"Don't paint me as some playboy flitting through a garden of girls!" Kagura protested, palming his forehead.
"So, what brings you to me, Lord Kaguya?"
Shiho deliberately emphasized "Kaguya," winking mischievously afterward. "…My name's Kagura, please, Senpai, no nicknames. And definitely no 'Lord.' You're not my maid." He sighed quietly.
His name, Kagura, read as "Kagura," was nearly identical to "Kaguya" in pitch, differing only in the final consonant. At their first meeting, Shiho misheard, and rather than correct it, she doubled down, sticking with the error.
The "Lord" suffix was pure Shiho whimsy. Mishearing his name and noting his unique status, she'd dubbed him "Prince Kaguya from the Moon," a gender-swapped nod to Japan's mythical Kaguya-hime.
She meant he was "wildly popular yet untouchably aloof," like Kaguya-hime, pursued by many suitors but ultimately returning to the moon, unwed.
"Alright, Kaguya-kun, what's the matter?"
"To be honest, I do have a favor to ask."
Seeing persuasion futile, Kagura opted to cut to the chase.
"Ah, hold on," Shiho raised her left hand, fingers together, lightly tapping his lips with a tilted head and a soft chuckle. "This isn't the place to talk. Let's head to the rooftop for details. And since you rushed here at lunch, Kaguya-kun, you likely haven't eaten. If you don't mind dining with little old me, please grab your bento. I'll wait here obediently."
"Uh… Fine."
He gently nudged her violet-scented left hand aside. "Safe travels~"
As he turned, Shiho waved behind him, smiling like a wife seeing her husband off.
But as soon as he left, a slender figure slipped out from Class C's door. Her cheeks puffed out in discontent, half her face peeking to spy on Shiho's retreating back.
"That underclassman's insatiable… Chasing one leggy beauty after another… Now he's after Shiho Kasumigaoka? Is she his true love?"
Mai Sakurajima huffed, glancing at the stairwell corner where Kagura vanished, then ducked back.
They're going to the rooftop? No way, I've got to follow and keep watch!
Kagura jogged back to Class F. Kei Kato, sharp-eyed, reported, "Zeamura, Kawasaki was looking for you."
"Oh…?" He scanned the classroom, but Kawasaki was gone. As he reached for his bento, Kei, opening hers, pointed at his desk. "You left too fast. Kawasaki left something you needed in your desk pocket."
"Let's check."
He looked down. Two bento boxes.
One, his blue floral-wrapped box, made by the household chef for him, Eriri, and the Hayasakas. The other, unfamiliar, was likely Kawasaki's.
She'd stayed at his place until hours ago, insisting on making her own bento (using their ingredients). Had she made him an extra?
He lifted the black floral-wrapped box, untying the knot. A note on top read: [Eat well at lunch!]
Well, Kawasaki genuinely cared for him.
Though her tone was hardly maid-to-master, Kagura didn't mind. After their intimate exchange, their bond had shifted from mere master-servant to clandestine lovers.
Weighing his options, he pocketed the note, retied the cloth, grabbed the box, and said to Kei, "Thanks for the heads-up! I'm off."
"No problem~"
Kei waved casually without turning.
Kagura raced back to the third floor. Shiho leaned against the wall, hands empty, as if she hadn't moved.
"Hm? Kasumi… Kasumigaoka-senpai, where's your lunch?" His eyes widened at her empty hands.
"Knowing my identity, Kaguya-kun, you should grasp how busy I am. Who has time for bentos?"
"Then what do you eat at noon?"
"Good question… Usually, I dine on books?"
She stepped forward, reaching back with her right hand. A pocket paperback with a teal cover slipped out, caught deftly, and waved at him boastfully.
"So you skip lunch entirely?"
"Kidding. I eat properly. Normally, I buy a sandwich or bread, but today, no need. Let's hit the rooftop."
As she spoke, the system chimed:
Greetings, Lord Kagura. New bounty issued. Choose one or skip:
A: Give your bento to Shiho Kasumigaoka.
B: Buy Shiho Kasumigaoka a sandwich.
C: Give the other bento to Shiho Kasumigaoka.
Without hesitation, he picked C.
"Speaking of, Senpai, I've got an extra bento. If you don't mind…"
Mid-sentence, she bent forward in the hall, a finger poking his chest playfully. "A special bento, perhaps?"
