The soft clatter of plates being set on the table and the warm aroma of freshly prepared food briefly diverted everyone's attention. It was a welcome relief after the silent tension that hung over the group.
Touya picked up his chopsticks with ease and was the first to serve himself. "Well, nothing like eating to calm the nerves. Let's dig in before it gets cold."
Following his lead, everyone began to eat.
The sound of cutlery and plates momentarily replaced words.
Isagi, as hungry as ever, started devouring his meal. There was nothing elegant about the way he ate, but, curiously, it wasn't unpleasant. He wasn't someone who ate like a caveman; he clearly had some table manners.
Yuki observed discreetly. There was something different about him. Not just in his posture, but in his physique. When he adjusted the sleeve of his uniform to avoid staining it, she noticed the firmer outline of his arms. The muscle wasn't exaggerated, but it was defined. Subtle, but noticeable to someone who had known him for so long.
"You've been training beyond soccer, haven't you?" she asked, her tone like someone casting a net at just the right moment.
Isagi looked up, chewing quickly before answering. "Oh… yeah. It's been almost two weeks since I started lifting weights."
"So that's why you look more… sturdy. It's not just my imagination."
Isagi scratched the back of his neck, a bit embarrassed. "It's not like you can see much yet, but I think I'm getting a bit tougher."
"It's not just toughness," Yuki commented, setting her chopsticks beside her plate. Her eyes gleamed with something between admiration and something else she preferred not to admit in front of the others. "You're looking a bit more defined…"
Her observation made Isagi nearly choke on his food. "Hey, don't exaggerate, Yuki! I'm not even close to 'defined' yet."
Kaguya, who had been serene until then, discreetly tightened her fingers against her lap. The simple compliment had pierced her like an invisible arrow. That natural tone of closeness… it irritated her more than she cared to admit.
"Hmm…" murmured Alya, resting her chin on her hand, her fork still balanced between her fingers. Her gaze was sharp but carried a hint of possessiveness. In Russian, low enough to be almost a whisper, a resentful phrase slipped out:
"Predatel… Ty dolzhen smotret tolko na menya."
("Traitor… You should only look at me.")
Isagi blinked, that traitor thing again? They weren't even dating… Keeping a certain confusion, he asked, "Huh? Alya, more of that Russian… what did you say this time?"
"Oh." She shrugged, returning to her cold expression. "Nothing worth translating. Just thinking out loud."
Yuki raised an eyebrow slightly but kept her smile. Kaguya, however, registered every word even without understanding the language. She didn't need a translation to feel the venom in those foreign syllables.
Trying to break the awkward atmosphere, Isagi changed the subject.
"By the way… I was surprised by something." He looked directly at Kaguya. "You're not running for president, Kaguya? I thought that'd be a natural fit for you."
The table fell silent for a second, as if everyone was waiting for her response.
Kaguya maintained her impeccable composure, gently setting her chopsticks on her plate before speaking. "I haven't decided yet. I'm still considering whether that's the path I want to take."
Isagi tilted his head, curious. "Really? I thought you'd be the obvious candidate. You always seem ready for that kind of thing."
"Seeming ready isn't the same as being ready," she replied, her voice calm but laden with meaning.
Yuki seized the opportunity to chime in. "Basically, Shinomiya-san has all the necessary qualities, but she always thinks ten steps ahead. If she hasn't decided yet, it's because she's analyzing every detail carefully."
"Exactly," Kaguya said, casting a calculated glance at Yuki. "But I still have time to decide."
Isagi nodded, oblivious to the subtle tension building between the two. "Got it… well, whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll do great."
That simple statement warmed Kaguya's chest more than she cared to admit. She maintained her serene demeanor, but her thoughts were a whirlwind.
Meanwhile, Alya poked at her food, seemingly disinterested, but her eyes never left Isagi. Every compliment from Yuki or Kaguya sparked a pang of irritation in her.
