The Designed Journey
"Oho, is Anastasia finished for good?"
Inside the KTV, Miura Yumiko's eyes lit up. She didn't hate the merchant, but as someone in the "I was here first" camp regarding her feelings for Hayama, she naturally rejected the "fox spirit" latecomers. Since she shared the same standpoint as Emilia, she couldn't help but feel a bit of schadenfreude at this moment.
However, Hayama Hayato didn't think so. He waved his finger leisurely and said with certainty, "It won't happen."
"Eh? Why?"
Not just Miura, even "little green tea" types like Isshiki Iroha felt that Anastasia's situation was beyond saving. They couldn't understand why Hayama still felt she was fine.
"You can figure it out by simply reverse-engineering the scene," Hayama explained convincingly. "After cracking the trial last night, it was very late, and the others were already asleep. Hikigaya-kun couldn't bear to wake Emilia and the others."
"But he has no feelings for Shaula, so he had no qualms about calling her to the library to explain the situation. After that, Hikigaya-kun flipped through books until he was so exhausted he fell asleep right there."
"Once Anastasia confirmed he was in a deep sleep, she curled up and leaned into his arms, enjoying his embrace as she fell asleep."
At this point, Miura interrupted him with an expression of disbelief. "Are you saying this scene was intentionally created by Anastasia? Why? Wouldn't that expose her?"
"Calm down and let me finish," Hayama gestured for her to be quiet.
By now, it wasn't just the girls; even the boys like Tobe Kakeru gathered around to listen to his "Green Tea Masterclass."
Hayama held up three fingers. "First, everyone knows Anastasia was the proactive one. I bet that merchant will say it was an 'accident' later—because people do move randomly in their sleep, it's perfectly logical for Hikigaya-kun to instinctively hug something soft like Anastasia."
"Second, Anastasia has never exposed her feelings before. As long as she shows a sighing or embarrassed expression later, her 'innocent' positioning remains solid. No one will suspect her."
"Third, through this accidental intimate contact, Anastasia has secured a place in Hikigaya-kun's heart, even if it's an awkward one."
"But I believe she has many ways to remodel and expand that awkward space into a future full of affection. Aside from Ram, people like Emilia and Crusch won't continue to hate her just for this."
"In other words, through this calculated move, except for offending Ram, the benefits are all extremely substantial. Now, do you still think Anastasia is finished?"
Hayama looked around. His analysis hit the mark, being both logical and grounded. The dozen or so students in the KTV, regardless of gender, couldn't help but gape and applaud loudly.
Isshiki Iroha raised her hand. "But wouldn't that damage Hikigaya-senpai's image? Surely that merchant-senpai isn't that black-hearted?"
"Anastasia isn't that heartless; she truly loves Hikigaya-kun," Hayama nodded. "So she will definitely do her utmost to speak well of him from the bottom of her heart. Her sighs and embarrassment will be brief, showing she doesn't mind being hugged by him."
"That way, Hikigaya-kun will be even more moved, and his affection for her will grow."
"But," Miura asked, puzzled, "Julius is the Greatest Knight who would give everything for his lord. Isn't Anastasia afraid of backfiring and making Julius and Hikigaya enemies?"
Hayama shook his head. "Once everyone disperses, Anastasia will definitely tell Julius privately the truth—that she likes Hikigaya-kun."
Every operation was perfectly aligned with logic, reason, and emotion. Hayama's prediction was breathtaking. Miura and Iroha looked at each other, speechless.
"You're a guy, how do you know so much about these 'green tea' tactics girls use? It's ridiculous!?"
Hayama smiled... After years as a "normie," he had seen every kind of fox spirit. However, this prediction was actually a flash of inspiration. Anastasia was so clever that even with an omniscient perspective, Hayama couldn't foresee most of her moves.
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"—So, that's how it is. No need to worry, Mimi~"
In the Hoshin Trading Company, Anastasia stroked the worried Mimi's head. She had seen through her future self and explained all the maneuvers.
Listening with pure worship, Mimi jumped up and down. "Oh! My Lady is number one in the world! Yay!"
At the same time, outside the Royal Capital, Ram let out a cold snort. "Hmph, truly contemptible."
Immediately after, she patted her sister's shoulder and pouted. "But it's fine. It's only shameless when a fox spirit uses it. You were here first, Rem. Watch carefully and learn. Return the favor in kind. You must make that fox spirit regret trying to steal your man!"
"Ugh..." Rem felt this was a bit forced... These tactics probably weren't something one could learn just by wanting to. She felt she wouldn't be good at them, nor did she like using such methods.
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「She gently extricated herself from the Prime Minister's embrace without waking him.」
「Standing up, Anastasia showed no fear or guilt. Facing the scrutiny of the entire group, she started from the discovery of the balcony last night, through calling Shaula over, and finally to the three of them falling asleep from exhaustion—omitting the idle chatter where she and her Prime Minister had bonded.」
「Ram questioned sharply: "And? Why did neither you nor that guy consider going back to the fourth floor to sleep?"」
「"Because of the excitement—cracking the trial and wanting to find a way to restore the Prime Minister's memories and wake Miss Rem. We accidentally searched for books for too long and simply had no strength left to leave the library."」
「Anastasia spread her hands innocently. "As for why I ended up in the Prime Minister's arms... perhaps after falling asleep, my body subconsciously sought warmth and leaned over. It was an unintentional mistake."」
「"Are you satisfied with this explanation?"」
「With a performance no one could have predicted, Anastasia took the blame for the intimate contact upon herself.」
"—"
Even though the effect was better this way, Hayama Hayato knew from this detail that it definitely wasn't just about profit.
He had still underestimated the depth of the "Original History" Anastasia's love for Hikigaya-kun.
"This is the difference between 'green tea' and true love. Although it's just one detail, it proves that the Anastasia of the original history is no green tea, but a true, genuine love!"
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