"Ah, then…" Iino Miko gave a small, eager nod, her face lighting up like a blooming flower. But even after gathering so much courage, she still couldn't bring herself to take the first step.
In the end, it was Natsukawa Kanade who sighed softly and took the initiative to demonstrate.
"Miko? Is it okay?"
"Y-Yes! I'm here!" Startled, Iino Miko sat up ramrod straight, her cheeks burning a bright pink.
Even though she had prepared herself mentally, hearing her first name called out by a boy — and especially by him — made her heart thump uncontrollably. It felt completely different from being addressed by Fujiwara-senpai or anyone else... but not in a bad way. On the contrary, it was warm, fluttery, and... a little bit embarrassing.
Seeing her so adorably flustered, Kanade offered a small smile and said in a gentle voice: "Don't force yourself. If you're not used to it yet, it's fine to keep calling me 'Senpai' like always. Or you could start with something like 'Natsukawa-senpai' if that's easier. Just go at your own pace."
"N-No!" Miko shook her head with surprising determination, her twin braids bouncing slightly. "If you're taking the first step... then I should return the favor, too!"
"..." Kanade's expression turned slightly complicated.
Eh? Return the favor? It's not that big of a deal, you know...
But before he could say anything, Miko clenched her small fists, clearly psyching herself up. "Then... umm... Kanade... Kanade-senpai?"
Hearing this awkward yet heartfelt attempt, Kanade naturally nodded and responded with a simple, "Un."
Just as he had said earlier, he truly didn't mind these things. Thanks to Eriri, Mahiru and others who casually called him by his name, he had long since gotten used to it. Even being addressed by a girl like this didn't particularly faze him.
However, from Miko's perspective, seeing him act so calm and indifferent left her feeling a little disappointed.
I worked so hard... but for Senpai, it's probably just another normal thing...
Still, for her, this moment held a lot of meaning. It was the first time she had ever called another boy by his given name. It was only natural for her to feel flustered about it. That's just how it is, huh?... (shouganai yo ne...)
Meanwhile, Shinomiya Kaguya was feeling increasingly uneasy, shifting slightly in her seat.
Wait... wait a second. Isn't this supposed to be my stage?! She watched helplessly as her loyal "Kaguya-Kanade Party" members one by one moved closer to the president.
Oi, look at me! I'm the main heroine here! The main heroine!!
Unwilling to be sidelined, Kaguya opened her mouth, ready to say something to pull the attention back toward herself—
But, alas, someone was even faster.
"Okay, okay! It's my turn next!" Without hesitation, Fujiwara Chika scooted closer with that trademark dazzling grin of hers. As expected of a fool — speed was her greatest weapon!
"President! Try calling my name too, okay?"
"...You?" Kanade raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "I already call you by your name, don't I? And weren't you the one who said 'Fujiwara' sounds cooler?"
"Before is before, now is now! It's different!" Fujiwara Chika puffed up her cheeks in protest. "And besides, I haven't called you by your first name yet! At least let me call you once properly!"
Kanade let out a soft, tired sigh. Mendokusai na... (What a pain...) "If you want to, then just call me. It doesn't matter."
"It does matter!" Fujiwara Chika argued passionately. "If I just blurt it out without any buildup, I'll be super embarrassed! I need you to call me first, otherwise the mood will be weird!"
"..."
Kanade blinked at her, utterly baffled by her logic.
"I really don't get your thought process," he muttered helplessly. But since it wasn't anything troublesome, he decided to play along.
"Chika—is that okay?"
However, rather than being satisfied, Fujiwara Chika pouted even harder. "That's so perfunctory!!" she cried dramatically. "Like you just wanted to get it over with!"
"Oi... it's just calling a name! What were you expecting, a romantic confession?" Kanade glared at her with barely restrained exasperation. "This isn't a drama CD recording, you know!"
"Ugh... it's not impossible though?" Fujiwara Chika's eyes sparkled mischievously. "If you added a bit more feeling, it would be way better! Come on, President, show us what you've got!"
"..." Kanade rubbed his temples, feeling an oncoming headache.
Still grumbling under his breath, he inhaled deeply and deliberately shifted his tone to something absurdly dramatic:
"Chika... actually, I—"
He spoke with such thick, syrupy sweetness that even he cringed internally.
"Eh? W-What is it...?" Fujiwara Chika visibly stiffened, her body shrinking like a frightened rabbit, cheeks flushing pink. She looked ready to bolt at any moment.
