"Bugs, bugs, bugs…"
Kaguya Shinomiya suddenly panicked as she felt a tiny bug fall onto her head.
"Don't move," Amamiya Natsuki whispered urgently. "It's just a little ladybug."
He had endured so long already; victory was within reach. If either of them moved now, all their efforts would be wasted, and they'd have to start over.
Amamiya absolutely did not want to repeat this. The burning soreness in his eyes was unbearable.
"Ladybugs are bugs," Kaguya muttered through gritted teeth, tensing her whole body.
"It's just a harmless little ladybug. What bad intentions could it possibly have?" Amamiya offered soothingly. "It won't bite, and it's not poisonous. Don't worry, Kaguya-san."
"How can I not care?" Kaguya snapped, clenching her fists. "Having bugs crawling through my hair feels awful."
Still, she dared not move. The mission was nearly complete, and her eyes were at their limit. Any sudden movement would make her blink uncontrollably.
But bugs crawling in her hair was pure torture. Every second dragged painfully.
"Can you still move your hands?" she suddenly asked.
"I can."
"…Help me get rid of the bugs."
Kaguya bit her lower lip hard. If she couldn't hold out any longer, she would never ask anyone for help—except now.
"No problem."
Amamiya Natsuki nodded. Keeping eye contact, he leaned forward slightly and gently placed his right hand atop Kaguya's head. His fingers brushed through her soft, silky hair—a sensation that sent a pleasant shiver through him.
The little ladybug sensed danger and scurried faster.
Amamiya carefully tracked the bug's movements, avoiding any sudden gestures, and finally caught it just before reaching his own limit.
"Got it…"
Kaguya sighed in relief.
Amamiya relaxed as well, keeping his hand atop the ice sculpture girl's head, his touch lingering unconsciously.
Silence suddenly filled the air.
Kaguya opened her eyes slightly, confusion flickering across her face, quickly turning to disbelief.
I asked you to catch bugs, but you took the chance to pat my head?
How dare you!
But… your palm feels so warm.
Is this what a boy's touch feels like?
I've never felt such warmth on my head before.
Boom, boom, boom.
Her heart hammered wildly, each beat ringing in her ears.
Strangeness.
Why is my heart racing?
I don't understand.
I can't explain it.
But one thing is clear: I don't hate this feeling.
Suddenly—
Crash!
The door was flung open.
Amamiya thought it was Fujiwara Chika, but instead a surprised exclamation echoed through the classroom.
"Eh hey hey?"
"Amamiya-san? Kaguya-san?!"
"You two… are actually—"
Not that idiot Fujiwara Chika.
Kaguya's eyes sharpened like a falcon spotting prey as she turned her head.
A short-haired girl from their class stood at the door, eyes wide with disbelief, hands covering her mouth.
"Stare—"
"I'm sorry!" The girl trembled, tears welling up as she crouched, burying her face in her hands. "I didn't know Amamiya-san and Kaguya-san were dating! I'm so sorry for barging in! Please don't kill me!"
There's no secret between us. How could I kill you?
"Don't worry. I won't kill anyone."
Amamiya closed his eyes, rubbing his sore eyelids. Not blinking for ten minutes sounds easy, but it's actually incredibly hard.
"Kashiwagi-san, what do you need?"
Kaguya crossed her arms, her voice cold and distant.
The mission was interrupted at the last second, and all their efforts wasted. She was not pleased.
"I'm sorry," the girl whispered, trembling. "I forgot my keys and came back to get them… I'll leave immediately."
"Stop."
Kaguya's voice rang out sharply.
The girl froze, eyes misty with fear, and turned her head in pleading.
"This classroom is a public place," Kaguya said softly, pressing her forehead and closing her eyes. "Take your key and leave."
"Thank you, Kaguya-san."
The girl's eyes brightened as she retrieved her key, clasped her hands in front of her chest, and promised firmly: "I'll keep the relationship between Kaguya-san and Amamiya-san a secret. I won't tell anyone."
"Wait—when did I start dating Kaguya-san?" Amamiya opened his eyes, incredulous. "Don't talk nonsense."
It's just a task, nothing to do with dating.
Kaguya said coolly, "We are not dating."
The girl blinked, a gossipy smile spreading across her face. "But just now, Amamiya-san was clearly touching Kaguya-san's head."
What's wrong with patting someone's head?
If touching heads means dating, then touching feet must mean marriage!
"You're wrong," Amamiya said firmly.
"Eh?" The girl was startled, instinctively defending, "I saw it clearly—you were…"
Kaguya interrupted with a sad tone, "You are mistaken."
"S-sorry!"
The girl fled.
Both of them were terrifying.
Silence settled back over the classroom.
"That's that." Amamiya held up the ladybug he'd caught and tossed it out the window. "Mission isn't complete yet, right?"
"No."
"We'll have to try again." Amamiya sighed. "The classroom is too risky. It's still early after school; some classmates might come back."
Kaguya frowned.
She hadn't joined any club, so no activity room was available. Nowhere to go.
After all, she still had to run for student council.
Once the office door is closed, no more interruptions.
"Rest first." Kaguya's voice was calm as the blush faded from her face. "Wait half an hour, then we'll continue."
Amamiya nodded, pulled a book from his bag, and started reading.
Half an hour passed quickly.
The school grew quiet. No footsteps echoed in the corridor.
"Again?" Amamiya asked.
"Come."
Kaguya lifted her eyes.
The first time their eyes met, nerves tingled. The second time was easier. Now, the third time, Amamiya felt completely relaxed.
Gazing into the ice sculpture girl's beautiful ruby eyes, he admired her calmly.
Eyes met.
A faint blush blossomed on her snow-white skin once more.
This time, no interruptions. The mission was successfully completed.
"My eyes hurt," Amamiya sighed in relief, standing up. "Kaguya-san, see you tomorrow. I'm heading home."
"…See you tomorrow."
As Amamiya left, a blonde girl with a side ponytail slipped quietly in, a lollipop dangling from her mouth.
"Miss, it's time to go."
Kaguya rubbed her brows, opened her eyes, and said coldly, "Where is the information I asked for?"
"Well, here it is."
The blonde produced a file from her bag.
Kaguya's eyes flicked down to the file. A photo of Amamiya Natsuki stared back.
Age.
Birthday.
Home address.
Parents.
School.
"And a childhood sweetheart?"
Kaguya's slender black eyebrows arched slightly like distant mountains.
"She's Yotsuya Miko, in my class," the blonde explained, still sucking her lollipop. "She lives nearby and went to the same junior high. They seem close—might officially date someday."
"…"
Seeing Kaguya frown and stay silent, the blonde pulled out two books from her bag.
"While investigating, I bought these at the bookstore. Miss, take a look."
"What books?"
Curious, Kaguya's eyes widened slightly as she read the title on the cover:
The Manual for the Development of a Loyal Boyfriend.