116 "Forever, My Foot!"

After parting ways with Kaguya, Kanade returned to his class's temporary base camp. By then, the afternoon classes had already wrapped up, and students were trickling out of the study area. Among them was Shiina Mahiru.

"Kanade… I mean, Natsukawa-san, good afternoon," Shiina greeted him politely. Though she was clearly curious about where he had been, she refrained from acting too familiar in front of their classmates.

"Afternoon," Kanade replied with a small nod.

Noticing her hesitant expression, he decided to explain without waiting for her to ask.

"Here's what happened. I took the afternoon off to help Kaguya Shinomiya with some cooking lessons…"

He briefly summarized the events, including Kaguya's injury and how he'd assisted her. However, Shiina's reaction was unexpected—her delicate brows furrowed slightly, her cheeks puffed out just a little, and her lips formed the tiniest pout. She looked adorably upset.

"...Shiina?" Kanade asked cautiously, unsure what he had done wrong.

"What's wrong?"

"You… seem upset."

"I'm not upset at all, Natsukawa-san. Not even a little," Shiina replied with a too-sweet smile, narrowing her eyes as she looked at him.

"…"

She's totally mad! Kanade broke into a cold sweat.

Even someone as oblivious as him couldn't fail to notice at this point.

"It's fine, really. I'm not mad. I've just always known that Natsukawa-san is such a helpful person. You can't help but step in whenever someone needs assistance…" Shiina said, her tone flat and devoid of emotion.

But how could she not be mad? She wasn't angry at Kanade, though—she was angry at herself.

She had told herself that being just friends with Kanade was enough. But hearing that another girl, and one as elegant as Kaguya Shinomiya, had grown so close to him made her feel jealous.

That Vice President Shinomiya… she definitely likes Kanade, doesn't she?!

Otherwise, why would such a cool, highborn girl ask a boy her age for cooking lessons? Maybe… maybe Kanade had joined the student council because of her…

"It's fine. Don't worry about me, Kanade. I'm really not upset…" Shiina said, though her downcast expression betrayed her words.

It hurt to think about, but the truth was clear to her. Kanade wasn't like her. Even without her, he had plenty of friends and wouldn't feel lonely.

Unlike her, who had no one else…

"Sorry, I'm not feeling well. I'll head back now," she said softly, turning to leave.

"…" Kanade remained silent for a moment, then his gaze hardened.

He reached out and grabbed her hand.

"! L-Let go! Someone might misunderstand!" Shiina stammered, panicked. The warmth of his hand was comforting, but the situation was far too embarrassing.

They were surrounded by classmates. Doing something this intimate in public would absolutely draw attention—and rumors.

"I-I said let go!"

"No," Kanade replied firmly, shaking his head. "I absolutely won't let go."

He didn't understand what had caused Shiina's sudden change in mood, but he couldn't let her leave like this. Not until he found out what was wrong.

"Why are you upset all of a sudden? Did I do something? If it's my fault, tell me. I can't just let you walk away like this," he said, his earnest gaze fixed on hers.

If the issue weren't about him, Shiina would have shared it by now. That left only one possibility: something he did or said had upset her. But what?

She couldn't be this upset just because I talked to another girl… could she?

"W-We can talk later. Just let go of me now, before people start staring…" Shiina glanced around nervously. Sure enough, a few classmates were already looking their way, their curiosity piqued.

"So what if they stare? Even if they see, what's the big deal?" Kanade countered, his frustration mounting.

He considered Shiina one of his closest friends, yet she always seemed so intent on hiding their relationship.

"I get that you don't want people to know we're neighbors, but can't we at least interact like normal classmates at school? No one would misunderstand that much."

"…"

They've already misunderstood! Shiina thought, her mind racing.

The way he was holding her hand right now wasn't "normal interaction" by any stretch. She'd tried so hard to be cautious and discreet, yet Kanade was obliviously blowing her cover!

"F-Fine, I'll tell you! Just let go already," Shiina relented.

"No. Tell me first," Kanade insisted, his stubborn streak kicking in. He might apologize later, but for now, he was determined to see this through.

Shiina sighed deeply, giving him a glare that would have sent anyone else running. When Kanade didn't budge, she reluctantly turned her head and muttered:

"You're so nice to other girls, but you're so forceful with me. Why don't you just go spend time with your other friends and leave me alone…"

Her words trailed off, her frustration spilling out as she half-spoke, half-pouted. She was beyond caring if he got mad at her for saying it.

"Uh… well, it's just that…" Kanade stammered.

"Just what?" Shiina asked, her glare sharpening.

"No, I mean… it's just… because they've been so kind to me…" Kanade quickly adjusted his tone.

Shiina's pout deepened, and she looked genuinely angry now—but strangely, that made Kanade feel relieved.

"Actually, I wouldn't even be the student council president if not for Shinomiya and the others. But Shiina, they're just my friends—just like you. There's no 'better' or 'closer.' I can promise you that!"

Kanade finally understood.

My best friend's best friend isn't me.

That was the root of Shiina's sadness. She didn't have many friends and had likely led a lonely, mechanical life before they became close. Even now, it seemed he was the only person she could count on.

It's like a kid with a favorite toy, Kanade thought. They want to show it off but don't want to share it, afraid it'll get taken away.

"You don't have to worry. I'll always be your friend, Shiina—for life!" Kanade said with conviction.

"…"

Who wants to be friends for life, you idiot! Shiina fumed internally, her frustration bubbling over.