Why wasn't I the one who got the male lead's script?

That is, in the interval between sliding the pages, she saw a travel advertisement popping up in the corner of the screen - well, at least when Shinomiya Kaguya pulled Hayasaka over in confusion to ask what it was, she told her so calmly.

"A dreamlike shrine where you can pray for the transformation and longevity of love."

When she saw this line of words, Miss Shinomiya Kaguya's eyes suddenly lit up with an unusual light.

Feelings can "transform" and even "last forever."

If this prayer were to come true, it might be a perfect opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between Kaguya Shinomiya and a certain Shirogane-guild leader—at least that was the suggestion of the expressionless maid Hayasaka Ai.

Shinomiya nodded thoughtfully, thinking that what Hayasaka said made sense. Finally, with his face flushed and his heart pounding, he turned to look at the blonde girl and asked in a playful tone, "Hayasaka, please help me think of a solution!"

Hayasaka Ai, with a cold and expressionless face, sighed and shook her head. She sighed, "Oh my, you're really willful, young lady," and then nodded in agreement with a hint of embarrassment.

As for why it's "pretending"... Of course, only Miss Hayasaka Ai knows the answer.

"But if you and the president go together, it's very likely that you'll alert the enemy right from the start, and your plan will end up going nowhere."

At least it should be done naturally—that's probably what Hayasaka meant.

"Eh? Then what should I do...hmm."

Shinomiya Kaguya, who had originally exposed her silly nature, tried her best to calm herself down and began to use her brain to think hard - hard work pays off, and she soon came to a conclusion that was more in line with reality.

"Oh right—wouldn't it be fine if we just asked Ishigami-kun and Fujiwara-san to join us?"

"Yes, it is like that."

Hayasaka looked at Shinomiya, who was concentrating on his work, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Since going to a hot spring hotel like this alone would inevitably create a rift between them, they could just use the excuse of "a student council outing" and secretly carry out their plan under the banner of "traveling together as friends."

Hayasaka Ai did not point this out explicitly, but it was obvious that Shinomiya Kaguya had learned it on her own.

"Alright, we've taken care of things with Miss Kaguya. I'm sure we can convince Accountant Ishigami and Secretary Fujiwara as well... (Fujiwara had to put an uncertain question mark over this) Then, it's President Shirogane's turn next."

Miss Hayasaka Ai, who had already had the intention, quickly followed Kaguya's instructions and began to take a series of suggestive actions towards President Shirogane -

This includes but is not limited to showing up at his workplace in disguise, taking orders while muttering, "I really want to go to that hot spring hotel with the boy I'm in a relationship with," "I heard there's a shrine over there that prays for successful and lasting love, I'll definitely be able to force myself on him this way," and changing her voice to advertise the hot spring hotel again while he's on the train going home.

Well, if Miss Hayasaka herself didn't need a hot spring hotel, maybe this place would have to pay her back for all the advertising she's been running for so long. (This paragraph is deleted)

All in all, Shirogane Miyuki's attitude successfully aroused a strong interest in the trip to the hot spring hotel under her overt and covert stimulation and subtle influence.

It is worth mentioning that after he learned that there was a "shrine where one can pray for everlasting love" around this hot spring hotel, the first person he thought of was Kaguya Shinomiya - but at the same time, he was also troubled by this and didn't know how to use a suitable excuse to ask her there.

Otherwise, how can we say that these two people are a perfect match?

Hayasaka Ai used the same trick she had used on Shirogane Miyuki before, and like Kaguya, he ended up in the ending that Hayasaka had prepared for himself.

At this point, Hayasaka Ai brought the two parties, who had no intersection at all during the summer vacation, together in the same direction.

As for the opinions raised by the central figure around whom all her actions revolved—she had actually considered them carefully.

The young man seemed to hope that she, who had been an outsider from the beginning to the end, could walk into the game he had set up - simply because then there would be someone else to keep her company.

What a stupid kid.

That wonderful feeling of being able to strategize at a level that is unattainable by anyone else, and mastering the ins and outs and all developments of things - isn't it several levels higher than the comfort you get from foolishly hanging out with the mob?

therefore.

"…Um, Miss Kaguya."

