Although the club council members were annoyed by Rinji's harsh words, they had no choice but to endure it due to his status and personality.
Back in the day, whenever the union club council assembled, even the student council president would have to treat them with utmost respect.
Shirogane Miyuki was no exception—at least at first. But everything changed when Takamine Rinji joined the student council.
Not only was he completely unafraid of them, he didn't even bother being polite.
The union council existed to protect the interests of school clubs and to supervise the student council president. If a president failed at their duties, they could work together to remove that person—and in extreme cases, exile their whole family from Japan.
But now that Rinji had joined the student council, they could hardly interfere anymore.
"Alright, I don't care about your lousy attitudes. Let's see what you nobodies have come up with this time."
"Ladies and gentlemen…"
Takamine Rinji narrowed his eyes as he swept his gaze across the room.
"You've got some nerve. Ever heard of showing respect when entering a temple? You come to the president about the club budget proposal without even contacting me, the treasurer? Am I invisible to you?"
"No, no, not at all!"
Everyone shook their heads in unison.
"Let me ask then—whose bright idea was it?"
Whoosh!
All the members of the joint club council instantly raised their hands and pointed straight at the stunned Kendo Club president.
"Eh… ehh!!? Wait, you guys—" He looked around at their expressionless faces, feeling utterly betrayed.
"You again."
Rinji's gaze sharpened. He pulled out his phone from his pocket.
"Still don't know the rules, huh? Maybe a stint in Africa will teach you a lesson."
"Wait!!"
"Alright, alright, calm down, Rinji," Shirogane quickly stepped in to stop him from dialing.
"Well, since the president himself said so… congratulations, you dogs get to keep your lives."
Rinji turned off the screen and put his phone away.
"Alright, let's get back to the meeting."
---
"Don't worry, President and Takamine-kun will be just fine," Shinomiya Kaguya reassured Kei gently.
"I hope so…"
"By the way, did you come here today just to see your brother?"
"Not exactly. I'm here because of a document sent by the central student council. I prepared a report as treasurer and was hoping to consult with Rinji-nii, but since he's not here, I guess I'll drop it."
Kaguya: "…"
'Seriously, Rinji and the president are practically like family now. But at least he's a guy, so he's not that much of a threat… I guess. Still, I really need to pick up the pace.'
"If you don't mind, could I take a look at the document?" Kaguya smiled. "I'm the vice president, and I'm pretty good with this sort of thing."
"Eh? Really?"
"Of course."
Kaguya was trying to present herself as a strong and capable woman, hoping Kei would grow to rely on her.
'Then we can build an equal relationship… go out together sometime… and she'll call me "Kaguya-neesan"… then I'll get invited to their house for dinner… ahh, why is this plan so perfect~'
Kaguya got lost in her own little fantasy.
Click.
At that moment, the student council door opened.
Fujiwara Chika stepped in from outside, immediately spotting Kei sitting on the sofa.
"Ah~ it's Kei-chan~"
"Chika-neesan!" Kei beamed with joy upon seeing her.
Kaguya: "!!!!"
'What!? Kei calls Fujiwara "Chika-neesan"!?'
Fujiwara Chika, not noticing the darkening aura around Kaguya, walked over cheerfully and said, "Kaguya-chan, I guess you didn't know—Kei and my little sister Moeha are classmates in the middle school division~ We hang out together all the time~"
"That's right!"
"Wanna hang out this weekend?"
"Sure~!"
Kaguya: "..."
'The president's little sister calls Rinji Rinji-nii and Fujiwara Chika-neesan. They've both gotten ahead of me… Is everyone in the student council connected to the president's family except me? Why is this happening… where did I go wrong?'
Feeling betrayed by the entire student council, Kaguya fell into a spiral of self-doubt.
"Oh, sorry."
Another person walked through the door—it was Ishigami Yuu.
"I forgot something here… Uh, who's this?"
Ishigami didn't recognize Kei and was confused by the sight of a middle school girl in the student council office.
"Ishigami-kun, this is Shirogane Kei, the president's sister~" Fujiwara explained cheerfully.
"Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too, Shirogane-san."
After a quick greeting, Ishigami turned and met the glittering eyes of Shinomiya Kaguya.
"W-what is it, Shinomiya-senpai?"
"Thank goodness."
"Huh?"
"Ishigami-kun, you're the only one who hasn't betrayed me."
Ishigami: ???