Things were relatively stable on Kaguya's side. Since the fight earlier, most of the injured had already been carried away. Other than Raian, who was more seriously hurt, the other two had returned from the infirmary lively and energetic in no time.

"I expected it, but I didn't think the gap between us would be so big. As expected of Rinji."

"Ahaha…"

Facing praise from someone she had just seriously injured, Kaguya could only let out a few dry laughs. There was nothing she could do—after all, she was playing the role of Rinji now.

Beside her, Karura kept narrowing her eyes at her, as if trying to spot a flaw.

"Enough, chill," Erioh sighed from the main seat. "Since Karura likes you, I have no choice. I can't accept it, but it is what it is. However…"

Erioh cloudy eyes suddenly sharpened, and a murderous aura leaked from him. "Karura is still a high school student. If you dare to cross the final line today, I'll skin you alive, even if it kills me!"

'Whoa… scary.'

Seeing the veins bulging all over Erioh's body and his skin slowly turning purple, Kaguya broke into a cold sweat. Still, hearing the words "final line" made her blush a little. There was no way she would do that kind of thing with another woman.

To reassure the old man, she answered for Rinji. "Crossing the final line is absolutely impossible. I won't even consider it until Karura and I are adults and in university."

"…That's more like it."

Erioh nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad."

'Thank goodness, passed the test.'

"Since I always grant Karura's requests, if she wants to be with you, I won't stop it. Spend the New Year at the Kure clan's residence. Have fun."

"Yes."

From the conversation earlier, Kaguya could tell Erioh, as head of the family, truly doted on Karura, treating her like a treasure. In contrast, her own place in the Shinomiya family…

She glanced at Karura beside her and let out a sigh. The difference between the two of them as family heiresses couldn't be greater.

'Speaking of which, Rinji is in my body right now… hopefully nothing happens.'

—

By early morning, January 1st, the Shinomiya family was in upheaval. The family head, Shinomiya Gan'an, suddenly vomited blood and collapsed in the courtyard of his own home. With the one in charge down, the entire family fell into chaos.

"What happened?!"

"They say the head suddenly collapsed. The family doctor has already gone to check."

"What's the result?"

Outside the room, people waited anxiously, all deeply concerned for Gan'an's condition. In a family like this, once the head falls, a power struggle is inevitable, and the damage will be severe.

Click.

The sliding door opened, and the masked doctor stepped out. Seeing everyone's worried faces, he shook his head helplessly.

"Lord Gan'an's condition is critical. His health was already poor due to age, and… his eyes have started to turn red. Several internal organs are already showing signs of severe damage. Preliminary judgment is poisoning."

"Poisoning?!"

"Who did it?"

"They must still be in the mansion! Find them!"

Hearing this, the group erupted in chaos.

"If this drags on, his life will be in danger," the doctor said. "He must be sent to a major hospital for treatment immediately. Staying here will only make things worse."

"…"

The mention of a hospital made everyone fall silent. The people present were all Shinomiya heirs and top executives of the conglomerate. They knew full well what would happen if Gan'an's condition became public. The family had many enemies, and plenty of others coveted their wealth. If news of Gan'an's critical state leaked, someone would surely take the chance to move in on their assets.

Among the crowd, Rinji, still posing as Kaguya, couldn't help but smirk. This was exactly the situation he wanted.

"Father's safety should come first," said Shinomiya Oko, the eldest son and Gan'an's firstborn. He addressed the doctor seriously. "He can go to the hospital, but this must be kept quiet. Don't say it's Father—just tell people a high-ranking executive fell ill. Keep everything under wraps."

"Understood."

With the eldest son's approval, the doctor made the call. Soon, an ambulance arrived at the estate gates, and Gan'an was wheeled onto it. Only after the vehicle left did the crowd slowly disperse.

They all knew—the Shinomiya family was about to change. With the head in critical condition, the family was leaderless. One of Gan'an's three sons would have to take over, and the covert struggle between brothers would escalate into open conflict, intensifying the fight for power.

As for Kaguya? No one ever considered her an heir. And in truth, the so-called battle among three sons was really only between the eldest and the second—the third was the child of Gan'an's second wife and was already on the losing side.

The executives would now have to choose sides.

When the crowd dispersed, Rinji nodded in satisfaction. Exiting the room, he found Hayasaka waiting outside.

"Rinji…"

Hayasaka's feelings were complicated. She had witnessed Gan'an's collapse with her own eyes and knew Rinji was the one who did it. She had known something would happen the moment Rinji approached Gan'an, but she hadn't stopped him.

"The Shinomiya family is in chaos now, and that's exactly what I want," Rinji said with a smile. "The more chaotic things are, the more openings they'll reveal. And I'll be looking for those openings."

"…How did you do it? You're in Kaguya-sama's body right now, aren't you?"

"Yeah. Remember the gift I gave Shinomiya this morning?"

"You mean… the one President Shirogane gave her?"

"That's right. I hid something inside it because I knew she wouldn't open a gift from the president before her birthday," Rinji explained. "As for the poison… more accurately, it's a set of RNA."

"RNA… you mean a virus?!"