Miss Heir wasn't very kind to me.

Chapter 306, Part 23: Please don't let me see this!

Chapter 306, Section 23: "Please don't let me see this!"

"Haiyue, isn't it a bit much for us to keep going like this?"

"Huh? Why...?"

Hearing the sounds of conversation coming from the room, Qian Ai's heart leaped into her throat, and her pupils widened suddenly:

It really is Masumi-nii and Kaigetsu!
"So, Haiyue has been a bit too... obsessed lately? Seriously, would you call that being picky?"

Huh? Picky eater? What's going on?

Qian Ai listened intently to the conversation between the two people in the room, her brows furrowing in confusion.

Could it be that I misunderstood?

Haiyue was just eating snacks with Masumi-nii? But why would she need to hide what she was eating, especially so early in the morning?

……

"..."

"Just take a look."

Qian Ai pinched her chin, feeling that her thirst for knowledge did not violate her moral standards.

"..."

Qian Ai understood.

How could these two people do this?!?

The morning air was slightly cool, but Qian'ai outside the door was covered in sweat, her face flushed red to the roots of her neck.

She swallowed nervously. Having grown up a bit, she was no longer the clueless girl she once was.

How does Masumi-nii spend her days?!?

◇

"Did Qian'ai not sleep well last night? She looks so tired."

At the breakfast table in the morning, Masumi looked at the listless childhood friend and asked...

"Uh, um, a little."

Qian'ai looked away uncomfortably, and the more she tried to hide it, the more hesitant she became.

"Is everything alright, Chia?"

Mami, still chewing on fish, cast a worried glance at the girl.

"You seem to have gotten up very early today, even though you went to bed so late last night."

"Who does Mami think caused this?"

Qian Ai said unhappily, then pressed her forehead and sighed.

Mami was completely confused.

"Hey, I don't understand what Chia Ai means. Speaking of which, I tossed and turned for a long time last night because I was reviewing the game in my mind, and I couldn't fall asleep."

"But Mami started talking in her sleep as soon as she got into bed last night."

"No way! How could this be?!"

Mami's eyes widened in disbelief.

This situation occasionally occurs in life.

—You thought you hadn't slept all night, but you actually fell into a light sleep without realizing it.

Qian'ai sometimes wondered if she had entered this state herself, otherwise she really couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"Um, Mio, we're here to help Chia tidy up her room."

Masumi was like prey being driven to the edge of a cliff by a vicious dog, slowly backing away, when with a "thud," the back of her head unexpectedly slammed into the wall.

Ignoring the pain, he swallowed hard and said.

"Of course I know that, but Masumi can't expect me to do chores for your childhood friend for nothing, can she?"

As Mio approached him, a predatory glint flashed in her eyes.

"Aren't Mio and Chiai friends too?"

"They're friends, yes, but also rivals in love."

Mio uttered these words in a cold, unyielding voice, then slightly curved her lips into a smile.

"So, Masumi has to give me some kind of reward too."

Mio is being too mischievous these days.

She said it was because Masumi was always messing around with other girls, so she had to wash all those messy smells off Masumi properly.

Yes, use her own.

Although Masumi was somewhat troubled, she seemed unable to refuse Mio's pleading manner, which was like that of a puppy.

"……I see."

"Uh-huh."

Mio nodded vigorously, the coldness on her face melting into a sweet and charming smile.

Just moments ago she was an aggressive and vicious dog, but now she has transformed into an adorable golden retriever wagging its tail at its owner.

She sat down on Qian'ai's bed without any hesitation, her small feet, clad in black lace stockings, swinging aimlessly.

She seemed to be bored because she had nothing to do, but this clearly contradicted their previous conversation.

Before Masumi could even judge her actions, Mio had already moved her toes away and placed them on Masumi's thigh.

"Mio?"

Masumi blinked.

The weight on his thighs puzzled him.

He was wearing light gray casual pants today, and his feet, encased in black lace stockings, created a striking visual impact.

Her arches were beautiful, her skin was fair, and the semi-transparent lace allowed Masumi to vaguely see her toenails, which were painted vermilion.

Such beautiful feet make one want to hold them in one's arms and caress them.

"Please, Masumi, help me take it off."

Mio crossed her legs and spoke, her lips curving into a seductive smile, like an insectivorous plant luring its prey with a sweet fragrance.

"Okay, I get it now."

Masumi readily complied, and at Mio's command, she lifted Mio's right foot. The gaze directed at her sent chills down Mio's spine.

Although it was her own request, the scene before her made Mio's body tense up.

The hands of the boy I love are so broad and warm.

Without the obstruction of fabric, even the simple touch of palms and soles, the rubbing of palm lines and the warmth can still awaken tender feelings.

What was about to happen next further heightened Mio's spirits.

Masumi sensed something was wrong and tried to sneak away.

