Why wasn't I the one who got the male lead's script?

"—"

Xingjian, who saw all this, was stunned for a moment, and then he restrained the smile that was about to appear on his face because he thought of something.

----

At the beginning of the month, please continue to vote. I will try to write more and save more articles before school starts so that I can post more orz

Kasumigaoka Utaha is unlikely to be out of ideas: Chapter 8: The two closest yet most distant people (Part 5)

At the door of the luxurious and slightly extravagant Shinomiya family's house, Xingjian did not choose to turn around and go back, but stood in front of the iron gate and pressed the doorbell.

After a while, an uncle in a butler's uniform came out of the room. After opening the door for Xingjian, he bowed to him politely.

"Hello, Mr. Hoshimi."

"Ah... hello. I'm here to see Shinomiya-san."

"Thank you very much for your visit. Do you want me to inform Miss Kaguya?"

“…No need, just take me to see her.”

Although he was a little surprised that the humble butler in front of him knew his name, Xingjian was only dazed for a moment, then smiled and nodded to him.

In fact, it is nothing surprising. After all, he is nominally half a member of the Hayasaka family - so it is reasonable that the people of the Shinomiya family would have an impression of him.

"Miss, you were planning to go out and watch the fireworks with your friends today, but you didn't make it. You might be sulking in your room right now. Please forgive me if I behaved in a disrespectful manner."

The butler led him silently through the spacious and bright corridor, and Xingjian nodded silently, focusing his attention on the exquisitely and elegantly decorated walls around him.

Many servants around would bow politely when they saw him, but none of them had any intention of talking to him. The huge house was so quiet that it seemed a bit weird and depressing.

"Originally, we couldn't let anyone in without an appointment. But if you can calm Miss Kaguya down a bit, I can turn a blind eye to this, especially since you are Miss Ai's brother."

"I see. Thank you very much."

This was Xingjian's first time to visit a large family like the Shinomiya family - but besides being amazed, he also felt a little unfamiliar and helpless in terms of interpersonal relationships.

It seems that Shinomiya couldn't help but sneak away, partly because he couldn't stand the atmosphere at home.

Finally, he stopped in front of a room, and the butler next to him nodded and slowly retreated.

This should be Kaguya's room - and the black-haired girl who was standing in front of the window just now should also be in it.

Xingjian reached out and knocked gently on the door, but there was no answer from the room. So, after politely saying "Excuse me," he opened the door and walked in.

Facing him, leaning against the window, a girl with long black hair and surprisingly blue eyes was looking at him with a half-smile.

"That's an unwise decision, Xiaoqing."

The girl spoke slowly, and as expected, it was the voice of a blond-haired, blue-eyed guy that Xingjian was familiar with.

"Oh? What exactly do you mean?"

Xingjian just smiled, closed the door with his backhand, and then slowly walked towards the black-haired girl leaning against the window.

Obviously, that was Hayasaka Ai, the maid of the Shinomiya family, who was wearing a black wig to cover up Kaguya's escape.

"Either step would be unwise."

As if she had already expected Hoshimi to appear here, Hayasaka Ai leaned lazily against the window, the breeze gently ruffling her hair, and the setting sun shone through the transparent glass, dyeing her face a little orange.

"Give the electric scooter to the president and Miss Kaguya. How are you going to get back later?"

"Well... I didn't think too much about it at the time. My decision was based on how to get those two people to their destination faster."

"...Xiaoqing, you could have gone with them to watch the fireworks. There was no need to stay in this lifeless Shinomiya house."

Hayasaka Ai let out a sigh helplessly and looked at the black-haired boy who was slowly walking towards her and leaning on the window to look out - she knew very well why this guy entered the Shinomiya family.

"I'm here for you. You should go with the young lady and the others to see the annual fireworks display."

He should also have enjoyed the fireworks festival with those kids from the student council.

"Hey...are fireworks really that pretty?"

"Hmm. The fleeting splendor and beauty, the moment it blooms, is gorgeous and magnificent. Even if it's only a fleeting moment, it's enough to comfort us, isn't it?"

"Sister, don't you want to go and see it?"

The boy, who had been looking out the window the entire time with his chin in his hand, suddenly said this slowly - and this made Hayasaka, who was originally talking freely, startled.

"...For me, as long as the young lady is happy today, it doesn't matter."

In the end, she still did not answer the question directly.

"—That doesn't matter to me."

Xingjian seemed not surprised by her answer at all. He smiled slightly and narrowed his eyes, enjoying the pleasant feeling of the breeze brushing against his cheeks.

"I've never been moved by such dazzling beauty, so I can't understand the feelings of those who enjoy watching fireworks. But in that situation, if it can help Shirogane and Shinomiya be together smoothly, there's nothing wrong with helping out."

Although Xingjian has no interest in dating, he is quite interested in watching others fall in love.

"...I think I've figured out what kind of person you are, Xiaoqing."

Hayasaka turned around, looked at the boy's innocent and delicate profile, and made her own guess.

"When you decide to do something, you eliminate all personal emotions and distractions. You only move forward in the direction that will perfectly achieve your goal, and you're even willing to accept conditions that only harm your own interests. Are you some kind of rational and calm plan execution machine?"

"Haha, don't describe me as some selfless and amazing guy. This is just my habit of doing things."

Xingjian scratched his head a little embarrassedly and smiled, then continued to tap the window with his fingers casually.

"It's just because I feel I have no right to sacrifice the interests of others, and the damage I suffer is within an acceptable range, so I adopt a method of maximizing efficiency to pursue a solution that satisfies the majority of people."

"In other words, you care more about others than yourself, right?"

"No, to be more precise, I care more about making most people smile than myself."

