Ultimate Man [JJK X SOL]: Loading Golden Entries at The Start

The panicked orders echoed in the halls of the powerful families' estates:

"Hurry, call back the surveillance teams! They don't stand a chance!"

The realization had finally dawned on them. Ryuji's power wasn't something they could control or intimidate. Attempting to monitor him, hoping to find a weakness, was a foolish endeavor. If he decided to target them, there would be no place to hide. And after witnessing the brutal fate of the Black Dog family, these influential families understood they were dealing with someone beyond their reach.

"Is this what a sorcerer truly is?" one of the more ignorant family heads murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. Up until now, he'd assumed wealth was the ultimate power, that their influence was unshakable. But now, they understood that in the face of true strength, they were nothing more than lambs before a lion.

The world, they realized, was changing.

---

The next morning, Ryuji noticed that the usual surveillance presence around his residence had vanished. He'd been aware of their presence from the beginning but had ignored it, finding it more amusing than bothersome. However, the sudden absence was a clear sign that his message had been received.

"Tch! See? Sometimes you need to remind people of the food chain," he muttered to himself with a faint smile. Apparently, his demonstration had left the right impression.

With a rare stretch of peace ahead of him, Ryuji decided he'd use the time to rest and enjoy himself for the next couple of days. The attention he'd drawn at school hadn't faded yet, so he figured it was best to avoid the inevitable gawking crowds of students for a while longer.

As he settled in, his phone rang. Glancing at the unknown number, he hesitated only a moment before picking up.

"Hello, is this Mr. Ryuji?" The voice on the other end was clear, feminine, and unmistakably familiar.

"Speaking," he replied, recognizing the voice. "Hayasaka, right? Kaguya's maid?"

"Yes, Mr. Ryuji," she confirmed politely. "I am Hayasaka Ai, Miss Kaguya's personal assistant."

Ryuji raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He knew Hayasaka as the "perfect maid" type, someone who could blend into any role seamlessly. But right now, she was reaching out in an official capacity, and he wondered what the Shinomiya family had in store.

"Is there something you need?" he asked, his tone casual.

Hayasaka continued, "There are two days left until Miss Kaguya's birthday party. The family wanted me to inform you that, should you be otherwise occupied, they are more than willing to postpone the event for your convenience."

Ryuji smirked, amused by the Shinomiya family's eagerness to please. Despite their untouchable reputation among ordinary people, here they were, bending over backward to accommodate him. It was almost flattering—if not somewhat amusing.

"No need to change the date," he replied. "I'm free. I'll be there on time."

He sensed Hayasaka's relief on the other end. "Thank you, Mr. Ryuji. I'll relay the message. And… if you don't mind, I'll be the one to pick you up on the day of the event."

"Fine by me," Ryuji said, ending the call with a shrug. The Shinomiya family's invitation wasn't something he particularly cared about, but he was curious to see what they had planned.

On the other end, Hayasaka ended the call and turned to Kaguya, who had been waiting anxiously. Ever since the phone call began, she'd been hovering nearby, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"Well?" Kaguya asked, trying to maintain her usual poise despite her curiosity.

"Mr. Ryuji confirmed he'll be attending, Miss," Hayasaka said with a soft smile. She found Kaguya's eagerness endearing, given how reserved she usually was.

"Oh… that's good then," Kaguya replied, attempting to hide her relief and excitement behind a facade of indifference. She cleared her throat, composing herself. "It's not like it would matter if he couldn't come."

Hayasaka, ever the dutiful maid, fought to keep a straight face, her own amusement hidden behind a neutral expression. "Indeed, Miss. On another note, many of the dresses your father had prepared have arrived. Would you like to try them on?"

"Yes, let's," Kaguya replied, a small smile betraying her composed exterior. She was eager to look her best at the party, though she'd never admit it out loud.

As Kaguya busied herself trying on dresses, Hayasaka's mind drifted to the task her other employer, Kaguya's half-brother Oko, had given her. He'd made it clear: she was to do whatever was necessary to prevent Kaguya from securing Ryuji's interest.

Her loyalty to Kaguya was genuine, but so was her loyalty to her family. The Hayasaka family had long been under the Shinomiya family's control, and she couldn't ignore Oko's orders without risking everything her parents had worked for.

"Miss, would you like me to drive to pick up Mr. Ryuji in two days?" she asked casually, her tone neutral.

"Hmm? Sure, that would be fine," Kaguya replied absently, absorbed in examining the fit of her current dress. She trusted Hayasaka completely and didn't think twice about it.

Hayasaka clenched her fists subtly before releasing them. She felt a pang of guilt at the thought of betraying Kaguya, but her resolve held firm. She had a job to do.

---

Two days later, Ryuji stepped outside, expecting to find a standard car waiting to take him to the Shinomiya estate. Instead, a sleek, black, extended limousine was parked in front of his residence.

Hayasaka, dressed in her formal maid attire, stood beside the car. With her golden hair, calm demeanor, and elegant posture, she looked every bit the refined, professional maid.

"Mr. Ryuji," she greeted him, bowing slightly and gesturing toward the open door. "Please, make yourself comfortable."

Ryuji chuckled to himself. "Quite the welcome."

He stepped inside, noting the spaciousness of the limousine's interior. The back seat was luxurious, with plush seats and enough room to comfortably fit a dozen people. The driver's section was separated by a tinted screen, giving him and Hayasaka complete privacy.

Hayasaka entered after him, seating herself gracefully. She gave a signal to the driver, who began to pull away smoothly.

