Chapter 341: It’s Persecution Season Again

Honestly, when she first heard about Tanuma talking happily with another girl, Kaguya instinctively thought that was cheating.

Because she tried imagining if she ever saw Shirogane chatting cheerfully with another girl—she would definitely feel awful.

Of course, she brushed the thought aside right away. After all, Shirogane was still sitting in the student council room studying. If she openly expressed that "chatting with a girl counts as cheating," he might think she was overly jealous.

Which… was kind of true.

She even felt jealous over Rinji. Her jealousy had long since stopped caring about gender.

But that wasn't the issue right now.

Kaguya looked at Rinji.

She could see it—he wasn't here to help resolve Kashiwagi's issue. He just wanted to send Tanuma to Africa.

"Kashiwagi-san, if you trust me, I'll handle this. I'll send your boyfriend to Africa, and as for the girl he cheated with, she can go to India."

"You're making all the decisions without even talking to them!?"

"This is called 'act first, explain later.'"

"You're going too far! Do you really want to send him to Africa that badly!?"

"That jerk's always flaunting his relationship in the student council room and talking trash about me. Sparing his life is already generous—he should at least contribute to Africa's development."

"You just said the quiet part out loud..."

Kaguya ignored Rinji and asked Kashiwagi, "So… aside from chatting with another girl, what else happened with your boyfriend?"

"They went to karaoke together," Kashiwagi said.

"…"

Kaguya stiffened.

She remembered Shirogane had also gone to karaoke yesterday.

"That… probably doesn't count as cheating, right?"

Kashiwagi: "..."

From Kaguya's reaction, she guessed Shirogane had gone to karaoke too.

"And?"

"They studied together," Kashiwagi said gloomily. "I used to be the one who helped him with schoolwork. Now suddenly a girl who's better than me shows up and I'm cast aside?"

Rinji: "It's just studying together."

"Rinji-senpai, do you think studying with another girl isn't cheating?"

"It is. I recommend sending him to Africa."

Kaguya: "...Do you even believe what you're saying anymore?"

"Shinomiya, when have I ever had a conscience?"

"You sound proud of that!"

From what Kashiwagi said, Rinji began to piece things together.

She'd mentioned the girl's grades were better than hers. Since she was ranked fourth in the year, that left only three people above her.

Number one was Miyuki—not a girl.

Number two was Kaguya—not someone who'd interact with Tanuma.

Number three was Maki Shijo…

Hmm…

"I don't think you need to worry, Kashiwagi-san," Rinji said.

"Huh? Why not?"

"Because that girl looks like a loser. I doubt anything's going to happen, so there's no need to worry."

"...I haven't even said who it is yet."

"I can already guess."

"Are you suggesting… I let them go for now? Then investigate?"

"No, no. Just get rid of your boyfriend. Even if it wasn't cheating, his behavior's bad enough. He's no good."

Kaguya: "…You should just stop talking."

"I've made up my mind."

Kashiwagi seemed to have made her decision.

"I'll check with Tsubasa one last time. If he doesn't give me a satisfactory answer, then we're done."

---

(Later that day)

"Ugh…"

"I knew you'd come here, so I got tissues ready ahead of time."

At the student council coffee table, Maki Shijo sat crying. Rinji thoughtfully placed a pack of tissues in front of her.

In the end, Tanuma and Kashiwagi made up and stayed together.

The person Kashiwagi suspected was Maki, but the reason Tanuma had met with her was just to pick out a gift for their six-month anniversary.

It was a misunderstanding. The couple was happy again, which should've been a heartwarming ending… but screw that.

Rinji's plan to send Tanuma to Africa was ruined.

"Damn it! I even picked out a super tacky necklace on purpose! Why didn't Kashiwagi get mad!?"

"Couples don't break up over something that small," Rinji said. "If you'd get mad over that, no wonder you don't have a boyfriend."

"Ugh…"

"Don't cry. Let me rephrase—no wonder the guy you like ran off with someone else."

"Waaaahhhhh!!!"

A while later.

"Calmed down?"

"Sorry you had to see me like this," Maki said, putting on her usual prideful expression.

"I have a feeling I'll be seeing this side of you a lot."

"What did you just say!?"

"I mean… any progress on your end?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Stealing someone's love."

"Hah?"

"You and Tanuma went to karaoke, studied together—it looks like your plan's moving forward."

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Maki lifted her head haughtily and looked at Rinji.

"Only commoners would think of stealing someone else's partner. I'd never do something so low."

"I figured. I mean, even when you got a rare chance to be alone with him, all he did was ask you to help pick a gift for his girlfriend. You're a great tool—ah, we're almost out of tissues."

"Ugh… Why do you always say these things…"

Maki looked at Rinji, her teary eyes full of silent accusation.

"I'm just stating facts. Can you honestly say you weren't hoping for something while running around with Tanuma?"

"Hoping for what?"

"To take advantage of the cracks."

"I already told you I'm not that kind of person!"

"Good, then don't."

"I mean it—!"

"Judging from today, it's clear Tanuma has nothing to do with you. If you did have feelings, it would only hurt more. Luckily you don't… Hey, get up! Don't you dare die in the student council office!"