Kaguya's plan… was dead.
Completely, utterly dead.
On the surface, Shinomiya Kaguya smiled with perfect elegance, but in her heart she had already sentenced Chika Fujiwara to death again—this time with extra charges.
But, truthfully, even if Chika hadn't disrupted her plan…
Kaguya doubted she would've been able to carry it out properly.
Because the moment she saw Haruto again—
The moment he turned and smiled at her—
Her heartbeat had exploded out of control.
Every carefully organized maneuver she'd constructed the night before scattered like flower petals in a gale.
Her mind was restless. Chaotic. Unmanageable.
So when Haruto stood up and pulled out the chair beside him—on his left side—and gestured politely for her to sit—Kaguya felt a jolt of happiness so sharp it almost hurt.
She sat down instantly, posture perfect, expression calm.
Though, if one looked closely, her ears were slightly pink.
And behind the table, quietly, unobtrusively, was Kato Megumi.
As expected… completely ignored.
But this time, Megumi looked a little awkward, even for her.
Haruto noticed.
"Ah—right. Let me introduce you two," he said suddenly. "This is Megumi — Kato Megumi. And this is Kaguya — Shinomiya Kaguya."
Megumi, who had been staring down at her chopsticks trying to decide whether she existed, lifted her head the instant he spoke.
Her smile bloomed softly, effortlessly.
Just being acknowledged by Haruto was enough to wipe away her subtle loneliness.
Kaguya blinked, finally realizing there was a girl beside Haruto.
The two girls leaned forward and exchanged a handshake across Haruto.
Their eyes met—a brief, silent spark jumping between them.
"I've heard about you for a long time, Kato Megumi-san," Kaguya said with a flawless smile. "It's a pleasure to finally meet."
She truly had heard about Megumi.
Anyone who liked Haruto enough to study his environment, habits, and social circles would've found Megumi's name sooner or later.
And Kaguya researched Haruto with the seriousness of a general preparing for war.
"The famous head of the Meme Department…" she added inwardly.
Megumi responded gently, "Hello, Shinomiya Kaguya-san."
For Megumi, that was practically fiery hostility.
Haruto sighed internally.
He knew there would be a Shuraba(a scene of carnage or a difficult situation) on this overnight trip—but he didn't expect it to start before lunch had even begun.
After the handshake, Kaguya broke eye contact first and turned back to Haruto.
"Haru, it's lunchtime. Why haven't you ordered anything?"
Haruto shrugged lightly.
"No appetite today. And I'm not really a fan of the hotel's menu."
Kaguya tilted her head, palm touching her cheek, trying to suppress her pounding heart.
"I see… In that case, I actually prepared a lunch box for myself."
Her voice softened.
"But—if you don't mind, would you like to have it instead? I looked through the hotel's menu earlier. There's nothing I'm particularly interested in."
Lies.
Absolute lies.
Kaguya Shinomiya knew Haruto didn't like light flavored foods.
She had known this for months.
So when she booked the hotel, she used money and influence to have the menu adjusted.
Then, anticipating Haruto would reject the main dishes anyway, she prepared a premium lunch box as a "final strike" to raise his affection level.
Even the timing of Shuchiin's arrival—specifically during Sobu's lunchtime—was part of the scheme.
Haruto laughed.
"If that's the case, I won't hold back, Kaguya."
He took the bento she offered and opened it.
Steam drifted upward, carrying the unmistakable scent of freshly made foods. Colorful, delicate, luxurious ingredients filled the box.
"A spicy food… exactly my type. Thank you, Kaguya."
Kaguya felt an immense, overwhelming wave of satisfaction.
Other girls might glance sideways at their rivals after such a victory.
But not Shinomiya Kaguya.
She wasn't interested in flaunting dominance.
She only wanted to savor Haruto's joy.
Megumi watched quietly, her eyes soft but unreadable.
Lunch passed quickly.
Afternoon arrived, and students from both Sobu and Shuchiin scattered into separate groups.
The resort had many hot springs, so even if everyone went at once, they wouldn't feel cramped.Occasional encounters in the pools were part of the charm.
Hakone's baths included men's baths, women's baths—
And mixed baths.
Naturally, the braver boys were encouraged by their friends to try inviting girls.
Naturally, they were shut down with disgusted stares.
And naturally, mixed baths weren't actually lewd.
Proper swimsuits were mandatory.
Internet rumors exaggerated everything.
"Haruto-kun! Kaguya-san! Let's go to a mixed bath together!!"
The unmistakable voice belonged, of course, to Chika Fujiwara.
She didn't bother lowering her volume, so naturally everyone turned toward her instantly.
Excitement rippled through the students nearby.
Seeing a pretty boy and pretty girl together had the same effect as reading a good smut fanfic.
Behind Chika, Ishigami Yuu stood bent over, wearing rough casual clothes, expression exhausted.
As an otaku, Ishigami's stamina was never built for keeping up with Fujiwara.
Don't let her soft appearance fool anyone—
As the heiress of the Fujiwara family, Chika trained regularly.
Ishigami shot Haruto a look that said, "I did everything I could."
Haruto returned a look that said, "I know. I appreciate your sacrifice."
Ishigami Yuu—A true hero.
"Mixed bathing is… against the rules!" Iino Miko arrived, flustered.
She wanted to say shameless, but for Haruto's sake she softened it to "violation of ethics."
As a member of Shuchiin's Public Morals Committee, catching couples attempting to mix-bathe was her daily duty.
Even on a graduation trip, she wouldn't relax.
She might get hated for it, but righteous Iino Miko did not waver!
"Well, looks like Secretary Fujiwara's proposal has been rejected by three votes," Haruto said calmly. "There are five members in the student council. More than half disagree."
Chika deflated.
Then perked up again.
"Eh? Only Iino-san voted against it, right? Who are the other two!?"
Haruto raised his hand.
Kaguya also raised her hand.
She wanted to bathe with Haruto—but not with other men present. Mixed bathing with strangers was absolutely impossible.
Seeing this, Chika wilted dramatically.
But not for long.
"Oh! If mixed bathing won't work, I have another idea!"
No one knew where she got a hot spring map from.
She pointed excitedly.
"Look! These two baths—one for men, one for women—are only separated by a thin bamboo wall! You can't see each other, but you can still hear each other! Isn't that perfect!?"
The other four council members looked at one another.
Shock.
Reluctant admiration.
Acceptance.
A reliable suggestion… from Fujiwara Chika.
The proposal passed unanimously.
At five in the evening, just as the sky darkened—
It was hot spring time for the Shuchiin Student Council.
Most students were elsewhere or preparing for dinner, so the baths weren't crowded.
Haruto slipped into the men's pool, letting the warm water envelop him.
He closed his eyes, relaxing completely.
Peaceful daily life really is the best.
Ishigami entered soon after, hissing as he adjusted to the temperature. Once settled, he sank in beside Haruto.
Beside them stood the thin bamboo wall dividing the baths.
The ceiling was open, allowing the steam from the women's side to drift faintly over.
Kaguya, Chika, and Iino hadn't arrived yet.
Girls took longer changing clothes—inevitably.
Then Ishigami leaned close and whispered conspiratorially:
"Haruto-senpai… Fujiwara-senpai… she really doesn't have long to live."
Haruto almost burst out laughing.