Kaguya was in a stalemate.
To effectively "capture" Shirogane Miyuki, the Takamine Rinji route was absolutely necessary. But her current relationship with him was deadlocked, and she had yet to find a way to break through.
Sure, she could try circumventing Rinji entirely and directly advance on Shirogane—but after six months of knowing him with zero progress, it was obvious that something was off.
By contrast, Rinji had joined the student council after her, yet was already close enough to Shirogane that even Kaguya felt jealous.
'I have to think. I must find a way to deal with Takamine Rinji first…'
Knock knock knock.
"Come in."
Kaguya paused her thoughts and called toward the door.
The door opened, and in came a cute girl with shoulder-length black hair.
"Um, I'd like to ask for help from the student council."
"What can we…"
"Hm?"
Rinji, who had been typing, also looked up when he heard the voice. He immediately recognized her.
"Hello, Kashiwagi-san."
"Hello, Takamine-kun."
Kashiwagi Nagisa, a second-year student in Class 2-B of Shuchiin Academy. She was also a member of the Club Union (Shuchiin VIP), daughter of a major shipbuilding company's CEO, and granddaughter of a leading economic group director.
"You're not even in a club and still made it into the Club Union. I've got to admit, that's impressive. You brats really love causing trouble for us."
"Why do you always start insulting me as soon as I walk into the student council room?" Kashiwagi laughed bitterly.
She knew full well that Rinji never got along with the Club Union to begin with.
"Takamine-kun, she's your senpai—show a little respect," Kaguya said helplessly.
"Respect my ass."
Japan was strict about seniority—even in school, juniors were expected to show proper deference to upperclassmen.
But Rinji treated those rules like trash.
Or more precisely, any rule he didn't personally recognize—whether social or legal—he considered irrelevant.
This arrogance was deeply rooted in the environment he'd grown up in.
"So, Kashiwagi-san, what can we do for you?"
Kashiwagi hesitated, then quietly said, "It's… a relationship consultation."
"Here we go again. Do Japanese high schoolers ever study? It's always about dating. Can't we have something fresher? A little blood, a little violence—anything."
"Takamine-kun, your values are seriously skewed," Kaguya said.
She turned to Kashiwagi and asked, "A relationship consultation? That's totally fine."
"You've never even dated. Don't end up twisting yourself into the same confusion."
"Takamine-kun, shut up."
"Fine."
Rinji picked up his laptop from the coffee table, clearly intending to leave the area.
"If you're gonna do lovey-dovey stuff, I'm out."
But he hadn't walked far when—
"I want to break up with my boyfriend," Kashiwagi said to Kaguya.
Kaguya: "Eh…"
Clack!
Rinji slammed his laptop back onto the table.
"Now that's interesting."
"Eh?"
"I have only one thing to say about your decision: Bravo!" Rinji gave Kashiwagi a thumbs-up.
Kaguya: "Hey, wait a minute…"
"Excellent decision, Kashiwagi-san. Maybe you don't realize it yet, but one day you'll be thankful you made this choice."
Kaguya: "Why are you suddenly acting like some wise old mentor?"
Rinji ignored her and asked, "So have you broken up yet?"
"Not yet. I'm just thinking about it."
"Stop thinking. Time is money. Go break up now—the sooner the better."
"That's enough!"
Kaguya yelled, pushing Rinji aside.
Then, forcing a polite smile, she turned back to the slightly bewildered Kashiwagi.
"So, um… what made you suddenly want to break up?"
Kashiwagi lowered her head, speaking softly. "Well… back then, he suddenly confessed to me, and I was so startled that I just agreed. But we've been together for several days now and… we don't really know how to interact. We haven't done anything a couple normally would. I feel like I'm just wasting his time and emotions. Maybe breaking up would be better."
Kaguya: "About that…"
Rinji: "Breaking up is great. You'll have more time to study."
Kaguya: "Can't you say anything else? Stop encouraging breakups all the time!"
"I'm just helping end relationships that were doomed anyway. Gotta take the shot when it's offered."
"You're saying your real thoughts out loud again!!"
"Just to check," Rinji turned to Kashiwagi, "the guy you want to break up with—is he from our school or another?"
"He's in the same class as me. His name's Tsubasa Tanuma."
Kaguya: "…"
Rinji: "…"
They exchanged glances—apparently they both remembered him.
…
"There's this girl in my class… her name's Kashiwagi Nagisa… I want to confess to her."
…
Tsubasa Tanuma, Shirogane's classmate. He was actually the very first student who came to the student council for love advice.
Both Rinji and Kaguya remembered this black-haired guy.
And his confession target was now standing right in front of them.
"Just curious, how did he even manage to succeed in his confession?" Rinji asked cautiously.
"He cornered me against a wall and slammed his hand next to my head. I was startled and somehow… said yes," Kashiwagi replied.
Rinji: "…"
"So… should I break up with him after all?"
"Yes."
"I see… I'll go then…"
"Wait."
Rinji raised his hand to stop her.
"What is it?"
"This Tanuma Tsubasa… after he succeeded in confessing, did he ever ask you out? Like for a date or something?"
"No."
"Not even once?"
"Nope."
"Understood." Rinji leaned back on the sofa. "Before you break up, tell him to come apologize in the student council office."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because this idiot wasted the opportunity he was given."