Chapter 384: This Person Has Issues

"Hmm, I get the general picture… Yeah, that night."

Leaning against the student council office window, Rinji ended the phone call and turned to Shirogane, who was seated at the desk reviewing documents for the Hoshin Festival.

"Everything's arranged. You're sure about using it at that time?"

"Yeah. Sorry to trouble you."

Shirogane rubbed the space between his brows. Ever since the Hoshin Festival began, his workload had skyrocketed.

Rinji used to be able to help him with many tasks, but with his role in the culture festival's committee, he barely had the time or energy to lend Shirogane a hand now.

"This kind of small favor is no big deal to me," Rinji said. "But honestly, President, you really ought to learn how to better utilize the resources around you."

"That's… still a bit hard for me."

What Rinji meant was that Shirogane could just rely on him, but Shirogane had grown up learning never to owe others too many favors.

By now, he'd lost count of how many times he'd owed Rinji something.

"Don't you want Shinomiya to go to Stanford with you too? Want me to find someone to write her a recommendation letter? I've got plenty of people who could do that."

"No need. Since I've served two terms as student council president, the principal's agreed to write me two letters. I can just give one to Shinomiya," Shirogane said. "The only issue is… whether she'll accept it."

"You're still lacking confidence, huh, President?"

"Maybe… but this time, I have to muster some courage."

Shirogane's eyes turned resolute.

"I need to fight like a man. This is the final showdown."

"Now that's more like it."

Rinji smiled and nodded.

—

"…"

"Ishigami?"

"Whoa! You scared me!"

Outside the Culture Festival committee room, Ishigami had been lurking by the door, staring inside. He jolted the moment Rinji patted his shoulder.

"What are you looking at so intently?"

"Ah… nothing," Ishigami said, shaking his head quickly. "When did you get here, Rinji?"

"Five minutes ago. Been watching you standing here like a thief waiting to break in."

"What kind of analogy is that?"

"So what are you actually looking at?"

Rinji glanced into the room and spotted Koyasu Tsubame talking to a third-year male student. Rinji and Ishigami both recognized him—Kazeno, the cheering squad captain from the sports festival.

"Kazeno and Koyasu again? Looks like the festival really is packed with tasks. They must be short on help."

After commenting, Rinji turned to see Ishigami still nervously peeking into the room.

"Not going to say hi?"

"Well…"

"They're all people you know. What are you scared of?"

With that, Rinji grabbed Ishigami by the arm and dragged him into the room.

"Koyasu-Senpai, Captain Kazeno. You're both here too, huh?"

"Oh! Ishigami and Rinji! Long time no see."

Kazeno greeted them warmly.

"I heard you're both on the Hoshin Festival committee now. Tough work."

"It's manageable."

Rinji looked at the two and said, "Didn't expect to see you here, Captain Kazeno. You discussing something with Koyasu-Senpai?"

"Nothing major," Kazeno said with a smile. "Just wanted to coordinate a bit about booth arrangements."

"I see."

As Rinji turned his head slightly, he noticed that Ishigami seemed to let out a small sigh of relief.

"Well, Captain Kazeno, you guys go on. Ishigami and I have other matters to handle."

Kazeno: "Sure, got it."

Tsubame: "Thanks for the hard work~"

After saying goodbye, Rinji and Ishigami stepped back into the hallway.

While walking, Rinji casually asked, "Koyasu-senpai is quite pretty, huh?"

Ishigami: "Yeah."

"You're into her, right?"

"Huh? Wha—"

As soon as Rinji said that, Ishigami visibly flinched and stepped back with an awkward laugh, waving his hands.

"Rinji, what are you talking about? There's no way I—"

"You think I can't tell what's going on in your head?" Rinji said flatly. "When did it start? Was it back at the sports festival?"

"I mean—"

"Come on, liking a girl isn't something to be ashamed of. Why are you so panicked?"

"Stop messing around, Rinji."

Suddenly, Ishigami's expression turned serious as he grabbed Rinji's shoulders.

"I only have eyes for the cross-dressing you!"

"If you said that lame joke just to ease your own awkwardness, then I won't beat you up. Now stop having dangerous thoughts."

"...How did you figure it out?"

"Anyone paying a bit of attention could tell."

Not only did Rinji notice, but even classmates like Onodera and Kobachi saw through it.

"...I do like Koyasu-senpai, but... you know, even if I like her, it can only be one-sided."

Ishigami admitted he had feelings for Koyasu Tsubame.

"Rinji, let me ask, how do you see me?"

"Huh?"

"From a woman's perspective."

"If I could think like a woman, I'd have something seriously wrong with me."

"No... I mean, do I seem like the kind of guy a girl might like?" Ishigami lowered his head as he spoke.

This guy was even more lacking in confidence than Shirogane.

"...I guess, sort of."

"What a vague answer."

"Relax, you're my bro. With that status, what kind of girl couldn't you get?"

"I don't know where your arrogance comes from, but sometimes I really envy you," Ishigami said with a wry smile.

"Do you want to confess?"

"I don't have the courage."

"Then wait for Koyasu to confess to you?"

"No way."

Ishigami shook his head.

"Koyasu-senpai is already in third year. These are her final days in school. In less than half a year, she'll be heading off to a university in another city."

The Hoshin Festival was basically Ishigami's last chance.

"...Alright, I'll help you think of something."

"Wait, Rinji, I was just talking. I didn't mean for you to—"

"I don't like meddling in others' love lives either, but Ishigami, you don't want to graduate with regrets, do you?" Rinji said.

"Well..."

"Don't worry, I won't directly get involved in anything between the two of you. I'll just give you some advice."

"...Alright then, thanks a lot."

"No problem, we're bros."

Rinji chuckled and gave Ishigami a light punch in the chest.