Sakurai Saki listened attentively through his Thursday classes, both morning and afternoon.
He didn't dwell too much on the future diary that day—his focus was on work.
That evening's job was as a rental boyfriend. The client this time was a girl preparing for a mixer.
After all, the work of a rental boyfriend generally came down to a few types of requests: accompanying someone on a date, attending social events together, or helping girls who had never experienced romance understand what it felt like to be gently treated by a boy.
From his experience, Sakurai Saki had calculated that high school clients were relatively rare. Most were university students or working adults.
There had even been a young white-collar worker who once offered to become his sugar mommy.
Sakurai, however, had refused, citing the platform's strict rule against private communication between clients and rental boyfriends.
To him, a purely monetary relationship was unacceptable.
Even professional escorts sold their art or companionship—not their bodies. For a rental boyfriend, such transactions were even further from the purpose of the job.
Among all his clients, only one had maintained a long-term connection with him: Minamoto Mashiro.
Though they got along well, Mashiro never paid him directly. Instead, she would commission high-paying jobs through the platform or hire him for legitimate side projects.
The payment for the recent magazine photoshoot, for instance, had been handled by Ueno Yoko, who even covered the platform's breach-of-contract fee.
Friendship was friendship, and work was work. Even siblings should settle accounts clearly—once the lines blurred, disputes would become inevitable.
Since there was still some time before his next appointment, Sakurai Saki packed up his bag and decided to visit the Student Council Room.
These days, the Student Council didn't have much business to handle, but it was still a comfortable place to relax.
When he pushed open the door, an unexpected sight greeted him.
A girl stood there with long chestnut hair tied into two ponytails, small in stature and charmingly cute—his recent favorite, without a doubt.
Her name was—
"Miko?"
In front of Shirogane Miyuki, Iino Miko turned around, holding a stack of documents. She greeted him politely.
"Good afternoon, Sakurai-senpai."
"Are you here for Disciplinary Committee matters?" Sakurai guessed.
The documents she held looked like the regular reports delivered by the Disciplinary Committee Head—the most important of which should be the Daily Disciplinary Report.
To be honest, Sakurai was quite curious about that one.
It likely contained numerous records about Hayasaka Ai… and probably quite a few about himself as well.
"Yes," Miko nodded. "The Head had to leave early today, so she asked me to deliver them."
After speaking, she looked at Sakurai expectantly.
She had worked hard for today's test, and if nothing had gone wrong, her score should be quite good.
Caught by her earnest, animal-like gaze, Sakurai paused for a few seconds before realizing what she wanted him to ask.
"How was today's exam?" he said finally.
"I didn't do well," Miko replied modestly.
Sakurai smiled inwardly.
Usually, only struggling students were confident after an exam; the good ones always believed they had done poorly.
"It's okay, Miko. Just believe in yourself," he said, taking a seat on the sofa. "You don't need to compare yourself to others—just be yourself. You're excellent. Your admission scores were great. Compared to a certain junior of mine, you're definitely a genius! Don't doubt yourself."
It was half encouragement, half therapy for himself—Sakurai's way of venting frustration after two days of tutoring Ishigami Yū.
Teaching Ishigami wasn't easy. His math was outstanding, sure, but that didn't mean the rest of his subjects were up to par.
Just yesterday, while helping the Five Sisters with English, Sakurai had to explain the same grammar points to Ishigami as well.
"…Thank you, Senpai," Miko said softly, her cheeks tinged pink.
Because of her upright and serious personality, Miko had often been isolated since middle school. That experience had given her a mild social anxiety.
Though she appeared strong, she was fragile inside—someone who would secretly listen to healing sounds to relax, and quietly cry when wronged.
Her parents were often busy with work and rarely had time for her, so she cherished every bit of warmth and encouragement she received from others.
For someone like her, a few kind words were enough to make her lower her guard.
Although he always teases me, Senpai is really gentle…
Iino Miko—almost sixteen—was still a girl who believed in the existence of a Prince Charming.
And in her eyes, Sakurai Saki, with his looks, personality, and demeanor, embodied that ideal perfectly.
At the Student Council President's desk, Shirogane Miyuki had been listening in silence.
Finally, he spoke up.
"Sakurai, you shouldn't say things like that behind his back. If he hears about it, our junior might feel hurt."
Then, handing the reviewed documents back to Miko, he said, "Iino-san, I've finished checking the report. You can return it to the Disciplinary Committee Room for archiving."
"Thank you, Student Council President Shirogane!" Miko snapped back to attention, accepting the papers.
