Kaguya-sama Wants My Surrender!

[Note: Due to a reported issue with the book cover, it will remain unavailable until January 10, 2025.]

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"…Let's try the Pocky challenge first."

With that, Chika pulled out a box of Pocky sticks from behind her back.

Her logic was simple. Rules apply in life, and they apply in games too. When you make rules, you stick to them. The loser would accept the consequences—no backing out. Chika wouldn't cheat! …Though she was open to some creative interpretation.

Chika had played the classic Pocky game before; it was a common staple on Japanese variety shows, known by everyone… except perhaps Kaguya, who seemed clueless about it. But until now, Chika had only played with other girls, where her chaotic unpredictability always gave her an advantage. She was undefeated so far.

But against Amamiya…

Chika wasn't as confident about winning. 

If she was "chaotic neutral," then Amamiya was 'definitely' chaotic evil. There was no way she'd come out on top here—in fact, losing seemed almost inevitable. 

But giving up before even trying wasn't Chika's style. Failing after a fight and quitting before one are entirely different things.

So she needed a test run. That way, she'd know her limits and could call it quits before things went sideways.

"You sure you want to play?" Amamiya asked, glancing at her. "Class starts soon."

"There's over ten minutes left; that's plenty of time," Chika answered, patting the bench beside her. "Come on, sit back down."

"All right, practice run it is." Amamiya settled next to her.

"I borrowed these from a friend this morning—the best strawberry flavor!" Chika declared, holding up the box. "There's nothing better."

"Actually," Amamiya said, raising a brow, "Glico just released a cilantro-flavored one. Cilantro's the best."

"Ew!" Chika scrunched her nose in mock disgust, leaning back slightly. "Who would like the smell of cilantro?"

"Plenty of people around the world do, actually."

"…," she trailed off, ignoring him.

Chika pulled a pink, strawberry-flavored Pocky stick from the box, bit it lightly, and looked up at Amamiya.

"Are we starting?" Amamiya asked.

Chika nodded slightly in agreement.

The rooftop grew quiet, with only the gentle summer breeze floating around them. 

Without a second's hesitation, Amamiya leaned closer, bracing one hand on the bench as he moved toward her. The scent of milk and fruit drifted between them, sweet and familiar.

Their eyes met.

Amamiya could clearly see his own reflection in her gaze. Her eyes were large, her nose finely shaped, and her skin as smooth as a freshly peeled egg. Her apple cheeks looked so soft you'd want to reach out and touch them. And her eyes sparkled brightly, undimmed despite the frightening night spent dodging evil spirits…

"Hold on!" 

Chika suddenly leaned back, holding up her hand to pause.

"Getting cold feet?"

"Not at all!" she protested.

A quick crunching sound followed as Chika quickly finished off the Pocky stick in her mouth, took a quick sip of milk, and sighed contentedly.

"I haven't had Pocky in so long. I just couldn't help myself… Let's go again."

Amamiya raised an eyebrow. "No bailing this time?"

"There was no bailing!"

Chika puffed her cheeks, pulled out another Pocky stick, took a bite, and gave him a determined look.

"Let's go."

And so, the exercise resumed.

Chika wasn't shy or easily embarrassed; her "chaotic" personality was legendary, even giving Hayasaka headaches. Now that she'd steeled herself, there was no chance she'd back down again.

Amamiya quickly bit the other end of the Pocky stick.

"Staring—"

Chika's eyes widened with fierce determination, watching him intently.

"Doesn't it make your eyes sore, being open so wide?" Amamiya commented, meeting her gaze.

"Nope," Chika replied brightly, unflinching. 

"So, we're starting?" he asked.

Without a word, Chika replied by taking another bite.

Amamiya took his time, nibbling slowly from his end. The Pocky stick wasn't long, and between the two of them, only a small piece remained. 

Chika, so full of momentum at first, found herself slowing down. Too… close.

She could feel each breath he took, and it felt like she could hear both of their heartbeats clearly, their faces only inches apart. Her long lashes fluttered, and a faint trace of panic filled her eyes.

(There's barely any Pocky left. If we keep going, we'll… we'll actually touch, right?)

(Should I surrender?)

(Wait… we've already kissed before, haven't we?)

Chika's thoughts flashed back to that midnight encounter in the deserted mall. 

The eerie, quiet shopping center.

A strange costume with its own unsettling rules.

The desperate thirst, feeling like she wouldn't survive without water.

And then… the warmth of his lips, that faint thrill of relief and survival…

A faint dizziness washed over her, and her eyes fluttered shut.

"Hm?" Amamiya's brow furrowed, watching the pink-haired girl with her eyes shut, looking almost ready to faint.

What's with her closing her eyes? The game isn't over yet. If she wants to forfeit, she just has to say so!

