Kasumigaoka Utaha was calm, elegant, intellectual, with a literary style that was unmistakable.
Her beauty was undeniable, and her figure—an added bonus—never went unnoticed.
In public, she presented herself as a cultured young woman. In private, she unleashed biting remarks, suggestive jokes, and lines that turned any conversation into something unexpectedly romantic or provocative.
She was strong-willed, unfiltered, a master of criticism. But because she was truly stunning, her flaws were easily forgiven.
Did personality matter? As long as they were pretty, even a pervert could be accepted.
Natsukawa Kanade once thought so… until he pursued Kasumigaoka Utaha and was rejected.
"Useless as always, Sawamura-san."
The voice came from Kasumigaoka, who had appeared in the second-year hallway.
"Kasumigaoka Utaha? What are you doing here?" Eriri, who had been shy around Kanade, flared up at the sight of her.
Her fang gleamed as she bared her teeth.
"There's no rule against third-years coming down to this floor, is there?" Kasumigaoka brushed her hair aside with elegance and stepped closer.
She completely ignored Eriri's hostility. From the moment she arrived, her gaze was fixed solely on Kanade.
"Good afternoon, young man."
"Good afternoon, Kasumigaoka-senpai…"
Kanade responded out of courtesy, though the scene felt strangely familiar.
"Hey, Kasumigaoka, what are you doing here?" Eriri frowned, sensing something off.
"Be more respectful to your senpai, Sawamura-kun. And as for why I'm here… what do you think?"
"You…" Eriri finally understood: Kasumigaoka had come to interfere.
No wonder that senpai had given her such kind advice the day before. She just wanted to know if Kanade was available.
Damn it! How despicable!
If Kanade were still in conquest mode, she would've been coldly rejected. But now…
Cow monster, I'll never forgive you!
Overwhelmed by her rival's appearance, Eriri completely forgot that it was Kato who had tipped her off.
"Junior, if you're free now…" Kasumigaoka crossed her arms, feigning composure.
She rarely hid her feelings, but preferred euphemisms. And running to another floor to find a boy was something she'd never imagined herself doing.
I have to leave shame behind! If I think too much, I'll back out…
"I won't let you say it!"
Eriri, watching from the sidelines, suddenly burst in, not knowing where she found the courage.
Even she bites when provoked.
"Ah!"
The impact to Kasumigaoka's waist made her wince.
Attacking a lady's weak spot is the lowest! Blond-haired loser!
"It's someone's fault for being so shy she can't even think it. I was just being kind."
"Whatever happens, it's better than you, shameless cow monster!"
"Cow monster?" Kasumigaoka paused. Just as she was about to retaliate, she thought of something better.
"Oh, are you that concerned? Say something nice and I'll tell you how to get bigger."
"I don't want to hear it. It'll sag eventually anyway!" Eriri snapped bitterly.
She'd never surrender to that thief. She didn't envy them. They were both useless.
"Sag…?" Kasumigaoka couldn't hold back anymore.
You know that's taboo for girls with big breasts, right? You don't even mention it!
"Blond-haired loser!"
"Cow monster!"
…
"President, is it okay to leave those two alone?"
"Huh? Oh, they're just friends, it's fine."
Kanade realized they were still calling him "president."
Though he'd resigned, he hadn't made it public. It was normal they didn't know.
But this scene… it never got old. Two cute girls arguing. Who wouldn't stop to watch?
It reminded him of the happy days in the club. Days that wouldn't return.
When both were exhausted, they called a truce at the same time.
"Ahem… I'll let you go for now…"
"Yeah! Can't take it anymore?"
"You… you can try again…"
"I…"
"Alright, alright, you two. If you keep this up, you'll miss lunch. You don't want to go to class on an empty stomach, do you?"
Kanade stepped in before the war reignited.
"Seriously? You're high schoolers now. Take care of yourselves, okay?"
And your stomachs, Kanade thought.
He stayed there, watching. It was fun, but he was hungry too.
"Sorry, Junior-kun, I made you laugh…"
Kasumigaoka, more resilient than Eriri, had already recovered.
"If you don't mind…"
"Don't steal…"
"Shut up, you idiot loser who can't even win an argument!"
"Gu…"
"Junior, if you're free, come have lunch with me…"
Kasumigaoka's face was flushed, a light sweat from the verbal battle.
She was already picturing the perfect scene: lunch together, mending the relationship, and then… whatever came next.
"Sorry, I'm afraid that won't work."
Huh? What…?
"Junior… what does that mean?"
Why did he reject me? Isn't he single? Did Kato lie to me…?
"May I ask why?"
"Why…? I guess I just want to be alone for a while."
It was exhausting playing someone else. He wanted to be himself again.
Step one: learn to eat alone.
Kanade felt a little embarrassed. It sounded like a kid learning to use a spoon.
"Alone…? You're not going to accompany a girl?"
"…"
He frowned. Was there nothing else in his life besides being with girls?
Come to think of it, it had always been that way. But people change. And he was changing.
"Well, all that's in the past…"
He touched his nose, awkward.
Seeing Kasumigaoka silent, he spoke again:
"Senpai, if there's nothing else, I'll be going."
"…"
No response. So Kanade left.
"Hey, Kasumigaoka, what happened? Why did Kanade leave alone?"
Eriri, who had regained her strength, approached.
She'd been hiding, afraid to hear Kanade accept Kasumigaoka. She was ready to follow them, even if it meant making a fool of herself.
Kanade will forgive me. And that thief has no right to judge me.
"Eri, it seems something big just happened…"
"What…?"