Gobai Miya was destined from birth to serve the Houjou family.

The Gobai family has been selected for generations as retainers of the Houjou house—faithful servants.

Because they were the same age, Miya was expected not only to act as a retainer but also to be a good friend to Noa.

I still remember clearly the day I first met Noa.

It was a tea room bathed in spring sunlight.

Noa was six years old, sitting on a zabuton in kimono, staring silently out the window.

The moment Miya entered the room with her mother, she felt pierced by Noa’s gaze.

Eyes devoid of emotion.

Despite being tense, Miya managed to complete the greeting as instructed.

“Noa-sama, this is Gobai Miya. Please be kind to me from now on.”

Noa slowly tilted her head and observed Miya without saying a word.

Then, she muttered softly.

“…Play together?”

That was how our meeting began.

Miya nodded and went out into the garden, picking flowers or playing in the shade of trees.

However, Noa never smiled.

She merely imitated Miya’s actions with indifference.

Miya found it strange.

What was this child thinking?

The Houjou family is one of the eighteen founding families of the country and a prestigious household entrusted with command of the Kanto military.

As the eldest daughter and successor, Noa was surrounded by many adults, always appearing bored.

—Pitiful.

Even as a child, Miya thought so.

Young Houjou Noa seemed hollow, like a doll.

She changed dramatically when she was about to enter middle school.

Her hairstyle, expression, and mannerisms—all changed.

She began speaking and acting with relaxed ease; even her overall presence took on something more androgynous.

Was this what they called “growth”? Miya still had no answer.

After that, Noa truly began behaving as befitting the eldest daughter of the Houjou family.

She gained admiration from students other than retainers and transformed into a striking presence at Shirayuki Academy’s middle school division.

By her third year in middle school, she developed a relationship with Shinonome Yukari, an enthusiastic believer in the Class K who was also a fervent follower of the Houjou family, becoming the subject of rumors across the academy.

Houjou Noa was becoming the perfect retainer to serve.

However, since entering high school, Noa had changed.

“Miya, I want you to investigate Class K.”

The night she entered high school, Noa said this over the phone.

“…What does that mean?”

“It means exactly what it sounds like. I want you to look into why Isshiki Shizuku moved to Class K.”

The class selection right is a rare privilege that can only be used once during the enrollment period.

Miya had no choice but to voice her caution regarding Noa’s decision.

“Noa… perhaps you should calm down first. It’s true that Isshiki’s movements are suspicious, but rushing into it isn’t necessary.”

“I’ll also send Yukari and Sanae. This is a decided matter.”

“…Yukari too?”

If even her lover Yukari was to be sent as a scout, Miya had no right to refuse.

“…Understood. But you didn’t make a short-sighted decision because of that Class K boy, did you?”

“Hard to say. But he indeed interests me.”

“If this fails, my school life will be ruined.”

“In that case, I’ll find a suitable man outside and tie him up for you.”

Thus, Miya was sent to Class K as a scout.

“So even Noa-sama is interested in men, huh.”

One of the retainers who gathered early in the morning for the class selection rights, Sakura Sanae, smiled slyly while saying this.

In contrast, Noa’s lover, Shinonome Yukari, showed an expression of discontent.

“…It’s for the sake of an heir.”

“And Yukari, you’re really okay with that?”

When Miya asked, Yukari lowered her head in resignation.

“Noa-sama is destined to one day bear the Houjou family. She has made her resolve.”

Listening to that, she couldn’t help but grumble inwardly, wondering if it was really so easy to accept..

Then, after completing the procedures, Miya and the others were successfully transferred into Class K.

Immediately upon entering, they each took their assigned roles as planned.

Shinonome Yukari became vice class president, Sakura Sanae became sports committee member, and Gobai Miya became cultural committee member.

Although Isshiki Shizuku took the position of class president, it was sufficient preparation for taking control of the class operations.

“Toudou-sama, as a proposal from the class president, may I suggest starting a group chat for our class via messenger?”

“It would certainly be convenient if we had one. I’ll trust you with that.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll contact everyone today and ask them to join.”

Isshiki Shizuku immediately came to take control of the class leadership.

Trying to stop this flow, Yukari interjected sideways.

“My, it really was the right decision to leave the class to Isshiki-san. She’s clearly so comfortable around men.”

Sanae and Miya followed suit.

“Indeed. I imagine she must have interacted with them quite actively back in middle school. How dependable.”

“The Isshiki family must be surrounded by men. The way she so smoothly asked for his contact information—how educational.”

