Shinomiya Kaguya was completely taken aback, in every sense of the word.
She hadn't expected that after Fujiwara Chika read Tanaka Masao's work, not only would she not break off their friendship, but she also seemed to genuinely like it.
She also hadn't expected that if Fujiwara Chika liked it, she would secretly...
Ah, no, she herself didn't secretly look.
It would have been fine if Fujiwara Chika had looked at it secretly by herself, but she even publicly recommended it to everyone.
Could it be that sharing such things is actually normal between friends, and I'm just too conservative?
No, no, no, no matter how you look at it, this kind of thing can't be normal.
In the end, Shinomiya Kaguya could only come to one conclusion: Fujiwara Chika had gone mad, and the shock of the manga had broken her brain.
Just as Shinomiya Kaguya was about to rescue her friend, who had fallen into the abyss, Ishigami Yu, who had been silent all this time, spoke up.
"Oh, so that author is Fujiwara-senpai's friend? That's amazing."
He had glanced at the title of the book before Fujiwara Chika put it away.
As an otaku, he naturally knew about such a popular book and had bought and read it immediately. The plot was simply great, and he really liked it.
So, when he heard that the author of the book was Fujiwara Chika's friend, he became interested.
Seeing Ishigami Yu support her, Fujiwara Chika's mood instantly improved.
"That's right, Ishigami-gakudai, have you read it too?"
Ishigami Yu nodded.
"It's quite famous, after all, so of course I've read it."
Shinomiya Kaguya: Is this thing famous? How did Ishigami-gakudai also read it, and why are you two discussing it so openly?
Why are you discussing such an impure topic in the sacred student council? Someone, stop them!
As for her stopping them herself, that was absolutely out of the question, otherwise, wouldn't the fact that she had read those things be exposed?
This was absolutely not allowed.
Fujiwara Chika and Ishigami Yu didn't notice Shinomiya Kaguya's extremely displeased expression and began discussing the novel.
"I had never read this type of thing before, and to be honest, the first time I read it, I was quite shocked."
Fujiwara Chika nodded.
"That's right, this is the first time I've encountered something like this too.
It was only under Junior Tanaka's strong suggestion and recommendation that I got into it, and I didn't expect to get addicted so quickly."
Shinomiya Kaguya: Ishigami-gakudai, what do you mean this is the first type you've encountered? Have you encountered other types?
And Fujiwara student, do you even hear what you're saying? That man told you to try it, and you tried it, and you got addicted? Is this something one can get addicted to?
Well, it is somewhat addictive.
Listening to Fujiwara Chika and Ishigami Yu's conversation, Shinomiya Kaguya was almost at her breaking point.
At this moment, she completely failed to understand this world.
[Am I the abnormal one? Should I join them in their discussion now?]
Shinomiya Kaguya's head was spinning, but the sound of their discussion didn't stop.
"Ishigami-gakudai, by the way, don't you think the female protagonist's ending is a bit tragic?"
Hearing Fujiwara Chika's words, Ishigami Yu recalled the plot and nodded.
"Indeed, the female protagonist was… by that kind of man in the end…"
He stopped halfway, seemingly a bit sad, and didn't continue speaking.
"It made me use a lot of tissues."
Shinomiya Kaguya: Ah, the female protagonist was 'that' by a man? And he used a lot of tissues? Ishigami-gakudai, what exactly were you doing?
As she listened to their discussion, she recalled the plot she had read, and her cheeks couldn't help but flush.
Their discussion wouldn't stop because of Shinomiya Kaguya's shock. Fujiwara Chika continued, saying,
"At the time, Junior Tanaka, another girl, and I watched it together. We couldn't accept it after finishing it and strongly demanded Junior Tanaka change the ending."
"And then?"
"Although Junior Tanaka didn't change the ending, he promised us a new book, and it's due out in the next couple of days."
"Oh, there's a new book?"
Ishigami Yu became interested.
