Chapter 225: Wrong Answer

"President, when's your birthday?"

"I'm not playing."

"Eh!?"

When Fujiwara asked Shirogane about his birthday, he uncharacteristically refused to play along.

"Didn't Takamine say it earlier? Fortune-telling like this is just the Barnum effect. It's all nonsense."

"Well... you can't say that."

Seeing that Shirogane wouldn't play, Kaguya panicked.

If he didn't reveal his birthday, then she wouldn't have a way to celebrate it.

Even though she remembered it, she couldn't bring it up herself. Otherwise, it would look like she'd been treasuring the one time Shirogane ever mentioned it to her.

Which basically equaled having a crush.

Kaguya always found herself obsessing over the weirdest things—it was her nature.

"The president's birthday..."

Rinji lifted his head, thinking.

"I think the president told me before. It might've been..."

Yes! Rinji, just say it already!

Kaguya, calm on the outside, was screaming inside, urging him to blurt it out.

"I think it's Septe—"

"Rinji."

Before he could finish, Shirogane cut in.

"Don't say it. I don't want to play this game."

"Oh, then I won't."

Say it, damn it!!

Kaguya was internally blowing up again.

If Rinji had just said it, she could've skipped so many steps, but now he suddenly clammed up—it was frustrating.

She also didn't understand why Shirogane had stopped him.

"Rinji, what day is the president's birthday again?"

"December 32nd."

"Stop messing around! There's no 13th month or 32nd day!"

"The president told me not to say it, and I always keep my mouth shut."

"..."

With Rinji not cooperating, Kaguya had no choice but to approach Shirogane again.

She had to get him to say his birthday himself.

"President, it's okay to play sometimes. It's just a birthday."

Shirogane, who had been signing documents, put down his pen and said, "Didn't I tell you my birthday before, Kaguya? Seems like your memory isn't that great—Rinji remembers."

Of course I remember! Don't make it sound like I'm worse than Rinji! Your birthday is September 9th, blood type O, birth weight 2118 grams!

Kaguya had data even Shirogane didn't remember. It was terrifying.

"President, why are you so against it?" Fujiwara asked. "It's just for fun."

"I said I'm not playing," Shirogane replied firmly.

"..."

In truth, Shirogane had tried this app once himself. It was popular among young people.

His result said his personality was "pure silver"—unlike his appearance, he was soft and easily swayed inside.

Then he checked compatibility.

His September 9 birthday and Kaguya's January 1 got a compatibility of 50%—a very awkward number. The app even added: The bond between these two will be hindered by their pride. If they can't handle it well, it'll fall apart. Only by letting go of pride can they succeed.

That 50% hit him hard, and he refused to touch the app ever again.

He dismissed fortune-telling as nonsense and trickery, but deep down, he believed it more than anyone.

But to Kaguya, this looked like total non-cooperation.

Why!? Come on, he's not acting like someone who wants me to celebrate his birthday! And I even pre-ordered the cake!

She'd started prepping for his birthday half a month in advance.

Just as she was fuming, Shirogane muttered softly to himself.

"I absolutely can't say it."

"...?"

Though the voice was low, Kaguya caught it.

Her mind instantly started spinning.

Absolutely can't say it? Why? Is there some reason he can't tell others his birthday? Could it be...?

Kaguya's eyes lit up.

Does he only want me to celebrate his birthday? That's why he won't say it in front of the others?

Wrong. He just didn't want her to see the fortune.

He was still haunted by that 50%.

But Kaguya's mind was still turning over the fortune-telling topic.

He hasn't said his birthday this whole time, and he even looks annoyed… Could it be that he thinks I've forgotten his birthday? What a handful he is.

She eventually came to one conclusion: Miyuki Shirogane wanted her to celebrate his birthday alone with him.

Wait, maybe it's not that simple.

Kaguya glanced over at Rinji.

Rinji also knows the president's birthday. If I want to celebrate it with him alone, I have to go around Rinji. But giving him a direct order won't work, and if I try to persuade him, I'd be in the wrong—why shouldn't he get to celebrate it too? So the only choice is… to pick a time he won't be around.

From Kaguya's point of view, Rinji could casually drop by Shirogane's house anytime. If he wanted to celebrate the president's birthday, he'd probably do it in the evening after school.

She definitely couldn't go to the president's house now, so her only chance to celebrate was while he stayed in the student council office—either during breaks or after school while he was working.

Thinking this far, Kaguya began to admire herself.

If you want me to celebrate your birthday alone with you, just say it. Not knowing how to endure is really immature, you know~

She was starting to feel lightheaded from her own imagination.

But that's fine. It's only once a year. Being a little selfish is allowed~

"Miss Shinomiya, why have you been smiling and squirming this whole time?" Rinji looked at her suspiciously. "It's super gross."

"It's not!"

Strangely, Kaguya didn't even snap back. Nor was she angry.

Her mind was full of images of a birthday spent alone with the president.

"You seem like your mood suddenly improved."

"Of course~"

"Honestly, Miss Shinomiya, you're acting creepy. Did you take the wrong medicine or something?"