The girl Yukima Azuma had happened to save on the street turned out to be none other than Suou Yuki—the eldest daughter of the illustrious Suou family, the most prestigious household in all of Gifu Prefecture.
For Yukima Azuma, this was a windfall. A chance encounter with someone like her? He couldn't have planned it better.
Originally, he had thought about slowly building up his reputation, playing the long game to network and find a suitable ally or partner. But now?
Why go through all that trouble when fate just handed you the ace card?
Still, something about the whole situation tugged at his thoughts.
Why would a highborn girl like Suou Yuki be walking alone on the street in the first place?
Worse, she'd suffered an asthma attack severe enough to collapse, completely unaccompanied.
As if reading the concern in his eyes, Suou Yuki offered an embarrassed, soft-spoken explanation.
"It's… it's too stuffy at home," she said, her voice light. "So I snuck out for a walk. I didn't expect my body to act up."
The moment he heard that, Yukima Azuma understood everything.
The Suou family was aristocratic in the truest sense—old money, rigid discipline, heavy expectations. The environment itself was a pressure cooker. According to the original story he recalled, her parents frequently argued—whether over work, affairs, or ideals—and the constant tension only added to her burden.
She'd said she wanted to relax, but in truth, she had fled.
And this intense pressure… was likely a root cause of her asthma.
"You shouldn't force yourself too hard. Stress makes asthma worse," he said softly, reaching out and gently patting her head. "Sometimes, just going with the flow is the best medicine."
After all, he was still in the form of Mitsuha, the high school girl whose body he was inhabiting for seven days. A little head pat between girls wouldn't seem strange.
Yet again, Suou Yuki's cheeks flushed faintly red.
Her lavender eyes flicked to his face, studying him with quiet curiosity.
The subtle gaze made Yukima Azuma feel… slightly uneasy. As if she could see through the disguise.
Fortunately, neither Natori Sayaka nor Teshigawara, who stood beside him, noticed anything odd. Suou Yuki was younger than them, so it was natural to treat her kindly.
Not long after, footsteps echoed in the hallway.
They stopped outside the door.
A moment later, two people entered: a graceful, beautiful woman and a young girl around Suou Yuki's age. They bore a striking resemblance—about 70% alike—and seemed like mother and daughter. Yet neither looked much like Suou Yuki herself.
"Oujou-sama, how are you feeling?" the woman asked gently, bowing with graceful formality.
"Kimishima-san, I'm okay now. Don't worry," Suou Yuki replied.
Then she turned toward Yukima Azuma.
"Thanks to her… she brought me to the hospital."
The woman called Kimishima turned her gaze toward Yukima Azuma. Then, with visible sincerity, bowed deeply.
"Young lady, thank you so much for saving our Oujou-sama."
Yukima Azuma waved it off casually. "It was nothing. Just passing by."
Meanwhile, the young girl who had entered with Kimishima looked devastated, her head bowed in guilt as she approached Suou Yuki's bedside.
Suou Yuki reached out and gently patted her maid's head.
"Don't blame Ayano. I left on my own."
So, this girl was Kimishima Ayano—Suou Yuki's personal maid and childhood companion. She had likely been left behind during Yuki's secret outing.
So that's how it is… Yukima Azuma mused.
These noble families really did raise girls with personal maids. It reminded him of Shinomiya Kaguya and Hayasaka Ai.
If I build up a strong household of my own, maybe I should also take in a family with a daughter to raise as a personal maid?
While he was still lost in thought, Natori Sayaka tugged gently at his sleeve.
"Mitsuha… did you just save someone really important?" she whispered.
She'd noticed several men in black suits standing silently in the corridor. That alone confirmed Suou Yuki's extraordinary status.
"It's nothing special. Whether she's a princess or a regular girl—if someone needs help, I'll help," Yukima Azuma replied coolly.
Sayaka looked thoughtful, then gave a slight nod. That kind of selfless thinking was what made Mitsuha—or rather, Azuma in Mitsuha's body—stand out.
Kimishima's ears twitched at his words, though she remained silent.
Moments later, the Suou family's formal entourage arrived.
Yukima Azuma had no desire to greet them. There was nothing he wanted from the family, only from Suou Yuki herself.
"It's getting late. Suou-san is fine now, so we'll be leaving. Take care," he said.
