A/N: hey so this'll be my first ever fan fiction. Based on the Kaguya-sama Wants to be Confessed to Manga. Story picks up right after Chapter 108. Enjoy!

"Just so we're clear, you only want to be friends with the president, right?" Kaguya's eyes looked back towards me, her friendly demeanor suddenly growing cold. No, cold wasn't the right word. To the outside observer, it would seem like Kaguya was closing herself off as a threat. But having grown up with her, I could tell there was a tinge of worry in her voice.

After a very eventful day of cross-dressing and spontaneous rapping, I couldn't help but find this amusing. Nor could I resist the urge to tease her.

"Don't worry," I told her, as I brushed her hair from behind. "I don't have any romantic feelings for him whatsoever."

I could hear her give a sigh of relief. A wicked smile came over my face. I continued, "Still, if you want to make the president fall for you, you'd better do it sooner rather than later."

I leaned in close. "They say friendship is the first step towards a relationship."

Kaguya sighed yet again. "As always, your sadism is impossible to hide."

I just smiled, quietly reveling in my victory today, and continued to brush her hair. We settled into a comfortable silence, both of us lost in thought. I replayed my words from earlier in my head. Friendship is the first step towards a relationship. Work for the Shinomiya household kept me quite busy, but I couldn't say that I was opposed to having a relationship.

Just having someone to have feelings for sounded pleasant. Having someone return those feelings, well I couldn't even begin to imagine. But for now, maybe I could just be friends with someone and see how it went.

While I was in the middle of these thoughts, Kaguya raised her hand. I stopped brushing her hair and stepped away.

"Thank you, Hayasaka. I think that will be all for tonight." She turned to me and smiled. "Will you help me get ready for bed?"

I returned the smile. "Of course, Kaguya-sama." While she went to brush her teeth, I undid her bed, checked the thermostat, and closed the curtains. Kaguya liked to have the temperature lowered at night, presumably to be able to stay under the warm refined covers of her royal bed.

Adjusting the pillows to her liking, my thoughts returned to finding a partner. Although online dating seems to be on the rise lately, it seems better to meet someone in person, especially as I was still in high school. That left the traditional friends to lovers path.

Sadly, I had a severe lack of male friends to experience this with. The meager number of friends I had at school were simply tools in order to keep my cover as an ordinary student. I always have to keep up gal mode around them, so it's not like they know the true me. Plus they were all female anyway.

Kaguya came out of the bathroom, ready for bed. She was wearing her favorite light pink pajamas. I stepped away and showed her the sheets pulled back, as she liked it. She smiled. "Thank you, Hayasaka."

I nodded. "You're welcome, Kaguya-sama. Would you like me to ready you a story before bed?"

Kaguya settled into bed and sat up. I pulled the covers over her legs. She replied, "That won't be necessary. It's getting late after all." My eyes unconsciously flickered to the grandfather clock in the corner, whose face was just visible in the lamp light. 10:00pm.

Her eyes softened in sincerity. "Why don't you take the rest of the night off? I'll see you in the morning."

A night off. A rare treat, for sure. "As you wish, Kaguya-sama. Have a good night."

"Good night, Hayasaka." We leaned in for a brief hug. Certainly not proper behavior for a master and servant, but one of our little rebellions nonetheless.

I left her and turned off the light. 10:10. Plenty of time left in the night. I nearly sprinted to my chambers, just down the hall. Barreling past the rest of the servants making their night rounds, I threw open my door. My chambers were much more humble compared to Kaguya's, but they served me well. A well-stocked closet for my clothes, a nightstand with a ready lamp, and even a small vanity for makeup and hair. Ignoring all of them, I walked to the bed, removed the scrunchie from my hair, and collapsed face first on top of the covers. The weight of today finally came down over me.

My words kept echoing in my head. I want to experience my youth. The ups and downs, those bittersweet things. Everything Kaguya and Miyuki get to experience. I sighed audibly.

It's true what I said. All day I spend running around after Kaguya. Running her errands and menial tasks and ridiculous demands. I felt like a background character. A plot device.

I flipped over my bed and stared at the ceiling, watching the ceiling fan spin lazily around and around, circle after circle. What kind of exciting youth am I living? Getting caught up in Kaguya's schemes, mainly. Is this where I'll be in twenty years? Nearly forty years old and still running around after Kaguya and her (assumed) family?

Suddenly, my cell phone vibrated. A text message from Miyuki Shirogane. Of course he's still awake. He probably just got off work or is finishing homework.

Miyuki: Hey Haysaca-chan! Crazy day today! Glad you were able to get your feelings out.

I smiled. Miyuki's ridiculous plot today actually did work. The coming maid will certainly be a burden lifted, and it was helpful to remind Kaguya about how much she should appreciate me.

Ai: Yes, things got out of hand lol. But I think things will get better now.

I sat up. Miyuki-kun really is a good guy. It's quite easy to see why Kaguya would fall for someone like him. He's compassionate and caring and brilliant and hardworking. He's someone I'd love to fall for.

Miyuki: Good. I'm proud of you, Haysaca, standing up to her like that.

He still calls me Haysaca though. I never ended up correcting him, did I?

Miyuki: Still think you need a mask to be loved?

I thought about it. For a brief moment today, my composure broke and Miyuki, Kaguya, and even Fujiwara heard all my feelings. Fujiwara seemed confused but Miyuki and Kaguya seemed to understand. I wasn't convinced still. I've been in these roles all my life. No one could love the real me, because I'm not even sure who the real me is.

Hayasaka the maid.

Haysaca the butler.

Haysaca the flirty, heartbroken student.

Miyuki keeps pushing me to discard the mask. But he doesn't even realize that all he knows is a mask. Personal desires, wants, goals, dreams. I've suppressed everything for so long.

I thought about Kaguya for a moment. I know she worries over Miyuki and I growing closer. Texting nearly every night, even when neither one of them have the courage to message each other. Kaguya would probably want me to keep this distance, and as both her servant and closest friend I should.

But as me, as Hayasaka Ai, I want to grow closer. I want a friend. I want someone who I don't work for. Who doesn't go to bed at 10:00 every night. I want someone to meet up with and complain to.

A background character would never deviate from her role. She'd stay the good support role she was born into, observe from the sidelines, and never draw too much attention to herself, while the main characters handle everything.

But a protagonist reaches for more.

Ai: I'm still thinking about it. But you do me a favor?

Miyuki: Sure! Anything you need!

Ai: Will you call me Ai-chan? That's the real me.

Maybe, just maybe, I can reach for more, too.