Student Council Room — Earlier
The atmosphere had achieved a rare harmony.
Led by Sakurai Saki's pointed question about her hair accessory—which had backfired spectacularly—the council members now offered genuine opinions on Kaguya's new look.
"Not bad." Ishigami Yu nodded with the gravity of a fashion critic. "Shinomiya-san's original image definitely projected 'do not approach' energy. This is an improvement."
"SUPER CUTE!" Fujiwara Chika's endorsement was enthusiastic if distracted—she remained attached to Sakurai Saki like a particularly affectionate koala.
"Pretty good." Shirogane Miyuki's contribution was characteristically understated. Complimenting girls was not his forte.
Sakurai Saki said nothing.
He was busy strategizing.
How do I fix this?
Eighty is too high.
Eighty is dangerous.
Eighty is—
"Sakurai." Shirogane rose. "Volleyball club. Equipment inventory for the tournament. They're ready for us."
Saki nodded, extracting himself from Chika's grip.
"I WANT TO GO TOO!"
Chika, naturally, attached herself to the mission.
Ishigami Yu glanced at Kaguya.
Then at the door.
Then back at Kaguya.
Alone. With Shinomiya-senpai. In this room.
…
Nope.
He stood with the urgency of a man fleeing a burning building.
"More people, more efficiency. I'll assist."
Kaguya, observing the mass exodus, rose gracefully and followed.
Ishigami breathed an internal sigh of relief.
Success. Not alone with her.
That look she gives people—like she's calculating the most efficient way to dispose of a body in Tokyo Bay—
Terrifying.
Gymnasium — Volleyball Club Area
Balls were counted. Equipment was inventoried. Everything checked out.
"Want to play?" Sakurai Saki's suggestion landed with calculated casualness. "Still time before tutoring. Too early for the library."
And I need Kaguya's affection to drop. Seventy is the target. Seventy is safe.
"Boring." Kaguya turned to leave. "I'll head back—"
"Could it be?" Saki's voice carried mockery. "Kaguya-san is afraid? Afraid of losing to me?"
She stopped.
Turned.
"Lose?" A single eyebrow arched. "Arrogant. My volleyball skills may not be Shuchi'in's finest, but they're certainly second place."
Chika mumbled softly: "Kaguya-san… that's also pretty arrogant~"
Ishigami Yu took several deliberate steps backward.
Exercise?
No.
Absolutely not.
Never.
"My skills are… limited." Shirogane Miyuki's self-assessment was honest. "If no one objects."
Though I've practiced. Serving. Bumping. Spiking. Privately.
I'm not completely useless.
"Two-on-two." Saki decided. "Ishigami referees."
The volleyball club's absence meant an empty gymnasium—perfect for an impromptu match.
"Team division?" Kaguya's eyes calculated.
Shirogane's stamina seems excellent. Part-time jobs keep him fit. He ran fast at last year's sports festival.
For victory, strong teammates are essential.
"Saki-kun's team~!" Chika already stood at his side.
"Gender division." Saki's explanation was smooth. "Physical contact during mixed play would be… inappropriate."
Surface reason.
Deeper reason: I want Shirogane.
Even with his singing, I trust his athletic ability. He's not bad at sports.
I've seen him in PE.
(He hadn't, actually. Not really. But confidence was high.)
"Sorry, Miyuki." Saki's voice carried genuine seriousness. "I won't let him be your teammate. Absolutely not."
"Hmph." Kaguya accepted. "As you wish."
Losing a strong teammate is acceptable. Fujiwara Secretary, even as dead weight, won't sink me entirely.
"What about ME?!" Chika's protest went unnoticed.
Shirogane clapped Saki's shoulder.
"Good luck."
His expression was relaxed. Confident, even.
Saki breathed easier.
Chika's Declaration
Chika stomped to Kaguya's side, fury radiating from every pore.
"I'm going to DESTROY you!" She pointed at Saki. "Saki-kun, you'll REGRET this!"
Sorry, Chika.
I can't lose this war.
Saki spun a ball on his fingertip, casual dominance.
"Who serves first?"
"Ishigami-kun decides." Kaguya's smile was gentle. Warm. The smile of someone who had definitely never disposed of bodies in Tokyo Bay.
Ishigami's soul left his body.
That look.
That "decide incorrectly and your lifespan shortens dramatically" look.
Humility is a virtue.
Men yielding to women is grace.
Sorry, Sakurai-senpai.
I surrender.
"Shinomiya-senpai serves first." His voice was steady. Professional. Completely cowardly.
"Satisfactory." Kaguya accepted the ball.
The match was set.
Gymnasium — Volleyball Match
Sakurai Saki tossed the ball to Kaguya with deliberate casualness.
"You first."
Going first doesn't guarantee victory. Going second doesn't guarantee defeat.
Simple probability.
Kaguya caught the ball, weighing it in her hands. Settled into position.
