Tatsuki had no idea what Esdeath was up to. He, however, was facing a new development right here and now: two people arrived at the Paranormal Research Club.
One of them wore her long black hair tied back with a crimson ribbon, letting strands of bangs fall on either side of her face. She had strikingly pale and beautiful features that were nonetheless tinged with cold indifference, plus irises that gleamed red. In terms of being icy, she seemed even more frigid than Yukino had been before.
Kaguya Shinomiya—student council president of the XYZ High School, known as the "Ice Princess of the Shinomiya Family."
Next to her stood a pink-haired girl wearing a black bow, the student council secretary, Chika Fujiwara. She looked around curiously at the strangely empty Paranormal Research Club, which contained nothing but a single table and a few chairs. She also sneaked glances at Tatsuki and Yukino—he was the "peerless emperor" who always aced every test, ranking first in the entire school. She was the "high-and-mighty flower" who always placed third. Both titles were famous at school, especially that "peerless emperor" label, which outshone even the "Ice Princess." To think that such a weird club was started by the first-ranked student and also included the third-ranked student…
Kaguya, however, wasn't thinking about any of that. She cast a frosty glance at Yukino, then stated her purpose.
"Tatsuki-kun, as the student council president, I'd like to invite you to join the student council. I believe you're well suited to student council work."
Her calm, chilly words made Yukino frown slightly. At the XYZ High School, the student council was the most powerful group. Many students from noble families and wealthy conglomerates attended, so the school rules were unusual—a sort of "aristocratic training ground," where students formed various clubs for social or even business-like competition.
Some clubs engaged in mock "trade wars" or forged commercial alliances. It was a rather strange system. The student council controlled the school's entire budget, easily swaying the fate of any club in need of funding. In essence, the student council president sat at the top of the school's hierarchy.
But confronted with that authority, Tatsuki only stretched lazily. "You're inviting me to the student council? Which position?"
Kaguya answered without hesitation. "Vice President."
Tatsuki paused. "I don't really want anyone above me."
Kaguya's response was startling. "Then I'll resign from being president and serve as vice president."
"Meow, meow, meow?" Chika Fujiwara's eyes went round with shock. 'What is happening here?' This definitely wasn't what she had expected. How had it turned into him becoming president all of a sudden? And Kaguya looked dead serious about it.
"Never mind, not interested. Student council work is probably way too much trouble for someone as lazy as I am," Tatsuki said, spreading his hands.
"All the president's duties, I'll handle them for you."
"…"
"Whoa." Chika Fujiwara's jaw dropped. Even Yukino was thrown off by how strange it was. Why was Kaguya Shinomiya this strange?
"You're being absurd," Tatsuki muttered. "Is it that big a deal to you?"
Sure, he'd helped her once when she was plagued by a yokai. He'd considered it settled. But why was she so fixated on him?
"If it's you, Tatsuki-kun, anything is worth it." A steadfast determination reflected in Kaguya's eyes, indicating she would never back down. If she wanted him in the student council, then she had to make it happen, no matter the cost.
"Fine, you win." Tatsuki smiled wryly. There was no limit to the oddities around him: some people, like Nami, practically sold themselves; some, like Eriri, enthusiastically engaged in wild pranks; some, like Yukino, were willing to be a maid; now this Kaguya was practically gifting him the top position. 'Sigh… this sort of life was exhausting in its own right.'
"I'll proceed with the handover arrangements," Kaguya said. The corners of her cold, elegant lips hinted at a barely noticeable smile. Then she turned and left.
"Huh?" Fujiwara followed her in a daze, mind swirling in confusion. 'Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?' She hadn't managed to say a single word the whole time. Now she left with Kaguya, brimming with curiosity about Kaguya and Tatsuki's relationship. As the love detective, she sensed something unusual between them.
When they were gone, Tatsuki rubbed his temples. "All right, Yukino, you can ask me anything you want."
Yukino needed no further prompting to speak up: "You and President Shinomiya—do you know each other?"
Tatsuki nodded. "Yes. She was once tormented by a yokai, and I saved her."
"…" Yukino glanced sideways at him. 'It's the classic hero-rescues-the-damsel scenario…' She was all too familiar with that trope. For some reason, she now felt a certain wariness toward Kaguya.
…
"Hayasaka! I did it! I got him to join the student council!"
"Oh? That's great, sure." A golden-haired girl, Ai Hayasaka, responded in a flat tone without changing her expression.
"Hehe, I am Kaguya Shinomiya, after all! Okay, that's enough chatting—I have to go prepare for the handover ceremony."
"All right."
After hanging up, Ai Hayasaka sat at her computer, frowning. On the screen were photos and various data related to Tatsuki.