Thud!
In the hallway, Momo Ryuju cornered Takamine Rinji against the wall, placing one hand beside his head in a kabe-don stance.
"Miss Ryuzu, is it really okay to just drag away from the President like this?"
"Don't call that at school."
"Then what should I call you? Ryuju-senpai?"
"Whatever. Just call Momo." She narrowed her eyes. "It's been four years, and you didn't even let know you were here."
"I only found out this morning that you were at this school."
"Don't joke. You knew four years ago I was a student in Shuchiin's middle school. Did you forget?"
"Who rembers that kind of thing?"
"Hm?"
"Don't give that look. I think I do rember, but I wasn't sure what class you were in, and it'd be awkward to just look for you. So that's how it is, Momo-senpai. Can you let go now?"
"No. Where the hell did you go after disappearing without a word four years ago?"
"Afghanistan. You know that year I clashed with the Shinomiya family… though I guess they probably covered it up."
"You actually fought the Shinomiya family?"
Her voice rose slightly in pitch.
"Yeah. Years of tension ca to a head, so I made a move."
"…You're still as reckless as ever."
"If I wasn't bold, how could I take over the organization and your family's business? Don't forget, I was only twelve when I first tried to manage the Japan-side operations."
"I rember… Most kids my age were scared of because of my background, but you were the only one who would talk to so casually like it was nothing," Momo said with a laugh.
Even now, a yakuza heiress like her still had an overwhelming aura.
"Anyway," she continued, eyes narrowing again, "you ca to school and didn't co see first — you went to Shirogane."
"I wanted to join the student council, so of course I had to et with the President."
"You're actually interested in joining sothing as boring as the student council?"
"Whether it's boring or not doesn't matter. What matters most…"
Rinji looked her in the eyes seriously.
"…is appearance."
"Huh?"
"Reputation is essential. Even if I didn't want to co to Shuchiin Academy, now that I'm here, I have to make a na for myself. The student council is a good start."
"I really don't get you."
"So, can I go now, Momo-senpai? I still need to finish so things with President Shirogane."
"…I'll let you go this ti."
She withdrew her hand from the wall.
"Thanks."
"Wait."
Just as Rinji was about to leave, Momo stopped him. When he turned around, she slapped a piece of paper against his chest.
"Huh?"
"Fill this out and give it back before the end of the day."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away.
"…"
Rinji looked down — it was an application to join the Astronomy Club.
---
When Takamine Rinji got dragged off by Momo Ryuju, Shirogane had stayed behind waiting. It wasn't long before Rinji returned on his own.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, President."
"N-No… What did Ryuju say to you?"
"She gave an application for the Astronomy Club. Looks like she wants to keep after school every day."
"You two know each other?"
"We did so business with her family four years ago. That's how we got acquainted."
That had been during the six months before Rinji's fallout with the Shinomiya family.
"I see…"
"Anyway, I'll accompany you to the Joint Club etings from now on. Don't worry — if anyone dares to try sending the President to Cambodia, I'll send them to Africa."
"…"
"So, back to my original question — can I join the student council?"
"You're really that serious about joining?"
"I an it from the bottom of my heart."
"…Alright then. From now on, you're a new mber of the student council — as the treasurer."
Shirogane looked unsure at first, but in the end, he gave in.
"Great. Then it's settled."
"Since you're in the student council now, I should warn you about one thing," Shirogane suddenly said.
"Go ahead."
"I don't know what your grudge with the Shinomiya family is, but she's the Vice President now. Promise you won't stir up trouble with her."
"No problem. My beef is with the Shinomiya family, not her personally. Now that I'm in the council, I won't cause issues."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Shirogane smiled and turned around, leading Rinji toward the student council office.
"As treasurer, let walk you through your duties — and introduce you to the rest of the mbers."
---
The student council office door was unlocked. When they walked in again, besides Kaguya Shinomiya sipping tea on the couch, there was soone else.
A cute girl with striking pink hair.
She blinked her big, curious eyes as she saw Rinji next to the President.
"President, who's this?"
"Secretary Fujiwara, you're here. Perfect timing — let introduce you."
Shirogane pulled Rinji beside him for the introduction.
"This is Takamine Rinji, an international student in the first year. He'll be serving as the student council's treasurer."
"Oh! A newcor!"
She stepped up to Rinji and examined his face carefully, her expression bright with innocent curiosity.
"My na is Chika Fujiwara, the student council's secretary."
"Hello, Secretary Fujiwara. I look forward to working with you."
Takamine Rinji greeted the adorable girl in front of him.
"Ah, Rinji-kun."
Shinomiya Kaguya, sitting nearby, smiled.
"Looks like we'll be working together from now on."
"...Yeah."
"As treasurer, you need to listen to the vice president, okay~?"
"Nigg—"
"Rinji, rember what I told you earlier?"
Just as Rinji was about to curse, Miyuki Shirogane whispered into his ear.
"...President Shirogane, can I ask you sothing?"
"Huh? What?"
"Do you care about Shinomiya Kaguya?"
"!"
It was such a casual question, yet Miyuki's expression instantly changed.
He turned his head away and stamred, "O-Of course! But it's not just about Shinomiya. As a mber of the student council, we should all work together in unity. There's nothing more to it."
Takamine Rinji: "...I know there's nothing more, but your reaction is kind of over the top."
"This is a perfectly normal reaction."
Seeing Miyuki's reaction, Kaguya suddenly chuckled.
"Why would the president suddenly emphasize there's 'nothing more to it'? Sounds like he's hiding sothing."
"Ugh..."
"Could it be that the president's concern for stems from more than just student council unity?"
Rinji looked at the suddenly outspoken Kaguya and then at Miyuki, whose expression was clearly off.
"You sure you don't have any special feelings for this woman? Like love, for example..."
"No, Treasurer Rinji, I have no idea what you're talking about."
Miyuki's expression quickly returned to normal, as if he had instantly cald his breathing.
"It's simply a matter of the president caring for all student council mbers. If we aren't united, we won't be able to function properly."
"As expected of the president. So considerate," Rinji praised.
"Well, of course."
Miyuki let out a sigh of relief as Rinji seed convinced. Kaguya just smiled and sipped her tea.
"I almost thought there really was so brave soul out there who liked a Shinomiya woman. Scared for a second."
Kaguya's teacup shook slightly in her hand.
"Um... actually, Shinomiya is quite outstanding. Maybe you just haven't realized it, Treasurer Rinji," Miyuki quickly stepped in to defend her.
"Whether she is or not, I'll see in ti. But since we're on the topic of romance, I do need to give the president one very important piece of advice."
"Hm? What is it?"
Takamine Rinji placed a hand on Miyuki's shoulder, looking extrely serious.
"As soone who has experienced rejection firsthand, let tell you—never confess your feelings first."
Pfft!
Kaguya spit out her tea.
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