"Hello, I'm Smithy A. Hasaka. May I add you on Line?"
The delicate voice broke through the hum of the café like a wind chime in spring.
Miyamizu Mitsuha blinked, raising her head in surprise.
Standing before her was a blonde woman of almost surreal beauty.
The sun filtering through the café window painted golden highlights in her wavy hair, which fell gracefully to her shoulders. Her skin was pale, nearly porcelain, and her features bore a distinct Western charm—a tall, defined nose, brilliant eyes, and the elegance of someone who didn't quite belong to the same world.
Mitsuha's breath hitched.
Whoa. A foreigner? Or maybe mixed-race?
The name, the looks, the shy expression, and then—that—the outstretched hand holding a phone.
"I… uh—yes, of course!"
Mitsuha fumbled slightly, quickly pulling out her own phone. Line contacts exchanged with a soft chime.
The blonde girl's smile bloomed like a spring blossom. "Phew! I thought you might reject me. I would've moped about it all week!"
With a light laugh, she sat beside Mitsuha without hesitation.
Despite the surprise, Mitsuha didn't resist. After all, in this dream world, she was supposed to be Azuma, and by her understanding, Azuma was the kind of guy girls fell for.
A beautiful girl wanted to be friends?
Sure! No danger here!
"Um… just call me Hasaka," the blonde girl offered gently.
Mitsuha paused for a second. "Umu-umu, Hasaka-san… I'm Azuma. Just Azuma." She pointed at her Line profile name as backup.
As if trying to maintain the role, Mitsuha leaned forward, scooped a bite of cake from her plate, and held the spoon toward Hasaka.
"Wanna try?"
Hasaka froze for a heartbeat. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, but she didn't resist. With a flutter of her lashes, she parted her lips and accepted the bite.
"Mm! It's delicious! Want to try mine?" she said, mirroring the gesture with a spoonful of parfait.
Mitsuha blinked at the dessert being offered, then eagerly leaned in. "Don't mind if I do!"
The exchange of bites might have been something from a romcom cliché, but to Mitsuha, it was all part of a delightful dream.
However, Hasaka's sharp eyes briefly flickered with suspicion.
Wait… too easy.
She quickly masked the thought with a charming giggle and continued the casual conversation.
They polished off their desserts with cheerful chatter, and as Mitsuha stood to leave, Hasaka tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Azuma-san, where to next? Tokyo Tower, perhaps?"
"Yeah, I was thinking of checking it out."
"Perfect! I was planning to go too! Let's head there together!"
And so the duo boarded the train, side by side. Hasaka expertly peppered their trip with flirty one-liners, girlish laughter, and meaningful glances—timed just right to spark a boy's heart.
Mitsuha? She just kept nodding with a dazed smile.
Tokyo Tower was glorious. From the top deck, they admired the sprawling cityscape. On the descent, they stopped at each floor, admiring exhibits and taking selfies—Hasaka gently guiding the pace.
By the time they stepped out into the sun again, it was already mid-afternoon.
"How about lunch?" Hasaka chirped. "I know a great sushi place in Ginza!"
Mitsuha's eyes lit up. Another fancy spot? This dream just keeps on giving!
Sushi, luxury shops, laughter—soon Mitsuha had several bags in hand, her wallet much lighter, but her spirits soaring.
"Thanks for carrying everything, Hasaka-chan!" Mitsuha beamed.
Hasaka's legs ached, and her arms were tired, but she smiled through the exhaustion. "It's no trouble, Azuma-kun… as long as you're happy."
They parted with a promise to meet again.
Once Mitsuha vanished into the taxi, the radiant smile on Hasaka's face collapsed.
She dropped the shopping bags unceremoniously and sank onto the steps, groaning.
"I'm going to die," she muttered, her legs jelly.
The wig, the heels, the persona—everything was crushingly tiring. But…
She smirked.
"So that's Yukima Azuma, huh? Pfft… calling himself a threat? Under my charm and strategy, he's already eating out of my hand!"
Hayasaka Ai stretched, reverting to her true self—calm, cunning, and coldly calculating.
As the Shinomiya family's top maid and infiltrator, she wore masks like armor. Today, she'd played her "Hasaka" role to perfection—down to the eye color and lipstick.
She hadn't planned to get involved with Azuma again. But after seeing him at the gathering, and recalling how he dared to threaten her with her mother last time…
Well, revenge had never tasted so sweet.
She'd make him fall hard, and when he was head over heels, she'd twist the knife.
Try blackmailing me again then, you smug bastard!
With fire in her eyes and a day's worth of shopping on her arms, Hayasaka Ai headed back toward the Shinomiya estate.
She'd ask Kaguya-sama for leave soon.
Her Operation: Conquer Azuma was officially underway.
Meanwhile, back at the Yukima estate…
Mitsuha, arms full of bags, fumbled with the keys but eventually made it inside. She changed into house slippers, stumbled into Azuma's room, and face-planted onto the fluffy bed.
"So soft…" she mumbled, drooling with satisfaction.
The memory of fancy cafés, sightseeing, and a gorgeous girl feeding her parfait—what more could a dream offer?
Then—
"Nyan?"
A soft paw bopped her face. Mitsuha blinked.
"Kitty?!"
Shiratamaru, the round white cat, stood on her chest and patted her with its jellybean paws.
"Meow."
Mitsuha's eyes sparkled as she snatched the cat into a hug and buried her face in its fluffy belly.
"So softttttt—!"
Shiratamaru froze. What in the world is wrong with my human today!?
A moment passed. The human was still sniffing it. No dinner. No respect.
Still, the little fluff ball tolerated it—barely.
Mitsuha drifted into sleep, the perfect dream day still warm in her mind.
The next morning.
Yukima Azuma opened his eyes.
His room. His body. Dream over.
Without a word, he picked up his phone, browsed through yesterday's purchases, and began the refund process.
"Hmm… some of this can't be returned," he muttered, stacking the non-refundable items in the corner. "I'll save them as gifts. They're not half-bad."
After feeding Shiratamaru, who was still mildly annoyed, Azuma went for a morning run.
When he returned, his phone buzzed.
Hasaka:
Azuma-kun, are you free today? My mom gave me two movie tickets. Everyone else is busy, so if you don't go, they'll go to waste~
Azuma's lips curled into a smirk.
Heh… so she's making another move?
He tapped out a reply.
Azuma:
I'm free.
Hasaka:
Yay! Let's meet at 10 AM in Ginza!
Azuma:
Okay.
Hasaka:
Hehe, it's settled then!
Azuma locked the screen.
"A game of cat and mouse, is it? Let's see, Hayasaka… who's really the hunter here?"
Back at the Shinomiya estate, Hayasaka Ai hummed to herself, typing with satisfaction.
But something in Azuma's tone…
It felt… different?
She shook the thought away.
No, no. He agreed to the date, didn't he? That means he's already halfway in my trap!
Her lips curled in delight.
The game was on.