On the night when Kaguya decided to invite everyone from the student council to go on a trip to a hot spring hotel during the summer vacation, Hayasaka Ai slightly grabbed the hem of her maid costume, lowered her head, and faced the confused Shinomiya Kaguya with an extremely humble attitude.

"If possible...please allow me to go with you."

Hayasaka Ai once again made a willful request to Kaguya that she would never have made before.

"…Hmm? What's wrong with you all of a sudden, Hayasaka?"

Naturally, Shinomiya Kaguya, who was a little confused by this situation, turned her head in bewilderment and gently wiped away the tears that had just overflowed from the corners of her eyes due to stretching.

"You never liked to get involved in this kind of fun before... Could it be that you're also interested in the president?"

"That's not the case. Please rest assured, Miss Kaguya."

Hayasaka bowed respectfully, and after careful consideration, decided to tell Shinomiya Kaguya part of the truth.

"It's like this - my younger brother, Haru Hoshimi, whom you are also very familiar with, will also appear at the hot spring hotel with his friends."

"Ah... I think I understand. Hayasaka, you're worried so you want to go with me?"

"No, that's not the case...actually, I have nothing to worry about."

"Even if Hoshimi-kun is alone with those girls?"

Having said that, the cold expression on the blonde girl's face was slightly moved, and some complicated emotions emerged in her deep blue eyes that were originally full of indifference.

"...It's just because Xiaoqing made a very strange request to me."

"Oh? What request could make Hayasaka feel strange? Tell me about it."

Shinomiya nonchalantly brushed her smooth black shoulder-length hair. Even in her fitted pajamas, which were not too loose, she looked exceptionally dignified and elegant.

"—He actually wanted me to play with them, which I found incredible."

Since Kaguya asked, Hayasaka honestly told her true thoughts.

Come to think of it, after arranging this matter, Hayasaka originally planned to continue to fade out of everyone's sight.

She had originally positioned herself as a supporting role, starting with assisting Kaguya and Shirogane's romance, and ending with helping Hoshimi and his friends with various paranormal phenomena.

Hayasaka Ai knew that she must not take the lead, so she always restrained herself and stood in the outsider position of the gold medal assistant.

She will not be a participant in the story, and even if she interferes with the progress of the story, she will never do it in a high-profile manner.

Until that day, the boy suddenly made a declaration like "Give up that outsider identity and participate as the protagonist of the story."

This kind of words made Hayasaka Ai, who had a very clear understanding of her own position, feel a little confused.

"...You should be happy, Hayasaka."

Kaguya carefully observed the subtle changes in the blonde girl's expression that were hidden beneath her calmness, and finally said this while shaking her head with a mixture of laughter and tears.

"Should I...show joy when hearing something like that?"

"why not?"

"I'm sorry... maybe it's because I've never been told something like that before, so I'm a little unskilled."

Hayasaka's slightly apologetic expression actually made Shinomiya's smile fade a little - after all, hearing these words coming from her seemingly calm mouth really made people feel a little distressed.

"...The fact that Hoshimi-kun would say something like this to you is enough to prove that you are very important to him."

"...?"

Hayasaka Ai, who has always been centered around serving others, is not incapable of understanding the feeling of being suddenly taken seriously and valued by others one day - she just can't believe that such a thing can happen to her.

"Well, Hayasaka, you and Hoshimi-kun are siblings, right? Since you're family, then caring for and protecting each other... maybe, maybe... it's normal."

"Miss, you are not sure either."

"That's because I'm not sure if family love can reach this level—at least I've never experienced a similar emotional journey."

"........."

"Sigh... Anyway, it's better not to dwell on this kind of thing, Hayasaka."

Seeing Hayasaka still looking a little confused and bewildered, Shinomiya Kaguya curled her lips helplessly and smiled bitterly, her eyes gradually becoming gentle and peaceful.

After more than ten years of living together day and night, how could she not understand what kind of person Hayasaka Ai is.

She lives for others. She is very understanding of others, can easily see the joys and sorrows of others, is easily affected by others' emotions, and is easy to sacrifice herself to please others.

She cares about others very much, but always forgets herself.

"Maybe Xingjian-kun simply hopes that you can take some time off, treat yourself better, and value yourself more."

