"I sent the president away mainly so he wouldn't form an opinion of you because of your family's deeds," Rinji said. "You don't want him to know, do you?"
"Yes…"
Her mind was overwhelmed by what Rinji had said, but Kaguya still nodded. Even if she had nothing to do with her family's decisions, she didn't want Shirogane to know.
"Shinomiya, even if you weren't directly involved in your family's decisions, I don't consider you innocent."
"Huh?"
"From birth until now, you've enjoyed educational resources, fine food, luxury houses, servants—all provided by the Shinomiya family. And behind the money supporting that lifestyle are the victims of your family's vile actions."
"…"
Kaguya's small hands clenched tightly. Inside, she was struggling.
"You know my background. IW was founded on the arms trade. Even as a child I understood this much: my comfortable life was built on the suffering of people in war-torn regions. No matter what I become later, I have to live carrying the sins my father left me."
Rinji looked at Kaguya, who remained silent.
"Maybe my old man understood this too. That's why he abandoned everything to farm in the countryside—hoping I wouldn't have to live under his sins. But unfortunately, I still became a villain."
A bitter smile touched his lips.
He took out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and exhaled smoke.
"Hina is the real victim, the truly innocent one. That's why I don't want her to live with hatred. Neither you nor I are innocent—we've benefited from the privileges created by perpetrators. I planned to keep this from you, but at this point you need to know."
Finishing, Rinji suddenly smiled. He stubbed out his cigarette.
"But there's some good news at least. Now that you and the president are together, you'll no longer be Shinomiya Kaguya but Shirogane Kaguya. Then I won't have to link you with the Shinomiya family anymore."
Normally, being called "Shirogane Kaguya" would make her blush with secret joy, but not now. Her family had destroyed the father of Hina, Kei's friend. She didn't know how to face Hina anymore.
"Rinji… do you still plan to take revenge on the Shinomiya family?"
"The Shinomiya family isn't even worthy of my hatred. They just disgust me," Rinji said. "Even if I strike them down, Uncle Amano won't come back. I simply want them to vanish from my sight."
---
Over an hour later, Kei and Hina returned from shopping.
They had worried about Rinji and Kaguya fighting, but when Kei opened the door she saw Shirogane, Rinji, and Kaguya chatting over tea, looking harmonious.
"Huh?"
"Oh, Kei, Hina, you're back."
Seeing the two stunned girls, Rinji waved at them.
"Yeah, just bought a few summer clothes." Kei lifted her shopping bag.
She glanced suspiciously between Rinji and Kaguya.
"Rinji-nii, you didn't fight with Shinomiya-senpai, did you?"
"Nope."
"Rinji and I are friends in the student council," Kaguya said with a smile. "We argue sometimes, but that's just what friends do."
"I see…"
Kei was relieved their relationship wasn't as bad as she feared.
Kaguya stood up.
"It's getting late. I should head home."
"Huh? Senpai, won't you stay for dinner?"
"Next time, there'll be other chances."
She went to the entryway to put on her shoes.
"Then next time you must come. Bro, walk senpai out."
Kei nudged Shirogane at the table.
"Oh, okay."
"I should get going too."
"Rinji-nii, remember to come by before you head home next week."
"Sure," Rinji replied with a smile.
After spending the day with Kei, Hina also planned to return home.
The four left together.
Since Kaguya didn't live in the same building, she had to go home alone.
She glanced at Hina, hesitated, then said, "Amano-san."
"Yes."
Hina quickly responded when the popular upperclassman called her.
"If you ever run into trouble at school, you can come to me."
"Huh… wouldn't that trouble you too much, senpai?"
"Not at all."
"Then… thank you, senpai."
"You're welcome, it's the least I can do."
Seeing Kaguya's gentle smile, Hina blushed and lowered her head, thinking, "Senpai is so kind and approachable…"
Hina returned home, while Rinji and Shirogane escorted Kaguya to the apartment entrance.
"This is far enough." Kaguya turned to them.
"See you Monday, president, Rinji."
"Yeah, see you Monday."
They watched her go until she disappeared from sight. Neither turned back immediately.
After a long silence, Shirogane finally spoke. "Rinji…"
"President, you were eavesdropping, weren't you?"
"Huh? You noticed?"
"When you came back to chat with us, your expression was too forced, pretending like you hadn't heard anything," Rinji said with a smile. "You're not disillusioned with Kaguya, are you?"
"Of course not. Never."
"Good."
"…Rinji, do you really intend to move against her family?"
From their earlier conversation, Shirogane had learned much. He now knew of the Shinomiya family's past evils, that Rinji had blood on his hands, and that there was an unresolvable conflict between them. The weight of that knowledge tormented him.
"If I said yes, what would you do, President?"
"I…"
Shirogane clenched his fists tightly.
It was obvious he didn't want Rinji to harm Kaguya's family, but he also didn't want to put Rinji in a difficult position.
"President, I don't want you to have to choose between friendship and love either."
Rinji suddenly smiled.
"If you want me to stop, then I won't cause trouble for the Shinomiya family."
"Eh?"
"As long as you tell me, 'for my sake, don't lay a hand on the Shinomiyas,' everything will end here."
"I…"
"Don't tell me lines like 'revenge is wrong' or 'do you think the dead will be happy if you do this,' those detective manga clichés. Good and evil stopped mattering to me long ago, and a guilty conscience is almost impossible for me."
As he spoke, Rinji suddenly stepped closer to Shirogane, his eyes fixed on him.
"President, what can make me stop is 'personal ties.' If you're willing to ask me, I'll stop."
"…"
Shirogane stayed silent.
Clearly, if he said just one sentence, Rinji would give up his revenge against the Shinomiya family.
But he found himself unable to speak.
That simple sentence wouldn't cost him his dignity, nor bring any loss, yet to Shirogane it felt heavier than he could have imagined.