The Heroines All Regretted It

Monday.

Only four days left until final exams.

Yoru got up earlier than usual today.

Without any hesitation, he rolled out of bed, put on his slippers, and went to wash up.

"Wonder if Gabriel's awake yet."

"She's been getting more and more addicted to gaming. No going back now…"

Gargle gargle~

Yoru spit out the toothpaste and decided to check on Gabriel soon.

After washing up, he went to the kitchen to make his own breakfast.

He boiled an egg, reheated some bread bought from the market using the microwave, poured a cup of milk, and added a few low-sugar fruits.

He didn't eat yet.

Back in his room, he pulled out a yoga mat from under the bed and began his daily half-hour of fasted cardio.

After working up a full sweat, he took off his clothes, wiped himself down with a towel, and changed into the Shuchiin Academy uniform.

He gave some cat food and water to the still-sleeping Sansan, then went to wake up Gabriel.

"The door isn't even closed. Isn't she afraid of thieves?"

With his hand on the knob, Yoru turned it while calling out to her.

"Gabriel, I'm coming in~"

Getting no reply, he cautiously stepped inside.

There were two garbage bags piled up at the entrance, filled with snacks, frozen food, and instant noodles. The soup and liquid hadn't even been drained properly.

He walked straight in.

In the messy living room, he found Gabriel fast asleep on the sofa in a red tracksuit.

"She must've stayed up gaming again. Final exams are coming—does she not care?"

Without watching his step, Yoru accidentally stepped on a pair of blue-and-white striped worn panties.

Clothes were scattered all over the living room floor, along with leftover snack bags and empty drink bottles.

Yoru twitched at the corner of his mouth. Was this really the same Gabriel he met when they first became neighbors?

Maybe it was time to help her quit her internet addiction…

"Gabriel, Gabriel…"

Yoru squatted down in front of her and looked at her sleeping face.

Still as cute as ever.

Except…

There were still crumbs from potato chips on the corner of her pale lips.

Gabriel was sound asleep, showing no signs of waking up.

Yoru had no choice but to nudge her a few times, finally splashing a bit of water on her adorable face.

"Mm… What are you doing… It's still early…"

Gabriel mumbled, groggily opened her eyes to see it was Yoru, then turned over.

"Get up. Time for school. Final exams are coming—you're not even a little anxious?"

Yoru figured sleeping on the sofa all night would definitely make her catch a cold.

"Mmm… don't… wanna… humans… are a pain…"

Gabriel covered her ears and muttered to herself.

"You're right. Humans really do judge based on appearances, and relationships are complicated."

Yoru sighed, resting his hands on his hips.

Was he really supposed to force Gabriel to go to school?

"Then make sure to go to school. I'll get you a blanket."

Gabriel was completely uncooperative. Yoru went into her room, grabbed a blanket, and covered her with it before heading home.

After breakfast, he gave a quick pat to the still-sleeping San-san, grabbed his backpack, and left.

"Wonder if Sawamura will come to school today?"

"Better stay away from her, don't want to set her off."

Muttering to himself, a small smile slowly crept onto Yoru's lips. He seemed to recall something that gave him a sense of relief and satisfaction.

The only regret was not getting any compensation from Eriri.

But since her most prized collection was already in his possession, that was good enough.

From now on, they'd walk their own separate paths.

No way Eriri would turn into one of those dumb girls from manga, completely unable to live without him after getting humiliated by him, right?

With a smug grin Yoru couldn't hide, he made his way to the station.

This time of day was peak commuting time for students.

But when Yoru stepped into the train car, there wasn't a single student from Shuchiin Academy in sight.

Shuchiin didn't just have a high school—there were elementary, middle, and even university departments.

Even the road from the commercial district to Shuchiin's gates was unusually empty.

Except for a few jocks dressed like Shaolin monks.

"Probably in the middle of exam prep," Yoru guessed.

He walked into the school, thinking he should probably start working hard too.

Even though once Eriri went to clear things up with Kasumigaoka Utaha, he wouldn't need to worry about being expelled.

Still, if he could put in a little effort and get a big return, who wouldn't want that?

As Yoru walked to class, he noticed there weren't many people moving around campus.

He passed by the neighboring classroom, slowing down to peek at Eriri's seat.

She wasn't there. Probably still not well enough to attend.

Yoru, who liked using the back door, entered the classroom.

It was quiet.

Even Yumiko, who usually hung out with a crowd, was quietly reading a book.

The end-of-term test atmosphere was in full swing.

At that moment—

A long, modified black luxury car smoothly drove down the commercial street.

The driver sat up front, while the rear windows were covered with curtains. Not only did it offer privacy, but it was soundproof too.

Perfect for doing... things.

"Hayasaka, final exams are just around the corner. Once it's over, I won't get to see the President anymore~"

"It's going to be a long time before I can talk to him again. What should I do?"

