The Maid and the Maple Leaf (Hayasaka Ai x OC Male)

Chapter 45: Flaws, secrets and confrontation

Hayasaka: What are you talking about?

Ryota: We just barely know each other, y'know. Although we've been hanging out lately........

Hayasaka: I see.......so you wanted to know more about me. Right?

Ryota: Yes.

Hayasaka: I see. I guess, I should tell you........a secret.

Ryota: A secret?

Hayasaka: Please, promise me not to tell this to everyone...........

Just from her conflicted expression and shaking hands..........

She's about to unravel her true self.

That's right.

All this time, I knew that she's hiding her trueself, underneath another personality.

How could someone, change their personality in an instant? From a gal to being serious to being funny to being flirty.

I concluded one thing.........

Hayasaka Ai.........

.......is putting up a front.

She's hiding something.

Hayasaka: I am...........Kaguya-sama's personal valet.

Hayasaka: I work for the Shinomiya family.

Ryota: I see.

Hayasaka: You're not going to say anything?

Ryota: No. Why would I?

Ryota: I mean, I guess you need to do that to protect Shinomiya-san's personal life and to protect yourself.

Ryota: And to look out for her.

Ryota: I can't see anything that is wrong about it.

Ryota: You do you.

I stood up from the bench as I pat her head.

Ryota: Thank you, for telling me this.

Hayasaka: You don't hate me?

Ryota: Why would I?

Ryota: Why would I hate someone whose guilt is already eating them deep inside.

Ryota: After all, we humans lie because we wanted to protect something or someone dear to us.

Ryota: Well, it's part of being human to make those mistakes.

Ryota: I remember what my dad told me about truths and lies.

Ryota: "People lie, because they know the truth can hurt them."

Ryota: "But I'd rather be hurt by the bitter truth, than to be a fooled by a sweet lie."

Ryota: We don't want to be hurt, we also don't want to hurt others. I don't know if this is true to others.