Kaguya-sama Wants Me to Surrender

"That girl is… Kaguya-san?"

Yotsuya Miko was stunned, barely able to believe her eyes.

It was one thing for him to ride in someone else's car before, but now he was bringing the person home? Ordinary teammates couldn't explain this kind of development!

"Miko, listen to my explanation." Amamiya Natsuki quickly pulled her aside and whispered, "That's not Kaguya-san."

Yotsuya Miko bit her lower lip gently. "Liar."

Even if she'd never talked to her, Miko had seen Kaguya-san plenty of times at school. That familiar girl with black hair and red eyes—who else could it be but Kaguya Shinomiya?

"It's her mother," Amamiya Natsuki clarified. "That's Kaguya-san's mom."

"Huh?"

Miko's eyes widened in disbelief. "You said… her mother?"

"Exactly. That's Mrs. Kaguya."

Yotsuya Miko: "…"

A beat passed.

"Wait. Hold on. I need a second." Miko covered her forehead, her expression a complex mess of disbelief and exhaustion. "You're telling me… you bullied your classmate's mother?"

Hey, what's with that minotaur tone?! I obviously just saw someone in trouble and offered a righteous helping hand! Why are you calling me the Minotaur King?!

"It was a total accident," Amamiya Natsuki defended. He moved on to the real issue, "Aunt Kaguya was in the same condition as your dad—an earthbound spirit."

"Earthbound spirits look exactly like the living, but they lack true consciousness. Their actions are just instinctual habits from when they were alive."

"We still don't know what'll happen if you speak directly to one. So be careful—don't let your dad find out you can see him."

Miko's eyes flickered. She bit her lower lip and slowly nodded.

"I understand."

She'd known all along.

The man who returned home after her father's death wasn't truly him. There was no way her real father wouldn't notice the difference after so many years together.

"Let's go to my room," Natsuki said. "You haven't helped me practice today."

"You already have a guardian spirit," Miko crossed her arms. "Can't you ask Mrs. Kaguya?"

"She's a ghost."

"I just saw her drinking tea."

"Drinking doesn't equal weight," Natsuki said seriously. "Besides… she's your classmate's mother. So I can only ask Master Miko for help."

"Hurry up. It's already getting dark—I still have to cook dinner."

"…"

Mrs. Kaguya floated up to them and, assuming Miko was just a regular girl, leaned close and inspected her curiously.

"What a flat figure! High school girls really do develop early these days."

"…"

Miko's eye twitched as she instinctively raised her arms to shield her chest.

That's way too pervy!

It's just a little better than average—not even close to "developed" territory!

Seeing Miko's reaction, Mrs. Kaguya blinked in surprise.

"Natsuki-kun, this girl seems to be able to see me."

"She definitely can." Natsuki nodded.

"Eh?" Mrs. Kaguya looked surprised. "Is she a player too?"

"Nope." Natsuki glanced at Miko. "She can just… see evil spirits now. I looked it up—it's probably Yin-Yang Eyes or something."

Miko took a breath, adjusted her expression, and gave a polite bow.

"Nice to meet you, Auntie. I'm Yotsuya Miko, your neighbor. Thank you for your guidance."

It was the first time she'd spoken directly to an "invisible thing." Her emotions were… complicated.

Like Armstrong stepping onto the moon for the first time—one small step for her, one giant leap for terrified girls everywhere.

"Call me sister."

"Huh?"

"I died young—from a heart attack in my twenties." Mrs. Kaguya pouted. "Being called Auntie makes me feel ancient."

Yotsuya Miko: "…"

Upstairs.

Natsuki opened his door and stepped inside with Miko.

"Let's begin."

He dropped his schoolbag and laid face-down on the floor.

Miko's mom worked full-time and often returned home late. Housework, cooking, cleaning, and caring for her younger brother were all Miko's responsibilities.

Now that it was almost dark, she didn't have time to waste.

But…

She glanced awkwardly at Mrs. Kaguya nearby.

It was embarrassing enough to step on a boy for "energy generation" if her brother saw it—let alone her classmate's mother.

"Ms. Shimizu, please step outside for now." Natsuki looked at the ghost. "Miss Miko and I are about to engage in… unspeakable training."

On the way home, after some conversation, he'd learned Mrs. Kaguya's real name: Nayotake Shimizu.

She didn't even want to be called Mrs. Shinomiya anymore. Natsuki figured it had something to do with internal family politics and didn't pry.

"Don't say weird things!" Miko's face turned red. "You're going to get misunderstood!"

It's just stepping on his back! In massage parlors, that's serious therapy!

"I see." Mrs. Kaguya nodded with exaggerated understanding. "Don't worry, Natsuki-kun. I'll keep your little secret from Kaguya."

Even if you did tell her…

It's not like I'm cheating on my boyfriend or doing anything indecent! Just letting my childhood friend step on me for spiritual training. That's not shameful.

"It's not what you think!" Miko blushed furiously. "I'm just helping to step on his back!"

"I get it." Mrs. Kaguya smiled knowingly and left the room. "You two enjoy yourselves. I'll guard the door so no one interrupts."

There's no one to interrupt!

The room fell quiet.

Miko let out a long sigh and lifted her foot, lightly pressing it onto Natsuki's back.

Maybe it was the black over-the-knee socks she wore today, but Natsuki felt the touch on his back was especially soft and smooth.

A while later…

"That's enough for today. I'm heading home." Miko was sweating lightly from the effort. Keeping her balance while stepping on someone's back took surprising concentration.

"See you tomorrow."

Natsuki sat up, clenched his right fist, and declared with satisfaction:

"Excellent. I've become stronger again."

Miko covered her skirt with one hand and gave him a condescending look.

"It's kind of pathetic that you get stronger just from being stepped on."

"There are no bad skills, only bad people." Natsuki replied with conviction. "For you, Miko, I can use this evil power."

Miko turned away. "…Goodbye."

Now fully awakened, Mrs. Kaguya was overflowing with curiosity.

She had missed a decade's worth of worldly development and was desperate to catch up. Her thirst for knowledge was unstoppable.

Since Natsuki needed rest, he lent her a spare phone and let her surf the internet by herself.

That night passed without incident.

The next morning.

When Amamiya Natsuki stepped out of his room, he froze in shock—

Mrs. Kaguya was starting to fade, her figure growing blurry.

-End Chapter-

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