Kaguya-sama Wants My Surrender!

At three-thirty in the afternoon, the school bell rang on time.

Amamiya closed his English textbook ready to leave.

That morning, Hayasaka had texted him, saying she had something to do after school and suggesting he head to the dessert shop first.

It was a lie.

Of course, she wasn't busy. She had simply wanted to minimize any potential complications. After all, yesterday's incident at the health center had taken an entire evening to soothe her young lady jealousy. If they were seen walking together on campus today, she'd be facing another sleepless night.

Packing up his things, Amamiya left the classroom.

Before heading to the dessert shop, he stopped by the gymnastics club, stayed with Tsubame for a few minutes, and copied the skill she wanted for her. Then he exited the school grounds.

As he reached the school gate, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

It was a message from Sajuna.

"Hey… are you free this afternoon after school?"

"I'm free. If Sajuna summons me, I'm free even if the world ends."

"Hmph."

Sajuna responded with a soft snort: "I encountered a super creepy evil spirit at school today. It's been following me around and scaring me. So annoying."

Amamiya immediately caught her meaning and replied thoughtfully:

"I'm busy for now, but I'll probably be back by five. You can wait at my place. I told you where the spare key was last time. You could walk the dog in the meantime."

Sajuna shot back, "Didn't you say you were free no matter what?"

Amamiya replied, "The world hasn't ended yet, so I'm tied up for now."

"...Liar!"

With a sigh, Amamiya put his phone away and headed to the dessert shop they had agreed upon.

The shop was quiet in the afternoon, with only a few patrons. Amamiya found a seat in a corner and waited silently.

Not long after, Hayasaka walked in, carrying her schoolbag and biting on a lollipop.

She paused briefly near the entrance, scanned the room, and quickly spotted Amamiya in the corner. Walking over, she set her bag down and took the seat across from him.

"Sorry I'm late," Hayasaka said nonchalantly.

"I just got here," Amamiya replied. He gestured to a passing waiter. "What would you like to eat, Hasaka?"

Hayasaka clicked her tongue and corrected him, "It's Hasaka-san. We're not that familiar, are we?"

Amamiya held back a smile. Not familiar? Yet last night, you wanted to kiss me, hug me?!

"Got it, Hasaka," he said with a nod. "My memory isn't great, so please remind me often."

"Tch."

Hayasaka couldn't help but retort, "You're the top student in our grade, and you expect me to believe you have a bad memory? At least come up with a believable excuse."

"Oh, you saw through it already?"

"Even an elementary school kid would see through that."

"Fine, fine. It's just my bad luck to have met you, Hasaka…"

Before he could finish, a sharp pain jabbed his foot under the table.

Hayasaka, calmly holding the menu, said, "I just happened to have some free time today, so I came. I've never tried the desserts here, so let's order something. I need to get back to work after this."

"…Alright."

Soon, their desserts arrived.

"Thank you," Hayasaka said politely, maintaining her polished demeanor. Despite her image as a charismatic socialite, she was exceptionally courteous.

Taking a spoonful of tiramisu, she placed it in her mouth. Her beautiful blue eyes lit up with delight, curving into crescents.

So it's true—no girl can resist dessert.

"Do you belong to any school clubs, Hasaka?" Amamiya asked casually.

"No."

With all the running around I do for Miss, how would I have time for clubs?

"What do you usually do after school, then?"

"Work part-time and make money," Hayasaka replied, resting her chin in her palm. "My parents are divorced, and I live alone now. I have to work every day to support myself. So, you should give up. I don't have time to waste on dating."

Dating you in front of my young lady? My world would be obliterated.

"Also," she added, "keep your distance from me at school. If you talk to me too much, won't Fujiwara-san get jealous?"

Amamiya sighed internally. You're overthinking things. Compared to your young lady's romance-related concerns, your worries barely register.

Amamiya intertwined his fingers, a faint smile on his lips. "It seems Hasaka doesn't trust me."

"What do you think?" Hayasaka retorted, taking a bite of her dessert. "It's been months since the school year started, and you've barely said ten sentences to me. Then, out of nowhere, you confess that you've fallen in love at first sight. Seriously, did you lose a bet and decide to pick some random girl for a dumb prank?"

Amamiya raised his right hand solemnly. "I can prove I'm not playing games."

"Tsk. How are you going to prove it?" Hayasaka asked, skeptical.

"It's simple," Amamiya replied calmly. "Tomorrow morning, I'll confess to you in front of the entire class. I'll even ask everyone to record it. If it's a prank, they can expose me online. Nobody would risk social suicide for a joke."

