Chapter 28: Do You Think Voldemort Deserves to Die?
When she said that in the future, had she already broken free from the Shinomiya Family's chains? Or had she gained enough influence within the family to act on her own terms?
Whichever it was, Kaguya Shinomiya must have been doing well to be able to say something so absurd. At least, that's what she used to believe.
But after tonight's diary entry, her thoughts tangled into knots.
She replayed the events described again and again.
Yes, she must have ended up in a relationship. Fine. She could accept that.
Yes, Hayasaka supposedly "resigned" and lived with that person. She refused to believe Hayasaka would betray her—so perhaps that was a plan they'd agreed on together. That was still believable.
But then came the nonsense.
She was confined by her family. That person asked her brother for a billion yen as a breakup fee—and her brother actually gave it.
A billion.
Using money handed out by the Shinomiya Family to supposedly bring down the Shinomiya Family… even Kaguya had to admit, the sheer audacity was breathtaking.
And then… crashing into her father's hospital room, waving a marriage application form in front of him?
Putting herself in her father's shoes, bedridden and weak, only to have some brazen young man shove paperwork in his face—well.
Throwing him into Tokyo Bay with cement shoes would've been merciful.
Yet somehow, her father approved? He even revealed the location of his will?
Kaguya pressed her lips together. Was it sentimentality born of illness? Or… did her father actually care for her all along, just too cold and distant to show it?
It was a thought that unsettled her.
But the rest? Fried noodles. Photography. Absurdity stacked on absurdity. She gave up trying to understand.
It's too abstract. If I keep thinking about it, I'll drive myself insane.
She exhaled sharply and forced her mind elsewhere.
Kasumigaoka Utaha. Yes—checking on her would help. Tonight, the Mysterious Person had uncharacteristically apologized and even sent Utaha a "gift."
Of course, Kaguya doubted any sincerity.
Opening the group chat confirmed her suspicion.
Kasumi Shiko: "He's so shameless! I've never seen such a scoundrel. First, he posted my appearance. Then he mocked me again and again. Today he sent the anime to the group. Why me?! What did I do to deserve this?!"
A string of curses followed—rarely creative, since Japanese didn't have the same variety of swear words. If Utaha had learned Chinese, Kaguya thought, she could probably curse for half an hour without repeating herself.
And then Kaguya saw the group files: six episodes. Uploaded at once.
No wonder Utaha was losing her composure.
For Kaguya, who had to maintain her "perfect heiress" mask, watching Utaha's meltdown was oddly comforting. At least she wasn't suffering alone.
She typed calmly:
Kaguya: "I'm fine. Although I still don't understand why the latter part of my story would collapse like that, I don't think such an absurd thing would repeat in reality. In fact, I should thank the Mysterious Person for warning me that my father will be critically ill in two years, and that the branch families are plotting against the Shinomiya Family. That gives me time to prepare."
Kaguya: "Tomorrow's gathering will not change. My bodyguards are already in position. If the Mysterious Person dares to come, perhaps we'll finally know who he is."
---
The next morning.
Because it was Saturday, Kaguya allowed herself to wake later than usual. Yet even after extra sleep, she was groggy.
Ai Hayasaka winced.
This was "Little Kaguya Mode"—the rare state when her mistress's sharp Ice Princess façade collapsed into something soft, scatterbrained, and unbearably cute. Normally it lasted a day or two whenever stress and sleep deprivation caught up with her.
Fine for school. Disastrous for a day like today.
Hayasaka tugged her bangs in frustration. Why today of all days…?
She suggested gently, "Young mistress, would you like to rest more? We still have time."
Kaguya, her eyes half-lidded, simply mumbled, "No… I promised. I'll go."
Even in this state, her stubborn pride wouldn't bend.
Hayasaka sighed. "Then don't blame me if this goes badly. And don't cut my pay either."
---
Meanwhile, across town, Kasumigaoka Utaha dragged herself out of bed with bloodshot eyes.
She'd stayed up all night binging the six episodes. Episode six—the one that focused entirely on her—still burned in her mind.
All she could think was: Kasumi Shiko, you pathetic idiot. He doesn't even love you. What are you doing throwing yourself at him?
She slapped her own cheeks hard, leaving two red marks, then buried them under makeup.
I can't show up looking defeated. Not today.
With her head high, Utaha left her apartment and boarded the train.
When she stepped onto the quiet platform at Minami-Shinjuku Station, the emptiness startled her. Compared to Shinjuku's chaos, this place felt like a forgotten corner of Tokyo. Only a few passengers trickled out of the train.
And there, by the exit, stood a blonde girl in a red hoodie and newsboy cap, phone in hand.
What gave her away wasn't her face, but the diary she held loosely in her other hand.
Their agreed signal.
Utaha pulled out her own diary and walked up, reciting the code in a cool voice.
"Do you think Voldemort deserves to die?"
The blonde girl lifted her gaze, recognition flashing in her eyes.
Around them, unseen by ordinary commuters, Shinomiya Family bodyguards had already taken position.
The game had begun.
---
✨ End of Chapter 28 ✨
150ps=1 extra chapter
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