Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Good Dog

It was at this moment that Shimizu Sakuya realized the magnitude of her mistake.  

Fujiwara Yuki was nothing like Ayase Aoi, who had been showered with love and privilege from birth.  

Yuki was born into a powerful political dynasty—a world of intrigue, deception, and hidden daggers.  

From the moment she took her first breath, survival meant navigating a minefield of schemes.  

Yet against all odds, Yuki had thrived in that vipers’ nest, emerging as the most dazzling rose of the Fujiwara’s new generation.  

How could Sakuya possibly hope to control her?  

Instead, she had walked right into Yuki’s web like prey, sinking deeper with every move.  

Stammering, unable to explain why Yuki had to be part of the club—of course she looked like a social climber in Yuki’s eyes.  

Even if she revealed that “secret,” why would Yuki ever trust her?  

Her death sentence had been pronounced before she could even begin raising affection levels.  

Even if she rescued Yuki from that gilded cage, walls of suspicion and doubt would always stand between them.  

Affection could make people blindly forgive mistakes—but right now, she had nothing to earn Yuki’s trust.  

The information advantage she once held was now useless. The world had changed beyond recognition.  

Yet here she was, still clinging to the godlike perspective from when the system existed, deluding herself that she could control everything.  

Acting on assumptions.  

Without the system’s guidance, she was nothing.  

Stupid. Blind. The epitome of arrogance.  

Her incompetence, her adult pride, her overreliance on the system—all had led to this.  

To progress the story… she might have to surrender the initiative to Yuki entirely.  

But even if she became Yuki’s servant for a week, would someone like her really keep her word?  

And what about Saori…?  

For now, she could only take things step by step.  

Caught in a whirlpool’s grip, resistance was futile. Sakuya had no choice but to yield.  

Time ticked by silently. Yuki waited with infinite patience for Sakuya’s answer.  

As she waited, her foot tapped rhythmically against the ground—an unspoken urge for someone to hurry up.  

In the alley’s shadows, Yuki’s eyes held the same devouring intensity as in that basement.  

Sakuya exhaled sharply, then made her decision.  

Bracing her hands against the yellowed wall for courage, she finally met Yuki’s predatory gaze head-on.  

“I accept your terms. But how will you honor your promise?”  

Yuki looked almost amused. “Don’t trust me? My word is gold~”  

When Yuki raised her hand, Sakuya instinctively flinched, eyes squeezing shut—  

But instead of pain, cool fingers brushed through her hair.  

“Good dog~”  

Yuki smiled down at her, almost fondly. “Come to Class C after club hours today. And don’t tell Saori.”  

“……”  

A beat of silence.  

“What’s wrong? Is the puppy unhappy?” Yuki leaned in, her eyes genuinely alight with amusement.  

“Can you… not call me that? I don’t like it.”  

It reminded her of memories where she’d lost all dignity but had to keep going.  

She expected refusal, but Yuki’s response was unexpectedly gentle.  

“Fine,” Yuki agreed instantly—then added, “But you’ll wear a maid outfit.”  

“…At school?”  

If she had to dress as a maid and call someone “master” here, her school life would be over.  

“Hmm, what do you think?” Yuki’s gaze was that of a lion toying with its prey, studying every flicker of Sakuya’s expression.  

“N-no.” For some reason, she couldn’t muster the will to fight back, her refusal awkward and hesitant.  

Pinned against the wall, all light blocked by Yuki’s silhouette, she was like a trembling rabbit cornered in a tiger’s den.  

Yuki’s smile deepened at the reaction. Leaning close, her breath tickled Sakuya’s ear as she whispered the final verdict.

“Don’t worry. It’ll definitely be… at home~”  

……  

Why?  

Why did she have zero resistance against Yuki?  

Had some deeply ingrained event from a “dark route” left its mark, only for the system to erase the memory?  

With the system gone, the only clue she had was Natsukawa Amane—no other leads to follow.  

But more exhausting than untangling this mess was—  

Gym class.  

Under the bright gym lights, the air buzzed with youthful energy.  

Sweat, shouts, the pounding of sneakers against hardwood—  

Sakuya stumbled through her laps, legs wobbling.  

This is insane. Her mind had long since given up.  

Overheated, gasping, throat burning—each breath tore through her chest like fire.  

Her constitution was so weak that two laps left her completely spent.  

A cool breeze brushed past—  

She looked up to see Ayase Aoi lapping her with effortless grace.  

Slowing down, Ayase Aoi glanced back, lips curling in derision.  

“Tch.”  

The scoff rang painfully clear even through Sakuya’s daze.  

She’s totally looking down on me!  

But what could she do? This body was pathetic.  

Ayase Aoi was a yakuza heiress trained in karate and judo. Saori was the kendo club’s ace with insane stamina.  

Even Yuki, the “weakest” of the three, had mastered archery under her family’s tutelage.  

Physically, Sakuya was outclassed in every way—plus she had the “frail, sickly” debuff.  

After a long internal struggle, she gave up.  

Raising a shaky hand, she wheezed.

“Sensei… I feel sick. May I go to the infirmary?”

After all, after P.E. class, she had to go see Fujiwara Yuki—who knew what kind of torment awaited her—so it was better to conserve some energy for now.

Shimizu Sakuya naively kept coming up with excuses for her own laziness.