Naruto Birdcage

Ayano's reaction upon seeing Makoto was similar to Ayari's—she became noticeably awkward.

However, she quickly put on a gentle smile.

"Makoto... it's so late. Why are you here?"

Her way of addressing him hadn't changed from before.

Makoto replied, "Am I not welcome here?"

Ayano hurriedly said, "Of course not! Please, come in."

She could sense that Makoto's attitude toward her was different now.

Perhaps he no longer bothered to disguise himself.

For this young man to suddenly rise to the pinnacle of power within the entire Hyuga clan—what had happened in between? No one knew.

Before that day, Ayano had always thought Makoto was just an ordinary branch family boy.

The abrupt transformation in his status had caught her completely off guard.

Makoto sat down on the sofa, and Ayano turned to pour him some tea.

The room was quiet, with only the occasional chirping of insects and birds from the night outside.

Makoto's gaze quietly followed Ayano's back.

Although she was simply dressed in a casual long dress, the curves of her full figure were accentuated as she bent over.

Unlike Ayari, Ayano exuded a far more feminine charm.

When Ayano walked over with the tea, she caught Makoto's unabashed gaze, causing her body to stiffen involuntarily.

She hurriedly averted her eyes in slight panic, lowering her head as she approached and placed the tea on the table in front of Makoto.

Makoto spoke, "I ran into Haruka on my way here."

Ayano immediately tensed up. "Did she… say something to you?"

Hearing this, a flicker of emotion passed through Makoto's eyes, but he said nothing further.

Instead, he picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

Unable to contain herself, Ayano sat down beside him and said anxiously,

"Makoto, don't listen to her nonsense…"

It seemed she wanted to explain something, but the words caught in her throat, leaving her silent.

In a bitter tone, she said, "I know. I'm no longer part of the main family. I shouldn't act like before. Haruka probably thought it was improper too."

Ayano's life had undergone a drastic upheaval in recent days.

Once a highly esteemed and respected future matriarch of the clan, her position had suddenly shifted, leaving her shunned and avoided by everyone.

Even Haruka, who had always served by her side, had changed her attitude.

This filled Ayano with intense resentment, and she seized an excuse to harshly reprimand her.

That wretch must have long been thinking about leaving her.

How could she not have tattled to Makoto upon seeing him?

Makoto listened to Ayano's pitiful tone, but he remained unmoved.

Calmly, he placed the teacup back on the table.

Judging from Haruka's earlier reaction and Ayano's current demeanor, he had already pieced together the situation.

This was the behavior of someone resentful and dissatisfied with her current plight, yet powerless to change it, so she had turned her servant into a scapegoat.

Makoto sneered inwardly but maintained a composed expression as he said, "You're right."

"You're no longer part of the main family, and you shouldn't continue to enjoy its privileges. Haruka doesn't need to serve you anymore."

Ayano merely kept her head lowered and her lips pressed together in silence.

She didn't dare defy Makoto's words; his current status and authority could easily determine her fate.

"And besides," Makoto added, "this is the residence meant for the future matriarch of the clan, isn't it?"

Hearing this, Ayano took a deep breath and said in a trembling voice, "I… I'll move out tomorrow."

Makoto said indifferently, "Move to my place. I could use another servant for my daily life."

Ayano felt as though her breath had caught in her throat.

She stammered, "Makoto, you want me to…"

To become a mere servant, tending to Makoto's daily needs, just like any other servant?

The very thought made Ayano feel like she was going mad.

How would the rest of the clan see her after this?

Moreover, she was familiar with the servants at the clan leader's residence.

She had often treated them with disdain in the past—was she now to work alongside them?

Ever since her marriage to Hiashi had been arranged in her childhood, Ayano's life had been one of privilege and comfort.

Within the clan, she was held in high esteem, and everyone who saw her would bow respectfully.

She had never imagined that a day like this would come.

Makoto glanced at her. "What? You're unwilling?"

Ayano felt her heart tremble.

She tried to picture a future where she lived without dignity and felt as though death might be preferable.

But if she truly weren't afraid of death, she would have spoken out and refused when Lord Taikei had presented that list earlier.

"Makoto… does Ayari know about this?" Ayano suddenly thought of something and asked.

That's right—she still had her younger sister, Ayari!

Ayari had such a good relationship with Makoto.

Surely, he would take that into consideration, wouldn't he?

"What does this have to do with Ayari?" Makoto replied, cutting off her hopes directly.

Despair filled Ayano's heart.

What terrified her even more was the consequence of refusing Makoto—she dared not face it.

She forced a smile, one that looked painfully strained.

"I… I understand. It's just that… I've never done this kind of thing before. I'm afraid I won't take good care of you."

Makoto smiled faintly.

"It's fine. You can learn slowly. After all, who's born knowing how to serve others?"

As he spoke, he slowly lifted one leg and rested it on the table.

His arm leaned against the sofa's armrest, propping up his chin as he looked at her.

Ayano froze in place, completely at a loss for what to do.

Makoto didn't say another word.

He simply watched her quietly, as if waiting to see her next move.

Lowering her head, Ayano's hair fell forward, covering most of her face.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she slowly rose from the sofa, bent her knees, and knelt before Makoto.

With trembling hands, she placed them on his leg and began gently massaging it.

She probably truly had no experience serving others before.

Makoto could feel no strength in her hands as she massaged his leg.

It made sense—this former clan matriarch had always been on the receiving end of such treatment, enjoying massages and pampering rather than providing them.

Makoto, however, didn't criticize or reprimand her.

Getting this self-proclaimed noblewoman to willingly kneel before him was already an accomplishment in itself.

Watching a beautiful woman fall from grace was an exquisitely satisfying experience, like crushing a delicate petal in the palm of one's hand to release its fragrance.

Under the light, Makoto studied the elegant woman in front of him closely.

As the mother of Hinata and Hanabi, her beauty was undeniable.

If her personality had been like Hinata's, he wouldn't have treated her this way.

Perhaps she had done an excellent job of pretending to be "gentle" in front of her children, which was why Hinata had inherited that softness.

Makoto suddenly reached out, brushing aside the strands of hair that hung over her forehead, tucking them behind her ear.

The touch of his fingers made Ayano's body tremble slightly, but she kept her head lowered and continued with her task.

"Did Hiashi ever tell you that you're beautiful?" Makoto suddenly asked.

"…"

There was a long silence.

Ayano, without saying a word, stood up and walked to the front door of the living room.

Outside, the night was deep, and the courtyard was cold and empty.

The moon in the sky had a faint halo around it, making it appear mesmerizing and dizzying.

The room behind her glowed with warm yellow light, and she could hear the sound of Makoto sipping from his teacup.

She reached out and closed the door behind her.

--------------

Exclusive access : All novel on paetron

Genshin impact 270+ch, Naruto birdcage 200+ch, Overlord Complete novel

From the apocalypse 100+ch, Fairy tail Destiny 50+ch

Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz