Chapter 100: After All, She’s Just a Kouhai

"This stupid game! This trash game made by a trash company! Absolute garbage!"

With these angry parting words, Yuu Ishigami stormed out of the game as a player and instead assumed the role of a disgruntled spectator. He shot a long, resentful glare at Chika Fujiwara, as though hoping to torment her with sheer indignation.

Since his elimination, the atmosphere had grown tense. None of the remaining players dared to speak, fearing they might unwittingly trigger their own defeat by doing something prohibited by their cards.

Kanade Natsukawa sighed and tried to restart the conversation. "A game like this needs interaction to move forward. Don't you think so, Iino-san?"

"Yes…"

Miko Iino instinctively nodded but immediately realized her mistake. This is still a game! What if the sly president was trying to trick her into violating her card's condition? She clammed up, refusing to respond further.

Kanade shrugged, unfazed. He wasn't trying to eliminate her—at least not yet. He just thought it wouldn't be fun for a newcomer like Miko to sit silently without much engagement.

"See? The president's got a knack for this," Chika chimed in, her voice full of playful admiration.

"Honestly, I don't hate it. It's kind of heartwarming… almost like a 'Love Level Up' moment!"

"…"

Kanade narrowed his eyes, pondering her words. Chika's comments were rarely random, and considering that Kaguya's card was to "say 'like'," his own card likely had a different condition—perhaps "say 'hate'" or "say 'don't like'."

"F-Fujiwara-senpai, what do you dislike?" Miko suddenly asked, clutching her card nervously.

Kanade blinked, surprised. This seemingly timid kouhai made the first move? Though unexpected, her question played perfectly into his strategy. He joined in, casually adding, "Good point—I'd like to know too."

Since agreeing with others wasn't against his card's rules, there was no risk for him. The key to these games was paying close attention to what others said.

"Hm…" Chika fell silent, genuinely contemplating the question. "You know, I'm often told I can't read the room. Some say it's a good trait, but…"

Her voice trembled as she shared her "suffering," her eyes welling up with crocodile tears.

"When it comes to love, no one includes me in the conversations! They all say I'd trip every landmine imaginable!"

"…"

That's a very sound judgment, everyone silently agreed.

"But thinking about how I might be unknowingly causing trouble for others really hurts…" Chika's head drooped, and she looked utterly dejected.

A delicate hand reached out to her, gently patting her head.

"No one thinks you're a bother," Kaguya said softly. "In fact, your candidness has helped many people."

"Really? Kaguya-chan doesn't hate me?" Chika's teary eyes sparkled like a forlorn puppy's.

"Of course not. I… actually like you a lot," Kaguya admitted.

Expressing love to her crush was one thing, but speaking affectionately to a friend posed no difficulty. After all, Chika was her one and only childhood friend.

Even if she's a disaster, she's still someone I want to stay close to forever.

"Gotcha! Mission accomplished!" Chika suddenly sprang up, throwing her hands in the air with glee.

Kaguya's heart sank. Her trembling hands flipped her card to confirm her worst fear: "Say 'like'."

"…"

You… you conniving cow! I'll never forgive you! Kaguya silently seethed. Friendship? Lifelong bonds? Hah! I'll never be friends with this bane of the earth!

Distraught over losing her chance to have Kanade grant her a wish, Kaguya barely noticed the others exchanging amused glances.

Kanade, meanwhile, felt a twinge of guilt but reminded himself that it was just a game. Hopefully, she doesn't take this too seriously.

"By the way, isn't it about time?" Kanade said, glancing meaningfully at Chika.

"Time for what?" Chika blinked, puzzled, before quickly catching on. "Oh! Right, it's time, isn't it?"

"Exactly," Kanade replied with a sly grin, pointing to her card. "You might want to check your own condition."

Chika froze. Slowly, she turned her card over, only to find the words "Talk about time."

"Argh!" Chika fumed, her cheeks puffing out in indignation. "President, you villain!"

She turned to Miko, hugging her arm for support. "Miko-chan, don't lose to this bad guy!"

"Yes… I mean, no… I mean, I'll try!" Miko stammered, unsure how to respond. Though she respected Chika, she was surprised even someone as capable as her could be taken out. This cunning president is so good at manipulating people…

Miko steeled herself. If I want to win, I have to make him speak English!

She had an idea. Taking a deep breath, she boldly declared in English, "Let's settle this, President!"

Kanade: "…"

Is she… seriously this dense?

Even the spectators were struggling to contain their reactions. Yuu was openly snickering, Kaguya's face remained stoic but her shaking shoulders betrayed her amusement, and Chika had crouched down out of Miko's sight, covering her face to stifle her laughter.

"Miko Iino," Kanade said, his voice firm, channeling his authority as student council president.

"Y-Yes!"

Like a soldier awaiting orders, Miko snapped to attention, her legs rigid and her face tense.

Kanade said nothing, merely fixing her with a serious stare. The room fell silent, the atmosphere growing heavy with suspense.

"…"

Unsure of what to do, Miko hesitated, her social anxiety bubbling back to the surface. The oppressive quiet made her feel like a fish out of water, her trembling betraying her nerves.

"… Weren't you going to settle this?" Kanade finally broke the silence, speaking in perfect English.

"Yes! I—wait, what?" Miko's eyes widened in realization. "I… I win!"

"…"

"Uh… why is everyone looking at me like that?"

"They're probably just surprised you won," Kanade replied, flipping his card to reveal the words "Speak English."

"Victory and defeat are part of the game, after all," he said with a theatrical sigh, before signaling Chika to help defuse the situation.

Chika took the cue, embracing Miko warmly. "Congrats, Miko-chan! You won on your first try! Your prize is that the president has to grant you one wish!"

"I'm not some kind of magic lamp, you know," Kanade quipped. "But within reason, sure."

"Uh… I-I haven't thought of anything yet. Can I save it for later?" Miko asked hesitantly, glancing at Kanade for approval.

"Of course. Anytime," he said, offering a reassuring smile.

Miko finally relaxed, hugging Chika back with a shy grin. "I did it, Fujiwara-senpai!"

"Yes, you did! Great job!"

Kanade watched the lively group with a contented smile. This is exactly what I wanted—a fun, lighthearted atmosphere among friends.

"Are you okay with this, President?" Kaguya whispered, sidling up to him.

"It's a welcome party. What's there to object to?" Kanade replied, leaning closer to speak softly into her ear.

The close proximity and his warm breath brushing her skin made Kaguya flush. The memory of the election day resurfaced in her mind, his reassuring presence stirring something in her chest.

"Y-You're so cunning, President…" she murmured.

"Hmm?" Kanade tilted his head quizzically.

"Nothing," Kaguya said, turning away with a faint smile, choosing to remain quietly by his side.

Notes-Read advances chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X, i have finished uploading the whole series in patreon, a total of 274 chapters you can find it in the collections, thanks for supporting me and special thanks to all the patrons for joining