Chapter 074: The Naïve Heiress Meets the Scheming Prodigy

Kaguya Shinomiya had always carried an aura of unapproachability, her icy demeanor acting as a natural barrier to the world. It wasn't a front born of social aversion but rather the result of the grueling imperial education instilled in her as the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya family. Coupled with her naturally calculating nature, she had grown into someone who instinctively judged others by their utility and sought to leverage them.

Kanade Natsukawa had long been aware of this. Whether from observing her through the media or spending time with her in person, he had seen enough to confirm it. Yet, what he hadn't expected was to witness Kaguya, usually so composed, acting in such an adorably childish manner.

Hugging a pillow, she repeatedly smacked the bed. Her hands waved aimlessly in frustration, and she pounded the mattress with a vigor that was almost comedic.

No longer the cold and aloof "Ice Queen," she now seemed more like a playful little girl venting her frustrations.

She was… undeniably adorable.

"Well, I'll leave her to you," said Ai Hayasaka, nodding respectfully to Kanade before stepping out of the infirmary. She closed the door, leaving the two of them alone.

The atmosphere grew heavy.

Wrapped tightly in her blanket, Kaguya remained still, leaving Kanade at a loss for how to break the ice.

"Should I pretend I didn't hear anything?"

"Do I tease her about her surprisingly childish side?"

"Should I assure her I don't care about what she said?"

None of these felt appropriate.

It was painfully obvious that Kaguya was mortified by the idea that he had overheard her outburst.

Complaints about him not visiting her, worries about being abandoned, and the sheer absurdity of her "hardworking wife" metaphor…

Kanade hadn't expected the usually rational Kaguya to be so consumed by these swirling thoughts.

She was entirely preoccupied with imagining worst-case scenarios, far from her usual calm, calculating self.

"...Kaguya, I'm sorry," Kanade finally said.

He moved closer, sitting down beside her bed. While he wanted to place a comforting hand on her back, he stopped short, settling for lightly resting his hand on the blanket instead.

"I didn't realize how much this was bothering you," he said softly, his tone filled with regret.

Kanade lowered his head slightly. "I thought I'd made myself clear, but apparently, I didn't. Let me set the record straight: I would never abandon you. Even if you made those moves behind my back... I know you did it all for me. I'm not ungrateful."

He smiled weakly. "Though I don't condone backdoor tactics, I understand why you felt they were necessary. If anything, it's my fault for not earning your complete trust."

"I know I'm not good enough yet... not enough to deserve someone like you backing me up..."

"That's not true!" came a muffled response from beneath the blanket.

A slender hand peeked out, resting atop his.

"You're the most capable president there is! It's because I'm underhanded and despicable that I resorted to such things..."

Her hand trembled slightly, betraying the turmoil she felt inside.

Kanade responded firmly, clasping her hand to stop her retreat. "No, you didn't do anything wrong. Networking is just another form of resource management, isn't it?"

He chuckled self-deprecatingly. "If anything, it's me who's at fault. I've been so caught up trying to prove myself to you all, trying to protect this stupid pride of mine."

"President..."

Kanade's gaze softened. "But now I realize... what really matters isn't my pride. It's the chance to keep working alongside you and the others. That's what I value most."

He took a deep breath. "I've made plenty of mistakes—resigning to escape my responsibilities, acting rashly today... But it's because of you, all of you, that I've been able to face my shortcomings."

"I might not be capable on my own, but with you by my side, I feel like I can accomplish anything!"

"So, Kaguya Shinomiya..." He met her gaze, his expression serious. "Will you continue being my vice president?"

"I need you."

Kaguya's hand twitched in his grasp, her fingers gently scratching his palm. Slowly, she traced the letters "O" and "K."

Kanade's face lit up with a bright smile. "Thank you, Kaguya. I'm so glad..."

After Kanade left, Ai Hayasaka entered the room, pulling back the blanket to reveal Kaguya's face.

What she found was a crimson-faced girl, her hands pressed to her cheeks, her entire demeanor radiating giddy delight.

Small, imaginary flowers seemed to bloom and sway around her head, mirroring the flutter of her emotions.

"Hehehe..."

Hayasaka sighed. "Miss Kaguya, don't you think it's time to calm down a little?"

"Hayasaka... Hayasaka... Hehehe..."

"..."

"President... He still values me so much!"

"Yes, yes, he does," Hayasaka replied dryly.

Her smitten mistress, too wrapped up in her blissful daze, didn't even realize how Kanade had overheard everything.

Worse, she had been thoroughly swayed by his words, her heart now brimming with unwavering devotion.

"'I can't do it without you.'"

'Because you're here, I'm brave.'

'You've done nothing wrong.'

'I need you.'

Hayasaka's lips twitched. "If anything, it's more like he's... conditioning you."

By implanting thoughts like "the president can't function without me," "I must always support the president," and "it's my duty to take care of the president's dirty work," Kanade was subtly ensuring Kaguya's dependency on him.

How despicable, Kanade Natsukawa.