"Hayasaka."

"Hmm? What is it, Kaguya-sama?"

"I think... I like..."

Hayasaka's eyes bulged out in anticipation. Was it finally the time? Hopefully, it was time for her Mistress to admit her feelings. That way they could proceed to the next step.

Come on, say it, Kaguya-sama.

"I think I truly like President's sharp, menacing eyes." Kaguya rolled her eyes aside and twiddled her fingers. "But I don't think that's love."

Hayasaka was about to blow up right there, but she decided to stay calm. With Kaguya, who was very stubborn and prideful, having her admitting to actually liking something was already a small step forward.

Hayasaka couldn't be too impatient.

After all these months, playing with all those bullshit schemes, Hayasaka had matured greatly as a person and as a servant.

"Yeah." Kaguya seemingly assured herself, "If my feelings for him change just because of changes in his appearance... that can't be love, right?"

"What makes you think that?" Hayasaka asked back.

"I don't know what it is." Kaguya looked sadly, "But even I know it's not true love."

True love!

No one can define what that is, and many people don't even believe in its existence. Words so pure, even the act of saying them brings one shame!

Yet, Shinomiya Kaguya, who was raised in a sheltered environment, wasn't even aware of the stigma those words brought.

For Kaguya sama, who was raised in a loveless environment, there is value in trying to pursue true love. Hayasaka understood. But I... am beholden to the oath of Shinomiya, what can I do?

"Suppose you try and ask others in the student council?"

"Should I email them all?"

"It would be much easier for you to talk to everyone directly though." Hayasaka pointed out.

"Wait, I can do that?!" Kaguya gasped.

"Of course." Hayasaka turned on the unused PC in Kaguya's room It was something that she never, ever once used in her life despite it being constantly maintained and upgraded throughout its existence.

Shinomiya Kaguya suffered an extreme form of technological illiteracy! She was an analog person to the core.

She could calculate things in her head and, therefore, never used a calculator! She used map books instead of online maps! And she used actual encyclopedias as opposed to Wikipedia or search engines to get information!

Other than occasionally checking the weather or front-page news, Kaguya had never utilized the Internet at all!

Hayasaka felt this was a good time to introduce Kaguya to the modern world. She had found that this way was the best way to do it; teaching to Kaguya's demands

"First of all, we need to have a chat program. Since Kaguya-sama doesn't have a smartphone, we can set up a new account from the PC itself." Hayasaka said, "As you can tell we're downloading the program... and now it's installed."

"Here's how you register a new account." Hayasaka slowly guided Kaguya through every step needed to have a LINE account accessible directly from a PC.

She knew very well that if she abandoned her for just a second, Kaguya would fuck something up.

"Alright then, let's just add the accounts of our student council members."

"Wait!" Kaguya raised her hands, "Everyone?!"

"You can always exclude people you don't want though?"

"Alright then uh... umm, first of all, Fujiwara-san. Then Iino-san. Then maybe Ishigami-kun as well. And you."

"Look they're connected now."

*PING*

Several messages show up asking if she was the real Kaguya.

"Let's send them your photo. Here." Hayasaka turned on the webcam and Kaguya showed up on the screen.

"Eh?"

"By the way, the camera can see everything so I should leave." Hayasaka said as she stepped aside to avoid the camera's sight, "Aside from photos you can also record your voice with this button here. And also make a video call..."

Kaguya uploaded her photo and then record her voice saying "Good evening!"

[Ah it's Kaguya-san!]

[OMG! Shinomiya-senpai, good evening! Yay~! You finally decided to use LINE! After all, it'll surely be fun talking with you!]

[What the heck with that emoticon spam, Lino?]

[Shut up, Ishigami you neet idiot! You need to speak more with people so you don't come off as creepy!]

[No, you shut up, shorty.]

[Heyheyhey no fighting plz.] Hayasaka mediated.

"Iino-san is different on LINE, huh?" Kaguya legitimately felt shocked.

[Hello, this is Kaguya, I am trying to use LINE from my PC. Is everything fine? I didn't bother you right?]

[No it's fine.]

