Kaguya-sama Wants My Surrender!

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9:15 PM

Amamiya was absorbed in a book and working on homework when the doorbell rang unexpectedly.

"Good evening, Senpai." 

The spy maid, Hayasaka Ai, stood outside his door.

"Good evening," Amamiya replied, turning around and gesturing her inside. "Come in."

He wasn't surprised to see her, as Hayasaka had already messaged him beforehand.

"Excuse me," she said, stepping in and raising a small paper bag with both hands. "Senpai, I brought some octopus balls. Want to share?"

"No thanks, I already brushed my teeth."

Hayasaka: "…." 

'Brushing again isn't a problem! Who could resist octopus balls?'

After swapping her shoes for slippers, Hayasaka joined him in the living room, settling at the table on her knees. She began recounting her day: "Thank you, Senpai. I bought the computer parts earlier, and they'll be delivered directly to my brother at home."

A brother fabricated from thin air.

With a hopeful look, the spy maid clasped her hands together. "My brother will be using a computer for the first time and might need help with assembly. I may have to trouble you if he has any issues."

"Sure thing." Amamiya reached out his hand. "Give me your hand."

It was clear enough why she'd visited. She wanted him to apply the "Evil Spirits Go Away" charm, so he went straight to the point.

"Oh." Hayasaka blushed faintly and extended her right hand.

'This is all part of the act,' she reminded herself. 'As a trained spy, there's no room for real shyness in holding a boy's hand!'

"Come to think of it," Hayasaka began conversationally, as if something had just occurred to her, "I happened to pass by a park this afternoon and thought I saw you with Kaguya-senpai." She maintained a casual tone. "You two were a bit far off, so I didn't go over to say hello."

Hayasaka had already thoroughly checked Kaguya's afternoon whereabouts. Her research showed that Kaguya first visited an arcade, then a park, and eventually took the bus straight back to her villa.

No going home with the boy in front of her. No hotel visit. 

In fact, she even seemed oblivious to a somewhat risqué joke involving radishes that supposedly only grow bigger, never smaller. 

Clearly, her young lady's virtue was still intact.

'Calm down and think logically.' There would've been people in the park that evening, so there's no way the young lady would have done anything inappropriate in public with a boy.

Yet Hayasaka's curiosity only grew stronger.

What exactly had happened to make her young miss eat that popsicle in 'that' manner?

'I need answers!'

"Yes, you saw right," Amamiya confirmed nonchalantly. "It was me and Shinomiya-san."

"Eh?" Hayasaka blinked and, propping her chin on her hand, gave him an inquisitive look. "But Kaguya-senpai seemed… really happy at the time. It was the first time I've seen her smile like that, so I almost didn't recognize her."

"Maybe it's just that people are in high spirits when good things happen to them," 

"Oh, good thing?"

"She acquired a new skill," Amamiya explained. "Now, she could probably take down ten of you at once."

Hayasaka was speechless. Of course, that explained it.

The young miss must have got a new skill without bothering to tell her, which would explain her cheerful mood throughout the evening. Since her identity hadn't yet been exposed, it made sense to keep it under wraps.

But still…

"Isn't claiming she could beat ten of me a bit of an exaggeration?" Hayasaka puffed out her cheeks slightly in protest.

Kaguya wasn't just any ordinary girl—she was a prodigy, highly skilled in archery, kendo, and karate. Although she looked delicate, she possessed surprising strength. But Hayasaka wasn't exactly weak herself.

Ten people? Two of her working together would be enough to give her young miss trouble.

"Don't doubt me." Amamiya met Hayasaka's skeptical gaze. "Put Shinomiya in the right circumstances, and none of us combined would stand a chance."

It was hard to say whether the shadow cats in the dungeon were truly living beings, but one thing was certain: they weren't very smart.

Using actual cats as a reference, their intelligence seemed to be around that of a two- or three-year-old.

Even so, they nearly wiped out the players.

With the ability to transform into a shadow and attack others through their shadows, the shadow cats were a formidable threat—especially to anyone unfamiliar with their weaknesses.

But what if those shadow cats possessed a player's level of intelligence?

Consider Kaguya as an example. High IQ. Calm demeanor. Logical thinking. Steely resolve. She never falters in crucial moments.

As a shadow cat, she would undoubtedly be a top-tier hunter.

Naturally, a skill that powerful must have limitations. It couldn't be used recklessly, and they'd have to wait until tomorrow's test to understand the specifics.

"It's done." Amamiya released his right hand after successfully copying and pasting the ability.

"Thank you, senpai," Hayasaka said, picking up a bamboo skewer to poke at a takoyaki ball. "It tastes amazing. Are you sure you don't want one?"

"No, I'm good."

"Too bad." Hayasaka sighed.

The ability had been copied, but Hayasaka didn't leave immediately.

"Senpai, could I flip a coin?" She clenched her right fist against her chest. "I'm not sure when the large-scale dungeon for Zoo Ghost Story will open, but I want to grow as strong as I can to help everyone."

If only she wouldn't be disappointed today.

Amamiya produced a coin, handing it to the eager spy-maid.

"Here."

"Thank you, senpai."

A moment later, the girl was cursed by bad luck.

