Why is my Isekai in the Slice of Life anime was become a Horror Story?

Interlude 1-19: The Secret Consultation of Princess Kaguya

Takahashi Takakai felt a bit awkward.

Faced with the two girls confronting each other right in front of him, he almost instinctively wanted to blurt out, "I know I'm handsome, so why not join my harem instead of arguing?" to lighten the mood.

But hadn't Kaguya always been cold to him? Why did she suddenly want to meet him in private now?

"I just have some personal matters to discuss with Taka-kun. Or perhaps, Maki-san, you feel uneasy because I'm too close to your boyfriend, and you're afraid I might steal him away? If you're that insecure, then I won't discuss this with him anymore."

While Takakai was still lost in thought, Kaguya, facing Shijo Maki's wary expression, said this with an emotionless face.

"W-who said he's my boyfriend! I'm just worried he might be deceived by someone like you! And since when did you start calling him Taka-kun?"

Kaguya's deliberately emphasized words made Shijo Maki's face flush instantly, and she waved her hands, shouting in a flustered tone.

"Oh, so you think I'd deceive Taka-kun? The eldest daughter of the prestigious Shijo family has such childish thoughts? As a teammate, what would I gain by tricking him? Besides, just a mere way of addressing him makes you react this much. O Kawaii koto."

The corner of Kaguya's mouth curled up, her words carrying a teasing undertone.

"Hey, hey, what the heck is going on here? Are you two acting out some light novel scene or something?"

Sensing that something was off, Takakai interjected, but his response was clearly too late. Kaguya's provocation had completely ignited Shijo Maki.

"I don't care what you say anymore! Hmph, do whatever you want!"

Shijo Maki gritted her teeth, stomped her foot in anger, and turned to leave. When Takakai tried to follow her, she shot him a warning glare before storming off.

It was clear that Kaguya's words had unsettled Shijo Maki to some extent, making her anxious. Yet despite this, Takakai didn't intend to just stand there like the typical "yasashii" protagonist from Japanese stories. He decided to go after Shijo Maki.

However, at that moment, Kaguya grabbed Takakai's hand from behind, gripping it like a vice. Without exerting full strength, he couldn't break free, and as a result, Shijo Maki vanished without a trace.

"Can't you handle this more calmly? What's the point of doing this?"

By the time Takakai reached the hallway, Shijo Maki was nowhere to be seen. He had no choice but to turn back and look at Kaguya with a helpless expression.

"Actually, this way is better. It will make her realize more clearly the possessiveness she has toward you."

Kaguya remained expressionless, speaking matter-of-factly. Seeing her demeanor, Takakai even suspected that she might be enjoying the situation.

"So, what exactly is this matter that you felt the need to chase Maki away to talk about privately? Couldn't you have just called me?"

Back in the room, Takakai asked while pulling out a chair and sitting down, looking directly at Kaguya.

At this point, with Bocchi and Aoyama Nanami gone and Shijo Maki having stormed off, only Takakai and Kaguya remained in the room—there was no third person.

"Before coming here, you suggested that I take action against my family. I want to know why you brought up such a matter."

Kaguya pulled out a chair and sat opposite Takakai, getting straight to the point about what she wanted to discuss.

So, it was about this?

Kaguya's words immediately made Takakai realize that ever since the phone call that morning, this issue had been weighing on her mind. But due to more pressing matters, she had temporarily set it aside.

"It's just that I find your family's situation too troublesome."

Now understanding the reason behind Kaguya's private talk, Takakai relaxed and responded in a casual tone.

"Troublesome?"

Kaguya raised an eyebrow slightly.

"To me, you're someone with strong decision-making skills and the ability to act decisively. Having you as a teammate makes me feel much more secure. But because of your family's peculiar restrictions, there are many things you can't participate in. Whether it's investigating player market trends or dealing with the attack on Maki, you haven't been able to get directly involved. Those issues are what I find frustrating, so I couldn't help but make a suggestion."

Takakai candidly shared his thoughts.

"...Even so, the fact that you proposed directly threatening my brothers—that idea is quite unusual. I even began to question what kind of person you really are."

Kaguya remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking slowly, her emotionless gaze fixed on Takakai.

Those words were somewhat discomforting, but Takakai noticed a shift in her attitude. In her use of the word "question," he sensed a certain softness, a willingness to openly express her thoughts instead of secretly investigating or surveilling him as she had done in the past.

Lowering his head in thought, Takakai then looked up, met her gaze, and slowly began to speak:

"I am, huh... Let me think. A young, handsome guy? A promising new player? Sounds a bit narcissistic, but probably not too far off the mark. Of course, I'm not a good person. When faced with injustice, I get upset—like when I heard about the incident at the Shirakawa apartments. I wanted to kill those two beasts and sincerely thanked Xu Sheng for stepping in. But if I had been in his shoes, I'm not sure I would have intervened. I'm not noble, and I'm very aware of that."

"For those who help me or treat me well, I'll reciprocate with trust and assistance. For people who work well with me, I'll support them as much as I can. But for those who are useless, I won't hesitate left them in a crisis. As for those who cause trouble, I might even consider punching them. Maybe my way of thinking and acting is different from the norm, as ordinary people wouldn't so easily entertain the thought of 'eliminating' someone just over a disagreement. But that's who I am."

"As for my opinion about your family... How should I put it? Maybe I overthought things. But from the way you talk about them, I don't sense any familial warmth. When you mention your brothers and father, it's like you're describing strangers who just happen to share your blood. And the curfews and restrictions you endure—frankly, they sound more like how one keeps a pet. If I were in your position and had the power to resist, I would never accept such constraints."

