[22] See How Simple It Is

Chapter 22: See How Simple It Is

"Enough already. Aren't you going to say that you have no special feelings for the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya family?"

"Mm... I really don't have any special feelings... I'm fine... Treasurer Ronan, you don't need to worry about me."

"You look completely burnt out. That really doesn't seem 'fine' to me."

Ronan stared speechlessly at Shirogane, who was slumping forward with his head hanging low, looking as if he were on the verge of death.

This was a completely different person from the spirited and confident student council president he had first met.

"That's exactly why I've always believed that students these days lack rationality when it comes to relationships. They never consider the future, even when it's obvious that it won't work out—Alright, alright, I'll stop talking. President, pull yourself together!"

Seeing that Shirogane was genuinely about to collapse, Ronan decided to drop the topic.

Though he usually didn't care much about other people's feelings, he could at least tell when someone was on the brink of breaking down.

And right now, he was afraid that if he kept pushing, the student council president might actually keel over on the spot.

"No... Treasurer Ronan, what you said is absolutely right. I'm well aware of the situation with the Shinomiya family."

Though his expression remained dark, Shirogane was beginning to regain his composure, carefully considering the matter.

"If we were to truly end up together, I'd have to face that family."

"Wait, President, didn't you just say you had no special feelings for her?"

"I said if. Treasurer Ronan, pay attention to the wording."

"My bad. Please, continue."

"Then I'll continue."

Seated at the student council president's desk, Shirogane interlaced his fingers, resting them against the bridge of his nose. His eyes gleamed with newfound wisdom.

"...President, your aura suddenly changed."

"Don't interrupt."

"Got it."

"If, one day, we truly reach the stage of discussing marriage—"

"You're already thinking that far ahead when you're not even dating yet? President, you really…"

"Am I speaking, or are you?"

"Of course, you're speaking, President. I promise I'll shut up now." Ronan raised his hands in surrender.

"Hmm. So, I'm saying hypothetically—if Shinomiya and I were to become a couple. Remember, I said hypothetically. Did you hear that, Treasurer Ronan?"

"Loud and clear. I got it."

Ronan wasn't sure why Shirogane kept emphasizing the word hypothetically, but he decided to just let him continue.

"Alright. Hypothetically, if Shinomiya and I—well, you know—became a couple, and after a few days, the Shinomiya family decided I wasn't good enough for her, then…"

"Allow me to interrupt just once, President." Ronan raised his hand.

"Go ahead."

"Please don't sell yourself short, President. Never underestimate yourself. It's not that you're not good enough for the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya family—it's that she's not good enough for you."

"Ah… Thanks, I appreciate that…"

"You have to understand, the Shinomiya family is just a bunch of scheming parasites. They're trash. They're—"

"Alright, alright, Treasurer Ronan, you're getting a little too worked up."

"Ahem Fine, fine. President, please continue." Ronan coughed twice and gestured for Shirogane to go on.

"So, if it really came down to that, the Shinomiya family would be an insurmountable obstacle. As of now, I can think of a few possible ways to deal with it."

"Hmm."

Ronan found it fascinating that despite insisting he had "no special feelings" for Kaguya, Shirogane had already thought through the potential difficulties of marriage with her.

All he could do was admire him—as expected of the President, even problems that would never happen were thoroughly considered.

"I've got an idea!" Shirogane's eyes lit up. "What if I kneel at the Shinomiya family's doorstep and beg them, 'Please let me marry your daughter! I truly love her!' Would that work?"

"...Just look at my face and figure it out yourself."

"So... it won't work?"

"Of course not!" Ronan slammed the table. "If the Shinomiya family were that easy to convince, they wouldn't have been stealing my allowance back in the day! And why the hell would you resolve this in such a humiliating way!? Putting everything else aside, at the very least, you're my superior at Shuchiin. If you do something that embarrassing, where does that leave my dignity!?"

"I did say 'if'—I wasn't actually talking about me and Shinomiya." Shirogane tried to justify himself.

"Ah, right, I forgot."

"Then let's try a different approach."

After a brief moment of thought, Shirogane looked at Ronan seriously.

"What do you think about eloping?"

"Eloping is a great idea."

"I thought so too..."

"So, where exactly are you planning to run?" Ronan asked flatly. "Japan? Forget it, the Shinomiya family has assets everywhere. Southeast Asia? Not a chance—the Japanese manufacturing industry was all over there in the '90s, and the Shinomiya family was no exception. Western countries like the U.S.? Also a no-go—most financial elites operate there, and Shinomiya's family plays that game too. Besides a few small nations, they can reach you anywhere. Even if it's just for the sake of saving face, they'll hunt you to the ends of the earth. With enough money, you can make ghosts work for you—let alone turning people into ghosts."

A sudden chill ran down Shirogane's spine at Ronan's words.

"President, don't overthink it. It's not like this is some life-or-death issue."

"N-no... Uh... Treasurer Ronan, do you have any ideas?"

"Me? Well, if it were me, I would have a way. But since this is all just your delusion—because, of course, you don't actually have any special feelings for the Shinomiya heiress—there's no need to go into it any further."

"NO!"

Shirogane suddenly stood up from his seat and grabbed Ronan's shoulders firmly.

"Treasurer Ronan! Even if this is just a completely baseless hypothetical—this is the Student Council! If a student were to come to us with this exact problem seeking help, it is our duty to find a solution for them!"

"...Since when does the Student Council handle relationship counseling? Just tell them to break up—it's against school regulations anyway."

"You're wrong, Treasurer Ronan! Helping our fellow students is the duty of the Student Council!"

Shirogane turned his back to Ronan, presenting what he probably thought was an imposing and noble figure.

"At the very least, during my tenure as President, I want my fellow students to find happiness."

To any reasonable observer, his words were full of holes. It was the classic "I have a friend who..." scenario—anyone with a shred of common sense could tell he was talking about himself.

But as Ronan stared at Shirogane's dramatic stance, his unwavering sense of duty and sheer conviction were enough to sway him.

"As expected of the President! To put so much thought into a scenario that will likely never happen, all for the sake of his fellow students—this selflessness is truly admirable!"

He believed him.

Shirogane's completely unconvincing excuse—Ronan actually bought it.

"If you understand my resolve, then that makes things much easier. So, Treasurer Ronan, tell me—what's your solution?"

"My solution is actually quite simple."

"Let's hear it."

"You just have to make the Shinomiya family believe that their son-in-law is someone truly capable. Before that, you need to prove your worth."

"Hmm."

"Before graduation, just earn a ten billion yen. See, President? Easy."

"..."

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