Kaguya began typing again. Surprisingly, she could adapt quickly to the keyboard and was handling it rather well. [Well, I have something to ask.]

[Why don't we call President and Hikigaya-senpai?] Ishigami asked rather innocuously.

Kaguya froze for a moment, then took a deep breath. [It's concerning President, and I don't want Hikigaya-san involved either. If possible I don't want them to know about this conversation.]

[Tehehe, Kaguya-san is at odds with Hikki-san as always.] Chika typed, [It's fine, your secret will stay with us.]

[Umm, can I leave? It seems pertinent, and I'm not sure if I can help here...] Ishigami whined, feeling rather out of place with being the only boy invited.

[Hush, Ishigami, don't be a coward.] Chika scolded him, [But really, remember to keep this a secret!]

Fujiwara Chika was a lot of things. But, if nothing else, Kaguya knew that if there was anyone who kept their word in terms of keeping a secret, it would be her.

After all, that was how their friendship formed in the first place.

[Well, actually, an acquaintance of mine has a crush on President.] Kaguya typed with a malicious grin on her face, [And she only gained this crush on him after his change in appearance.]

Kaguya purposely flipped the topic of conversation to keep things as far away as possible from her direction, so no one would be suspicious of her.

Hayasaka was legit amazed Kaguya could regain control of herself so quickly, but that should be expected of a pure genius.

[I knew it, his new eyes are the Killah!] Chika agreed, [Rumors have already spread about the appearance of President with healthy eyes at school. So it doesn't surprise me someone asked.]"

[What about President's eyes?] Hayasaka pretended ignorance and posted.

Indeed, it was perfect camouflage! Kaguya had long planned for this moment and Hayasaka had decided to make a spectacle of the discussion.

Kaguya had somewhat learned to make short term plans workable.

[President looked really good during the Yozakura party, like a prince I'd say.] Ishigami said.

[A PRINCE?!] Miko gasped.

[Ah you weren't with us yet then. This happened before the start of the new semester.] Ishigami told her and explained the short version of the whole story.

[Well she also asked me something.] Kaguya typed, [If she fell in love with him just because of his change in appearance, it isn't really true love, isn't it?]

[It's not.] Chika said, [That's the absolute opposite of true love!]

[Definitely not true love.] Ishigami agreed.

[Umm, uh, I don't think it's true love either! You're supposed to stay in love with him through thick and thin!] Miko finalized.

[OUCH] Hayasaka typed.

Kaguya was about to cry, hard. She knew very well that her feelings, for what they were worth, weren't true love.

[What if she already had him in mind before?] Kaguya threw out a last gamble.

[That changes the equation a lot.] Ishigami said, [If he's already on her mind in the first place, the change of appearance is just a trigger.]

[It's lust.] Chika said, [Definitely lust.]

[Uwa! Lewd! Lewd! Lewd! Lewd! Lewd!] Miko spammed the screen, [Stop corrupting this talk of true love with lewd things!]

[Miko-chan, we're not children anymore. Realizing that you have lust for something is part of growing up!] Chika told her, [As for me, I lust for UNLIMITED POWAAAA!]

Chika then posted a meme picture of Emperor Palpatine from Star Wars, not that Kaguya would have any knowledge of who that individual was or what source of entertainment.

[You have shit taste for men, Fujiwara-senpai.] Ishigami snarked back.

[I don't mean THE Palpatine, you jerk.] Chika replied.

[What is this nerd world I'm stepping into?] Hayasaka asked, again with pretend ignorance.

Kaguya blushed hard.

Lust? What she felt for President was lust?!

[Well, to put it simply, there's physical attraction, mental attraction, intellectual attraction and so on...] Ishigami typed, [Someone can lust for a person without being romantically attracted to them. After all, that's how prostitutes operate, right?]

[The opposite is true too. You can absolutely love someone without having even a shred of lust for them! That's what pure love is all about!] Miko blathered on the screen, [A sacred love between a knight and his lady, someone he can never truly obtain for himself because she's already wedded to his Master! That's a story of true love!]

[Miko-chan... you really love those kinds of things, don't you?] Fujiwara teased.

