If he used vector manipulation to destroy a planet, that might involve blasting its core with energy, stopping its rotation, or tugging it out of orbit, etc. Under the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, though, all he had to do was gently sever one of those warped lines—and the Earth would die!
That was precisely how his mystic eyes differed from those of the Nasuverse. He naturally comprehended the death of all things, and being surrounded by a bleak world full of death didn't affect him at all.
Knock, knock.
A knock came at the door.
"Come in," said Yukino. Someone had arrived.
Tatsuki deactivated his mystic eyes, and at once, his surroundings returned to normal—gone was the tattered, ruinous look from just moments ago.
The door opened, revealing Kaguya Shinomiya and Chika Fujiwara.
Kaguya only spared Yukino a brief glance before fixing her gaze on Tatsuki.
"This afternoon, the handover ceremony for the student council presidency will take place. Tatsuki-kun, please get ready. You'll need to make a speech."
She'd come especially to inform him of that.
But Tatsuki retorted, "I'm not interested in writing a speech."
Kaguya offered a faint smile as though she'd anticipated such a reaction.
Stepping closer, she set a sheet of text in front of him. "I wrote a speech for you."
Tatsuki raised an eyebrow. "You're well-prepared. Thanks."
On the surface Kaguya remained composed, but inwardly she was celebrating. Ai, you were so right! Good thing I listened to you—now Tatsuki-kun must think I'm such a thoughtful woman, right?
Turning slightly, Tatsuki gave Chika a friendly wave and said, "Long time no see."
"!"
Attempting to act invisible, Fujiwara shivered slightly, returning an awkward smile, "L-long time no see."
Tatsuki's expression turned playful. With a meaningful yet breezy tone, he teased: "Thanks for your generosity."
"Eek!"
Chika suddenly crouched down as if recalling some memory, her cheeks flaring bright red. She muttered in a crying voice, "Uwah, don't look at me!"
"…"
Kaguya's neck turned stiffly, her eyes cold and lifeless. Glancing at Chika with a gaze as if wanting to devour her—offering no pretense of warmth.
Cancer of the Earth!Wretched sow!At exactly which point did you have contact with Tatsuki?!
Their brief exchange gave Kaguya's mind a whirlwind of possibilities. Tatsuki simply teased Chika for trying to act invisible—no chance of that.
Returning to the topic, he quickly skimmed the speech and found no issue. He turned to Kaguya. "Got it."
"Mm. I look forward to working with you."
Kaguya calmly brushed a lock of hair aside, carrying herself like a dignified lady. She bowed slightly, turned, and left. As she passed by Chika, an icy chill in her eye could have killed a person ten times over.
"Geh!"
Chika shuddered. Then, under Tatsuki's faintly amused gaze, she rushed out after Kaguya. Just being around Tatsuki made Chika remember the scenes from the Apocalypse Game. So humiliating! Trying to work with him again—what a shameful thought!
After they left, Yukino sighed softly. "Shinomiya-san is really dedicated when it comes to you. She even took care of everything herself."
She had a feeling Kaguya might end up becoming one of them as well. Why not me?
An absurd notion flickered in her mind—she automatically substituted herself into various scenes.
No… so shameless! That's impossible! The fleeting notion was quashed at once. She cast a glance at Tatsuki, who was looking at the speech, not paying attention to her. Relieved, she exhaled.
"Sigh, being so popular is a crime in itself." Tatsuki let out a rueful sigh.
Knock, knock.
Another knock. "Come in."
Whoosh—the door opened.
In came Shizuka Hiratsuka, looking troubled, along with the vibrant Marin Kitagawa.
"Tatsuki-kun, Yukino!" Marin greeted them.
Shizuka Hiratsuka shook her head. "Marin Kitagawa wants to join your club."
"Approved," Tatsuki responded instantly, not even asking for details.
"…"
Hiratsuka's lips twitched. So they already know each other? Why'd she bother dragging me here? I guess I'll leave… Indeed, she departed at once.
"Why do you want to join my club?" Tatsuki asked, curious.
Marin Kitagawa flashed a mischievous grin. "Because I'm a superpower user too, obviously!"
"Your power…" Tatsuki's expression turned odd. He wanted to say: Is your ability even normal…?
But she leaned boldly toward his ear, exhaling warm breath as she teased: "You didn't like my skill? Then no more private fan service for you next time."
Tatsuki instantly put on a righteous front. "No, I love your power! Gimme more anytime!"
"Hehe~."
Kitagawa's eyes sparkled as she giggled happily.
"…"
Yukino, on the side, eyed them suspiciously. She had zero idea what ability Kitagawa possessed. In that sense, she was an outsider…
…
Afternoon.
The formal handover ceremony for the student council presidency began. Tatsuki merely gave the prepared speech, following the standard procedure. Everyone at school seemed unsurprised that he had become president, aside from one person who gazed at him with many thoughts.
"Tatsuki… a junior… Mowen Hanaming…"
(T/N: There is a similarity in the kanji of their names).
Utaha Kasumigaoka eyed Tatsuki, a pensive light in her gaze.
"Is that a coincidence, or…?"
She wanted to investigate further.
Everything about the induction proceeded smoothly. Straight after taking office, Tatsuki decided to check out the student council. Inside, the décor was more refined than the Supernatural Research Club's—costly furniture, fancy shelving, and a long sofa. He found only two people: the vice president, Kaguya, and the secretary, Chika.
