"Good morning, Amamiya!"
Chika waved enthusiastically, her cheerful voice filling the room.
"Morning," Amamiya replied as he stepped into the election committee's office.
A girl with her hair tied up with a red ribbon looked up from her seat. Her voice was soft, almost hesitant. "Good morning."
Amamiya greeted her back politely, "Good morning, Kaguya."
"Eh? Hey, hey?"
The other two candidates for the student council looked on in disbelief, their eyes widening.
"Did Shinomiya-san just greet someone on her own?"
"Is she really Shinomiya-san?"
The two exchanged whispers, struggling to process what they had just witnessed.
——
Most students at Shuchi'in Academy had transitioned directly from its junior high school. Among them were these two bystander candidates, who had once been classmates with Kaguya. Yet neither had ever seen her initiate a greeting.
After all, this was Kaguya-hime of Ice, a girl whose delicate, flawless face rarely displayed emotion. She moved with an air of unapproachability, as if sculpted from frost itself. Her gaze seemed to pass through people, as though they didn't exist at all.
In her three years of junior high, Kaguya had never once greeted a teacher or a classmate unprompted.
Seeing her act so differently now felt like witnessing the impossible.
"By the way," one of them muttered, "when did Shinomiya-san change her hairstyle?"
"She doesn't seem as cold as before," the other noted."Yeah, there's a... softer vibe about her."
As they spoke, their eyes drifted to Amamiya.
"Could it be because of him?"
"Damn it! I never thought Shinomiya-san would fall for looks!"
"Right? A boy's face isn't everything!"
Meanwhile, Shimizu, who stood nearby with her hands clasped behind her back, smiled warmly. "So Kaguya-chan was so popular in junior high. I heard there wasn't a single person who didn't know her name."
Kaguya, hearing this, turned to glance at the two boys whispering nearby. Her face remained calm, but inwardly, she felt nothing.
Over the years, she had grown used to hearing such comments. From childhood to now, people's idle chatter about her was just noise.
"But," Shimizu continued, "they also said Kaguya-chan has become even cuter since she changed her hairstyle."
"…"
Kaguya stayed silent, unmoved. To her, other people's opinions were as fleeting as clouds. They didn't matter.
"Hairstyle, lipstick, manicure…" Shimizu began ticking off points on her fingers, her grin growing mischievous. "There's only one explanation!"
"Kaguya-chan has a boy she likes!"
Kaguya's composure finally cracked. Her body stiffened, and a faint tremor ran through her. "That's not true! I don't! Your reasoning is completely flawed!"
Shimizu chuckled knowingly. "Oh, but it's true. Girls only put in extra effort to attract the attention of boys they like."
Kaguya: "..."
That's wrong! Completely wrong!
Yes, she had combed her hair differently and applied lipstick, but wasn't that just normal grooming? It had nothing to do with Amamiya!
And besides, hadn't he completely failed to notice the new lipstick?
"Eh? Hey, hey?"
Before Kaguya could argue further, Chika suddenly appeared, her wide eyes filled with shock. "Kaguya-chan likes someone?"
Her words instantly drew the attention of everyone in the room.
Even Amamiya turned to look at Kaguya.
"Who is it? Who is it?" Chika's face lit up with curiosity and excitement. "Who's the boy Kaguya-chan likes?"
Kaguya: "..."
You call yourself a love detective, but you're just a gossiping fraud!
"You misheard," Kaguya said firmly, turning her head to avoid their gazes. "There's no one."
"Stare—"
Chika leaned in closer, her sharp gaze fixed on Kaguya. "Kaguya-chan's ears are red. That means there's definitely someone!"
Kaguya gritted her teeth. "I'm angry at you! That's why my ears are red!"
"My intuition says otherwise," Chika declared confidently. She turned her gaze to Amamiya. "Amamiya, do you know who Kaguya-chan likes?"
"…"
Amamiya glanced at Kaguya, whose expression remained rigid but betrayed her inner turmoil. Meanwhile, Chika watched him with the enthusiasm of someone observing animals in a zoo.
"Don't ask me," Amamiya said seriously. "All I know is that you're in danger."
"Huh?"
Chika turned her head, puzzled."Hehehe…" Kaguya crossed her left arm over her chest, resting her chin on her right hand. Tilting her head slightly, she smiled sweetly—but the glint in her eyes was anything but harmless. "Fujiwara-san is so cute."
"Help, help, help!"
Chika yelped, darting behind Amamiya. "Kaguya-chan's eyes are terrifying!"
Hey, don't use me as a shield! I'm just as scared as you are. Everyone in this room feels the same way!
Moments later, the campaign committee began organizing the candidates to draw lots for the order of their campaign speeches.
Amamiya pulled the number one card. He was slated to deliver the opening speech.
After leaving the meeting room, Amamiya glanced down the corridor and noticed a striking blonde girl with a side ponytail leaning casually against the railing. She was biting a lollipop and watching him. Her nonchalant attitude made him pause for a moment.
