The phone-buying trip went very smoothly. The group entered the store together and directly bought Shinomiya Kaguya the latest, top-spec model of the Fruit phone.
The Shinomiya family wouldn't mind this bit of spending; they had prepared quite a bit of funding for this outing.
As long as Kaguya could build connections with Ai Suotome and the people around her, it would all be worth it.
Holding the smartphone in her hand, Shinomiya Kaguya wasn't as happy as she thought she would be. Having never come into contact with such things since childhood, she had no particular interest in high-tech gadgets.
"Milady, I'll help you register for LINE."
(T/N: LINE is an online platform.)
Hayasaka Ai helped Kaguya sign up for the social app and added everyone from the Service Club as friends.
"Isn't this basically the same as texting? Seems kinda redundant, doesn't it?"
Kaguya still didn't understand why one had to use this app. Couldn't you just text or call directly?
"This app is more convenient, it can even send photos and stuff. Having an online persona is important too."
As a shut-in otaku, Eriri had some authority on the matter. She started explaining the small functions of LINE to Kaguya.
Hearing that it could take photos, Kaguya gave it a try and found that the photos taken by the smartphone were indeed beautiful. At the very least, she was quite satisfied.
"It's a rare chance. The cherry blossoms over there look lovely, let's take a group photo together?"
Just a short distance outside the mall, a few cherry blossom trees were in bloom, petals fluttering beautifully. Kato Megumi took the opportunity to suggest a group photo of the Service Club members and Shinomiya's group.
Come to think of it, she hadn't taken a photo with Shin-chan yet. If there was a chance, Kato Megumi really wanted to invite Shin-chan to Detective Slope and take a spring photo together before the season ended.
Surely when Aki Tomoya, currently studying hard in Tokyo Bay, found out, he'd be moved to tears, right?
"Group photo? Sure, sure!"
The various beautiful girls, each with their own thoughts, found the idea appealing.
Under the cherry blossom trees, Eriri immediately latched onto Shin-chan's left arm. With Ai Suotome not around, Eriri was practically unbeatable at the moment, braver than the other girls.
With no Ai-chan in the mountain, Eriri claimed queen.
Just as Yukino tried to step forward after being beaten to the punch by Eriri, she noticed Kato Megumi had already somehow ended up on Shin-chan's right side. Shinomiya Kaguya and Hayasaka Ai followed and stood beside Kato.
Kato glanced apologetically at Yukino.
'Sorry, Club President Yukino. In love, one slow step leads to slower steps. Love is war, and everyone's a potential rival. Tsunderes have no environment to survive in!'
Yukino moved to Eriri's side, separated from Shin-chan by one damn mutt, and was extremely annoyed.
Kasumigaoka Utaha, not one to fight over anything, helped take a few pictures. She even asked a passing JK (high school girl) to help take some group shots, finally leaving everyone satisfied.
Of course, during this process, everyone rotated positions a bit, and Yukino still got her wish of standing next to Shin-chan for two photos.
"I can't go on anymore! I can't keep doing this!"
Shin-chan, used as a model by a group of beautiful girls, felt not even a trace of joy.
His Ultra energy had already run out, his chest light was blinking red.
"If we keep shopping, I'm seriously going to die!"
"Really? Don't you want that limited edition Action Kamen figure anymore?"
Yukino tried to provoke him using her usual method that often worked.
"I'll just buy it myself! If we keep shopping, my weekend will be completely ruined!"
"Alright, alright. If Shin-chan doesn't want to, then let's call it a day. We did buy a phone for President Shinomiya, and everyone had fun."
Eriri's sweet-sounding words were like needles stabbing Yukino, 'This damn mutt!'
"Besides, the lady still has other arrangements later today. Let's wrap it up here."
Checking the time, Hayasaka Ai reminded Kaguya. They had to rush back to Kyoto to meet Shinomiya Gan'an tonight.
"I also need to go back and revise the manuscript for Volume 7."
Kasumigaoka Utaha checked the time and decided not to waste more of it here. There was one terrifying heiress waiting for her to update. If her writing didn't satisfy that person, she'd be in danger.
"Is it really ending like this? It's still early… Shin-chan, can I visit your house?"
Hearing Kato Megumi say that, Yukino and Eriri both looked over.
'No sneak attacks allowed!'
"I mean, you can, but I just got home, and I kinda want to watch TV and snack. I don't really have time to host you, Kato."
'Nice one, Shin-chan! This is how it should be, say no to bad temptations!' Yukino couldn't help giving a mental thumbs-up.
She was Shin-chan's neighbor, so dropping by in the evening was totally normal, right?
"It's okay. Actually, I can help cook, clean up, and do some chores for you."
Kato Megumi didn't seem to hear the rejection at all.
"Fine, but don't stay too late, okay, Kato?"
"I want to go too! I want to visit too!"
Eriri immediately joined the battlefield. No matter what, she had to go along.
"Then let's head out. Yukino, are you coming too?"
"O-of course!"
Yukino knew she couldn't back down now. This was her chance to confront Eriri directly, she couldn't let this mutt keep acting so arrogant.
———
Just like she said, Kato Megumi quickly got to work upon arrival, helping Shin-chan tidy up his messy room.
Though Shiro helped out too, he was still a dog. Even after discovering he had yokai blood, cleaning chores were a bit too much for him.
Seeing Kato helping with chores, Eriri and Yukino didn't want to be left behind and joined in.
Seeing the two of them helping, Kato didn't say anything. She just smiled and went into the kitchen to prepare ingredients. That small gesture left both girls feeling a little defeated.
If not for the massive mountain that was Ai, Kato Megumi might've already become their strongest rival.
Is love power really proportional to chest size?
Yukino held a broom, Eriri held a mop. The two of them were completely incompatible, like a cat seeing a dog, ready to fight on sight.
Shin-chan had no awareness of the looming harem battle. He turned on the TV and started watching Action Kamen.
"Eriri, grab me a bottle of juice!"
"Coming!"
Loyal dog Eriri obeyed instantly, then glanced at Yukino.
Even without speaking, Yukino could tell what she wanted to say.
["When Master wants something, I'm the first one he thinks of. Jealous much?"]
But as Eriri opened the fridge and saw the juice inside, with a chibi Ai-chan printed on the label, she froze in place.
Even the juice was produced by the Suotome family. Can she really win like this?
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