[Yukino Haruno had always been troubled by inheriting the family business. For the past twenty years, she had played the role of an heir worthy of the name Yukinoshita.
So she had never had a youth, nor did she hold any hope for her own future.]
And now, looking at her, she really was an actress named Yukino Haruno.
And Oreki was watching her act.
And Haruno.
"..." Haruno.
Her lips parted gently.
In truth, she was a little surprised inside.
Because Oreki's behavior was different from everyone she had ever met before.
Somehow... it felt as if he could see through her acting very easily.
Oreki could feel that Haruno was studying him with a probing gaze.
She probably thought it strange that her disguise had no effect on him.
Of course it had no effect. Oreki understood Miss Haruno's character very well.
On top of that, although Haruno was formidable, there was still a slight gap between her and Little Angel Kikyou Kushida.
Little Angel Kikyou Kushida forced herself to become a certain easygoing type of person, and there was no element of acting mixed in.
But with Haruno, there was an element of acting. She observed her target first, then judged for herself how she should act.
In other words, there was a slight degree of trying to please others.
And now, Haruno was deliberately not speaking because she was taking care of his emotions and wanted to obtain information from him.
"First of all, I'm not your enemy," Oreki said directly.
"Not... an enemy..."
"Uh, what does that... mean?"
Haruno did not understand what he meant.
"Phew—"
Oreki sighed lightly. "Looks like I wasn't informed," Oreki said.
???
This made Haruno even more confused.
Then she noticed Oreki placing both hands on the table.
"Let