"Natsuki-san, you can head to the auditorium to prepare," a committee member said kindly. "Don't be nervous."
Amamiya shook his head. "I'm not nervous."
The committee member clearly didn't believe him. "It's okay to feel a little nervous. Trying to suppress it might make things worse."
I face supernatural dangers daily, walking the fine line between life and death. Compared to that, why would I be nervous about a campaign speech?
If anything, someone like Komi would probably be shaking like a leaf in this situation.
"Well," Amamiya said with a small shrug, "I might be a little nervous. There's still some time before the speech starts—do you mind if I take a walk to relax?"
"Not at all," the committee member replied. "Just make sure to be at the auditorium before the event begins."
"Got it."
Amamiya turned and walked toward Hayasaka, the campus 'bad girl' who had been watching him.
"Good morning, Hasaka," he greeted as he approached.
"Morning," she replied curtly, her tone cool as she kept the lollipop in her mouth. Without waiting for further conversation, she turned to leave.
"Wait a moment." Amamiya raised a hand to stop her. "I wanted to apologize for what happened the other day."
"That's in the past," Hayasaka said flatly. Her expression remained calm, though her eyes flickered with something unreadable. "And don't bring up anything about taking responsibility. It was just an accident… Besides, it wasn't my first kiss anyway."
That's a lie.
As Kaguya's personal maid, Hayasaka lived a busy life, constantly juggling tasks and responsibilities.
Despite her outward appearance as a trendy gyaru girl, she rarely had time for outings with friends. She often claimed her after-school hours were dedicated to earning money for clothes and accessories.
In reality, her supposed experience with boys was nonexistent. She hadn't even dated before—her knowledge of relationships was purely theoretical.
That day at the dessert shop, their accidental kiss was, without a doubt, her first.
But she'd never admit it.
Still in high school and already embarrassing myself… And worse, I need to keep this guy at arm's length so Ojousama doesn't find out.
"I see," Amamiya said, his expression turning unexpectedly serious. He stepped closer, locking eyes with her. "Then, Hasaka, you need to take responsibility."
"Huh?"
"That was my first kiss."
Hayasaka froze. Fraud! Liar!
She clenched her fists discreetly, her anger simmering beneath her composed exterior. I saw you kissing Umi back in ghost story town! There's no way your first kiss is still intact!
Amamiya's tone softened, but his gaze remained unwavering. "I'm not joking. It doesn't matter who Hasaka was in the past or whether you've dated anyone before. What matters to me is the Hasaka I see now. If you keep denying yourself because of your past, you're insulting my feelings."
For a moment, Hayasaka said nothing. Her eyelashes fluttered, and her usual sharp demeanor softened.
The corridor fell silent as she struggled to process his words.
A moment later, a low voice broke the silence.
"Humans are creatures who cannot be loved without putting on a mask."
After a brief pause, Hayasaka lowered her gaze and continued, her tone quiet and reflective:
"The real me is someone no one would ever love."
Amamiya felt a sudden shift in the atmosphere. For a rare moment, he had the distinct sense that Hayasaka wasn't putting on her usual facade but instead revealing a glimpse of her true feelings.
Beneath the layers of identities she carefully maintained, the real girl seemed neither happy nor content—just deeply weary.
After a few seconds of thoughtful silence, Amamiya finally spoke.
"No one in the world can please everyone," he said. "Even Fukuzawa Yukichi had his detractors who dismissed wealth as meaningless."
His tone softened as he continued, "So why do you think you wouldn't be loved, even with a mask?"
[Note: Fukuzawa Yukichi, who is most visible as the man portrayed on Japan's 10,000-yen note, is best known as one of modern Japan's first statesmen, a man responsible for introducing Western education, institutions, and social thought to Japan.]
Amamiya gently took Hayasaka's right hand. To his surprise, she didn't pull away but instead lifted her head to meet his gaze.
"If you're wearing a mask right now, Hasaka, then please don't take it off," Amamiya said softly. "Because I like it very much."
Hayasaka's eyelashes fluttered as she processed his words. Her voice wavered slightly as she asked, "What are you even saying? That's just… false love, isn't it?"
"Even false love is still love," Amamiya replied firmly.
"No, it's not."
Before either could say more, a sudden clatter broke the moment.
Thud.
The sound of a dropped drink echoed in the corridor.
Both Amamiya and Hayasaka turned their heads simultaneously toward the noise.
Standing at the corner of the hallway was a girl with short black hair. Her eyes were wide with shock as she stared at them, frozen in place.
"Kashiwagi-san?"
Amamiya raised an eyebrow slightly. "You saw that, didn't you?"
"I didn't!"
Kashiwagi shook her head vigorously in denial.
Amamiya sighed. "If you've seen it, there's no point in denying it..."
"Tsk."
Hayasaka quickly switched back to her composed mask. She gently pushed Amamiya's waist and pulled the lollipop from her mouth with a casual motion. "Don't scare her. Kashiwagi, you can go now."
