Chapter 220: School Begins

"Rinji, I'll come by again this weekend~"

"Sure, you're always welcome."

It was time for school to start again. Karura's school and Rinji's started at nearly the same time, so naturally, it was time for her to return to her place.

Karura had stayed over at Rinji's place for a few days. During that time…

Nothing happened between them.

For some reason, Rinji insisted on holding the line. He believed anything more intimate should wait until they were officially married.

This rather conservative mindset, at least from the perspective of Japanese youth, had been mocked more than once by Fusui.

After seeing Karura off, Rinji returned to his room and started packing his school bag.

It was morning, and the second semester was officially beginning.

"I'm heading out."

"Okay, be careful on your way."

"…"

Rinji turned his head expressionlessly and saw Fusui yawning on the couch.

He walked over and grabbed Fusui by the head, his expression turning fierce.

"You get going too!"

"Eh? I've got nothing to do this morning."

"I'm telling you to go back to the Kure Clan's Territory, you freeloader."

"But I wanted to stay a few more days."

"Forget it. Karura's gone. I've got no reason to let you keep squatting here."

"Tch~ So two-faced. Karura leaves and suddenly you're kicking out an innocent girl?"

"Is your university not reopening?"

"College always starts later than high school, right? Just let me stay two more days."

"…Just two days?"

"Just two."

"Fine."

It wasn't a long time anyway, so Rinji gave in.

"Mmm~ I knew you were the best, Rinji."

"Don't jump on me. Say it from over there."

Rinji firmly pushed away Fusui's face as she pounced toward him.

---

This summer vacation had been both long and short. Everyone had a fulfilling time.

Especially Miyuki Shirogane. The former student council president had transformed over the summer into the acting president of the major Japanese bank, Dainippon Bank.

Just yesterday, he officially handed over the job to Katahara Metsudou.

Katahara was very pleased with Shirogane's performance and even asked if he could come back for a few more days. But Shirogane brushed it off with a polite "I'm busy with school, maybe next time."

Ten days of working had left him utterly drained. Any more, and he probably wouldn't have made it.

Katahara's logic was simple: though Shirogane was young, he learned fast, and the bank ran smoothly in his absence. That must mean…

He could finally go have some fun again. Leave the bank to Shirogane, no problem.

In short, Shirogane had made headlines all summer. He appeared in numerous news articles and magazines.

However, the coverage didn't last long. During the summer, Shirogane had mentioned to Rinji that he didn't want too much public exposure.

It had mostly been idle complaining—Shirogane just didn't want his studies disrupted. But Rinji took it seriously.

Within two days, all follow-up reports vanished.

So did the reporters.

Not that they died—Rinji just saw their potential and sent them off to Africa. He believed dedicated media professionals would make great war correspondents.

As of now, Shirogane's family hadn't been exposed.

Still, even the short coverage gave him a newfound sense of authority at school.

When he entered the campus, students instinctively moved aside, clearing a path for him. In their eyes, he was a king.

Shirogane walked calmly through the corridor. Though the admiration in his classmates' eyes was obvious, he remained expressionless on the outside.

But inside…

'Damn, I'm amazing. I'm way too popular!'

He was thrilled.

He was doing everything he could not to burst out laughing.

'In this kind of situation, maybe Kaguya will finally confess to me. I mean, I'm incredible now.'

His thoughts drifted, but to others, it looked like he was deep in political contemplation.

"Good morning, President."

"Good morning, Rinji."

Walking down the hallway, Shirogane greeted Rinji with a rare smile.

He knew his current achievements weren't just his own. They were thanks to this Kouhai.

"Thanks for your help."

"It was nothing," Rinji replied with a smile. "This was all due to your own effort. I just gave a little push."

"You haven't changed at all."

Shirogane quietly took note of the debt he owed.

"See you at the student council meeting."

"Yeah."

After they parted ways, Rinji headed toward the first-year building. Ishiigami Yuu joined him along the way.

First thing he asked was:

"Rinji, did you finish the summer homework?"

"Yeah."

"Let me copy it when we get to class. I've still got a few pages left."

"Sure, just make sure Iino doesn't see it."

"Got it."

As they walked side-by-side, Ishigami asked, "So, I've been wondering—has anything changed since you got a girlfriend?"

"Nothing major, but… some weird things have happened." Rinji walked thoughtfully.

"Like what?"

"Like suddenly a bunch of girls seem to like me. Not sure if it's my imagination."

"…That sounds like a Galgame or manga plot." Ishigami gave Rinji a weird look. "You know, one of those harem stories where a totally average guy suddenly meets a beautiful girl, then realizes every girl around him likes him too—class rep, childhood friend, little sister, you name it. Then his life turns into a rom-com. It's lame."

"That's just fiction, though. No way it happens in real life."

"Of course it's fiction. Only exists in fantasies," Ishigami laughed.

Rinji was still kind of feared by classmates because of a violent incident last semester.

But as soon as they entered the classroom, a bunch of classmates suddenly swarmed Rinji.

"Rinji, wanna have lunch together today?"

"Rinji, we're going to karaoke after school. Wanna come?"

"Rinji…"

Seeing this crowd—including several girls—surrounding Rinji, both he and Ishigami went silent.