll only make yourself suffer."
Haibara's ability in the field of biological research was something even Toru, who had a cheat, could not compare to. It could only be said that the gap between people was really that big. Talent was not something one could compete with.
Hayasaka nodded vigorously.
She also realized that if she really compared herself to Haibara, it would only make her life feel hopeless.
So, it was better to pretend not to see it.
It was not long before the plane landed at an airport in Hokkaido.
The place they arrived at was not Sapporo, the largest city in Hokkaido, but near Asahikawa.
It was a very small airport, and it looked quite old.
Toru and Ooka Momiji had agreed not to go directly to a big city, but to explore the area near Asahikawa first.
After getting off the plane, Toru and Hayasaka did not bring any luggage. They walked out of the airport.
Snow always fell early in Hokkaido. At this time, the ground was already covered in white, and snowflakes fell like little white spirits.
As soon as she walked out of the airport, Hayasaka shrank her neck.
Girls were always more afraid of the cold.
"Are you cold?"
Toru, who was walking ahead, stopped. It was as if he had eyes on the back of his head. He turned around with a gentle smile.
Before Hayasaka could reply, Toru walked up to her, held her scarf, and tightened the gap around her neck.
Toru's tall figure almost completely enveloped Hayasaka's petite body. Watching Toru's large hand adjust her scarf, Hayasaka felt her cheeks flush, and she lowered her gaze, her eyelashes fluttering.
Just then, a joyful and excited shout came from behind them.
"Toru-kun!"
Hearing this voice, Hayasaka's rapidly beating heart immediately calmed down. Her expression became serious, and she once again became the efficient maid.
Toru turned around. Momiji, wearing a pink long coat and an LV scarf around her neck, exhaled white mist from her cherry lips. She waved at Toru while running quickly toward him.
"Toru-kun, it's been so long. Did you miss me?"
Momiji was quite bold. She immediately threw herself into Toru's arms, hugged him tightly, and even rubbed her face against his collar, sniffing at his neckline as if infatuated.
Toru wrapped his arms around Momiji's slender waist, a smile playing on his lips. "Of course I missed you."
"What did you miss about me?"
"Hmm? Your enthusiasm?"
Momiji giggled. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed Toru hard on the corner of his mouth.
Hayasaka frowned behind them.
Young Master Fujiwara and Ooka Momiji had such a good relationship? How did she not know?
No, could it be that their relationship became this intimate last time in Kyoto?
But at that time, Young Master Fujiwara was still Kaguya-sama's fiancé. This...
Forget it. As a maid, she should not think too much.
After being affectionate with Toru for a while, Momiji finally noticed Hayasaka behind him. She frowned almost imperceptibly. Wasn't this Kaguya-sama's maid?
Noticing Momiji's vigilance, Hayasaka bowed and said, "Lady Ooka, good day. I have already left the Shinomiya family and become Young Master Fujiwara's maid. Please take care of me in the future."
Seeing that Hayasaka was no longer Kaguya's maid, and that she had not been sent by Kaguya to keep an eye on Toru, Momiji's furrowed brow immediately relaxed.
She did not see Hayasaka as a third wheel. Bringing a maid to take care of oneself was a normal part of daily life for Momiji.
Just like when she came to Hokkaido, she had also brought a dedicated driver and maid.
She smiled elegantly. "Since you are Toru-kun's maid, calling me Lady Ooka sounds too distant. Just call me by my name."
"Yes, Lady Momiji!"
As a professional maid, Hayasaka naturally knew how to make young masters and young ladies happy.
Momiji smiled brightly. She hesitated for a moment and said, "Not long ago, I also saw Kaguya in Kyoto."
There was a hint of probing in her words. She wanted to see what the relationship between Hayasaka and Kaguya was like now.
Hayasaka hesitated slightly. "Kaguya-sama... How is she doing now?"
Hayasaka had not been in contact with Kaguya for a long time. It was impossible to say that she did not care about Kaguya at all.
Her expression did not seem fake, so it seemed she truly had no relationship with Kaguya anymore. Momiji felt even better. She smiled elegantly and said, "Kaguya has changed quite a bit, but in my opinion, it's a good change."
"Is that so? That's great. Thank you, Lady Momiji, for telling me."
Hayasaka said this gratefully.
"Toru-kun, let's go to Asahiyama Zoo first. There's a limited-time penguin walk performance at 2:30 PM, but it's almost noon now, so should we have lunch first?"
Momiji enthusiastically invited him. "I did my homework before coming. There's a ramen shop with good food. We can go try it."
"If it tastes good, we can bring Chika to eat there together next time."
Last time in Kyoto, Momiji and Chika had become friends through a shared life-threatening experience. Coupled with their similar family backgrounds and pleasant personalities, they naturally became good friends.
Momiji always kept Chika's preferences in mind.
Toru nodded. "Anyway, I didn't do any homework before coming. During my time in Hokkaido, I'll listen to your command."
Momiji happily linked her arm with Toru's and walked with Hayasaka to the roadside.
A Rolls-Royce was parked there. This was a luxury car that Momiji had sent from Kyoto for them to use.
After getting into the luxury car, they drove from the airport into the urban area of Asahikawa.
The ramen shop Momiji had found was just a small roadside shop. It was clear she had done her homework well, otherwise ordinary people would not have found such a small shop.
When the three of them walked into the warm little shop, there was actually an acquaintance inside.
"Mrs. Hattori?"
Toru looked in astonishment at the beautiful woman in a kimono before him. She turned out to be Heiji's mother, Hattori Shizuka.
(To be continued.)
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