You guys reached 172 power stones, more than twice the goal of 80.
So here are two extra chapters.
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"Hayasaka."
"Yes, Kaguya-sama?" she replied, bowing her head slightly.
"How many years have you been serving the Shinomiya family?" Kaguya asked, with an obvious intent behind the question.
"Since I was born. It has been eighteen years," Hayasaka answered, pretending not to understand what she was getting at.
"And you were assigned to my side since you were four, right? That makes fourteen years. Tell me… do you consider me your friend?"
"Of course. I consider you like a younger sister."
"Why am I the younger one?" Kaguya protested, though deep down she felt happy at her words. "That is not the point… the point is that you were educated as an elite."
"That is correct. The Shinomiya family has been very kind… in that regard," Hayasaka said, letting a slight irony slip through.
"And during that education, were you not taught everything from the basics to high-level business management?"
"That is correct. I learned the art of tea, traditional and western cooking, sewing, singing, dancing, makeup, etiquette, first aid, martial arts, stealth, weapons handling, driving all kinds of vehicles, languages, hacking, espionage, negotiation, rhetoric, manipulation tactics, body language reading, emotional control, resistance to persuasion… and not to fall in love easily," Hayasaka replied, reciting the list with the coldness of an automaton.
"The fact that you said that at the end means you know what is happening," Kaguya sighed. "What about the suspension bridge effect?"
"Of course. When someone feels adrenaline or fear, the brain can confuse those physical signals with romantic attraction toward the person in front of them. Heart racing, sweat, nerves… many interpret it as 'I am falling in love'. It is a cheap trick, straight from the manual, and one of the first psychological tactics we were taught."
Kaguya's usually calm expression cracked for an instant at hearing that explanation.
"If you know that, and you know it is basically a mistake," she exploded, raising her voice, "then why do you keep looking at Kaito blushing?"
"I don't know what you are talking about, Kaguya-sama," Hayasaka replied, pretending ignorance.
"Of course you do. If not, you wouldn't be in maid mode now that it is only the two of us. You are trying to hide your emotions."
"Hiding feelings of that sort would make no sense. Considering Koneko-sama, Mashiro-sama, us, and the newly added Lala-sama, it is clear that Kaito is not someone who rejects those emotions. Besides, during his last fight he seemed to suffer a change in mentality. Added to your plan, it is likely that he will return with a very unstable mindset.
In such a situation, the best option would be to relieve stress. Therefore, the most logical way would be to ask Koneko-sama, who already has experience, for advice on Kaito's tastes in those matters. And, to reduce the chances of rejection, join in suddenly while he is already engaged in an intimate act with her."
Kaguya's face turned redder with each word she heard.
"W-when did you plan that? It has only been a few minutes since the last round!" she said with a trembling voice.
"I don't know what plan you are referring to, milady. It was only a logical explanation."
"I won't let you do that! I order you!"
"Ah, Kaito-sama has returned. I am afraid I cannot keep listening. Goodbye."
Hayasaka vanished instantly, returning to the territory. Although two hours remained after the event ended, the rules allowed leaving at any time. Even the suppression of powers had disappeared, as if they expected additional clashes to arise.
Kaguya was left alone, staring at the empty spot where Hayasaka had been. In silence, she swore to keep watch over her that night.
"What happened? Why did she leave?" Kaito asked upon arriving.
"She said she wanted to take the chance to clean before we came back," Kaguya replied.
"That's fine then. Although, we don't have much to do here either. We could already leave."
"No," Kaguya stopped him. "Let's stay a little longer. It is always important to form relationships."
Just then Mashiro, Misaki, and Sorata appeared from another side.
Mashiro placed herself at his side, like an obedient puppy, which caught his attention.
"Come on, Kouhai. It is your last chance," Misaki said to Kanda.
A spark of determination lit up in his eyes before he spoke.
"Lucifer… please, end things with Mashiro."
Kaito's expression shifted between confusion and disbelief.
"What?"
"I will explain," Misaki intervened. "The truth is… I always knew about Kouhai-kun's feelings for Mashiro, so I wanted to give him a push. I played a little prank in front of him: I told him that if he ever met the number one in the world, he should give up and make Mashiro his girlfriend.
I didn't think they would actually meet, nor that Mashiro would take my words seriously. The point is that, even though you agreed when she said it, you two don't have a real relationship. And you even already have a girlfriend. That's why I talked to Mashiro and I think you two should end that relationship. That way the three of us win."
"Three?" Kaito repeated, though he already knew the answer.
Sorata stepped forward.
"I am the third. I like Mashiro. Even though she rejected me, I want to try fairly. But I cannot do that if she is in a relationship. I would accept it if it were real, but this clearly is not."
Kaito listened in silence before answering.
"I see. So Sorata can pursue Mashiro, I am not in a relationship imposed by others and I remain with my girlfriend, and Mashiro gets out of the misunderstanding she got into because of you."
Sorata's face lit up, but Kaito cut him off.
"But there is a flaw in your logic. And that is… I don't want to."
"Y-you don't want to?" Misaki asked, confused.
Kaito stepped closer, forcing them to instinctively back away.
"Do you know who I am? I am Lucifer, the number one Lord in the world. Even if I am not an egotist who shows off or forces others to kneel, I still believe I deserve respect. And you…" he looked at Sorata, "you talk about pursuing my woman right in front of me. How do you think I should feel?"
"B-but I thought you didn't have that kind of relationship," Misaki stammered, since Sorata was paralyzed.
"And what does it matter? What kind of relationship we have is none of your business. The only thing you need to know is that Mashiro is mine, and no one else's."
He placed a hand on Sorata's shoulder.
"Stay away from her. I know where the Sakurasou dorm is. If I find out you try anything, it won't go well for you. Do you understand?"
Sorata nodded, trembling, but Kaito didn't calm down. The hostility in his gaze grew even more.
"You know I can feel your killing intent toward me, right?" he said coldly.
Sorata had no time to react. Kaito pierced his chest with his hand. His body dissolved into pixels, reappearing at a distance. Kaito caught up with him again and killed him once more. The third time, Sorata disappeared into a white line, leaving the instance.
"Tch, he escaped," Kaito muttered.
On his way back, Misaki faced him in horror.
"W-why did you do that?"
"He wanted to kill me. I will not leave a time bomb lying around. Problems must be torn out by the root," he replied indifferently.
She lowered her gaze and disappeared without another word.
At that moment Mashiro approached him timidly.
"Kaito… do you like me?"
"Of course I do," he answered, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close.
She blushed, looked at him for a moment, and kissed him before vanishing.
The place was almost empty, with only Kaito and Kaguya present.
She looked at him nervously, covering her chest.
"Y-you… you won't come for me now, will you?"
"Of course not," he said, ignoring her.
"And what about me?" a cheerful voice interrupted from behind. They had both forgotten her presence.
Kaito looked at her calmly.
Lala, a literal princess, daughter of the most beautiful woman in the universe, was also an incomparable beauty. Of medium height, slim but with soft curves that enhanced her youthful silhouette, fair skin without the slightest flaw, and long, silky pink hair cascading down to her waist.
Her face was delicate, with fine, balanced features, and large blue-green eyes that shone like gems. Her fresh and striking style highlighted her natural allure even more. Her generous bust, impossible to conceal beneath her clothing, and her wide hips conveyed effortlessly that blend of innocence and sensuality impossible to ignore.
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+20 chapters in advance on Patreon.
p-atreon.com/IAMME26
(just delete the hyphen)
80 power stones = 1 extra chapter (cumulative)