Chapter 20 - Winning Hearts and Breaking Egos

Sona, unimpressed by the theatrics, simply adjusted her glasses again, her expression unreadable.

Tsubaki, however, had the faintest quirk of amusement at the corner of her lips.

Tsubaki Shinra.

She stood with the composed elegance of someone who knew her presence alone commanded attention. Her long black hair, tied in a neat ponytail, shimmered slightly under the morning sun, and her violet eyes held a quiet, unreadable intensity.

Unlike Sona, who had been actively engaging in the conversation, Tsubaki had simply observed, her gaze occasionally flickering toward me with a curious but restrained look.

I smirked.

It was always the quiet ones that were the most interesting.

Shifting my attention to her, I let my voice drop into an easy, flirtatious rhythm.

"And who might you be, beautiful? You're too stunning to be just standing silently."

For the first time, I saw a flicker of surprise cross her face. It was gone in an instant, replaced by that professional, calm demeanor, but I didn't miss the way her posture tensed ever so slightly.

"I am Tsubaki Shinra," she said smoothly, her voice even and composed. "Vice President of the Student Council."

Professional. Formal. But I noticed it—the faintest pink hue dusting her cheeks, barely noticeable unless you were looking for it.

I was looking for it.

Sona, standing beside her, let out an exasperated sigh, adjusting her glasses in a manner that seemed almost habitual at this point.

"Malrik, visit the Student Council Room later. We need to talk."

Her voice was clipped, her usual calm confidence still in place, but there was an edge to it—mild irritation, perhaps?

I chuckled, tilting my head slightly.

"You sure it's business? Or do you just want to see me again, Sona?"

She stiffened slightly, a small crack forming in her otherwise perfect composure. It lasted barely a second before she regained control, her violet eyes narrowing slightly behind her glasses.

"Just be there," she said firmly.

No room for negotiation.

With that, she turned, her long dark-blue hair swaying as she walked away. Tsubaki followed, but not before sparing me one last unreadable glance.

Akeno, who had been watching the exchange with undisguised amusement, let out a light, melodic giggle.

"Oh my~ Malrik-kun, you really don't hold back, do you?"

I grinned, watching the two Student Council officers disappear into the school building.

"Why would I? It's much more fun this way."

Rias let out a small sigh beside me.

"You're going to be a headache, aren't you?"

I shrugged. "Only if you let me."

She sighed again but didn't argue.

As we walked further into the school, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself.

If Sona thought I'd just be another ordinary student, she was in for a surprise.

———————

Stepping into the school hallways, I could immediately feel the weight of multiple pairs of eyes drilling into me. The overwhelming aura of jealousy was almost laughable at this point.

It didn't take long to spot the source of that intense energy.

Issei Hyoudou, Matsuda, and Motohama—better known as the "Perverted Trio"—were huddled together near a set of lockers, watching me as if I had committed an unforgivable crime against all men.

Matsuda clenched his fists, his bald head gleaming under the fluorescent lights as he muttered something about injustice.

Motohama adjusted his glasses, his expression the grim look of a man calculating every possible way fate had screwed him over.

And then there was Issei.

His mouth was slightly open in disbelief, his eyes darting between me and the fading figures of Rias and Akeno down the hallway.

I knew that look.

It was the look of a man who had just realized he wasn't the protagonist.

Before I could walk past them, Issei suddenly snapped out of it, marching straight toward me.

"Dude!" he demanded, pointing at me like I had committed a federal crime. "How the hell are you already walking around with Rias-senpai and Akeno-senpai?!"

His voice was filled with frustration, confusion, and deep, deep envy.

I barely held back a laugh.

I turned to him, flexing just enough confidence to make it sting.

"What can I say?" I shrugged casually, my smirk widening. "Some guys are just naturally charismatic and handsome."

Matsuda looked like he was about to choke on air.

Motohama clutched his glasses as if trying to keep his world from shattering.

And Issei?

His face twisted with a mixture of jealousy and despair.

"This isn't fair," he groaned, running a hand down his face. "I've been here for so long, and I still don't even get to talk to them like that!"

"You should try smiling more," I added, patting him on the shoulder. "And maybe cut back on the pervy antics. Women appreciate a guy with charm, not someone who drools over their every move."

That seemed to physically hurt him.

Before he could retaliate, another voice joined the conversation.

"Oh~? Handsome and charismatic, huh? Sounds like someone's got an ego."

I turned to see Aika approaching with her signature smirk.

Aika was one of the few girls in this school who openly engaged with the Perverted Trio, mostly to roast them. She was known for her teasing nature, always carrying herself with an air of confidence.

But as she eyed me, I caught something else hidden beneath the playful banter.

A slight twitch in her expression.

A moment of hesitation.

A hint of… jealousy?

I smirked.

"Jealous, Aika?" I asked smoothly, tilting my head. "Want me to shower you with attention too?"

Her smirk twitched, but she quickly masked it with a scoff, rolling her eyes.

"Tch. You wish," she retorted, arms crossed. But after a short pause, her expression softened just slightly. "But… I wouldn't mind a chat after school."

Ah.

There it was.

I grinned.

"It's a date."

That one caught her off guard. She quickly turned her head, trying to hide the slight color dusting her cheeks.

Issei and the Perverted Trio, on the other hand?

They absolutely lost it.

"WHAT?!"

"THAT BASTARD!"

"LIFE IS UNFAIR!"

Matsuda clutched his chest like he had been mortally wounded.

Motohama was shaking his head, his glasses fogging up.

Issei just looked up at the ceiling, as if questioning the gods.

I just chuckled, patting Issei's shoulder once again.

"Don't take it too hard, man," I said, offering a smug grin. "Some guys are just built different."

With that, I turned and walked toward my class, leaving the trio behind to wallow in their defeat.