"...I will take a rest for a moment."
As Ishigami and Chika finished their performance, they socialized with the students who participated in the social event. As expected, after they finished, he was surrounded by many, especially when he could talk in French after being taught by Chika previously. Moreover, with the "Fast Learner" ability that he gained from Iino, it was easy for him to learn almost anything.
While it was hard for him to reach the top level or be the best of the best, as he wasn't a perfect guy who had every talent in this world, it was easy for him to reach a professional level no matter what the sectors were due to the "Fast Learner" ability.
Regardless, while he could learn everything, he wouldn't do it since if he couldn't become the best in that respective field; it was just a waste of time, he thought, especially when he was on his journey to create wealth to protect himself from the Shinomiya Group.
This was also the reason why he became more popular, he thought.
As his family's toy company flourished after it released the new type of figurine, which he had designed previously, he probably became the hottest in the eyes of women, and those students from Paris also had bright eyes when they knew his background, thinking to get to know him further.
Yet, how could the students of his school let that happen?
"Go, Ishigami!"
"Leave them to us!"
"I won't let you get close to him!"
"..."
Ishigami was speechless, but he thanked them. "Thanks. I will take a rest now."
As he left, the new war between Tokyo and Paris began!
Meanwhile, Ishigami, who had escaped, went to the balcony while holding a bottle of mineral water, staring at the starless sky absentmindedly, thinking of the closeness of the girl with Shirogane.
When he thought of how Shirogane was rejected by Kaguya, he couldn't help but come to her house and ask her, but in the end, he couldn't do that and took Hayasaka instead.
'Yet...'
However, he also couldn't blame Kaguya either, nor could he say anything about her decision since not only was Kaguya an individual whose mind couldn't be controlled, but he was also helped by her a lot, whether it was his study or him to clear up his stigma.
Yet, instead of helping her, Ishigami felt that all he had done was just to trouble her instead.
'If I am a shut-in...'
If Ishigami was a shut-in, then he had no need to owe a favor, but as he had owed a favor, he knew that he had to do this as he didn't want to become someone who was worse than a dog.
A dog could repay the one who took care of it, but was he going to be worse than an animal?
Sipping his mineral water, Ishigami couldn't help but think about the girl who stood by Shirogane's side at that time. She was beautiful, of course, with short cyan hair that she covered with a hat.
If there was something that was particularly obvious about her, it was the fact that her expression was quite fierce, yet even so, Ishigami could see she was gentle in front of Shirogane.
Sigh!
A certain part of him wished for a different conclusion, yet at the same time, was Shirogane's love that small?
Shirogane hadn't given up, right?
However, while it was describable, Ishigami hoped for a certain something to happen between them.
As Ishigami wondered what he should do, his shoulder was patted all of a sudden.
"Are you okay, Yuu?"
"...you startle me, Maki-senpai."
The one who patted his shoulder was that unfortunate heroine, Maki Shijou, the one who had lost her love.
"I have called you before, but you ignored me." Maki pouted, then asked with a nonchalant attitude, yet somehow, it was clear that she was worried. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I am just hungry."
Ishigami looked at the cheesecake on a plate that was held by Maki.
"Here, take it."
"You don't plan to eat it?"
"I thought I'd get it from you."
"Thanks."
While he had the urge to question why Maki was so caring toward him as she brought him food, Ishigami decided to suppress this subconscious reaction to ask and started to eat the cheesecake that was brought by Maki.
Dividing part of the cheesecake with the fork, he stuck it, then put it inside his mouth, then the gentle sweetness and a hint of a cheese unfurled before his lips as the sugar enveloped his body, recovering his weary spirit and body.
"Is it good?"
"Yup." Ishigami used the fork to divide the cheesecake, but instead of eating it, he moved it closer to Maki's mouth. "Do you want to try?"
"Okay."
"Eh?"
"...."
Watching Maki, who ate the cheesecake without hesitation as they had an indirect kiss, Ishigami could only feel a strangeness within his heart.
"Is it delicious?"
"...which is?"
"What do you mean?"
Watching Maki's pure reaction and a slight blush that was barely noticeable in this dim environment, Ishigami shook his head, thinking that he was overthinking or...
Still, in this atmosphere, he was afraid of what would happen after this.
"By the way, Senpai, you know a lot of things that happened at the school, right?"
"...are you saying that I am such a gossip or something?"
As Maki said so, she couldn't help but feel disappointed as she saw nothing from his expression. Even after he fed her and had an indirect kiss, he started to eat without worry, seemingly unperturbed by what they had done previously. As she thought of this, she wondered whether she was unattractive, but then again, it was old news, right?
Especially when her first love disappeared just like that, but when she thought of her previous exchange with Ishigami, she knew that instead of waiting, she had to make a move, but when she heard his question, she couldn't help but pout.
"Are you familiar with the girl that was close to Kaichou earlier?"
"Yuu!" Maki was furious and said, "There is a cute, beautiful, and smart girl on your side! How can you mention another girl at this moment?!"
"I have a girlfriend."
"...." Maki.
Ishigami looked at Maki with a helpless expression and asked, "Or, rather, you have treated me as your brother, right?"
"...." Maki.
"...sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
Watching Maki, who was speechless and started to get teary, Ishigami knew that this girl was as pathetic as ever, but fortunately, she was cute, he thought.
Feeling the gentle pat as he comforted her, Maki sniffled, staring at him with red eyes, and said, "As expected, you have dated many girls, right?"
"Yes."
"..." Maki.
"Why are you so surprised?"
"I-I am just guessing! But... I never thought that you would really be a scumbag..."
"So, search for a better man, okay?"
As she saw his gentle expression, Maki was in a daze, then subconsciously said, "No."
"Ha?"
Still, as he was startled by her reaction, he was also speechless when he saw the familiar face, who was hiding on the curtain of the balcony, seemingly waiting for Maki to leave.
'Even though after so many times...'
While his heart wished to do so, his mind didn't allow him to do so, but as he was in a daze, Maki pulled him closer and said, "I like you, Yuu. Not as a brother, but as a man."
"....."
Ishigami should say, "Are you serious?" But watching her pure, earnest eyes and her fleshy, pink lips, then glancing in the direction of the familiar face, he took a deep breath and moved closer to take Maki's lips.
Maki became bashful, but as Ishigami moved closer, their memories together started to revolve within her vision, from the beginning till now, which made her blush, happy, shy, yet excited as she felt his gentle kiss on her lips became completely enraptured by it.
The familiar face naturally saw all of this and then let out a helpless sigh.
"I love you, Yuu!"
Clinging to him tightly, Maki showed a silly smile, which Ishigami also showed a gentle expression, gently caressing her bangs and then kissing her forehead. "Me too, Maki."
Then, as they were together, the time continued to pass until it was the time for the exam that Iino had been waiting for.