"Thanks a ton for today, Rinji."
"It's nothing."
"You worked so hard at school, then came here to cook too…"
"I actually enjoy cooking. It's just that at home I'm always alone, and cooking for one isn't much fun." Rinji smiled. "Besides, you guys are the ones washing the dishes."
Carrying a bag of ingredients, Rinji walked back to Shirogane's somewhat rundown apartment with him.
The ingredients were simple and discounted—after the ridiculously expensive meal last time, Shirogane had specifically told him not to buy anything fancy.
Thankfully, even cheap ingredients were enough for Rinji to shine.
"You've been in the student council for nearly two months now, right?"
"Yeah, if you count the month I was suspended, it's been about two months." Rinji chuckled.
"I originally thought you and Shinomiya would constantly clash, but it hasn't been nearly as bad as I imagined."
From their interactions, Shirogane knew that Rinji had some past issues with the Shinomiya family. He thought their relationship would be full of hatred—but aside from some bickering, there hadn't been any real conflict.
"There's no real grudge between me and Miss Shinomiya," Rinji smiled. "I'm grateful to everyone in the student council. Whether it's Fujiwara, who always tries to mess with me, or Shinomiya, who I usually can't stand—I'm still thankful for the kind of place the student council is. Even someone like me was accepted."
"I see… Honestly, I think your behavior is just a little eccentric, nothing more."
"That's because you haven't seen the cruel side of me, President. It would give you nightmares."
Rinji gave a wry smile.
"But as long as I'm in the student council, you probably won't get the chance."
Climbing the shaky iron staircase up to the second floor, Shirogane Miyuki unlocked the door with his key.
Inside, only his younger sister Kei was watching TV. When she heard him come in, she didn't even greet him.
Shirogane was used to her rebellious phase by now.
"President's sister, sorry to intrude again," said Takamine Rinji.
"Huh? Rinji-nii, you came?"
Upon hearing his voice, Kei turned her head toward him.
"Yeah, I came over to make dinner today."
Rinji smiled, holding up the plastic bag in his hand.
"Oh, and I brought this for you."
He pulled out a delicately packaged baumkuchen cake from the bag and handed it to Kei.
"Thanks…"
She took it with a flat expression, but the faint blush on her cheeks made it clear she was quite pleased.
"Kei, don't eat that before dinner," Shirogane warned.
"You're so annoying when you micromanage."
"…"
Faced with his sister's irritated glare, Shirogane sighed deeply.
Who knew how long this rebellious streak would last?
Rinji chuckled, "Save the cake for later. I guarantee the food I make will taste even better."
Kei: "Okay."
Shirogane: "...Why do you listen to him?"
"You're noisy."
"…"
"President," Rinji whispered beside him, "you shouldn't be too direct with kids in their rebellious phase. It usually backfires."
"Did you ever have a rebellious phase, Rinji?"
"Probably not."
After putting the plastic bag in the kitchen, Rinji began prepping the ingredients with practiced ease.
Since they got back later than usual due to student council work, Shirogane decided to take a bath before dinner.
Once in the tub, he let out a long sigh of relief.
"Hah… Rinji really trusts me. But… when it comes to Shinomiya, I haven't told him the truth."
There were things he couldn't talk about—especially his feelings for Kaguya Shinomiya. It wasn't that he didn't trust Rinji; it was more about his own pride.
He didn't want to admit he had fallen for her first. Someone like Kaguya—perfect in family background, appearance, and personality—if he admitted to liking her first…
Then he'd never even get the chance to stand as her equal.
"I have to become someone who can stand beside her…"
Knock knock knock.
There was a knock at the bathroom door.
"Who is it?"
"President, your phone rang."
"Can you answer it? It's probably just a telemarketer."
"Sure."
Five minutes later.
"President, the call's over," Rinji said. "It was Miss Shinomiya."
"What!?"
Shirogane leapt out of the tub.
"Why didn't you say so earlier!?"
"You told me to answer it."
"Right… What did she say?"
"Not much. She said to call her back later. Probably something about your shopping trip tomorrow."
'Oh right… I'm supposed to go shopping with her tomorrow. We haven't even set a time yet.'
He quickly got dressed, came out of the bathroom, and took the phone from Rinji.
Seeing her name in the call log, he immediately dialed back.
It connected instantly.
"…Hello?"
"Hi? Shinomiya?"
"President, um… about tomorrow's shopping trip…"
"I got it. Let's meet at Honey Park at 10 a.m., then head to the mall nearby."
"Okay…"
"And also—"
Beep.
She hung up before he could finish.
"Eh? She hung up…"
"Just send her the rest in a message," Rinji suggested. "Aren't you trying to win her over? Send her something sweet like 'Remember to drink warm water.'"
"I know how to do that."
"You seem really excited about tomorrow's shopping trip with her. You've been smiling this whole time."
Indeed, Shirogane's face had been glowing with happiness.
"Ahem… I'm just relieved we'll finally be finishing the last part of the welcome event for the French exchange student."
"As expected of the president—always thinking about work."
"No… not really…"
Hearing Rinji's words, Shirogane felt a pang of guilt.
He had lied to Rinji—again.