There was no need to turn around. If you ignored the noise of the crowd and focused on the pavilion where Ryuu and Kaguya were, you'd spot just one person standing out — Chika Fujiwara.
She wasn't just from a prominent political family; more importantly, she was the only friend Shinomiya Kaguya openly acknowledged.
"I'm finally free after my parents dragged around to et guests," Chika groaned, slumping her shoulders before brightening up. "But wow, Kaguya! You look stunning today — like a princess!"
"Thank you," Kaguya replied with a polite nod. "You look lovely too, Fujiwara-san."
"Hehe~" Chika giggled proudly. "I clean up pretty well, huh?"
Since Kaguya's birthday party was a rare occasion, Chika had dressed to impress, wearing a flowing white gown that highlighted her naturally bubbly charm.
After greeting Kaguya, Chika's eyes shifted toward Ryuu.
"Hey there! I'm Fujiwara Chika, Kaguya-chan's friend!"
Sizing up the unfamiliar face, Ryuu replied, "Just call Ryuu, Chika Fujiwara."
"Ryuu, huh? Cool na!" Chika grinned. "Since your na's two syllables like mine, you can just call Chika."
Kaguya quietly watched the exchange, slightly amazed.
Chika's ability to connect with anyone so effortlessly never failed to surprise her.
Where did Fujiwara-san learn this skill?
Unaware of Kaguya's thoughts, Chika suddenly leaned in closer with a mischievous smile.
"I saw you two hanging out earlier," she whispered. "Could it be... that kind of relationship?"
"...What kind of relationship?" Kaguya asked, confused.
"You know..." Chika shot a quick glance at Ryuu before whispering in Kaguya's ear.
Kaguya's face turned bright red.
"You! What nonsense are you spouting, Fujiwara-san?!" she snapped. "If you keep talking like that, I'll throw you out!"
Her father's push for her to get closer to Ryuu hadn't exactly been subtle, but nothing had been decided yet — certainly not what Chika was implying.
But Chika wasn't paying attention to Kaguya's words.
Instead, she stared wide-eyed at her friend.
"Whoa... I actually got to see Kaguya flustered!" The rightful source is n0velfire
Chika knew Kaguya had a softer side, like when she was sick, but this was sothing else entirely. This was Kaguya in her normal state — no fever, no excuses — actually blushing.
Normally, Kaguya would have just glared coldly and dismissed her.
What's going on here…?
Chika turned to Ryuu with a stunned expression.
Watching the commotion, Ryuu chuckled.
"Not sure what you're imagining," he said, "but we're just friends. That's all."
"Just friends?" Chika repeated, still surprised. "That's incredible!"
She knew exactly how rare it was for Kaguya to call soone a friend.
Even she had faced endless rejection before finally earning Kaguya's trust — yet Ryuu had sohow managed to do it effortlessly.
"...Can you calm down already, Fujiwara-san?" Kaguya muttered.
Despite her irritation, she glanced at Ryuu, wondering when exactly they'd supposedly beco 'friends.' Rembering her family's plans, she decided to let it slide.
"But seriously! It's still crazy!"
Chika clung to Kaguya's arm, pouting as she turned to Ryuu with exaggerated seriousness.
"You might be Kaguya's friend now, but I'm still her number one friend. Got it?"
"Are you a grade-schooler?" Kaguya shot back, shoving Chika aside.
"Hehe~ I'm just happy Kaguya-chan has a new friend," Chika giggled. "So... what were you two talking about earlier?"
"Just about Kaguya's gentler side," Ryuu answered.
Hearing that, Chika's eyes widened with excitent.
"Whoa... you actually get her!" She mid ticking off a ntal checklist. "Impressive!"
"Want to shake on it?" Ryuu extended his hand.
Chika grabbed it without hesitation.
Annoyed, Kaguya quickly shoved her aside again.
"Don't act like you've just joined so exclusive club, Ryuu... never mind. Fujiwara-san, are you forcing this?"
"I'm not forcing anything!" Chika huffed. "I've got proof!"
"Proof?"
Chika puffed out her chest. "I rember the first ti we t!"
"...Our first eting?"
Kaguya frowned, unable to recall anything significant.
All she rembered was Chika showing up out of nowhere, constantly pestering her to play gas.
"Yup! The first ti we t, I was practicing piano... and Kaguya told to quit right away."
Kaguya blinked in surprise.
That was their first eting?
Even Kaguya — who could barely admit it — knew Chika held a special place in her life. But she didn't recall being this an.
"And after that day... I quit piano."
"...That's what you call gentle?" Kaguya muttered flatly.
"In a weird way, yeah," Chika smiled. "Even without your words, I knew I'd end up quitting eventually. But hearing you say it gave the push I needed. Honestly, I was completely overwheld back then... Practicing nonstop, terrified I'd ss up. I was hanging by a thread."
"If you hadn't told to stop, I probably would've crashed sooner or later. So I'm glad you did — because it gave the courage to let go and find things I actually enjoy."
"And you've always been gentle in your own way... Helping when I got hurt, letting drag you into gas, tutoring when I was struggling... That's your kindness, even if you don't admit it."
Hearing Chika's words, Kaguya felt a pang of sothing unfamiliar — warmth mixed with guilt.
Ryuu, watching quietly, smiled to himself.
It was that mont — when Kaguya told her to quit piano — that marked the birth of what so would later call "The Cancer of the Earth," Chika Fujiwara.
After all, back then, Chika had been just as reserved and obedient as Kaguya — polite, quiet, and unable to lie.
"I used to think I was the only one who saw Kaguya's gentle side," Chika grinned. "Looks like Ryuu's pretty sharp after all!"
"Let's add each other on LINE!"
With no warning, Chika's train of thought veered sharply back to her usual antics.
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