The next morning, everyone in the Service Club got up early, except for Shin-chan. After all, today they were going to buy a smartphone for Shinomiya Kaguya.
This was also the first club activity of the Service Club.
The current Yukino no longer pursued the ideal of the "genuine article." The existence of the Service Club was still very necessary. It was her own club, and offering help to others within her capabilities was something that made her genuinely happy.
The most important thing was, Ai Suotome didn't seem very interested in the Service Club.
Shinomiya Kaguya and Hayasaka Ai had also gotten up early.
Under normal circumstances, the Shinomiya family would never allow Kaguya to go out shopping on a weekend.
Kaguya's older brothers completely treated her like a caged canary, raising her casually, waiting for the right opportunity in the future to use her in a political marriage that would benefit the Shinomiya family.
But this time, Hayasaka Ai had fought hard using logic, saying it was a necessary move to build a connection with Ai Suotome. Only then did Kaguya get this opportunity to go shopping.
Although she was a young lady of the Shinomiya family, Kaguya's daily life was painful, she had no freedom at all.
"Ai-chan, how do I look today?"
"Young lady looks as beautiful as always, naturally graceful."
Looking at Kaguya, who didn't look much different from usual, Hayasaka Ai felt helpless.
Her young lady didn't really know how to dress up, nor did she care to. She always believed natural beauty required no embellishment.
But Hayasaka Ai didn't think this kind of young lady could capture the heart of that man named Shin-chan.
Her lady was certainly beautiful, but her figure was a bit lacking. And that guy Shin-chan, he was a shallow man who only looked at physical appearance.
Since their goal was to build ties with Ai Suotome, it was probably better for her lady to not get too close to Shin-chan.
Deep down, Hayasaka Ai didn't believe Ai Suotome would truly end up with Shin-chan either.
Kaguya was very satisfied with Hayasaka Ai's response.
"Everything's arranged, right?"
"Don't worry, young lady. Aside from a few essential bodyguards, no one else will be following us. You can enjoy a perfect weekend."
Hearing this, Kaguya became excited too.
A weekend not bound by family, a trip to the mall with classmates, and gaining her first friend besides Hayasaka Ai, it was just too wonderful.
———
Yukino, waking up from her sleep, remembered last night's dream and began questioning life.
What kind of crap was that dream? Why did she still have to be a pet even in her dreams? Couldn't she be the master for once?
Thinking that, she immediately got up, washed up, changed clothes, and went to knock on Shin-chan's door.
As expected, Shin-chan was still deep asleep, he had no awareness of participating in club activities at all.
Rubbing his eyes as he woke up, Shin-chan opened the door.
"Little Yukino, why are you looking for me so early?"
"Club activity! Did you forget?"
"Can't we just buy the phone online? Why do we have to go to the mall?"
"..."
That… was a valid question. Yukino had no way to answer that either, online shopping was indeed more convenient.
But since it wasn't easy to organize a club event, it would only be meaningful if everyone participated.
"Enough. Stop whining! I already asked my sister to buy the limited edition Action Kamen figure, you don't want it?"
"..."
Shin-chan turned around and went back inside. Two seconds later, he came out fully dressed, shocking Yukino with his ridiculous speed.
"Let's go! Time to move out!"
'For the limited edition figure!'
The meetup spot was a café named "Zebra Butt." No one knew why Japan had so many strangely named shops.
"Kasumigaoka, why do you look so terrible? Did you stay up all night again?"
When Eriri saw Kasumigaoka Utaha in the café, she was startled.
Utaha's dark circles were too intense, she looked like a zombie.
Seriously, what a frustrating woman, having such a seductive body but not knowing how to use it, wasting her nights away like some ascetic immortal!
Eriri herself hadn't slept much either, staying up late drawing drafts, but she wasn't as over-the-top as Utaha.
"Don't mention it. I've been busy polishing the manuscript for publication these past two days."
"So it's confirmed? Your novel is getting published?"
Eriri was shocked. She didn't expect Utaha to be this talented, her very first novel had won the Newcomer's Gold Award and was even getting published. It was honestly enviable.
Why was she stuck being a behind-the-scenes manga artist?
This had to be her idiot dad's fault. What kind of parent raises their daughter into this?
"Yeah, it's confirmed. And they're giving me top-level promotion."
Talking about her work, Utaha's expression turned a bit bitter. The plot had undergone a major overhaul, and it was no longer her original story, changed beyond recognition.
But even so, with that kind of massive promotion, it should still become a popular work, right?
Under the framework given by Ai Suotome, Utaha had put in a lot of effort to make the story as interesting as possible.
"Hey, Kasumigaoka. Can I ask a favor?"
"You want to win in the novel?"
As soon as Eriri opened her mouth, Utaha knew what she wanted.
"Yeah! Of course I want to win! Your novel's getting published soon. Once it's out, everyone who reads it will know the love story between me and Shin-chan!"
"Aren't you supposed to be my romance advisor? Can't you let me win just this once?"
"Sorry, Eriri. The plot was discussed with my editor. I can't change it so easily."
Giving her a pitiful glance, Utaha knew, there was no way Eriri could win.
Everything was under that Young Lady's control. Honestly, today's club activity was probably already under her surveillance.
Even Utaha herself had already become a puppet controlled by that publishing power.
But then she thought of the royalties she'd get after the novel was released, and she just couldn't say no.
"I see… well, can't be helped then. But don't forget the deal about the character art!"
Bringing that up made Utaha feel even guiltier.
Because of the major plot changes, the character designs Eriri needed to draw had also changed drastically.
Thinking about it made Utaha feel terrified again, was it also within Ai Suotome's calculations to make Eriri draw character art of herself turning into the Young Lady's plaything?
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