Damn it. Damn it, damn it!

Hayasaka bit her lip, fighting the urge to stomp her feet in frustration.

Out of everyone, she seemed to be the only one who never managed to land heads.

With misfortune shadowing her at every turn, she couldn't help but feel that someone—or something—had it out for her.

"Looks like luck isn't on my side today," Hayasaka muttered, exhaling as she returned the coin. She reached out pitifully to grasp Amamiya's wrist, her face lifted like a small animal seeking comfort. "Senpai, we're not carrying too much bad luck with us here, are we?"

"You're in trouble." Amamiya stepped back, wearing a serious expression. "Do you know the one thing you should avoid doing when you're having a run of bad luck?"

"Huh?" Hayasaka blinked, curious. "What is it?"

Amamiya let out a quiet sigh. "Don't tempt fate by setting random flags."

Hayasaka was speechless.

For the next half-hour, she stayed on high alert. Yet despite her caution, misfortune struck twice: she stubbed her toe, bringing tears to her eyes, and bit her tongue mid-sentence.

"Senpai, I'm heading back," Hayasaka finally said, sounding defeated as she took her leave.

"…"

By ten-thirty that night, Miko crept back over, clearly unable to resist the lure of the night, a habit that was becoming increasingly frequent.

"...You'll have to mop up by yourself this time!"

"No more excuses, off to bed."

And the night passed without further words.

The following day, Amamiya, along with Miko and Hana, who lived nearby, set out for school as usual.

In May, the breeze was mild, and the sunshine gentle—perfect weather for a walk.

Thanks to Shimizu's presence, today was another day of "villains" playfully taunting their innocent "little lambs."

"Good morning, Hana-chan!" Chika called out cheerfully, having waited with a bright smile.

"Good morning, Chika-chan," Hana replied.

"How about joining us in the game club today?" Chika suggested.

"Absolutely!" Hana agreed, without hesitation.

"..." Miko, watching her friend's wholehearted agreement, could only sigh inwardly. Sold out and counting the money with a smile—yep, that's you.

Once again, the group made their way to the game club.

Before long, Umi and Kaguya joined them, completing the team.

"Hold on, I've got something to say," Chika said, raising her chin proudly. "Yesterday's penalty hasn't been carried out."

The others turned to look at her.

"Why not just let it go?" Hana suggested gently. "Like with the kissing challenge, we could just skip the pocky challenge next time too."

"Agreed." Umi crossed his arms and nodded. "Let's drop all the penalty enforcements whenever school rules come into play."

Speaking of breaking rules, Amamiya turned to Umi. "How do the school disciplinarians let you in every morning? Are you climbing over the wall daily?"

As a prestigious school, they had disciplinary officers at the gate each morning. How did a gyaru girl like her make it past?

"I don't climb over walls." Umi raised her chin and explained with a smirk, "I just button up at the entrance. Once I'm in, it's fair game."

"What about the earrings?"

"They're just for decoration. I took them off before coming to school. Only the two piercings above my earlobes are real."

"…"

Meanwhile, across the table:

"I refuse," Chika declared with conviction. "As humans, we must follow the rules—and that applies to games, too. That's my ninja way!"

"If you won't accept the punishment, you'll be breaking my Ninja Code."

"Amamiya-kun."

Hearing his name, Amamiya looked up, breaking off his quiet conversation to meet Chika's gaze.

"Yes?"

"Let's take on the punishment together!" Chika reached out, inviting him to join.

Amamiya interlocked his fingers, resting his chin thoughtfully. "Can I refuse?"

"Nope."

"Well, then, I guess I'm in."

Miko stared in disbelief.

You agreed so easily!

Kaguya, unsurprised, calmly opened her bag, pulled out a box of pocky, and set it on the table. "Let's get this over with quickly."

Amamiya's eyes widened slightly.

Wait…you brought pocky? Incredible.

There's definitely something off about that box!

"Hmph!" Kaguya, folding her hands calmly, her inner villainess cackling triumphantly.

As Amamiya guessed, there's really something wrong with the pocky bars.

After going home yesterday, she'd spent hours watching variety shows and videos on Pocky challenges. She'd seen enough accidental kisses and close calls to know she couldn't leave it up to chance.

I'll make sure you two keep your distance!

Knowing Chika's persistence, Kaguya had enlisted Hayasaka's help to prepare a special set of pocky bars, each specifically designed to snap easily. There'd be no "accidental" closeness here!

"Alright, let's begin."

Chika took a steadying breath, grabbed a pocky stick, and delicately bit one end with her pink lips.

The other girls watched in suspense as Amamiya bit down on the opposite end.

"Eh? This…"

Hana covered her cheeks, blushing, her fingers spread.

"This is…a bit much," Umi muttered, cheeks slightly puffed as she watched with a hint of annoyance.

Even Miko, who rarely showed any reaction, was twirling her hair with her right index finger.

Only Kaguya remained perfectly composed.

With a loud 'snap', Amamiya bit into his end, causing the chocolate bar to shatter instantly, as if it were especially brittle.

"The winner is decided," Kaguya declared promptly.

Everyone exhaled in relief.

Every chocolate bar would break with the slightest touch, keeping everyone at a comfortable distance!