Fujiwara Yoshiaki, who was sitting in the tea room, listened to the sincere apology of Akino of Saionji Temple in front of him, and his brows moved slightly.

He picked up the teacup that already had tea and gently pushed it down with his hands.

The rich green tea flowed down the russet brown coffee table, sliding out a few lines.

Tea drops fall on the tatami mats, darkening the color of the tatami mats.

"Do you think you will be forgiven if it is now the occasion to meet important guests, and in this case, they, as attendants, have made such a low-level mistake, just like me just now?"

Hearing this, Saionji Akino was silent for a moment, and chose to bow his head: "I'm really sorry." ”

"As an attendant of the Fujiwara family, damaging the Fujiwara family's public property is a taboo among taboos, but you have educated them for six days, but you don't even understand this truth?" Fujiwara Yoshiaki's tone was full of dissatisfaction, and he didn't have the same attitude towards Saionji Akino a few days ago.

"I think, it's not that you don't understand, it's just that your ability is not enough."

Saionji Akino has nothing to say, since the child he is responsible for has made a mistake, the responsibility must be borne by himself.

"Since this kind of thing has happened, then there is no need for the first round of competition tomorrow, and those who make mistakes will be punished, Xiyuan Temple Akino, this first round, you lost, do you have any objections?"

Saionji Akino shook his head.

"Tomorrow, let all the children in charge of you come to me, and when I call you, you will come back for the second competition."

"Saionji Akino, you can go back." Fujiwara Yoshiaki singled out the name of Saionji Akino, implying that Fujiwara Nagi should stay.

After Saionji Akino left first, Fujiwara Nagi remained seated and quietly looked at Fujiwara Yoshiaki.

I saw Fujiwara Yoshiken slap the table angrily, "You did this today, right?" ”

Fujiwara Nagi's heart tightened, and she subconsciously wanted to admit her mistake and apologize, but maybe it was because of the backlog of resentment for many days, and gradually figured out some things.

This time, Fujiwara Nagi remained calm, and she replied calmly, "Lord Yoshiken, I don't understand what you mean. ”

"You deliberately let the maid go over and knock down those two little boys, and then use this to slander and frame them, and then use this despicable means to win the first round, you planned it, right?" Fujiwara Yoshiaki's words became more and more serious, as if he wanted to stimulate her with such harsh words.

But Fujiwara Nagi still stabilized his mind, although he felt angry in his heart, he didn't show any flaws on the surface, and he bit it to death and said that he didn't know.

And after Fujiwara Yoshiken stared at her for a long time, the angry look just now disappeared in an instant, as if it was just a joke.

"Yes, no matter who you face in the future, you have to keep your current state, especially in the face of other people's accusations, you must not show cowardice, or admit it directly, because you represent the face of my Fujiwara family."

"......" Fujiwara Nagi was stunned when she listened to this sudden turn of events and comments, while Fujiwara Yoshiaki didn't want to say anything more, waved her hand, and signaled that she could leave.

——

Fujiwara Nagi, who walked out of the tea room, could not suppress the excitement in his heart.

So, what does Yoshiken-sama mean that he approves of my actions today...?

Yes, it is precisely because of the recognition that it will be so simple and clear to decide the failure of Saionji Akino.

So, did you deliberately ignore me before because you wanted to deliberately irritate me? Otherwise, today's attitude would not be like this...

Fujiwara Nagi walked a slightly brisk pace, and when he passed by the wooden pillar at the corner of the cross, he saw Saionji Akino, who had just walked by.

The young man was obviously a little lost at this time, and his eyebrows and eyes were lowered.

Fujiwara Nagi just glanced at him, and quickly withdrew his gaze, ignoring the slight guilt in his heart.

…

Saionji Akino's loss is not because he lost the first round, but... He was a little worried that the three children would blame themselves too much, especially the two little boys, Nan and Yongzheng.

After six days of contact, everyone has become quite familiar.

It is very normal for little boys to have a lively and cheerful temperament and love to play, and as children who are happy to move and not like to be quiet, they can be willing to calm down and recite mantras with themselves and learn the steps of the attendants, which has made Saionji Akino very satisfied.

Moreover, it can be seen from the fact that they started chattering as soon as they got up today, and they also have certain expectations for tomorrow's competition.

It's just that... It's a pity that this kind of accident happened.

Sighing softly, Saionji Akino quickly returned to the three children.

…

As soon as he returned to the room, Saionji Akino heard two immature and slightly trembling voices.

"Big Brother Akino..."

"Big Brother Akino, I'm sorry... It's all me and Yongzheng who are not good, or you can beat us up! Minami and Yong were kneeling on the tatami mats, crying bitterly.

Saionji Akino hurriedly helped them up, then picked up the paper towel that was placed on the side and handed it to them.

At the same time, he shook his head: "It's okay, you have to pay more attention in the future, hitting people around the corner is not a small probability event, and when you really go out in the future, you must also observe more, and then go out, try to avoid the possibility of danger." ”

"Then our competition tomorrow..."

"Hmm... It's just that we lost the first round, but there is a second round, so just keep working hard after that, and there will always be a chance to win it back. Saionji Akino skipped these lightly.

Just as he said to the children at the beginning.

The competition is not the most important thing, although it is very important for him, but it is not the case for the children.

Moreover, he is actually mentally prepared to lose the first competition, a total of three competitions, as long as he can win the last two.

