Mazumi Mami

The vehicle continued forward, merging onto the main road leading to Yingtai Advanced Nurturing High School.

The closer they got to the school district, the denser the traffic became, with all kinds of private cars mixed in, and even a few vehicles bearing special license plates that clearly marked their owners as figures of status. The clamor of the first day of school seeped faintly through even the top-tier soundproofing materials.

Finally, at an intersection, the long line of cars came to a complete halt due to the traffic light or congestion ahead.

"Dawn" sat quietly in the queue, and beside it happened to be a city bus that had seen some years, its windows wide open, packed with students also wearing Yingtai High uniforms, though the colors seemed to vary by grade or class.

Liu Zheng casually glanced to the side.

Inside the bus, there seemed to be a minor commotion, faint arguments audible, apparently about giving up a seat for an elderly passenger.

He looked away. These everyday little frictions didn't warrant much of his attention at this moment.

"Since we're almost there, let's use these last few minutes to cross-check the basic intel one more time."

He sat up straight. Though he'd left Runa's lap pillow, the natural, intimate atmosphere lingered.

His tone shifted from the relaxed small talk of before to something closer to a mission briefing, though still calm.

"Understood."

Walnut responded immediately, handing him a paper document while tapping quickly on the laptop balanced on her knees.

A hidden micro-projector in the ceiling activated silently, casting a soft beam onto the blank wall panel across from them, clearly displaying a series of documents, photos, and relationship charts.

"First, Your Highness's public identity for this mission."

Walnut's voice was steady and clear, like a professional commentator.

"Mazumi Mami, legal heir to 'Mizuki Heavy Industries,' the largest comprehensive enterprise within the Chongying Protectorate. Records indicate biological sex as female, but due to family business traditions and inheritance needs, has been publicly announced and raised as male since childhood."

The projected photos were mostly long shots or back views—a slender figure in conservative clothing, often wearing a hat, appearing at the edges of certain business events or in moments of entering or exiting vehicles. Frontal shots were either blurry or taken from awkward angles, hard to make out clearly.

The paper document in Liu Zheng's hand, however, contained several much clearer frontal photos, clearly "internal versions" from the Imperial intelligence department.

The "Mazumi Mami" in the photos had short black hair, slightly pale skin, and a pair of dull, lusterless light-yellow eyes, with an overall gloomy, introverted aura.

"Body shape is close to mine, hair color matches. Eye color... black hair with gold eyes versus black hair with yellow eyes—at normal social distance and lighting, unless you stare specifically, it's not easy to tell apart."

Liu Zheng carefully compared the photos to his own features, tapping a finger lightly on the document.

"The condition for this identity swap is that the real Mazumi Mami secretly goes to the Imperial Capital to receive top-tier medical treatment and care at the Imperial Medical Academy, using three years of 'disappearance' to trade for the possibility of health or even extended life."

"For Mizuki Heavy Industries, this deal is a sure win—a sickly heir who can't easily appear in public goes into 'convalescence,' while simultaneously using this to connect with the Imperial Royal Family and open up broader markets in the Protectorate and even the mainland... Tch, businessmen sure know how to calculate."

Liu Zheng said.

"To build a company into the top player in the Protectorate, the decision-makers wouldn't be short-sighted."

Walnut nodded in agreement. "This cooperation is based on a clear exchange of mutual interests."

"But what about the insiders?"

Runa Inoue frowned slightly, her violet eyes carrying professional caution. "If someone within the Mazumi family or the core corporate layer leaks..."

"They won't, and they wouldn't dare."

Walnut shook her head, her tone firm.

"Not to mention that our true objective is completely confidential; even if they had suspicions, they'd have no courage to resist or leak. The will of the Empire is not something a mere local enterprise can defy. Moreover..."

She switched the projection to show the Mazumi family tree and background analysis of some core members.

"The Mazumi family does have noble blood in their ancestry, always priding themselves on 'Shenzhou heritage,' with limited identification with Chongying itself. In their view, submitting to the Empire's arrangements and binding themselves to a stronger central power is the right path for the family's continuation and expansion. Chongying is just a place for them to accumulate capital."

Walnut said.

"Oh? That sounds a bit like our situation, doesn't it?"

Chisato Nishikigi blinked her ruby-like eyes, looking thoughtful.

"Completely different."

Walnut corrected immediately, her voice carrying a clear, unmistakable boundary.

"We come from an orphanage in Chongying, brought together by fate, and even more so, selected and trained by the Empire. Our identity, the one we serve, our future destination—it has always been the Shenzhou Empire, by His Highness's side. This place is just the location where we carry out our mission."

Walnut said.

"That's right."

Runa Inoue spoke softly but firmly.

"For the Empire, for His Highness, this is no destination. Our destination has always been only one."

Her gaze fell on Liu Zheng, calm yet carrying immense weight.

"The way you all talk..."

Liu Zheng—or rather, Mazumi Mami—gave a helpless smile. "You're making me feel embarrassed."

"But that's exactly what we truly think!"

Chisato Nishikigi said it as if it were the most natural thing, her smile bright.

"That's true."

Runa Inoue nodded.

"Seconded."

Walnut said.

"...Alright, I truly have received this sentiment."

Mazumi Mami took a deep breath, suppressing that trace of embarrassment.

"But for now, let's focus on the mission. First, start adapting with the address. In public settings, especially on campus, the title 'Your Highness' must be completely avoided."

Mazumi Mami said.

"Then what should we call you? Master?"

Chisato Nishikigi's eyes lit up, blurting it out as if she found the idea amusing.

"Pfft... That's even more over-the-top than 'Your Highness,' isn't it? Are we trying to make sure everyone notices us?"

Mazumi Mami laughed, amused by her.

"Then... Mazumi-kun?"

Runa Inoue proposed a form of address more suited to everyday campus life, standard and polite.

"Hmm, that fits the identity, but..."

Mazumi Mami paused in thought, "It feels a bit too formal, too distant. Our current relationship setting is master and servant, but also long-term companions—'family.'"

Walnut, who had been watching their discussion, spoke up with her characteristic, electronically precise tone.

"How about a compromise: call him 'Young Master'? It fits our maid identity setting without being too distant, is more low-key and natural than 'Master,' and won't stand out too much on campus. Many students from prominent families have attendants or servants who use this address."

Walnut said.

Mazumi Mami thought it over and nodded in approval.

"Yeah, that works. Let's settle on that for now. You can call me whatever you like in private, but in any situation where outsiders might be present, including at school, use 'Young Master' uniformly."

Mazumi Mami said.

"Understood, Young Master."

Runa Inoue was the first to respond, her voice steady as she made the first switch.

"Yes~ Young Master!"

Chisato Nishikigi followed cheerfully, deliberately drawing out the tone.

"Instruction confirmed, Young Master."

Walnut quickly noted something in her laptop while replying.

Just then, a bit of commotion rose from the bus beside them—perhaps the seat-giving dispute had reached a conclusion, or something else had happened.

But the four inside the "Dawn" vehicle had already turned their focus toward the approaching, unfamiliar campus.

The long line of vehicles finally began to creep forward slowly.

In the distance, the gate of Yingtai Advanced Nurturing High School—modern in design yet subtly exuding solemnity and isolation—was already clearly visible.