In the hallway of the school building, Takamine Rinji walked alongside Shirogane Miyuki.
"Know your weakness and strive to improve yourself~"
"Still practicing, President?"
"Yeah. There are still a few days left before the next morning assembly. Since both you and Fujiwara-san are helping me so much, I want to at least be able to sing it properly next time."
"You've already improved a lot, but if you keep practicing like this, your throat will give out."
As he spoke, Rinji handed over a thermos.
"Drink some water first. I added luohan fruit—it's good for the throat."
"Thanks."
Shirogane took a couple of sips and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Didn't expect to have to attend a union club meeting today. Feels like a hassle."
"Let me guess, the 'Shuchiin VIPs' are stirring up trouble again?"
"Every few months they do this. It's their way of monitoring the student council president's work," Shirogane said. "Sorry to drag you into this too, I know it's a pain."
"Not at all," Rinji replied with a smile.
They arrived at a large door, and Rinji stepped forward to open it.
Inside the dimly lit conference room sat only one girl.
"You're already here, Momo-senpai? Where's everyone else?"
"Oh, they should be arriving soon," Ryuju Momo said while playing on her phone.
---
Meanwhile, in the student council office, only Shinomiya Kaguya remained.
Ishigami had already finished his work and left. Fujiwara Chika was also exhausted—having been coaching Shirogane in singing after school every day—so she was resting in the classroom.
Kaguya, as usual, was tending to her own tasks.
That's when the office door was knocked.
"Who could it be at this time?"
Curiously opening the door, Kaguya saw a student in a white school uniform standing outside.
The white uniform belonged to the Shuchiin middle school division. The girl in front of her had flowing silver-white hair and a refined face, causing Kaguya to pause momentarily.
"My, what a cute visitor."
"Huh?"
"No—"
Realizing it was a bit inappropriate to call a middle school junior she didn't know "cute," Kaguya quickly shut her mouth.
She adjusted her expression and politely asked, "Hello, may I ask who you are?"
"Hello, I'm Kei Shirogane, treasurer of the middle school student council," she replied.
"Shirogane… Shirogane!?"
Kaguya stared in shock at Kei.
'She's the president's younger sister!? Now that I think about it, there is some resemblance… like those intimidating eyes…'
Now knowing it was Shirogane Miyuki's little sister, Kaguya's attitude instantly became warm and welcoming.
"Come in, little—uh, Shirogane-san."
"Thank you."
Kei sat on the sofa. Kaguya poured her some tea and sat down beside her.
'This is the president's sister—I have to get on her good side.'
"Did something happen? Is that why you came here?" Kaguya asked gently, doing her best to sound soft and kind. "If you're looking for your brother, he went out with the treasurer to attend the joint club meeting."
"I think the treasurer is Rinji-nii, right?"
"Yes, it's Takamine Rinji—wait, what did you just call him?"
"Rinji-nii," Kei replied. "He's my brother's friend and often visits our house. My dad says he's like the eldest son of our family. Honestly, I think of him as an older brother since he takes care of me so much, so I just call him Rinji-nii."
"I… I see."
Kaguya's lips twitched slightly.
'Damn it! The worst-case scenario has happened! Takamine Rinji has already infiltrated the president's home!'
For some reason, Kaguya started worrying that this boy might interfere with her romance.
"I've heard about the joint club meetings," Kei said, now looking concerned. "I heard that once, an externally admitted student council president slacked off, and in the end, his whole family had to leave Japan."
"That's just a rumor," Kaguya reassured her with a smile.
"Just a rumor?"
"Yes, they only went to Cambodia for work reasons."
"Isn't that just exile!?"
Holding her teacup, Kei couldn't help but worry.
"Is it really okay? My brother's always just… that way. And Rinji-nii is so gentle. What if they get targeted?"
Kaguya: "…"
'The president's a decent person, and how the heck is Rinji gentle?'
"I'm afraid it'll turn out like this."
—Kei's Imagination—
Judo Club President: "Student council reps, why are you so late today?"
Kendo Club President: "Getting too comfy in your cushy little student council jobs?"
Inside a dimly lit room, the student club leaders—powerful figures in Shuchiin—sat in silence, watching as Shirogane Miyuki and Takamine Rinji stood trembling like punished schoolboys.
"U-um… I don't think we're late?"
Smack!
"Shut up. I'm the one asking the questions."
"So sorry!" Shirogane bowed deeply.
"I think it's time to replace the student council president," sneered Atenbo Yume, head of the Occult Research Club.
"That's not fair!"
Rinji stepped in front of Shirogane, emotional.
"The president is always dedicated to serving the students—"
"A lowly external student like you dares to interrupt?" snapped the Kendo Club president. "Seems no one taught you the rules of Shuchiin."
"Let's send you off somewhere remote to cool your head."
"W-wait!"
Rinji cried out as several black-clad men entered and seized him, dragging him away. Shirogane clenched his eyes shut in frustration.
As the doors closed, Rinji vanished from Shuchiin forever.
"Now, let's continue the meeting."
—End Imagination—
"Could it really end up like that…?"
Kaguya: "…"
'What kind of god-tier drama is this? If only Takamine Rinji were that easy to get rid of…'
"You don't need to worry," Kaguya softly reassured her. "That kind of thing won't happen."
"Really?"
"Of course."
Because the actual situation was…
—In Reality—
"You bunch of losers."
Takamine Rinji stared coldly at the joint club council members—excluding Ryuju Momo.
"You were the ones who asked for this meeting, yet you show up later than the president and me? You useless slackers couldn't even eat hot crap on time. Do you want to be kicked out?"
"Um…" The Judo Club president raised a timid hand. "I don't think we're late…?"
"Shut it! You trying to stand out?"
"S-so sorry!"