The Princess Deserves a Bridal Carry, Doesn't She?

Thinking about it carefully, the rule said you had to get chocolate from someone of the opposite sex. It never said you couldn't say you got it from a rival.

U Amakusa gave chocolate to Sakayanagi, letting her win with a score of 1–0.

You could say Amakusa had handed her the victory.

You could also say he had never intended to win in the first place.

"You're pretty good at making girls happy."

Amakusa had probably knelt down so she could see him clearly.

After all, because of their height difference, Sakayanagi couldn't be bothered to look up at him while they talked.

There was no denying that Sakayanagi was in a very good mood.

It was clear that Amakusa had intended to join the Sakayanagi Faction all along, and this gesture was also meant to please her.

But the fact that Amakusa had never intended to compete in the first place displeased her a little.

"So I'm one of your targets too. I didn't expect that. You're quite bold."

He was being ambiguous with Kamuro, and rumors suggested he even had a girlfriend from the library. And now he was setting his sights on her?

But Sakayanagi wasn't angry. Amakusa had indirectly proven just how charming she was.

After all, I'm adorable!

"This has nothing to do with being bold. It's my honor to serve Your Highness, the princess."

"Hmph. You've got what's in your bowl, you're eyeing what's in the pot, and now you're looking beyond the table. Don't think I'm as easy to fool as they are."

Amakusa slowly brought the hand holding the white rose closer to Sakayanagi, without denying it.

"But Your Highness, the princess, would never take a liking to a commoner like me, would you? People are drawn to beautiful things. This is enough for me. I'll start by becoming Your Highness's attendant."

Amakusa angled the white rose toward Sakayanagi so she could see the cookie chocolate on it, there for the taking.

"Will that do?"

Seeing Amakusa humble himself, Sakayanagi's mood lifted, and the last trace of her displeasure vanished.

Sakayanagi chuckled. "Heh. A lecherous pervert who knows his place. How interesting. I accept. This is your real challenge, isn't it?"

With that, Sakayanagi took the cookie chocolate from the white rose.

Right in front of Amakusa, she unwrapped it and put it in her mouth.

Then she licked her lips.

"Not bad."

"It's my pleasure."

Amakusa watched Sakayanagi's expression closely. He knew he still had a long way to go before he won her over.

It was a long and arduous road.

"Then, as my attendant, I order you not to slack off, daydream, or eat in class."

"..."

"As someone in my service, you don't need to excel in both conduct and academics, but at the very least, don't act like a delinquent or a troublemaker in class."

"..."

"Do you understand? Break your bad habits. And when I speak, you're to answer."

"I understand, Your Highness, the princess."

Wasn't this going to cost me half my life? Classes were so boring.

Sigh... (눈_눈)

Sakayanagi nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Once you understand, I'll assign you a task after a little while. For now, your task is to do what I just said."

"Yes..."

╯▂╰

Feeling miserable, Amakusa thought he had to do something, or he'd never be able to put his mind at ease.

"That's enough for now. You may leave."

After she had finished speaking, Sakayanagi ordered him to leave.

Sakayanagi wasn't particularly invested in taking Amakusa on. After all, she had no shortage of followers.

Her true target was Kamuro.

Her frail body needed a trusted aide at her side, and Amakusa couldn't possibly fill that role.

In fact, discovering Kamuro's actions and Amakusa's appearance had both been unexpected bonuses.

That trusted aide had to be a woman!

Next, Sakayanagi would find Kamuro and use the evidence of her theft to pressure and tempt her.

She would make Kamuro her subordinate.

As for what Amakusa had said, Sakayanagi didn't believe a word of it.

Most likely, Kamuro had no idea what was going on.

If that was really the case, then Amakusa had also been helping Kamuro indirectly.

And what was Amakusa's goal? It went without saying.

Amakusa had used the evidence to threaten Kamuro into doing something unspeakable.

Of course, it probably hadn't gone that far, but it had come close.

Still, Kamuro had brought it on herself.

If Kamuro became her subordinate and complained to her, Sakayanagi planned to give Amakusa a token punishment.

Advanced Nurturing High School was completely unlike an ordinary school, but its dismissal time was no different.

After dealing with Kamuro's matter, Amakusa had met up with Majima.

It was mealtime now.

Amakusa took out his phone, tapped away a few times, then put it away and looked at Sakayanagi.

He didn't hesitate any longer. Acting decisively, he stepped forward, snatched the cane from the little girl in front of him, and swept her up in his arms.

She was softer than he'd expected, lighter than he'd expected. His mind was at ease.

Amakusa looked solemnly at the utterly stunned Sakayanagi in his arms. "As your attendant, I believe it's my duty to escort Your Highness, the princess, to a meal."

Even Sakayanagi, who considered herself exceptionally observant, was left dumbfounded by Amakusa's sudden move.

Sakayanagi quickly composed her stunned expression and forced a faint smile.

At all times, she remained elegant.

"That's insubordination. Do you understand, attendant?"

If you do, put me down already!

"No. This is close protection."

Amakusa continued with righteous conviction:

"It's only right for a princess to be carried bridal-style, isn't it?"

Sakayanagi: ...

Sakayanagi: I've never met anyone so shameless.

Amakusa: Now you have.

"Then I order you to put me down!"

By the end, Sakayanagi was gritting her teeth. Even she was starting to lose her composure.

This scoundrel!

Amakusa put on a pained expression.

"All right, then."

As soon as he finished speaking, Amakusa abruptly lowered his arms.

Feeling herself drop rapidly, Sakayanagi's eyes widened, and she instinctively grabbed the "thing" beside her.

She didn't like the sensation of falling.

Sakayanagi now had one hand on Amakusa's shoulder and the other pressed against his chest.

Realizing what had just happened, the forced smile on Sakayanagi's face visibly vanished, and her cheeks turned a little red.

Sakayanagi was angry, but her hand pressed a little harder against Amakusa's chest without her realizing it.

The pressure was so slight that Amakusa didn't even notice.

Ever since she'd met Amakusa, everything had kept unfolding in ways she never expected.

For the first time, she was in the arms of someone of the opposite sex. She hadn't even had time to take it in before anger took over.

He was firm and warm, which only made her more flustered.

"You have three seconds to put me down."

"I refuse."

Sakayanagi: ☄ฺ(◣д◢)☄

Sakayanagi: I'll kill you!!!

Of course, Sakayanagi only thought that. If she really tried,

with Sakayanagi's strength, it would just turn into a coquettish act.

The sort where she pounded his chest with her little fists.

"Amakusa, sexual harassment carries a five-year sentence."

Think I'm one of those little girls? I have plenty of strength... well, maybe not right now.

But I have plenty of other ways to deal with you.

Amakusa replied with a knowing smile. "Minor harassment only gets you five to fifteen days. It'd still be worth it to catch a glimpse of Your Highness, the princess's beauty.

As the saying goes, 'Better to die beneath the peonies and enjoy a life of passion than to live a dull life.'"