"Um... are elementary schoolers really okay?"
Chika's expression was hesitant. She said quietly, "Even Asuka-chan is scared of Kaguya-chan. Won't elementary schoolers be even more scared?"
"That is a problem." Natsuki pondered. "It would be nice if Shinomiya-san's gaze weren't so fierce."
Kaguya crossed her arms, expressionless. "So sorry for having such a fierce gaze."
"Knowing your mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue."
"Stare—"
"Shinomiya-san, please don't look at me with those 'your life ends here' eyes. I'm calling the police."
"Don't worry. I'll properly erase all evidence. The police won't help."
"..."
"Um, I might have a solution."
A timid voice sounded by the three of them.
Natsuki looked toward the voice. Discovering it was the test subject from before, he said in surprise: "Kashiwagi-san hasn't left yet?"
"Shinomiya-san hasn't given me permission to leave yet." Asuka Kashiwagi answered quietly, looking aggrieved.
Even leaving requires Kaguya's permission? Just how scared are you of Shinomiya?!
Kaguya's voice was cool. "Kashiwagi-san, you may leave now."
"Wait a moment." Chika waved to stop her. She looked expectantly at the short-haired girl. "Asuka-chan, you just said you have a way to make elementary schoolers not afraid of Kaguya-chan?"
Asuka nodded timidly and said quietly:
"Shinomiya-san's gaze is rather... cold. She could wear a pair of non-prescription glasses. That way, it would nicely shield her eyes and not put too much pressure on others."
"Also, the hairstyle could be changed too. Long straight black hair gives off a quiet, cool feeling. Switching to a cute style should work well—like a bun or a high ponytail."
"If the school uniform could be changed to a white dress, that would be even better." As if entering her area of expertise, the short-haired girl grew more confident as she spoke, her voice gradually getting louder. "Shinomiya-san is already super pretty. If she switched to a cute style of dress, she definitely wouldn't scare elementary schoolers... Even elementary schoolers definitely like sweet, cute big sisters!"
"Asuka-chan is amazing! As expected of someone whose mother is an internationally renowned designer!"
Chika raised her right hand, eyes sparkling.
Clap.
The two girls high-fived in celebration.
Natsuki nodded. "Kashiwagi-san really is impressive."
Being praised by Chika was one thing, but hearing a boy's praise made crimson rapidly bloom on the short-haired girl's face. "Not at all. It's mainly because Shinomiya-san is already super cute herself."
"Then it's decided." Chika was a woman of action. She immediately turned around. "Kaguya-chan, hurry and get up. We're going to the mall."
Kaguya pressed her fingers to her brow. "I refuse..."
Unfortunately, before she could finish, Chika had already grabbed her arm. "Let's go!"
"The mall is right next door downstairs. You all go ahead." Natsuki said from behind. "I'll go work on the elementary schoolers first."
"Natsuki, your words are very dangerous." Chika quickly reminded him. "Be careful someone might hear."
"..."
Watching the three girls leave, Natsuki first found a game center staff member and bought a box of small snacks. Then he carried the box over to the elementary schoolers playing games.
To get elementary schoolers to agree to a match, it was nothing more than coercion or bribery.
Coercion definitely wouldn't work. That left bribery.
"You see, I have a trashy little sister. At home, she always bullies me—steals my snacks, takes my manga, and even often steps on my stomach with her feet, trampling my dignity. These past few days she's gotten more and more outrageous. I can't take it anymore. I must rise up in rebellion."
Natsuki's tone was sincere. "I'm asking you to play Street Fighter with her later. This box of Meiji Mushroom Chocolates will be your reward. If you can beat her, I'll give you two more boxes of Meiji Mushrooms."
"Um... I'm just an elementary schooler. Why is Onii-chan asking me for help?"
The elementary schooler sounded puzzled.
"Because my little sister looks down on elementary schoolers. She always says you're all bad at games but addicted to playing them." Natsuki spared no effort in stirring up hatred. "Only if you beat her can you strike a blow against my trashy sister's arrogance and let her know there's always someone better."
"Don't look down on us elementary schoolers!" The elementary schooler was furious. "Onii-chan, I accept your request!"
Natsuki kindly reminded him:
"My trashy little sister is really good at games. You'd better bring a few friends—the more the better. The reward stays the same. Everyone gets Meiji Mushrooms."
"Onii-chan, wait here. I'll go get my classmates right now!"
"..."
Over ten minutes later.
Kaguya stepped into the game center. A large pair of black-framed glasses now adorned her face, covering almost half of it. Her cloud-like hair that fell to her waist had been tied up with a red ribbon into a bun. Her school uniform had also been changed to a white dress.
It had to be said—the makeover effect was quite remarkable. She had transformed directly from an unapproachable flower on a high peak into the sweet and cute Shinomiya-san.
However, the moment she entered, Kaguya noticed a group of elementary schoolers glaring at her like tigers eyeing their prey.
"It's her, it's her, that's her!"
"She's that trashy little sister!"
"She actually looks down on us. Today we'll definitely show her what elementary schoolers can do!"
"..."
Question marks slowly rose above Kaguya's head.
How had she suddenly become the public enemy of elementary schoolers?
One elementary schooler stomped up to her like a hero setting out to slay a dragon:
"Are you the Great Demon King who bullies Onii-chan every day?"
"Hm?"
Kaguya couldn't help pursing her pretty lips. She looked toward Natsuki.
What did "Great Demon King" mean?
She'd only gone to change clothes. How had she become a Demon King?
"That's right, it's her." Natsuki nodded from the side. "I'm counting on all of you."
The elementary schooler's expression was serious. "Today I will definitely defeat you and rescue Onii-chan from your clutches."
"Your courage is admirable." Kaguya nodded slightly without explaining. "I'll give you the chance to challenge me."
"..."
"Natsuki, what exactly did you say?" Chika sidled up, her face clearly reading 'I'm very curious.' "How did Kaguya-chan become a Great Demon King?"
"I'm curious too." The short-haired girl also perked up her ears, eyes bright.
"Just sales talk. Don't worry about it."
The match officially began.
Then... the elementary schooler lost, tears brimming in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Onii-chan." The elementary schooler hung his head dejectedly. "I lost."
"She's a terrifying Great Demon King after all. Losing is normal." Natsuki consoled him. "Train hard and come challenge her again in the future."
At the same time.
Kaguya's Hundred Kills task progress increased by one.
As a genius girl, Kaguya learned anything quickly—and that naturally included games. When they'd played together in the morning, Natsuki had taught her techniques at the same time. Her competitive experience was steadily improving.
"Onii-chan, I'll defeat her."
Another elementary schooler stepped forward.
The Hundred Kills progress bar began rising steadily and methodically. Finally, as the sun set in the west, the task was completed.