Hayasaka: "…"

Their eyes met, and for a moment, Hayasaka froze.

The tips of her ears tinged a faint pink.

Her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably, as if something unfamiliar was flowing out from deep within her chest.

Damn it. Damn it. Damn it!

This guy was serious!

If she nodded now, he might really go through with confessing to her in front of the entire class tomorrow.

He wasn't even afraid of social death. Could it be that he truly fell for her at first sight?

Impossible.

Hayasaka shook her head quickly, suppressing the errant thoughts that flitted through her mind.

There's no such thing as love at first sight. It's just lust at first sight.

She glanced at him, her skepticism mounting. When they'd been in the haunted house, this guy had kissed Chika—the chaos incarnate! He thought she didn't know?

And now, after kissing someone else, he was confessing to her? No way she could believe him.

Meanwhile, Amamiya continued eating his dessert with unruffled composure. He knew Hayasaka's circumstances well. There was no way she'd let him confess to her publicly in front of her young lady, Kaguya.

In a battle of information asymmetry, the victor was determined from the outset.

"Haah…" Hayasaka let out a quiet breath, ready to speak, when her gaze unintentionally flicked toward the window.

Her eyes widened. Without warning, she ducked down and hid under the table.

"What's wrong?" Amamiya asked, puzzled.

Hayasaka reached out urgently, grabbing his wrist. "Get down!" she hissed.

Amamiya squatted under the table, the small space forcing them close together. He could feel her quickened breathing and faintly hear her heartbeat.

"Who did you see?" he asked curiously.

"…Don't talk," Hayasaka snapped, biting her thumb nervously.

This is bad.

Through the corner of her eye, she'd spotted her young lady, Kaguya, standing outside the window. She should have gone home by now—why was she here?

Could there be a tracker on her?

No, that wasn't possible. Kaguya would never stoop to something like that.

Then what's going on?

"Come on in! The desserts here are amazing, especially the fruit mousse—I highly recommend it. They also have tiramisu and egg tarts. I want to try everything today!"

A sweet, cheerful, and unmistakably familiar voice floated into Amamiya's ears, accompanied by the waiter's greeting.

"It's Chika," Amamiya murmured.

Even hidden under the table, he instantly recognized the bubbly voice.

He glanced at Hayasaka, who was still biting her thumb nervously.

If it were just Chika, Hayasaka wouldn't be this on edge…

The next moment, a colder, sharper voice chimed in.

"Don't overdo it."

Amamiya raised an eyebrow slightly.

There was no mistaking it. Only Kaguya had the power to make Hayasaka this uneasy.

Now it made sense why she'd dragged him under the table. If he'd stayed on the sofa and Kaguya and Chika had noticed him, they would definitely have come over to talk. Hayasaka, hiding under the table, would've been caught red-handed.

And if that happened, the ensuing battle between the young lady and her maid would surely be catastrophic.

Seeing Hayasaka eyeing him suspiciously, Amamiya remained composed.

"Why are we hiding? Let's stand up and have me confess to you right in front of Chika..."

Hayasaka's grip on his shoulders tightened as she leaned closer, her voice a sharp whisper:

"Don't even think about it. Stay down, and don't you dare move without my permission."

"It's just Chika," Amamiya said, feigning innocence. "Why are you so worked up?"

"This has nothing to do with Chika," Hayasaka hissed, her tone resolute. "I just happened to see someone I absolutely don't want to meet. So whatever you do, don't expose my location, or don't expect me to ever speak to you again!"

"...Understood."

Meanwhile, the voices of Chika and Kaguya grew louder, approaching steadily.

"Kaguya-chan, look! There's an empty table in that corner!" Chika's bright voice rang out. "Let's sit there!"

Hayasaka's heart leapt to her throat.

No, not there!

If they approached this table, she'd be discovered immediately. There'd be no way to explain herself.

"There are desserts on the table," Kaguya's calm, icy voice pointed out. "It's already occupied."

"Ah, that's a shame," Chika said, sighing regretfully. "There's another seat over there. Let's go."

"...Phew."

Hearing their footsteps receding, Hayasaka exhaled softly, though her body remained tense.

The danger wasn't over yet. As long as Kaguya and Chika were in the dessert shop, the risk of exposure loomed large.

There was only one option left.

Making a quick decision, Hayasaka put her training as a professional spy to use. Even in tight spots, there was always a sliver of hope.

Her solution lay in her schoolbag.

Holding her breath, she reached out toward her bag, only to frown as her fingers came up short.

The cramped space beneath the table restricted her movements. The legs of the table were an additional obstacle, making it impossible to grab the bag without attracting attention. She didn't dare make any sudden or conspicuous moves.

