From the music room at Shuchiin Academy, beautiful lodies flowed out.
Rinji stood in the room, eyes closed, playing his violin. The notes he drew were lancholic, with a tender undercurrent woven in.
When he finished, he opened his eyes.
"Secretary Fujiwara, let's go with this piece. I think it'll be perfect for the Hoshin Festival at school. Secretary Fujiwara… are you crying?"
"It's because… because…"
Fujiwara wiped her eyes before tears could fall.
"This piece is just so sad…"
"Is it?"
"I never imagined Rinji-kun could play sothing so emotionally moving." Fujiwara Chika dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. "Who knew your violin skills were this good?"
"I've told you—I'm a genius."
"You don't look like one at all."
"You want a punch, Fujiwara secretary?"
Rinji placed the sheet music on the piano stand and said, "Anyway, you try playing it now. We'll need to harmonize if we're going to perform together."
"Okay~"
Fujiwara sat at the piano. Her fair, delicate fingers touched the keys, and her usual mischievous expression softened.
The always-scheming Fujiwara Chika showed her most emotional side only when playing piano.
At least, that's how Rinji saw it.
Fujiwara was quite popular at Shuchiin, especially among the boys. After all, she was an extrely cute and beautiful girl.
After finishing the whole piece, Fujiwara stood up and let out a breath.
"That's a lovely composition. Did you write it, Rinji-kun? So amazing."
"No way. I can't compose," Rinji replied. "This piece was written by my dad."
"Huh?"
"He wrote it for my mom. I just stole it."
"Composing for the one you love—how romantic~" Fujiwara bead. "Your dad must be soone who really understands won."
"Yeah right. I'm pretty sure he ca up with this while picking his nose on the toilet."
"Geez. You really love dissing your dad, huh?" Fujiwara asked curiously. "Do you two not get along?"
"No, we're fine. I just can't stand his shalessness sotis."
"Like what?"
"Like…"
———In a mory———
"Son, there's sothing you must never forget."
His father stood before a young Rinji, casting a majestic silhouette.
"A true man is strong and resolute inside. No matter how his appearance changes, people will still feel his aura—that aura of a real man."
"Yeah! I get it!"
Little Rinji stared at his father with sparkling eyes.
"That's my boy. I knew you'd understand."
His father smiled warmly, lifted him in his arms, and walked back toward the house, calling out as he went:
"Mom! I brought little Rinji! Start dressing him in all your pretty clothes!"
Rinji: "…"
———End of mory———
"That bastard… didn't his conscience hurt when he sold out his own son!?"
Every ti he rembered that scene, Rinji felt like grinding his teeth to dust.
"Rinji-kun, by 'pretty clothes'… you an…?"
"Don't ask."
"Oh."
"Anyway, what's past is past. You've got to keep looking forward in life."
"You're suddenly acting all philosophical again…" Fujiwara stared blankly at Rinji, baffled. "Let's just keep practicing."
"Alright then."
Fujiwara sat back at the piano, while Rinji once again picked up the violin.
The two of them began their duet rehearsal.
But to be honest, Rinji felt like playing such a romantic piece alongside Fujiwara was sohow a bit of a waste.
---
"Hmm… Less than a week left before school starts…"
At the Shinomiya estate, Shinomiya Kaguya was lying on her bed in pajamas, rolling back and forth with a bored expression.
Even though she had just seen Shirogane Miyuki two days ago, she suddenly wanted to be with him again.
Since they were student council president and vice president but not in the sa class, the only proper way they could spend ti together was through the student council.
She knew Shirogane was currently working a part-ti job. Originally, she planned to visit his workplace during the sumr break. In the past, he worked at cafés or restaurants, which were easy to track down.
However, Shirogane switched jobs frequently due to the nature of part-ti work. By the ti she found his location and rushed over, he had already moved on to the next job.
And this sumr, she couldn't find where he was working at all.
"Hayasaka…"
"Kaguya-sama, please don't treat like Doraemon."
Dressed in her maid uniform, Hayasaka Ai sighed as she looked at Kaguya, who was wrapped in a blanket and rolling around on the bed.
"If you really care that much, you could just ask the president directly."
"Absolutely not!"
Kaguya shot up from the bed as soon as she heard that.
Her hands trembled and her face turned bright red. "Asking the president where he's working… wouldn't that basically admit that I want to be with him right now?"
"…Is this your new brand of foolishness?"
"In any case! I absolutely cannot ask him directly!"
Kaguya hugged her pillow tightly and began pondering how to find out Shirogane's current job location.
Fujiwara Chika? Pass.
That scatterbrained girl wouldn't know even if her life depended on it. All she cared about was where the fun was.
Ishigami Yuu? Pass.
That kid was probably still holed up at ho playing his new video gas.
Rinji?
"..."
Kaguya's eyes lit up.
'Right, Rinji is very close to the president. He might know where he's working. But… how do I pry the info out of him? If I go myself, he'll probably just insult again. Maybe if soone else—'
At that mont, she turned to look at Hayasaka, who was folding clothes.
"Hayasaka."
"What is it?"
"I'm giving you the day off tomorrow. It's about ti you and Rinji made so progress." Kaguya's face turned red again. "And if it's not too much trouble… maybe ask where the president's working… just out of curiosity. Not that I particularly want to know or anything~"
Hayasaka replied flatly, "If you don't care, then I won't ask."
"I was wrong, Hayasaka, please ask him for ."
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