"Though I didn't expect this from you, President, it's definitely better than bottling it all up."
"I had no choice... the pressure's really been building lately."
In the garden outside the school building, Rinji and Shirogane lay under the shade of a tree.
At Shuchiin, students often ca to the student council for relationship advice—especially lovebirds Kashiwagi Nagisa and Tanuma Tsubasa, who showed up just to flaunt their relationship and leave.
Good thing Rinji had girlfriends. Otherwise, he'd have tossed them out after the second ti with so random excuse.
And then there was Shijo Maki.
Whenever she ca while Rinji was present, she'd leave in tears.
Now, it wasn't any of them, but the student council president himself, Shirogane, seeking advice.
Sure, asking Rinji—a guy who acted erratically 24/7—for relationship advice was like asking for disaster, but there was no choice. He was the only one in the council with a girlfriend.
In fact, two.
"What do you want to ask, President? I'll try my best to answer."
"Of course, it's about Shinomiya," Shirogane said. "Since I'm talking to you, I won't pretend like it's 'a friend's problem.'"
"Fair."
"You've seen how she is at school. She's cold to . She said, 'As long as the mood's right, a kiss is fine,' and also said, 'Just kissing isn't enough to count as being in a relationship.'"
"So you're saying she's promiscuous?"
"I did not say that!"
Shirogane sighed.
"Sotis I really can't understand girls."
"Sa."
"Don't joke. You've got two girlfriends—you should know more than ."
"I only fell for them because they liked first. I never tried to understand girls on purpose," Rinji said. "Ever since my heartbreak four years ago, I just go with the flow."
"I think I'm about to get heartbroken myself."
"You're not even dating yet."
Rinji sat up from the grass, smiling.
"Shinomiya's current state is like what I saw four years ago when I first t her."
"Hm?"
"She's like soone wrapped in thorny vines, not wanting anyone to get close." Rinji smiled. "Unlike typical Shinomiya aggression, hers is to protect others from getting hurt."
"I see... that is like the Shinomiya I first t."
"You've done the sa thing, President."
"Huh?"
"You always try to show your best side and hide your weaknesses. I never understood why. Shinomiya's not your enemy. Why hide from her?"
"Because I like her."
Shirogane's face darkened slightly.
"Because I like her, I don't want her to see the real . That could break the illusion."
He knew he wasn't a genius. His grades ca from sacrificing sleep. His stable ho and job prospects ca from Rinji's help.
Without all that, he was just an average guy.
That's why he used to worry Shinomiya would end up with soone like Rinji—both of them naturally gifted and seemingly perfect.
Every ti he looked at Kaguya, he wondered, Am I even worthy of her?
"Maybe hiding so much made her feel distant from you."
Rinji lay back again, staring at the blue sky.
"I'm no love guru, but I know this: if neither of you change, your relationship will regress—even worse than before."
"I want to be honest, but... Shinomiya feels so unreachable lately."
"Co on, you're friends with . Shinomiya's way more approachable than I am."
"Didn't notice."
"Then I'll be honest, President."
Rinji laughed.
"If you were the kind of arrogant guy who thought being student council president made you better than others, you'd already be an idol on a random street in thailand."
"...Terrifying."
"Of course. That's who I am," Rinji smiled. "Shinomiya pretends to be dangerous to protect herself. I'm dangerous through and through. Yet we still beca friends, didn't we?"
"..."
"That's why I believe when we t, it must've been a miracle."
Rinji looked at him with a smile.
"Miracles will keep happening to you. Don't worry about Shinomiya. Just do what you need to do. Show her your true self—because I believe that's what she really wants to know."
"...Got it."
Perhaps encouraged by Rinji, Shirogane sat up. The gloom on his face eased a little.
"After hearing all that, I feel a bit braver."
"Good. That's how it should be."
Rinji smiled, still lying on the grass.
"Make the most of this Christmas. Settle everything once and for all."
"Yeah... and thanks."
"You're welco."
Shirogane stood and walked toward the school building.
He had made up his mind—to tell Kaguya everything on Christmas Eve.
"President."
"Huh?"
He stopped and turned as Rinji called out.
Rinji sat up, resting his back against the tree.
"Don't worry about consequences—just go for it. Until it's all over, I'll be right behind you, watching over the two of you."
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