Chapter 178: A Date with Kotoko
Ashikaga Miwa: "…"
"I don't understand you young people's relationship drama, so don't drag me into it."
Ashikaga Miwa was not stupid. She had naturally noticed the incredibly complicated, even hard to describe, strange atmosphere between Iwanaga, Yuuki, Kato, and Utsunomiya Asagiri.
Could it be that high school students were all like this nowadays?
Ah.
"Anyway, Asagiri and I don't need special training~"
Iwanaga Kotoko wrapped both arms around Asagiri's and looked like a triumphant little devil. She raised her chin at Yuuki Asuna, who was standing nearby, and showed off openly.
"Asuna, I'm going out to play with him now~"
"Go ahead."
"Huh?"
Seeing that Yuuki Asuna showed no irritation at all and instead looked as if she had finally been freed from a burden, Iwanaga Kotoko became confused.
"Why aren't you jealous? Why aren't you criticizing me? This isn't like you."
"Hmph. Do you think I'm as childish as you?"
Yuuki Asuna let out a soft snort, tied her flaxen hair into a high ponytail that was convenient for exercise, and waved her hand dismissively.
"Alright, alright, just hurry up and go. Stop getting in the way of Megumi and me training with Ashikaga sensei."
Yuuki Asuna looked calm on the surface, but in truth, she could not wait for Iwanaga Kotoko to help share the load.
She truly could not take it anymore.
Friday, Saturday, and even this morning. Two and a half days in total.
Yes, there had been sweet dates, going to the movies, eating ice cream, and all that.
But when they were home…
Asagiri's intensity was simply too high.
Yuuki Asuna was competitive by nature and found it hard to back down, yet in the end, she was completely outmatched and thoroughly convinced.
…
Later that day, on a commercial street in Tokyo.
"Hey, hey, did you notice? My outfit today is a little different."
Hearing Iwanaga Kotoko's obviously loaded question, Asagiri turned his head, bent down slightly, and carefully examined her. Then, under her extremely expectant gaze, he suddenly looked enlightened.
"You're not using a crutch today."
Iwanaga Kotoko looked speechless.
"What crutch? It's called a cane, okay…"
Asagiri's words always had that kind of magic to them.
Ordinarily, Iwanaga Kotoko, who always carried a cane and wore elegant dresses, combined with her unique graceful air, gave off an almost mysterious charm.
But once you changed the word from cane to crutch…
The entire mood became miserable. It was like some struggling, seductive little loli performing on the side of the street.
Iwanaga Kotoko cared deeply about her bearing. Even when entering a Dungeon, she would still dress beautifully and carry herself with elegance.
As long as she kept her mouth shut, she was every bit the refined young lady of a wealthy family.
"Just teasing you."
Just as Iwanaga Kotoko was starting to feel a little annoyed, Asagiri changed the subject and said with a smile,
"You're not wearing white tights and little leather shoes today. It's thick pantyhose and boots. I noticed that a long time ago."
"As expected~"
The moment Iwanaga Kotoko heard that, a bright sweet smile instantly bloomed on her cute face. Hugging Asagiri's arm, she rubbed her soft cheek against it twice like a spoiled kitten.
"As expected of my handsome and wonderful boyfriend~ Very good~"
Iwanaga Kotoko was the type to get jealous and angry easily, but she was also incredibly easy to coax. One second she was baring her fangs, and the next she was happily acting spoiled.
"Then guess why I dressed like this."
Asagiri replied casually,
"You wanted me to carry you on my back. If you were wearing suspender white tights, you might accidentally expose something, so you chose integrated thick pantyhose."
"You're really amazing…"
Having her thoughts seen through instantly, Iwanaga Kotoko felt a little frustrated, though she quickly smiled again.
"Then hurry up and carry me~ I'm tired of walking~"
"Hey, I've got an idea."
As if he had suddenly thought of something, Asagiri smiled.
"Just carrying you is too boring. Let me teach you the most intimate way for couples to go shopping."
…
"Look over there…"
"Are they a couple? The boy is so handsome, and the girl is pretty cute too, but… the age gap looks huge, doesn't it? One looks like a high schooler or college student, and the other looks like… a middle schooler…"
"They must be siblings. Otherwise why would they be in that pose?"
"Could they be… father and daughter? That also seems possible."
Listening to the discussion of pedestrians around them and feeling all the curious stares, even Iwanaga Kotoko, who usually said shocking things without the slightest sense of shame, could not help but blush deeply across her fair cheeks.
In a soft, embarrassed voice, she whispered,
"You… put me down…"
"What? Isn't this intimate enough?"
Asagiri looked up at Iwanaga Kotoko and said with a grin,
"How great is this posture? It perfectly shows the sincerity of our feelings and the intimacy of our relationship."
