Chapter 209: This Plot Feels Familiar

"So, to summarize, Rinji and that girlfriend of his named Karura haven't done anything serious yet, and his first kiss is still intact, right?"

"That's right… but why exactly are you asking me about Rinji, Kaguya-sama?"

Inside the Shinomiya residence, Hayasaka Ai, dressed in her maid uniform, narrowed her eyes as she looked at Kaguya sitting on the bed.

"Well… you see, Hayasaka, you're my maid, and Rinji is my Kouhai, a fellow member of the student council. Asking about him a little isn't so strange, right?" Kaguya said with a dry laugh.

"You're sure you're not just trying to learn from my failed experience to avoid the same pitfalls?"

"…"

That was exactly what Kaguya had in mind.

Hayasaka's situation had deeply influenced her tactics regarding Shirogane Miyuki. Before, her strategy was to make him confess first. And now…

She still wanted to make Shirogane confess first, just with more strategy.

Alright, not much had changed. For Kaguya to confess first was nearly impossible.

"Hayasaka, if you ask me, you didn't fail."

"Huh?"

"Since Rinji and his girlfriend haven't done anything, it means you still have a chance."

"You…"

"I think the story could go something like this…"

——Shinomiya Kaguya's Theater——

Rinji walks home from school.

As he passes by a small alleyway, Hayasaka Ai suddenly steps out from behind a utility pole.

"Hayasaka?"

Before Rinji can express his surprise, Hayasaka swiftly steps up, grabs his chin, and kisses him.

"!?"

Rinji sits on the ground in shock while Hayasaka smirks darkly.

"You haven't kissed Karura yet, right?"

"Ugh…"

"Then your first kiss wasn't with her—it was with me, Hayasaka Ai!"

…

——End Scene——

"Hold on, Kaguya-sama."

"What is it now, Hayasaka? I wasn't done yet," Kaguya said, annoyed. "Next is the part where Rinji tries to wash his mouth with muddy water."

"Kaguya-sama, you're literally copying a plot that's been recycled in a million manga."

Hayasaka looked at Kaguya like she was hopeless.

"Not only is that kind of thing totally unrealistic, even if I could pull it off, Rinji would probably end up hating me."

"Well…"

"And in the original manga, that Karura girl would probably scream, 'I'm gonna beat you until you cry!' and then pound me into the ground. She's from the Kure clan, you know. I'd die on the spot. Do you want to see me die, Kaguya-sama?"

"Of… of course not."

Kaguya curled up on the bed, hugging a pillow. Her eyes were filled with a mix of guilt and disappointment.

"Honestly… I hope your love works out, Hayasaka. I do. I know I share some of the blame for what happened."

"You don't have anything to feel responsible for."

Hayasaka sighed and sat next to Kaguya, gently putting an arm around her.

"This isn't your fault, and you don't need to worry about me. Leave the rest to me."

"Okay…"

Kaguya murmured softly and slowly leaned into Hayasaka's arms.

---

After meeting with Hayasaka, Rinji was heading back to his place.

On the way, Karura texted him the results of the day's Kengan Annihilation Tournament, and added a message at the end:

'Rinji, one of my relatives just finished a mission and is still in Tokyo. Is it okay if she stays with you for the night?'

"A relative? Probably someone from the Kure clan. That 'mission' must've been an assassination. If she's related to Karura, I guess letting her stay one night is fine."

Thinking this, Rinji replied agreeing.

As dusk settled in, Rinji returned home and unlocked his door with the key.

"Rinji, long time no see~"

"…"

Click.

Upon seeing her face, Rinji calmly shut the door, stood silently for a few seconds, and then reopened it.

"You seem surprised to see me?"

"…Why are you here?"

Standing before him was a girl with shoulder-length black hair, her leather outfit tightly outlining a near-perfect figure.

Like the rest of the Kure clan, her sclera were black.

"Kure Fusui… So Karura's relative is you?"

"Mm-hmm~ That's me."

Fusui puffed up her chest proudly.

"…Alright, I get the gist. You can leave now."

"Eh~? We haven't seen each other in four years and you're kicking me out? That's so cold, Little Rinji."

"Don't call me 'Liitle Rinji' like that."

"How about 'Rinji-dear~'?"

"Fine. Rinji is fine." Rinji's brow twitched. "How did you even know where I live?"

"Karura told me~" Fusui said with a grin.

"…And she's really okay with letting a girl stay over at my place alone?"

"Yup. Karura's super pure."

"You've got a point. But to avoid looking like a scumbag who lets girls stay over while having a girlfriend, you should find another place. I'll help you book a nearby hotel," Rinji said as he took out his phone.

"Wait!"

Fusui grabbed Rinji's hand, putting on a pitiful look.

"Rinji, how can you be so heartless? Remember the good ol' days…"

"Nope. I'm not falling into a flashback." Rinji held her head back in annoyance.

"It's either the hotel or a five-hundred-kilometer trip back to the Kure clan's home. Your call."

"Geez… What kind of guy turns down living with a beautiful girl? Are you having some kind of hormonal delay?"

"You wanna try me?"

"You wouldn't hit me, would you?"

"You want me to beat up your big brother Raian in front of you again?"

"You can beat up my brother all you like, don't hold back." Fusui waved her hand nonchalantly. "Just don't hit me."

"…"

"And besides, Karura sent me, remember? You don't want your new girlfriend mad at you, right?" Fusui smiled sweetly.

"…Tch. Fine. One night. Just for Karura's sake."

"You sure like creating imaginary rules for yourself. Karura doesn't even care."

"Shut up! Or I'll kill you!"

Rinji stormed out of the room.

Living with Fusui… who knows what could happen? Rinji honestly had no way to handle this girl.

Looking at the time, he finally took out his phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, President. Mind if I crash at your place tonight?"