"Um, Senpais, I still have to help pick up trash in the community later, so I'll be leaving now."
Sakurai Saki and Shirogane Miyuki both nodded.
What a good child—she even volunteers to help clean up trash.
After another polite bow, Iino Miko turned toward the door of the Student Council Room.
Then—
Creak.
Before she could even touch the handle, the door swung open from the other side.
Standing there was Ishigami Yū. His half-lidded eyes squinted from the light; it took him a few seconds to register who was in front of him.
"Iino?" he muttered subconsciously.
"Ishigami?" Miko exclaimed, startled.
She immediately took a few steps back, clutching the documents to her chest. Then, as if seeking shelter, she hurried over to the sofa and let out a small sigh of relief after confirming that Sakurai Saki was nearby.
Why is he here? Did he join the Student Council?
This year, both of them were in the same class—1-B.
Miko's feelings toward Ishigami Yū were… complicated. They weren't enemies, exactly, but their relationship was far from friendly. In middle school, when Ishigami had been suspended over a certain incident, it was Miko—driven by her strong sense of justice—who had protested to the teachers about it.
"You two know each other?" Shirogane Miyuki asked, curious.
It was his first time meeting Iino Miko in person. He had only heard about her a few times from Sakurai Saki, who often described her as a serious and admirable girl.
But every time Sakurai mentioned her, he wore that faint, mischievous smile of his—one that always made Shirogane worry for her wellbeing.
After all, Sakurai's true nature was far more troublesome than his gentle demeanor suggested. Shirogane himself had been on the receiving end of Sakurai's "friendly advice" many times.
Even last year, when Sakurai had spent his days teasing Fujiwara Chika, it never felt like he was playing around innocently—more like he was experimenting, treating her as a toy. Only after countless interactions did something real seem to develop between them.
"Yes, we know each other," Miko replied stiffly. "But I hate his current decadent appearance!"
Ishigami Yū barely reacted to her words.
She was a member of the Disciplinary Committee, after all—it was only natural for someone like her to look down on his lazy attitude. And Ishigami knew exactly what kind of person Iino Miko was: rigid, idealistic, and often too serious for her own good. That was why she kept getting hurt.
Heh. Not that I have any right to mock her, he thought bitterly.
If anything, he was worse. At least she stuck to her ideals. That was something to respect.
He, on the other hand, couldn't even manage that.
Come on, Ishigami Yū… "admirable"? You're too old for your chuunibyou phase.
"Yes, we're in the same class," he finally said, answering Shirogane's question. Then he walked past Miko without a glance and took a seat across from Sakurai Saki.
His nonchalance only irritated Miko further.
To be told off like that and still act so indifferent…!
She pointed at him, her voice rising.
"Ishigami! Since you're part of the Student Council now, you should at least act like it! Are you satisfied with just being lazy every day?"
It was always like this. Back in middle school. Now in high school. No matter the setting, Ishigami Yū never seemed to change.
"Sakurai-senpai," Ishigami said, completely ignoring her, "I'm pretty confident about my exam today."
His calm tone made Miko's blood boil.
Ishigami didn't need everyone's approval—only the recognition of a few people who mattered to him. That was his quiet creed. And deep down, he knew he just couldn't get along with Iino Miko.
In middle school, he had secretly helped her—leaving encouraging notes in her desk when she was isolated by her classmates. But now, seeing her glare at him with such disdain, the memory only made him more annoyed.
Seriously? Miko's thoughts, ironically, mirrored his own.
She, too, remembered secretly helping Ishigami back then. And to think he could act so cold toward her now—it was infuriating!
This guy hasn't changed at all. Still the same good-for-nothing who refuses to improve!
Feeling the tension rise, Sakurai Saki finally broke the silence with a faint smile.
"You two… seem to have a pretty good relationship, huh?"
Both froze instantly.
"Good relationship!?" they shouted in unison.
Then—
"Don't copy me!"
"Our relationship is not good at all!"
Again, in perfect synchronization.
A heavy silence followed.
"…Ishigami," Shirogane Miyuki said after a pause, rubbing his temple. "When someone talks to you, it's better to respond."
Ishigami looked up at him and flashed a deceptively bright smile.
"Ahaha~ Sorry, Miyuki-senpai. I just don't have anything to say to this woman."
What a mess, Shirogane sighed inwardly.
He had thought maybe the two could get along, but clearly, that wasn't happening anytime soon.
"What are you being so smug about?!" Miko snapped, turning her head away. "I don't even care to talk to you!"
