Kaguya shook her head slightly. They'd won the game, but their mission progress hadn't budged. It was clear neither side was playing fair.
"This isn't working at all," Chika sighed, giving Natsuki a pitying look. "What should we do now?"
Natsuki thought for a moment, his eyes landing on a young kid nearby. "Kaguya, brace yourself. Your reputation is about to spread among the elementary schoolers..."
"Hold on," Chika cut in, lowering her voice. "If Asuka was terrified of Kaguya, won't little kids be even more scared?"
"Good point," Natsuki groaned. "If only Kaguya's eyes weren't so... intense."
Kaguya crossed her arms, her face expressionless. "I'm so sorry my gaze is too fierce for you."
"Hey, owning up to your faults is admirable."
Kaguya's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Okay, please stop looking at me like you're planning my demise. I'm calling the cops."
"Don't bother. I'll erase all evidence. The police will be useless."
"..."
"Um, I might have an idea."
The trio turned towards the timid voice.
Natsuki blinked in surprise. "Asuka? You're still here?"
"Kaguya hasn't dismissed me yet," Asuka mumbled, sounding slightly hurt.
Natsuki thought, "Geez, even leaving requires Kaguya's permission? How scared is she?"
Kaguya's cold voice cut through the air. "Asuka, you may go now."
"Wait!" Chika waved her hands. "Asuka, didn't you say you had a way to make kids less afraid of Kaguya?"
Asuka nodded shyly. "Well... Kaguya's eyes are quite... intimidating. Maybe try some plain glasses? It could soften your gaze and make you less scary."
She continued, gaining confidence. "And your hairstyle - long, straight black hair can seem a bit aloof. Something cuter might help, like a bun or high ponytail."
"Oh! And swap the uniform for a white dress!" Asuka's eyes lit up as she warmed to the topic. "Kaguya's already gorgeous. If she goes for a sweet, cute look, elementary kids won't be scared at all... They might even adore her!"
"Asuka, you're brilliant!" Chika exclaimed, eyes sparkling. "No wonder your mom's a world-famous designer!"
Their palms met in an enthusiastic high-five.
Natsuki nodded. "Asuka, you're really something."
Asuka's face flushed at his praise. "Oh, no... it's just that Kaguya's naturally adorable."
"Exactly!" Chika, ever the go-getter, spun around. "Come on, Kaguya, let's hit the mall!"
Kaguya pinched the bridge of her nose. "I don't think—"
But Chika had already linked arms with her. "Let's go!"
"There's a mall just downstairs," Natsuki called after them. "You guys go ahead. I'll round up some elementary schoolers."
Chika shot him a worried look. "Careful how you phrase that, Natsuki! Someone might get the wrong idea."
After the girls left, Natsuki bought a box of snacks and approached some kids playing games.
"So, I've got this little sister who's always picking on me," he began, trying to sound sincere. "She steals my food, my comics... even jumps on my stomach! It's getting out of hand. I need to teach her a lesson."
He held up the snacks. "If you play Street Fighter with her later, these Meiji Mushroom Chocolates are yours. Beat her, and I'll triple it."
One kid looked confused. "Why ask us for help? We're just kids."
"Because she looks down on elementary schoolers," Natsuki lied, playing up the drama. "Says you're all weak. If you beat her, it'll knock her down a peg. Show her there's always someone better out there."
"Don't underestimate us!" the kid exclaimed. "I'm in!"
Natsuki added, "She's pretty good, though. Might want to bring some friends. Same reward for everyone."
"Give me a sec, I'll get my classmates!"
Ten minutes later, Kaguya walked in. She wore huge black-framed glasses that covered half her face. Her long hair was tied up in a bun with a red ribbon, and she'd swapped her uniform for a white dress.
The makeover worked wonders. Gone was the untouchable ice queen—in her place stood sweet, approachable Kaguya.
As soon as she entered, she noticed a group of kids staring at her intently.
"That's her!" "The mean sister!" "She thinks we're weak? We'll show her!"
A question mark practically appeared over Kaguya's head. How on earth had she become public enemy number one to a bunch of elementary schoolers?
A little boy stepped forward boldly, like a hero facing a dragon. "Are you the big meanie who bullies our big bro every day?"
"Huh?" Kaguya's lips pursed as she glanced at Natsuki. How had she become the villain in the span of a costume change?
"Yep, that's her," Natsuki nodded, playing along. "She's all yours, kids."
The boy's face grew serious. "I'm gonna beat you and save our big bro!"
"Admirable spirit," Kaguya replied coolly, deciding to roll with it. "I'll give you a chance to try."
Chika sidled up to Natsuki, curiosity written all over her face. "What did you tell them? How's Kaguya suddenly the bad guy?"
"I'm wondering that too," Asuka chimed in, eyes sparkling with interest.
"Oh, you know, just a little story to get them fired up," Natsuki shrugged.
The match began, and... the kid lost, tears welling up in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, big bro," he sniffled. "I couldn't do it."
"Hey, she's a tough opponent," Natsuki consoled him. "Keep practicing, and maybe you'll beat her next time."
Meanwhile, Kaguya's "Defeat 100 Opponents" mission ticked up by one. Being the quick study she was, Kaguya had picked up gaming fast. The tricks Natsuki taught her that morning were paying off.
"I'll take her on next!" Another kid jumped up.
As the sun began to set, Kaguya's mission progress steadily climbed until she finally hit her goal.
"Phew," Kaguya sighed, fatigue creeping into her features. Beating a hundred opponents, even kids, was no small feat.
"Nice work," Natsuki said, offering her a bottle of green tea.
Kaguya took a sip of her drink, then looked up at Natsuki with a half-smile. "So, Natsuki, I'm curious. Why do those kids keep calling me the devil? Care to explain?"
"Oh, that's... a long story," Natsuki said, trying to keep a straight face. "So I think I'll pass on telling it."
"Sit." Kaguya pointed at the stool beside her.
"One more round," she said, screwing the bottle cap back on. "Beat me, and I'll drop the whole 'devil' thing."
Natsuki sighed. "Still hung up on losing this morning, huh?"
"Not at all," Kaguya replied, her face a mask.
"Then why keep playing?"
"I hate losing."
Natsuki thought, "Geez, five losses really got to her. Talk about competitive."
"You must be exhausted after all that," he said. "Why don't we call it a day and pick this up tomorrow?"
"No need," Kaguya said confidently, arms crossed. "I'm fine. I've heard some people game all night. This is nothing."
"If you insist..." Natsuki sat down. "Just don't cry when you lose."
"As if!"
The battle began. Kaguya was brimming with confidence. She'd just beaten 99 kids in a row. Surely she wasn't the same rookie from this morning.
Time to wipe away the shame of those five losses!
A few moments later...
Chika returned, clutching a box of strawberry mochi. She stopped short. "Whoa, Kaguya, are you crying?"
"I'm not," Kaguya insisted, biting her lip. "You're seeing things."
"Nuh-uh," Chika said. "You definitely looked ready to burst into tears just now."
"Drop it, Chika," Natsuki cut in, standing up and taking a drink. "Where's Asuka?"
"Oh, she said it was getting late," Chika chirped. "Something about needing to be home by six, so she took off."
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[Current Power Stones: 133]
For every 15 Power Stones, 1 Bonus Chapter will be uploaded on the same day.
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