_()_/
Shinomiya Kaguya stood up and walked over to open the door.
The moment the door swung open
Standing outside in the hallway was a male student in the Shuchiin uniform.
Shinomiya Kaguya did not recognize him.
Yukima Azuma looked outside
He felt the boy seemed somewhat familiar.
Probably a classmate.
But as for his name, Yukima Azuma truly couldn't remember.
"Ah, President Shinomiya, hello."
Seeing Shinomiya Kaguya open the door, the male student immediately greeted her politely.
Shinomiya Kaguya gave a slight nod.
Then, she asked with a hint of doubt, "Is there something you need?"
The male student scratched his cheek, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Ehm, I want to ask Vice President Yukima of the student council about something."
The Shuchiin student council, aside from being a powerful organization,
also had the role of assisting students.
For academic or personal concerns, students could seek advice from the council.
Of course, hardly anyone actually did so.
The worries of prestigious families' children were not easy to confide in others.
After all, even the slightest carelessness could turn into leverage for others to exploit.
Hearing this, Shinomiya Kaguya was surprised but still stepped aside to let him in.
"If it's about seeking advice, coincidentally, Suou-san and I are here as well, so we might be able to help."
She spoke casually.
But it was just an act.
She did not know the male student in front of her.
Which meant he had neither the qualifications nor the value to be recruited.
To put it bluntlyhe was not worth Shinomiya Kaguya's attention.
"Ah, President Shinomiya, this is a matter between male students."
The male student awkwardly declined.
Shinomiya Kaguya blinked.
A matter between male students?
(_)
She glanced at Suou Yuki.
The two quickly came to a conclusion.
Oh, it was most likely that kind of issue.
Romantic advice.
"If that's the case, Suou-san and I will head back to our room first."
Saying that, the two of them walked away together.
Eventually, they entered Shinomiya Kaguya's room.
The male student let out a sigh of relief upon seeing this.
As for the character of this esteemed president-sama, he had complete trust.
Moreover, the presidential suite had incredible soundproofingso long as the door was shut tight,
the conversation in the lounge would certainly remain unheard.
...
Inside the Room
"President Shinomiya, aren't you curious about Azuma-kun's views on romance?"
"This is a great opportunity. Through love counseling, you can grasp his perspective on relationships."
( )
Suou Yuki whispered.
Like the whisper of a devil.
Shinomiya Kaguya hesitated slightly.
(,,,,)
She was indeed very curious.
A person's views on romance could reflect many aspects of their true personality.
If she could understand Yukima Azuma's perspective on love
Then, in terms of information, she would have a significant advantage in bringing Yukima Azuma under her control.
But this suggestion came from a competitor.
Moreover, the method was far from honorable.
What should she do? Accept a win-win situation, compete in perceptiveness with Suou Yuki, or abandon it altogether?
After a brief moment of thought, Shinomiya Kaguya slightly cracked the door open.
Suou Yuki smirked mischievously.
()
...
Meanwhile, in the Lounge
Looking at the male student whose name he couldn't even remember,
Yukima Azuma raised an eyebrow slightly.
Who would have thought there'd come a day when he would have to take on the role of a love counselor?
But from a guy as straight as steel who had now mastered the psychology of girls,
Serving as a love advisor was hardly a challenge for Yukima Azuma.
"Vice President Yukima, actually, I wanted to ask for love advice."
"You must be really good at romance!"
"After all, even with someone as intimidating as Shijo-san, you can still get along well!"
The male student got straight to the pointso it was indeed a love consultation.
And in class,
Shijo Maki, to most peopleexcept for a handful of female students
Really did look at everyone as if they were garbage.
That was just the typical demeanor of a tsundere.
And Yukima Azuma, the expert in teasing tsunderes
Had become the only male student who had a publicly good relationship with Shijo Maki.
Meanwhile, the two people secretly eavesdropping in the other room, besides getting insights into his romantic views,
Had unexpectedly also received an important piece of intelligence.
Suou Yuki glanced at Shinomiya Kaguya and whispered:
"If I remember correctly, Shijo Maki is related to President Shinomiya, right?"
Shinomiya Kaguya gave a small nod.
Her expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
The person she had her eyes on was already being contested by outsiders.
