Kaguya stared straight at Shinomiya Gan'an without a trace of fear; her voice was rock‑steady.
"You once defied everyone to acknowledge me as your daughter."
A spark of intelligence gleamed in her eyes.
"You knew perfectly well that the child my mother, Shimizu Nayotake, carried might not be yours—yet you still let her into the Shinomiya family."
"Today all I seek is freedom. One path is to abandon everything Shinomiya and be free; the other is to remain a Shinomiya and fight for my freedom from within. Why won't you grant me either chance?"
"I have never felt happy just because I was born a Shinomiya!"
The "daughter" before him suddenly felt like a stranger.
For a heartbeat he saw his younger self—the man who braved his clan's wrath to marry a woman from the nightlife quarter, fighting the whole world for love.
"Give me one reason," the old man finally said.
The edge in his voice had faded, leaving only fatigue and a trace of curiosity.
Kaguya pulled out her phone and opened a chat thread.
On‑screen was a fresh text from Rei Ao:
"Come over any time."
A photo was attached: beneath a dazzling starry sky, steam rose from a hot spring, and in the misty glow the silhouettes of several girls could be seen.
"Because I have friends of my own now…"
Kaguya turned the screen toward Gan'an.
"I want to prove to him that I can live well even without the Shinomiya name—or that I can be the very best as a Shinomiya."
Her fingertip brushed the stars on the screen.
"But if you'll let me compete, I'll show you I'm more suited than any other heir to lead Shinomiya Group into the future."
Gan'an stared at the unfamiliar chat window—then burst out laughing.
The laughter rattled his frail lungs and triggered a coughing fit.
When the coughing stopped, his expression was calm.
His sharp gaze locked on Kaguya.
"Don't tell me you're doing this for him…"
A rare blush tinted Kaguya's cheeks, but her eyes never wavered.
"He's someone who changed my perspective, my attitude toward life—my entire world," she said, choosing every word with care, surprised herself by how deep an impression Rei Ao had left.
"But not the way you think."
"He showed me a wider world and helped me understand what I really want."
The old man sighed and pressed the bedside call button.
When the secretary hurried in, he issued an order that stunned everyone:
"Inform the board: effective immediately, Kaguya will take over all business handled by the Hayasaka family and will join next‑quarter investment decisions."
He paused, glanced at Kaguya's astonished face, and allowed himself the faintest smile.
"And prepare a press conference. I will personally announce new rules for selecting the Shinomiya heir."
Gan'an suddenly asked his longtime secretary,
"Tell me—does Kaguya remind you of me?"
The secretary faltered, unsure how to answer.
Gan'an waved it off; he already knew the answer.
When Kaguya returned to the Shinomiya estate, Ai Hayasaka was pacing anxiously in her room.
Seeing Kaguya enter, she rushed over.
Her voice could not hide her tension.
For once Kaguya wore a genuine, radiant smile—so dazzling that Ai froze.
"Ai, starting today, the Hayasaka household is officially under my command."
Drawing back the curtains, Kaguya gave the wide‑eyed Ai a gentle grin.
"Congratulations—you're free."
Ai's eyes widened; her lips trembled.
"W‑What… what does that mean?"
She'd guessed, but still couldn't believe it.
"It means you no longer have to report my whereabouts to anyone," Kaguya said, sincerity shining in her eyes. "You can stay with me—"
"—or go live the life you want."
A wave of dizziness hit Ai; she grabbed the table to keep from falling.
Could the shackles that shadowed her for years really vanish so easily?
She recalled Rei Ao's words: "You deserve to live for yourself." Back then she'd thought it was mere politeness.
"I… I choose to stay with you, Milady."
Tears spilled down her cheeks, washing away the perfect smile she always wore.
Meanwhile, in Shinomiya Oko's office.
A folder slammed onto the floor, scattering papers.
"Has Father lost his mind?!" Oko roared.
Veins bulged on his forehead; his already harsh features twisted.
"He's letting that woman Kaguya into company affairs? Even handing the Hayasaka family to her?"
His shout nearly lifted the ceiling.
His aides bowed their heads, too afraid to speak, sweat beading on their brows. Official source is novel⁂fire.net
Oko snatched up his glass, drained it, and hurled the crystal cup at the wall.
Shards flew; one nicked an aide's cheek, yet he dared not lift a hand.
Oko growled, each word squeezed from hell itself.
"Find out exactly who Kaguya's met these past few days—and what she told Father!"
He overturned his heavy rosewood desk.
"I want to know who gave her the nerve!"
Glass fragments glittered on the plush carpet—like the Shinomiya power structure on the brink of shattering.
Outside, Tokyo's neon still flickered, but no one knew what kind of storm was brewing in the city's most powerful clan.
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