He chuckled softly when he said this, and it was rare for him to tell others his true thoughts.

"If someone around me gets hurt or their wishes don't come true, someone will probably cry for them... but no one will care about me. I can handle this emotion on my own, so this is a very worthwhile exchange—or rather, I've made a profit."

"------"

Hayasaka opened her mouth. For the first time, she felt that the boy in front of her seemed a little strange.

"Of course, I like myself very much. There's nothing wrong with being selfish and self-righteous - but if someone is willing to be my friend even with this, then isn't it normal for me to go through fire and water for my friends?"

The boy ended this rather heavy topic with a smile, then raised his head and met Hayasaka's rather complicated gaze.

"Besides, it's thanks to this that I was able to discover you, sister."

He tilted his head slightly and smiled at Hayasaka who was staring at him blankly.

"It must be hard to stay in such a depressing house by yourself. It will definitely be much better if there is someone to accompany you."

"—"

Hayasaka Ai was stunned for a moment, then turned away with a helpless smile.

"...That's why I don't want you and I to become a family, Xiaoqing."

Hayasaka Ai didn't say this out loud, but just smiled bitterly in her heart.

One more family member means one more weak point, one more innocent person who may suffer the same tremendous pressure from the Shinomiya family as himself.

So this is one of the reasons why Hayasaka Ai wanted to keep a distance from her younger brother at all costs.

And this younger brother... seems to be much more mature and sensible than he imagined.

"By the way, we haven't seen each other for a week or two. Wouldn't it be nice to chat about other normal topics?"

Miss Hayasaka Ai calmed herself down and then ended her thoughts with a calm smile.

"Hey... so what do you want to talk about, sister?"

"The little daughter who was living and eating at Xiaoqing's house recently is finally gone. Is her pocket money enough?"

"Ah, well..."

"If it's not enough, don't hesitate, I'll give it to you~"

"Well, compared to this..."

Hoshimi pursed her lips and looked at Hayasaka with a bit of embarrassment, who was looking doting.

"I have another thing I want to ask you for help with, sister."

----

The Happy Extra Updates plan is still in progress~ Let's all go! ?(ˊ０ˋ*)?

Kasumigaoka Utaha is unlikely to be out of ideas: Chapter 9: The Last Resort (Part 1)

Three quarters of the summer vacation has passed, and the new semester will begin in just a dozen days.

As usual, Eriri Sawamura left her home and came to the downstairs of the high-end apartment building where Kasumigaoka Utaha lived. She swiped her card and walked into the lobby as if she was familiar with the place.

Although she has not been living in Shiyu's house recently, she has successfully obtained the key to Kasumigaoka's house from her.

Kasumigaoka Utaha's mood hasn't returned to normal recently, so Eriri often takes time to go to her house to play with her or chat - although most of the time the two of them basically turn from normal conversations to sarcastic remarks to each other, and it ends with Miss Eriri being indignant but unable to retort.

But for Eriri, she is not opposed to these things.

Spending every day with Kasumigaoka Utaha also made her realize that this guy was not the arrogant and domineering person he usually was on campus.

She would occasionally be confused like a little girl, and when she didn't admit her own thoughts, she would be more stubborn and ashamed than other girls.

Well—Eri Sawamura doesn't hate these new discoveries.

"I'm bothering you again—Hello, Kasumigaoka?"

It's the same today.

The girl with blonde twintails was carrying a bag of fresh fruits she had just bought at the supermarket downstairs. She turned the key with her free hand and opened the door. She stood in front of the entrance and awkwardly changed her shoes while waving hello to the inner room.

But today was a little strange, no one responded in the huge room.

"...?"

Feeling something was wrong, Eriri put on her indoor shoes, placed the fruit on the table in the living room, and then tiptoed towards the long and narrow corridor.

"Could it be that he's planning to rewrite something in his study?"

That's true - ever since Xingjian explained the situation to Shiyu a few days ago, she has been forcing herself to write and has never said the word "give up" since then.

"I heard that the library this girl belongs to is going to have a new work award next week... I have to encourage her and tell her to do her best."

Shiyu is not starting from scratch, after all, she has herself and another young man by her side.

When she thought of this, Miss Eriri unconsciously felt relieved, curled the corners of her mouth, and cautiously approached the study with the door ajar.

From the slightly open door, the bright light of the indoor lights could be seen pouring out, and it seemed that Shiyu had not gone out.

But just as Eriri was about to open the door with great enthusiasm and give Shiyu a spirited fist bump—

“Wait, don’t take it out here…!”

The voice of a familiar black-haired girl from inside the room froze the smile on Eriri's face, as did her hand, which was already on the doorknob.

"Please, at least not here..."

For some reason, the girl's voice sounded a little angry and embarrassed, completely losing her usual calmness and composure.

"Eh……?"

Miss Eriri Sawamura, who was very sensitive to this kind of lines, was stunned for a long time, and finally many indescribable guesses inevitably emerged in her mind.

No, take it out, what?

“Wait, this woman, did she start right here in the study—?!! Where did she find this strange man?!?”

"Eh...but I just wanted to show you, Kasumigaoka-senpai..."

The voice of a certain boy that also rang out in the room made Eriri gasp—this voice was also very familiar to her.

“??? What’s going on???”

In order to prevent her trembling hands from touching the half-open door, Miss Eriri staggered back a few steps in shock, trying to quickly analyze the current situation with her not-so-sharp brain.

When did these two get together??!

"Besides, it's not like you haven't seen this before, Kasumigaoka-senpai... and it's not just one thing you've seen before."

The boy was panting, and seemed a little tired. This addition made Eriri completely unable to sit still. Her brain could not bear the burden brought by the rapid operation.

So they had been hiding their affair from me before?