"Ugh… my head hurts…"
Karen rubbed her temples, feeling like she'd been hit by a truck.
"You're awake?"
"Eh? Takamine-kun?"
She looked around in confusion.
"Did I fall asleep?"
"Yep. You came to find me, but then just collapsed on the desk and fell asleep," Rinji said with a smile. "By the way, what did you need?"
"I… Oh right, what did I even come to ask you about?"
She scratched her head, completely puzzled. She knew she came to talk to Takamine about something important, but for the life of her, she couldn't recall what.
"Did you forget, Kino-san?"
Rinji tested her. "I remember you mentioned something about a movie theater, didn't you?"
"Movie theater? I haven't been to one in over a month."
"I see."
Rinji nodded, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
Not only had she forgotten the movie with Shirogane and Shinomiya—she didn't even remember going to the theater.
Memory erasure: successful.
"I'm really sorry, Takamine-kun." Karen stood up and bowed. "I barged in, forgot what I wanted to say, then just passed out…"
"It's fine, you're probably just exhausted. Go get some rest."
Rinji opened the classroom door.
"It's about time school lets out. Head on home."
"Okay!"
Karen didn't suspect anything and happily left.
As he watched her walk away, Rinji let out a small sigh. Looks like president's request was fulfilled successfully…
"Wait! I just remembered!"
"!?"
Kino's sudden return caught Rinji off guard.
She ran back to him, determined. He froze as thoughts raced through his mind:
What the hell? Was the memory erasure not thorough? Was the voltage too low? Should I shock her again? Or just send her straight to Africa…
"I remembered what I wanted to talk to you about!" Karen said with conviction.
"Oh? That's great. What did you want to ask?"
Rinji's voice was calm, but his hand gripped the stun baton in his pocket.
If she remembered the wrong thing… he'd have to wipe her memory again.
"Do you know anything about Tanuma Tsubasa from Class 2-B?"
"..."
"You don't?"
"I do."
Rinji let go of the baton and gestured to the room.
"Come in."
…
"So you're saying this guy, Tanuma Tsubasa, came to the student council for love advice because of you?"
"Well, don't say I 'instigated' him. Let's just say I suggested it." Karen sighed. "Anyway, he confessed to Kashiwagi after your advice, and now the two of them are really happy."
"Sounds great, then."
"Yeah, but…"
Her eyes wandered, unfocused.
"I feel like I betrayed a friend."
"Huh?"
"Um… Takamine-kun, can I ask something personal? It's… about a friend."
"Sure, go ahead."
He was a little curious, but figured it was a friendship thing, so he didn't dig too deep.
"My friend has a bestie who's had a long-time crush on a guy, but she never had the courage to confess. One day, that guy decided to confess his feelings, and… my friend thought this was her bestie's chance, so she helped him prepare. But… he confessed to another girl instead. Her bestie was heartbroken."
She looked at Rinji expectantly.
"So… is it my friend's fault?"
"Hmm."
Rinji thought for a moment.
"Your friend sounds like a caring person. Someone who genuinely worries about her bestie."
"Really?"
Karen brightened up immediately.
"Calm down, sit. Why are you so excited about your friend's story?"
"Ahaha, yeah, right."
She sat back down, smiling.
"She has good intentions."
"Mm-hmm."
"She looks out for her friends."
"Yes~"
"She should be executed."
"Huh? EH!?"
Karen froze. "Why!?"
"Meddling in others' love lives never ends well. She didn't confirm anything, just acted on her own. If her bestie got heartbroken, it's partly her fault—oh, I'm talking about your friend, don't be sad."
She sat like a guilty child, shivering in her seat.
"Wait a sec."
Rinji suddenly realized something.
"You just told me you sent Tanuma to the council… so your 'friend' is…"
"Ahaha, I have no idea what you're talking about!"
Karen jumped up, cold sweat running down her face, flashing an obviously fake elegant smile.
"I have stuff to do, I'll get going. Thanks for helping!"
"No problem," Rinji said. "By the way, is your friend's bestie a student here at Shuchiin?"
"Huh?"
"If not, no big deal. But if she is, have her come to the student council office. I've had my heart broken too. I'd be happy to offer her some emotional support."
"Thank you so much!!"
---
The Next Day
Takamine Rinji: "..."
During lunch, he was the only one in the student council office.
Except for one guest, sitting on the sofa in front of him.
She had brown twin-tails and a slightly arrogant expression.
But somehow… Rinji thought her face looked a bit familiar—like Shinomiya Kaguya.
"Ugh, do I have to see your annoying face in broad daylight?"
"Hey! Why are you insulting me the moment we meet!?"
The girl shouted indignantly.
"Sorry, what's your name again?"
"Shijo Maki."