"Good morning, Mr. President."
"Yes, you look very handsome today."
"If you don't mind… could we have lunch together?"
"…"
Kaguya Shinomiya stared at the note in her hand: Flirting Techniques Even Monkeys Can Learn. She fell into deep contemplation.
Hayasaka had handed it to her that morning, assuring her that if she followed the steps, the president would notice her charm and fall in love.
The word Monkey was bolded.
"Hayasaka, what's with this note?"
"The pen was running out of ink. That's why the back looks faded," she replied calmly.
"…"
That wasn't what Kaguya meant to ask. But it didn't matter. What mattered was whether it would work.
"You're sure I should say something like this to invite the president?"
"Absolutely, Miss. It's a simple social cue anyone can master."
Phrases like "President, I'd like to have lunch with you" or "I want the president to do this and that" were impossible for Kaguya. Her pride wouldn't allow it.
"Hmm… Fine, I'll try."
She trusted Hayasaka. That's why she woke up early to be the first to see the president. She rushed through student council duties and stood guard at the school entrance.
But no matter how long she waited, Natsukawa Kanade didn't appear.
It wasn't until just before the bell rang that Kaguya accepted the truth: the president hadn't come to school.
…
Shiina Mahiru was strong, gentle, and thoughtful. A popular beauty, but never arrogant. She treated everyone equally… except Natsukawa Kanade.
They met under a misty rain.
It wasn't romantic. It was a collision of suspicion, guardedness, and open wounds.
After her mother called her an "unwanted child," Mahiru ran to the park to vent. She stood in the rain. Then Kanade appeared.
With a small umbrella, he approached slowly.
"Angel, do you need broad shoulders?"
A frivolous, moralizing boy.
That was Mahiru's immediate judgment.
She didn't want to be an "angel." She was just a normal girl craving attention.
"What's going on?"
The boy wore the same uniform. That lowered her guard.
"Seeing you alone in the rain, I got worried…"
"Thanks, but I'm fine here. Please leave me alone."
"If you stay like this, you might catch a cold…"
"Even if that's true, it's none of your business."
She was in a bad mood, but wouldn't take it out on a stranger.
"Is that so…?"
The boy sat on the swing beside her. He didn't wipe the seat. Didn't open the umbrella. Just sat there, silently, staring at the sky.
Mahiru ignored him. But being accompanied felt different from being alone.
Eventually, she couldn't help but say:
"What the hell do you want? I don't need your pity!"
The boy flinched, stood up, and apologized:
"Sorry. I thought staying with you might make you feel better…"
"I just hope you don't hurt yourself. There's always someone who'd be sad if you did."
"…"
What do you know? Not even my mother cares. How can I trust you?
"Sorry, I was intrusive. As an apology, I'll give you this umbrella. My house is nearby."
He handed her the umbrella and ran off into the rain.
"Liar…"
Mahiru said it softly.
She knew he lived next door. She'd seen him open the adjacent door many times. But they'd never spoken.
"A frivolous, moralizing, miserable guy…"
The rain no longer struck her violently. The warmth of the umbrella's handle began to warm her heart.
"Thanks…"
The next day, as expected, Kanade caught a cold. But he went to class anyway. In the end, he collapsed in front of his house.
Of course, Mahiru wouldn't leave him like that.
She brought him home, boiled water, made porridge, fed him. She used everything she'd learned from her nanny.
Eventually, Kanade recovered.
I've repaid the favor, she thought.
But they kept meeting. Slowly, their relationship grew close.
They supported each other. Gave each other strength. Mahiru thought they'd be good friends forever.
Until that day came:
"Shiina, I like you."
"Eh? This…"
Didn't you say you weren't approaching me out of interest? Why… why did you say that?
"You might not be able to accept it now, but I want you to know how I feel. I don't want you to misunderstand anymore."
"I don't want…"
"Please believe me. I like you so much, I never—"
"Stop talking!"
Mahiru shouted for the first time. She panicked.
Fear, guilt, remorse. It all swirled together. She couldn't take it.
She could only run.
"I'm sorry. I just want to be alone."
She ran to her refuge. That was where she felt safe.
Give it time. Yes… with time he'll realize she's not the right choice. And she can keep enjoying his care…
…
After greeting her classmates, Mahiru looked at Kanade's seat.
Since second year, they'd shared a class. But aside from that rainy afternoon, she'd never dared to approach him.
She could only watch his empty seat from afar.
"Huh? Kanade didn't come today?"
Could it be because I gave him the umbrella again…?
She thought of their first encounter. A trace of concern surfaced. But also a small joy she didn't even notice.
As if a lost treasure had reappeared. Within reach.