"Oh? Ishigami? Shinomiya?"
"Kaichou (President in Japanese language)." 2x
When the young man inside the two entered at the same time, he was surprised.
Yet, Ishigami couldn't help but observe the young man before him, the protagonist of this world.
Miyuki Shirogane.
A handsome young man with blonde hair, dark blue sanpaku eyes, and long eyelashes. Moreover, dark circles showed how exhausted he was, yet he didn't seem to stop working.
Still, compared to his outer appearance, his achievement was something that one should appreciate more.
A man of unparalleled wisdom and intellect. Constantly taking first place in mock exams. A genius among geniuses, the top scorer in the entire country.
Compared to Kaguya, who was an all-rounder, Shirogane focused all of his focus on studying to a fearsome degree. More importantly, he was also the student council president of the Shuchi'in Academy, a private school exclusively for the rich and nobles with a long history.
Being chosen as the student council president meant he was impressive in that school.
Still, compared to all of that, if there was a reason why Ishigami explained all of Shirogane's achievements, it was all because this young man was the one who saved the real Ishigami.
When everyone doubted him and thought of him as a creepy stalker, forcing him to apologize even though he wasn't at fault, then turning him into a shut-in for a period of time, Shirogane came and told him that he believed in him.
When everyone was in doubt, Shirogane was the only one who trusted Ishigami.
So, there was no doubt that even if he wasn't the original Ishigami, he felt indebted to Shirogane.
However, at this moment, Shirogane felt an unprecedented crisis, as he had never thought that Ishigami and Kaguya would appear so close to each other. Still, it was hard to ask why they were so close, but with his brilliant mind, he quickly asked why they were together. "It's rare to see the two of you together; what's wrong?"
Was it too straightforward?
Somehow, Shirogane felt regret for asking the two of them such a question so suddenly.
While Ishigami didn't feel anything by this question, Kaguya was surprised by Shirogane's question.
As expected, did he fall for me?
After all, it was impossible for one to ask such a question if they didn't care about the others.
Still, like Isgahimi, Kaguya knew Shirogane's background and history. Naturally, she also knew that Shirogane had low self-esteem, and if there was something that could push him forward till now, it was his number one grade in the entire country, so even if it might seem fun to tease him to see how he would react if she told him that Ishigami might confess to her after school, she decided to be straightforward. "I have some tasks that I have to do in the student council. As for Ishigami, we just met along the way, Kaichou."
"Yes." Ishigami nodded, then quickly changed the topic. "By the way, Kaichou, can I ask you about the studies?"
"Oh, sure." Shirogane was surprised, but he nodded readily. Inwardly, he felt relief that nothing had happened to the two of them, and at the same time, he was happy that Ishigami wished to improve. He still remembered their first meeting and how much of a mess Ishigami had been before, so he was pleased when Ishigami came to him, taking the initiative to ask about the study.
"Thank you." Ishigami smiled, thinking that everything was moving in a good direction. "By the way, have you eaten Kaichou? I have too many sandwiches and tea with me."
"Is that fine?" Shirogane asked in surprise.
"Sure."
"Thanks."
After they said so, Ishigami asked Shirogane about his studies, what he should learn, and what kind of books he should get.
Shirogane easily answered all of Ishigami's questions, telling him what Ishigami should learn and what kind of books Ishigami should read.
"You should be able to get all the books in the library. Try to borrow them later after school."
"Thank you, Kaichou"
As they talked, Kaguya kept observing the two of them. No, she observed Ishigami.
Did he try to improve to make her heart sway?
If so, then she thought that Ishigami had done a good job, but unfortunately, she had fallen for someone. Yet, when she thought that he might get depressed after she rejected him... somehow, she felt sorry for him. While she knew that she shouldn't do this, she felt like... she should compensate him, trying to cheer him up, so he wouldn't stop being a better self.
Nevertheless, even if she felt so, her love for that certain man didn't change.
What she wanted to do was to support this junior of hers who wanted to change.
Yet, once again, Ishigami was oblivious to Kaguya's thoughts, and his only focus was to learn to become the best student in the school.
Still, the break soon ended, and Ishigami thanked Shirogane. "Thank you, Kaichou."
"No problem." Shirogane shook his head and said, "If you have a problem, you can ask me."
"I will." Ishigami thought for a while and asked, "By the way, are you free this weekend?"
"This weekend?" Shirogane thought for a while, then nodded. "I should be free. What's wrong? Do you want to learn more?"
"No, I am just asking. Studying is enough when it is during the weekdays."
"...I think that you should work harder." Shirogane was speechless, and at the same time, he also felt that Ishigami had changed slightly, making him appear cheerful and somehow... more sociable.
Well, this change of his was good, so Shirogane didn't care much, and as a guy, he wasn't so sensitive to this type of change.
"Anyway, thanks, Kaichou. I will go back first." Ishigami excused himself and also said goodbye to Kaguya. "Shinomiya-senpai, I will excuse myself."
"Um." Kaguya nodded and said, "Like Kaichou said, you should study harder."
"...I think that a proper rest is important." While Ishigami was a bit frightened by Kaguya, as he knew how horrible the power of money was, he decided to test her bottom limit, so he knew what he shouldn't do and do.
Yes, he might have a system, but Kaguya's power of money was too much for him to bear.