Hayasaka, sitting nearby, continued to observe. It was almost amusing to watch how each of them silently vied for territory. Isagi, of course, seemed to be the only one who noticed nothing.
Touya, on the other hand, appeared to be enjoying the scene, taking calm sips of his drink.
Isagi, still chewing, let slip a comment that sounded innocent but landed like a spark on gunpowder. "You know… if all of you run, it'll be interesting to see this election. It almost feels like its own championship."
"Championship?" Yuki laughed softly. "If you look at it that way, it kind of makes sense. But I prefer to think of it as teamwork. Even if I run, I'd still want everyone to be part of the council. Including you, Isagi."
"Here we go again…" he sighed.
"It's not a joke. I think you'd have a lot to contribute," Yuki insisted, her gentle smile unwavering.
"And I think he'd just be too distracted," Alya shot back, not lifting her eyes from her plate.
"Or too dedicated," Kaguya countered calmly.
The silence that followed was almost tangible.
Isagi raised his hands, nervous. "Hey, easy, easy. I haven't even agreed to anything yet! Let's just eat in peace, okay?"
Touya burst out laughing. "You really have no idea what's going on around you, do you, Isagi?"
"What?"
"Forget it."
Everyone returned to eating, but the atmosphere was far from neutral.
In the end, as they continued their meal, Hayasaka leaned back in her chair, crossed her legs, and thought to herself that this would be entertaining to watch, hiding a smile.
The rest of the dinner conversation was calm, as Touya, the host, led most of the discussion, and Yuki, with her strong communication skills, supported him and kept things moving alongside Isagi. Kaguya and Alisa were mostly listeners, so while there were no conflicts, that was about all that could be said. During the conversation, both Touya and Yuki repeatedly invited Isagi to join the student council, but he declined every time.
After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant and discovered it was already dark outside.
""""Thanks for the food.""""
Isagi, Kaguya, Yuki, and Alisa thanked Touya after he finished paying for the meal and joined them outside.
"No problem." He nodded and began leading the others toward the parking lot with a thoughtful expression, noticing a familiar limousine pulling up. He continued, "Looks like Shinomiya's ride is here…"
"I know Alisa lives nearby, so she's walking home, and Yuki's taking the train back like me, but what about you, Isagi?"
"Oh, I can walk home from here too."
Hearing his words, Kaguya, ever impeccable, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before speaking with the studied calm of someone who rarely lets their emotions show.
"Yoichi-kun. I can offer you a ride. It's late, and it wouldn't be proper for you to walk alone at this hour."
Her tone left no room for misinterpretation: it wasn't just an offer, but a declaration of almost noble responsibility.
Isagi's eyes widened slightly, surprised. Before he could respond, he felt two things at once: Alya's piercing gaze, like icy blades on the back of his neck, and Yuki's gentle but clearly forced smile, hiding something behind her serenity.
For a moment, Isagi had the real sense that if he accepted, his fate would be sealed right there. He swallowed hard.
"Uh… thanks, Kaguya. Really. But I'm good. My house is pretty close, I'll walk just fine."
Kaguya blinked slowly, absorbing the refusal.
"I see. In that case, take care."
She kept her serene expression, though inside she felt a bitter pang. Her heart wanted to insist, but Shinomiya pride was stronger. A misstep could betray her.
Just as she finished speaking, a black limousine glided smoothly to the curb, stopping in front of the group. The door opened before anyone even approached. Hayasaka was there, standing straight, as if she had predicted every second of what would happen.
"Milady." She bowed slightly, holding the door open.
The sight caught everyone's attention. The grandeur of the scene made it seem like Kaguya was from another world. She stepped into the limousine with her usual grace, adjusting her skirt before sitting. Before the door closed, she cast one last look at Isagi, elegant but laced with a subtlety few would notice.
"Good night, Yoichi-kun. Until soon."
The door closed softly, cutting off any chance of a reply.