"In that case, I have to thank Hoshimi-kun for remembering my Hayasaka—let's just write off the fact that he and the president were close."

The black-haired girl smiled and mentally gave the boy some points for his actions.

“…Is it that simple?”

"It's a good thing to always think more and prepare more when doing things, but sometimes it's better not to overthink people. At least Xingjian-kun is not a very complicated person."

Shinomiya waved his hand, his eyes filled with tenderness and concern as he looked at the blonde girl.

"I've already told you, Hayasaka, there's no need to overthink it. Just have fun and relax. Consider it a vacation in my name."

At this moment, the roles of the two people seem to have been completely reversed compared to usual - but in fact, this unintentional change of identity is also a part of their daily life.

"Eh……?"

The blonde girl opened her mouth but didn't know what to say, and her expression looked unusually stunned.

"Kaguya-san... [We'll have fun then]... What do you mean...?"

"Ah, that's right. It's getting late now, and I'm going to bed early. Why don't you take this opportunity to plan your itinerary for the trip, Hayasaka?"

Shinomiya smiled and stood up from the gorgeous soft chair in front of the dressing table, only turning his head to look at the blonde girl who was still standing there respectfully.

"And of course, remember to pack your luggage—for both of us."

“…Yes, Miss Kaguya.”

Hayasaka was stunned at first, and finally bowed to Shinomiya Kaguya very respectfully.

"Of course, it would be better if you could just tell me directly and frankly that you want to stay with me because of your brother. That way there will be fewer misunderstandings, and at least I won't think you're being too sentimental."

"Miss, that's not the case..."

"Okay, okay, I understand."

Kaguya waved at Hayasaka with a perfunctory attitude of "Just say it seriously and I will listen seriously" on her face, then walked out of the bedroom and headed towards the bathroom.

As she walked down the large and bright corridor, Kaguya Shinomiya's originally indifferent expression gradually softened.

Hayasaka's appearance just now reminded her of some things in the past.

I used to be a hypocritical guy whose heart was not touched by anyone. I had no choice but to use a cold mask to disguise myself and protect myself.

Until one day, someone rudely broke her defenses in the most rude yet most natural way.

From then on, Kaguya Shinomiya's true joys, sorrows, anger and happiness would only revolve around that person.

——The current Hayasaka and the shadow of her former self who had just had her defenses broken, was still a little confused and even timid and scared, can slowly overlap.

But it's a pity that she, who was so confident in what she said to Kaguya at the time, had no idea that she was in the same situation. Is this what they call "those involved are often confused, while those who are not involved can see clearly"?

In that case.

Shinomiya Kaguya smiled and pursed her lips. Her red eyes, which always seemed a little empty and dark, now showed a bright smile.

Well, when you can’t stand it any more, give Hayasaka a thumbs up.

After all, it is not easy to meet someone who can break down all your defenses.

----

The fork in the world line——It’s almost here! orz

A Never-Ending Week at the World Line's Divergence: Chapter 3: Love War Begins! (Part 2)

A week passed in the blink of an eye, and soon it was time for the "Autumn Outing" planned by Miss Eriri.

The traveling members include the initiator of the plan, Eriri Sawamura, as well as Kasumigaoka Utaha, Hoshimi Haru, and Kato Megumi who were invited to attend.

Of course, there is also Futaba Rio who was persuaded by Hoshimi reluctantly and Ms. Hayasaka Ai, the organizer of the event.

The agreed time was 10 a.m. and the location was the tram platform.

Originally, Eriri was happy to use her family's luxury car to pick everyone up, but Shiyu refused with the reason that "it wouldn't feel like we were all traveling together."

Therefore, the result was that "everyone had to leave from their homes and gather at the platform entrance of the station."

However, there are always dishonest guys who sneak away and do some tricks secretly.

For example, now, around 7:30 in the morning.

The black-haired boy, who was in a drowsy state and half asleep, pressed the alarm clock that was ringing on the bedside table. He scratched his messy hair sleepily and closed his eyes for a while.

Enjoying a ten-minute nap after the alarm rings is a common occurrence for Xing Jianqing every morning when she wakes up.

But today, the quick and particularly harsh doorbell outside the room broke the boy's brief and peaceful warmth.

Ding Dong——Ding Dong Ding Dong————