"So Shinomiya-senpai is the girlfirend of Kei's brother…"
"That's right."
Kaguya hadn't expected her relationship with Shirogane to be revealed to a middle school girl she'd just met.
Still, she wasn't the type to hide it.
In fact, she wanted everyone to know that her boyfriend was Shirogane. She had only refrained from saying so at school because of her own shyness.
"That's amazing… the senpai I admire is going to be my friends future sister-in-law."
"Sister-in-law…"
At those words, Kaguya kept her elegant composure on the surface, but inside she felt a little giddy.
Kei's friend seemed like a good kid.
But after hearing the name Amano, Kaguya thought hard.
'Wasn't the company my family signed an agreement with called Amano Pharmaceuticals…?'
"Amano-san," she asked cautiously.
"Yes, Shinomiya-senpai?"
"Forgive my boldness, but is your family involved in pharmaceuticals?"
"Eh… well…"
Hina hesitated, then said, "My father did run a pharmaceutical company, but he left home when I was very young, and he passed away four years ago."
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine, Shinomiya-senpai," Hina said with a smile. "We went through some hard times, but things are good now."
"She was adopted by Sagara-sensei from the high school division," Kei explained.
"But technically, Hina is still an heir to the company. I remember Rinji once said she'll inherit 35% of Amano Pharmaceuticals' shares when she comes of age."
"Eh… I guess that's true. I'd almost forgotten," Hina said with a shy laugh.
Kaguya's expression grew thoughtful.
'Amano Pharmaceuticals… so it really was this company. After Rinji caused Father's illness, he declared only Amano's drugs could treat it. Looks like the company really is under his control, bleeding the Shinomiya family dry. But who exactly is this girl? Rinji isn't the type to hand out shares for no reason.'
"And what's your relationship with Rinji?"
"With Rinji… well, it's kind of complicated," Hina admitted, her cheeks reddening.
"We first met at McDonald's. Then again at the Hoshin Festival. He told me my father had been his friend, and since then he's helped me a lot… we've been through quite a few things together."
Looking at the shy, blushing Hina, Kaguya narrowed her eyes.
'So she also has feelings for him? What's so good about that guy? He smokes, drinks, has a foul mouth, and aside from being handsome, smart, talented, and from a good family, he has nothing else.'
Noticing her gaze, Hina hesitated, then asked, "Shinomiya-senpai… are you not on good terms with Rinji?"
"Ah… it's not that bad," Kaguya replied vaguely.
Knock knock knock.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
"Huh? Dad's back from the company already?"
Shirogane quickly stood, worried his father might embarrass him in front of Kaguya.
Click.
The door opened.
But instead of his father, it was Rinji standing there.
"Rinji? Weren't you out with Fujiwara?"
"Just tricked her into eating ramen, that didn't take long. I came to talk to you and… oh? Shinomiya, you're here too?"
"I told you beforehand I'd be coming to the president's house today."
"Yeah, I knew you'd be here. I was just curious what could keep you sitting here so long. You're dating already—don't you two go out instead of sitting around at home?" Rinji said.
"This is a visit to the president's family, not a date."
"Just don't leave a bad impression on them."
"Of course I wouldn't."
Hina and Kei stared, wide-eyed, at the exchange between Kaguya and Rinji.
Hina whispered, "Are Rinji and Shinomiya-senpai not on good terms?"
"I don't know…" Kei muttered, worry in her eyes.
The two weren't outright arguing, but there was a clear sharpness in their words.
Not exactly friends.
Kei hated seeing this. On one side was her beloved Rinji-nii, on the other her admired Shinomiya-senpai. She desperately wanted the two of them to get along.
Though at least, unlike in the first semester, they could now hold a normal conversation.
"Hina, you're here too?" Rinji asked.
"Yeah, I came to hang out with Kei."
"I see…"
Rinji glanced at Kaguya, then smiled at the two girls.
"Since the president and Shinomiya are a couple, wouldn't you two be third wheels here? Why don't I take you out instead? I've got time."
"Well…"
"There's no problem at all," Kaguya interrupted, sipping her tea with a smile. "I don't feel Hina-chan and Kei are getting in the way at all."
"Shinomiya, you really think highly of yourself. Personally, I find you the one in the way."
"You… I'm the president's girlfriend, visiting his family. How is that a problem?"
"No problem—except one of you here isn't really family, right?"
"What's the harm? I find Hina-chan easy to talk to. She's a lovely kouhai."
"Yeah, cuter than you, anyway."
"…"
Kaguya stared at him strangely.
Something about him was off. His attitude toward her had softened since the second semester, yet today he was suddenly back to bristling with hostility.
Shirogane had always known Kaguya and Rinji didn't get along, but even he felt Rinji was acting oddly sharp today.
As for Hina and Kei…
Hina was a little uneasy. Kei, however, truly hated seeing this happen.