The limousine pulled away slowly, leaving only the reflection of its red taillights on the wet street.
Isagi scratched the back of his neck, feeling a bit guilty. "…She seemed pretty serious about that, huh?"
Yuki kept her smile, but her eyes hid a hint of satisfaction that he hadn't accepted. "That's just Shinomiya-san's way. Always careful."
Alya, on the other hand, turned her face away, muttering something low in Russian, sharp as poison.
"Khorosho… khotya by ty znayesh, chto storona tvoya so mnoy."
("Good… at least you know your side is with me.")
Isagi sighed, exasperated. "Again with that, Alya? I didn't understand a thing, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't a compliment…"
She merely raised an eyebrow, indifferent, not bothering to explain.
Touya, watching it all with that amused air, gave Isagi a pat on the shoulder. "Good luck, my friend. You're gonna need it."
"Hey, what are you talking about now?"
"You'll figure it out."
Yuki laughed softly, looking away, while Alya simply huffed, arms crossed.
"Alright, then. Walk Alisa home on your way. I'll take care of Yuki."
"Okay."
The fact that Isagi agreed so readily, with the natural demeanor of a true gentleman, only made their respect for him grow. Yuki, however, suddenly raised her hand.
"Ahem. President? I really appreciate the thought, but I already have a car coming to pick me up."
"You do?"
"Yeah. I need to wait here until it arrives, so please, don't worry about me."
"…Alright. See you next week, then."
After watching Touya head down the road toward the station, Isagi and Alisa's eyes met.
"Ready to go?"
"You don't need to walk me all the way home."
"Come on, don't be like that. Let's go. See you, Yuki."
"Have a safe walk home."
"See you, Yuki."
"See you, Alya."
Isagi and Alisa started walking in the opposite direction from Touya, and Yuki gave a small bow in farewell. But inside, she felt a pang of frustration, wanting just a few more minutes by his side.
"How far is your house?" Isagi asked, breaking the silence.
"It's about a twenty-minute walk."
"Oh. That's kinda far."
"And you?"
"Me? About fifteen minutes, give or take. Probably not much farther than your place, depending on how fast you walk."
"Oh."
Then there was silence. They walked side by side, an unspoken tension enveloping them. That's when the door of a nearby barbecue restaurant swung open, and a group of men in suits stumbled out.
"Tch. The development guys have no respect for us in sales!"
"I think you've had a bit too much to drink, boss."
"Mr. Isoyama, we should keep our voices down."
A middle-aged man, face red and eyes glassy, was talking loudly, ignoring his subordinates' pleas. Isagi immediately moved Alisa to the inner side of the sidewalk, instinctively shielding her.
He averted his gaze to avoid eye contact, but the drunken man ended up noticing them.
"What the hell? What are these kids doing out this late? Hooking up? Gonna go mess around? All kids want to do these days is fool around! They should be home studying!"
"Mr. Isoyama! Shhh!"
"Enough, boss. Let's go home."
"Shut up! Look… what's this?"
The drunk staggered forward, ignoring the warnings. His eyes landed on Alisa, and he let out a harsh laugh.
"What are you, a gray mouse? What kind of irresponsible parents let their daughter dye her hair like that? Shameful!"
Alisa stopped in her tracks, frozen with fury.
"Alya, hey…" Isagi murmured, trying to calm her. He knew well how much words like that hurt her—and how she didn't let them slide.
"Shameful is a man your age acting like this," Alya shot back in a low, firm tone. The contempt in her voice was cutting.
The drunk's subordinates fell silent, stunned by her boldness. Isoyama, however, grew even angrier. He shoved his colleagues aside and advanced toward Alya.
She didn't back down. She lifted her chin, her cold gaze fixed on him.
But before he could get too close, Isagi stepped in front of her.
With a serene smile on his lips, so unexpected it clashed with the tension of the moment, he faced the man. A sweet, almost friendly smile… but there was something in it that made even the subordinates hold their breath.
