Chapter 369: Clearly Not His Girlfriend, Yet Extremely Jealous
"That stray cat really can't be raised. After it took shelter from the rain, it ran off again."
Along the pedestrian path, Fujiwara Chika was still talking about her previous topic — the reason why the cat ran away.
Sakurai: (ᵕ—ᴗ—)
Sakurai Saki pretended not to hear.
He hoped Chika would never find out about the time he turned into a cat.
Otherwise, she'd cling to him and never stop causing trouble.
Chika's mischievous nature was no less than his or Hayasaka Ai's. If she ever learned the truth, Saki really couldn't imagine what would happen next.
"Aren't you two dog people? Back then, you even argued with Shirogane about it." Sakurai Saki suddenly cut into the conversation between the two.
Chika & Kaguya: (,,¬﹏¬,,) (,,¬﹏¬,,)
See, speechless again.
Liking cats or liking dogs — debates like that are completely meaningless.
When answering such questions, it's best not to be too firm — that's the lesson learned.
What was that saying again? Oh right — always leave yourself a way out, or you'll end up getting slapped in the face.
...
On the May streets, the scenery had changed.
By this time, cherry blossoms had turned into lush green leaves. The petals had long fallen to the ground, becoming nourishment, completing nature's cycle.
Standing inside a shop, Sakurai Saki looked out the window, deep in thought.
As expected, it still turned out like this.
The moment they passed through the shopping district, the two girls stopped walking altogether.
"Kaguya-san, turn around quickly~"
Fujiwara Chika's voice took on a tone disturbingly close to that of a pervert, making Saki frown and turn to look — and instantly understand why she was panting like that.
"What do you think?"
(⸝⸝⸝>﹏<⸝⸝⸝)
Shinomiya Kaguya tilted her head slightly, revealing her twin ponytails for Sakurai Saki to see.
It was the first time Saki had ever seen Kaguya with that hairstyle.
Normally, twin tails made a girl look childish, but because Kaguya was usually so cold and composed, the combination created a strange contrast.
If he had to describe it in one phrase — it would be "cute because of the contrast."
"Pretty cute, actually."
Sakurai Saki took out his phone, preparing to take a picture.
Shinomiya Kaguya suddenly blushed. "Don't take a picture!"
She quickly reached up to remove the hair clips, but unfortunately, Sakurai Saki moved faster.
"Why can't I take one? Clearly Chika even…"
When Sakurai Saki turned to look at Fujiwara Chika, he saw she had already put her phone down long ago, her expression looking somewhat unhappy.
No way… is she jealous over something like this too?
Where did this jealousy spirit even come from?
"Hmph!" Chika turned her face away, making no effort to hide her jealousy.
Chika: (˶˃⤙˂˶)
"Alright, alright, come here." Sakurai Saki coaxed her like a child, pulling Chika into his arms.
"...I forgive you." Fujiwara Chika wrapped her arms around his waist.
Just as Sakurai Saki sighed in relief, he caught Shinomiya Kaguya's terrifying glare.
Kaguya: <(ꐦㅍ _ㅍ)>
At that moment, Saki regretted not having four arms — if he did, he could hug them both at once!
"Secretary Fujiwara, doing that with Sakurai-san in a place like this… isn't very appropriate, don't you think?"Shinomiya Kaguya struggled to keep her voice calm.
A woman like Fujiwara Chika should never be underestimated!
Last time at Disney, that wicked woman had the nerve to kiss Sakurai Saki right in front of Hayasaka Ai — was there anything she wouldn't dare do!?
And indeed, Kaguya's suspicion was completely correct.
"So what, Ai-chan's not here anyway."
"..."
That's the problem right there!?
Just because the girlfriend isn't around means you can freely flirt with her boyfriend!?
Shinomiya Kaguya recalled what she had done when Hayasaka Ai went to Kyoto, and for a brief moment, she didn't know how to respond.
Because both of them — had no right to criticize the other.
"Saki-kun, I'm cold."
