130. A Small Wish

Kanade Natsukawa had figured it out—or at least, he thought he had.

He understood why Yukino Yukinoshita, usually so composed and measured, had shown such an intense reaction today. Her irritation wasn't really directed at Eiriri. The golden-haired girl had simply stumbled into the crossfire. The anger was aimed at him.

But what could he do about it now? Could he apologize and magically restore their relationship to what it once was—close friends who shared casual banter?

No, of course not.

His past approach to Yukino had been riddled with impure motives. While she had regarded him as a friend, he had been chasing after an idealized version of her. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, Kanade realized that his feelings for Yukino had never been true love. They were fleeting, shallow infatuations.

Whatever space she had once occupied in his heart had long since been filled by other emotions—emotions for someone else.

"Your points are valid," Kanade said, his voice firm but calm. "I'll keep them in mind. But this has nothing to do with Eiriri. She doesn't deserve to be dragged into this."

He stepped forward, shielding Eiriri behind him protectively.

Perhaps it was unnecessary, but Kanade couldn't stand by and watch Eiriri, visibly distressed, bear the brunt of Yukino's icy rebuke. Sure, Yukino had a point about public displays and image, but he wasn't about to let that stifle every natural interaction he had with his friends.

He was the student council president, yes, but that didn't mean he had to live like a hermit, constantly fretting over what others might think.

And honestly? Yukino's concerns were outdated.

Thanks to his alliances with Kaguya Shinomiya and Chika Fujiwara, the two most influential girls in Shuchiin Academy, and his own reputation built over months of hard work, Kanade's position was unshakable. Even the so-called "rumors" about him had turned into a badge of honor—a testament to his "approachability" and "popularity."

Seeing Kanade step forward to defend Eiriri, Yukino's anger began to wane.

Her frosty composure gave way to something softer, though her expression remained inscrutable. Somewhere deep inside, she felt an inexplicable sense of relief, as if a weight she hadn't realized she was carrying had been lifted.

"…So that's where you stand," Yukino said at last, her gaze flicking to Eiriri, then back to Kanade.

Kanade frowned slightly, unsure of what she meant.

Was she referring to his protective stance? It seemed obvious to him that Eiriri didn't deserve to be caught in the crossfire. If Yukino had more to say, they could discuss it later—privately.

"Your mood doesn't seem right. Maybe we should talk another time," Kanade suggested cautiously.

"No need," Yukino replied, shaking her head. "I'm perfectly calm. Besides… I've said everything I needed to say."

Her words carried a note of finality. Yukino wasn't the type to cling to what could have been. If she'd missed her chance, so be it. She would hold onto their shared memories as a fond recollection, nothing more.

"I have some matters to attend to," Yukino said as she gathered her things and stood.

At the last moment, she glanced back at Kanade. "As for what Hiratsuka-sensei told you… forget it. I'll handle it myself. You don't need to worry about it."

Kanade didn't try to stop her. But her parting words left him deeply puzzled.

What did Hiratsuka-sensei tell me?

The last time he'd spoken with her was… that night outside the hot springs.

Because of a mix-up at the front desk, he'd been directed to the wrong bathhouse—the one reserved for teachers. He had barely managed to sneak out after realizing his mistake when Hiratsuka-sensei had caught him. She'd teased him mercilessly, but nothing beyond that had come of the encounter.

So was Yukino referring to that?

No… that doesn't make sense. There's no way Hiratsuka-sensei would bring it up, and Yukino isn't the type to let something like that slip.

Something felt off. Kanade's gut told him there was more to this than he understood. Perhaps a private conversation with Yukino was necessary after all.

As he mulled it over, a quiet, almost tremulous voice pulled him back to the present.

"Kanade… did I mess up?"

Startled, Kanade turned to Eiriri.

"What? No, of course not. Why would you think that?" he asked, bewildered.

"But that girl was right, wasn't she?" Eiriri said, her voice tinged with self-reproach. "I've always caused trouble for you. I keep dragging you into my messes…"

Her mind wandered back to countless past incidents—her petty arguments with "that woman," the times she got lost, or the occasions when her stubbornness had delayed important deadlines. And each time, it was Kanade who had helped her, saved her.

That's probably when it started, she thought. When I began falling for him.

He wasn't just her prince—he was her hero. The one who always came to her rescue.

But what was she? Not a princess, certainly. More like a clumsy maid fumbling at the edge of his world. Or worse, someone who had rejected his earnest feelings once, only to yearn for him now.

Eiriri reached out, hoping to grab the hem of his sleeve like she always did. But no matter how far she stretched, her fingers couldn't quite reach.

That tiny distance felt like an insurmountable chasm, and the regret in her heart swelled until it threatened to burst.

"…"

She wanted to tell him. Tell him how much she liked him. That she adored him so much she'd change her tsundere ways if that's what it took. That holding his hand made her heart race for hours. That she wanted to shout, "I love you!"

But she couldn't.

She was terrified. Terrified of his response.

What if he rejected her? What if he smiled awkwardly and brushed it off? What if, from that moment on, he disappeared from her life entirely?

If that happened, she wouldn't even be able to fulfill this small wish—to simply stay by his side.

"Kanade…"

Her voice was soft, trembling.

"I'm here," he said gently, turning to her.