"Pathetic old man… don't you get tired of embarrassing your subordinates? Isn't it enough to be a failure at work, you have to take it out on teenagers too? Must be tough waking up every day and realizing you're nothing but dead weight."
The subordinates' silence was almost deafening. Isoyama turned red as a tomato, his whole body trembling with rage.
"You… insolent brat!" he roared, lunging forward with his fist raised, aiming straight for Isagi's face.
Alya stepped forward but stopped when she saw his confident smile.
The punch came fast, wild, but Isagi, with the calm of someone used to such situations, simply shifted his body one step to the side.
The air sliced through in the next instant.
*Vupt!*
The sound echoed like an explosion as Isagi's foot sank into the man's stomach. The impact reverberated through the alley, so violent it made the subordinates step back in shock.
Isoyama fell to his knees, eyes wide, blood dripping from his mouth. He gasped, struggling to breathe as if he'd been hit by a battering ram.
Isagi, still standing, looked down at him. His expression held no warmth now. It was calm, but with an intensity that chilled the blood.
"If you'd dared to touch her, it would've been much worse…"
The subordinates exchanged nervous glances, completely frozen.
Alya, beside him, clenched her fists, not out of anger, but to hide how fast her heart was racing.
It took the subordinates a few seconds to move. The impact still echoed in their minds, and the image of Isoyama spitting blood seemed too absurd to process.
"Boss!" one of them finally reacted, kneeling beside the fallen man. "Are you okay?! Hang in there!"
Isoyama groaned, trying to breathe, each inhale sounding like broken glass in his lungs. His hand trembled as he tried to prop himself up, barely able to lift his own weight.
Another employee looked at Isagi, sweat covering his forehead. "S-student… do you have any idea what you've done? This could end really badly for you—"
"Badly?" Isagi cut in, his voice low but sharp as ice. He tilted his head slightly, watching the drunk sprawled on the ground. "The only bad thing here is an adult who can't control himself. If any of you actually care about him, take him home before he does something even more shameful."
The subordinate swallowed hard, unable to respond. There was a stark contrast between Isagi's calm and the brutality he'd just displayed, as if moving between the two was second nature.
Alya, beside him, took a deep breath, trying to hide the storm she felt inside. Her chest was warm, pulsing with a strange mix of pride and… something else she preferred not to name.
Isoyama, still on his knees, lifted his sweat- and blood-streaked face.
"You… damn brat…" He tried to curse but coughed violently mid-sentence, spitting more red onto the ground.
"Enough, boss!" one of the men grabbed him by the shoulders. "It's no use! Get up, we need to get you out of here!"
With visible effort, the three subordinates managed to drag Isoyama away. He still tried to protest, but his voice grew weaker, drowned out by groans of pain.
Silence reclaimed the street. Only the sound of their hurried footsteps fading remained.
Alya finally turned to Isagi, crossing her arms. Her gaze was stern, but there was something betraying it: a certain glint, intense and contradictory.
"You're insane…" she muttered in Russian, before translating without realizing. "You could've just punched him, but no… you had to kick him like you were going to explode his stomach."
Isagi scratched the back of his neck, the same embarrassed gesture as always, but still with a trace of that coldness in his eyes. "If I'd punched him, he'd have gotten back up because of our size difference, so I aimed a hard kick at his liver. Sometimes it's better to give a lesson he'll remember when he wakes up tomorrow."
She stared at him for a few more seconds in silence… then looked away, huffing. "Idiot. Still… thanks."
"I just did what anyone would."
"No." She lifted her chin, as if correcting him. "Anyone would've let it slide to avoid trouble. You're not just anyone."
Isagi blinked, surprised by the seriousness of her statement, but didn't respond. He just resumed walking, giving her a slight wave to follow.
Alya kept pace, staying close, and the silence enveloped them.
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