Ding-dong.
The next morning, Kaguya stood at the Shirogane family's door and rang the bell.
It was Kei, already dressed up neatly, who opened it.
"Welcome, Shinomiya-senpai."
"Hello, Kei."
Seeing Shirogane's younger sister, Kaguya greeted politely. She didn't want to leave a bad impression on his family.
She hadn't met Kei often before. Once at the student council office over a financial report, once at the fireworks festival, and once while shopping with Fujiwara and the others. The rest had been when she was disguised as Rinji.
Kaguya liked Kei. She saw traces of Shirogane's sharp gaze and personality in her.
"Please, come in."
"Thank you."
After changing into house slippers, Kaguya entered. She didn't look around curiously but sat at the dining table, placing her gift on it.
"These are strawberry daifuku from Tamaya. Please accept them."
"You're too kind, senpai."
At that moment, Shirogane emerged from his room.
"Ah, Shinomiya, you're here already."
"Yes," she replied with a smile.
Kei shot her brother a deadly glare.
What do you mean "already here"? Your girlfriend comes over, and instead of waiting to welcome her at the door, you let her come in first and only then crawl out of your room?
With his uselessness, Kei thought, being dumped was just a matter of time.
She didn't trust him at all.
"I mostly just wanted to see what kind of home the president grew up in," Kaguya smiled. "It feels very warm and cozy."
"Ah, yes."
"You didn't always live here, right?"
"No, we used to live in Setagaya. After saving money from my summer jobs, we moved here," Shirogane explained. "You probably don't know this, but Rinji lives here too."
"Eh, really?" Kaguya feigned surprise.
Of course she knew. She'd even been in his nerdy room before while in his body.
As they chatted, Kei busied herself making tea. She set two cups before them.
"Please have some tea."
"Thank you."
Kaguya nodded and elegantly lifted the cup, one hand supporting the base, the other holding the side, taking a graceful sip.
Kei watched her closely, a trace of curiosity in her eyes.
Noticing it, Kaguya asked, "What is it?"
"N-Nothing," Kei stammered. "It's just… the way you drink tea looks kind of like Rinji-nii did over winter break."
"!?"
Kaguya nearly dropped her cup.
"A-ah… it must be your imagination."
"Yeah, maybe. I mean, while you and Rinji-nii have a lot in common, you're obviously different people." Kei gave a sheepish smile.
"…"
What on earth do I have in common with that dangerous guy? Kaguya thought.
"Does Rinji come here often?" she asked.
"Back when we lived in Setagaya, he came almost every week. Sometimes bro would tutor him, sometimes he'd cook for us."
Tch. Tutoring, huh? Why hadn't she thought of that back then? And did Rinji even need tutoring? Was that just his excuse to get close to the president?
As it turned out, yes, he did. His classical literature grades had been disastrous in the first term.
Still, she thought smugly, I'm the president's girlfriend now.
Not that it made much sense to be proud of—Rinji was a guy, after all.
"Sounds like he's close to your family," Kaguya said.
"Yes. He helps us a lot," Kei admitted, her cheeks turning faintly red. "And… Rinji-nii's really talented, whether in studies or skills. He's also very kind."
Kind? Rinji? Kaguya almost choked. If he counted as kind, then Godzilla was a cuddly pet.
She could admit he was brilliant, but kind? Not a chance. She herself had him beat in that category by miles.
But what really caught her attention was the look on Kei's face.
Remembering how Kei had acted toward her when she'd been in Rinji's body, Kaguya realized something. Kei's feelings for him were more complicated than simple admiration.
This guy already has two girlfriends, and now he's going after the president's sister too? Should I expose some of his black history to break her illusions?
She considered it briefly but dismissed the thought.
She didn't want to ruin Kei's good impression of her. Anyway, knowing Rinji's personality, this matter would probably fizzle out in the end.
Even if she doubted his character, when it came to relationships, Kaguya still believed Rinji wouldn't cross the line. After all, he had lived with Hayasaka for so long without doing anything.
"Excuse me a moment, I'll just go to the restroom."
"Ah, the restroom is…"
Shirogane was about to stand up and show her the way, but then noticed her hand was already on the bathroom doorknob.
"…Shinomiya, how did you know that was the restroom?"
"!?"
Kaguya froze, realizing she had slipped.
She had been to the Shirogane household once before—when she was in Rinji's body. Back then, Shirogane's father had opened this exact door, and she saw the sink and toilet inside.
'Damn it, I forgot that this is supposed to be my first time here.'
Ding-dong.
Just as Kaguya was racking her brain for an excuse, the doorbell rang.
Kei went to open the door and found Amano Hina standing outside.
"Hina, you're here?"
"Yeah."
Hina smiled, then caught sight of Kaguya inside and exclaimed, "Eh… Shinomiya-senpai?"
"Yes, and you are…?"
"Hello, Shinomiya-senpai!"
Seeing her admired upperclassman, Hina quickly bowed in greeting.
"I'm Amano Hina, I transferred into Shuchiin's middle school division this semester."
"Nice to meet you, Amano-san," Kaguya replied with a smile, though inwardly she was puzzled.
'Amano… why does that name sound familiar…?'