"Well, that should settle it. Thank you very much for helping us, Isagi."
"Thanks a lot."
"You're welcome."
About an hour after they started, Isagi had already entered focused mode, shutting his mind off from the rest of the world. This helped him finish much faster than expected. The three concluded the organization ahead of schedule. However, as soon as they left the supply room, they were surprised by a tall and robust student who approached.
"Oh, you're done already?"
"Ah, if it isn't the president. Yes, we finished earlier than expected, thanks to Isagi's help."
"Impressive. So, you're Isagi Yoichi, right? I'm the student council president... Touya. I've heard quite a bit about you."
"Yes. Nice to meet you. I've heard about you too, Mr. President..."
Isagi made a slight bow, looking at the young man.
He didn't need introductions, as he already knew who he was. His name was Touya Kenzaki, a second-year student and the charismatic president of the high school student council. He was a big guy, not just in height. He had broad shoulders and a strong chest, seeming even larger up close. He wasn't the most handsome guy. If anything, he looked old for his age, and combined with his large stature, it was hard to believe he was still a high school student. However, his eyebrows were well-groomed where they extended over his stylish glasses. But what stood out most was his extremely confident expression, which gave him charm and a strong presence. Just one look at him would make it clear that he was someone trustworthy. That's why everyone naturally felt that things would be fine with him leading. Perhaps rulers like kings had a majestic presence like his. Most boys at school had extreme doubts at first when they heard that a mere boy was leading beautiful and talented girls, but everything made sense the moment they saw him.
Before the conversation could continue, a calm voice came right behind Touya: "You always arrive first, president."
It was Kaguya Shinomiya.
Her impeccable posture naturally drew attention. She was a beautiful young woman with fair skin, long black hair usually tied with a black and red ribbon, with bangs/strands hanging on each side, large almond-shaped red eyes that could seem more striking depending on her mood, thin eyebrows, and a slender yet feminine build, with a visibly small bust. Without a doubt, she is a stunning beauty.
In the past, and at the beginning of elementary school, she always wore her hair loose, without her red ribbon. Like the Ice Princess, her eyes seemed more piercing, dark, and lifeless, giving her an aura of dark, cold, inaccessible, and unattainable beauty. This reflected her mental state, influenced by her relentlessly strict education, in which she acted coldly toward others, pushing them away out of fear of hurting them.
Later, she ended up meeting Isagi after the debate they had and competed in to become student council presidents, which ended in her defeat. But Isagi invited her to the student council later, and as she got closer to him and the other student council members, as well as other students, she asked her maid Ai Hayasaka to make her 'cute'. The ribbon is her attempt to seem less imposing and cold to others and marks a change in her personality. Instead of distancing herself and suppressing coldly, she began to build meaningful relationships and became brighter, cuter, and happier overall.
This change is particularly reflected in her eyes, which no longer seemed empty and distant.
Now, her eyes seem more open and alive.
Speaking of them, upon noticing Isagi, her eyes softened, and she tilted her head slightly.
"Yoichi-kun... how long has it been? Two weeks? Three?"
Isagi blinked, surprised. "Ah… yeah. Since that meeting in the library, I think."
"You haven't changed at all," said Kaguya, with a small smile. "Still helping with everything without complaining."
He scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed. "Someone has to do the work, right? And I don't think anyone changes much in two weeks..."
Behind her, Ai Hayasaka appeared silently, also in uniform. She was a beautiful young woman with blonde hair, usually tied on the left side of her head with a blue elastic, and blue eyes. She usually changes her appearance and choice of clothes to suit different roles and perform her duties as Kaguya's maid, but she was in uniform because she had been studying earlier. And unlike Kaguya, her posture was relaxed, almost disinterested, but her alert eyes missed nothing.
"Miss," she murmured in a low tone, "it's already time to go. If you're late again, it'll pile up for tomorrow."
"I know, Hayasaka." The response came calm but firm. Kaguya turned to Isagi. "But I think I can be a few minutes late, right?"
His heart tightened slightly. It wasn't common for her to talk like that, especially in public. Yuki, who was watching everything with arms crossed, let out an almost inaudible "tch." Alya, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow, silent but clearly annoyed.
Feeling that it wouldn't be good to stay in that place any longer and remembering that he had training, Isagi cleared his throat: "It was good to see you again, Kaguya. But I… need to go. So, if you'll excuse me..."
Touya, who was observing the scene from the corner, opened a confident smile. "Hold on. I'd feel bad letting you go without thanking you. You helped a lot today. I know you must have commitments at home, but let me invite you to dinner."
"I appreciate the consideration, but…"
Isagi hesitated.
"Why don't you accept? It's not like there's anything very special waiting for you at home, right? Your parents wouldn't mind you coming home later; if anything, just send a message letting them know. Not that you've done that before, I remember you never needed to," said Yuki, with that provocative smile that seemed more like a trap.
"Yuki..."
"Hmm? How do you know that?" asked Touya, arching his eyebrows, while Alya watched silently, attentive.
"Because we're friends and we've gone out together several times," Yuki replied firmly.
And that explains what, exactly...? thought Isagi, Touya, Alya, and even Kaguya.
But no one dared to challenge in the face of the hidden weight in Yuki's antiquated smile.
"In that case, that's even more reason for us to go together. Alisa, Yuki, you two as well. I want to thank you for today."
