The Commotion at Shuchiin. / Their Feelings.

This was Shinomiya Koukou's idea, so while having people conduct research, he also recruited Ability User with superpowers to help him.

However, Ability User superpowers are already rare, and they are afraid of being coveted by others. Unless they are truly destitute or their abilities are accidentally exposed, no one is willing to join these financial groups.

Until one day...

A true Ability User appeared before him and made many seemingly unreasonable demands before agreeing to his recruitment.

I promise you.

Without much thought, Shinomiya Koukou readily agreed.

His decision required the sacrifice of many, but his desire for superpowers outweighed everything else.

28

Chapter 28 The Sensation at Shuchiin.

Night deepened.

"Hayasaka, come here for a second."

"Miss Kaguya, what is it you need?"

Hayasaka Ai, Maid Outfit, is habitually summoned to her master's bedroom to listen to conversations that have nothing to do with her.

"Oh, I heard that the day after tomorrow is... well, that holiday."

"I know, it's Valentine's Day."

Seeing her master's hesitant manner, she sighed and revealed the truth.

"Kaguya-sama, are you torn between giving her your 'favorite chocolate' or your 'obligation chocolate'?"

"No, no way! How could it be my favorite chocolate! I'm very grateful for Hasegawa's care, but... but we're not at the point of discussing marriage or getting engaged..."

"The chocolate is just an intention; whether they accept it or not is another matter."

"Oh, right, I forgot."

Hayasaka Ai wasn't surprised by her master's absent-mindedness.

Beneath the halo of being the Young Lady of the Shinomiya Family, she is nothing more than a pure-hearted young girl yearning for love.

"In any case, it still has to be 'handmade,' right?"

The master's question was actually a plea for her affirmation.

"Since it's a gift, the sentiment behind it is the most important thing. For that man, how much it's worth is probably not important at all."

Hayasaka Ai, of course, obeyed her master's orders.

"Hayasaka, you think about the same thing as me. That man is indeed not easy to win over with money. Oh well, let him try my cooking. It's a one-of-a-kind experience."

After boasting for a while, the owner went to sleep peacefully.

After returning to her room, Hayasaka Ai had one last task remaining.

She also needs to report in detail to her family members every word and action of Kaguya-sama.

That's right. Besides serving as a bodyguard and maid, she was actually someone who had been planted next to Kaguya-sama since childhood.

However, compared to loyalty to the Shinomiya Family, Hayasaka Ai undoubtedly values Kaguya's happiness more.

Therefore, she usually intentionally hides certain key information in her reports.

For example, the development of Kaguya-sama's relationship with that man.

"I am Shinomiya Koukou. You will report directly to me today."

However, when she made the call, she heard a different voice on the other end.

"I understand. I will report to you now on Kaguya-sama's actions today..."

Hayasaka Ai's eyes turned cold, but her words showed no emotional fluctuation.

"Wait, I have something to tell you, and I'll also pass it on to Kaguya..."

As she finished her report and was about to hang up, the person on the other end spoke again.

A few minutes later, Hayasaka Ai pressed the hang-up button, her face ashen.

She already knew in her heart that Kaguya-sama's older brother was born and raised under a patriarchal system. He was a feudal stubborn man who enjoyed the benefits of patriarchy and always used women as tools.

But to everyone's surprise, the other party was so audacious as to arrange a marriage between Kaguya-sama while the old man was still alive.

Because their blood relationship has never been definitively established, Shinomiya Ganan, the head of the Shinomiya Family, has always maintained an ambiguous attitude towards his daughter, which, in a sense, serves as a protective shield.

However, as Shinomiya Ganan's illness worsened, this layer of protection became unnecessary.

That night, Hayasaka Ai couldn't sleep a wink.

She hesitated for a long time, but seeing Kaguya-sama's eagerness, she decided to tell her about it so that she could prepare in advance and have no regrets.

In an instant, Kaguya-sama entered 'Ice Kaguya' mode, her wine-red pupils unusually cold, and she uttered softly:

"That damned guy, a remnant of Showa feudalism."

A rumor about Shuchiin spread like wildfire.

"I heard that Shinomiya-san is getting engaged!"

