The day after Tatsuya escorted Koharu home, the news spread through the school like wildfire. He explained the situation to close friends, who understood, but convincing other grades was trickier.
"Tatsuya-kun, got a moment?" Mayumi Saegusa, former student council president, approached him during a class break.
"Saegusa-senpai? What's up?" Tatsuya asked.
Rumors from the election assembly—sparked by Asano's jealous jab about Mayumi liking Tatsuya—lingered. Her visit now only fueled their credibility.
"Need to ask you something. You free?" Mayumi said.
"Sure." Tatsuya turned to Leo and Mikihiko. "Sorry, guys."
"No biggie," Leo grinned. "We'll talk later."
"I'm cool with it," Mikihiko added.
Tatsuya followed Mayumi into the hallway, leaving his classmates behind.
"Saegusa-senpai's got a thing for Shiba-kun, right?" a student whispered.
"No way, I heard he's dating third-year Hirakawa-senpai. They left together yesterday!" another said.
"But I heard he's with Mitsui-san from Class A!"
"Wasn't it Kitayama-san?"
With Tatsuya gone, the classroom erupted in gossip. No one dared speak so boldly in his presence.
"Never a dull moment around Tatsuya-kun," Erika chuckled.
"Erika-chan, don't spread rumors," Mizuki scolded. "It's irresponsible."
"Me? I only said Honoka confessed to him," Erika teased.
"You're the worst," Leo groaned. "Mitsui probably wanted that kept quiet."
"Yeah, Erika, apologize to her," Mikihiko urged.
"Ugh, but the rumor's already morphed into 'Tatsuya and Honoka are dating.' It's out of control!" Erika pouted, feigning remorse.
Leo and Mikihiko fell silent, wary of seeming like bullies. Erika's half-hearted contrition didn't help.
"Erika-chan, you still need to clear it up," Mizuki pressed. "If Miyuki finds out you spread this, you're done."
"Don't say that!" Erika paled. She'd seen Miyuki's wrath firsthand and knew its weight.
"I'll try to fix it, but it's too late," Erika muttered.
"You don't want Tatsuya or Miyuki mad, right?" Mizuki said.
"…Fine, I'll do my best," Erika sighed.
Miyuki's outburst during the election, and Tatsuya's effortless calming of it, had left most of First High in awe. Even Erika, who knew not to cross them, hadn't expected that intensity. Her pranks had lost their edge since.
Unaware of the classroom chaos, Tatsuya followed Mayumi to the student council room, a privilege she retained thanks to Azusa's kindness.
"Watanabe-senpai? Ichihara-senpai? What's going on?" Tatsuya asked, spotting Mari and Suzune.
"Just keeping these two from going overboard," Mari said. "Think of me as the brake."
"Overboard?" Tatsuya frowned, puzzled. He had no clue why he was summoned.
"So, Saegusa-senpai, why drag me here?" he asked.
"Right. Tatsuya-kun, you know third-year Koharu Hirakawa, yes?" Mayumi began.
"Yes, but why? You already know we've met," Tatsuya said, recalling Mayumi witnessing him console Koharu during the Nine Schools Competition.
"Well, yesterday, several students saw you two leaving together. True?" Mayumi asked.
"Yes. Ms. Ono asked me to escort Hirakawa-senpai home," Tatsuya said. "She's been urging me to help convince her not to quit school. It happened yesterday since she was on campus. Miyuki and my classmates know this. What's the issue?"
Mayumi and Suzune took a moment to process his blunt explanation.
"So the rumor that you're dating Hirakawa is false?" Mari asked.
"Obviously. It's disrespectful to her," Tatsuya said.
"Maybe not," Mari muttered. "But if you say so."
Tatsuya, already navigating Honoka's summer confession and Miyuki's escalating clinginess, found these rumors absurd. They'd only fuel more chaos with both girls.
"Can I go? I've got a practical next, and I need time," Tatsuya said.
"Go ahead," Mari said. "I'll handle these two."
Tatsuya bowed and left. Moments later, Mayumi and Suzune snapped back to reality.
"Where's Tatsuya-kun?" Mayumi blinked.
"Long gone," Mari said. "Good news, though—he's still single."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Mayumi flushed.
"Don't play dumb. Even Ichihara's charmed by him," Mari teased.
"Mari, you're obsessed with him too. What about Shuji?" Suzune shot back.
"Shuji's got nothing to do with this!" Mari snapped. "Tatsuya's just a junior, nothing more!"
Mayumi and Suzune exchanged skeptical looks. Mari didn't see Tatsuya as special, but her unusual warmth toward him—and distinct treatment compared to other guys—was undeniable.
"If anything happens, I'm telling Shuji," Mayumi warned.
"I said it's nothing!" Mari protested. "If you're so curious, just confess to him! He's free, as we just heard."
"B-but…" Suzune stammered.
"A guy like Tatsuya wouldn't care for someone like me," Suzune said. "You, Mayumi-san, maybe."
"Rin-chan?!" Mayumi squeaked.
Mari, exasperated by their girlish banter, endured it until the bell nearly rang, trapping her in the council room.
Note on the Queen's Reign: The queen (Miyuki) looms large, though her presence isn't shown here. Chiaki's growing resentment might push her to disrupt Tatsuya's life, blaming him for stealing her sister's focus and outshining her.
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