"Aaaaah~"

Kaguya, always poised and elegant in public, now hugged her head in frustration, whining to her personal maid Hayasaka.

Hayasaka, one-quarter Irish, with blonde hair and blue eyes, was a pale-skinned mixed-race girl.

Her family had once lost a power struggle with the Shinomiya family. After their defeat, the Shinomiya family, recognizing their superior bloodline, took them in and forced them into lifelong service.

In other words, they were beaten, then enslaved.

"Kaguya-sama just needs to be a little bolder."

Hayasaka sat calmly across from her, expressionless.

"Easy to say... different when you actually have to do it..."

Kaguya shook her head and gave her a look that said, "You're not helping at all."

"Kaguya-sama might not see President Shirogane for the entire summer vacation. He's busy with work too. Even if he has free time, you might not be able to get ahold of him."

Hayasaka added the blow with a straight face.

"Hayasaka, if you're not going to help, can you not make it worse?"

Kaguya turned to look out the window at the fast-receding cityscape.

"Summer is here. Nature awakens. Teen boys and girls unleash hot hormones in the blazing season..."

"President Shirogane is very capable. Looks-wise, well, he's decent. Very popular with girls."

Hayasaka spoke softly.

"What are you trying to say, Hayasaka?"

Kaguya snapped her head back with a sharp tone and dark expression.

"I'm just reminding you, Kaguya-sama... After a long summer, what if—when you come back—President Shirogane already has a beautiful girlfriend?"

Hayasaka remained composed.

"N-No way..."

Her reaction was unexpected.

She had complete faith in Shirogane—the man she liked.

"There's still plenty of time. No need to rush."

Kaguya consoled herself internally.

"What if something unexpected happens?"

Hayasaka tried to provoke her again, but inside she sighed.

Seriously...

How hard is it to just say 'I like you'?

"There won't be any surprises. The President won't fall for anyone else."

"And I definitely won't fall for anyone else either, so it'll be fine. You're overthinking it, Hayasaka."

Kaguya formed an X with her hands.

"By the way, Hayasaka, do you have someone you like?"

She casually asked while fixing her uniform.

Hayasaka Ai: (￢д￢.)

"No. I've never liked anyone..."

She answered flatly, then after a slight pause and barely noticeable lip press, added:

"Maybe... I never will."

Just being Kaguya-sama's personal maid was exhausting enough.

Romantic love was something Hayasaka had never even thought about. Craving it only made her feel worse.

Kaguya, head down, didn't notice the faint sorrow and fatigue in her maid's eyes.

After straightening her uniform, she looked up and asked, "So, Hayasaka, what do you think of the President?"

Think of him?

Absolutely nothing.

Hayasaka really wondered how her lady had fallen for Shirogane.

"He's great. Really."

She finally answered plainly.

She'd barely had any interaction with him. What else could she say? Might as well give a safe answer.

"You're not going to fall for him, right?"

Kaguya's brilliant ruby-like eyes widened.

"Nope."

Hayasaka gave a firm reply. Time for her to get off the car.

"Hey, Hayasaka, what if one day we both fall for the same guy? What would you do?"

Kaguya suddenly mused aloud.

"Then I'll absolutely fight you for him. I'll turn into your worst enemy. I'll do everything to defeat you and make you regret it..."

Hayasaka's lips twitched slightly as she played along with Kaguya's random thought.

The car began to slow.

Since she played a gyaru at school and didn't know Kaguya well, Hayasaka had to get off somewhere discreet to avoid being seen.

"Hayasaka..."

Kaguya didn't care and sighed.

Hayasaka opened the door expressionlessly, checked her surroundings, and stepped out safely.

Click.

Vroom—

The car engine roared and gradually pulled away.

"As if I could ever fall for someone else, Kaguya-sama..."

"Unless..."

"Unless the one you like took care of you so completely, like an owner pampering their beloved puppy—maybe then I'd finally let go."

"And also..."

Hayasaka watched the car fade out of sight.

She was the mole planted by Shinomiya Oko from a young age.

She had to constantly report Kaguya's status and monitor her.

If Kaguya found out, she'd probably hate her forever.

Hayasaka let the cool morning breeze blow through her golden hair.

After the morning homeroom ended, a brief and precious break arrived.

Yoru took out his phone in boredom, browsed the news a bit, then looked out the window.

"Ahh, I'm so tired, haa~"

His desk mate, Yumiko, stood up and stretched with a long yawn.

Even this queen of normie girls was seriously studying for the finals.

Her golden hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall.

'Miura's a trendy gyaru and a girl too... She'd probably know what kind of gift girls appreciate most as thanks, right?'

Yoru turned to glance at the tall, pretty gyaru beside him.

He thought about it for a second—then gave up.