Or was this some sly tactic, trying to get him to surrender by playing helpless? Not a chance!

This kind of trickery wouldn't work on the "Hero of Dust"—he was nothing if not Chaotic Evil!

Just then, a message seemed to flash above the girl.

[First time, second time…]

[First time, second time…]

What's this? A countdown?

It only took Amamiya a moment to piece it together. She must be counting the kisses they'd shared in that midnight mall.

As someone with a penchant for patterns, Amamiya had always been fond of the number three.

Three kingdoms.

Three births to create the world.

A threefold return to source…

Having decided, he quickly made his goal to reach the magical "three."

Crunch.

In one final, decisive bite, Amamiya finished the remaining Pocky in an instant.

Soft…

The sensation was warm and delicate, like marshmallows, both familiar and strangely addictive. The coolness mixed with warmth felt unexpectedly pleasant.

And, at last, the secretary's counter hit "three."

"…"

Chika's eyelashes fluttered, and although she seemed about to open her eyes, she was paralyzed by shyness. She stayed frozen, uncharacteristically timid.

Oh, so you're still too flustered to open your eyes? Well, let's see what happens when we push the boundary just a little more.

That night in the mall had been so intense, there was no time to think of anything but survival. But up here, on the safety of the rooftop? Amamiya was naturally inclined to savor the moment.

"Mmm—"

Finally, Chika couldn't hold out any longer. Her eyes shot open in a fluster, and she tilted her head back, quickly covering her pink lips. Her cheeks flushed bright red, a rare sight that made it look like her whole face was burning.

"You…you…" she pointed a trembling finger at him, her face pink with embarrassment and anger, finally stammering, "You broke the rules!"

"Yeah, I did," Amamiya replied, completely unfazed as he wiped the corner of his mouth. "Want to go again?"

"…"

Chika's eyes grew wide with shock.

Again? No way was she agreeing to that!

Unable to hold back any longer, she covered her mouth and bolted from the rooftop.

Amamiya simply gathered up the lunch box she'd left behind and prepared to go back downstairs.

After descending the stairs, Chika suddenly halted, turned back to snatch a lunchbox from Amamiya, and sprinted back down.

"Slow down," Amamiya called after her. "Don't trip."

Chika stopped momentarily upon hearing this. "...You, of all people, shouldn't be talking about rules!"

"..."

The two afternoon classes passed quickly.

The sun was bright outside the window, and the final school bell had rung.

Amamiya closed his textbook and glanced over at Chika. Just then, the pink haired girl looked up, wrinkled her nose with a hint of annoyance, then calmly picked up her school bag, approached Kaguya, and murmured:

"Kaguya-chan, I need to meet with Umi-chan for some role-playing this afternoon, so I can't go to the arcade with you."

Amamiya interjected, "If you don't go, Shinomiya-san and I will be swamped with those elementary students."

Not surprisingly, Kaguya had no clue how to handle elementary schoolers.

Chika shot him a glare. "The rule-breaker shouldn't speak."

"Rule-breaker?" Kaguya tilted her head, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Stare—"

As Amamiya opened his mouth to explain, Chika fixed him with a wide-eyed stare.

"Keep it to yourself, not a word!"

"Strange," Kaguya narrowed her eyes, her intuition sharp. "...Are you two hiding something from me?"

"Absolutely not," Chika replied quickly. "Hang on, I'll ask Asuka-chan if she's free."

Shortly after.

Kashiwagi Asuka, a girl with short hair, a cute face, and wide eyes, appeared timidly behind Chika.

"Asuka-chan is free this afternoon," Chika said. "I invited her to go with you. She can handle the negotiations."

"…"

Amamiya and Kaguya both looked over at the short-haired girl.

"Kashiwagi-san, we're counting on you."

"Thank you," Kaguya added.

"Oh, no trouble at all," Kashiwagi said, forcing a smile while thinking to herself, 'I should have made an excuse! Being left with just Amamiya-kun and Shinomiya-san is nerve-wracking!'

"Don't worry," Amamiya reassured her. "Just stick to the plan. Ignore anything you're not supposed to see or hear, and Shinomiya-san won't give you a hard time."

Kaguya shot him a look. "...I never give her a hard time."

"Alright, I'm off." Chika waved and left.

Kaguya picked up her bag, expression calm. "Let's head out too."

"Um…" Kashiwagi hesitated, then quietly raised her hand. "Um, what exactly are we doing at the arcade?"

"It's a bit of a story," Amamiya explained. "Yesterday, Shinomiya-san ran into two elementary students. They challenged her, vowing to avenge their last defeat and take down the 'Great Demon' Kaguya."

"We'll need your help to keep the peace. And if needed, you'll also serve as our witness."

"…"