"No, no… Nothing like that."
"Ehh," she straightened, clutching the paperback, fist at her hip, pinching her chin. "In that case, little old me shall graciously accept."
He turned back to grab the second bento, holding both as they entered the old school building.
The light dimmed instantly, the corridor's faint clamor fading into eerie stillness, as if a barrier sealed the space. He handed Shiho the chef's bento. She accepted eagerly, her fingers brushing his—not gripping the edge but pressing the base, touching him.
Neither minded, acting naturally. "Thanks."
She nodded softly. "No problem. To the rooftop."
"Fine, but first, may I ask something?"
She stepped backward up the stairs, left hand, holding the paperback, resting on the railing. "Go ahead."
"What brings Kaguya-kun to me so suddenly? Is it proper business fit for the rooftop?"
"Of course! What improper business would I discuss?" He gaped, incredulous.
"Oh? I thought you'd use the rooftop excuse to drag me to the old building."
"…To eat here? I'm not that refined."
He rolled his eyes, thinking of Yukino's Service Club. Few spots in the old building suited a quiet meal; the clubroom was one. "Hmph… Let's go."
Shiho turned, climbing. His gaze instinctively fixed on her pantyhose-clad legs, shimmering in the old building's dim light.
Her skirt hem was artfully adjusted—shorter than school rules but never flashing—teasing him as it swayed, unsettling his focus.
He recalled climbing stairs at Aki's house, catching Ai Hayasaka, lifting her skirt, and nuzzling her rear. The sight now felt strikingly familiar.
The system pinged: Thank you for completing the bounty. Rewards: [Girl's Little Secret] x1, Triple Recovery Potion x1.
Girl's Little Secret, huh… He mused.
He'd first used it on Eriri, revealing a girl's lifetime masturbation count. Now…
Creak—
Shiho pushed open the rooftop's partition door. April's cool breeze rushed in, her hair fluttering back, nearly brushing his face, carrying her familiar violet scent.
This rooftop held memories. Last time, Mai-senpai dragged him here, then tackled him off the edge. Luckily, a new building below saved them from becoming tragic lovers.
No chairs graced the rooftop, nor guardrails at the edge. Thus, they leaned against the partition door's small house wall, spreading bento cloths on the floor to sit.
"Before Kaguya-kun shares an immature idea, may I ask something?"
Shiho sat sideways, legs tightly together, knees tilting toward him but maintaining five centimeters' distance from his legs and shoulders.
Her hands rested on the bento box, pressing it to her lap. "Go ahead, go ahead."
"Why bring two bentos? If you eat a lot, one big box would do. Or do you, Kaguya-kun, use bentos to bribe hungry girls, making them feel indebted to fulfill your unspeakable desires?"
"…It's just a one-off today."
Feeling wronged, he opened Kawasaki's bento.
Her dishes were classic home fare: nearly half packed rice, a Japanese sweet omelet, pan-fried saury, spicy octopus sausages, pickled mustard greens, and a salad of chicken breast, onion, and cabbage.
"Ehh, quite homely."
Shiho eyed his spread, varied and simple. Saury was in season, and Kagura liked it, though many Japanese kept the bitter, fishy black membrane. He hoped Kawasaki didn't.
"That box's dishes should differ."
"No matter, as long as it's not spiced."
She opened her box.
Its contents starkly contrasted his, mostly high-end fare, prompting her to repeat the "bento bribery" quip.
"No such thing… Just eat."
He drew plum-blossom chopsticks from Kawasaki's cloth sleeve.
"Even so, your behavior's odd, Kaguya-kun. I'm not vain enough to think you covet my barren, charmless body, but without a clear explanation, I can't dine easily."
"Barren, charmless??"
His eyes widened, rice in his mouth forgotten.
If she was barren and charmless, what were Eriri and Qiong? Concave? Her self-deprecation was excessive.
"That's beside the point. The reason, Kaguya-kun. Let me hear it."
"Reason… Uh… A close maid of mine looked out for me, making an extra bento, so I gave you my usual one."
"I see," she hummed, eyes closed, appraising. "Even a future duke and piano prince succumbs to a woman's home cooking? Honest, aren't you?"
"…So, since I'm honest, can you eat now, Senpai?"
"To avoid being bribed by this meal, let me hear what you need from me first."