Kimishima bowed once more, this time with genuine gratitude.
"Thank you. Truly."
Yukima Azuma nodded politely and turned to leave.
But just then—
"Wait!"
Suou Yuki suddenly sat up.
"…Can I have your LINE?"
Yukima Azuma blinked, then smiled.
This was exactly the opportunity he was hoping for.
He took out Mitsuha's phone, and they exchanged LINE details with a quick tap.
After he and his companions left, Suou Yuki collapsed softly back into her bed.
Kimishima approached quietly. "Oujou-sama, the family car will arrive in half an hour. It's equipped for asthma treatment."
Then she hesitated.
"…And that girl who saved you—should we investigate her background?"
Suou Yuki blinked slowly, her expression unreadable.
"Yes. But keep it discreet. Don't let my parents know."
"And about the reward?"
"I'll decide once I know more about her."
Kimishima nodded.
Ayano remained by Yuki's side, visibly upset over her earlier absence.
Suou Yuki held her maid's hand reassuringly.
"Really, Ayano, stop blaming yourself."
The girl nodded, still silently punishing herself.
After a moment of silence, Suou Yuki turned to her, her tone suddenly playful.
"By the way… what do you think of her?"
Ayano tilted her head thoughtfully.
"She's beautiful. Seems to be a high school student. Very composed. Mature, confident… either from a refined family or someone extraordinary in her own right."
Suou Yuki chuckled mischievously. "So that's how you see her?"
"Was I wrong?"
"Not at all."
Half an hour later, the Suou family car arrived.
Suou Yuki was discharged, and the white, polished vehicle drove her back to the mansion.
Everything in her room had been sanitized. No potential asthma triggers remained.
In the past, the sterile tidiness might have made her feel lonely.
But now… her mind was elsewhere.
A few minutes later, Kimishima returned—with Mitsuha's documents.
Suou Yuki quickly scanned through the details.
Her eyes stopped on the attached ID photo.
A cute, confident-looking girl stared back at her.
Suou Yuki licked her lips unconsciously.
"Oujou-sama, what do you think?" Kimishima asked.
"No need to worry about it for now. Forget it," Yuki said, waving a hand casually.
But as soon as Kimishima left, Yuki reached for her phone.
She opened the LINE app, stared at the chat, and smiled.
The Next Morning
Due to the body swap lasting seven days, Yukima Azuma was still living Mitsuha's life.
He went down to breakfast with Grandma Hitoha and little Yotsuha.
In the middle of the meal, his phone buzzed.
It was a message from Suou Yuki.
Yuki: [I'm so bored, I feel like a salted fish stuck in bed.]
Azuma: [You better get some sun before you rot.]
Yuki: [Puhahahaha!]
The two had chatted the night before and bonded quickly.
Suou Yuki might appear dignified on the outside, but in reality, she was an otaku princess—clever, energetic, humorous.
Azuma: [Still coughing?]
Yuki: [Nah, much better now.]
Azuma: [Good. (Happy cat emoji)]
Yuki: [But I'm still bored! Wanna video call and watch anime?]
Azuma: [I have a better idea.]
Yuki: [Oh? What is it?]
Azuma: [Send me your location and a map of your house. And tell me how you escaped yesterday.]
Yuki: [Are you serious!?]
Azuma: [Try me.]
Moments later, she sent several hand-drawn maps of the Suou estate, complete with staff names and escape routes.
This girl… she's not just a princess—she's a strategist.
After breakfast, Yukima Azuma made his way back toward the estate.
Thanks to the map, he bypassed the front entrance and navigated to a back wall.
A quick jump, a few athletic moves—child's play for someone like him.
Before long, he was tapping lightly on a bedroom window.
It flung open.
"You're really here!" Suou Yuki whispered excitedly.
"I've escaped from church rooftops before," Azuma said dramatically. "Your mansion's child's play."
"You really are a master."
She extended her hand.
Yukima Azuma took it, vaulting into the room with practiced ease.
"Great athletic ability, Onii-chan," Suou Yuki giggled.
He froze.
"…Yuki, what did you just call me?"
She tilted her head with innocent mischief.
"Onii-chan. What? Did I say something strange?"
Her lavender eyes sparkled.
And for the first time since entering her room, Yukima Azuma felt slightly off-balance.