003. Farewell, Kaguya

To ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities, Natsukawa Kanade had already wrapped up all pending tasks for the student council days ago. Anything that fell under his purview had been addressed.

Today, his visit to the student council room was mostly to inform everyone of his decision and, perhaps, to enjoy one last moment in the company of his heroines.

Of course, he hadn't forgotten the bonds of friendship either.

Both Shirogane and Ishigami had tried to subtly probe into the reasons for his resignation, but Kanade had brushed them off with vague excuses.

As for his heroine, Kaguya Shinomiya, she had remained silent the entire time. Then again, Kaguya's usual demeanor was just as reserved, making it nearly impossible for Kanade to gauge her thoughts.

The only person unaffected by the news was the pink-haired "octopus" herself, Fujiwara Chika. Though she'd initially been shocked, she quickly reverted to her cheerful, carefree persona, pulling out a board game to lighten the mood and inviting everyone to play.

It was something of a tradition in the student council room, and Kanade saw no reason to refuse. He gladly joined in.

Unlike before, though, there was no need for him to strategize or second-guess his heroine's thoughts. He could simply enjoy the game.

"Looks like I win again," Kanade announced, claiming Fujiwara's last chip with a relaxed smile.

"Whaaaat?! President, how do you always win? Are you cheating? Referee, I demand a rematch!"

Fujiwara, who had barely made it to the final round by bending the rules, was once again defeated by Kanade and couldn't hide her frustration.

"Shut up, you idiot senpai. If you keep this up, I'll expose all your cheating methods," Ishigami retorted mercilessly, unfazed by her attempts to play the victim.

"That's enough for today. It's getting late; everyone should head back to class," Kanade interjected, waving a hand to silence the group before they could argue further.

Seeing that Kanade wasn't in the mood for more conversation, the others slowly began filing out of the room. The only exception was Kaguya Shinomiya, who remained rooted in place.

"Kaguya-chan, let's—"

"Mmff—"

Nice move, Ishigami.

Kanade silently applauded Ishigami for dragging the pink-haired whirlwind out of the room, leaving him alone with his former heroine.

"Is there something you want, Shinomiya?"

"..."

The confrontation he'd anticipated—her questioning his motives or perhaps even an emotional outburst—didn't come. Instead, there was only silence.

Kanade didn't mind; he was used to tense situations like this by now.

"If it's nothing important, then I'll—"

"What's your reason?"

"Hm?"

"The reason... for resigning as president. Why?"

"Jumping straight to the point, huh?" Kanade paused for a moment, slightly caught off guard. He'd expected some small talk first, but directness was, after all, in line with the cold and elegant "Ice Princess Kaguya."

"What do you think it is, Shinomiya?" Kanade asked back, but seeing no response, he let out a self-deprecating laugh.

"Everyone has their secrets, don't they? I'd rather you not concern yourself with mine."

He could have made up some excuse to placate her, but the idea of lying to the girl he once loved didn't sit well with him.

After all, was he supposed to confess the painful truth—that he was stepping down because she didn't love him back?

Why stab himself in the heart unnecessarily?

Better to avoid the topic altogether. Evasion, he thought, was the only way to preserve the fragile remnants of his broken heart.

"..."

"Well then... goodbye, Kaguya."

For the first time, Kanade called her by name. And for the last time.

By the time school was over, a light drizzle had begun to fall outside.

The fine summer rain was damp and sticky, lacking the refreshing coolness one might hope for. Instead, it left a cloying humidity in the air.

"Good thing I brought an umbrella," Kanade murmured to himself.

It was a habit he'd developed in the past. Back when he was trying to create "fateful encounters" with his heroines, Kanade had meticulously checked the weather forecast every day, making sure to bring a conveniently sized umbrella on rainy days.

At the time, he'd thought it was a brilliant strategy. In hindsight, it seemed rather foolish.

Still, if there was one thing worth remembering, it was that moment—the crying angel in the rain.

Her silky, ash-blonde hair cascading down, her smooth, porcelain-like skin, her straight and delicate nose, her mesmerizing eyes, and her soft, rosy lips—all forming a vision of beauty so perfect it could only be described as divine.

Even now, Kanade couldn't forget that angelic girl. It was like uncovering a rare CG scene in a game—a fleeting, irreplaceable masterpiece etched into his memory.

It had been a beautiful, serendipitous encounter. Not something he'd sought out intentionally, but a moment so captivating it was impossible to let go.

"Natsukawa...?"

The gentle, melodic voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Kanade turned to see a stunningly beautiful girl standing at the door, her almond-shaped eyes filled with a touch of confusion.

Another chance encounter, Kanade thought. How fitting, just as he was reminiscing about the past.

The girl before him wasn't just anyone—she was someone he knew very well.

Shiina Mahiru, hailed as the "perfect girl" with beauty and grace to match. She was often referred to as the "Angel."

Gentle, elegant, and skilled in all things domestic, she was the quintessential Yamato Nadeshiko. Small in stature yet perfectly proportioned. Most importantly, she had been Kanade's first heroine—the one he'd made his initial moves on.

His first love, like a tender, unripe fruit: awkward and clumsy, yet unforgettable in its sweetness.

"Good afternoon, Shiina-san."

"Ah... good afternoon."

Kanade could see her unease, though honestly, he felt he should be the one more embarrassed—after all, it was he who'd been rejected by her in the past.

"Is there something you need?" Kanade asked.

She didn't seem to be waiting for anyone, and her hands were empty. Upon closer inspection, it became clear—she hadn't brought an umbrella.

Figures, Kanade thought.

"If you don't mind, take this umbrella." Kanade extended his own umbrella toward her.

Though their romantic relationship had long since ended, he couldn't just stand by and do nothing while someone he once loved was in need.

Besides, he was single now. There was no one to misunderstand his intentions.

"Eh? No, that's not why I called you..."

The Angel's cheeks flushed as she fidgeted awkwardly, her hands waving in tiny, nervous gestures.

"I know," Kanade said with a soft chuckle. "After all, the old you would rather sit in the rain all night than accept my umbrella."

"Don't worry about it. Just think of it as a small favor between strangers. Or are you saying you won't even grant me that much?"

"Of course not! It's just..."

It's just that you seem so exhausted. I wanted to ask if you were okay.

But she couldn't bring herself to say those words. Instead, after fumbling for a moment, she finally found an excuse. "I just thought... if I take your umbrella, how will you get home?"

"Don't worry about me. I'll grab a spare umbrella from the student council room," Kanade replied as he handed the umbrella to her with a gentle smile.

Not giving her a chance to refuse, he turned and walked away.

Left standing there, the Angel bit her lip and remained silent.

After a long while, she sighed softly.

"Still as stubborn as ever... And you could have just walked me home..."

Before, Kanade would have seized the chance to ask her to share the umbrella with him. She wouldn't have refused back then.

But now...

Their relationship could never go back to what it was. Kanade had risen to the top of the academy, no longer the invisible, clumsy nobody he'd once been. He no longer needed her care...