"The second round... But..."

"I'm really sorry, Big Brother Akino!!" The two little boys hugged Saionji Akino's arm and cried heartbreakingly.

Although it was originally a somewhat sad atmosphere, Saionji Akino couldn't help but laugh when he saw their snot and tears.

"Don't cry, if you cry again, I'm going to laugh at you, right?"

Hearing this, the two little boys looked at Shina behind them, and Shina's eyes were originally red, but when she heard Saionji Akino say this, she also cooperated: "Yes, manly man, if you cry a lot, no one likes it." ”

Saionji Akino took over the words: "One or two failures are nothing, this time is just a small thing, don't take it to heart, however, we must remember the lesson of this time, if we can not make the same mistakes in the future, then today's failure is valuable." ”

"Remember?"

"Remember, remember..."

"Okay, wipe your tears and snot, and get some rest later."

Looking at the children's well-behaved and clumsy movements, Saionji Akino suddenly had a feeling that these three children were really his own brothers and sisters.

Although they only spent six days together, he also developed feelings for these three children.

So he can't help but think about the future.

Where will they end up in the future?

Is it still at Fujiwara's house?

If you ignore them after the competition, will they also be taught by the Fujiwara family to look like they lose themselves?

And... When the competition is over, can you really leave without any worries?

……

Saionji Akino suddenly realized that this might be Fujiwara Yoshiaki's conspiracy against him.

That's why he specially found these poor little children.

But now I know that there is a pit ahead, but I still have to jump in.

——

Night.

Saionji Akino didn't go to the hydrangea garden, but Fujiwara Nagi took the initiative to find him.

"Akino-kun?" Fujiwara Nagi, who had just taken a bath, gently knocked on the wooden floor outside the door, making a crisp sound.

The three children had been sleeping in a separate room with Saionji Akino three days ago, so Fujiwara Nagi wouldn't disturb them when he came over.

"Miss Fujiwara? What's wrong? Saionji Akino gently opened the door and looked at Fujiwara Nagi with some confusion.

"It's not what's wrong, you're today... Isn't something wrong? You okay? Fujiwara Nagi asked with concern.

"It's fine, it's just that I lost the first round."

"How did you lose?"

Saionji Akino hesitated for a moment, he watched Fujiwara Nagi just kneel in a yukata and sit in the hallway, and felt that it was not good, so he invited her into the house.

"Aren't you afraid of me this time?" Fujiwara Nagi laughed.

Saionji Akino felt helpless about her flirtatation, but she slowly began to get used to it.

After all, Fujiwara Nagi herself is a confident, somewhat arrogant "sister" type girl who likes to do some verbal flirtation.

However, this is in contrast to the helpless grievances she had when she attacked her at night before.

"It's too late, I won't make you tea, do you want water?"

"If I don't drink it, I don't want to think about the night."

"Well... Then..."Saionji Akino sorted out his words and briefly explained what happened this morning.

And Fujiwara Nagi, as the main messenger, listened to the slightly flat tone of Saionji Akino, and couldn't help asking, "You... Aren't you angry? ”

"After six days of hard preparation, don't you feel unwilling to end up like this in the end?"

"It's just the first round of the competition, as long as the second round and the third round are done well, besides... Children make mistakes, and that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing. Saionji Akino smiled gently.

"......" Fujiwara Nagi paused when he heard this.

“… If only I could meet a teacher like you when I was a kid..."

"I wanted to come over and comfort you, but now it seems like it's too much."

"Thanks, but... Fujiwara-san, actually, I happen to have something to ask you for. Saionji Akino originally planned to talk to Fujiwara Nagi after a while, but since the other party took the initiative to come to the door, now that there is an opportunity to communicate, he spoke directly.

"After this competition is over, can you please help me take care of these six children temporarily?"

"Six? Do you mean the six kids who are now taking part in the competition? ”

"Well, if you can, I want you to help me send them out of the Fujiwara family, and then I will be responsible for arranging their tuition, living expenses, and guardians."

"Why is this happening? Wouldn't it be nice to let them stay at Fujiwara's house? ”

"I don't think so." Saionji Akino said firmly.

"Staying in the Fujiwara family environment is not conducive to the physical and mental development of these children."

“…… So, just because you've known each other for six days, you want to put that much effort into helping them? ”

"Hmm... Actually, it doesn't take a lot of effort, but it's something I think needs to do, Miss Fujiwara, please. Saionji Akino bowed his head very sincerely.

“……”

"I'll help you, but it may take some time then."

"Thank you."

Fujiwara Nagi came here tonight to talk to Saionji Akino, in fact, in essence, to clear his suspicions, and by the way, to see if there is a chance to further his relationship with him, so that he believes in himself more.

This will be beneficial to one's own deception later.

Now the first deception has already had good results, wait until the next time... Next time...

Fujiwara Nagi felt joy at her victory on the one hand, and an inexplicable sense of guilt on the other.

Walking out of Saionji Akino's room, Fujiwara Nagi walked barefoot on the wooden floor, the moonlight poured on her body, all the way down, you can see that her whole body skin is pink and tender at this moment.

However, the girl's eyes were a little melancholy.

"But... I had already made up my mind to deceive him and take advantage of him, but now what are I guilty of here...? ”

"I'm a bad woman... There's no need to feel guilty at all..."

Muttering to herself, the girl shook her head and hurried back to her room.

(End of chapter)