Shinomiya, Get Out
The two classes in the afternoon ended in the blink of an eye. As the bell rang, the students cheered and streamed out of the classroom.
First day of school meant one thing: every club was recruiting.
Kūjō Ryō sighed to himself again.
A world that was not obsessed with grinding was honestly wonderful. Students had time to chase that shining youth instead of living in cram schools.
In this world, middle and high school ran on six periods a day. No morning reading, no noon reading, no night study.
Four classes in the morning, then a full hour and a half of lunch break. Two classes in the afternoon, and after that, the relaxed and happy club activity time.
If you did not want to join a club, you could use that time for something more meaningful. But the club fee was still mandatory.
Paying money without joining any club?
The principal would probably say: Send me a thousand more students like that.
Ryō did not follow the crowd to sign up for anything.
Because he was the newly elected student council president.
The student council was the most special "club" on campus, the organization that managed all students and all clubs.
He waited a few minutes until the hallway thinned out, then stood and headed for the student council room.
His steps were calm and unhurried, but his heart was anything but steady.
Just imagining meeting the student council's members made him buzz with anticipation.
Aside from him, every member was a beautiful girl.
Shinomiya Kaguya, who ranked second in the vote, naturally became the vice president.
The secretary seat and treasurer seat went to Fujiwara Chika and Shirogane Kei.
As for the discipline officer, the school did not dare let students vote for someone irresponsible, so that position was appointed by teachers.
The new discipline officer was Iino Miko, absolute justice incarnate, zero tolerance for rule-breaking.
All his teammates were beautiful girls. Surely everyone could get along, right?
With that hopeful fantasy, Ryō arrived at the student council room.
Except for Shinomiya Kaguya, everyone else was already there.
The lively, bright pink-haired beauty: Fujiwara Chika.
The silver-haired beauty in a white sailor uniform and pleated skirt, cool and distant in aura: Shirogane Kei.
The petite, cute chestnut-haired beauty who looked like she made you want to tease her: Iino Miko.
"President."
The three of them greeted him at the same time.
Ryō answered in a gentle tone. "Fujiwara-san, Iino-san, Shirogane-san. Good afternoon. I'll be counting on you."
Fujiwara Chika's cheeks flushed slightly.
The president seemed even more handsome than she had imagined.
A serious, hardworking boy like this was exactly her type, and under the ten-times charm boost, even her usual unstoppable social confidence temporarily short-circuited.
Ryō sat down, wondering when Kaguya would arrive, when he heard a sound.
The door opened.
Two men in black suits pulled it wide and stood on either side like statues, clearing the way.
A girl stepped in between them with elegant composure.
Black hair. Red eyes. Skin pale as porcelain.
Shinomiya Kaguya.
Ryō stood up to welcome her, wearing a friendly smile.
"Welcome to the student council, Shinomiya-san."
Kaguya replied coldly, "President. I am Shinomiya Kaguya. Remember this. I am not like the commoners who scramble for scholarships. I joined the student council only to polish my résumé."
Ryō frowned.
Was that a warning?
Or was this simply the real Ice Kaguya?
Kaguya's gaze swept the room. Then she spoke to the others.
"You have three seconds to complete your self-introduction. Exceed the limit, and you forfeit your right to speak."
Fujiwara Chika immediately raised her hand, tilting her head with a playful smile.
"Whoa, so serious right away? According to shoujo manga rules, this is when someone should crack a joke to lighten the mood. Like"
Kaguya cut her off without expression.
"The secretary's job is to record, not perform comedy."
Fujiwara Chika froze with her hand up for two full seconds, then deflated like a punctured balloon and sank back into her chair, muttering softly.
"S-so scary."
Ryō felt irritation rise, but he kept his voice calm as he stepped in.
"Shinomiya-san, you don't need to be that strict."
Kaguya lifted her eyelids slightly and looked at him with cool indifference.
"President. I believe an efficient work environment is more important than casual chatter."
After the brief introductions, the student council's first meeting began under a heavy, tense atmosphere.
Iino Miko stood up and began reporting the upcoming activity plan with earnest seriousness.
She was not even halfway through when Kaguya lazily raised a hand and interrupted.
"A plan of this level would not pass even the most ordinary Shinomiya subsidiary. There is no innovation, and the budget allocation is irrational."
Iino's face flushed instantly. Her fingers clenched the edge of her skirt, and a flicker of hurt flashed in her eyes.
Watching from the side, Ryō's frown deepened.
He had braced himself for Ice Kaguya's sharp edges.
But actually dealing with her in person still sent his blood pressure soaring.
He could not hold back.
"Shinomiya-san. Iino-san put a lot of effort into that plan. Please at least let her finish, and then offer constructive feedback."
Kaguya only gave a quiet "hmph," turned her head away, and fell silent again.
Her arrogance made it clear she did not take his words seriously.
During the break, Shirogane Kei thoughtfully brought in freshly brewed tea for everyone.
When she gently placed a cup in front of Kaguya, Kaguya glanced at it once and spoke flatly.
"I never drink tea this cheap."
Shirogane Kei's fingers trembled. She lowered her head and retreated quickly, her face full of humiliation.
Ryō inhaled deeply, swallowed the words that were already on his tongue, and forced them back down.
The meeting moved toward its end.
Fujiwara Chika seemed determined to soften the stiff atmosphere. She winked, told a lighthearted joke, and laughed brightly, then looked at Kaguya with hopeful expectation.
But Kaguya did not smile.
Instead, she looked at her coldly.
"Fujiwara-san. If your sense of humor can only be used on something this pointless, I suggest you spend your time on matters of value. A student council secretary should not be so frivolous."
The smile on Fujiwara Chika's face vanished.
She lowered her head. Her fingers twisted together unconsciously, and she looked more defeated than anyone had ever seen her. Even the ends of her hair, usually perky and lifted, seemed to droop.
So Shinomiya-san was the kind of person who was hard to get along with.
Finally, Ryō snapped.
Bang!
He slammed his palm down on the table, stood up, and roared.
"Shinomiya-san, this is not the Shinomiya household. If you want to throw your young-lady tantrums, then get out!"
Fujiwara Chika looked at Ryō, her eyes full of worry and panic.
After saying that, could the president even see tomorrow's sunrise?
Iino Miko stared up in shock, her posture stiffening even more, her gaze darting between the furious president and the frozen vice president.
Shirogane Kei covered her mouth, eyes wide and round.
Outside the door, the two bodyguards' muscles tightened like forged steel.
They were ready to explode into motion at any moment.
All they needed was one command from Shinomiya Kaguya, and they would burst in and tear apart the man who dared offend her.