"Zizizi!"
In a secluded corner far from the bustling crowd, a motorhome stood eerily still, its surface emitting a faint chill. The entire vehicle appeared as if it had just been removed from a deep freezer.
"Bang!"
The door rattled slightly, but the thick layer of ice encasing the vehicle didn't budge.
"Bang!!!"
With a louder crash from inside, the door flew off its hinges.
A blonde-haired girl stumbled out of the opening, her exposed skin faintly bruised from the freezing air. She collapsed to the ground, shivering violently, and wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt to generate some warmth and raise her dangerously low body temperature.
Thankfully, the outside temperature was much warmer than inside the vehicle. Had it been any colder, she might have passed out from hypothermia.
Moments later, another figure emerged from the motorhome.
Half of her body was encased in pristine white ice, yet she moved effortlessly, entirely unaffected by the cold.
"Hayasaka…"
"Kaguya… Miss Kaguya…"
Hayasaka Ai, sprawled on the ground, raised a trembling hand to stop the young lady from approaching. The air seemed to grow colder with every step Kaguya took.
"You… you need to control it first…"
Kaguya's usually stoic expression softened slightly, but her body temperature was shockingly low.
Her exposed skin was so cold it could instantly freeze anything it touched.
This sudden transformation was the result of a special power she had obtained from the mysterious diary.
Kaguya looked at Hayasaka and hesitated, unable to approach her. Instead, she focused on controlling the newfound freezing power coursing through her. She could feel the energy within her, it was hers to command, but mastering it would take time.
Gradually, the ice on her body began to melt, and the temperature around her stabilized.
Meanwhile, Hayasaka slowly recovered from her near-frostbite. Her body warmed up, though a lingering chill still clung to her.
"Achoo!"
As her temperature returned to normal, Hayasaka sneezed, then glanced at the frozen motorhome. Clearly, it wouldn't be usable anytime soon.
"Good thing this spot is remote and out of sight. If anyone saw this, Miss Kaguya's situation would definitely be exposed."
"Exposure… that might not be a bad thing."
Kaguya's voice was calm, lacking its usual aloofness. In front of Hayasaka, she allowed herself a rare moment of vulnerability.
Hayasaka paused, understanding the implication behind Kaguya's words.
"Miss Kaguya, are you planning to inform the head of the family about this?"
"No…"
"It's not impossible, but it's too early."
Hayasaka knew that while Kaguya had gained extraordinary power, it wasn't yet time to act.
"Miss Kaguya, will you abandon the inheritance? Or will you seize it?"
"I…"
Kaguya fell silent, unable to answer immediately.
Hayasaka continued, her tone steady.
"Miss Kaguya, you've always had the potential to inherit the Shinomiya family, but your chances were slim because your brothers held all the power.
"But now, with this new ability, you have the means to overturn everything. You are no longer bound by their control. The question is: do you want to claim the inheritance?"
"Are you ready for it?"
Hayasaka's pointed questions left Kaguya deep in thought.
For as long as she could remember, she had never considered herself a contender for the Shinomiya family's inheritance. Her role was predetermined: a pawn to be married off. The idea of succession had never crossed her mind.
But now, everything had changed.
A once-helpless princess had gained the power of an empress.
And with the power of an empress came the right to claim everything. Even if her personal abilities couldn't match her brothers', her newfound strength alone was enough to overshadow them.
Revealing her abilities would instantly make her the strongest candidate for the inheritance.
But was she truly prepared for that?
"… No. Let's set it aside for now."
Kaguya shook her head. The leap was too great for her to make all at once.
"This power gives me confidence, but I haven't mastered it yet. It's too early to act now."
She understood where her newfound confidence came from and knew she wasn't ready to reveal herself.
"It's wise to wait, Miss Kaguya. When the time comes, you'll need to show your strength without hesitation. Half-measures like today won't suffice."
Hayasaka's advice was practical.
Uncontrolled power wouldn't intimidate anyone. Only with mastery and resolve could Kaguya make her move.
"For now, Miss Kaguya, the key lies with that person."
"That person?"
"Yes, the one connected to the diary. They are the source of your power, and their role in all of this is crucial."
Kaguya's eyes widened slightly as realization dawned on her.
"Yes… that person is the key."
Taking a deep breath, Kaguya acknowledged the importance of the mysterious individual.
"Hayasaka, should we try to contact them directly?"
"That would be unwise."
Hayasaka shook her head.
"Think carefully, Miss Kaguya. Why did they reveal their name and location? If the diary grants power, then what about the one writing it?"
"!"
Kaguya froze, startled by the question. She had overlooked this detail.
Why had they exposed themselves? If writing the diary could grant power, they could have easily kept their identity hidden.
"So, what's their goal?"
Kaguya's mind raced, her unease growing as she realized the truth.
And for the first time, she questioned the intentions behind the diary.