As Takakai spoke, he carefully observed Kaguya's reactions.

Yet no matter what he said, her expression remained indifferent, as though all her emotions were concealed behind an impenetrable mask, leaving no hint of what she truly felt.

When Takakai finished speaking, silence engulfed the room. After a while, Kaguya finally broke it.

"You're very straightforward, very direct—but also very narcissistic."

As she said this, Takakai thought he could detect a faint trace of disdain in her eyes.

"To me, how should I put it... You're truly unique. Among all the people I've met, you're probably the most unusual. So much so that my usual way of thinking doesn't seem to apply to you."

Kaguya let out a small sigh, her tone gradually tinged with a hint of helplessness.

"As for my family... I'll handle that myself. Since becoming a player, I've truly changed. I think the day will come when I confront my family directly and break free from the cage they've placed me in. I'll seriously consider your advice. Thank you, Taka-kun. I think your presence has genuinely broadened my perspective and way of thinking."

Standing up, Kaguya gave a slight bow to Takakai, expressing her gratitude formally.

Caught off guard by her seriousness, Takakai quickly stood up, feeling awkward as he returned the gesture.

"You're making me feel really uncomfortable doing this."

Takakai scratched his head, clearly embarrassed.

"Oho~, the guy who can shamelessly trick a girl into stealing a kiss feels uncomfortable now?"

Kaguya's gaze turned sharp.

"Ahem, well, back then, I thought I was about to 'kick the bucket.' And besides, appreciating the beauty of women is an instinct for men, but I have my dignity too!"

Takakai coughed awkwardly, trying to respond in a bashful manner.

"...The fact that you can say something like that. Honestly, you're the thickest-skinned person I've ever met."

Kaguya carefully chose her words before speaking. Truthfully, after hearing about how Takakai almost "defeated" Maki, it had been hard for her to take him seriously. She even wondered if he was the embodiment of desire.

"Haha, thanks for the compliment. Anyway, if there's nothing else, I need to find Maki. I think she misunderstood something, so I need to clear things up."

Seeing that Kaguya had no intention of saying more, Takakai turned to leave the room.

But just as he was about to reach the door, Kaguya, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up:

"Taka-kun…"

Turning back, he saw the girl with a slightly hesitant expression.

"To be honest, I still don't understand. You and Maki-san have only known each other for a few short days. Is such a brief time worth the deep feelings and care you've shown for her?"

Kaguya asked with utmost seriousness.

In this small, private conversation, the cold mask she always wore seemed to crack slightly.

And so, she finally couldn't help but voice the question that had long been nagging at her, the one she had always been curious about and wanted an answer to:

Love.

Two people investing emotions into one another, liking each other, and becoming close.

In Shinomiya Kaguya's eyes, such things were utterly meaningless, so much so that they seemed entirely trivial.

"One cannot depend on others, only exploit them; one cannot accept kindness, only seize it; one cannot love anyone—beyond that, nothing else matters."

Raised under the warped family creed of the Shinomiya household, this girl had grown up unable to comprehend why Shijo Maki, another daughter of a zaibatsu family like herself, could be so kind to others. She also couldn't understand why couples at school were so sweetly affectionate with one another. To her, people existed solely for their utility; beyond that, they were irrelevant.

Raised with such teachings from a young age, today she finally voiced her confusion to someone she couldn't even quite categorize—someone who, in her eyes, seemed to belong to an entirely different world.

"Because I want to, so I do it."

Takakai answered Kaguya's question with a calm, nonchalant tone.

"Why should there be so many reasons? So what if the time is short? I like a girl like her, and she doesn't hate me, so I have to find a way to be with her. That's how I think; I just act on it. Breaking things down into meaning for every person and every action like this is, in my opinion, boring. For the things you like and want, you have to go on the offensive and take hold of them. Besides, you said it yourself—I'm the thickest-skinned person you've ever met. That's my image, so of course I have to stick to it, right?"

He chuckled, casually replying as he reached out to open the door.

"Because of her personality? Or her appearance? Or something else?"

Seemingly unsatisfied with his answer, Kaguya pressed further.

"Well, her personality, of course. She's proud yet adorable, teasing very fun, and as caring as a little angel. Who wouldn't like a girl like that? As for appearance, that's obviously a plus. Honestly, a cute and beautiful girl like her is basically a dream come true. Oh, and her figure is worth mentioning too. Her skin is so smooth, and it feels amazing to touch, and—uh, ahem, that's not something I can really discuss with you. Anyway, petite girls have their own charm. To me, a girl who's easy to pick up and hold in your arms is just perfect!" (note: MC is true Brother)

As his final words left his mouth, Takakai stepped out, placing a hand on Shijo Maki's head, who had been hiding behind the door, eavesdropping.

For a brief moment, the sound at the doorway turned chaotic. Amid Maki's embarrassed protests and struggles, the two gradually walked off.

Meanwhile, Kaguya remained seated, frozen in place. It was a long time before she snapped out of it and took a deep breath.

The look in that man's eyes when he talked about Maki's figure at the end—it was truly terrifying, like a predator staring at its prey.

Kaguya couldn't help but recall the time he tricked her into a kiss amidst the rubble.

Go on the offensive and take hold of what you want, huh?

And liking girls who are easy to pick up and hold?

Was his target only Maki? Or did it include others with a similar build?!

Suddenly realizing that her height, weight, and figure were almost identical to Maki's, Kaguya found herself inexplicably tense—but she couldn't quite figure out why.