A Busy Saturday

After all, Sakayanagi looked so confident that she might really have a good solution.

"Sorry, this is... a secret." Cutting off the thought that had suddenly come to mind, Yamamura found herself wanting to leave.

Aside from the fact that her worries were hard to talk about, Aoyama didn't like Sakayanagi. That alone meant Yamamura could never confide in Sakayanagi.

Sakayanagi was elegant and cute, with a powerful presence. She didn't look like someone with princess syndrome at all—but that was Aoyama's judgment.

Yamamura trusted Aoyama's judgment more than her own.

"It looks like it has something to do with Classmate Aoyama."

Without making it seem intentional in the slightest, Sakayanagi's calf accidentally bumped her cane, causing its base to slide between Yamamura's feet.

Yamamura realized that if she stood up without moving the cane, she would knock it over.

Before, she would have quietly remained trapped by the cane until Sakayanagi got up and left.

"Sorry, Classmate Sakayanagi. I have something to do... so I'll be going."

Carefully picking up the cane and leaning it against the edge of the chair, Yamamura hurried to her feet without answering Sakayanagi's question.

As if escaping from danger, she soon disappeared from Sakayanagi's sight.

What the hell had that bastard Aoyama said to Yamamura? Why was she treating me like a pest?

Sakayanagi's smile faded, and her expression darkened.

In Sakayanagi's judgment, Yamamura was the kind of good girl who couldn't bring herself to refuse people, and cared more about what others thought than about herself.

There was no reason she would be so resistant to Sakayanagi, let alone run away so rudely.

No matter how well-prepared the words were, what was the point if the other person wouldn't even listen?

"Looks like you failed, Princess." With a flippant tone, Hashimoto sat down in the spot where Yamamura had been sitting.

It was no coincidence that Sakayanagi, whose mobility was limited, had managed to corner Yamamura, who was troubled.

After noticing for several days in a row that Aoyama wasn't chatting with Yamamura like he usually did, Sakayanagi had set her sights on Yamamura.

If she could turn Yamamura against Aoyama, she'd have a trump card for dealing with that hateful Aoyama.

"I think Kamuro might be easier to approach. When it comes to girls, I should understand them better than you, Princess."

"Yamamura's obviously fallen for Aoyama. She'd never switch sides."

As a handsome blond who knew how to talk, Hashimoto had met plenty of girls.

When it came to understanding girls, he was confident he knew a lot more than an upper-class girl like Sakayanagi.

"Given Classmate Kamuro's self-centered personality, I don't think we can persuade her to switch sides," Sakayanagi said.

"At least the chances are much better than with Yamamura. And besides..." Hashimoto narrowed his eyes. "Unlike a well-behaved student like Yamamura, someone like Kamuro is more likely to break school rules."

The school he'd attended in middle school had been rather chaotic. To put it nicely, it was a place where students were free to let loose; in reality, it was full of students who did whatever they pleased.

From what he'd observed of Kamuro in class, she didn't have much respect for rules. She wasn't like most girls.

And one thing was certain: Kamuro hadn't fallen for Aoyama yet. Otherwise, she wouldn't keep giving him such a disgusted look.

"If you think it might work, then go ahead and try."

Since Hashimoto kept insisting on his opinion, Sakayanagi gave him permission, though she wasn't entirely convinced.

At the class meeting on May first, Aoyama had all but destroyed her chances of becoming Class A's leader.

There were plenty of students willing to be friends with her now, but none of them would take action to help her bring Katsuragi down.

After all, given how Aoyama usually acted like he looked down on everyone, nobody thought he was bluffing.

If someone dared to mess with Katsuragi, he really would blow up.

The consequences would be serious, and the students in Class A didn't want to see that happen.

The only person who supported her and took action on her behalf was Hashimoto—someone capable, but with his own ideas.

And she even had to pay him off every month.

"Then should I walk you back to the dorm, Princess?"

"No need. Classmate Nishikawa is already on the way."

Turning down Hashimoto's offer, Sakayanagi closed her eyes as if dismissing him and began to think.

Was there any way to kick Aoyama, this obstacle, out of her way? He was so disgusting.

From the time she could remember until high school, she was certain Aoyama had never once appeared in her memories. So why was he so hostile toward her?

If he were a lackey or in another class, that would be fine. She'd kick him aside without giving him a second glance.

But he was in her own class, and on top of that, Aoyama was exceptionally capable.

The moment he joined the Student Council, he became vice president—and clearly one with real power. He was ridiculously impressive.

Keyaki Mall.

After escaping from Sakayanagi, Yamamura didn't want to return to the dorm yet, and before she knew it, she had ended up here.

Starting on the first floor, she wandered from floor to floor until she reached the top.

[Rentals, custom-made formal wear, cosplay outfits]

Yamamura stopped in front of a shop with no customers, and Aoyama's face appeared in her mind.

I'll give you a maid outfit next time. I think it'd suit you too.

Aoyama had looked so happy when he said it. He must have meant it.

Saturday, Busy as Ever

Saturday.

