Chapter 36: Defeating the Demon King Kaguya

"Are you sure this is going to work with elementary school students?" Chika asked hesitantly, lowering her voice. "If Asuka-chan is scared of Kaguya-chan, won't the younger kids be even more frightened?"

"That's a good point." Amamiya pondered for a moment. "It would definitely help if Shinomiya-san didn't look so intense."

Kaguya crossed her arms, her face calm but cold. "I'm sorry for looking so 'intense'."

"Admitting you have a problem is the first step to fixing it," Amamiya teased.

Kaguya glared at him.

"Shinomiya-san, please don't look at me like you're about to end my life balance. I'm this close to calling the police."

"Don't worry," Kaguya said coolly. "I'll erase all evidence. Even if the police come, they won't find a thing."

"..."

"Wait, I think I might have a solution."

A timid voice broke the tension. The three turned to find Kashiwagi Asuka still standing nearby, looking as though she'd never been given permission to leave. Amamiya looked at her, surprised. "Kashiwagi-san, you're still here?"

"Shinomiya-san didn't tell me I could leave yet," Asuka said in a small voice, as if the mere act of speaking too loudly might invoke Kaguya's wrath.

Kaguya, still cold as ever, replied, "You can leave now."

"Wait!" Chika interrupted, eyes bright with curiosity. "Asuka-chan, you said you have a way to make the elementary school kids less scared of Kaguya-chan?"

Kashiwagi nodded meekly, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just that... Shinomiya-san's eyes are... well, intimidating. If she wore glasses, plain ones, it might soften her gaze."

She continued, gaining confidence as she spoke. "Also, her hairstyle. The long, straight black hair gives off a cool and distant vibe. If she changed it to something cuter, like a bun or a high ponytail, it would help a lot. And a white dress would be better than the school uniform. With Shinomiya-san's looks, she'd seem sweet and approachable, not scary. Elementary school kids would definitely like her if she looked more like a cute big sister."

Chika's eyes sparkled. "Asuka-chan, you're amazing! Your mom 'is' a famous designer, after all!"

They shared an enthusiastic high-five. Even Amamiya nodded in agreement. "Kashiwagi-san, you're quite impressive."

Kashiwagi's face reddened quickly at the compliment. "No, no, Shinomiya-san is the cute one."

"That's right!" Chika chimed in. "Kaguya-chan, let's get you dressed up! There's no time to waste!"

Kaguya sighed, pressing her fingers to her temples. "I refuse."

But before she could get out another word, Chika had already grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the exit. "Nope, we're going!"

"You two go ahead to the mall," Amamiya said, grinning. "I'll go round up some elementary school kids in the meantime."

Chika shot him a warning look. "Amemiya, that sounds really suspicious. Be careful what you say out loud."

"..."

After the girls left, Amamiya headed to the game center staff and bought a box of snacks, intending to bribe the children. He approached a group of elementary schoolers with a warm smile, holding out the box.

"I need your help," he began in a sincere tone. "My little sister's been bullying me lately. She takes my snacks, calls me names, and even steps on my stomach. She's been getting out of hand, and I need someone to knock her down a peg."

The elementary school students blinked at him in confusion. One boy asked, "But why ask us?"

Amamiya leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, "Because she thinks you're weak. She always says elementary school kids can't put up a fight. But I believe in you guys. If you beat her in a game, it'll show her who's really strong."

"She thinks 'we're' weak?!" one of the boys shouted, his little face scrunched in anger. "We'll prove her wrong, Onii-chan!"

Amamiya smiled. "Great. Just make sure to bring your friends. The more, the better."

The boy nodded and ran off to gather reinforcements.

Ten minutes later, Kaguya entered the game center, transformed by her new look. She wore large, round glasses that covered half of her face, her long black hair now pulled into a neat bun, and she had changed into a white dress. Her intimidating aura had all but vanished, replaced by a softer, more approachable charm.

However, as soon as she arrived, a group of elementary school students stared at her intensely, muttering amongst themselves.

"It's her!"

"She's the one who looks down on us!"

"We're gonna show her what elementary school kids can do!"

Kaguya blinked, a question mark practically visible above her head. 'What... is happening?'

A small boy stepped forward, fists clenched, and stared up at her as if he were about to face a dragon. "Are you the big bad sister who bullies Onii-chan every day?"

Kaguya's lips twitched into a confused smile. She glanced at Amamiya, but he just gave her a thumbs-up.

"Yes, that's her," he confirmed, his face serious. "Go ahead."

The boy raised his fist. "I'll defeat you today and free Onii-chan from your tyranny!"

Kaguya shook her head slightly but didn't correct the misunderstanding. "Very well. I'll give you a chance."

The competition began, and within minutes, the elementary school student was defeated, tears welling in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Onii-chan... I lost."

Amamiya patted the boy's shoulder. "Don't worry. She's a powerful demon king. It's normal to lose. Just practice and challenge her again someday."

Meanwhile, the progress on Kaguya's mission increased by one. As a quick learner, she was already improving, picking up new strategies from Amamiya's earlier guidance.

Another elementary school student stepped up, determined to beat the "demon king." And just like that, Kaguya's mission progress continued to rise, one match after another, until finally, by sunset, her goal was complete.