"That's right, Junior Tanaka also promised I could read the manuscript in advance."
"You can read the manuscript in advance? How enviable! Although it seems hard to read, the overall quality of the work is still good. I really like it.
Fujiwara-senpai, if you can, could you help me get an autograph?"
"Of course, no problem. The next time I see Junior Tanaka, I'll get you an autograph."
Shinomiya Kaguya also became interested upon hearing this.
[You can actually read the manuscript in advance?]
Recalling the few books she had flipped through repeatedly, almost to the point of being worn out, she was tired of their content.
She also really wanted to read the new work.
[Ah, no, I don't really want to read it. I just want to criticize that man Tanaka's evil thoughts.
If I don't read it, how can I criticize it, right?
The President should be able to understand me.]
Shirogane Miyuki, who had been sitting quietly beside them, became interested as he listened to Fujiwara Chika and the other's enthusiastic discussion.
"You two are discussing so happily, is it related to romance?"
"That's right, it's related to romance, a very touching love story."
"Then if you don't mind, could you let me see it?"
Hearing that Shirogane Miyuki wanted to read the novel, Fujiwara Chika was naturally happy and walked over.
Shinomiya Kaguya, who had been lost in thought, was startled awake by this.
[No, how can the President be polluted by such a thing? I must stop it.]
"President, this is the student council. Isn't it a bit inappropriate to read such a book here?"
Shirogane Miyuki waved his hand.
"Oh, it's fine. Besides, many people at school are dating right now, and some even consulted me about relationship issues before.
Reading some books of this type can also be considered increasing my knowledge to better serve the students."
This was a lie; if someone sought help, Shirogane Miyuki would intervene, but his true purpose in reading the novel was to learn dating techniques and win the love war.
It was too late for Shinomiya Kaguya to stop him. As she sat up from the sofa and stretched out her hand, she only managed to utter two words, "Don't!", before Fujiwara Chika had already placed the book on Shirogane Miyuki's desk.
Fujiwara Chika even complained to Shirogane Miyuki.
"President, you're really too much! You never told me before that people consulted you about romance.
Why didn't you call me for such an interesting thing?"
Shirogane Miyuki gave an awkward laugh.
"Next time for sure, next time for sure."
At this moment, everyone's attention also turned to Shinomiya Kaguya, who had suddenly stood up, extending her hand and shouting "Don't!"
"Kaguya-douchi, what's wrong?"
At this moment, Shinomiya Kaguya also clearly saw what the novel looked like, and her mind was somewhat dazed.
[Which one is this? Why haven't I seen it before? Is it new?]
Facing Fujiwara Chika's question, she could only suppress her curiosity for now, and with a somewhat stiff smile, she said,
"No… nothing."
Fujiwara Chika pinched her chin, her intelligence seemingly online at this moment, as she frowned and stared at Shinomiya Kaguya.
Shinomiya Kaguya felt a chill in her heart from Fujiwara Chika's gaze, and her aura suddenly weakened.
[No, I haven't been discovered, have I? It shouldn't be possible; I haven't exposed a single word about this matter.]
Just as Shinomiya Kaguya was worrying, Fujiwara Chika stated her conclusion.
"I know! Kaguya-douchi, you also want to read this novel, don't you?
I told you no one can resist the charm of a romance novel."
"Romance novel?"
Shinomiya Kaguya was puzzled in her heart. Wasn't it a manga? Had something gone wrong in the process?
She also realized at this moment that she seemed to have misunderstood something.
[Could it be that things aren't as I thought?]
With this thought, she said somewhat awkwardly,
"Oh, Fujiwara student found me out. I was indeed a bit curious."
"As expected! I just happen to have several copies here. Come, Kaguya-douchi, let's read it together."
Fujiwara Chika felt triumphant for having guessed Shinomiya Kaguya's thoughts.
[Hehe, I've become amazing too! I can actually see through Kaguya-douchi's thoughts now.]