One member was missing from the familiar trio who usually held study sessions in Aoyama's dorm room.

"Make up already, you bastard." Kamuro propped her cheek on her hand and looked up at Aoyama. "I don't want to be alone in a room with you, studying."

She didn't dislike Aoyama, but she hated asking him for help.

When Yamamura was there, she always asked Yamamura instead.

"The problem is, Yamamura and I haven't even argued. But I'll talk to her tonight."

Setting down his pencil, Aoyama also felt they couldn't go on like this. They had to sit down and talk properly.

If she was too embarrassed to face him, that was one thing, but several days had passed. She should have calmed down by now.

"By the way, you've already started studying second-year material?" Seeing that the textbook in front of Aoyama was different from hers, Kamuro leaned over to take a look.

"This is third-year material."

With a smug smile, Aoyama showed Kamuro the book's first page.

The reward for winning the gold medal hadn't been top-notch, but Rum's Eye's ability to remember everything at a glance was practically a cheat when it came to studying.

His thinking skills were already pretty good, and two months was enough time for him to master the first- and second-year material.

"I hate geniuses."

"I'm just a little more hardworking than the average student." Aoyama made a hand gesture that would trigger any guy from South Korea.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say."

Kamuro replied irritably and got back to studying.

The day before, on Friday, Mashima-sensei had announced the date of the final exams, along with the reminder that anyone who failed would be expelled.

With her grades, she was bound to pass, but they wouldn't be anything special.

That was a little embarrassing for the Student Council Secretary.

"How do you solve this one, you bastard genius?"

To improve her grades, Kamuro had no choice but to grit her teeth and ask Aoyama for help.

When she'd learned that the Student Council could check students' exam scores, she'd gotten curious and looked up the scores of the other Student Council members.

It turned out that everyone but her was an honor student, and many of them had average scores in the nineties.

"Yes, yes. Your bastard genius is here to help."

Leaving his spot, Aoyama sat down beside Kamuro with a chuckle.

With Kamuro there, time seemed to fly by.

The morning study session ended quickly. At noon, he boldly mooched a meal at Horikita Suzune's place, and in the afternoon, he met up with the lovely Shiina in the library.

A blue ribbon was tied in a bow at her collar. Beneath her straight silver bangs, her beautiful purple eyes always held a gentle smile.

"It's just the two of us today. Does this feel like a library date?" Sitting down at their familiar little round table, Aoyama teased Shiina.

"Does that mean I've become the envy of all the girls at school? My reputation as a girl has improved."

Shiina shot back without a care, the corners of her mouth lifting.

Between the Student Council and the library on Saturdays, she saw Aoyama six days a week.

She was already used to his occasional teasing.

Aoyama spread his hands and held them out toward Shiina. "In that case, you should be thanking me. I'd appreciate it if you paid your fee of gratitude. Thanks."

"Don't mention it, young Aoyama." Shiina chuckled and picked up three books. "Do you want this first volume of Golden Mask, or the second?"

"How do I look like a woodcutter? But you're so pretty, Shiina, that I can believe you're a river goddess."

Don't confuse an adaptation with making things up, Miss Shiina.

Aoyama grumbled to himself for a moment, then delivered the finishing blow.

A river goddess was a goddess, and goddesses were usually stunningly beautiful.

Shiina's face, which had been smiling just a moment ago, instantly turned bright red. She quickly hid behind a book, blocking herself from Aoyama's view.

"You're exaggerating, Aoyama." Two bashful eyes appeared above the not-very-thick book.

"I'm not exaggerating at all. I think I got it just right."

Aoyama wanted to pat Shiina's adorable little head, cute enough to be a crime, but the little round table between them made it impossible.

He picked up the first volume of Golden Mask that Shiina had put back on the table and began to read.

Soon, a quiet, peaceful atmosphere settled over the space.

The only sound was the soft rustle of turning pages.

After playing Staring Contest with Sakura Airi and having dinner at Horikita Suzune's place, Aoyama returned to his dorm at seven.

He sat at his desk for a while and browsed the internet. Figuring Yamamura had probably finished dinner, he called her.

Unlike before, when she'd always picked up right away, this time Aoyama waited quite a while before he heard Yamamura's flustered voice on the other end.

"I missed you after a whole day apart. Can we meet?" Leaning back in his chair, Aoyama spoke into the phone with genuine feeling.

After several days of only being able to chat with Kamuro in class, he was starting to miss Yamamura's shy demeanor.

"Half an hour... Give me half an hour... I'll be waiting in my room."

"Okay. I'll be there on time."

After agreeing, Aoyama hung up. Yamamura seemed really nervous—more than when he teased her face-to-face. He had no idea why.

But half an hour from now?

He checked the time on his phone, and a small concern crossed his mind.

After eight, boys weren't allowed on the girls' floors. If a dorm supervisor caught him, his class would lose Class Points.

It was already seven. At most, he'd only be able to stay in Yamamura's room for half an hour. Not too much time, but not too little, either.

He hoped they could sort things out quickly.