But why was even her own family trying to dig up her foundation?
( )
Just thinking about Shijo Maki
Shinomiya Kaguya felt a headache coming on.
By familial relation, Kaguya was technically Maki's third-generation grandaunt.
Though they were blood relatives, their generational gap was absurdly wide.
Despite being the same age, even born on the same day, their relationship was extremely poor.
Shinomiya Kaguya had initially planned to recruit that girl into her faction.
But Maki always maintained a distant, strictly professional stance.
Which made Shinomiya Kaguya unable to like her at all.
Back in the Lounge
Yukima Azuma nodded.
Though there was a bit of misunderstanding, he saw no need to explain anything to the male student in front of him.
"Alright, I got it. Do you have a specific question?"
"A girl in my class I want to confess to her!"
(,,><,,)
To be honest, Yukima Azuma had no impression of the person this guy was talking about.
But since these two had nothing to do with him anyway,
It didn't matter if he didn't know.
"So, you're asking about how to confess?"
"Actually, I'm still a bit hesitant. I don't know what she thinks of me."
"Have the two of you interacted before?"
"On Valentine's Day, I received chocolate from her."
"Oh? What kind?"
( o )
"Umm three chocolate candies, so probably obligation chocolate, right?"
"Umu, of course, it's obligation chocolate."
()
"She also once asked me if I had a girlfriend. I said no, and then she and her friends burst out laughing. She was definitely teasing me, right?"
"Umu, of course, she was teasing."
()
Yukima Azuma bluntly affirmed, making the male student's face turn pale.
"Coach, do you think I still have a chance?"
;
Carrying a final glimmer of hope, the male student asked.
Meanwhile, the two girls in the room exchanged glances.
There was no chance at allno matter how they looked at it.
Both of them shared the same thought.
It didn't seem like a relationship that could develop into love in any way.
However, Yukima Azuma's answer was:
"Umu, you have a chance."
( — )
Upon hearing that, the male student immediately brightened up.
He was on the verge of kneeling down in gratitude.
"Confess directly, don't use a love letter or anything like that. You have to say it to her face."
"Use a method like kabedon, be decisive."
)
Yukima Azuma offered his advice.
The male student listened and nodded seriously.
But soon after, he hesitated and asked:
"But she doesn't have feelings for me, does she?"
Yukima Azuma shrugged.
"That's right. Which is why you need to make her realize that you're someone who has the potential to enter a romantic relationship."
"If you keep going like this, you'll only become a certain kind of friend, and the closer you get, the further you'll be from love."
"But right now, the two of you already have a certain level of acquaintance. If you confess immediately, under the influence of a shift in perception, there's still a chance of success."
After hearing this analysis, the male student nodded vigorously.
"Naruhodo! I understand now! Thank you, Vice President Yukima, for your immense grace!"
()
With that, he charged out of the room, brimming with determination.
Yukima Azuma watched his retreating figure and took another sip from Shinomiya Kaguya's tea.
He hadn't deceived the guy.
That was indeed the optimal choice for him.
After all, the kid was already a foolthere was no other way to maneuver, so charging straight ahead was his best bet.
But if it were Yukima Azuma
In this situation, he wouldn't confess right away.
Instead, he would skillfully create events to cultivate an ambiguous atmosphere.
He would gradually make the other person recognize the possibility of seeing him as a romantic prospect.
From there, he would shift their perception while increasing their affection. Finally, at the moment of highest success probability, he would make his move.
...
Inside the Room
Shinomiya Kaguya and Suou Yuki silently locked eyes.
Was that really the case?
The two of them carefully reconsidered.
It seemed he was right.
At the very least, when Shinomiya Kaguya asked herself
If Yukima Azuma were to suddenly confess to her.
(®®)
Until now, she had only seen him as someone to recruit.
But perhaps her heart would beat faster.
(o)
Under the influence of a shift in perception.
If Yukima Azuma confessed it didn't seem entirely unacceptable?
At this thought, Shinomiya Kaguya immediately placed her left hand against her cheek.
"( _ <,, )
If she didn't quickly activate her calm mode, her expression was going to fall apart!
Just from a simple hypothesis, her view of Yukima Azuma had suddenly shifted into a vague kind of affection.
