Chapter 188: Shinomiya Kaguya's Thoughts
Amidst her nervousness and hesitation, Shinomiya Kaguya finally revealed her true feelings.
"Well... the President, as a man, is certainly excellent. He studies hard, handles Student Council affairs in an orderly manner, is principled, and enjoys helping others. Also, the fact that his eyes look fierce is very cute!"
"Hm... huh?"
This sudden turn really caught Eriri off guard.
"Senpai, you... like Shirogane-senpai's slightly fierce gaze?"
"Yes!"
As if she had decided to stop hiding anything in front of Eriri, Shinomiya Kaguya spoke with shining eyes, like she had unlocked a limiter: "Although the President's gaze is caused by long-term staying up late and doesn't represent his personality, when the two are combined, doesn't it create a great sense of contrast?"
"..."
Gasping, Eriri felt like this was the first day she had ever met Shinomiya Kaguya.
Although Eriri believed she had played many dating sims, both otome and bishoujo games, and had seen many types of male characters in games, she simply couldn't understand this Senpai's preference!
Moreover, it wasn't the naturally fierce gaze like Takasu Ryuji's, but one caused by staying up late!
Pondering, Eriri looked at Shinomiya Kaguya and asked, "Senpai, what if one day Shirogane-senpai steps down as Student Council President, no longer needs to stay up late, and his dark circles disappear? Will you still continue to like him?"
"Eh?"
Shinomiya Kaguya seemed to have never considered this question. After Eriri brought it up, she fell into a long period of contemplation.
After imagining Shirogane Miyuki without dark circles and with a softer gaze... Shinomiya Kaguya suddenly felt a wave of unease, because she realized she wasn't quite as moved anymore?
She couldn't help but raise a hand to cover her mouth to prevent herself from crying out. Shinomiya Kaguya's expression became uncertain.
Could it be that my liking for the President isn't born of true love?
No, she couldn't deny herself so quickly.
Shinomiya Kaguya quickly shook her head, looked at Eriri across from her, and said, "Well... his eyes are just one aspect. The President has many virtues!"
"I know that." Eriri nodded, still speaking with some suspicion, "But when you talked about Shirogane-senpai's eyes just now, your emotions clearly escalated a level. I'm a bit worried."
"This..."
Shinomiya Kaguya actually had her own worries, but she didn't want to voice them. She was afraid that if she did, the junior in front of her would think she was strange.
Unfortunately, having been reminded by Kaede earlier, Eriri had been paying close attention to Shinomiya Kaguya's changing expressions and noticed the fleeting worry.
Ah, Kaede-kun, I feel like I can't handle this... Eriri genuinely wanted to call Kaede for help, but unfortunately, she couldn't.
Turning the coffee cup in her hand, Eriri said, "Senpai, let's not talk about things we don't need to consider yet. Let's discuss something more important—the matter at hand."
"The matter at hand?"
Shinomiya Kaguya didn't quite understand.
Adhering to Kaede's principle of "not beating around the bush," Eriri said directly, "In short, you like Shirogane-senpai, but you don't know how to take the next step, right?"
"How did you know?!"
"...Isn't that obvious?" Eriri sighed and said, "Well, I am at least someone who is already in a relationship, and I also have friends who like boys. Girls always show similar expressions when talking about the boys they like. Plus, if you had a viable strategy, Senpai, you wouldn't need to come consult with me, right?"
When Usami occasionally talks about Uchimaki Subaru, she can't help but blush and her eyes drift away, looking almost exactly like Shinomiya Kaguya does right now.
It could only be said that it was fortunate that the members of the Student Council were all single, otherwise Shinomiya Kaguya truly wouldn't be able to hide it.
Of course, Ishigami Yuu already knew now, but to ensure he saw the sun rise the next day, he always acted as if he knew nothing.
Looking at the bewildered Shinomiya Kaguya, Eriri softly said, "Actually, I was quite similar to you before, Senpai. I always pretended to be unaffected and kept a poker face when facing Kaede-kun. However, you can't keep maintaining that appearance, unless you truly have no intention of pursuing a relationship. But if that were the case, it would be better to discard the feelings of affection in your heart early on."
"Discard them..."
Shinomiya Kaguya softly repeated the word, finally whispering, "Discard them? How could I? The President is special to me. He made my perspective on people undergo a dramatic change, attracting me little by little. As for romance, I truly didn't think about it at first, but by the time I realized it, it seemed too late to withdraw."
"So you like him a lot?"
"Ugh..."
Shinomiya Kaguya lowered her head, her face completely red, and remained silent, but this was clearly an admission.
Eriri wasn't in a hurry. She just ate her dessert, waiting for Shinomiya Kaguya to recover.
Shinomiya Kaguya, having gone through various lessons taught by a major family, quickly regained her composure.
Exhaling, and thinking that since things had progressed this far, she might as well ask everything, Shinomiya Kaguya spoke up: "Sawamura-san, I want to ask for your guidance on how you and Asakura-kun developed into a couple. Time waits for no one. If I keep hesitating, I feel like I'll start looking down on myself."
After the fireworks festival incident, Shinomiya Kaguya had spent the days before the start of the new semester reflecting deeply at home, which led to her inviting Eriri today.
Seeing Shinomiya Kaguya's serious expression, Eriri finally perked up: "So, Senpai, you want to confess?"
Shinomiya Kaguya waved her hands repeatedly: "Ah... no, well, I just want to first understand other people's experiences and then adjust my strategy based on my own situation."
"Aww~~~ So that's how it is."
Eriri wore a bored expression, having truly inherited Kaede's mannerisms.
However, since she had said that, Eriri could only talk about her own situation.
"In my case, it was just a normal relationship, really," Eriri said with a slight smile. "Between Kaede-kun and me, Kaede-kun confessed. It was on a weekend when we went out together, and he confessed to me during dinner that night. There was no big scene and no audience. Actually, confessions are just something that happens naturally when the feelings are right!"
"Naturally..."
Shinomiya Kaguya fell silent immediately. Given her current situation with the President, was "naturally" even possible? Furthermore, Shinomiya Kaguya hadn't even mentioned that after school started today, she didn't know how to face the President, and her heart was beating faster than usual.
"Could it be that I really have to be the one to confess?"
Shinomiya Kaguya whispered, unable to stop herself from entertaining the idea.