"Not in a rush, are we?" Ryuji asked, noticing the car's slow, leisurely pace.

Hayasaka nodded, her expression polite and calm. "I thought you might appreciate a more comfortable journey."

Ryuji arched an eyebrow. "Thoughtful. Very thoughtful."

She offered a slight smile. "Would you care for a drink, Mr. Ryuji? We have a selection here."

Ryuji glanced at the drink options, choosing a bottle of water. As he took a sip, he studied her with a raised brow. There was something about her demeanor, the way she leaned just a little closer, the subtle glances, that suggested she was… well, being rather forward.

Hayasaka noticed his gaze but maintained her composure, her face giving away nothing but professionalism. "Since we have some time, I thought I could provide you with a list of the other guests attending the party. I imagine many of the financial groups and high-profile families will be present."

She handed him a neatly prepared list. Ryuji accepted it, though he couldn't help but wonder where she'd been keeping it, given her attire. He glanced at the names and raised an eyebrow in surprise.

The list read like a who's who of the anime world's elite families—the Suzuki family, the Nakiri family from Totsuki Academy, the Fujiwara family, and the Shijo family, distant relatives of the Shinomiya family. Even the Yukinoshita family was included, likely due to Yukino's recent involvement in the sorcerer world.

He chuckled softly. "Quite the lineup. Seems the Shinomiya family went all out for this."

Hayasaka nodded. "The head of the family spared no expense to make this event memorable, especially since it's in honor of Miss Kaguya."

As he skimmed the list, Ryuji noticed that Hayasaka had quietly shifted closer. When he looked down, he found her kneeling in front of him, her gaze steady as she met his eyes.

"What are you doing?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in genuine surprise.

Without a hint of fluster, Hayasaka looked up at him calmly, her tone professional even as a slight blush colored her cheeks. "I simply thought, Mr. Ryuji, that the journey might be more… enjoyable if I helped you pass the time."

There was a faint crack in her mask, the blush on her cheeks betraying her nerves, but she held his gaze, unwavering.

Ryuji chuckled, lifting her chin with a finger. "Did someone put you up to this?"

Hayasaka didn't confirm or deny it. Instead, she offered a soft smile. "Does Mr. Ryuji lack confidence in his own charm?"

Ryuji laughed, genuinely amused. "You're an interesting one, Hayasaka."

She didn't break her gaze, her poise unshaken. "Then, shall we continue?" she asked, her voice as calm as ever, though the faint blush on her cheeks hinted at a crack in her otherwise flawless composure.

Ryuji leaned back, a faint smirk on his face. "Go ahead," he said, deciding to play along. He was curious to see just how far she was willing to go and what her true intentions were.

Hayasaka moved with practiced grace, every action precise and calculated. Despite her composed demeanor, Ryuji could sense the slight tension in her movements, the way she kept herself perfectly poised but not completely at ease. For all her professionalism, this was clearly not something she did often.

As she settled into her position, she looked up at him, her expression unreadable but her eyes sharp, calculating. For a brief moment, Ryuji wondered if this was all a performance, a façade meant to draw him in or test him somehow. Was she simply following orders, or was there something deeper here?

"So, tell me, Hayasaka," he began, his tone casual but his gaze intense. "Do you do this for every guest, or am I just that special?"

Hayasaka's lips curved into a subtle smile, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "You're very special, Mr. Ryuji," she replied smoothly, without missing a beat. "It's rare that we have someone of your… caliber attending one of our events."

Her voice was calm, almost detached, as if she were simply stating facts.

Ryuji chuckled, recognizing the game she was playing. "Well, I'll be sure to make it worth your while," he replied, leaning forward slightly. "But tell me, what does your master think of this approach?"

Hayasaka's expression remained perfectly composed, though her gaze grew slightly sharper. "My master doesn't need to know every detail," she said quietly, her tone almost conspiratorial. "Besides, I believe it's my job to ensure that you enjoy the experience in every way possible."

Ryuji raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. Hayasaka was clearly more than just a maid; her loyalty and dedication went beyond simple servitude. But at the same time, there was an air of independence about her, a sense that she was acting of her own accord, perhaps even defying her master's expectations.

He decided to push a bit further. "And what about Kaguya? How does she feel about her maid getting so… personal with her guests?"

For a moment, Hayasaka's mask slipped, and a flicker of genuine emotion crossed her face—surprise, perhaps even a hint of frustration. But she recovered quickly, her expression smoothing back into calm professionalism.

"Miss Kaguya trusts me completely," she said quietly, a hint of defensiveness in her tone. "She knows that I'll do whatever is necessary to serve her best interests."

Ryuji studied her carefully, his eyes narrowing. He could sense the underlying tension in her words, the weight of a conflict she hadn't fully resolved. Hayasaka was a master at hiding her emotions, but in that brief moment, he'd glimpsed the cracks in her armor.

"You're an interesting one, Hayasaka," he said, his tone softening slightly. "Loyal to a fault, but there's more going on here, isn't there?"

Hayasaka met his gaze, her calm exterior wavering just slightly. For a moment, it seemed as though she might say something, reveal something beyond her practiced professionalism. But then, with a slight smile, she regained her composure, tilting her head in acknowledgment.

"Perhaps," she murmured. "But some secrets are best left unsaid, don't you think?"

Ryuji chuckled, leaning back in his seat, a glint of admiration in his eyes. "Fair enough. Just remember, I don't mind a little mystery, keeps things interesting."

***

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