"Thank you very much."
"... Sure. Thanks."
"If that's the case..."
"If that's the case…"
Touya's smile widened even more, as if he had remembered something important. His eyes turned to the elegant figure right behind him.
"Ah, of course… Shinomiya, you should come too. After all, you're part of the council, and it would be strange not to invite you, don't you think?"
The invitation was made with the naturalness of someone who didn't accept a 'no' as an answer.
Kaguya lifted her eyes to Touya, then gently shifted them to Isagi, who seemed about to protest out of politeness. A small smile appeared on her lips.
"If Yoichi-kun is going, then… I'll go too."
The air between them seemed to freeze for a moment.
Yuki narrowed her eyes but kept her smile. Alya, on the other hand, just crossed her arms, looking away to the other side, but her fingers subtly tightened on her elbow, a sign of annoyance that only someone very attentive would notice.
"I see. So we're all in agreement," concluded Touya, satisfied, adjusting his glasses.
Behind Kaguya, Ai Hayasaka sighed softly, almost inaudibly. To anyone, she seemed just another student in uniform watching the scene, but in her mind, a cold thought echoed clearly:
"Of course… because what I really need is to spend more time around these teenage jealousy games. Madam, do you realize this is going to mean double the work afterward?"
But, as a good professional, she remained silent.
"Great," said Touya, with his confident voice, lightly clapping his hands as if finalizing a decision. "Let's all go together then. There's a nearby restaurant that will serve well for the occasion."
Isagi, however, couldn't help but think to himself, while discreetly looking at the sky that was already darkening through the window:
… I just wanted to go home in peace.
But, surrounded by Kaguya, Yuki, Alya, Touya, and even Hayasaka who would follow anyway, he knew the truth.
There was no escaping.
As he sighed internally, Isagi casually turned to the side and ended up meeting the cold and enigmatic eyes of Alisa.
"… What?"
"Nothing."
"Excuse me? You know it's rude to stare at a lady's face without reason."
"Sorry."
He looked away and reflected on his behavior, since she was completely right.
And this is the cold and ruthless accountant of the student council...
Thinking about these silly things, Isagi got lost in daydreams.
"Ты будешь ускорять мое сердце, если будешь продолжать так."
(You will make my heart race if you continue like this.)
Isagi sighed internally.
One of the reasons for not wanting to go to this dinner was exactly that. He knew or at least suspected the feelings that each of the girls harbored for him. He wasn't naive enough to believe that all that attention was casual.
The problem was that he found them all beautiful. More than that, he felt desire for them, as any hormone-filled, horny teenager would. His heart raced, his body reacted, and he knew that if he wanted to, he could take advantage of the situation. He just had to choose one, get closer, and he'd probably get what he desired.
But he didn't think it was right.
"They don't deserve me being that much of an asshole. Especially when I don't even know exactly what I feel. How could I toy with their feelings?"
While putting on his shoes at the school entrance and leaving with the group, they ended up crossing paths with the soccer club members. The athletes instinctively moved away upon seeing them pass after making a discreet obscene hand gesture to Isagi, who just sighed...
Indeed, the stares were mainly fixed on Alisa, with Yuki right after. Then they looked at him with pride and envy, the kind of look you get from your player friend who hooks up with a hot woman.
What drew the most attention, however, was that Kaguya Shinomiya was walking alongside them, impeccable as always. Her serene yet imposing posture attracted different looks, less passionate, more respectful. Unlike the other two, who exuded charm and beauty spontaneously, Kaguya was admired as someone from another level.
Behind her, in discreet steps, was Ai Hayasaka, in her school uniform. Unlike Kaguya, her expression was neutral, almost disinterested, but her eyes scanned the surroundings attentively. To anyone, she seemed just another student accompanying the group, but Isagi knew: she was there because it was her duty to follow the "madam."
They left the school and walked down the street lit by lampposts for about ten minutes, attracting stares from pedestrians as if they were a small procession. Even strangers couldn't help but stare at the group, especially the girls. But no one seemed bothered, except Isagi who felt a bit thoughtful.
In his past life, he was used to the spotlight and fame, and he had also walked among numerous figures admired by everyone; for example, he had met a group of idols and gone out drinking with them, accompanied famous players to spotlight parties and all that. But he had never walked with a group of such beautiful women...
They arrived at a cozy restaurant, and Touya was the first to sit after the waitress led them to a spacious table.
Isagi tried to discreetly pass the turn to the others, planning to sit in some corner, away from the president, but Yuki was quicker:
"Here, Isagi. Sit down." She smiled innocently, offering the chair right in front of Touya.
"…You heard the girl, Alya." Isagi tried to dodge, passing the hot potato to Alisa.
"She was clearly talking to you."
The standoff lasted a few seconds until Touya, impassive, broke the silence:
"Come on, just sit down, Isagi. The waitress is waiting to take our order."
When he looked to the side, he noticed the young waitress standing with a tray balancing glasses of water. With no options, Isagi gave up and plopped down in the chair in front of Touya.
Yuki then settled smiling next to him, while Alisa sat next to the president. Kaguya, naturally, took the free seat next to Isagi, and Hayasaka positioned herself behind her, as if it were just coincidence, but without losing the composure of someone who would never leave her madam alone.
Isagi swallowed hard.
The dinner was just beginning, but he already felt that table was an invisible battlefield.
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