"Amamiya, you've got longer arms—grab my bag for me," she whispered urgently.

"Got it. I'll try."

Amamiya nodded and stretched out his arm. The task wasn't easy—his position was awkward, and the tight quarters forced them even closer together. Their heads almost brushed against each other, and every breath felt amplified in the enclosed space.

Hayasaka turned her head sharply, her face heating up as she faced the wall in an attempt to steady her nerves.

Focus. Don't think about anything else. Just keep calm.

"I've got it," Amamiya finally said, holding up the bag triumphantly.

But before either of them could relax, a curious voice piped up near their hiding spot.

"What are you two doing?"

Hayasaka flinched, her head whipping around so fast that her lips brushed against something warm.

"Mmph—!"

Her eyes widened in shock.

Standing in the aisle beside them was a little girl, bending down and peering under the table with a mixture of curiosity and mischief.

The girl gasped, her eyes lighting up. She turned toward the next table and called out loudly:

"Mom! Look! A brother and sister are hiding under the table and kissing!"

"...!"

Even Hayasaka, a spy who prided herself on keeping her emotions in check, felt her face ignite in an uncontrollable blush. She jerked her head back, distancing herself from Amamiya as quickly as possible.

Her mind raced, panic setting in.

How did this happen?!

Not only had her young lady, Kaguya, almost found her, but now this! Her pride and reputation were in shambles.

If I'd known this was going to happen, I never would've agreed to today's 'date.'!

"Don't bother your onii-chan and onee-chan while they're playing," the neighboring lady said with an apologetic smile as she gently pulled the curious little girl away.

"But they weren't playing!" the little girl protested innocently. "They were kissing! Their lips were touching!"

Sharp eyes for someone so young. Haven't you been told not to watch things you shouldn't?

"I'm so sorry for the trouble," the lady said again, hurrying to usher the little girl back to their table.

Meanwhile, Amamiya turned his head to glance at Hayasaka. Her face was flushed, her usual composure shattered, and her shy expression was paired with an undeniable tension.

Amamiya pursed his lips and noted a faint strawberry flavor lingering there.

Case solved—it's strawberry. Probably from a lollipop.

"Don't worry, Hasaka," he said solemnly. "I'll take responsibility."

Hayasaka's shoulders stiffened. She covered her chest with her hands as though shielding herself and whispered through gritted teeth, "You're not the one getting pregnant, so what responsibility could there even be?!"

Amamiya tilted his head, a mock-serious expression crossing his face. "So, what you're saying is... if I got you pregnant, I'd have to take responsibility?"

"Please go turn yourself in to the police, you pervert."

"My bad," Amamiya replied, raising his hands in mock surrender. "It was a slip of the tongue. Trust my character, please."

"I don't trust you!" Hayasaka snapped, glowering at him.

"...Fair enough."

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Hayasaka pulled out her phone from her bag. "Don't say another word."

Though the accidental kiss was mortifying, and she couldn't exactly silence the little girl, there was still an immediate priority: getting her young lady, Kaguya, out of the dessert shop as quickly as possible.

The solution was simple enough.

"Chika-chan, I just found a new ramen shop. It's amazing. You should come check it out!" she typed, hitting send.

Hayasaka knew her audience well—she and Chika were on friendly terms at school, and Chika's passion for discovering ramen shops was common knowledge. A self-proclaimed ramen connoisseur on a mission to visit a hundred different places couldn't possibly resist such bait.

Sure enough, Chika's reply came almost immediately:

"Where?! I'm coming right now!"

Hayasaka sent her a random address, then pulled out a small compact mirror to peek around the corner of the table. Carefully, she checked for any lingering danger.

Once she confirmed that both Kaguya and Chika had left the dessert shop, Hayasaka finally allowed herself to relax. Waiting a few more cautious moments to ensure Kaguya wouldn't return unexpectedly, she stood up abruptly, packed her things, and threw a sharp glare at Amamiya.

"Goodbye. Never speak to me again!"

Amamiya shrugged as if her words rolled off him like water on glass. He finished the remaining dessert leisurely before standing and heading out himself.

The moment he stepped outside, the drizzle had already begun again. He opened his umbrella, walking home in silence, his thoughts drifting aimlessly with the rhythm of the rain.

When he finally arrived home, he noticed the door wasn't locked. Remembering the message he had sent earlier, he simply pushed it open and walked in.

"I'm back—"

Before he could finish, the sound of soft footsteps reached his ears. A small figure emerged from the bathroom.

It was a little girl, completely drenched, her hair clinging to her face and clothes soaked through.