"Ohhhhhhh!!!"
Click.
The moment Rinji walked into the student council office, he saw Shirogane pumping his fist into the air with a look of triumph.
"President, did you get top marks again?"
"Oh, it's you, Rinji?"
Noticing it was Rinji, Shirogane cleared his throat and lowered his triumphant fists.
"Yeah, I did okay. What about you?"
"Pretty good," Kai smiled.
As expected, he'd once again ranked first in the year.
Unlike last time when he tied with Iino, this time his total score surpassed hers by two points, earning him first place outright.
When the results were posted after exams, both Iino and Kobachi were dumbfounded. Ever since middle school, Iino had always been first in her year. But now, someone had finally dethroned her.
"Man, the look Iino gave me when she saw the scores… So satisfying."
"She's still a fellow student council member. Try not to gloat too much," Shirogane said with a wry smile.
Though deep down, he was pleased too—after all, he had once again beaten Kaguya.
"How did Ishigami do?"
"Ranked 134. Not great, but he avoided any failing marks, so he's fine for promotion."
"That's good."
Not long after, the rest of the student council members began to trickle in.
Fujiwara acted like nothing had happened, Kaguya tried to hide it but was clearly frustrated, and Ishigami was visibly elated by his unexpectedly decent performance.
As for Iino…
"Mmph…"
She pouted and glared at Rinji, displeased.
"That's just the gap in ability, Iino."
"Why is it you—someone who never even studies—can get first in the year?"
"Because I'm the Honored One," Rinji said with a shrug. "Too bad, Iino. You didn't just lose this time. You'll probably lose every time from now on."
"…I'll definitely win next time."
"Oooh, I'll be watching."
Shirogane laughed as he looked at the two of them, then seemed to remember something and said, "Right, today's that day, isn't it?"
"What day?"
"The Three-Way Conference."
The so-called Three-Way Conference was a special event held by Shuchiin Academy for second-year students.
Based on each student's academic record and school conduct, teachers would sit down with the student and their guardian to discuss future academic paths. The student would need to decide what kind of future they wanted.
"Ah, so it's like a disguised parent-teacher conference?" Rinji nodded.
Since he was still in first year, he didn't need to attend. And he already had a clear plan for his future: graduate and go home to farm. No need for a meeting.
"So parents of second-years are visiting today?"
"Yup." Fujiwara smiled. "My dad's coming too~"
"Got any plans for the future, Secretary Fujiwara?"
"Of course! I want to become the Prime Minister!"
"Well, that's the end of Japan then."
"My dad's coming too," Shirogane added. "But since I'm the student council president, the principal will be attending the meeting instead."
"You mean that airhead principal? He'll probably suggest you become a Pokémon Master."
"Hahaha, he's not that out of touch."
As the group chatted, Kaguya silently sighed to the side.
For events like the Three-Way Conference, her father would never show up. The entire Shinomiya family treated her like a burden, so naturally no one would come for her.
---
"Kaguya-sama, you lost to the president again this time."
"Don't remind me of such painful things…"
Hayasaka and Kaguya sat outside the faculty office.
Once the first round of parents and students had gone in, they were waiting to be called for their turn.
"You did well this time, Hayasaka. Made it to 50th place."
"If I jumped from 114th to the top five, people would think I cheated. Steady improvement is better."
In other words, she still wasn't going all-out.
Kaguya looked down and mumbled, "I doubt Father will show up for this kind of meeting."
"I heard someone's coming in his place," Hayasaka said casually while playing on her phone.
"Would that be Aunt Nao?"
Nao referred to Hayasaka Nao—Hayasaka Ai's mother.
"I don't think she'll come."
As soon as her mother was mentioned, Hayasaka's expression turned cold.
"She's busy and indifferent. Doesn't care about her daughter at all. It's like she thinks my life doesn't matter."
"Yo, so this is where you two were hiding."
"Eh?"
Hearing a familiar voice, both girls looked up to find Rinji standing in front of them.
"Rinji?"
"Why are you here, underclassman?" Kaguya asked.
"I'm here for you, Shinomiya," Rinji said with a smile.
"For me?"
Kaguya looked confused.
"You see, the Three-Way Conference requires a parent to attend, right? I figured Shinomiya Gan'an wouldn't bother showing up."
"That's true… but what's it got to do with you?"
"Everything."
Rinji pointed his thumb at himself.
"Don't forget—technically, I am your grandpa. So it makes perfect sense for me to attend my granddaughter's conference."
Hayasaka: "…"
Kaguya: "…You're just here to mess around, aren't you?"
Letting someone younger than her attend her parent-teacher meeting as a guardian? This was just absurd.
"I'm not here to mess around," Rinji said. "I'm dead serious."
"Making that decision alone proves you're not serious."
"But I already got permission."
"…You didn't threaten the main family with missiles again, did you?"
"Nope. I got approval from the person assigned to attend on your behalf."
"The substitute?"
Seeing Kaguya's puzzled look, Kai stepped aside.
A blonde woman in a round-brimmed hat walked up. Upon seeing Kaguya, she removed her hat and bowed slightly.
"Long time no see, Kaguya-sama. I hope you've been well."
"Aunt Nao?"
"Mom!?"
The woman before them was none other than Hayasaka Nao. Seeing her mother show up, Hayasaka Ai looked stunned—and genuinely happy.