Splash—
Warm water cascaded onto the tiled floor.
Long black hair draped downward.
Eyes like dark rubies gazed listlessly at the ground.
Shinomiya Kaguya reclined in her lavish bathtub, her calm facade barely concealing her dejection.
Total failure.
Her first date—with Takakai, no less—had ended in disaster.
Sure, the atmosphere had been decent. Sure, she might've been slightly flustered. But overall? It was progressing fine!
Until...
Iran awayafter his confession!
Just recalling it made her want to melt into the floor.
Ugh, why did I do that?! Stupid, stupid, STUPID—!
Her composure shattered. Small fists pounded the water in frustration before she slumped over the tub's edge, sulking.
"..."
Hayasaka observed silently.
Unbelievable.
Whofleesafter being confessed to?!
Since when did Shinomiya-sama become this much of an airhead?
...Ah, but I suppose this is love.
Her mistress's reaction did confirm genuine feelings for Master. Likely, they'd shared meaningful moments unbeknownst to Hayasaka.
Still. This isn't enough.
Her eyes sharpened.
Since becoming a player, Hayasaka had been added to a group chat by Fujiwara Chika—one including Kaguya, Shijō Maki, and Yotsuya Miko. (Though Kaguya rarely logged on due to her tech illiteracy.)
Three names starting with 'Shi'... Odd coincidence.
But the chat's true significance wasn't lost on her.
A pride of lionesses gathering around their Master... Hmph.
Her mind wandered—imagining a lion-like Takakai, herself sprawled before him, and then—
No. Focus.
Priority one: salvaging her mistress's romance.
"Shinomiya-sama, about the fireworks festival in two days... Master—ahem—Takakai-sama plans to attend with everyone. If you act proactively, you could secure alone time with him."
"Fireworks...? Ah, right! There's still hope! (muttering) New strategies needed..."
Kaguya's eyes lit up, already scheming.
...She's probably overcomplicating this again.
Hayasaka suppressed a sigh.
Might as well text Master. Honestly, why can't she just throw herself at him like I did?
A flicker of heat stirred within her.
Shame I can't visit him tonight.
Master had explicitly ordered her to sleep properly—no late-night hotel raids.
...Though obeying him is its own thrill.
Perhaps another side effect.
Shuchi'in Academy - Next Morning
Takakai, having studied Maki's intel overnight, arrived early—not for Maki or Chika, but for a certain raven-haired transfer student.
"Hey. You're looking good. Settling in okay?"
Yotsuya Miko nearly jumped out of her skin.
(Though outwardly, she showed zero reaction—only the faintest finger twitch betrayed her shock.)
"S-Senpai?! Don't sneak up like that!"
"I wasn't sneaking. You're just distracted. Worried about me?"
He fell into step beside her.
"Of course! You vanished for days!"
Her glare carried palpable reproach.
"Days? Wait—"
"Senpai." Her voice turned dangerously quiet. "Youdoremember I retain memories, right?"
Ah.
Takakai coughed awkwardly before shifting topics.
"So in ten days, we're re-entering [School Horror Tales] to rescue trapped players. You're on the roster."
A beat of silence.
"I see... If senpai arranged it, it must be necessary."
Though her reluctance was obvious, Miko acquiesced.
Resilient girl.
"We'll survive. Grow stronger together."
"Mm. I'll do my best."
Her resolve hardened.
"One more thing."
Her tension spiked again—until:
"The fireworks festival is in two days, but the stalls open tomorrow. Feel like scouting them with me?"
...A date?
"Well...? Interested?"
"...Okay."
A small nod.
"Meet you at the plaza after school, then."
He departed before rumors of "security guard seduces student" could spread.
Left alone, Miko paused mid-step.
A real date... My first...
What should I wear?
What's senpai like outside dungeons?
...I'm... looking forward to it.
The looming dungeon mission still terrified her—but for now, anticipation bloomed.
Ding-dong~
The bell's chime snapped her back to reality.
Crap! Late for class—!
She bolted down the path.
Meanwhile, Takakai arrived at his next destination—a place of youth, beauty, and past mischief:
The Swimming Pool.