Time passed quickly, and it was now Saturday.
During that time, Ryuya and Neika must have been having strategy meetings every day, as they basically acted separately from me after school.
Well, I was grateful for that since I could have strategy meetings with Riran without any reservations.
To be honest, our plan is at a level that I want to save until the very, very end.
If we mess up, it won't just be Ryuya and the others; it might even bind our own fates.
To prevent that, their own plan has to come first.
"Sorry, Akky, Rira. For calling you to a place like this."
"Don't worry about it. It's only natural when a best friend is in a pinch."
Before my eyes was the massive Jumonji estate.
A high wall surrounded the mansion, giving the impression that it would allow neither intrusion from the outside nor escape from the inside. I could understand why the neighbors called it a fortress.
While watching Riran and Neika talking about something in the garden, Ryuya approached me.
"Hey, Akito. Why is Kuonji here?"
"I called her as backup."
"Why? If you needed backup with a fast-thinking brain, wouldn't Ryuguin be better?"
"Well, it's complicated. We've got our own things going on. More importantly, how's your plan?"
"Probably, it'll go well. ...I think."
Well, there's no such thing as a plan that's 100% guaranteed to succeed in this world.
Our side isn't necessarily going to work either... After that, it'll be decided by how flexible or stubborn Neika's parents are.
"Ryuya. No matter what happens, I'm on your side."
"...Yeah. Thanks."
Ryuya and I lightly bumped fists.
At the same time, the mansion's door opened and a woman wearing a maid uniform appeared.
She had a Yamato Nadeshiko-like atmosphere similar to Ryuguin, a beauty characterized by her gentle, calm eyes.
Faced with the appearance of a real maid, something you'd almost never see in modern Japan, Riran stood there blankly.
I know, I know that feeling. Ryuya and I were also stunned the first time we saw her.
"I have been expecting you, young lady's school friends. The master is waiting. Please, this way."
Prompted by the maid, Neika, Ryuya, I, and Riran entered the mansion in that order.
The door closed automatically behind us. The entrance was so spacious that there was still plenty of room even if we all stood side-by-side.
I've been here many times, but I still can't get used to this size.
Riran, who pulled on my clothes lightly, spoke to me in a small, nervous voice.
"W-Wait, Akito! I heard it was big, I heard it was huge, but I didn't hear it was such a legit mansion...!"
"Was that so?"
"And what is that, a real maid? For that to exist in modern Japan, it means they're seriously rich, right...!? I don't even understand anymore...!"
Riran was panicking slightly.
Riran's house is big too, but this place is even bigger. Yeah, yeah, I get it.
Following the maid's guidance, we moved deeper into the mansion.
Ryuya and Neika seemed nervous, as their bodies were trembling slightly.
Even I, who originally wasn't involved, am nervous. The tension those two are feeling must be immeasurable.
"Nei, are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah. I'm okay."
"Don't push yourself too hard. I'll do something about it."
"...No. I'm also one of the parties involved... Let's handle it together, okay?"
"...Yeah, you're right."
The two walking in front of us smiled softly as they met each other's eyes.
The bond between those connected by the Red Thread of Fate, huh?
"Must be nice..."
"Yeah..."
...Hmm??
"Ri... Kuonji, just now—"
"I didn't say anything! I said I didn't say anything...!"
"O-Oh. I see."
Even if you deny it with such a bright red face, it only looks like you're confirming it.
Even though we were being noisy, Ryuya and Neika didn't tease us and kept looking straight ahead.
They probably don't even have the leeway to tease us... Is it okay for them to be like that?
We continued like that for a few minutes.
We climbed the stairs and stopped in front of a plate that said 'Reception Room'.
"Master. I have brought Lady Neika and her school friends."
"Yeah, come in."
The voice of an elderly man could be heard from inside.
I suppose you'd call it dignity. Even through the door, it gave me a sensation that made my body shrink.
The maid opened the door, and we entered one by one.
Inside were two people.
One was a dandy man who looked a bit aged.
His hair was styled, and he had a physique that was neither too fat nor too thin.
With sharp eyes, he looked at us as if he were evaluating our worth.
The other was a lovely woman who looked exactly like Neika.
Her hair was wavy, but if she put it in twin-tails, they would be at a level where you couldn't tell them apart. Rather than a look-alike, I would believe it even if someone said she was a clone.
"Father. Mother. Thank you for making time today."
Neika bowed respectfully.
So this is the sense of distance in this family... It makes me feel somewhat uneasy just watching.
Seeing Neika like that, her mother smiled gently.
"Nei-chan, you look well. Are you eating properly?"
"Well, more or less."
Neika averted her eyes slightly. Well, her lunch is basically sweet bread. She can't say that though.
However, her mother seemed to realize it somehow, as she placed her hand on her mouth and chuckled. Their way of laughing is not similar at all.
The father, who had been looking at Neika with sharp eyes, let out a soft sigh and spoke.
"Let us get to the point, Neika. We are busy."
"...! Yes, Father."
...I don't like this feeling. Even I got annoyed just now.
Ryuya and Neika sat opposite the two of them, and Riran and I sat between the four of them.
Good luck, you two. Stay strong.