Kaguya-sama Wants My Surrender!

Game Club Room

The group of mischief-makers gathered once more.

"We have rules, both as people and as players." Chika clasped her hands and leaned over the table, her tone strict. "The punishments assigned by the roulette wheel are final. No one's allowed to refuse them. Anyone who doesn't follow the rules can't play here."

"If you lose, you have to accept the punishment. No cheating."

"That's the rule of the Game Club."

---

Everyone's gaze fell on Kaguya.

Kaguya: "..."

Who's breaking the rules here?

It's not like I fainted 'on purpose' yesterday to dodge the punishment. It was a complete accident!

"Not today," Kaguya said coolly, crossing her arms. "Let's begin."

Even if I lose again and get assigned the kiss punishment, I won't flinch. I'm not the same person I was yesterday!

---

Umi, seated beside Amamiya, leaned over and lightly poked his shoulder. "Hey, isn't Shinomiya-san acting a bit more confident today?" she whispered curiously.

"It's a long story," Amamiya replied, "so I'm choosing not to tell it."

"Oh, you 'know' something, don't you?"

"Nope."

"C'mon, spill."

The lively girl tugged at Amamiya's sleeve, her bright expression gleaming with the thrill of gossip.

Just then, Kaguya turned her head to catch them in her burgundy gaze, issuing a silent warning.

"If you dare breathe a word, turn yourself in!" her stare seemed to say.

---

The game began.

In the first round, the group conspired to gang up on their "innocent lamb" target—Hana—who lost the round as expected.

"I accept my loss," she declared cheerfully, not suspecting a thing. She looked to Umi with a grin. "Umi-chan, you pick the punishment."

"Hm…" Umi pretended to ponder for a moment, tapping her chin. "Got it! You and player number four hold hands for five minutes."

"That would be me," Amamiya said, raising his hand.

Hana blushed slightly but extended her hand to him.

Amamiya took it, noting her hand's warmth and softness.

The reason for these mild punishments? Simple—everyone was in on it, but her.

A few minutes later, Amamiya let go, his look amused.

Sensing Amamiya's demeanor, Chika perked up, sitting up straight and shouting enthusiastically, "Keep it up, everyone! Let's all aim for the title of strongest!"

---

Unfortunately, the winner of the next round was Miko.

Being rather laid-back and meek, the "king's orders" for her were minor, unremarkable, and entirely lacking in the drama everyone had hoped for.

"Let's go one more round!" Chika said quickly. "There's still time, so let's head to the classroom right after."

"I'm in," Umi agreed eagerly. "One more round!"

Amamiya checked his phone and nodded. "Fine by me."

Kaguya simply stated, "Let's begin."

---

Ten minutes later, the game had determined its victor.

"Hahaha, I won!" Chika declared proudly, hands on her hips. "Now, who should get the penalty?"

Her gaze landed on Kaguya, her usual target for mischief.

But Kaguya was unbothered, meeting her look calmly.

"Let's leave it to the roulette wheel," Chika said, pulling out her phone and opening the randomizer app. "Alright, let's see—who's Player Five?"

Amamiya raised his hand. "That would be me."

Chika spun the wheel again, and after a moment, her expression turned into one of utter disbelief. "Player One... that's... me?!"

In this game of "King's Commands," a slip of luck had put the "King" herself in the hot seat.

The corners of Kaguya's mouth twitched up ever so slightly. "Seems like overconfidence does come with consequences."

Umi laughed. "Chika-chan walked right into that one!"

"Don't worry, Chika-chan," Hana tried to reassure her, "the roulette hasn't decided on a punishment yet. It might be something easy."

"Alright, alright." Chika took a deep breath and tapped her phone screen again, setting the wheel in motion.

Everyone leaned in, watching the display with anticipation.

The wheel stopped.

A line of text appeared on the screen: "Double Pocky Stick Challenge! Loser calls the winner 'Daddy'!"

The room fell silent as everyone processed the new penalty.

"Pocky stick challenge?" Only Kaguya looked confused. "What's that?"

"It's a popular variety-show game." Umi coughed lightly, attempting an explanation. "Two people take opposite ends of a Pocky stick and start eating it from either side. Whoever pulls away first loses."

Kaguya's eyes widened slightly. 

Pocky was something she'd had plenty of—Hayasaka and Chika always had a supply of the crisp chocolate snacks on hand. But... two people eating it like that, getting closer and closer? No way!

There was no way she was going to sit here and watch that happen.

As the idea dawned on everyone, Hana whispered, "Um, are we... really going to do this?"

"Of course we are." Chika set her jaw, her cheeks tinged pink, but she held firm. "A Game Club rule is a rule, and we all have to follow it. I'll lead by example."

So this is what they call "sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind," everyone thought silently.

"It's just a Pocky stick! I've eaten it this way plenty of times," Chika insisted, brushing off the tension. "I'm familiar with the game."

"Wait," Hana blinked in surprise. "You've done it with other people?"

Chika puffed up, putting her hands on her hips. "Of course—with girls! No way would I do that with a boy!"

"Well," Kaguya interrupted, "it seems we're safe for today—none of us actually brought any Pocky, right?"

Miko shook her head. "Not me."

Umi shrugged. "Didn't bring any."

"Same here," Kaguya added quickly, "so let's call it a day and pick up again tomorrow."

The idea of waiting another day seemed to fill Chika with mixed feelings. "Alright then…"

But Amamiya raised his hand. "Actually… I have some."

"Um?!" 

All eyes turned to him, particularly Kaguya, who was watching him with a sharp gaze, cheeks puffed in frustration.

None of us had one. Why on earth would a 'boy' have chocolate on him?

Amamiya, noticing their stares, replied calmly, "That reminds me—I need to use the restroom."

"…"

And with that, the game came to an end. The girls collected their things and filed out of the Game Club room.

---

The four morning classes seemed to fly by, and before they knew it, lunchtime had arrived.

At the sound of the bell, Amamiya closed his textbook, left the classroom, and bought a simple lunch—fried noodles, bread, and milk, same as the day before—before heading up to the rooftop.

The rooftop was quiet, with only a gentle breeze passing through the summer air.

Waiting for him in the breeze was a familiar face, already there ahead of him.