"Bribed, huh…" He glanced back, noticing a glimmer of saliva at her lips' corner. She swiftly licked it away, blinking innocently. "Hm? Something wrong?"
"Nothing…" He chuckled dryly, thinking, Starving, yet stalling… "I've started a small production team to make a galgame."
Clang, clang…
Her bento lid clattered to the ground. She stared at her empty hand, unblinking, then slowly shifted to him, blinking at last.
"My bento… Senpai, was that shock necessary?"
"I just can't fathom someone like you interested in galgames… Though, perhaps not impossible."
She nodded, pinching her chin.
She recalled Eriri, Kagura's twin, a hardcore otaku and renowned doujinshi artist. If she was an otaku, her brother could be too.
"Good you get it. Anyway, I'm making a galgame."
"Naturally, an R18 one? Or an internal R18 version for personal viewing?"
"Pfft—cough, cough…" He choked, eyes watering. She patted his back gently. As he calmed, she pressed, "Why'd I guess so accurately?"
"No reason, just thought you'd have the audacity at seventeen to challenge legal limits with an R18 game."
"Not exactly commendable audacity." He scratched his cheek, sheepish.
"Let me guess further. You're here to bribe starving me with this bento to join your seemingly doomed, nefarious project, exploit my every value, force me to voice R18 lewd lines, then threaten, 'You wouldn't want this leaked, would you, Teacher Kasumi?' to kick me out unpaid, mocked by the industry. Right?"
"That's horrifying! What do you take me for?!"
Her words chilled him, sounding more like Eriri's wild, self-indulgent fantasies.
"Hm, a piano prince and duke's son, perfect boyfriend on the surface, but a lustful high schooler swayed by a maid's bento?"
"…Sort of accurate, but that's not the point!"
"Anyway, this project…"
She glanced at the bento, pausing, then smiled at him. "No chance, huh…?"
Seeing her chopsticks untouched, he sighed inwardly. "No, I'll join before this bento sways me."
"Eh?"
"Joining now is sincere. If I ate first, you'd think I was bought. Hmph, as if I, Shiho Kasumigaoka, could be swayed by a mere meal!"
"No, no," he tapped the bento's edge, puzzled. "You just trashed my project, talking about exploitation and abandonment. Why join?"
"Isn't it obvious, Kaguya-kun?" She gave a "what am I to do with you" smile, poking his face repeatedly. "I owe you a colossal favor. Exploitation or not, even if you demanded I step on your face daily with sweaty, day-worn stockings, I'd have to comply."
"No way! I wouldn't have such perverse urges!"
"Wouldn't, huh? What's that hesitation?"
"Never!"
"Really…?" She tilted her head, withdrawing her poking hand, extending it. "Happy collaboration?"
"Collaboration… Without seeing the proposal?" He released his chopsticks, grasping her hand.
"No need. You don't do unprepared things, Kaguya-kun. I'll review it later. So…" She released his hand, grabbing her chopsticks. "My role's scriptwriting and voicing a character?"
"Voicing's TBD, but scriptwriting's on you."
"I see. My voice doesn't excite you?"
"Why's the topic veering there…?"
"Anyway—" She closed her eyes, leaning lightly right, resting on his shoulder, rubbing gently, whispering tenderly, "Two years ago, thank you for promoting me… Thanks to you, I finished that work, becoming a true author."
"Phew… No big deal. Fate's funny. Who'd guess my sister Eriri's favorite author struggled with sales, only to end up as our senpai?"
"Still, I, Shiho Kasumigaoka, repay kindness. Anything else I can help with?"
She stayed leaning, not eating.
Unbeknownst to them, on the house's other side, Mai-senpai had been eavesdropping invisibly for ages.
Mai knew her invisibility didn't fool Kagura, but it worked on Shiho. If she stayed silent, hiding at the corner, Kagura wouldn't notice.
Perfect camouflage!
Shiho Kasumigaoka, a hidden author… Sounds like light novels…
Mai's eyes darted, ear pressed to the wall.
She'd arrived earlier, sneaking up when she heard they'd head to the rooftop, lurking before they arrived.
Hearing Shiho, Kagura frowned. "Joining my project's already repayment, isn't it?"
"Separate matters. I was just bribed by the bento."
"…Who just swore they couldn't be bribed?"
"Shut it, spill or not?"
She lifted her head, glaring sternly. "Uh…"
His gaze unwittingly slid to her pantyhose-clad legs.
