"I met Rina yesterday, Natsuha," Ito Yoshito said, making an effort to appear calm.
Natsuha watched as Ito Yoshito and Tsushima Rina shared an intimate moment, feeling an uncomfortable weight in her heart, as if a heavy stone were pressing down on her.
It didn't feel as stifling even when she underwent her own rapid development.
'Yesterday... and already they're on a first-name basis.'
Natsuha scrutinized Tsushima Rina's actions, mentally labeling her as a bad woman.
'Ito-kun must be enchanted by this bad influence! He needs my help to save him!
Yuuta is so gentle; he would surely support me in rescuing Ito-kun from her schemes!'
Tsushima Rina noticed Natsuha's gaze and, instead of being drawn to her beautiful features, she thought, 'How infuriating! There's someone with even larger assets than mine! What is she eating to grow like that?'
Though Tsushima Rina and Natsuha were classmates, they belonged to completely different circles and had not interacted at all over the past month.
Seeing the generous curves of Natsuha's figure, Tsushima Rina couldn't help but wonder if her own development was truly below average.
How could she encounter so many superior beauties now that she was in high school? Back in middle school, she had been the one everyone envied!
"Rina, maybe you should step back," Ito Yoshito said softly, gently retracting his hands.
This made Tsushima Rina's heart race. 'Ito-kun's relationship with Natsuha seems unusual!'
She turned her eyes toward Yoshito, a playful smile crossing her lips.
"Hey, Ito-kun, what exactly is your relationship with Natsuha?"
"I'm a good friend of Ito-kun!"
Natsuha replied immediately, "Please get off him, Tsushima-san! You're making him uncomfortable!"
"Ha! What does it matter to you? Ito-kun is my boyfriend! We're a couple! This is just a little couple's banter."
Natsuha didn't believe this bold girl, turning her gaze toward Ito Yoshito, who simply shook his head in response.
Seeing Yoshito shake his head, Tsushima Rina felt discontented.
How could such a stunning girl throw herself at him and he not even acknowledge it?
She clung to Yoshito even tighter, pushing her body against him as if trying to smother him into submission.
This prompted Natsuha to feel even more troubled.
'That gyaru is still clinging to Ito-kun! I can't let him suffer any longer!'
Natsuha stepped forward, grasping Tsushima Rina's wrist, attempting to pull her away using a grappling technique.
Ito Yoshito sensed the escalation and gently pushed Tsushima Rina away, grasping Natsuha's hand that held Rina, separating them.
"Both of you are my friends; please, just give me some face and don't…"
"What kind of behavior is this, pulling and tugging in public?"
A magnetic voice came from a distance, followed by a striking figure striding confidently toward them.
"It's the Student Council President!"
"President!"
Various greetings echoed around them.
Natsuha leaned closer to Ito Yoshito, whispering, "Ito-kun, you might not know, but her name is Mitarai Keiko, the current Student Council President. I've heard she's quite formidable!"
Mitarai Keiko approached the three, her calm gaze sweeping over them before settling on Ito Yoshito's face.
Though her heart churned with emotion, her expression remained composed.
"Let go of their hands!"
Keiko gestured toward the entangled trio.
"Ito-kun, right?"
"Yes."
"Come to the student council after class."
After delivering the message, she didn't wait for their reactions and left briskly.
Logically speaking, even though Yoshito and the girls were causing a scene at the entrance, it didn't technically break any school rules severe enough to warrant this summons.
At that moment, Keiko felt a bit guilty.
'Ah—have I just abused my position as president?'
Yet the exhilarating feelings from yesterday clung to her mind like a coiled snake, tempting her into indulgence.
'I want to experience that high again; forgive me! This is the first and last time! I promise to be a good girl from now on!'
Keiko resolved quietly.
"Hey…"
Tsushima Rina, always headstrong, seemed ready to confront the Student Council President, prompting Ito Yoshito to quickly intervene.
"Alright, Rina, we really should head to class, or we'll be late."
"It's just being late…"
Tsushima Rina pouted but reluctantly took Yoshito's arm, pulling him toward the classroom.
Natsuha observed Rina, who seemed about to say more, but seeing the growing crowd around them, she decided against causing a scene and fell in line beside Ito Yoshito as they headed for class.
As time flew by, the lunch break soon arrived.
Not long after class had ended, Tsushima Rina approached Ito Yoshito's desk, interrupting his conversation with Haruno Ayato.
"Ito-kun, let's go find Reina together."
Under Ayato's amazed and admiring gaze, Ito Yoshito followed Tsushima Rina out of the classroom.
"Natsuha, Natsuha!"
A sudden voice pulled Natsuha back to reality.
"Huh? What's up, Aiko?"
"Want to grab lunch together? I've asked several times today; are you feeling alright?"
Aiko frowned with concern as she reached out to touch Natsuha's forehead.
"I'm fine, Aiko. I have some things to take care of today; I can manage on my own. You guys don't need to wait for me," Natsuha said apologetically, quickly grabbing her lunchbox and rushing after Ito Yoshito and the others.
On the other side, when Ito Yoshito and Tsushima Rina reached the rooftop, Kurashiki Reina had already been waiting for them.
"Finally took your time, Rina, Yoshito."
Kurashiki Reina was seated on a chair on the rooftop. Upon seeing Ito Yoshito and Tsushima Rina come up from the stairs, she crossed her arms, her crossed legs swinging gently. A light breeze lifted her pleated skirt, teasingly revealing a glimpse of her hidden treasures.
"Reina—just forgive me this once!"
Tsushima Rina approached Kurashiki with a playful smile.
"Kurashiki-san."
"Just call me Reina," Kurashiki replied, raising an eyebrow at the formality, her queen-like voice dripping with displeasure.
'Just wait; one day, I'll have Ito call me 'Your Majesty,' and let's see if you can still pretend to be coy.'
"Hi, Reina!"
"Thud thud..."
A series of footsteps sounded from the stairs, causing Ito Yoshito to turn around, unexpectedly finding someone he hadn't anticipated.
"Natsuha, what are you doing on the rooftop?"
"What, am I interrupting something?"
Natsuha looked at Ito Yoshito, noticing yet another attractive girl beside him, furrowing her brow with concern.
'Is Ito-kun getting too wrapped up in all this? If this continues, he'll undoubtedly be toyed with by bad women and become their plaything. I need to help him see through their schemes.'
"Not at all."
"What's up, Natsuha?"
Ito Yoshito noticed something strange in Natsuha's gaze and asked. She shook her head, signaling that it was nothing.
"So, want to join us for lunch?"
Natsuha felt her heart race; this was what she had been waiting for, and she nodded eagerly.
"Of course."
Kurashiki Reina, observing Natsuha's eagerness, felt somewhat displeased.
Her slender brows knitted together as her narrow eyes squinted slightly.
However, she opted to keep her silence, as she understood that contradicting Ito Yoshito might put him in a tough spot.
Nevertheless, she mused, 'How should a queen punish a subject who makes decisions on her own?'