Chapter 446: So-called 'Christmas'

"Rinji-kun, are you okay!?"

"Not sure what you're asking, but I'm totally fine."

On his way back from the rooftop to the student council office, Rinji ran into Fujiwara.

She'd been worried about him since yesterday. Ever since they parted outside the Yoyogi Hall, she had this gut feeling he was about to do something dangerous.

Turned out, she was right. Rinji really had done something dangerous—but it ended perfectly.

"Thank goodness..."

"Yeah... so, can you take your hand off my head?"

From the moment they met, Fujiwara had been messing with his hair.

"Hmm, looks like there's no wounds."

Then she ruffled his hair again.

"Not bald either."

"Enough already. Stop worrying about pointless things and take care of yourself."

Rinji swatted her hand away to stop her from messing up his hair.

"Geez... it's because you're so reckless, Rinji-kun." Fujiwara puffed her cheeks. "Out of everyone in the student council, only you would go out and do something dangerous."

"..."

"You have to promise me you won't do stuff like that again. I was really worried."

"Nope. Not promising."

"Hey!"

Seeing Rinji casually brush past her, Fujiwara's face puffed up like a balloon.

He opened the student council room door and walked in. Fujiwara followed behind.

As soon as Shirogane saw Rinji, he quickly stood up and asked, "Rinji, isn't Shinomiya with you?"

"Shinomiya? She had something to do."

Rinji plopped down on the couch.

"So… what did she say to you?"

"Nothing that important. Mainly asked a few things about you," Rinji said. "She made me swear not to tell, so I can't say much."

"Huh... about me?"

Though he was curious about what Kaguya and Rinji had talked about alone, since it was supposedly about him, Shirogane didn't press further.

"You're clearly under a lot of stress lately, President. If it's too much, we could temporarily shut down the student council. Go home and rest for a day. I'll handle the work."

"Thanks, but I'm fine… this is just my normal state."

For someone like Shirogane who had always pulled late nights, this was just an extra bit of pressure.

But people have limits. Already burdened by intense academic and work pressure, the additional emotional stress was like the final straw for Shirogane.

"Ah, that's right."

Fujiwara suddenly turned to Rinji as if something had just occurred to her.

"Rinji-kun, how are you spending Christmas?"

"Skipping it."

"Huh?"

"I don't usually celebrate Christmas."

"Eh... Rinji-kun, you're even more boring than I thought," Fujiwara narrowed her eyes. "You're completely out of touch with youth culture."

"Is that so? Even Ishigami doesn't celebrate it."

Rinji turned to look at Shirogane.

"President, do you celebrate Christmas?"

"Usually I'm working part-time on Christmas. Sometimes I even dress up as Santa to sell stuff outside stores."

"See, Fujiwara? No normal guy celebrates Christmas."

"Ugh... why are all the guys in the student council such recluses? And you used to live in the U.S., didn't you? Shouldn't you be the most familiar with the holiday spirit?"

Of course, that "American citizen" identity was fake. At most, Rinji was a wanted man in the U.S.

"I just never got into the habit."

"I see... I wanted to invite you, the President, Kei-chan, and Kaguya to my house for Christmas." Fujiwara smiled. "Are you free that day?"

"Even if I am, I'd be going on a date with my girlfriend."

"Tch~ Then President, how about you?"

"Let me think…"

Shirogane pondered.

Christmas, originally a religious holiday marking Jesus's birth, had become, especially in the East, more about couples going on dates or holiday sales. Few celebrated it for religious reasons.

But that unique holiday atmosphere made it a perfect opportunity for romantic confessions.

Since his financial situation had stabilized, he no longer needed to work through the holidays. This time, he could do what he truly wanted.

"Yeah, I'm free."

"Great! Then I'll count you and Kei-chan in~"

---

"Ai, how do you usually spend Christmas? Tomorrow's Christmas Eve and I want to plan something."

"However."

In the hallway, Rinji found Hayasaka and began discussing holiday plans. In the past, he never cared about Christmas, but now that he had a girlfriend, things had changed.

"I usually stay at the Shinomiya estate during Christmas. They don't give time off for the holiday," Hayasaka explained. "But... maybe this year we can try something different."

"So you haven't thought about how to spend it?"

"I've got no experience in that. You could ask Karura—she's your girlfriend too, right?"

"I already did."

Rinji glanced to the side with a hint of melancholy.

"She told me to book a hotel room."

"Ah… I get it." Hayasaka's expression turned a little helpless. "Did you tell her about me?"

"I told her the night the festival ended," Rinji said. "And just earlier she reminded me to book one with a large bed."

"Uwah..."

Hayasaka covered her blushing face.

They both knew Karura well. That kind of line was typical of her.

"I don't think Christmas is for hotel rooms. At least go out, have a meal together."

"Yeah, and gift exchange is important too."

"Gifts, huh... Ai, is there anything you want?"

"You, with a ribbon tied around you saying, 'The gift is me,' would be good." Hayasaka replied expressionlessly.

"..."