Sensitive to male stares, Shiho instantly adopted an "I knew it" expression, pinching her chin, cooing airily, "Ohh~ Even the piano prince and future duke loves this, huh? Just a man, after all. No helping it~"
"Cough, sorry, I'll rethink. My eyes just wandered."
"I don't mind~" She closed her eyes, shifting her crossed legs closer, knees touching his, lifting the bento. "One-time offer, no extensions. Here's your beloved pantyhose-clad feet, Kaguya Foot-Fetish Lord. Touch, sniff, lick, rub—your call. Today's a big fanservice blowout."
"Tch…"
His heart itched, but Mai, behind the wall, fumed.
"Legs again… Legs?! How obsessed is this guy with pantyhose legs? Pervert!" She clenched her fists, itching to punch him.
I'm not jealous or envious. As a senpai, I must correct his vile fetish! Especially in our sacred school, how dare he indulge in such filth?!
"I'll touch, then."
Kagura faced his desires honestly.
He raised his left hand, pressing it onto her right leg without preamble.
Shiho froze, body rigid, hands trembling, pupils shrinking, nearly hurling the bento meters away.
He… He's really touching?!
Her face flushed, ears burning seconds later, hidden by her hair, unnoticed by Kagura.
"Mm…"
Ignoring her stiffness, he boldly slid his fingertips between her thighs, trembling over the soft, firm inner flesh, then to her faintly translucent knee, down her calf, up again, from right leg to left, tickling her left knee's bend, pinching her shapely calf, grasping her slender ankle, then gliding his finger pads up her inner thigh to the skirt's hem near her rear.
He critiqued as he went, "Senpai's legs are soft and delightful to touch. These stockings aren't cheap, are they? Such fine texture, perfect to handle. They're a feast for the eyes, a unique pleasure to touch. Guys dreaming of you must hate me… These legs, for a knee pillow or other things, are top-tier."
"W-W-W-W…"
Her heart raced, chest aching from its pounding.
Kagura barely knew her—this was their second real meeting. Shiho was a classic "high attack, low defense" woman.
She flaunted her legs and talked big, but lacked the courage to be touched. She never expected Kagura to ignore convention and actually act. Normally, people would politely decline, right?
Meanwhile, Mai, behind the wall, clutched her flushed face.
"What… What is this?! He's really touching?! What does he think school is?!"
A pure-hearted girl, Mai blushed just hearing him.
Seizing the chance, Kagura mused, Shiho Kasumigaoka, Girl's Little Secret.
A pink heart popped above her head, pulsing, with a number: 417. Only 400-odd times? She's quite restrained.
This was her lifetime masturbation count. Compared to Eriri's near-4,000, Shiho's was a drizzle. Yukino topped them with a pristine zero.
"Shame it's lunchtime, or I'd savor a knee pillow too."
He tugged her stocking, letting it snap back with a pop!
"Eh… R-Really…?" Her trembling voice managed, "T-That's… enough, right? Time's up… Keep going, and even I'll…"
She meant get angry. "Thanks for the treat. Let's eat."
He withdrew his hand nonchalantly, resuming his meal.
Kidding, touching a girl's leg was as routine as homework. Why be shy?
In bed with Ai Hayasaka watching movies, his hand rarely left her legs—or her thighs' juncture.
"O-Oh… Okay…" Shiho shakily set the bento on her lap, head bowed, bangs and side locks hiding her face, whispering, "I'm digging in…"
She ate tiny bites, silent.
Heart's racing… It's delicious, but I can't taste it. My legs, my body—numb… Is this the legendary…
(Deerhorn: Can't taste? Must be COVID.)
"By the way, Senpai, let's swap contact info?" Finishing, he flashed his phone. "Yes, necessary."
Shiho had outwardly calmed, but inwardly, she was chaos, barely aware of her words or actions.
They exchanged all contact details. Noticing her bento, a third uneaten, and her slow pace, he asked, "Not to your taste, Senpai?"
"Not that… I'm just full."
Her words belied her heart.
No matter how tasty, she couldn't savor it. Her mind quaked, eating absentmindedly. Plus, the portion matched Kagura's appetite, too much for her slow pace.
"I see…" He took her bento, grabbing chopsticks to finish it. "No need to force yourself, Senpai. I'll handle the rest."