Chika was sitting on the sofa, holding a book in front of her face, desperate not to catch Tatsuki's gaze.
"Welcome, President," Kaguya said with elegant grace, pulling out a chair for him.
"No need to be that formal." He took a seat.
She brought him some red tea. Hard to believe this was the so-called Ice Princess of the school. Probably a special courtesy only he got to enjoy.
Sipping the tea, Tatsuki praised, "You're quite good at brewing tea, Shinomiya."
Kaguya's lips curved in a faintly triumphant smile—then froze as Tatsuki added, "Comparable to Yukino."
"…"
Her smile vanished. Shadows flickered in her eyes, though she kept her tone gentle. "That Yukino—Yukinoshita-san, correct?"
"Mm."
"You address her so casually? Are you close with Yukinoshita-san?"
"Very close."
"…"
Inside, Kaguya screamed. Rival, rival, rival! The two of them both share that refined, aloof persona… She's a threat I must eliminate!
Oblivious to her internal monologue, Tatsuki turned to some official documents, frowning. "Shinomiya…"
She disliked how he called Yukinoshita "Yukino," whereas she was stuck with "Shinomiya." Still, she forced a polite smile. "Yes, President?"
He pointed to a line. "We're missing a council treasurer, right?"
"Indeed. The previous treasurer was dismissed recently, and we haven't replaced them."
Tatsuki mused, "I might invite Yukino—she can handle it."
"…"
Kaguya's eyelid twitched. Yukino again, Yukino…!
"She might join too?" Chika exclaimed from behind her book.
Kaguya's brow furrowed. This Cancer of the Earth also calls her Yukino?
"Chika, you know Yukino well?"
"Certainly!" Chika held up a peace sign. She and Yukino were dear friends, as well as being pals with Marin Kitagawa and "Ka…someone."
"…"
Kaguya felt a sense of everyone can do it but me. Am I about to be replaced by Yukinoshita? No!
"All right," Tatsuki concluded, "I'll ask her about it."
Then he turned to Chika with a faint smirk: "How come you never told us about your situation after that incident?"
"Uu…" Chika trembled. "I've been super busy with council duties, is all."
Obviously a lie. She just felt too mortified.
Tatsuki, picking up on it, gently said, "Add me on Line, so if anything comes up you can contact me."
"O-oh!"
As they swapped contact details, Kaguya silently clenched a hand behind her back, her mind trembling. Ha… so that's how Fujiwara is. She wants to snatch everything from me. This dreaded cancer of the Earth is truly dangerous…
"Eek!"
Chika, facing away from Kaguya, shivered again. "What's with this feeling that I'm being targeted all day?"
Later, Kaguya stepped out to fetch some paperwork. Tatsuki seized the chance to ask Chika, "What ability did you get from the Apocalypse Game anyway?"
Chika beamed, "Ta-da!" She spun in a circle.
"Huh? Your ears?"
He noticed that as she turned, her ears grew longer and more pointed. "That's right, I can turn into an elf—my ability is elf form. I can use wind magic!" She said proudly. She spread out her palm, conjuring a green glow in the air. A vortex of teal wind gusted about the student council room, blowing stacks of paper into the air.
"Isn't it awesome?" She blinked expectantly.
Tatsuki gave a thumbs-up: "Elf Chika is beautiful, and that wind magic looks practical, too."
"Hehehe…"
She giggled happily.
"But you're about to be in trouble."
At his words, the door slammed open. Kaguya returned, arms full of documents, just in time to see the swirl of scattered boxes and pages drifting about. One even plastered itself across her face.
Tatsuki quickly backed away, pointing at Chika.
Kaguya's face was black as thunder, voice grim. "Fu-ji-wara—Chi-ka!"
"Eep!"
Her yelp echoed through the student council, heralding doom…
…
The rest of the day passed quickly. That evening, after dinner, Tatsuki reclined on the sofa with Eriri and Sayuri snuggled up next to him, while Kanae relaxed on the side nibbling fruit. From his personal tab in the chat group, he retrieved the Heavenly Dragon Slayer Crystal.
"Eriri, take this."
"Huh? Is that some kind of gem?" Eriri asked, seeing a white, gleaming crystal.
"No, it's called a Dragon-Slaying Crystal. Using it grants you Dragon Slayer magic."
"M-magic?"
Intrigued, Sayuri and Kanae also looked over curiously.
"Dragon Slayer Magic is a magic that channels a dragon's power to kill dragons."
Given that they already believed in superpowers and other worlds, the existence of dragons and magic was no stretch. Something that killed dragons obviously sounded powerful.
Sayuri worried, "It must be a expensive treasure… You should keep it for yourself, Tatsuki."
"Mm-hmm, we have you to protect us anyway," Eriri chimed in.
Tatsuki stroked her hair. "The future might change drastically. I can't always guarantee I'll be here to protect you. Plus, it's not much use to me personally. If you don't believe me, ask Kanae."
"True," Kanae said in her gentle way. "Tatsuki is plenty strong on his own."
"Then… all right…" Eriri nodded in earnest. "I'll get stronger, even if I can't protect you, I still want to help you and protect Mom."
"Eriri…"
Sayuri was moved that her daughter had grown so much.
"Haha, give it a try. Just let yourself feel it," Tatsuki said cheerfully, placing the crystal in her hand.