That night, besides Natsukawa Kanade, there was someone else who couldn't sleep because of what was on her mind: Shinomiya Kaguya.
"This is too much, right? Of course! The president is just too much!"
In a mansion owned by the Shinomiya family, the eldest daughter of the main household, Shinomiya Kaguya, was hugging a pillow and rolling back and forth on her bed, completely disregarding her image.
The maid beside her watched her mistress's antics with a calm expression, responding throughout the entire outburst.
"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right."
"How could the president toy with my feelings like that! Hayasaka, don't you think he's going too far?"
"Yes, I completely agree with you."
"I was hoping the president would invite me, but he left me alone in the student council room! That's just cruel!"
"Yes, Natsukawa Kanade is out of line. He's clearly bullying you, Miss."
"No! Hayasaka, stop saying nonsense! The president is just shy! He's definitely not doing it on purpose!"
Hayasaka Ai's eyebrow twitched at that, a sudden wave of exasperation rising in her chest.
Didn't you just say he was going too far? Why did you flip your stance in the very next breath? And this conversation has already looped three times! Three times! Just go take a bath already!
"Um… Miss, as far as I can tell, this is all part of President Natsukawa's plan. He's using the 'emotional tension' tactic on you."
Hayasaka Ai pulled out a piece of cardboard and began scribbling notes.
Even his sudden resignation last time was probably meant to make you feel a sense of crisis—like, "Oh no, I'll never see the president again"—to shake your composure and make you slip up emotionally.
"Huh? The president… would think that far ahead? I had a feeling he really wanted to quit…"
"Miss, don't be fooled by appearances. According to my research on Natsukawa Kanade, every move he makes has a purpose."
"Not only that, the president is very skilled at reading girls' preferences. Even someone as reserved as you can be analyzed and handled with precision."
As soon as Kanade and Kaguya started interacting, Hayasaka had already mobilized all her resources to investigate him thoroughly—how many ex-girlfriends he had, who they were—everything was uncovered.
Though she didn't believe Kanade was someone worthy of her mistress's lifelong trust, seeing how much happier Kaguya had become, she couldn't bring herself to shatter her dream.
So she decided to help Kaguya-sama win over Natsukawa Kanade and transform his fleeting loyalty into unwavering devotion, turning him into the perfect lover.
That said, there was only so much she could do for now. The best she could manage was to keep solving her mistress's problems and guiding her in her pursuit of the student council president. As for what came after… well, once they officially started dating, she could do a lot more.
For example, leverage the Shinomiya family's background as subtle pressure… Of course, she'd never let Kaguya know about that, to preserve the illusion of pure love.
I'm certain Natsukawa Kanade is a love expert who understands women's hearts. He wouldn't waste time on meaningless gestures.
"I even think your idea of 'convincing the president to return to the student council' was within his expectations."
"Honestly, Miss, my personal advice is to take the initiative and strike directly—don't give the president any room to maneuver."
"Proactive and direct offense…? What do you mean? Haven't I done enough already?!"
"No, I mean… just tell the president how you feel. Say, 'I like you. Please go out with me.'"
Hayasaka Ai knew Kaguya Shinomiya better than anyone. She even mimicked her voice perfectly, which instantly sent Kaguya into a daydream.
"I like you, President. Please go out with me."
"Oh? So, Shinomiya, you've always had feelings for me? You're adorable…"
——
"Wouldn't the president laugh at me? How could I ever say something like that?!"
Kaguya smacked the pillow in her hands, her face a mix of embarrassment and frustration.
"No, that scene would never happen, right?"
Hayasaka Ai pressed her slightly throbbing temple, feeling a sharp headache.
If her intel was correct, as long as her mistress confessed first, Natsukawa Kanade would absolutely say yes. After all, the one he was chasing now was her.
This unnecessary hesitation wasn't helping anyone.
And most importantly… once the confession happened, this poor maid wouldn't have to be summoned every day to serve as a love coach!
"Miss, I'm certain the president is in love with you. You don't need to overthink it."
"Even so! If I confess my feelings… wouldn't I lose all dignity for the rest of my life?"
…
But if you don't confess, you won't even get a second to lift your head!
Hayasaka sighed, thinking how troublesome her mistress's pride could be.
So what if you can't look up? So what if you're above him or he's above you? That's all just talk! The important thing is to get him first! Everything else can be sorted out later!
Seriously… if she were the one in charge, the girl would've already made her move! Who cares who goes first?
But the good news was that, even though Kaguya always seemed hesitant, she had at least admitted she liked Natsukawa Kanade. Otherwise, she would've broken down long ago from lack of progress.
In other words, as long as she hears Natsukawa Kanade say "I like Miss Kaguya" in person, she might finally accept it in her heart.
Hayasaka Ai rested her chin on one hand and began plotting.
"Eh? Um… well… if the president says it in person… I might consider it…"
A tiny flower of love seemed to bloom atop Kaguya Shinomiya's head as she drifted into her own fantasy.
"Kanade, I like you…"
"President…"
"Kaguya…"
"President!"
"Miss! Please focus!"
Hayasaka Ai shook Kaguya's shoulders frantically, snapping her out of her trance.
We were discussing a strategy, and she suddenly went off the rails. What happened?
"Hmm, that was so close…"
"Miss, do you still want to hear my plan?"
"You—just say it already…"
"So anyway, we'll do this first, then that…"
"Oh oh oh…"
Kaguya nodded repeatedly, a bright light in her eyes.
She felt that the future between her and the president was shining.