As Amamiya walked away, Kashiwagi emerged hesitantly from her hiding spot. Her voice was cautious as she addressed Hayasaka.
"Um… Ai-chan, what's your relationship with Amamiya-kun?"
"Nothing."
Hayasaka's tone was curt, her disinterest evident.
Kashiwagi wasn't convinced. "You're still saying it's nothing, but you were holding hands just now!"
Her voice grew anxious. "Let me warn you about Amamiya-kun…"
Hayasaka tilted her head. "What about him?"
Kashiwagi hesitated before blurting out, "He's not a good person! He always bullies girls!"
She began listing examples, her voice growing increasingly flustered. "I've seen him hugging Shinomiya-san in the classroom—two or three times! And he's gone grocery shopping hand in hand with Chika-chan! Now he's holding your hand. Aren't he worried someone will find out and he'll get beaten up?"
Hayasaka remained quiet, her face expressionless. As if I didn't already know what kind of person he is.
Her thoughts darkened. He even asked for my help in conquering other girls. I've already lost the right to call myself a decent human being.
"Don't worry about me," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Right now, all I care about is working and making money. I'd never fall for him."
Kashiwagi pressed her lips together, her voice softening. "But… Ai-chan, your face is really red."
"Huh?"
Hayasaka froze. She raised her right hand, her delicate fingers brushing against her cheek. A warm sensation spread beneath her fingertips.
Strange… Why am I blushing?
A short while later.
The school auditorium.
"Ah, Amamiya-kun, there you are!" Tsubame greeted him with a bright smile, clenching her right fist in encouragement. "I heard you're the first one up for the speech—good luck!"
Amamiya nodded, his expression calm. "I'll leave the support speech to you, Senpai."
"Leave it to me," Tsubame said confidently, her radiant smile brightening her delicate features. Tilting her chin upward, she revealed a slender, snow-white neck as she added, "I've practiced it several times—I promise there won't be any mistakes."
Amamiya gave her a small, appreciative smile.
Amamiya wasn't worried about Tsubame.
This upperclassman was a classic social butterfly—charismatic, confident, and far removed from anything resembling social anxiety.
"Amamiya-kun, let's go over the speech one more time," Tsubame said enthusiastically.
"Sure."
As students filed into the auditorium, the atmosphere gradually grew livelier. Before long, the room was packed with eager attendees, all waiting for the speeches to begin.
When it was time for his turn, someone came to remind Amamiya to get ready. He stood behind the curtain, preparing to step onto the stage.
As he ascended the stairs, a sudden thought struck him—he had a prop that might come in handy.
The bowtie he'd obtained during the hospital mission! It enhanced the persuasiveness of speeches and explanations, resembling a certain famous elementary school detective's accessory. Normally, it was a novelty item collecting dust, but today, it could prove useful.
Running for election was no joke. If you're going to compete, you aim to win, plain and simple.
Was using the bowtie considered cheating?
Hardly. He'd earned it through effort and risk. It was a legitimate advantage, not a shortcut.
Now that—he thought with a smirk—was far better than some rigged voting machine auto-selecting a candidate during a certain country's election.
With the bowtie securely in place, Amamiya stepped onto the stage, taking a moment to survey the crowd. Rows upon rows of students filled the auditorium, their eyes fixed on him.
And so, he began his speech.
Winning everyone's approval is impossible, Amamiya thought as he spoke. Just as it's impossible to win every single vote.
Campaigning was all about targeting specific groups, much like politicians such as Trump or India's Modi. The strategy was simple: identify your audience, discover their interests, and make promises that resonate with them.
Whether or not those promises could actually be kept?
Well…
Let's not kid ourselves.
For any seasoned politician, making unattainable promises was par for the course.
Of course, Amamiya wasn't a shameless politician—yet. If he did win, he fully intended to fulfill as many promises as possible.
His approach extended to rallying support as well. With Tsubame's influence, he could appeal to students who might not otherwise care about him, convincing them to cast their votes in his favor.
As for the responsibilities of being Student Council President? They weren't as daunting as they might seem.
The Student Council had been around for decades, its routines and activities well-established. It wasn't about bold innovation or daring initiatives; most of the work followed precedent, carried out in a steady, methodical way.
"Thank you, everyone."
Amamiya took a small step back and bowed.
The applause that followed was immediate, thunderous, and resounding.
Next up were the other candidates, including the ever-charismatic yet aloof Kaguya and the lively, if unpredictable, Chika.
Kaguya had a presence in spades. Her commanding aura drew attention effortlessly. Unfortunately, her frosty demeanor left a lasting impression, quieting the audience rather than energizing it.
On the other hand, Chika was a natural crowd-pleaser. Her upbeat personality and numerous friendships gave her the air of a beloved prime minister. Yet, her reputation for being unreliable tempered her appeal somewhat.
One by one, each candidate completed their speeches, and soon the final votes were tallied.
As the results appeared on the large screen, the auditorium buzzed with anticipation.