Kaguya-sama Wants My Surrender!

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"Senpai, I'm heading back," Hayasaka called out, waving as she left.

She'd already secured her daily 'Evil Spirit Repel' charm, and without today's coin toss, it was time to go home and ward off any lingering bad spirits around her room.

Amamiya walked her to the door. 

"Stay safe," he said.

Hayasaka nodded. "I'll message you when I'm back at my apartment, Senpai."

Amamiya added, "If you need anything tomorrow, feel free to stop by my place."

"Got it, Senpai." She smiled, then turned and made her way down the path.

Once she'd gone, Amamiya returned to the living room to continue his game. He had to admit that Umi's latest recommendation, 'Young Miss Shame School,' was as entertaining as it was ridiculous.

Soon, the evening slipped by, and it was already 10:30 when the doorbell rang.

Getting up, he opened the door. Unsurprisingly, standing there was Miko.

If someone sneaks over once, it's bound to happen again.

"There you are." Amamiya gave her a quizzical look. "No evil spirits chasing you tonight?"

"As if that'd happen every day!" Miko replied, stepping quickly inside. "But let me in already—getting spotted would be a hassle."

"There's nothing to worry about," Amamiya said with mock seriousness. "We're childhood friends, after all. As long as we're above board, we have nothing to hide. Isn't it normal for you to come study here late at night?"

"What part of that is normal?"

With a huff, Miko shut the door and slipped on her house slippers, familiar with the place already. A soft, fragrant breeze seemed to follow her as she walked into the living room.

Last night, she'd been on edge, but now she looked much more at ease. She'd come straight from home, dressed in her pajamas, carrying a small backpack and her favorite dog-shaped pillow.

"Here," Amamiya said, passing her a glass of milk. "Did your mom see you sneaking back in this morning?"

Miko shook her head, taking a sip. "When I got home, she and Kyousuke weren't even awake yet."

The long-haired girl hugged her pillow, settling herself comfortably sideways on the armrest of the sofa.

"You were up early," Amamiya noted, sitting down next to her with the TV remote. "Even coming home at 6:30, you still had time to sleep until seven and then pretend you'd been out for a jog."

"No way," she retorted. "Once in a while, maybe, but if I go out every day, Mom will definitely catch on."

Amamiya gave a nod. "True. I wouldn't buy it if you suddenly claimed to get up early every day."

"You talk too much," Miko said, kicking his leg lightly. "And tomorrow's garbage day. Did you separate yours?"

"Nope."

"You'll regret it if you miss it—you'll be stuck with it for days. And with it getting warmer, you really should take it out early," she replied, setting down her glass and getting up. "I'll separate it, but make sure to take it out in the morning."

"Thank you, Miko-sama."

"If you're that grateful, you could lend a hand."

"Ouch. My shin hurts. It's fractured. I can't get up."

"You're so lazy," she muttered, rolling her eyes.

Being the eldest child of a hard-working mother and with a younger brother in elementary school, Miko had gradually taken on many household tasks. With two years of experience, her 'wife and housekeeping' skills were at max level.

After finishing with the garbage, she grabbed a mop and started on the floors, soon approaching Amamiya. She looked down at him expectantly.

"Lift your feet."

"Yes, ma'am."

Amamiya obediently lifted his feet as she continued her chores.

As he watched TV, he felt an inexplicable pull, his attention shifting involuntarily to Miko as she worked nearby. The evening air, mixed with the warm light from the room, cast a subtle glow over her as she moved through the living room, making the quiet moment feel almost magnetic.

Miko wore a loose, button-up pajama set for comfort. 

And, as everyone knows, girls usually forego extra layers when they sleep.

So…

The moon was bright.

Mountains and valleys met, waves rose, and the natural paths wound through like rivers.

The childhood friend who had once seemed so ordinary was now a bashful young woman, one who could easily surpass five Shinomiya-sans in size.

The difference between people can be astounding. Both are sixteen, yet they are in completely different leagues.

Girls are usually very quick to notice a boy's gaze.

It only took a second for Miko to catch Amamiya's lingering look. She instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, her cheeks flushing as she glared at him with a hint of embarrassment.

Amamiya quickly raised his hands in defense. "If I say I didn't see anything, would you believe me?"

Her face flushed even redder. "Stop talking!" she huffed, clearly torn between embarrassment and frustration.

——

Before they knew it, the clock had struck eleven.

The late night was quiet, with only the occasional rustle from the window.

"It's time for bed," Amamiya said, closing his textbook and turning off the lights.

Miko nodded, setting down her phone before lying on the tatami mat. "Goodnight."

With one eye half-closed, she peeked over at Amamiya, feeling a bit nervous.

Never trust a boy's self-restraint, she reminded herself. People say they can hold out for a week, but most give in by the third day.

What if, after I fall asleep, Amamiya can't resist trying something?

Better to be cautious than sorry.

Everyone knows that boys are like beasts at night, so it's not unreasonable to worry that he might… do something!

And if I'm walking funny tomorrow morning, Mom will definitely notice, won't she?

As these thoughts filled her mind, a wave of sleepiness washed over her.

She clutched the pillow beside her, feeling a mix of nervousness and a subtle, unspoken anticipation. Eventually, she drifted off to sleep.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened that night.

---

The next morning…

"Hmm, good morning."

Miko groggily turned off her alarm and stretched, quietly noting that everything felt normal—no soreness, no discomfort. Nothing had happened.

Relieved, she also felt a hint of… disappointment?

"Want to sleep a bit longer?" came Amamiya's voice as he woke.

"No, I'm good," she replied, puffing her cheeks a little. "I'll head back now."

"Wait a sec," Amamiya called.

Miko paused, glancing back at him curiously.

He gave her a pointed look. "You forgot something."

"...What?"

"You're still in your pajamas."

Miko: "…"

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It was half-past seven by the time breakfast wrapped up. Amamiya, Miko, and Hana met up, setting off for school together.

"Good morning, Miko-chan, Hana-chan!" At the school gate, Chika stood waiting, her bright smile even more dazzling in the morning sun.

"Good morning, Chika-chan," Miko greeted softly.

Hana blinked, looking at her with concern. "Hey, Chika-chan, why do you have dark circles under your eyes?"

Chika shot a quick, accusatory glance at Amamiya.

"What's with the look?" Amamiya asked, meeting her gaze without missing a beat.

It's not his fault that Chika had issues with evil spirits keeping her up! She had no one else to blame.

"Oh, I was just caught up reading late," Chika muttered, her eyes shifting as she fumbled for an excuse. "Anyways, let's head to the game club."

"Wait up!" A cheerful voice chimed in as a lively, gyaru jogged over, her bright smile lighting up her face. "I want to play too!"

Hana had exchanged contact info with her yesterday, so they could plan meetups easily now.

Miko glanced toward the gate and added, "Oh, look—Shinomiya-san is here."