Chapter 096: Next Time, I’ll Take the Initiative

Miko Iino was a very serious person.

Once she started a task, she would see it through to the end, whether it was her duties as a member of the disciplinary committee or her responsibilities in the student council. Everything she did was executed with precision and care.

"There's still some time. I'll stop by the student council room before my patrol," she murmured, putting down her phone.

Though President Kanade had explained that yesterday's incident was a misunderstanding, Miko still felt the need to hear the full story directly from Vice President Kaguya. Surely someone as dignified as Kaguya wouldn't be involved in anything improper, right?

With such thoughts filling her mind, Miko approached the student council room, holding the council members in the highest regard.

However, upon opening the door, the sight—and sounds—inside froze her in place.

Kaguya Shinomiya and Chika Fujiwara were on the sofa, seemingly engaged in… something. The other members were nowhere to be seen.

Raising her hand to greet them, Miko paused as snippets of conversation reached her ears.

"Hah… See? I told you I make the President feel better."

"N-no… don't push so hard…"

"Don't underestimate me, Kaguya-chan. It's obviously me!"

"Y-you're killing me…"

From behind the sofa's backrest, Kanade's distinctive voice was clearly audible, mingled with the girls' competitive banter.

The implications struck Miko like a thunderclap.

"…"

…3, 3X!

It had to be something improper, right? Right?!

So, it wasn't a misunderstanding after all! President Kanade was exactly what she feared—a depraved womanizer! And to think she had even considered trusting him for a moment!

The files Miko had been holding slipped from her grasp and scattered across the floor, but she couldn't bring herself to pick them up. Her attention was entirely on Chika, who had turned toward her.

"Miko-chan! Come join us—it's so much fun!" Chika called cheerfully.

"!"

Miko's gaze darted to her, her sense of faith in humanity shattering.

"W-why… Chika-senpai, why would you do something like this? I thought you were a more serious person…"

"Serious? Oh, you're right! I need to get serious about this! I can't let Kaguya-chan win!" Chika replied, her enthusiasm undeterred, as she returned to her spot.

"!"

Miko stood there, dumbfounded.

In the sacred student council room… doing this sort of thing… and it's not even the first time?!

"Iino-san, would you like to join us?" Kaguya asked, noticing Miko lingering at the door.

"N-no… I-I don't have any experience… I'd just get in the way…" Miko stammered, blushing furiously.

"Experience? You don't have any?" Kaguya tilted her head in surprise. She hadn't expected Miko to be so similar to her in this regard—both having never given a massage before.

Smiling gently, Kaguya tried to reassure her. "It's fine! In fact, no experience is better. I can teach you…"

Everyone enjoys the chance to mentor others, and Kaguya found herself unexpectedly proud of the opportunity to guide her kouhai.

"N-no!"

"No?"

"Don't show me things like that!" Miko screamed before fleeing the room.

"Hm? Is there something strange about me?" Kaguya looked down at herself, perplexed. Finding nothing amiss, she glanced at Kanade… who seemed to be on the verge of falling asleep from the "comfort."

"No sneaking off!" Kaguya cried, refocusing her attention and redoubling her efforts.

As the lunch bell rang, signaling the start of a break, Kanade Natsukawa felt a mix of anticipation and dread. Today, the lunch that had been lovingly prepared by Mahiru Shiina was set to become a "prize" for Chika Fujiwara, thanks to her victory in the morning's impromptu massage contest.

Chika had triumphed with her strategy of "massages that don't hurt," defeating Kaguya Shinomiya and earning the coveted prize: Kanade's bento.

It wasn't as though he'd willingly agreed to this. The whole situation had been forced upon him. By the time he realized what was happening, he had already enjoyed their massages, making refusal feel hypocritical—like pirating someone's hard work and then leaving a "next time, I'll pay" comment.

Opening his phone, Kanade considered apologizing to Mahiru, but no words felt appropriate. The thought of lying to Chika crossed his mind too—he could claim he'd forgotten his bento today. But Mahiru made his lunches regularly, and on the rare occasions she didn't, it was only because she had prepared something.

What a mess…

Just then, a message appeared on his phone.

"Want to eat lunch together?"

Looking up, Kanade saw Mahiru glancing back at him from her seat in the front row. Though she was chatting with her friends, she sneaked him a subtle wink.

It was an unexpected invitation—Mahiru rarely initiated plans herself.

But today, he couldn't accept.

While he didn't mind introducing Mahiru to Kaguya and Chika, the thought of her seeing another girl eat the bento she'd made for him was horrifying. She'd probably give him a thorough scolding—or worse.

Carefully considering his words, Kanade replied: "Sorry, I've got some student council matters to handle. Let's do it another time?" He added, "Next time, I'll invite you."

When Kanade glanced at Mahiru again, he saw a mix of disappointment and satisfaction in her expression. Though she seemed a bit let down, her smile showed she was happy with his promise.

Girls' emotions sure are complicated, Kanade thought with a sigh.

Arriving at the student council room, Kanade found only Kaguya and Chika present. Recently, Ishigami and Shirogane had been spending their breaks together, and whatever they were up to, it didn't involve him.

When Kanade tried to ask them about it, they simply brushed him off, leaving him feeling like an outsider.

Forming a little group without me… and not inviting me?! Kanade fumed silently. I'll remember this betrayal!