Chapter 120: Kaguya Shinomiya's Cooperation Invitation
Hearing Iwanaga Kotoko's words, Kaguya Shinomiya turned to look at her.
Iwanaga rested her chin on one hand, wearing an outrageous line like jewelry. Despite what she'd said, her posture remained flawless, her smile sweet and practiced, every bit the refined young lady.
The other person Kaguya couldn't read in Class A was Iwanaga Kotoko.
Kaguya simply couldn't understand it. Iwanaga had gone through something horrifying as a child, losing an eye and a leg, left with a disability she would carry for life. Yet her personality was still bright, lively, almost carefree, as if trauma had never touched her at all.
How strong did someone's mind have to be to live like that?
"I'll be quick," Kaguya replied to Iwanaga first. Then she turned toward Asagiri at her side, her tone calm and even. "During lunch break, I'd like to speak with you alone. Is that convenient?"
"Alone?" Asagiri smiled. He glanced at the students who were pretending to study, yet clearly listening with the focus of trained spies. "Kaguya Shinomiya, with your status and the attention you get at Shuchiin, coming up to me and saying that will spread rumors."
Kaguya tucked a strand of long hair behind her ear, unbothered. "Do you care what they say? That doesn't sound like the Utsunomiya I know."
Asagiri shook his head solemnly. "I'm worried you have ulterior motives."
Kaguya fell silent for a few seconds. Then she raised her right hand and gently stroked her left cheek, as if smoothing away an emotion she didn't want to show.
"Then rest assured," she said at last. "I have something serious to discuss. So, lunch break. Is it convenient?"
"Yes."
"Good."
…
After morning classes ended, Kaguya Shinomiya walked to Asagiri's desk, her black handbag hanging neatly from her arm.
"Utsunomiya," she said softly. "Let's go."
Asagiri nodded, stood, and left the classroom with her.
The moment they entered the hallway, curious stares followed them from every direction.
"Kaguya Shinomiya and Utsunomiya… are they eating lunch together?"
"How are you this out of touch? I heard during break she asked him first. You get it now?"
"Seriously? Kaguya Shinomiya actually asked a boy out to lunch? I'm so jealous… why isn't it me…"
"Even if she asked you, would you dare go?"
"I really wouldn't. Being alone with Kaguya Shinomiya… just imagining it makes my heart race."
…
Kaguya's expression didn't change. She had long been used to people keeping their distance, treating her like a doll from a Japanese horror story.
But then, as they walked, she glanced sideways at Asagiri.
Her gaze returned forward, and she spoke quietly. "Utsunomiya, aren't you afraid of me?"
"The way you ask that, I don't even know how to answer." Asagiri shook his head, smiling as if it were absurd. "Why would I be afraid? Because you'll steal my completed puzzle rice?"
"Completed puzzle rice… what is that? No, that's not important."
Kaguya caught herself. Whenever she spoke with him, she always ended up dragged along by his pace. She pulled the conversation back by force.
"As you can see, most students here, even many teachers, avoid me like a curse. So why… why have you never looked at me that way?"
Asagiri blinked, genuinely curious. "Then what kind of look do I give you?"
"Hm…"
Kaguya paused, searching for the right description.
"The way you look at me is… ordinary. Like you look at anyone else." Her voice lowered slightly. "No, it's like how you look at everyone except Iwanaga and Yuuki Asuna. As if you have no interest in me at all."
"Hey, that's where you're wrong." Asagiri's expression turned solemn, as if he were correcting a misunderstanding of great importance. "I still have primal desire for you. Don't make it sound like my gaze is innocent. It's embarrassing."
Kaguya Shinomiya: "…"
She raised her hand again, stroked her cheek again, and forced her emotions back into a neat box.
She was starting to realize something. When it came to saying outrageous things with a straight face, Asagiri might actually be even stronger than Fujiwara Chika.
They reached a secluded corner of the campus and sat on a bench.
Kaguya took out her bento from her tote bag, but didn't open it. A young lady like her wouldn't eat while negotiating. It would be improper.
"Utsunomiya."
Only then did she finally get to the point.
"The election for the new Student Council is coming. Are you interested?"
"No interest." Asagiri answered instantly. "It's a waste of time."
"The Shuchiin Student Council is not a waste of time." Kaguya's tone remained controlled, but there was a sharp edge beneath it. "If you're elected, you build connections through the Council's influence. Most students here are wealthy or powerful. Connections and reputation built in high school can become assets later."
She stopped herself and shook her head.
"Never mind. I know you don't care about that."
Then, smoothly, she changed direction.
"However, if you hold an important position, it would also benefit Ashikaga sensei, wouldn't it?"
Asagiri's expression didn't shift. He simply smiled. "You know about my cooperation with Ashikaga sensei?"
"Please don't underestimate my information network." Kaguya's voice was soft, but confident. "I know what was discussed within the board last time. I also understand Ashikaga sensei's character."
She continued, her words precise.
"Combined with the obvious preferential treatment you've received since school started, and your… antagonistic behavior, it's not hard to infer you have a cooperative relationship. Still, there's something I'm curious about."
She turned and studied his profile.
"I understand why Ashikaga sensei would seek your cooperation. I can't understand why you would accept. You're a mixed enrollment student, but you don't seem short on money. You don't need a full tuition waiver. Your grades are already good enough to enter Shuchiin, and yet you don't seem to yearn for this school the way most people do."
Her voice softened slightly, almost careful.
"So… why did you cooperate with Ashikaga sensei? And ultimately, why did you come to Shuchiin Academy?"
"Why so many questions?" Asagiri shrugged, casual as ever. "I did it for fun."
"For fun… you mean…"
Kaguya frowned, as if his answer had broken the logic of her world.
"Because it's fun? Just because it's fun?"
"Otherwise?" Asagiri said, as if this were the simplest thing on earth. "I thought it was interesting, so I did it. Enjoying something is a sufficient reason for me."
Kaguya pressed her lips together.
"I… can't quite understand. I assumed there would be something more practical. Like using Shuchiin as a stepping stone, becoming someone with status and power, building influence in a certain field, expanding connections…"
"That's why we're completely different." Asagiri chuckled lightly and shook his head. "Whatever I do, I put myself first. I do what I want. I don't do what I don't want. That's all."
In that moment, Kaguya understood, with uncomfortable clarity, why she was drawn to him.
He had something she had never possessed, yet had always longed for.
Freedom. Unburdened by expectations. Untouched by chains.
"Alright. I understand." Kaguya cut the topic off cleanly, almost too quickly. "Let's stop there."
She was afraid. Afraid that if she kept listening, she'd start wanting the same thing. Doing something with no practical meaning, simply because it felt enjoyable.
But she wasn't Utsunomiya.
She couldn't afford that kind of thinking. She shouldn't even let it begin.
"What I actually wanted to discuss is simple." Kaguya's gaze steadied. "I will be participating in the Student Council election. I'll run for President. Chika will be Secretary."
Then she looked him directly in the eyes.
"For Vice President, I want to invite you."
Before Asagiri could respond, she spoke again, faster, as if she needed to secure the ground before he could kick it away.
"Don't worry. Even if you accept, you won't have to handle the tedious daily work. It will be a nominal position. If you serve as Vice President, Ashikaga sensei gains more influence over the board."
Kaguya's voice lowered slightly.
"And from your perspective… you seem to like winning. The election should be fun for you."
Her ruby eyes flickered with a trace of nervousness. She lowered her head, not wanting him to see it, and finished softly.
"Please… consider it."
.....
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