Chapter 455: Relationship Confirmed

"I'll drop you off here. Rest well tonight, and keep your mindset steady."

"Got it. I'm fine."

"Good."

After sending Ishigami home by taxi, Rinji also returned to his own place.

He couldn't get too involved in Ishigami and Tsubame's relationship issues. That was their personal matter, and getting involved might just make things worse.

Sometimes, doing nothing is the best course of action. Understanding this well, Rinji could only let Ishigami cool off on his own.

By the time he got home, it was nearly eleven.

"You're back?"

"Yeah... what about Karura and the others? Have they left?"

"No, they're staying over tonight too."

Ai pointed toward the back room.

"Right. Then let's get to bed early."

"Okay... Do you have time tomorrow?" Hayasaka suddenly asked.

"I do."

"Want to go on a date?"

"A date, huh..."

Rinji lowered his head in thought.

Come to think of it, since they became a couple, they hadn't had a proper date. Tomorrow was Christmas, so it'd be a good time to go out.

"Sure, where do you want to go?"

"Anywhere's fine. Just somewhere nearby."

"Then let's check out the mall nearby. They probably have a movie theater... Ah."

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing..."

Rinji touched the side of his right thigh and felt a sting of pain.

He reached into his pocket and found a small electric shock had come from something—he pulled out a star-shaped pendant.

"What's this?"

"A shop clerk gave it to me while I was buying gifts today. Said it's a fragment from a meteor that fell two and a half years ago." Rinji stared at the pendant. "Honestly... this thing gives me a weird feeling. I wanted to have Dad take a look at it. Since Uncle Sousuke's around too, I had some things to ask him."

Like why the meteor that fell two and a half years ago was so special, and why IW went to such lengths to transport it whole to headquarters.

"It's already late. Ask him tomorrow."

Rinji tossed the pendant onto the table.

"Speaking of which, Shinomiya spent today with the president. I wonder how that went?"

"Kaguya-sama's personality has gotten a bit cold again, just like she used to be," Hayasaka said. "But no need to worry."

"Is that so?"

"Of course. I've served her for ten years—I know exactly what this is. It's just a dumbass wrapped in an icy shell."

"Now that's a vivid explanation."

Bzzzt—

At that moment, both Rinji's and Hayasaka's phones vibrated.

Rinji opened his to find a private message from Shirogane—just an 'OK' emoji.

Hayasaka received a much longer message from Kaguya, summarizing that she and Shirogane were officially together now.

In short, both Shirogane and Kaguya had reported their happy news.

"..."

"..."

Rinji and Hayasaka looked at each other and smiled.

"Looks like we can sleep well tonight."

"Yeah. No more worrying about them."

With that, the two returned to their rooms.

Only the pendant lay still on the dining table.

---

One Hour Earlier

Christmas at Fujiwara's house had zero festive atmosphere.

Not that it mattered—Kaguya was used to it, given how strange Fujiwara's family could be.

Apparently, they celebrated Christmas and New Year together. Even the Christmas tree had kadomatsu decorations stuck to it. A complete mashup of East and West.

Still, since Kaguya had to return to her cold, impersonal main family for New Year's, celebrating early with the student council wasn't a bad idea.

The problem came during the next part.

At the Fujiwara house, gifts were exchanged randomly—everyone placed theirs on the table and drew lots to see who got what.

Kaguya's plan was simple: have Shirogane draw her gift, and she'd draw his.

There was a 1-in-25 chance of that happening.

She got none of it.

Kei, Shirogane's younger sister, ended up with Kaguya's gift.

That was tolerable. Kei was still family.

Kaguya, on the other hand, drew Fujiwara's gift (a bath bomb).

Worst of all, Fujiwara's younger sister Moeha drew Shirogane's gift.

The moment she opened it, Kaguya looked at her like she was already dead.

Shirogane's gift was a study aid device.

In the past, he couldn't even afford one of those. But thanks to Rinji's help, his financial situation had improved, and his gifts weren't so pitiful anymore.

After dinner, Shirogane and Kaguya stepped outside into the yard together.

With a flushed face, Kaguya handed him a beautifully wrapped gift.

"President, this is for you. Please don't tell Fujiwara."

"Okay."

Shirogane took the gift without hesitation and handed her one from his own pocket.

"Good thing I prepared one for you too."

They had both anticipated the exchange, so each prepared a special extra gift.

"Originally, I thought, as a lady of a prestigious family, you deserved something luxurious. But after some thought... I chose something from home," Shirogane said.

"Hmm?"

"You know how my financial situation used to be. But thanks to Rinji, we finally pulled out of poverty. Back then, I wanted to show you only the best side of me... but that was just a mask."

He blushed but spoke with sincerity.

"I'm not as amazing as you think. I was afraid that if you saw my flaws, you'd be disappointed. But... that was just running away."

His words made Kaguya pause for a moment, then she smiled warmly.

Not mockingly—but with genuine affection.

It was probably the gentlest smile she'd shown since becoming "Ice Kaguya."

"That's not true. I like the president's effort. Whether it's strengths, flaws, or trying to overcome those flaws—I love all of it."

"Shinomiya..."

"I was the same. I always worried that one day you'd hate my cold personality. We were both forcing ourselves to look perfect in front of each other."

Shirogane looked at Kaguya.

Here's the translated and adjusted text based on your instructions:

He only felt that under the moonlight in the night sky, the girl in front of him made him completely captivated.

He had always believed she was out of his reach. Her family background, her talents—they were worlds apart. He used to think he might not be the one destined for Kaguya Shinomiya.

Rinji wanted to give him confidence, but all he could offer were the resources and achievements that could build confidence, not the confidence itself that could just be installed in Shirogane.

Even though Shirogane's family conditions had improved significantly, he still lacked confidence for a long time. This stemmed from his fear.

But things had come to this point, and he had to muster up the courage.

"Shinomiya."

"Hmm?"

"During the Hoshin Festival, I invited you to study abroad with me in the U.S., but… there was one more thing I didn't say."

"What is it?"

Gazing at the girl before him, Shirogane summoned his courage, blushed, and lowered his head as he shouted:

"I really like you, Shinomiya! Please go out with me!"

At last, the confession was said aloud by Shirogane.

Kaguya stood there, looking at Shirogane, who had finally said the words. Her eyes were dazed, and then she softly replied:

"Okay. I'd love to."

In that moment, their relationship was confirmed.