"Who is it? Who is it? Is it Hasegawa-kun?"

"No."

"He should be the heir to another conglomerate, at least a suitable match in terms of social standing."

"No."

"Could it be another man from Shuchiin? Is there anyone else who is close to Young Lady Shinomiya?"

"No, not either."

"Then who else could it be?"

"I heard he's from Osaka, and apparently a nobody."

"No, who is that guy? Aren't all guys from Osaka trash? They're obviously fake."

Leaving aside the students from the Mixed Academy Student, the young men from the Pure Academy Student were in an uproar after hearing the news, all angrily denying it as fake news.

Princess Kaguya, whom we all admire, is not someone that just anyone can aspire to be worthy of!

Although this news is explosive, it is currently just a rumor, since no one has personally contacted the Shinomiya Family to verify it.

"Four-jo, do you know?"

"Greek milk."

Those who knew about the connection between the Shijo Family and Shinomiya Family inquired about another Young Lady of considerable status.

Shijo Mako added in her mind:

[If it's that group of people, then it might be true.]

She didn't say it because she was worried about the negative consequences.

February 14th, Valentine's Day.

That day finally arrived.

Hasegawa Izumi, facing the girls' loving gazes, went upstairs to Class 1-C.

"Isn't this a bit too much of a disturbance?"

He sat down in the chair, his eyes slightly narrowed.

This pressure is many times greater than usual.

Soon, people couldn't wait to come over.

"Hasegawa-kun, please accept my feelings!"

"This is... a token of my gratitude to Hasegawa-kun for helping me solve this problem."

Just as everyone was getting ready to have some fun, the seemingly bold girl suddenly became quiet.

You probably meant to say 'my bias'!

However, fearing rejection, he changed his answer at the last minute.

"Then I'll accept it."

Hasegawa Izumi did not refuse and reached out to take it.

Her actions were like a game starting up; in just one morning, Hasegawa received more than ten "obligation chocolates" from his classmates. In fact, he also received chocolates from other unfamiliar girls in the school, but he refused them all.

Chocolates from strangers are generally unnecessary.

"Is that all?"

I'm not so sure.

"The real highlight is yet to come."

"Damn it, I'm so envious!"

Sunohara and the other students watched from the sidelines, gritting their teeth.

Soon, a pretty girl wearing headphones, whose popularity in the class was gradually rising, also arrived.

"This, this is mine, as a token of my gratitude. Thank you, 'Swordsman,' for keeping my secret and helping us five sisters pass our repeat-year exam... Of course, it's also out of obligation."

Nakano Miku blushed and handed over her handmade chocolate with one hand, turning her head away.

"Good."

A smile appeared on Hasegawa Izumi's face.

Giving roses to others leaves a lingering fragrance on your own hands.

Every cause has its effect.

This is the way of humanity, and it should be accepted.

After that, the first person to send the 'destiny chocolate' appeared.

This was somewhat unexpected.

29

Chapter 29 Their Feelings

"It's Busujima Senpai!"

"Why is Busujima Senpai here too?"

"Are you and Hasegawa-kun close? The Kendo Club was thoroughly humiliated by them, wasn't it?!"

Amidst everyone's astonished gazes, the senior student with flowing purple hair and a cold, beautiful face slowly walked into the classroom through the back door.

What they didn't know was that although Busujima Saeko and Hasegawa didn't interact much at school, they had experienced some thrilling moments off-campus and were, in a sense, close friends who had faced life and death together.

'They still came...'

Busujima Saeko, under everyone's watchful eyes, maintained a calm demeanor on the surface, but inside she was terribly panicked.

After all, what she wanted to give Zhang was her 'destined chocolate'.

In the past, she felt that she harbored an unforgivable Dark side within herself, that she was unworthy of having Girlish Heart, and that she was not qualified to love others or be loved.

Having survived a brush with death, and being saved and cared for by that person, her heart had already undergone a transformation, allowing her to control her murderous intent.

Now, she can finally take this opportunity to be honest with herself.

"Izumi-kun, these are chocolates I made myself. I hope you'll like them."

As Busujima Saeko said this and handed over the bag, a hint of shyness appeared in her eyes.

It's basically no different from a confession of love.