Thanks to that little scene, Takamine Rinji's name was now floating around school.
Being able to play the violin and having done a duet with Fujiwara Chika became hot topics at the fairly closed-off Shuchiin Academy.
Everyone knew who Fujiwara Chika was—adorable, talented, student council secretary, winner of a national middle school piano competition—basically beloved by all.
Whenever students heard her play, they'd gush, "Wow, Fujiwara-san is amazing!"
But when people heard Takamine could play the violin, the reaction was more like, "Wait, he can play violin? Never saw that coming."
Unlike Fujiwara, Takamine's reputation was mostly negative.
During his time as a Disciplinary Committee member, he'd pulled a bunch of weird stunts, even got suspended for a month for violence, and as a transfer student, he was already something of an outsider. All this gave him a rather infamous rep at Shuchiin.
"Takamine-san, is it true you're going to perform with Fujiwara-senpai!?"
Someone asked him that in class.
"I guess it's true… for now. Whether we keep collaborating is undecided."
Takamine glanced at the two girls in front of him.
Iino Miko, and her "guardian," Osaragi Kobachi.
Ever since he was removed from the Disciplinary Committee, he hadn't interacted much with them—just exchanged greetings before and after school.
"That's so nice… getting to perform with Fujiwara-senpai…"
"What's so nice about it?"
He'd been tricked into it by Fujiwara in the first place.
"Fujiwara-senpai is amazing. I was lucky enough to see her perform piano back in middle school, and ever since, I've dreamed of standing on stage with her."
Miko's face radiated admiration.
Takamine: "…"
He really couldn't get it. Admiring someone like Fujiwara Chika? For what—cheating at cards?
"She didn't just win a PTNA gold medal, she's fluent in five languages, and she's good at everything. I always wanted to be by her side, and now you've taken that dream."
Takamine: "…"
He couldn't relate at all.
To him, Fujiwara Chika was a scheming handful who exploited his weaknesses, stabbed him when convenient, and flipped sides over profit—basically, a shady politician.
"…Honestly, I think you're the more impressive one, Iino-san," he blurted out, unable to stomach another mental image of Fujiwara's smug face.
When he looked up again, he noticed Iino's face was flushed, and she seemed to be holding back her joy.
"T-thank you…"
Takamine: ???
It was the first time he'd seen that expression from her.
Osaragi let out a sigh beside her.
'Miko's way too innocent… a single compliment and she's over the moon. I'm worried for her.'
And no wonder. Between her heavy sense of duty and her strict enforcement as a Disciplinary Committee member, she had earned more resentment than praise from her classmates.
Since elementary school, her only real friend had been Osaragi. Just when she thought she found a kindred spirit in Takamine, he was expelled from the committee due to violence.
She had never been complimented by her peers—only been treated with hostility. And she deeply cared about others' opinions.
Not everyone could be like Takamine and not give a damn about their reputation.
"By the way, Iino-san, how's your final exam prep going?"
"Oh, I'm still brushing up on the weak spots."
"Alright, let me tell you something," Takamine grinned. "This time, I'm taking the top spot!"
"…Oh?"
Iino's expression instantly shifted from dreamy girl to battle-ready warrior.
She had to stay number one in her grade—that was her only real source of authority.
"Then we'll see about that."
Osaragi: "…"
'Takamine sure is something—gaining favor with one line, then nuking it with the next.'
—————————————————————————————————————
"I heard you two have been practicing together lately."
"Hehe~ Since Takamine-kun's violin skills are so good, I thought we should perform together at the Hoshin Festival," Fujiwara answered cheerfully.
"I see. Talent is great and all, but don't forget, finals are coming up," Shirogane said with a serious tone.
But he wasn't really speaking to Fujiwara—his real target was Takamine.
Fujiwara, like him, was a second-year. He didn't want anyone from his year beating him academically.
Takamine, on the other hand, was a first-year—Shirogane wanted him to score high.
"Don't worry, President. I'm totally ready for these exams."
Takamine gave a thumbs-up confidently.
"Is that so?"
Kaguya smiled from the side.
"Try to do better than fifth place this time."
"Same to you, Shinomiya Heiress—careful you don't drop to third."
"Hah? That's not going to happen…"
"Don't be so sure. Did you forget you only beat the third-place student in your year by a few points?"
"…"
Third place in their year was Shijo Maki—she was just one point behind Kaguya in total score.
"You might lose your title of eternal second. Soon, you'll be eternal third."
"…That's never going to happen."
She hadn't even surpassed Shirogane yet—there's no way she'd drop before doing that.
"The council's grades are pretty stable… but there's one we should be worried about," Shirogane said, glancing at the group.
Takamine, Fujiwara, Kaguya… they were missing one.
Ishigami had already gone home.
"Ishigami's grades… let's just say they're a mess."
And that's putting it kindly. The guy barely studied—no way his grades would hold up.
"I'll take care of that," Takamine offered. "I know where he lives. I'll help him prep for the exams over the next few days."