Chapter 443: Time to Bully Begins

"Sousuke should arrive in Japan in about three days. IW's upper management has already talked to the relevant Japanese authorities. So you don't have to worry—no one's going to take the Amano siblings to an orphanage anytime soon."

"Thanks."

"No problem. It's just adopting two kids, after all."

Rinji—now speaking with a grin—glanced aside.

"Looking after them seems a lot easier than looking after you."

"I'm still an independent person."

"Sure, but your head's always filled with dangerous thoughts. You really are just like your old man," she sighed, recalling her own high school days. "By the way, I heard your father's in Japan?"

"Yeah, he's staying near our apartment building."

"Haven't seen him in a while. Once Sousuke arrives, let's have a hot pot together."

"Sounds good."

"Well, that's settled then… Sigh, never thought I'd end up being a 'mom.' Guess I've hit that age."

"Aunt Kana, you look so young no one would believe you're old enough to be a mom."

Hearing that, she smiled and patted Rinji's head.

"I've known you for so long. Even though I've never seen you act like a real person, at least now you're speaking like one. Seems like you've grown."

"Your words of comfort are really something else, Aunt Kana."

Now that everything was settled, Rinji decided to head back to the student council.

He hadn't been to school in two days. Although classes weren't too intense, his laid-back attitude had become somewhat legendary at school.

---

"President, did you see the news last night? The sun suddenly came out at night."

"Yeah…"

"Also, tomorrow's Christmas. Tsubame-senpai invited me to her house~"

"Mm…"

"President, come on, at least react a little. Give me any kind of expression so I can feel relieved."

Ishigami looked worriedly at Shirogane, who was slumped over his desk in low spirits.

"Ah… I'm fine."

"No no no, you don't look fine at all."

As Ishigami watched with concern, Shirogane slowly sat up and rubbed the back of his head.

Lately, Kaguya's sudden change in attitude had left him emotionally exhausted.

What made it worse was that her attitude hadn't changed toward anyone else—only toward him. That's what hurt the most.

Normally, in situations like this, he would turn to Rinji for help.

But coincidentally, Rinji had been busy these past two days dealing with the Amano siblings. His phone had been unreachable, and Shirogane couldn't even find someone to talk to.

Which was how he ended up like this today.

"Ishigami… can you reach Rinji?"

"I tried calling a few times, and I messaged him on LINE too. He only replied last night, said he finally wrapped things up."

"I see… but I can't keep bothering him either."

Knock knock knock.

The student council door was knocked.

Ishigami blinked and went to open it. Standing outside was a girl with twin ponytails.

"Ah, it's Shijo-senpai."

"Yeah."

Shijo Maki had met Rinji several times before, and she was familiar with the student council members too. Being in the same class as Shirogane meant they often ran into each other.

She plopped down on the couch like she owned the place, crossed her legs, and declared proudly, "Tea."

"Eh…"

Ishigami, clearly used to her attitude, obediently went to brew tea.

Shirogane looked up, his eyes dark with fatigue.

"What's with the death-face, Shirogane?"

"No, it's nothing." He tried to perk up. "So, what brings you here?"

"What else would I be here for?"

Shijo gave him a sly look.

"Oh… then…"

"Obviously… love troubles," she said, suddenly pouting.

"…That was unexpectedly cute."

Ishigami placed the tea in front of Shijo and sat beside Shirogane.

"So, what's the issue?"

"You guys... do you think friendship is actually something painful?"

"..."

Shirogane and Ishigami were momentarily at a loss for words.

"The person who's with Tsubasa now is my best friend. Our friendship is irreplaceable," Shijo said slowly. "But it ended up being her with Tsubasa..."

"...Uh, I don't really get what you're saying," Ishigami, who had zero romantic experience, was completely confused.

"Then let me put it in a way you can understand."

Shijo continued.

"What if the person you liked ended up falling for your best friend—can you imagine how that would feel?"

Ishigami & Shirogane: "..."

The two of them couldn't help but start imagining it.

After a few seconds of thought, Shirogane's face darkened even further.

'Ah... if Shinomiya suddenly fell for Rinji, that would be a total disaster...'

——In his imagination——

"Sorry, President. You're just too useless. We really aren't suited for each other."

"Wait, Shinomiya..."

Kaguya stood in front of him, cold as ice. After throwing down that emotionless line, she turned and fell into Takamine Rinji's arms.

"Rinji-kun really is the better man."

"President, I'll take good care of Shinomiya."

——Imagination ends——

"Ugh..."

Already under a lot of mental stress, Shirogane clutched his stomach and collapsed to the floor.

"Hey, Shirogane! What's wrong with you all of a sudden?"

Shijo grew anxious seeing Shirogane fall.

"Ahaha... well, considering how amazing Rinji is, it's not entirely impossible... Ahaha..."

"Don't scare me like that!"

It wasn't just Shirogane. Ishigami started imagining things too.

'If Rinji and Senpai ended up together then...'

Shijo looked at them. After their imaginations ran wild, Shirogane and Ishigami showed completely different expressions.

Shirogane looked like he was on the verge of a breakdown.

As for Ishigami...

Forget his expression—his whole facial structure looked sharper.

Ishigami said, "Well, if my bro stole my girlfriend, that's clearly on him, right?"

"Well... obviously."

"Then as compensation, shouldn't he become my girlfriend?"

"What kind of messed-up logic is that!?"

Click.

Just as Shijo was wondering how to take responsibility for the chaos she caused, Rinji happened to walk in.

"Oh, it's the useless Shijo again."

"Who are you calling useless!?"