"Masumi."

Mio called out his name in protest.

Perhaps she was unhappy with what he did, so she slid her foot under Masumi's chin and used the back of her foot to make him lift his head.

"Don't worry, leave everything to me."

Mio gazed at Masumi with tender, loving eyes.
"I didn't finish it at the restaurant last time, so I hope I can make Masumi happy this time."

!!!

Qian Ai's breath caught in her throat at their bold actions.

The young girl's hands trembled as she pressed them to her lips, tightly covering her mouth, before turning and leaning against the wall of the corridor.

How could these two people do this?!
Or--

"You...you can do this?"

Strange knowledge entered her brain in an incredible way. Qian'ai felt her breathing quicken, her blood rush to her head, and the door to a new world was being opened little by little.

If she watched any longer, she feared she would faint. The young girl, her heart pounding, hurried away. Even after the two had gone downstairs as if nothing had happened, her mind remained unsettled.

◇

"Qian'ai, you seem a little dazed. Are you alright?"

In the afternoon, Masumi observed Oume's expression with a worried look.

“No, nothing!!”

Qian Ai suddenly answered in a volume twice as loud as usual.

The obviously strange reaction made Masumi even more confused.

"Didn't Qian'ai promise me last night that she would tell me everything that's on her mind?"

"Yes, that's right, but..."

How could I possibly say something like that?!
Really!
"It's all Masumi-nii's fault!!"

With a sharp gaze, Chiai stared fiercely at her for some reason, while Masumi wore a bewildered expression.

"Where does this begin?"

"that……"

Qian Ai was speechless for a moment, stammering for a long time, unable to suppress her lips from opening, but in the end she said nothing.

"Anyway, Masumi-nii, you better reflect on your actions!"

"Oh, oh."

Leaving her confused childhood sweetheart behind, the girl ran off alone, sulking.

Seriously! Seriously!!

How can someone who did such a thing act so nonchalantly and so seriously? It's unbelievable!
Kaigetsu is one, Mio is one, and could it be Mami too...?

"Ah, it's Chia."

When someone is mentioned, that person's shadow appears.

Mami approached carrying a plate.

"Sister Mami, what's that in your hand?"

"I baked this cake myself. I recently learned how to make it from Rinne. What do you think? Pretty feminine, right? After all, I am the pastry chef at this coffee shop."

Mami puffed out her chest triumphantly. Although Chiai knew Mami didn't mean it that way, she couldn't help but press her hand to her chest and sigh.

Can a pastry chef who has only recently learned how to bake cakes really be considered a qualified barista?

"Chii is too demanding! By the way, would you like to try some cake?"

Qian Ai frowned slightly. The cake was made in a very simple way. The baked bread dough was covered with fresh cream and cut into squares. There was no fruit decoration, so it looked very plain.

"How is it? Is it delicious?"

After Chiai tried a bite, Mami couldn't wait to ask for her opinion.

"Um……"

The girl thought for a moment and said:
"The taste of cake."

"What kind of evaluation is this?"

Mami was dumbfounded.

"What else can a cake be besides tasting like a cake?"

"Overall, it should be considered a pretty good level for a beginner."

Upon hearing this comment, Mami's expression finally brightened, and a radiant smile appeared on her face.

"Oh dear, Chiai is so blunt. If you want to praise someone, just be more direct."

"...I always feel that Asami's optimistic attitude towards life is very enviable."

"Well, let's leave this cake for Chiai to enjoy slowly. I'll go upstairs and let Masumi-kun have a taste too."

"Oh, please go ahead."

Chiai made way for the stairwell and watched as Mami happily climbed the stairs.

"........."

Wait a moment.

Considering that Masumi and Kaizuki were alone together this morning, and that Masumi and Mio helped her tidy her room this morning, could it be that she also...

Qian'ai then tiptoed to the door of the room.

This seems to be the third time she has done this today.

It's so hot!

The door wasn't completely closed; it was slightly ajar, and Qian'ai cautiously peeked through the crack...

What?! How so?

Qian Ai was dumbfounded; from morning until now, her knowledge had been constantly being refreshed.

Is Asami treating Masumi like a child?!
My earlobe suddenly looked like it was bleeding. The red stain gradually expanded, spreading to the base of my neck. It definitely looked harmful to my health.

Ah!
The girl's mind went blank, and steam rose from her forehead due to overheating.

◇

Even as the sun set, Chiai remained in a daze.

"Qian'ai, are you alright? You look worse and worse."

The heiress observed her expression and couldn't help but ask with concern.

"I'm really okay."

Qian Ai, looking like a wilted eggplant, slumped her face against the table.

"Yeah."

Rinne seemed completely unconvinced by the girl's perfunctory response.

Is Qian'ai troubled by something?

"Uh?"

"I felt something was wrong this morning."