Kanade, seeing her reaction, smirked inwardly, then delivered the finishing blow without mercy:
"Actually... I've always thought you were an idiot."
"EH?!?!?!"
With a perfectly serious expression, he watched as Chika's face transitioned smoothly from awkward... to blank... and then finally to full-blown outrage.
Yatta.
Watching her cheeks puff up like an angry squirrel, Kanade couldn't help but feel a little better. You wanted me to bring "feelings" into it, right? You never specified what kind of feelings.
Fujiwara Chika was practically vibrating in her seat now, her whole body screaming, "Let me at him!" If she hadn't been sitting so far away, she probably would have launched herself across the table by now, teeth bared like a feral chihuahua.
But alas, they were still in the library. All she could do was glare at him viciously from a distance, eyes shooting daggers. Kanade, naturally, decided to pretend she didn't exist.
"Okay, okay, let's get back to studying," he said with a lazy stretch.
Just as he was about to refocus on his notes, he caught sight of Kaguya Shinomiya from the corner of his eye. She was staring at him, her mouth moving silently like she was trying to say something — but no sound came out. Her eyes carried a faint glimmer of frustration and... a hint of expectation?
"..."
So now you want to join in too, huh? Kanade couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
This wasn't about being left out — it was about inequality. If Miko and Chika could experience the joy (and suffering) of being called by their names, then obviously, Kaguya-sama couldn't be left behind. Even the ever-proud Kaguya had her moments of childish selfishness, huh? Kawaii na... (So cute...)
Kanade cleared his throat lightly, meeting her eyes with an indulgent smile. "What's wrong, Kaguya?"
"No, it's nothing..." Kaguya shook her head gracefully, her long black hair swaying with the motion. But then, in a voice so soft it almost disappeared into the air, she said, "I just realized... I've never called you by your first name before. I've always just called you 'President'..."
It was true.
Thinking back, she barely ever even used his last name, much less his first. Maybe once or twice, during their first meeting, she had called him "Natsukawa-kun" or "Kanade-kun," but after that, it had always been stiff, formal, distant: "President."
It was ironic, really. The entire school practically shipped them together, believing they were the perfect match. If people knew that they didn't even call each other by name... Wouldn't that totally destroy the image of the "flawless couple"?
Worse yet, other guys might start thinking they had a chance with her again! Yada yada... (No way!...)
"So... I want to try calling you by your first name. Is that okay?" Kaguya asked, her tone careful, almost nervous.
"..."
Kanade smiled wryly. At this point, how could he say no? If he refused, it would make him look like some dense protagonist who couldn't read the atmosphere. Tch, mendokusai na... (Ugh, what a drag...)
"Of course. You can call me whatever you want," he said casually.
Compared to their upperclassman — who could shamelessly toss around nicknames like "Kouhai-kun," or even "Scumbag-kun" — these girls were way too soft-hearted. Still, it was kind of cute in its own way.
Kaguya hesitated for half a second, then, tilting her head slightly and giving a tiny smile, she said:
"Kanade..."
The name fell from her lips like a whispered spell.
But don't be fooled by how serene she looked on the outside. Underneath the table, her hands were clenched so tightly that her knuckles had turned white. She was pinching herself to death just to maintain her elegant expression.
I said it...! Now the president should be able to understand my hint, right? First, we change how we address each other. Next, we open up our hearts to each other. And then... naturally, the romance begins... Ah, of course, the president must confess first. I'll act all reluctant, but deep down, I'll already have the names of our future children planned out... Koko will be in charge of naming them. Perfect!
While Kaguya's mind was spiraling into full-on wedding planning, Kanade was much simpler.
Hearing her call him so softly and shyly stirred something warm inside his chest. Even if he hadn't thought much of it before, seeing her so vulnerable and earnest... Well, any boy would feel a flutter in his heart. Otherwise, he wouldn't be called a boy at all. Shikatanai na... (It can't be helped, huh...)
After Kaguya's whisper, a heavy silence blanketed the table.
Even Fujiwara Chika, usually the most hyperactive of them all, seemed to sense the change. She blinked, glanced between the two of them, nodded sagely, and then... stared blankly up at the ceiling with her cheeks squished against her hands.
It was like she had decided: This isn't a battlefield I can survive in.
Without anyone willing to break the atmosphere, the group finally returned to their proper "study mode." Everyone buried their heads back into their notes, pretending to be serious.
Minutes ticked by peacefully.
...Until Kanade suddenly paused, pen freezing mid-sentence.
There was something weird going on under the table.
