September 7th. It seemed like a completely ordinary, normal, and unremarkable Saturday. But! For the Shinomiya family's eldest daughter, Shinomiya Kaguya, this ordinary Saturday was a crucial, decisive day that would determine the success or failure of a future "Grand Plan."
However, it was supposed to be like this...
"Window shopping!" Tied in cute twin tails, wearing purple overalls that perfectly showcased her girlish charm over a light blue short-sleeved crewneck shirt, the Fujiwara family's second daughter, Fujiwara Moeha, cheered with boundless energy. "We're going to get so, so many new autumn items today!"
"Moeha, if you're actually buying things, doesn't that just make it regular shopping?" Fujiwara Chika raised her hand slightly, looking at her highly energetic younger sister with a trace of helplessness in her calm gaze.
"Don't sweat the small stuff!"
Letting out a silent, helpless sigh in her heart, Kaguya, dressed today in an elegant, mature, and thoroughly ladylike outfit, raised her head slightly. Ignoring the sudden intrusion of the Fujiwara sisters, her eyes flashed with a determined resolve. At this very moment, there was only one person in Kaguya's vision.
'The day has finally arrived!'
Nearly half a year of planning, mobilizing countless resources, and overcoming numerous obstacles and barriers. Today, Kaguya swore that no matter who or what stood in her way, she would absolutely not allow her grand plan to fail.
'The perfect opportunity to build a good relationship with Imouto-san!'
Just then, Kei, standing to the side with her arms crossed, suddenly felt an indescribable gaze. Subconsciously, she looked around. Hmm... there's nothing there... only Shinomiya-senpai.
Involuntarily avoiding Kei's gaze, Kaguya, whose expression didn't change a bit, couldn't help but scold her useless self in her heart. Good grief! Why did I look away?! Didn't I promise myself I would build a good relationship with Imouto-san?! Good grief! Good grief!!
Although the little person in her heart was face-palming and cursing nonstop, Kaguya maintained a perfectly composed face and flawlessly adjusted her mindset. 'It's alright, it's only just begun! No need to rush!'
Betting the honor of the Shinomiya clan, she, Kaguya, was determined to fulfill the long-cherished wish she had made over these past six months.
"Build a good relationship with Imouto-san!" And... give the most perfect birthday gift to the man she likes!
Originally, back during the summer vacation, Kaguya had already planned operations like today's: "Go shopping with Imouto-san and showcase her charm as an older sister." However, plans couldn't keep up with changes, and it had to be postponed time and time again due to various reasons.
But all of that is in the past! Furthermore, today is exactly two days before the President's birthday. This timing is absolutely flawless!
Therefore.....
'As expected of Fujiwara-san, she seamlessly maneuvered herself into the perfect spot right next to Imouto-san.' With a barely perceptible hint of frustration in her gaze, Kaguya watched Kei and Chika walking side-by-side ahead of them, chatting and laughing. Chika had taken the spot that rightfully belonged to her. Kaguya slightly narrowed her crimson eyes.
Haa... So that's how it is? If you're going to play it that way...
Just as Kaguya was internally brewing some secret, devastating counterattack, her train of thought was abruptly derailed by Moeha, who suddenly hugged her without a care in the world.
"I want to be right next to Kaguya-chan!"
"Moeha..." Unaccustomed to such sudden displays of affection, Kaguya blushed slightly.
Seeing Kaguya like this, Moeha's smile grew even brighter and more cheerful. "I'm so happy you could make it today."
Looking at the girl's energetic, heartwarming smile—like a ray of winter sunshine—Kaguya couldn't help but feel a bit troubled. 'To be honest, I'm really not good at handling this kid.'
Of course, by this, Kaguya didn't mean that Moeha was a bad person. It's just that in certain aspects... well, she was a bit hard to get used to. For instance, right now.
"Kei-chan is just so adorable." Moeha's face still wore that gentle, sweet smile, but as she glanced ahead at the somewhat brisk and determined Kei, her eyes suddenly took on an indescribable, unsettling depth.
"Not to mention the boys, she's incredibly popular with the girls, too."
"She works so hard, and she's so straightforward... like someone completely untouched and pure..."
Listening to Moeha's soft murmurs, completely oblivious to the underlying weirdness of her words, Kaguya narrowed her eyes slightly. In her hazy gaze fixed on Kei's retreating back, she felt as though she could see the shadow of a certain someone.
However, just as that image was about to fully form in her mind...
"Or rather, the type that makes you want to completely corrupt and defile her~"
"...."
Kaguya's brain instantly short-circuited. Her thoughts uncontrollably ground to a halt for a solid second or two the moment those words left Moeha's mouth.
"You know, the type you'd want to lock in a dungeon for the rest of must life and love properly....."
"Ah! Of course, Moeha likes Kaguya-chan too! In fact, Kaguya-chan is ranked number one on Moeha's list of people I want to devour the most!"
Eek!! So scary! Her eyes... Moeha's eyes are completely dead!
Slightly pursing her lips, invisible dark lines practically forming over her forehead, Kaguya silently panicked in her heart. If I don't hurry up and reclaim my spot next to Imouto-san, something terrible is going to happen!
However... in reality, she had forgotten a crucial flaw in her own personality. Namely, she was completely incapable of directly approaching the person she cared about.
As a result, after half a day of shopping, the spot next to Kei was firmly locked down by the Fujiwara sisters, and Kaguya hadn't even managed to find a single opening to strike up a conversation.
Inside a women's clothing store in the mall.
'Hayasaka has always picked out my clothes for me.' Staring at the dress in her hands with a troubled expression, Kaguya sighed helplessly in her heart. 'I've never actually bought clothes for myself before.....'
Silently hanging the dress back on the rack, a mentally exhausted Kaguya turned and headed out of the store. However, just a few steps after she left, on the other side of the store, Kei—who had also just put her favorite item back on the rack—happened to catch Kaguya walking out of the store in her peripheral vision.
'I'll just wait here for everyone to finish shopping.'
With this thought, a slightly dejected Kaguya sat down on a resting bench. And then, the very next second.
'Hmm?' Sensing someone sit down beside her, Kaguya hurriedly opened her slightly closed eyes and turned her head.
'It's Imouto-san!' That was Kaguya's first reaction.
'Her side profile looks so much like the President's!' That was her second reaction.
And her third reaction... well, she was completely mesmerized.