Chapter 346: This Might Be Promising

"...Even a guy like you has a day where you're working seriously."

"You really have a bias against me. As long as it's something I actually want to do, I'll always give it my best effort."

"Why can't you apply that attitude to something proper?"

"Everyone gets lost at some crossroads in life."

Inside the kendo club's dojo, Rinji was photographing the trophies the club had won over the years. Compared to just photographing members training, capturing the awards and honors made for more compelling material.

The kendo club captain stood behind Rinji, brows furrowed.

His father was a high-ranking official in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, and he'd heard the rumors about Rinji.

Back when his father worked in Kyoto, he was personally involved in the capture of Rinji, who had been accused of multiple serious crimes.

Even now, his father would occasionally talk about how shocking it was—who would have thought someone with dozens of lives on his hands could be younger than his own son?

But just two hours after the arrest, Rinji was released, and everyone involved was ordered never to speak of it again.

"Back then... why were you released?"

"Because the Japanese government got enough benefits, and they didn't want the situation to escalate. After weighing the pros and cons, they made the call."

Rinji finished taking the photos and slung the camera around his neck.

"In short, everyone profited, so the whole thing was quietly buried."

He turned and gave the club captain a smile.

"It's not something you can control."

"Tch... Just knowing I'm going to the same school as a murderer makes me feel uncomfortable."

"I'm not a murderer."

Rinji turned and walked out of the dojo, waving goodbye.

"No one has the guts to convict me."

…

He had already photographed nearly every school club. The only one left was the tabletop gaming club where Fujiwara hung out.

To be honest, Rinji didn't want to go there. Every time he did, it was just a group of students eating, playing, and messing around.

Fujiwara had said they were currently developing a new board game and expected to finish it next semester. She'd asked Rinji to support their request for a higher club budget once it was done.

"Hmm... I think I've got enough shots."

Rinji opened the camera gallery and browsed through the photos he'd taken. He'd basically covered the entire school. Now he just needed a few candid shots of students chatting.

Walking through the school halls, Rinji raised the camera again.

In front of the lens were three girls chatting. One of them was...

Ai Hayasaka.

"Huh?"

Hayasaka seemed to notice him. She said something to her two friends, then jogged over to him.

"Takamine-kun~ are you taking school photos?"

"Ah, yes."

Usually, Hayasaka called him 'Rinji.' The sudden switch to 'Takamine-kun' was probably for her friends' sake.

"We're taking daily student life shots for the school magazine."

"Eh!?"

Her two friends reacted loudly.

"You're taking pictures without telling us first?"

"At least give us time to freshen up a little!"

Of course, they didn't want to be on camera looking average. Since the photos would be published in a magazine, they obviously wanted to be picture-perfect.

"Uh... I don't think it's necessary to worry." Rinji said. "If the pictures turn out bad, I'll just delete them."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"

"Are you saying we look bad!?"

"No… I didn't mean that."

Actually, her two friends were quite pretty. Rinji just wasn't great with words.

"Alright, alright, that's not what he meant." Hayasaka stepped in with a smile, calming her friends down before turning to Rinji again.

"Takamine-kun, if you're taking school photos, there's a really nice spot you should see."

"Huh? Where?"

"I'll take you."

After saying goodbye to her friends, Hayasaka led Rinji out of the school building.

---

"Hayasaka, it's club activity time after school. You're not in any club, right?"

"Right. But I have to wait for Kaguya-sama to finish school. That's part of my job."

Her tone shifted back to her usual calm, maid-like demeanor after leaving her friends.

Rinji glanced at her and let out a small sigh.

"Must be a tough job."

"It is. Been doing it for ten years now."

"Ever think about quitting?"

"All the time. Every single day." Hayasaka smiled. "But it's not that easy. My job isn't just a simple employment contract. There are family factions involved, and I don't have much say in it."

She could speak freely like this only because being around Rinji made her feel relaxed.

Just like four years ago.

"That's not a problem. If you want out, I can help you."

Rinji said calmly.

"You know what I'm capable of."

"I do. And I believe you could pull it off. But..."

Hayasaka looked off into the distance.

Toward the student council building.

"Right now, I'm still worried about Kaguya-sama."

"That makes sense." Rinji smiled. "Come to think of it, she used to be so cold to everyone. What changed her?"

"Meeting the president."

"I see."

Rinji raised the camera and took a picture of the student council building.

"I can't decide things for you. I just don't want you pushing yourself too hard." He lowered the camera. "Now that I think about it, one reason I used to dislike Shinomiya was because you were her maid."

"Hmm?"

Hayasaka's lips curved up slightly.

"Was that jealousy?"

"Back when I found out, yeah... I even felt like gutting her."

Rinji chuckled, a bit embarrassed by how immature he used to be.

"Want me to be your maid instead?" Hayasaka teased. "I'd be happy to."

"..."

Though clearly a joke, Rinji actually considered it.

"…It might not be such a bad idea."