Kaguya-sama Wants My Surrender!

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"The role-play has ended."

"Role-play activated…"

"Finished…"

"Starting again…"

Setting aside the mysterious "Stick Hero," which gave him a strange, unsettling feeling, Amamiya began to examine the mechanics of the role-playing skill and quickly gathered some useful data.

First.

The key to activating the role-play was the uniform itself. As soon as the uniform was worn, role-playing would automatically begin.

Second.

Since it was a copied, one-time skill—similar to the aura ability that repelled evil spirits—the timer started ticking the moment it was activated. Even if the hero costume was taken off mid-way, the skill duration would continue to run out. However, the attribute boosts and ability enhancements would vanish as soon as the uniform was removed.

Amamiya clenched his fists, feeling the raw power coursing through his body. The hero role definitely granted him significant attribute bonuses.

Additionally, several temporary passive skills appeared on his status panel.

[Passive: Tenacity] 

'After exiting combat, your health recovery rate will increase. No need to fight just yet, take a breather and restore some HP.'

"This feels oddly familiar…" Amamiya muttered, eyes half-closed. "Even heroes recovering health by just breathing seems a bit much."

[Passive: Leading the Charge] 

'Your ability to withstand attacks improves. When you're at the front of the team, you gain additional damage immunity.'

"No way."

"Absolutely not."

Amamiya immediately classified this as a skill he would never use.

In this day and age, who charges at the front lines? Sneaking up on the enemy and delivering a precise backstab attack is the way to go!

[Passive: Partner of Justice] 

'Your charm has increased, making it easier to gain favor within good-aligned and lawful factions.'

Amamiya glanced at himself in the fitting room mirror.

He didn't notice any immediate increase in charm, but earlier that morning, he had definitely caught a few people on the street stealing glances at him.

Verification complete.

Amamiya left the fitting room, planning to change into a different costume. If he could pull off playing a "scumbag hero," surely he'd be able to handle playing a devil or some other villainous role…

'Bang!'

A small figure crashed straight into his arms.

Amamiya stood firm and looked down, noticing the pink hair of a young girl.

'Breathing, heartbeat, body temperature… she's human.'

'About chest height, seems like a junior high student.'

'No idea who she is. A stranger.'

Amamiya quickly analyzed the situation and came to a swift conclusion.

"Could it be that the charm of this 'Partner of Justice' is so strong it made a middle school girl throw herself into my arms?"

Was the allure of the Trash Hero so powerful that even young girls couldn't resist?

"No," he quickly corrected himself.

Placing his right hand on the girl's shoulder, Amamiya was about to push her away when he suddenly noticed something.

The girl clutched her clothes tightly, her breathing shallow and quick. Her body was tense, shoulders trembling slightly—clearly nervous and afraid.

'What is she so scared of?'

'Why did she hide in my arms?'

Before he could ask her, a thought crossed Amamiya's mind. Gently pushing her away, he clenched his right fist and placed it over his heart, speaking with solemnity:

"Miss, please tell me your troubles."

"…"

The girl with pink hair looked up, her face small and delicate, exuding an almost doll-like cuteness. Her eyes, filled with mist, made her appear even more vulnerable.

Amamiya's expression remained earnest, his gaze unwavering:

"As a hero, I will help you. And in return, I humbly ask that you repay me with your love."

"…"

The middle school girl's eyes widened, her pink lips parted slightly, revealing two rows of pearl-white teeth. She stood there, completely stunned.

"My love?"

'What is this guy even saying?'

Helping someone and then asking them to repay him with their body? This was despicable!

At the same time, a game notification rang in Amamiya's ears.

[Role-play success.]

[Your synchronization with 'The Trash Hero' has increased. Current compatibility: 36%.]

"Verification successful," Amamiya nodded to himself.

It seemed role-playing required one's behavior to align with the character's persona and image. As a trash hero, wasn't it only natural to expect some sort of compensation when offering help to others?

"You…" The pink-haired girl stepped back, pressing her hands against her chest, her breathing ragged. She bit her lip, clearly struggling internally. After a long pause, she took a deep breath, her face flushed, and said through gritted teeth, "I agree!"

"You agreed?" Amamiya was taken aback.

She agreed so easily to something as trivial as a help in exchange for her body? Have middle schoolers these days lost all sense of self-protection?

Everyone knew that the age of consent in Japan was thirteen. The law had been in place for over a century, making Japan's age of consent the third-lowest in the world. As long as both parties agreed and the girl was over thirteen, no legal consequences would follow.

Come to think of it, the girl in front of him looked like she was around thirteen, right?

Noticing Amamiya's lingering gaze, the pink-haired girl tugged at her skirt, cautiously crossing her legs. Regret flashed across her face, clearly second-guessing her impulsive decision.

'This guy's obviously a creep!' she thought. 'He's definitely up to no good!'

Taking a deep breath, she bit her lip again and said, "I-I can agree to that... but... it has to follow the proper procedures."

"What procedures?" Amamiya asked curiously.

The girl turned her face away, clearly embarrassed. Her cheeks turned even redder as she explained, "First, we'd get to know each other... and then, once we're more familiar…"

"I get it." Amamiya nodded. "So you mean, like, dating?"

"Y-Yes, exactly."

First, go on dates, follow the steps, and only then commit to one another. What kind of hero asks for this? This felt like a standard dating protocol, not some chivalrous deed!

"Sorry," Amamiya suddenly bowed, "I was just messing with you earlier."

"Huh?" The girl blinked, confused.

Amamiya straightened up and spoke sincerely: "I'm actually practicing for a play. The things I said were just lines from my character. I apologize for causing any confusion."

"Is that so…" The pink-haired girl let out a relieved sigh, her tension easing.

But then, the game notification popped up again in Amamiya's ears.

[The synchronization rate of 'The Trash Hero' has dropped. Current compatibility: 30%.]

"Tsk," Amamiya clicked his tongue, realizing something important.

It was tough to increase compatibility in role-playing, but losing it was far too easy.

"You looked pretty scared earlier," Amamiya said, his tone calm. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

The girl hesitated, glancing around as if to ensure no one was listening. She leaned in closer, biting her lip before whispering:

"I saw it."

"Saw what?"

"You were the one who drove away that evil spirit from the office worker outside, right?"

"…"

'I see.'

Amamiya instantly understood the girl's situation—she was another unfortunate soul, pulled into this horror game.

"You're a player, aren't you?"

"Mm-hmm."

Before Amamiya could ask her more about her situation, he felt a breeze from behind, followed by a pair of arms wrapping around his neck. A sweet, familiar voice teased from close by, "Amamiya-kun, making other girls cry behind my back? You're so naughty. I'll have to squeeze you dry tonight."