Shinomiya Kaguya's eyes widened.
This was terrifying!
( ®®) !!
Things she hadn't even realized about herselfhe understood them so clearly.
No, wait. Why was he so proficient at this?
At that thought, an inexplicable sourness welled up inside her.
Beside her, Suou Yuki observed Shinomiya Kaguya's change.
The corner of her eye twitched slightly.
President Shinomiya is she in the process of Conquering herself?
As for Onii-chan-sama, this wasn't just a high-level playboy anymore.
This had to be called a master of seduction!
It looked like she needed to speed things up.
If she kept delaying, as the so-called "Imouto-chan" in name, she might not even have a chance to compete!
( )
Chapter 239: The Losing Heroine
Chapter 239: The Defeated Heroine
The third day in Hawaii.
"You... better not die on me."
( — )
Seeing Shijo Maki with her pale face and the dark circles under her eyes even more pronounced, Yukima Azuma couldn't help but click his tongue.
Hearing that, Shijo Maki glared at him angrily.
<( _)>
Her exhaustion
Wasn't it all thanks to his "contributions"?
The night before last, she had stayed up late reading light novels.
Last night, even though she had gone to bed early to rest
As soon as she recalled what had happened in the car during the day.
Remembering the feeling of her first kiss.
Shijo Maki kept tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
(///// " )
It wasn't until the middle of the night that she finally drifted off in a state of exhaustion.
No matter how one looked at it, these two incidents couldn't be entirely blamed on Yukima Azuma.
But in the end, they were both closely related to him.
Even so, at this moment, Shijo Maki no longer had the energy to be angry.
She just felt drained, her mind a tangled mess.
()
She just wanted to avoid Yukima Azuma for a while.
Even though it felt somewhat like running away from reality.
At the very least, Shijo Maki wanted to wait until her mind had cleared up before facing Yukima Azuma.
No matter what, he was the one who had taken her first kiss. That was an undeniable fact.
So, after shooting Yukima Azuma a glare,
( ,,'',,)
Shijo Maki quietly shifted to the side.
She was planning to sneak away.
Yukima Azuma saw through her attempt to escape.
He wasn't sure if all Oujou-samas were like this.
But he didn't intend to force the issue.
He would just let her be for now and deal with it later.
But at that moment.
A familiar short-haired girl approached from the side.
"Maki" The short-haired girl called softly.
Hearing her friend's voice, Shijo Maki turned around blankly.
The short-haired girl looked a little embarrassed.
Her fingers fidgeted in front of her chest before she finally spoke:
"Maki, he confessed to me and I accepted."
(,,,,)
Upon hearing this, Shijo Maki's already lagging brain immediately froze.
"Ah, a confession? As long as you're happy, congratulations, congratulations"
( — )
As she said that, she slowly realized that something was off.
Her gaze gradually shifted behind the short-haired girl.
Yukima Azuma also looked in the same direction.
And then, he saw that the person standing behind her was the male student who had come to him yesterday for love advice.
For a moment, even Yukima Azuma's brain stalled.
( ®® ) ?
Then, he quickly recalled.
Aha, wasn't this part of the canon?
Shijo Maki's best friend was confessed to by a male student and then naturally started dating him.
As for Shijo Maki, the twin-tailed tsundere
She ultimately became the "Losing Heroine," just as everyone had expected.
So, it was these two, huh?
No, wait, that wasn't the issue right now.
Yukima Azuma snapped back to reality and quickly shifted his gaze to Shijo Maki.
At this moment, her violet eyes seemed to have lost all light.
Her already dazed expression now looked completely lifeless.
!!! (.O_O.) |lI|l
"Ah is that so? I'm really happy for you."
She spoke in a stiff, scripted tone.
Forcing a smile.
Her short-haired friend, receiving her blessing, immediately beamed with joy.
She waved goodbye to Shijo Maki and left with the male student.
Once the two of them disappeared from sight.
It was as if all the life had been drained from Shijo Maki.
Her small head drooped weakly, and without watching where she was going, she wandered aimlessly.
|!(0_0)!|
Until she bumped straight into Yukima Azuma's chest.
But she herself seemed completely unaware of it.