"What's so great about it…"
Sitting atop Asagiri's shoulders, Iwanaga Kotoko covered her face in embarrassment, wishing she could crawl into a hole on the spot.
"This is not how couples go shopping, this is how a father takes his daughter out, okay!?"
She had never expected that the pose Asagiri meant was for her to ride on his shoulders like a little girl. He had even said this was a chance for someone as petite as her to see a world she normally never could.
There was indeed a view. Looking far from that height was quite something.
But the real problem was…
She had become the single most eye catching existence on the entire shopping street.
"Call me Master, and I'll put you down."
Hearing the laughter in Asagiri's voice, Iwanaga Kotoko's face grew redder. She reached out and lightly pinched his cheek, whispering shyly,
"Wait until we get home…"
"Then wear a catgirl outfit when we get back."
"Catgirl? You… you actually like that kind of thing…"
"I like a lot of things, but…"
Asagiri sighed and said with complete sincerity,
"With your absolutely flat figure, there really aren't many sexy outfits that suit you."
Iwanaga Kotoko was furious, both shy and angry.
"You… you're insulting me again. I'm angry. I'm not doing that with you tonight."
"Alright."
"Uh…"
Seeing Asagiri agree so quickly, Iwanaga Kotoko immediately softened again and said sweetly,
"Don't be like that, I was just joking~"
After Asagiri put her down, Iwanaga Kotoko stood on tiptoe, spread her arms, and smiled sweetly.
"Kiss. Hug."
Faced with her spoiled request, Asagiri bent down slightly, pulled her into his arms, and gently kissed her.
"Mmm…"
It was just a brief touch, their lips meeting softly, but that only made Iwanaga Kotoko feel more unsatisfied. With her face still flushed, she whispered,
"I want to go home~"
"You're the type who's terrible at it but loves playing with fire."
Asagiri shook his head with a light laugh.
"You can only last half an hour at most. Is there really any need to go back this early?"
"No, we have to go back now~"
A misty look appeared in Iwanaga Kotoko's dark purple eyes as she pleaded eagerly,
"Hurry up, hurry up. We enter the Dungeon on Wednesday. To save energy and adjust my condition, only today works. I can't wait anymore~"
…
The next day, Monday morning, in Year 1 Class A at Private Shuchiin Academy.
"Utsunomiya."
The moment Kaguya Shinomiya entered the classroom, she walked straight over to Asagiri, who was seated in the corner, and spoke in a flat tone.
"The final vote for the Student Council election will be next Monday."
"Oh."
Asagiri responded noncommittally at first, then asked with a smile,
"Can we win?"
"We will."
Kaguya Shinomiya tucked her long black hair behind her ear and answered in a cool voice.
"Although it is somewhat troublesome, our current support rate is still higher than that of any other opponent in the election. The other candidates are not a concern. The only party we really need to worry about is the previous Student Council."
"Even though their current support rate is slightly below ours, they have the backing of most of the cultural clubs, and their election experience is much richer than ours. If we are not fully prepared, we are likely to fall behind during next Monday's public speech segment, and that could lead directly to defeat."
"After all… the public speech is the most important part."
Asagiri nodded thoughtfully.
"High school students are not adults, much less mature politicians. Whoever can move their emotions most effectively during the public speech wins their votes."
"That's right."
Kaguya Shinomiya gave a slight nod, though a trace of worry appeared in her eyes.
"The cultural clubs are the opponent's stronghold, while the sports clubs are firmly on our side. Neither side is likely to shift. Which means that the true deciding factor between us and them will be the students who do not belong to either camp."
As she said this, Kaguya Shinomiya paused briefly before continuing.
"Our opponents are the previous Student Council. The things we can think of, like inviting excellent teachers to provide extra lessons, changing the location of the school trip, increasing club budgets, repairing school facilities, and so on, they can certainly think of as well."
"So in terms of practical campaign content, neither side can create a major gap. That means…"
She took a breath.
"There is only one true factor that will determine the result of this match."
"You mean the one giving the speech."
Asagiri understood immediately and replied with a smile.
"Isn't Fujiwara available?"
"Chika… is indeed good at negotiating and things like that, but she always gives people a feeling of unreliability. She is not suited to a speech meant to win votes."
"Then do it yourself."
"I…"
Kaguya Shinomiya's beautiful red eyes flickered. After several seconds of silence, she looked directly into Asagiri's face and spoke word by word.
"I do not think I can completely overwhelm the other side's speaker."
"Oh."
Asagiri now fully understood and asked with a smile,
"You trust me that much? The opposing side is the former Student Council. Their speaker could be the former Vice President… no, it might even be the former Student Council President himself."
"And yet you think my speech could completely crush someone with that kind of experience?"
"Yes."
Kaguya Shinomiya did not hesitate in the slightest.
Then she looked straight into Asagiri's eyes and said softly,
"I…"
"Trust you."
.....
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