A mansion of the Shinomiya Group.
In Kaguya Shinomiya's private bedroom, a heated argument erupted between mistress and maid. The cause: a medical report lying on the table.
"I don't believe it! It's impossible that I'm healthy! This report must be wrong… Yes, that's it! They must've mixed it up with someone else's!"
"Miss Kaguya, please. This is the latest report signed by your personal physician. You're in perfect health. Nothing abnormal."
"Hayasaka, modern medicine isn't infallible. Science can't understand what I'm feeling!"
Kaguya shook her head, grabbed the report, and tossed it into the trash without even looking.
"I know my body better than anyone. I'm clearly sick!"
"The doctor called it 'lovesickness'…"
Hayasaka Ai gazed at the moon through the window. The clock had passed eleven. She sighed.
"If you insist… could you describe your symptoms?"
"I feel restless all day. I wander aimlessly."
"Because you haven't seen the president?"
"That's not it! It's just… without him, I have no motivation to compete…"
"…"
Hayasaka was speechless. She wasn't facing the brilliant heiress of the Shinomiya Group, but a stubborn girl refusing to accept reality.
"Anything else?"
"Yes. In the student council room, I feel like I can't breathe. I only calm down if I sit in his chair."
"The main chair? The one the president used?"
"Of course. Since he resigned, I'm acting as interim president. I must take his place!"
"…"
Hayasaka was stunned. Had it reached fetish level?
And it was only the second day since Natsukawa Kanade's resignation!
To Hayasaka, Kanade's resignation was a tactic. A way to play hard to get. His affection for Kaguya was obvious. Only she, the lovestruck fool, hadn't noticed.
After seeing Kaguya's condition, Hayasaka couldn't help but admire Kanade's methods. That boy is terrifying…
"It's because the president's scent still lingers on the chair. It makes you feel safe…"
God knows how much pressure Hayasaka endured to say that. She didn't even want to face her mother, who had entrusted her with the young lady.
"Hayasaka! Saying it like that makes me sound like a pervert obsessed with his smell!"
Kaguya stood up, flailing her arms in protest.
"I just thought it smelled different! Maybe he changed shampoo! Go ask him!"
"…"
Hayasaka suppressed her frustration, pulled out her phone, and dialed without expression.
"Moshimoshi, Master Natsukawa? I'm Kaguya-san's assistant."
"Hmph! Don't fool me, Hayasaka. He's probably asleep already…"
"Hello, what can I do for you?"
Kanade's voice came through clearly. Kaguya instantly panicked.
Her first call since adding him on Line! She's talking to the president!
No, no! Don't lose composure! You're a Shinomiya!
Hayasaka handed her the phone.
"Master Natsukawa, Miss Kaguya would like to speak with you."
Kaguya took it with trembling hands, straightened up, and suppressed her anxiety.
"Good evening, Mr. President."
"Good evening, Shinomiya."
"…"
"…"
After that, Kaguya froze. She couldn't say another word.
"Miss, please say something," Hayasaka whispered, but Kaguya was already lost in her fantasies.
Is he reading? Lying down? Showering…? He's in pajamas! We're talking in pajamas! In the same bed!
Hayasaka stared at her, paralyzed. Where did my elegant, brilliant lady go…?
As a professional maid, she couldn't allow her mistress to humiliate herself. She snatched the phone and spoke firmly:
"Hello? Can you hear me, Master Natsukawa? The signal here isn't great. We'll hang up for now. Miss Kaguya will speak with you tomorrow."
Without waiting for a reply, she hung up.
On the other end, Kanade stared at the perfect signal on his phone and fell into deep silence.
"Hayasaka! Why did you hang up? I wanted to keep hearing his voice!"
"Hearing? You're so nervous you couldn't even speak!"
"Miss, in your current state, you can't communicate with him. I recommend going to bed immediately."
The clock was nearing midnight. If Hayasaka didn't sleep soon, she'd get less than five hours of rest.
I'm going to die! I haven't even had a romantic relationship! I don't want to die young!
"Really? It's okay to sleep a little late…"
Kaguya tried to protest, but seeing Hayasaka's expression, she gave in.
"Then I'll sleep early. Tomorrow I'll meet the president with elegance!"
Though she hadn't seen him all day, Kanade's "Good evening, Shinomiya" was enough to revive her heart.
With those words floating in her mind, Kaguya Shinomiya fell asleep.
Hayasaka Ai, meanwhile, quietly filed away the medical report, thinking she had to find a way to help her mistress accept her true feelings.
If this keeps up… I'm going to lose my favorite lady.