Sakurai Saki's confrontation with Kaguya Shinomiya had concluded. Now, a new challenge awaited: tutoring the Nakano Quintuplets.
Plenty of time until midterms, he calculated. Getting all five to pass should be manageable.
Should be.
Confidence is valuable. Overconfidence is dangerous.
These five are formidable opponents—even the Kotodama Secretary couldn't handle them. It took genuine effort last time to achieve their monthly exam scores.
Speaking of Kotodama…
His internal grumbling resumed.
Useless power. Can't even fix a vending machine. What good is it?
None. The answer is none.
He reached the Library entrance.
A figure slumped over the desk, body twitching with barely contained misery.
[37]
Ah. The hostile one.
Thirty-seven. The level where, if I were hit by a car, she'd secretly feel pleased.
Saki approached.
"Shijo. Good afternoon. Are you… unwell?"
Shijo Maki lifted her head. Tears clung to her lashes. Her voice, when it emerged, was choked with suffering.
"Hello, student. Good afternoon."
That expression—
Desperately wanting to cry but maintaining dignity—
Oh no.
This is *fascinating. *
Saki had found a new toy.
"Wuwu~" Maki wiped her sleeve across her eyes. "Why… why is it YOU?"
The person I like just got confessed to.
My academic rival is standing before me.
My life is misery.
Wuwuwu~
Her spirit visibly deflated. Her twin ponytails drooped to one side like wilted flowers.
"What are you doing here?" Her voice was small. "To mock me?"
…
Saki turned his head away.
I can't.
I can't hold it in.
She's too interesting.
His shoulders shook—just slightly, just briefly.
"Hmm…" He nodded. Then, catching himself, shook his head.
Maki blinked. "? "
"Of course not." A small smile played at his lips. "I don't make a hobby of enjoying others' heartbreak."
"THEN WIPE THAT SMILE OFF YOUR FACE!"
Her outburst echoed through the empty Library. She clapped both hands over her mouth too late, then collapsed back onto the desk, sobbing.
"Wuwah~~"
"Shijo." Saki checked his phone. Still time before tutoring. "Don't be sad. Think positive."
She lifted her head, hope flickering in red-rimmed eyes.
"Positive?"
"Worst case, consider him… practicing." His thumbs moved across the screen, texting Miku while he spoke. "Dating isn't permanent. Once Tanuma tires of—"
"Hmm?!" Maki shot upright. "How do YOU know I like him?! Do you—" She clutched her chest protectively. "—LIKE me? That would be DISGUSTING."
Saki didn't look up from his phone.
"He told me. Last week, when you and your friends asked if he had a girlfriend."
Maki leaned forward, hungry for information.
"And? What else?"
"What else?" Saki's lips curved—that mischievous smile returning. "He said he likes Kashiwagi."
Maki's mood plummeted visibly.
"He… he didn't mention me?"
"He did."
Saki turned and walked toward the study room.
"EH?!" Maki scrambled after him, grabbing his clothes. "FINISH YOUR SENTENCES!"
He continued walking, dragging her along like an distressed ponytail-covered anchor.
"PLEASE!"
Saki stopped. Turned. Sighed.
"Why the sigh?!"
"This information was shared privately by my good friend." His voice carried the weight of unbreakable confidentiality. "I cannot disclose it."
"Tell me! I'll do ANYTHING!"
"…Anything?"
"Within reason! Small matters!" Maki puffed out her chest, ponytails flipping with renewed pride. "I AM someone with Shinomiya family blood flowing through my veins, after all!"
Saki studied her.
A Shinomiya. Related to Kaguya.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
"I'll consider it." He turned toward the study room. "Wait here after my tutoring session."
Maki watched him go, hope and dread warring in her chest.
What did I just promise?
What will he ask?
Why do I feel like I've made a terrible mistake?
"The power of the Shijo Family is something you commoners cannot comprehend."
Maki's declaration rang with aristocratic pride, despite the tear tracks still fresh on her cheeks.
Sakurai Saki's expression shifted to one of theatrical terror.
"What?! The SHIJO Family?" He clutched his chest. "I was so blind! How dare I make a request of YOU!"
"…" Maki stared at him. "Are you mocking me?"
"How could I possibly mock someone of your standing?"
His delivery was flawless. Earnest. Respectful.
Completely unbelievable.
"FORGET IT!" Maki shook off her suspicion, refocusing on her original goal. "Just tell me about Tsubasa! One condition—if I CAN do it, I WILL!"
"Well. Since you insist."
Saki paused. His expression shifted to something sadder. Weighted.
"We knew about his intention to confess last week." A heavy sigh. "He came to the Student Council himself."
Maki leaned forward.
"And?!"
Tears still clung to her lashes. Her expression—desperate hope mixed with impending heartbreak—was fascinating.
Saki's internal laughter required active suppression.
Ordinary people don't laugh at others' suffering.
I am an ordinary person.
I will not laugh.
I will—
"…Cough." He cleared his throat. "He said your attitude toward him was too strict. He didn't dare date you. After comparison, Kashiwagi seemed gentler. More his type."
Tanuma's approach was honest, Saki added silently. No leading her on. Clean break.
"Bad attitude?!" Maki's indignation flared. "How could THAT be?!"
"You said you like him. That implies some level of—"
"I don't LIKE him!"
…What?
"I just think he's gentle! And his family runs a hospital! That feels secure!"
"That's… literally liking someone."
"NO! I don't like him AT ALL!"
Stubborn.
Impossibly stubborn.
"You want to date him." Saki's voice was patient. "That's liking."
"No! No! I DON'T like him!"
Saki's patience snapped.
"YOU LIKE HIM!"
"…" Maki's mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. A blush crawled up her cheeks. "…Yes."
…
This woman.
She's *strangely cute. *
"Have you held his hand?"
Maki's head dropped. "No."
"Hugged him?"
"…No." She sank to the floor, a puddle of despair in a library uniform.
Empty library. Good. This would be hard to explain otherwise.
"Then—"
"NONE OF THAT HAPPENED!" Her wail cut him off. "YOU'RE SO ANNOYING!" She buried her face. "WUWUWUWU~~"
Saki crouched before her. Extended a hand—the same gesture one might use to comfort a distressed puppy.
"It's okay. I'll help you."
She's too interesting. I can't let her go.
Another toy. After Chika and Miko—Shijo Maki joins the collection.
"Wuwu~" She peered through her fingers, eyes wide and wet. "Really?"
"Really."
Saki bowed his head.
To hide the smile.
Definitely to hide the smile.
Their hands clasped. He pulled her up.
[74]
Seventy-four.
That increased fast.
This woman is *easy. *
The Bargain
Maki produced a handkerchief—where from, Saki couldn't guess—and dabbed at her remaining tears. Despite the blotchy face and red eyes, her confidence was already rebuilding.
"Alright!" She puffed up. "What wish do you want fulfilled? Leave it to ME!"
Saki stroked his chin.
Considered.
Smiled.
"What a coincidence." His voice was warm. Friendly. Utterly dangerous. "I have something I've been needing help with."
Maki's confidence flickered—just for a moment.
Why do I feel like I've made a terrible mistake?
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