"Eh… Eh?!" She reached to snatch it back, but he'd started. She turned away, trembling, hiding her red face. "Tch… Trouble you, then…"
Halfway through, he recalled Eriri's venom when he tried eating Qiong's leftover rabbit leg. Glancing at Shiho, she showed only her back.
Shoot, is she mad?!
Eriri had said eating Qiong's leftovers after upsetting her would worsen things. By extension, eating a girl's leftovers casually was bad. He'd acted on impulse, and now, halfway done, apologizing felt late. Damn.
Shiho wasn't mad, though—relieved not to waste food, but mostly drowning in shame.
As a vibrant high school girl, letting a boy eat her leftovers was mortifying.
If a despised guy ate her discarded food, she'd cry.
"Cough, sorry… Took it without asking."
"N-No… It's fine. I was full, and wasting food's bad."
"Alright, my bad."
He finished the hefty lunch with remorse.
Kawasaki's bento was tasty. He rarely ate such meals—only when Ai cooked a few times. Home chefs didn't make these, giving it a "rare delicacy" feel.
Bentos cleared, they tidied up to leave. At the rooftop door, Shiho, seemingly calm, held the handle, smiling. "Kaguya-kun, since we'll collaborate, let's drop formalities. My surname's a mouthful, too."
He pondered, You're already using a nickname. How closer can we get? "What should I call you? Shiho?" Hiss—Ouch!
She pinched his cheek, tugging. "I'm your senpai. At least say 'Senpai'!"
Releasing him, she crossed her arms. Holding both bento boxes, he couldn't rub his red face, saying, "Then, please guide me, Shiho-senpai."
"That's better!"
Satisfied, she led down the stairs, parting at the corridor, returning to Class A.
Kagura returned to the second-year floor, Class F, exhilarated—legs touched, homemade bento devoured. Meanwhile, Shiho and Mai upstairs were dazed, Shiho especially, her memories a jumble.
Back at her seat, Shiho slumped, sleep overtaking her. Arms crossed, she closed her eyes. Legs touched… So thoroughly, like an appraisal—no, it was an appraisal… That cheeky underclassman… I've lost all senpai dignity… My fault, ugh~ Heart's still racing…
In Class C, Mai propped her cheek, staring out the window, musing slowly, That Spencer's a perverted foot fetishist… Why's he never mentioned it to me?
Before class, Kagura texted Kawasaki: Thanks, Saki. Your bento was delicious. I ate every bit.
Kawasaki, phone untouched, propped her cheek, ignoring him deliberately.
After school, Hikigaya tapped his shoulder. "Hey, you serious about shadowing with me and Kato?"
"Of course. Look like I'm joking?"
"Not really…" Hikigaya rubbed his chin, pointing at the classroom's back blackboard. "Better apply at the office for shadowing. I'll write our three names as a group."
"OK~ Thanks."
Kagura grabbed his bag, high-fiving Hikigaya. "Small stuff."
Hikigaya returned the slap. Kagura headed to the office, registering for shadowing. The office's Ms. Tsurumi, the home ec teacher, teared up, nearly grabbing his hand, proclaiming him Japan's future hope.
Hope, my foot.
(Deerhorn: In Yahari's source, there's a Tsurumi-sensei, home ec teacher. Some suspect she's Rumi's parent, but Nasu left it vague.)
Application done, he entered the old school building, climbing to the fifth floor's end room, knocking lightly.
"Come in."
Yukino's voice was, as ever, melodic.
He entered, seeing her press her skirt, straightening to suppress a stretch. Her pose evoked a cat. If she arched her rear… Too lewd.
Stretching pushed her chin toward her chest. Chubbier folks might show a double chin, but Yukino's slight frame ensured none.
"Hard day?"
He tossed the usual line, closing the creaky door.
The frame held it firm, lest wind from the window made it clang.
"You too. A bit late today, though. Chatting up a favorite girl? How'd it go?"
Post-stretch, she flicked hair off her chest, blinking curiously, like a mom prying into her son's date.
"You're way off," he said, tossing his bag on the sofa across from her, standing opposite. "May I sit?"
"Please. Your performance today's been satisfactory so far."
"…Phew—" He smoothed his uniform's hem, sitting, legs together, leaning back, right hand tapping the armrest. "I just hit the office."
"Regarding some girl's harassment complaint?"
"What do you take me for?" He rolled his eyes. "Just applied for next week's career shadowing."