Stupid Ishigami. Meeting him really is bad luck.
"Hmph!" she huffed, cheeks puffing slightly.
"Hmph!" Ishigami mirrored her, also turning his head away.
The sight was… oddly cute.
Shirogane massaged his temples again, resisting the urge to laugh or scold them both.
Forget it—he'd stay out of whatever history those two shared. Clearly, there was more to it than met the eye.
"Miko," Sakurai Saki asked casually, "do you really dislike Ishigami that much?"
These two were juniors Sakurai Saki genuinely cared about.
If possible, he didn't want the tension between them to stay this way forever.
He wasn't expecting them to suddenly become best friends—but at least, they should be able to hold a normal conversation, right?
Besides, they were classmates. With school projects, Student Council duties, and other activities ahead, there would be plenty of opportunities for them to interact.
It simply wasn't ideal to keep things this stiff.
"No ambition, plain looks, not gentle, terrible grades, doesn't appreciate other people's kindness…" Miko began listing flaws one after another, counting them off as if reciting from a script.
In her heart, Ishigami Yū was miles behind Sakurai-senpai!
"No good points at all?" Sakurai asked with a teasing smile.
He knew Ishigami had some redeeming qualities—not many, perhaps, but they were there.
The boy was rough around the edges, sure, yet he was also earnestly trying to improve.
But Miko didn't even pause.
"None!" she declared firmly.
Ishigami's eye twitched.
"Do you really think you have few flaws, Iino?" he shot back. "Stubborn! Inflexible! Never listens! You throw yourself into things even when you know you'll fail! And—social anxiety! How exactly are you better than me?!"
His tone was sharp, each word hitting like a jab.
Sakurai glanced between the two of them and sighed inwardly.
Yep… these two definitely have a good relationship.
As Miko and Ishigami glared daggers at each other—ready to explode at any second—
"Hmm? Are you two having a debate contest? Let me join!"
A bubbly voice cut straight through the tension.
That woman had arrived.
The atmosphere destroyer.
The unpredictable agent of chaos.
A mysterious creature whose power—and cup size—surpassed even Kaguya Shinomiya's!
Fujiwara Chika burst into the room, eyes sparkling as she spotted a new face.
"Eh? Eh!? And who might you be?"
"Fujiwara-senpai!" Miko exclaimed, straightening immediately.
You might not believe it, but Fujiwara Chika's reputation was immaculate, even back in middle school.
And that same dazzling image had followed her into high school.
To a fresh first-year like Iino Miko, Fujiwara-senpai was practically a living legend—someone radiant, kind, and effortlessly perfect.
She had no idea that beneath Fujiwara's cheerful surface lurked an endless abyss of chaos.
"I—I'm Iino Miko from Class 1-B!" she introduced herself, bowing politely.
"Ah, no need to be so formal!" Fujiwara said with a bright smile as she closed the door behind her.
"Can I call you Miko? Saki-kun told me about you~"
The casual friendliness in her tone made Miko's cheeks flush.
"F-Fujiwara-senpai… that name…" she mumbled shyly.
"Hmm? Saki-kun calls you that, doesn't he? So why can't I?"
Fujiwara's reasoning was, as usual, simple and utterly disarming. She just wanted to do what Sakurai did.
"Y-yes, of course," Miko whispered, lowering her head in embarrassment.
Ishigami watched the exchange silently, then muttered, "What's so great about Fujiwara-senpai anyway?"
Miko turned to him, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Huh!? Fujiwara-senpai is nothing like you!" she shot back. "She follows school rules, she's responsible, gentle, and super cute! Ishigami, you should seriously reflect on yourself!"
Then she turned to Sakurai. "And you too, Sakurai-senpai! You never wear your uniform properly—and you always tease me!"
What frustrated her most was that every time she saw him in the hallway, his uniform was perfectly neat!
It was as if he deliberately dressed sloppily in the mornings just to mess with her.
Fujiwara scratched the back of her head with a sheepish grin. "Ehehe~ I'm not as great as Miko says!"
The moment those words left her mouth, the room fell completely silent.
Three pairs of eyes—Sakurai, Ishigami, and even Shirogane's—snapped toward her in disbelief.
For a few seconds, none of them spoke.
It wasn't that Fujiwara was wrong… it was just that Miko's judgment seemed alarmingly off.
The boys exchanged knowing glances and, without needing to say it aloud, came to the exact same conclusion—
Miko… really doesn't know what she's dealing with.
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