"I don't want to take exams."
For once, Chika showed a trace of melancholy. "I haven't studied properly at all recently. What if I fail?"
"The only cure for worry is good food." Natsuki ruthlessly retorted. "You ate so much yesterday in Chinatown—even if you fail today's exam, it was already worth it."
You knew there was an exam today but still played that long yesterday. You should have come back earlier to study!
Chika blinked at this: "That... actually makes some sense..."
As they left the activity room, Natsuki distinctly felt a gaze fall upon him.
Looking over, the ice queen wore an expression as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
"Amamiya-kun, is something wrong?"
Kaguya's expression vanished instantly as she took the initiative.
"Nothing."
Natsuki withdrew his puzzled gaze. Perhaps it was just his imagination.
Mrs. Kaguya tilted her head to look at her daughter, a pleased smile suddenly appearing on her face.
"I'm heading to the classroom."
Kaguya locked the door as if nothing had happened, then quickened her pace toward the classroom.
"Ms. Shimizu, what about you today?"
Natsuki turned to look at Mrs. Kaguya.
"Today I want to move freely." Mrs. Kaguya looked at him pitifully. "Natsuki-kun won't refuse, will he?"
"As long as you don't play pranks and bully people."
"Don't worry, I'm an adult." Mrs. Kaguya made a peace sign, her smile particularly delighted. "How could I possibly bully little Kaguya?"
Hey, you've already said it out loud!
"...Do as you please."
Natsuki wisely chose to remain neutral.
What does someone else's mom bullying her daughter have to do with him?
Though he could forcibly return Mrs. Kaguya to the guardian spirit space, Natsuki had no intention of doing so.
The lady before him wasn't some thoughtless game NPC but an independent being with emotions and desires.
Even if she'd accidentally become a guardian spirit, Natsuki wouldn't force her to do anything.
Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.
Equality and respect were the foundation of their relationship.
Returning to the classroom.
Natsuki walked to his seat and sat down. Mrs. Kaguya, meanwhile, placed both hands behind her back and went to the ice queen's side.
"So happy~"
Since Kaguya's neighbor hadn't arrived yet, Mrs. Kaguya sat directly in the chair, propping her chin on her right hand: "Life goal achieved: attending class together with little Kaguya."
Kaguya: "..."
Class hasn't even started yet, so it doesn't count as complete!
"Little Kaguya's handwriting is very beautiful." Mrs. Kaguya leaned in closer, nodding approvingly. "Though still a bit inferior to Mom's."
At these words, Kaguya's competitive spirit immediately flared. She turned her face slightly to look at her mother.
The hyper-competitive girl came back online.
"I-I'm sorry!"
The short-haired girl Asuka Kashiwagi happened to pass by. Thinking Kaguya was looking at her, she jumped in fright and hurriedly bowed in apology.
Sitting in the back corner, Natsuki Amamiya couldn't hear what the ice queen and Mrs. Kaguya were saying, but judging from the subtitles alone, he could tell the ice queen's heart was in tumultuous upheaval.
Before long, class time arrived.
As the exam proctor entered carrying test papers, wearing glasses and a stern expression:
"The exam begins now."
There's no need to say much about Shuchiin Academy—those who know, know.
Natsuki's parents were abroad on business. Though his family wasn't short on money and he couldn't even spend all his monthly allowance, they were still some distance from high society.
He'd gotten into Shuchiin Academy purely through his own effort and talent.
Now, receiving the test paper, he scanned through it—most of the answers immediately clear to him.
After spending thirty minutes completing the paper, Natsuki looked at the final two difficult questions and began thinking seriously.
The other questions were basic gimmes. Only the difficult problems determined school rankings.
After pondering for a moment, he still wavered between the last two options. Just as the submission time approached, a flash of inspiration suddenly struck his mind.
Then half an eraser appeared in his hand out of nowhere.
[Item: Blood-Stained Eraser]
[Description: This is an eraser soaked in the blood of a top student. When used, it will definitely erase one incorrect answer]
Natsuki tried it out curiously and discovered that correct answers couldn't be erased, but incorrect answers could be easily removed.
"Seems kind of useless... wait."
Natsuki suddenly recalled a post he'd seen online.
Win a hundred million yen or guarantee a perfect score on the college entrance exam—which would you choose?
Obviously the perfect score.
With that score, you could unravel the ultimate mysteries of the universe.
Though this eraser wasn't that powerful—only able to erase one wrong answer—for scientists, being able to definitively eliminate an incorrect answer could save countless human, financial, and material resources. Using it for exams to gain a few extra points would be a complete waste.
Unfortunately, it was exam time now. Many of his ideas couldn't be verified, so Natsuki could only temporarily put the eraser away.
The day passed in a flash.
Three-thirty PM, exams finished.
Natsuki stood to stretch his muscles, preparing to go home and walk the dog.
He'd never joined a club. Athletic clubs were too demanding, and though he'd originally planned to find an easier club to join, now that he'd become a horror game player, he had even less interest in clubs.
"Is Natsuki-kun heading home?"
Mrs. Kaguya floated over lightly.
"Going back now." Natsuki gathered his bag. "What about you?"
"Naturally I'll stay by Natsuki-kun's side forever." Mrs. Kaguya made a peace sign. "I'll never let Natsuki-kun be alone."
That's because you can't leave, otherwise you'd have run off with Kaguya already.
As they spoke, Kaguya Shinomiya walked over. Having been toyed with by her own mother all day, her expression now showed a trace of fatigue. Compared to her usual cold aloofness, she carried a bit more warmth: "...Mom has been troubling you these past two days."
"Not troublesome at all."
Natsuki spoke honestly.
Mrs. Kaguya wasn't a child who needed constant supervision. A single phone could keep her quietly occupied all day.
For someone from over a decade ago—practically an "ancient person"—today's smartphones were magical items that only appeared in sci-fi movies. It was easy to become addicted.
Kaguya folded her right arm across her chest, her wine-red eyes gazing over as she spoke again:
"If Mom has any requests or needs, you can tell me."
Natsuki pondered for two seconds: "Besides playing with her phone, there aren't any other needs."
"Mom is... rather willful." Kaguya pressed her fingers to her temple, somewhat pained. "If she makes any unreasonable demands, please notify me immediately."
Natsuki said:
"To be honest, I think Auntie only acts spoiled and willful with you."
Kaguya: "..."
What is with this guy?
I've said this much—hurry up and ask for my contact information already!
Kaguya remembered very clearly.
That book, How to Raise a Loyal Boyfriend, had said that girls absolutely must not proactively ask boys for their contact information. Once you speak up, you've already lost.
I, Kaguya Shinomiya, will never admit defeat!