"Earn... 10 billion yen before graduation..."
"Yep. And that's just one way of proving capability. After all, compared to Shinomiya's 200 trillion yen net worth, 10 billion yen is nothing. But it proves you're capable."
"..."
Shirogane's face darkened.
"10 billion yen... My part-time job pays 1,000 yen per hour, so I'd have to work 10 million hours. Even if I never sleep or rest, it'd take me 1,142 years..."
"President, your math is impressive."
"...This is completely impossible!!"
He clutched his head and shouted in despair.
Takamine Rinji, on the other hand, didn't quite understand why Shirogane Miyuki was acting like this.
Weren't we just talking about helping students with consultation? Why does he look like he's the one getting personally hurt here?
"President, if someone really got to that point, I do actually have a way to make money."
"What is it!?" Shirogane perked up immediately, eyes full of hope.
Looking at the suddenly fired-up Shirogane, Takamine felt a bit speechless but still explained, "You see, I know Momo Ryuju, right? I work with them from time to time, so I know the kind of talent they're looking for..."
"Ryuju? Isn't her family in the yakuza?" Shirogane jolted as if shocked by electricity.
"Don't tell me… you're planning to have me do something illegal?"
In his mind, he was already imagining himself engaging in shady dealings, getting caught red-handed by the police, and ending up in custody. Outside the detention center, his father and sister watched him sorrowfully.
Then Kaguya Shinomiya would appear, staring at him like he was trash through the iron bars.
"President, I didn't think you were this kind of person."
"No, Kaguya, listen to me!"
"Let's just pretend we never knew each other."
"Nooooooo!!!"
Shirogane slammed his head onto the desk to snap out of the horrifying delusion.
That kind of bleak future was worse than death itself.
"President, are you okay?" Takamine asked with concern.
"How could I possibly be okay!?"
"This isn't even your problem... and I never said anything about doing illegal stuff."
"Huh? Then what are you trying to say?" Shirogane Miyuki straightened up again, regaining some composure.
If it was something legal that could earn money, he was willing to at least listen.
Even if he couldn't make ten billion yen, he could at least earn a bit to help out at home.
"President, you know... some of those syndicates have their own film companies, right? They're always looking for talent for, you know, adult-themed movies. I think you're not bad-looking, so if you went and—"
"Hold up!!"
Shirogane immediately crossed his arms over his chest and, along with his office chair, scooted backward several feet in alarm.
"Treasurer Takamine... you're not thinking of making me act in those kinds of films, are you..."
"Oh, don't worry, President. Since you can't betray your girlfriend, it wouldn't be appropriate to act in that kind of thing you've got saved on your hard drive."
"Good, that's— Wait a second, who has that kind of thing on their hard drive?!"
"That's why I recommend doing gayporn."
"What the hell!?" Shirogane Miyuki jumped up, shouting, "Why would you even come up with such a deranged idea, Treasurer Takamine!?"
"Quick money, of course."
"What good is that!?"
"Making money is business. No shame in that."
"It's absolutely shameful!! Why do I have to be the one to do that kind of thing!?"
"…I never said you had to do it. Didn't you say this was all to prepare for future student consultations?"
"Ahem… Yeah, that's true."
Realizing he'd overreacted, Shirogane Miyuki calmed down, returned to his seat, and looked seriously at Takamine Rinji.
"Treasurer Takamine, this is something we're discussing for the sake of student consultations. I hope you can offer some constructive advice. After all, students' problems are our problems. The student council shouldn't be encouraging them to do questionable things."
"That's kind of tough." Takamine Rinji frowned. "No normal student would ever consider dating someone like Shinomiya Kaguya. You'd have to be out of your mind to take on something that difficult."
Shirogane Miyuki: "…"
"Maybe they should just study hard and aim to become a high-ranking politician or the president of a major Japanese bank."
"I actually think that's a solid plan…"
"But considering Japan's political environment, even with strong connections and means, you're not getting that kind of position until you're like, 50 or 60. Waiting to get married until then is kind of..."
Bang!
Shirogane's head slammed onto the desk again.
He truly felt hopeless about the future.
"President, are you okay? Do you really have to worry this much about something that might not even happen?"
"I'm just concerned about our fellow students... you wouldn't understand, Treasurer Takamine..."
Even now, Shirogane clung stubbornly to his pride.
"That's why this is such a tricky situation."
Takamine Rinji slumped back on the couch. Meanwhile, Shirogane's face was still pressed against the desk in silence.
"If this were your problem, President, I could probably help you. But since it's someone else's problem, then…"
"Wait!"
Shirogane suddenly sat up, his bloodshot eyes—due to all-nighters—fixating on Rinji.
"What did you just say?"
"I said since it's someone else's problem, then…"
"No, not that part. The one before that."
"Oh, I said, 'If this were your problem, I could probably help you.' Why?"
"How exactly would you help me?"
"Didn't you say you have no romantic interest in Miss Shinomiya…?"
"'Hypothetically'! Hypothetically! You get that, right?"
"Got it, got it. If this were your problem, there's a lot I could do." Rinji said. "You see, President, we're friends, right?"
"Yes, we are."
"Since a friend's in trouble, of course I'd help. I mean, even if you hadn't succeeded yet, I'd still do what I can. Like gathering some basic info on Miss Shinomiya or tracking where she usually goes. I'd do what I can to assist… although I suck at romance, so this is probably the best I can offer."
"…"
Shirogane had to admit—he was a little tempted.
If someone really would support him, his chances of getting Kaguya to confess might go up a few notches.
"Um… about the Shinomiya family…"
"I'll deal with them for you."
"…Would a friend really go this far?" Shirogane was touched.
To go up against a behemoth like the Shinomiya family for a friend's happiness—that kind of resolve was truly admirable.
"Of course."
Rinji's lips curled into a slight smile.
"After all, if I go up against the Shinomiya family in the name of 'helping a friend'… it gives me a just cause, doesn't it?"