Chapter 176: Kaede's Question
Looking directly into Kaede's eyes, Shirogane Miyuki couldn't help but get nervous. "Wh-what question?"
Tapping his fingers lightly on the table, Kaede asked with a faint smile, "Senior, in your eyes, what exactly is Shinomiya-senpai's position?"
...Huh?
Shirogane Miyuki was stunned, not expecting Kaede to ask such a question. Just as he was about to speak, Shirogane Miyuki saw the other's smile again and immediately knew what he was getting at, becoming hesitant.
Expressing his deepest thoughts in front of three people was a major challenge for Shirogane Miyuki.
Ishigami Yuu looked back and forth between Kaede and Shirogane Miyuki, somewhat confused but vaguely grasping the situation. Takasu Ryuji, having worked with Shirogane Miyuki during these past days, had unexpectedly learned about Shirogane Miyuki's feelings for Shinomiya Kaguya. He now also guessed Kaede's intention and watched the unfolding drama with interest.
Hesitating for a moment, Shirogane Miyuki said, "Asakura-kun, is this matter very important?"
"Of course."
Kaede smiled and said, "If your answer, Senior, doesn't match my expectations, then there's no need for me to propose my idea, because it could easily cause problems with your studies, given that Shuchiin receives large donations from the Shinomiya Family every year. My method might offend some people, and if you don't have the determination, there's really no need to say it out loud for you to do."
...
Although he didn't know what the method was, Shirogane Miyuki didn't think Kaede would speak without reason. It was definitely an effective method, but also one that wasn't very safe for him.
Seeing Shirogane Miyuki clenching his hands, Kaede really didn't expect him to be so awkward. Was it that difficult to express his inner thoughts? If he continued like this, the difficulty of getting together with Shinomiya Kaguya would be truly immense. Even if he wanted to marry into the family, with Shirogane Miyuki not even daring to show his feelings, Kaede didn't think Shinomiya Kaguya's father, who seemed completely devoid of human warmth based on current understanding, would ever approve of him.
Of course, all of this was Kaede's own speculation based on the information currently available. Who knows, maybe the next Shinomiya Family heir would take over soon? That would make it more likely.
However, Kaede felt it was better to hold the opportunity in his own hands.
After a long silence, Shirogane Miyuki finally spoke, showing a rare shy and reserved expression. He said, "Um... Shinomiya serves as the Vice President of the Student Council and has helped me for so long, so she's naturally our reliable companion..."
...
Kaede's face instantly fell.
Waited all this time, just for this? Just for this?
Leaning back in his chair, Kaede shook his head and said, "Alright then, this matter will depend on Fujiwara-senpai. If your opinion of Shinomiya-senpai is just like that, Senior, there's no need to take that risk, and you might even jeopardize your future. But Senior, life is only a few decades long. Can you not even face your true feelings? Some things and people, once missed, are truly missed!"
Shirogane Miyuki fell silent again.
Ishigami Yuu didn't understand at first, but he was never stupid. Combining Kaede's questions and answers, and Kaede's final words, along with his past observations in the Student Council, all the fragments in Ishigami Yuu's mind connected into a single line at that moment.
His eyes widened, and he looked at Shirogane Miyuki in disbelief. "President, are you saying you like Shinomiya-senpai?!"
Shirogane Miyuki didn't speak, but his reddening face and ears confirmed Ishigami Yuu's guess.
Ishigami Yuu trembled slightly and stammered, "President, I didn't expect your taste to be so unique. Although I had suspected this before, I didn't expect it to be true! Shinomiya-senpai looks like a refined young lady, but she's actually a demon! President, are you trying to shorten your lifespan?"
Ishigami, the true man, really dares to say anything.
Kaede looked at Ishigami Yuu, his mind starting to wonder how Shinomiya Kaguya had treated this child during his time in the Student Council for him to have such thoughts.
However, because of Ishigami Yuu's words, Shirogane Miyuki instantly got angry and loudly retorted, "What kind of evaluation is that? Shinomiya is so perfect!"
"Perfect? President, your mind is indeed not right. So you really like Shinomiya-senpai?"
"Yes, I like her, do you have a problem with that? Uh..."
He blurted it out in a fit of pique. Shirogane Miyuki instantly froze. Not only Ishigami Yuu and the other two, but Shirogane Miyuki's raised voice also attracted the attention of other customers in the fast-food restaurant. Fortunately, everyone gave Shirogane Miyuki looks of encouragement and well wishes.
Kaede finally smiled and gave Ishigami Yuu a thumbs-up. "As expected, Ishigami, you're amazing. I'm ashamed to admit I'm not as good."
Shirogane Miyuki looked at the two and asked, "So you two are working together?"
"No," Ishigami Yuu shook his head, "I'm genuinely shocked."
Kaede spread his hands and said, "I really didn't expect Ishigami to say that, and to be so afraid of Shinomiya-senpai."
"That's because Asakura, you're not a member of our Student Council," Ishigami Yuu explained. "Although, most of the time Shinomiya-senpai is indeed approachable, beneath that friendliness lies a darkness that no one can see. I occasionally worry that I won't see the sun the next day."
One opening remark, and you know, he's a veteran of persecution complex.
Shirogane Miyuki looked at Ishigami Yuu helplessly and said, "Ishigami, I told you Shinomiya isn't like you think."
Raising his hand, Ishigami Yuu stopped Shirogane Miyuki's impending explanation and said, "President, don't worry about me. Let's talk about you first, President. Don't change the subject."
Kaede also followed up, saying, "That's right, Senior, don't change the subject. We are still discussing how to successfully get Shinomiya-senpai to meet up with us and go to the fireworks festival."
...
Shirogane Miyuki faced the gazes of the three, especially Kaede bringing up the purpose of their gathering again, and it was he himself who had called the three out.
Shirogane Miyuki, at this moment, had no retreat.
After a long pause, Shirogane Miyuki finally managed to blurt out a sentence: "I... um, can you promise not to tell anyone else? I don't want too many people to know."
Seeing this, the three nodded in unison.
Shirogane Miyuki then quietly said, "Well, I really do like Shinomiya. For quite a while."
Kaede finally showed a relieved smile, clapped his hands lightly, then looked at Ishigami Yuu and said, "Ishigami, don't you think we should give him an EVA-style congratulations?"
"Come on, I'm not Shinji Ikari."
After speaking, Shirogane Miyuki felt extremely shy, burying his head in his arms on the table.
"Ah! I actually said it out loud!!!"