Today, Shin didn't have any plans after school, so he decided to head straight home to play some games.
However, as he walked out of the school gate, he couldn't help but laugh at the sight of someone blocking his path:
"Fujiwara-san, this is the third day in a row. Aren't you tired?"
Shin rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on as he looked at the figure in front of him. She was dressed in casual clothes, wearing sunglasses and a mask.
Although she had indeed disguised herself, making it hard to recognize her at first glance as the Shuchiin Academy student who had approached Shin the past two days, the black bow on her head was still unmistakable.
That black bow pinned to her pink bangs was like Chika Fujiwara's signature, instantly giving away her identity.
This was the third day in a row that Chika Fujiwara had come to his school to intercept him after classes.
Three times. Three times!
On the first day, she had brought Ai Hayasaka along, but Hayasaka's intimate gestures with Shin had quickly driven her away.
On the second day, she learned her lesson and didn't contact Ai Hayasaka, only notifying Shin. Little did she know, Shin had immediately told Ai Hayasaka about it.
As a result, Ai Hayasaka showed up again, once more luring Chika Fujiwara into a hotel room and showing her something even more intense.
And today, Chika Fujiwara had learned from her past mistakes. She didn't even notify Shin this time, instead choosing to directly block him at the entrance of Private Toyosaki Academy!
To avoid causing a commotion and tipping Shin off, she had even disguised herself, and the effect seemed quite good.
Although anyone who knew her could recognize her just by the black bow on her bangs.
But in the entire Private Toyosaki Academy, only Shin could identify her by that feature. The other students didn't know her.
"This is all for Kaguya-san's future!"
Chika Fujiwara crossed her arms, looking quite proud, probably feeling satisfied with her role as a good friend.
After all, Shin was Kaguya Shinomiya's "fiancé." Although it wasn't officially settled yet, it was likely to be confirmed at the banquet this weekend.
Today was Friday, and the banquet was on Sunday night, so Chika Fujiwara naturally wanted to make Shin change his ways and become a good man within these two days!
"Fujiwara-san, I'm saying this for your own good. It's best not to provoke me today."
Shin narrowed his eyes at Chika Fujiwara—he wasn't in the mood to be teased right now.
After what had happened with Ikuyo Kita at noon, where things didn't go all the way, Shin was feeling a bit restless.
He hadn't forced himself on Ikuyo Kita—although he felt she probably wouldn't have refused, he was willing to give her some time to come to terms with things, given how long they had known each other.
But Chika Fujiwara wasn't as close to him. If she kept provoking him, he wasn't sure what he might do.
"Wh-what do you mean?" Chika Fujiwara instinctively felt something was off and took a step back.
However, for some reason, she didn't look too scared. Instead, there was a hint of eagerness in her expression.
…
Since it wasn't convenient to talk at the school gate, the two eventually moved to a different location, walking and chatting as they went.
This time, there was no Ai Hayasaka to interfere. It was just Shin and Chika Fujiwara.
"So, even though you know Ai Hayasaka was here first, you still want me to break things off with her?"
Shin sipped on a juice he had bought from a vending machine, giving Chika Fujiwara a strange look—he hadn't expected her stance to remain unchanged.
"I know it's not the best thing to do… but there's no other way. I don't want to see Kaguya-sama heartbroken."
When talking about this, Chika Fujiwara's mood seemed to drop, losing the overly cheerful demeanor she usually had.
"For Kaguya-san, she doesn't have much of a choice. The Shinomiya family will definitely make her marry you, Shin."
That was true. Despite being the Shinomiya family's heiress, Kaguya Shinomiya was actually the least favored among the Shinomiya heirs.
Setting aside Kaguya's older brother, Oko Shinomiya, who was the most likely successor, even Gan'an Shinomiya, who hadn't yet been confined to a hospital bed, was uncertain about Kaguya's future.
If Shin hadn't appeared, Gan'an might have supported Kaguya's freedom to pursue love. But with Shin's arrival, Gan'an's preference had shifted toward him.
Who could provide a greater sense of security than Shin?
No one, at least in Gan'an's eyes.
Although Chika Fujiwara didn't know the details of Shin's relationship with the Shinomiya family, the fact that the Shinomiya family had invited many prominent figures to the banquet indicated that it was a very formal occasion.
Decisions made in such a setting couldn't easily be changed, so Chika Fujiwara hadn't considered the possibility of Shin breaking the engagement.
She had no idea that Shin was actually the one in control of the Shinomiya family. She probably thought of him as just another young person, like Kaguya, unable to stop the arranged marriage.
"…Then why not just keep Ai Hayasaka's existence a secret from Kaguya?"
Shin stroked his chin, thinking for a moment, then suddenly spoke up.
"As long as Kaguya doesn't know, she won't be heartbroken, right?"
Chika Fujiwara had said she just didn't want Kaguya to be heartbroken… so as long as they kept it from her, wouldn't that solve the problem?
"…Huh?"
Hearing Shin's sudden suggestion, Chika Fujiwara was momentarily stunned.
It was true. As long as they kept Kaguya in the dark about Shin's "infidelity," they could prevent her from being hurt.
But Chika Fujiwara felt that something was off—she wanted to protect Kaguya's feelings, but surely not like this, right?
As they talked, Shin suddenly stopped walking. Chika Fujiwara, following his lead, also came to a halt.
When she looked up, she realized that, without noticing, they had once again arrived at the entrance of the hotel they had visited the past two days.
This made Chika Fujiwara's heart skip a beat—this time, Ai Hayasaka wasn't here. What did Shin plan to do by bringing her here?
For some reason, the strange logic from yesterday resurfaced in Chika Fujiwara's mind.
Ai Hayasaka was the one who had come first. Kaguya and she were the ones who came later—since Ai Hayasaka didn't mind, then even if she did something, it wouldn't be betraying Kaguya… right?
To be continued…
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