That excuse… was way too lazy! Today was clearly not cold — if anything, it was slightly warm!
Even Shinomiya Kaguya couldn't bear to look at her anymore.
Wait a second!
"Sakurai-san, I'm a bit cold too."
"Kaguya-san, it's May right now, and it's 24 degrees Celsius today."
Fujiwara Chika released Sakurai Saki and looked at Kaguya as if she were an idiot.
Oh no — Shinomiya Kaguya's fists were clenching tight.
And so, she decided to retaliate against Chika in the most effective way possible!
"Kyaaa!" Shinomiya Kaguya turned slightly, then suddenly let out a girlish scream.
After that, she fell right into Sakurai Saki's arms.
"What's wrong?! Kaguya?"
Her acting was flawless — even Sakurai Saki didn't realize it was fake.
"I twisted my ankle by accident." Shinomiya Kaguya held onto Sakurai Saki's waist, pressing her cheek against his chest, putting on a pained expression.
"Pff pff, Kaguya-san actually tripped in the middle of the street… O' kawaii koto~." Fujiwara Chika stood beside them, covering her mouth, letting out a strange laugh.
Chika: (≖⩊≖)
Kaguya: （ꐦ𝅒_𝅒）
Shinomiya Kaguya grew even more irritated.
She had only pretended to fall to make Fujiwara Chika jealous, yet it didn't work at all.
"Sakurai-san, it hurts…"
Shinomiya Kaguya spoke in a spoiled tone: "Can you carry me later?"
At that moment, Fujiwara Chika finally realized how serious the situation was!
Huh? Kaguya-san, what are you saying? Do you even know what you're doing?
You don't even like Saki-kun — are you really okay with letting him carry you like that!?
Fujiwara Chika had no idea that Sakurai Saki and Shinomiya Kaguya had long shared a rather ambiguous relationship.
"Um… Kaguya-san, if you're hurt, maybe you should just go home and rest."
"No. The Shinomiya family never breaks their promises."
"Kaguya-san, if you're injured and don't treat it, that's not good! We're close to the school — how about we stop by the infirmary first?"
Hearing Fujiwara Chika's concern, Shinomiya Kaguya felt a slight pang of guilt.
She slowly released Sakurai Saki.
"It's fine. I probably just had a cramp earlier. A short rest will be enough."
"That's great." Fujiwara Chika placed a hand over her chest and sighed in relief.
If Sakurai Saki had carried Shinomiya Kaguya the entire way, Chika would've been so jealous she wouldn't even be able to eat dinner tonight.
So this way, it was fine.
Shinomiya Kaguya thought the same.
Both sides even! Perfect!
...
'The cancer of the planet, that inferior species that can only survive by leeching off men, a lowly parasite that's evolved for two million years yet still can't escape its natural instincts, only knowing how to go into heat like a breeding sow…'
On the seashore, under the pleasant breeze, the three of them were heading toward the checkpoint.
The area was close to the bay, and the cries of seagulls could faintly be heard.
Shinomiya Kaguya gritted her teeth, inwardly cursing Fujiwara Chika.
"Hehe~ thank you, Saki-kun." Fujiwara Chika was lying on Sakurai Saki's back, leaning against him, fully enjoying her free piggyback ride.
They were supposed to walk the whole way, but before even getting halfway, Fujiwara Chika was already exhausted.
At least according to her — Chika was so tired she was on the verge of collapse, and if Sakurai Saki didn't carry her, she wouldn't be able to take another step.
Sakurai Saki could feel the two soft mounds pressing against his back over and over, and he felt a bit embarrassed.
Mainly because Shinomiya Kaguya was watching nearby.
If this were written as a novel, the title right now would probably be —
"Trapped Between the Cold Heiress and the Future Prime Minister: A Fierce Battlefield of Love",
"Why Does My Youth Love Story Involve Kitchen Knives?",
or "Clearly Not My Girlfriend, Yet Extremely Jealous?".
Come to think of it, light novel titles these days really are getting longer and longer.
...