[Ah, what a pure girl.] Ishigami also teased her.

[It's fine! A girl can dream! Someone twisted and lustful as Ishigami would never understand!] Miko spammed the screen again.

[I'm going to ride a white horse to school someday, just to piss you off.] Ishigami replied.

[Please don't do that. Iino-san won't be the only one having her dreams crushed.] Kaguya commented on the conversation.

[I wanna die.] Ishigami responded.

[NO DON'T DIE!] Miko told him.

[We need to call President ASAP!] Chika agreed. Only he could stop Ishigami now.

[Well, I guess the answer is that if she felt President was attractive with his new eyes, she's attracted to him physically.] Ishigami typed again, somehow recovered from Kaguya's barb. [But if she was already attracted to him before, that person definitely loves him.]

[Wait a minute Kaguya-san, what did you think about president's princely eyes?] Chika asked. [I do think he looked way nicer at the party.]

[I think his eyes made him look weak and gullible.]

As pained as Kaguya felt, she thought she needed to be a little honest for once. So she told Chika her honest feelings on the matter. It would also mask her real intentions.

[Uhuh, I can see why you think that.] Chika agreed.

[Well true.] Ishigami also agreed.

[True love does not exist anyway!] Chika then spammed nodding emoticons.

Miko vehemently disagreed, [It must exist somewhere in this world!]

[You have to be realistic. In this day and age no one can love someone without something being in it for them.] Ishigami said, [People need to realize, that unconditional love is inside your heart. THAT's what true love is about.]

[What's that? That's so creepy!] Chika posted.

[I never realized you could be that romantic, Ishigami.] Miko praised him. But, coming from her, it came off as a backhanded compliment instead.

[I'm going to go kill myself, so I'll log out now. I'll erase the chat later.] Ishigami said, before leaving the chat abruptly.

"Should we call 119?" Kaguya asked Hayasaka with worry.

"I don't think we need to," Hayasaka replied. Ishigami was simply being emo. He wasn't at all suicidal.

[I'll also log out, thank you for your time.] Kaguya told them.

[See you next week!] Miko also said goodbye.

[Ehh, I wanna talk more!] Chika protested.

[Rest first, talk later.] Kaguya cut her off and turned off the LINE chat, then shut down the computer.

Kaguya took a deep breath and rested her head on the chair, "Am I that shallow of a lustful woman?"

"I don't think that's the case, Kaguya-sama." Hayasaka said, "You being lustful of his tired eyes and you having romantic feelings for President Shirogane are entirely separate matters."

"What exactly is lust anyway?" Kaguya asked.

"Lust means purely physical attraction. Wanting to hold them close and kiss them deeply, that's lust," Hayasaka said with a flat expression.

"B-but don't lovers already do that in the movies?" Kaguya pointed out awkwardly.

"Exactly." Hayasaka said, "Lust and love normally go side by side after all. But, as they said, that isn't always the case."

"I'm just going to go to sleep early now, maybe I can figure it out tomorrow." Kaguya dropped herself on her bed, "You can leave now, Hayasaka. Please turn the lights off on your way out."

"Please excuse me." Hayasaka said as she turned off the lights and then left the room for her own.

やはり, 彼らが望む告白は間違っている.
As expected, the Confession they want is wrong

Original Story by: Watari Wataru and Akasaka Aka
Written by: ZeroXSEED, Co-Writer/Editor: GoukaRyuu

Chapter 20 - Hayasaka want to chat...

She hurriedly pulled her tablet out and called Hachiman.

"[What is it, Hayasaka?]" Hachiman asked.

"Are you at home now?" Hayasaka asked. "Asleep yet?"

"[At home in Chiba. I'm just playing games on PC right now. You need something important?]"

"No, it's fine. I just wanted to talk with you."

Awkward silence.

"About Kaguya-sama I mean." Hayasaka clarified.

"[Sure, something new happen?]"

Hayasaka told him the story of the chat and how it seemed to confuse Kaguya, but at the same time, managed to pull her out of her depression. She didn't hide a single detail from Hachiman as she spoke to him about it.