A restless foot kept nudging against his, sometimes stepping lightly on the back of his foot, sometimes brushing up against his calf, as if playing little pranks.
Oi... What the heck is happening now...?
Kanade narrowed his eyes suspiciously, feeling an ominous premonition creeping over him.
"…"
He didn't even need to guess. Only one person could be causing trouble like this — Fujiwara Chika!
There was no way it could be Kaguya. She was the picture of grace and dignity, someone who would never engage in such rude antics, especially in the middle of the library. As for Iino Miko, the serious kouhai sitting across from him, she was diligently working through her problems with earphones in, her brow furrowed in concentration. There was no hint of mischief from her.
That left only Fujiwara Chika, currently pretending to nap on the table with her face buried in her arms, as if she had nothing to do with anything happening under the table.
You think you can fool me, baka!
Suppressing a sigh, Kanade subtly shifted his chair backward, trying to retreat from her reach. However, it proved futile. The mischievous foot continued its relentless invasion, tapping, brushing, teasing without pause.
"…"
Kanade's brow twitched. Was his tolerance being mistaken for weakness?
If he kept backing away, this foolish girl would only get bolder. Sometimes, you had to strike back — that was one of life's unspoken rules!
Timing it perfectly with the next movement, Kanade swiftly reached under the table and grabbed hold of the offending calf without mercy, trapping it firmly.
He didn't even bother looking up. He could already imagine the typical expression — a mixture of embarrassment and panic — that would soon bloom on Fujiwara's face. But Kanade had no intention of letting her off easily. Holding onto her leg, he calmly went back to solving the problem he had paused on, ignoring her completely.
After several minutes, he finally lifted his gaze, curious about her reaction. To his mild surprise, Fujiwara Chika was still lying on the table, breathing evenly as if she were truly asleep.
"…"
Tsk. You're tougher than I thought, huh?
Even though her leg was captured, she continued to feign innocence without so much as a whimper. How stubborn could she be?
But Kanade wasn't going to back down either. Since she insisted on pretending like nothing was wrong, then he would make sure she regretted challenging him!
Resolving himself, he tightened his grip on the pen in his right hand. Quietly, making sure not to disturb the others, he slid his hand down under the table once more. He carefully slipped off the indoor shoe she was wearing, exposing her socked foot, and without any hesitation, positioned the capped end of his pen right at the sensitive arch of her sole.
The plan was simple: tickle her just enough to make her break.
Kanade smirked inwardly as he carefully pressed the cap against her foot and let it glide slowly across the sensitive skin. He expected Fujiwara Chika to immediately jerk back, maybe even squeal or flail her arms in panic.
But instead—
There was no reaction from her at all. Not a twitch, not a whimper.
Instead, from beside Fujiwara, Iino Miko — who had been diligently working on her practice questions — suddenly let out a soft, startled gasp.
"Umm…"
Natsukawa Kanade froze, his pen still pressed against the foot.
"…"
…Huh?
Wait.
Wait a minute.
Wait just a second!!
Slowly, very slowly, Kanade lifted his gaze from under the table, his expression turning stiff. His eyes shifted toward Fujiwara Chika, who was still pretending to nap, utterly motionless.
Then he glanced at Iino Miko, who had her head bowed low, cheeks tinted a suspicious shade of pink, tightly gripping her pencil as if her life depended on it.
"…"
Don't tell me…
The person he had grabbed and started tickling wasn't Fujiwara Chika at all!?
He had grabbed the wrong leg!
A shiver ran down Kanade's spine as he realized the horror of the situation. He had been teasing Iino Miko — the strict, uptight, no-nonsense kouhai who treated even the slightest breach of propriety as a mortal sin!
"Yabai…" Kanade muttered under his breath, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.
Iino Miko, meanwhile, had curled herself even further inward, her entire body trembling ever so slightly, her ears burning red. She hadn't dared to make a scene in the middle of the library, but it was clear she was just barely holding it together.
Kanade's mind raced.
Abort mission! Abort mission!
He hurriedly and carefully released her foot as if it had burned him, retreating to his chair with the most innocent expression he could muster.
Please, please don't scream, don't report me, don't file a formal complaint…!
While Kanade was silently praying for divine mercy, Fujiwara Chika, that little devil, finally peeked up from her arms, flashing him an evil, satisfied grin.
As if to say: Gotcha~!
"…"
Natsukawa Kanade lowered his head, feeling as if he had just lost another ten years off his life.
Seriously, Fujiwara… You're the real devil here!