"Why do you suddenly want to change your hairstyle? Kaguya-chan, your previous one was really pretty."
Fujiwara Chika looked at Kaguya with curiosity. Her sixth sense told her something special was going on.
"It's nothing, I just wanted to shift my mood…"
Kaguya pulled away from Chika's hug and glanced sideways at Natsukawa Kanade.
Seeing no reaction, she felt disappointed.
I followed Hayasaka's advice and changed my hairstyle to catch his attention… and he didn't even notice!
But she wasn't going to give up.
If there's no conversation, she'll create one. If she doesn't make an impression, she'll stir up events. If there's no emotion, she'll rely on the suspension bridge effect.
Love is war. And she won't surrender.
"Now that I think about it, there's someone who's been bothering me lately…"
Kaguya cupped her cheek with one hand, smiling sweetly.
"Eh? Someone you care about? Could it be…? I want to know!"
"Well, how should I put it? He's a very cute guy. Hardworking, strong, never gives up in the face of hardship. Also, I really like…"
"Hmm! Isn't this love? Who is it? Kaguya-chan, tell me!"
"You want me to say it here?"
Kaguya looked shy and embarrassed.
"Hmm… who does the president think it could be?"
Kaguya looked at Kanade, but he simply shook his head and didn't respond.
This is your private matter, Shinomiya. You don't need to say it just to satisfy Fujiwara's curiosity.
Though part of him was selfish—he didn't want to hear it directly.
"Seriously, the old president is so stiff!"
Fujiwara shook her head.
Love is the fertilizer for a girl's growth! It never goes out of style!
"Love Detective Chika Fujiwara is on the case!"
She pulled out a detective hat and magnifying glass, striking a dramatic pose.
"There's only one truth, and it is… Ishigami-da!"
Before she could finish, Ishigami Yu, who was running to buy yakisoba bread, shivered.
"Why do I feel like someone's trying to blame me?"
Just as he got distracted, someone shoved him out of line.
"Damn it! My yakisoba bread!"
Meanwhile, in the student council room, Kaguya stared at Fujiwara like she was an idiot.
She'd hoped the president would ask, "Am I the one you care about?"
She wouldn't say it directly, but she wouldn't deny it either.
She'd leave it hanging, waiting for him to confess.
And she'd win!
The result? The president seemed uninterested.
And Fujiwara, throwing out random guesses, could cause misunderstandings.
"Secretary Fujiwara, what made you deduce that the person I care about is Ishigami's classmate? Isn't that… incredible?"
"Eh? Really? But I think they're similar. Hardworking, strong… Ishigami's grown a lot!"
"Never gives up in the face of hardship… Even though no girl likes him, he never stops liking them!"
"Doesn't Kaguya-chan always smile at Ishigami?"
Kaguya: "…"
Kanade: "…"
Kanade considered going for a walk to avoid the topic, but Fujiwara threw him off.
As expected of you, Fujiwara-san.
"Ahem… I think Ishigami-kun is actually pretty decent. Not as… uh, terrible as you say, Fujiwara."
Kanade coughed twice, trying to defend him.
But all the girls present had strong personalities. His defense didn't help.
"I must admit what Secretary Fujiwara said makes sense, but… it's not what she thinks."
Kaguya shook her head.
I care a little. Like a mother worried about her useless son. Nothing more.
"Eh? It's not? Then Kaguya-chan thinks Ishigami is a child… what a strange way to play."
Fujiwara seemed excited, unfazed by her failed guess.
"Then I guess… it's Shirogane-san, right? He studies hard, lives with strength, faces challenges… Has he done something to make Kaguya happy?"
"Of course that's impossible!"
Kaguya responded immediately.
You care about him? You like him? He's a romantic rival! I wanted to send him to Siberia to dig potatoes so he'd stop seducing the president!
It could be anyone—except Shirogane.
Even if Fujiwara wanted to guess, she had to follow logic.
That claim was unsustainable!
"Hey, it's not Shirogane-san…"
Fujiwara felt a bit frustrated.
But Kanade knew Kaguya was lying.
To hide her shyness, she responded loudly.
But her expression gave her away.
When Ishigami was mentioned, she stayed calm.
But when Shirogane came up, she visibly flinched.
Doesn't this prove she likes Shirogane Miyuki?
Kanade knew he shouldn't fool himself.
Otherwise, when he got rejected, he'd look for excuses instead of accepting reality.
"I can't guess it! I won't try anymore!"
Fujiwara put away her hat and magnifying glass, puffing her cheeks.
"…"
Kaguya couldn't say anything.
That cow monster ruined everything! She brought up the topic and shut it down herself.
Aren't there only three boys in the council? Why didn't she guess the president?
She'd prepared a thousand excuses to hint at the president confessing.
All wasted.
All because of Fujiwara!
Now that things had come to this, I have no choice but to force the conversation.
"Actually, the person I care about…"
"I'm suddenly starving… Eh? Something smells delicious!"
Fujiwara's logic was always unique.
One moment a detective, the next a gourmet.
She followed the "scent" to Kanade, staring at his lunchbox with sparkling eyes.
"What a great catch! Did the president make this? I haven't had it in ages!"
"Yes."
Kanade nodded.
These days, without council duties, he'd gone back to cooking for fun.
"But it's a little cold. If you want, I'll make it again tomorrow…"
"Silly ribbon! As long as the president makes it, it'll taste good even cold!"
Fujiwara waved her hands and opened the lunchbox, pulling out a squid sausage.
"Mmm! Delicious! My brain is coming back to life!"
"…"
Kanade opened his mouth but couldn't stop her.
He wanted to remind her she'd eaten this bento before.
Why didn't she notice?
But seeing her so happy, he was too embarrassed to interrupt.
Forget it. If she doesn't mind, why should I worry?