"[I see. Miyuki was pretty effected by it too.]"

"Really?"

"[Well yeah. You know very well how bad his self-esteem is.]" Hachiman chuckled.

"So that means there was a setback on his side?"

"[It's fine. No matter how many times he fails, Miyuki will always rebound. Shinomiya is the real concern, and I think we more or less have her covered.]"

"For someone who hates her, you certainly pay a lot of attention to Kaguya-sama..." Hayasaka said with a rather ambiguous tone.

"[Hate is such a strong word.]" Hachiman corrected her.

"What game you playing anyway?" Hayasaka asked, "I'm bored and can't sleep."

"[Crossout. It's a game about vehicular destruction on a desertified post-apocalyptic earth. Think of the Mad Max setting.]"

"Let me check it out. Give me a minute," Hayasaka said as she turned on her PC and looked up some videos. One video showed ramshackle vehicles shooting each other with machine-guns, cannons, and missiles. "Looks pretty cool actually."

Hayasaka's eyes brightened.

"[I'd have thought it'd be too hardcore for you.]"

"You don't even know the things I like, Hikigaya-san." Hayasaka frowned as she immediately downloaded the client. It wasn't that big and should only take a few minutes at worst.

"[I'm not a judgmental person, so of course not.]"

"Lies and damned lies."

Hayasaka Ai had a secret. She loved watching chaotic and destructive videos on the Internet rather than anything resembling girly interests. Yesterday, Kaguya was shocked when she found Hayasaka watching a scene of a rampaging bulldozer in China.

So the game looked like it was right up her alley.

"Want to set up cam chat?" Hayasaka suddenly asked.

"[Why?]"

"What, too embarrassed to look at my beautiful face?" Hayasaka taunted, "I bet you've never had a video call with a girl before. Better take my offer or you'll never get another chance."

"[Guh.]" Hachiman was legitimately hurt by that remark, "[You asked for it, now.]"

After fiddling with the software and connection, they were now able to see each other in the small corner of their respective screens. Hachiman was dressed in his usual tracksuit as pajama replacement.

"[Woah, a real maid outfit.]" Hachiman grimaced.

"Oh, I never told you? I thought I've said I'm her personal attendant." Hayasaka reminded him.

Hayasaka, indeed, was wearing her maid uniform. It came with the job after all.

"[Well, yeah, but still.]"

"It should be fine now, I made an account already and logged in."

"[Hold on, here's my invitation.]" Hachiman said, and something blinked on Hayasaka's game UI screen. She accepted the invitation immediately.

"The starter car is a bit boring, isn't it?" Hayasaka asked when she finished the tutorial.

"[Crossout isn't exactly pay-to-win, but it's a pain in the ass to grind early on. You'll get more equipment soon enough, so let's start with the game and follow my lead.]"

Hachiman also went with a starter car design so as to ensure they could play together. Rather than just player level, the parity between players was kept with some kind of point system. The more complicated a car design, the higher the points.

It didn't take more than fifteen minutes and Hayasaka had already started liking it.

"Boom," Hayasaka said when she rammed an enemy NPC's car and exploded them. However, she also lost a front wheel. "I took some damage too."

"[To raise your level quickly, just go with the story missions and faction quests. You'll also get rewarded with basic parts by raising your level. You need to add a big solid bumper and blades to avoid blow-back damage from ramming.]"

"Can I just buy them now? I can shell out a little bit of money for this."

Hayasaka was well aware of typical online game trappings which caused people to spend recklessly. But, she wasn't dumb. Even though she might be very well the richest student in the entirety of Shuchiin High when it comes to personal wealth rather than family wealth.

"[I recommend you buy rare parts if necessary. And don't buy too many.]"

Besides, it seemed that the game prevented the selling of structural parts to make her car bigger, so there were sizes and weight limits to what she could carry or install. She could only enlarge her vehicle by raising levels.

Interesting.

For the next hour and a half Hayasaka basically rampaged around the game, both against NPCs and other players. It was fun! Not to mention the fact that you can radically redesign cars using available parts, like a junk lego.