In contrast, Isshiki Shizuku did not change her expression at all.

“I actually came up from Shirayuki’s middle school division. Unfortunately, it was a girls-only school, so this is my first such experience with Toudou-sama. I might look calm, but I’m actually quite nervous.”

A tense atmosphere filled the classroom.

Miya pondered how to break through Isshiki Shizuku’s mask-like smile.

“The next class is math, right? I wonder if high school math’s going to be hard.”

Unexpectedly, Toudou Mizuki raised his voice as if nothing had happened.

Miya was unable to move due to his unexpected action.

“Are you all good at math? I’m a little worried about it myself.”

The tense air that had been stretched suddenly dissolved.

The female students joined the conversation all at once, and the classroom quickly regained its usual liveliness.

“I see, some people are good at it. Then, once we have a class group chat, maybe I’ll ask those who are better at it for advice.”

The leadership of the situation belonged to Toudou Mizuki.

His pale skin and slightly long, soft hair reflected sunlight, giving him an ethereal, delicate aura that drew attention.

All eyes in the class were on him.

“Isshiki-san, thank you too. It’s really helpful when someone takes the initiative to propose something. I’d be happy if you could tell me any ideas you come up with in the future.”

“Y-yes! If there’s anything I can do as class president!”

“Thanks. Really, I mean it. Anyone can criticize from the sidelines, but actually doing something yourself—that’s the hardest part.”

Isshiki Shizuku blushed and looked bashful.

The mask-like smile she had worn earlier easily crumbled, revealing a face befitting her age.

Seeing this, Miya immediately became certain.

Toudou Mizuki radiated the presence of a ruler.

To seize the initiative without hesitation in the face of the Isshiki–Houjou rivalry was something no ordinary person could do, and she had no choice but to admit he possessed the qualities worthy of being welcomed by the Houjou family.

It seemed that even Sakura Sanae and Shinonome Yukari shared this opinion.

Afterward, Noa immediately went to make her appearance, and by the next day, she had used her selection rights to seal off the class.

This happened in just three days.

Up until now, everything had gone smoothly.

The problem arose from the first gene donation.

“Now that you mention it, gene donation is finally about to begin. Have you decided who you will be bringing for the appointment?”

Given Shizuku’s expectant question, Mizuki hesitated for a moment before choosing one of the ordinary girls.

Neither Isshiki Shizuku nor Houjou Noa was selected. Naturally, this also applied to the many retainers prepared for this purpose.

“…Did none of the girls I arranged catch your eye?”

Houjou Noa was clearly shaken.

“Also, the other day, I might’ve given you the wrong idea when I said that if you used me, you’d have to marry me. So let me explain it properly.”

“Um…”

“Assisting in a genetic donation is a woman’s duty. It doesn’t count as a formal pairing, so you can choose me without any concern.”

The Houjou Noa that Miya knew, who had been steadily taking shape into her perfected self, was nowhere to be seen.

“Oh, right. Do you prefer taller girls? I’m fairly tall myself, but if there’s a hairstyle you like, just say so.”

Her face was flattering.

An expression Miya had never seen before.

“I-I can be more useful to you! Just tell me what you need, anything at all—”

“…Houjou-san, you really shouldn’t say things like that.”

In contrast, Toudou Mizuki did not change his usual demeanor.

Miya could only watch the scene silently.

“I understand that Houjou-san is being considerate of me… but…”

“…”

“But I’d be happier if you just treated me normally.”

“…”

“I mean, when things go too far like that, it’s not good for anyone.”

“Ah… yeah, I suppose you’re right… I’ll be more careful.”

After that, it was as if the situation had started rolling downhill.

Houjou Noa submitted to Toudou Mizuki.

She began frequently changing her hairstyle to please him and daily inquired about its approval or disapproval.

The androgynous beauty that had once captivated every girl back in middle school was beginning to fade.

Miya’s heart was conflicted.

There was an indescribable sense of loss and pain at the sight of the completed ruler beginning to crumble.

Yet simultaneously, it seemed as if Houjou Noa—who had once been like a doll—was finally showing her true self, bringing about an inexplicable sense of relief and confusion.

For Houjou Noa, who was destined to one day take command of the Kanto military, Miya could not judge whether this change was good or bad.

However, she wanted to devote herself as a friend to the desire that Houjou Noa had finally shown.

Moreover, if Toudou Mizuki were welcomed into the Houjou family, he would become the second master Miya was destined to serve.

Imagining this future, it did not seem bad at all.