Saki glanced at her head.
[74]
Excellent.
Seventy-four. The threshold where, if I were hit by a car, she'd consider it for ten full seconds before calling an ambulance.
Perfect. Safe. Manageable.
Now—crush her in volleyball. Drive that number lower.
Everything is under control.
The Serve
Kaguya tossed the ball high.
THWACK.
Her strike was aggressive—fast, precise, professional-grade.
Saki reacted instantly, bumping it upward.
"MIYUKI!"
"GOOD BALL!"
Shirogane Miyuki launched himself skyward with the confidence of a man who had absolutely no idea what was about to happen.
THW—
No.
Plop.
The ball gently kissed the floor. Unspiked. Unthreatening. A soft surrender.
Shirogane landed, expression apologetic.
"Sorry. It's been a while."
Saki waved it off. "Warm-up issue. Next time, set."
"What's wrong~?" Chika bounced in place, gleefully cruel. "First ball and already failing? So weak~"
Her earlier abandonment still stung.
Ishigami Yu flipped the scoreboard.
1:0
Saki's Serve
"My turn."
He picked up the ball. Settled into position.
"I'll kill you."
BOOM.
The ball launched like a missile. Wind brushed Kaguya's face—then nothing. The ball had already landed.
"Point valid!" Ishigami announced.
1:1
The Duel
Serve after serve. Point after point.
Saki's strikes were untouchable—he'd subtly enhanced his strength, just enough to dominate without revealing his abilities.
Kaguya's team, despite the handicap, held their ground.
2:1
2:2
3:2
3:3
Gradually, Kaguya noticed something.
Is President Shirogane… weak?
Exceptionally weak?
Historically weak?
She watched him set the ball—his form was tragic. His landing posture resembled a dying alpaca. If Sakurai General Affairs weren't exceptionally fast, half those sets would have been uncatchable.
[Sorry, I won't let Miyuki be your teammate, absolutely not!]
Saki's words echoed in her memory.
He knew.
He KNEW Shirogane was terrible.
And he still took him, leaving me with Fujiwara—
This wasn't about fair competition.
This was about handicapping me.
She tossed the ball aside.
"Match over. I concede."
Playing evenly while carrying dead weight—
I've already lost.
Winning this unfair competition means nothing.
Saki said nothing, but internally, satisfaction bloomed.
She conceded. She's unhappy.
Affection must be dropping.
He'd turned off his ability during the match—too distracting. But now—
He activated it.
[83↑↑↑↑]
…
…What?
EIGHTY-THREE?
IT WENT UP?
WHILE LOSING?
WHILE BEING HANDICAPPED?
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS WOMAN?
Desperate Measures
Inspiration struck.
I know something that will DEFINITELY make her dislike me.
Body comments. Insecure topic. Guaranteed resentment.
"Chika." His voice carried casual observation. "Your figure is excellent. Does it hinder exercise? I noticed you didn't jump for spikes."
Kaguya stopped at the doorway.
[82↑]
…WHY DID THAT GO UP?
"It's fine." Saki pressed on desperately. "Shinomiya-san handled offense. Her figure is certainly… conducive to movement."
[80↓]
YES! WORKING!
"Less mass to move, after all. Very efficient for athletics."
[67↓]
YES!
YES!
VICTORY!
The Exit
Dark aura pulsed from Kaguya's silhouette at the door.
Ishigami Yu shivered. The temperature seemed to drop. Something was wrong.
Shirogane Miyuki, having practiced his spike form on the floor, now lay on his back like an upturned alpaca, completely oblivious.
"Sakurai-kun." Kaguya's voice could have frozen hell. "Repeat what you just said."
"Shinomiya-san." Saki's tone was infuriatingly calm. "Are you concerned about your figure? These things aren't choices—every body has advantages. Best not to worry excessively."
Sincere. Gentle. Understanding.
She can't possibly—
[70-]
A drop. Small, but a drop.
Success?
Success.
Kaguya studied him.
His words seem genuine.
Perhaps he didn't mean it maliciously earlier.
Perhaps—
She left.
Saki watched her go, one conclusion crystallizing:
Girls are incomprehensible.
[TODAY'S VICTOR: SAKURAI SAKI (Successfully lowered Kaguya's affection… probably)]
That Night — Shinomiya Residence
"Hayasaka." Kaguya's voice carried dreamy warmth. "Sakurai General Affairs complimented my hairstyle today. He said it was cute."
Hayasaka Ai's brain registered the words.
Processed them.
Arrived at a conclusion.
…
Excuse me?
While I was away?
With MY boyfriend?
HE CALLED HER CUTE?
Silently, she adjusted Kaguya's threat level.
[Lady Kaguya's Affection-Stealing Potential: C → A]
Target acquired.
Operation "Protect What's Mine" commences at dawn.
Patreon Rene_chan for advanced chapters