"Say that again after you get a good rank on the entire grade."
"Oh, look at the time. I need to go to the class, or I might be late."
More than this, it was dangerous, so Ishigami decided to do a strategic retreat.
"Hey!" Kaguya looked at Ishigami's back helplessly.
"Don't be harsh on him," Shirogane said with a gentle smile, but he was glad that nothing had happened between Ishigami and Kaguya.
"No, we have to be harsh. I am afraid that he might become a sleazy guy."
"Sleazy guy? Ishigami?"
"....." 2x
The two thought for a while, then shook their heads. They knew Ishigami well, and they knew it would be impossible for him to become a man who played with the hearts of many women.
Still, while Shirogane shook his head, Kaguya fell into a deep silence, wondering how she should reject Ishigami later.
As she was in a mess, walking on a spiral of wonder at how not to hurt her underclassman, who worked hard to get her love, Ishigami returned to his class, and he started to study hard, honing his skills, especially [Reading] as it made him able to read and understand the content of the book faster, so he could study in a shorter time.
It was time for everyone to go home, so Ishigami, who didn't intend to stay any longer, directly packed his books and bag, ready to go to the student council room, ready to meet Kaguya to solve his stigma; someone stopped him again.
"Ishigami!"
"Hmm?" Ishigami turned and saw that it was Onodera who stopped him once again. "Onodera-san? Is there something wrong?" He sat in his seat again, looking at Onodera in doubt.
Yet, once again, even if Onodera was able to stop Ishigami, she wasn't sure what to say. "Are... you going back now?"
"No, I am planning to go to the student council."
"Ah, I am sorry for stopping you." Onodera quickly apologized.
"No, it's fine." Ishigami shook his head and asked, "Do you need me for something?"
"....."
Being asked, Onodera lowered her head, hesitating and wondering what she should say, but Ishigami didn't seem to be impatient, and she was waiting for her. As he looked at his attentive and gentle gaze, somehow, courage was born in her heart. "If you don't mind... can we talk later? I-I mean after you are done with the matter of the student council."
"I don't mind, but I'm not sure when I'll return from the student council.
"I don't mind waiting, but... how about you give me your LINE so you can tell me when you finish with the student council?"
After Onodera said so, Ishigami fell into silence and looked at her strangely.
"Wh-what's wrong? What's with that gaze?" Onodera felt confused by Ishigami's gaze.
"...are you trying to pick me up?" Ishigami asked hesitantly, then softly said, "I know we're sitting next to each other, but my LINE isn't so easy to get, especially since we aren't close."
"Idiot! I am not!" Onodera blushed, feeling embarrassed, and came closer, almost pressing him. "Anyway, give me your LINE!"
"You are like that pushy pick-up guy on that street now, Onodera-san."
"I am not!"
As they bickered, naturally, they attracted much attention, but neither of them paid attention.
"But since you are so desperate, I will tell you my LINE."
Onodera pouted, but when she got his LINE, her hands moved fast, and she quickly sent him a sticker on the chat.
Onodera: A cute character sticking out her tongue.
Ishigami only read her chat and then put his smartphone back in his pocket.
"Why do you only read? Give me a reply!" Onodera complained about his callousness, who had just read her chat without even any intention to reply.
"I am right beside you. What kind of reply do you want me to send you?" Ishigami looked at Onodera helplessly and stood up. "Then, I will go to the student council first."
"Un." Onodera nodded reluctantly, then said, "When you finish the student council, tell me, okay?"
"I will."
"Go for it!"
Tapping his back like a supporting sports character did to the protagonist, Onedera sent him off.
"...do you think I am going to the competition or something? By the way, don't spam me later."
"I won't!"
Ishigami didn't say much and only waved his hand, but Onodera pouted, unhappy by his lack of energy response. Also, what did he mean by not sending him spam?!
Did he think of her as an annoying girl?
Yet, when Onodera thought about what she had told him before, she somehow couldn't refute it and could only lower her head slightly, feeling worse and wondering why she had said something so mean to him.
Nevertheless, while she might not realize it, the gap between them had become closer, and the hesitation in her heart was no longer there. Her ambiguous thoughts had become firmer, and as she had that exchange, she knew what she wanted to do.
It was just that many were staring at them, and some of them had complicated expressions as they watched their exchange.
Yet, those things didn't have anything to do with Ishigami, who had come to the student council, but he was surprised to see that Kaguya was there.
"Huh? Are you here already, Senpai?"
"...I come as soon as the class is finished."
"Sorry to make you wait, then."
"It's fine. I just happen to have nothing to do." Kaguya took a deep breath and saw Ishigami close the door. The room was quiet; there were only the two of them. She could hear the sound of her heartbeat clearly. It was fast, she thought. Frankly, it wasn't her first time receiving a confession, yet why did she feel nervous and her face was so hot?
Kaguya wasn't sure why, but she tried to calm herself. "So... do you need me for something, Ishigami-kun?"
"Senpai..." Ishigami looked at Kaguya and said, in a straightforward manner, "Can you help me erase my stigma?"
However, Kaguya's answer was different from his expectations.
"I am sorry. I thought of you as a precious junior, and you are also kind of cute, but I have someone that I like, and I can't betray him."
"...." 2x
The two fell silent, and Ishigami stared at Kaguya, whose face started to redden like a red tomato.
---
Ahem.