Chapter 237: I’ll Go to Hell With You

"Anyway, let's deal with this for now."

Rinji picked up the unconscious students one by one, laying them on the couch and placing cold wet towels on their foreheads.

He was well aware of the destructive power of Shirogane's singing. Even he wasn't sure he could stay conscious if exposed to it directly.

After checking their breathing and confirming it was stable, he was confident they'd wake up soon.

"Um… I'm really sorry."

"It's fine. They're only mentally traumatized, no need for a hospital," Rinji reassured, patting Shirogane on the shoulder.

"It's getting late anyway. Looks like they'll come around soon, so you can leave now."

"Are you sure they'll be okay?"

"Yeah, trust me."

It turned out that the students who passed out were all from other schools. The two Shuchiin boys who invited Shirogane had been in the restroom and escaped the disaster.

Meaning: the horror of Shirogane's singing wouldn't spread within Shuchiin.

Shirogane insisted on staying until they woke up. So Rinji, after bidding farewell to the cheer squad, left the karaoke venue with Hayasaka.

Outside, Hayasaka immediately called Kaguya.

"Kaguya-sama, the president has successfully left the mixer. Yes, he didn't do anything inappropriate with any girls. There was a small incident, but he should be heading home soon."

After the call, she turned to Rinji.

"Well, mission complete."

"You really work hard, huh? On top of your maid duties, you're also handling that troublesome rich girl's personal problems." Rinji smiled.

Hayasaka already had a packed schedule. Adding in the petty troubles from Kaguya made her life even more hectic.

"That's part of the job. Besides, I grew up with Kaguya-sama. Her happiness matters to me, too."

While she spoke, she tied her hair into her usual single ponytail.

"Her happiness, huh… But have you thought about your own?"

"I've given it some thought."

Hayasaka looked straight into Rinji's eyes.

Recalling that summer when she kissed him, Rinji averted his gaze.

"Hey... why did you kiss me back then?"

"It was for my own happiness," Hayasaka smiled. "Because I love you."

"...You know I have a girlfriend, right?"

"I know. And I'm sure Karura knows about the kiss too."

"She does."

After the kiss, Rinji told Karura everything. Her reaction wasn't anger—she kissed him too, as if not wanting to lose.

Sometimes, Rinji really felt Karura lacked a proper moral compass.

"She didn't seem to mind."

"That's because she and I aren't normal people. But you, Hayasaka, you're normal—you live a peaceful life…" Rinji said. "You should know, I'm—"

"Someone with bloodstained hands. An evil man. I know."

"...Yeah."

Rinji sighed.

"Not everyone can accept that evil. You say you can, but that's because you've never seen who I used to be."

"I don't care who you used to be. I only care about who you are now."

Hayasaka looked toward the karaoke place behind Rinji.

"Since coming to this school, you've changed a lot. Even if you end up going back to that path someday—"

She moved closer, standing on tiptoe and gently cupping his cheeks with her hands.

"Even if you go to hell, I'll go with you."

Rinji froze in place as Hayasaka's face drew near. Their lips were about to meet—

"Yo, Rinji. Everything's taken care of."

Shirogane stepped out of the karaoke room, just in time to ruin the moment.

"Hm? Was someone with you just now?"

Noticing Rinji standing motionless, Shirogane looked around—but aside from a few distant pedestrians, no one else was there.

"I'm good. You done in there?"

"Yeah, they woke up."

Shirogane looked relieved.

"Thank god… and looks like they've already forgotten what happened before they passed out."

"Great. Your awful singing shall remain buried in darkness."

"Damn it… I thought since I could sing the school anthem fine, the rest would be okay." Shirogane sighed. "Looks like I'll be stuck with this for life."

"Everyone has their weak spots. It's normal."

"Whatever. Let's head home. By the way, how do you usually get back?"

Even though they lived in the same neighborhood, Shirogane and Rinji had never gone home together.

"I take a taxi."

"That's expensive."

"You got a better idea?"

"I usually bike, but today I took the train. The station's nearby, let's ride back together."

"...Train… how does that work again?"

"...Rich people really are out of touch with basic life skills."

Shirogane grabbed Rinji and pulled him toward the station.

Not far behind, from a blind spot outside the karaoke place, Hayasaka peeked around the corner.

Watching Rinji get dragged off by Shirogane, a smile rose on her lips.

"Looks like chasing my own happiness won't be easy. Maybe this is the punishment for being too selfish back then. If only I had trusted you more then… maybe things would've turned out differently."