"I think I'm going to get addicted to this." Hayasaka finally decided to log out of the game for the night. "This game is dangerous."

"[Careful there. I'm not taking responsibility.]"

"Oh really? Is there any kind of responsibility you'd be willing to take?" Hayasaka teased, "Can you even take the responsibility as a boyfriend?"

"[Fuck no. If a girl called me at midnight while crying, I'd break up with her right then and there.]"

"Harsh."

Hayasaka froze when she saw the presence of a very familiar blue-haired woman behind Hachiman.

"Hikigaya-san, behind you."

"[Oh shit.]" Hachiman scowled and found his mother looking at him and the screen.

"[Oh, don't worry about me. Just be sure to keep the noise down because Komachi-chan is really cranky.]" The woman smiled knowingly, definitely misunderstanding the situation. "[Good evening, Hayasaka-san. Long time no see.]"

"Umm, yes." Hayasaka panicked, hard. She didn't expect the Hikigaya matriarch of all people to show up.

"Ai-chan, are you sleeping already?" A woman also showed up behind Hayasaka, "Oh my. Am I interrupting something?"

And then Hayasaka entered a total state of panic, "Awawawawa, Mom?! Why didn't you knock?!"

"Hello, my name is Hayasaka Nao, I'm Ai-chan's mother."

The blond woman was unmistakably her mother. Indeed, even their faces were similar! Among the differences, the woman had her hair cut rather short, about halfway to her neck. Hachiman's mother also introduced herself in response.

"[It seems that my son Hachiman has become rather close to Ai-san recently. I hope it's not a problem.]" Hachiman's mother smiled, but her eyes were kind of terrifying. At least Hayasaka Ai thought so!

"Oh, it's fine, it's fine." Nao smiled mischievously, "Us old women shouldn't interfere with the youngsters. Hopefully, my daughter isn't too much of a nuisance."

"[No, no, it's fine. My son is reclusive and gloomy, so it's quite a breath of fresh air to see someone so pretty around him.]"

"Please don't say that! He looks pretty handsome from what I can see." Nao waved her hand, then rolled her eyes aside and whispered aloud. "Good catch, Ai-chan."

"[For the record, you two are jumping to conclusions. We work together on the student council and we were just playing a game together just now.]" Hachiman said with a deadpan voice as he shoved his mother aside, as gently but forcefully as possible.

"Yes, Hikigaya-san and I are nothing more than friends and gaming buddies." Hayasaka Ai desperately agreed.

"[Well, then it's a bit late. So let's call it off for tonight.]" Hachiman sighed, "[See you again next week.]"

"See you again, Hikigaya-san." Hayasaka Ai nodded.

Hachiman disconnected and Hayasaka turned red and fuming. "Not only didn't you tell me you had come back today, but you also entered without permission!"

"But I did knock. You were just too engrossed to answer!" Nao pouted, "Are you sure he's just a friend?"

"Yes, and a co-conspirator to boot!" The younger Hayasaka pushed her mother out of her room.

Meanwhile on the Chiba side of the conversation.

"Gaming buddies, huh?" Hachiman's mother looked at her son suspiciously, she still remember vividly the scenes that transpired in Hachiman's apartment, roughly three weeks ago, when Hayasaka Ai blatantly straddling him in the middle of a dinner together, under a heavy rain...

Hikigaya Hachiman always been unwilling to shoulder the burden of shame and sins he didn't commit, so he decided to confront the topic ahead.

"Look, whatever you think happened didn't happen, so let's not jump to conclusions. Also, what the hell did you give me? A full box no less?"

"Just keep it. It's a parents' privilege to give their children one when they come of age." She patted Hachiman's rather tense shoulders, "It should be your father who does it though."

"Well yea, but that's because Father is worthless." Hachiman grouched.

"While it's hard to argue against that statement, you still shouldn't be saying that."

Hachiman didn't want to continue the conversation, "Are you hungry? I can make something quick for you. And Komachi too. She's going to turn into a werewolf at this rate."

The winner of today's battle: Hayasaka Ai's (pyrrhic) victory?