"This loser aside for now."
Leaving the still-flushed Fujiwara behind, Rinji seemed to recall something and walked over to Shirogane.
"President, do you remember what I mentioned before?"
"Huh?"
"That I might need to take some time off this semester."
"Take time off, huh…"
"Rinji, are you talking about Chinese New Year?" Kaguya recalled that Rinji had indeed brought it up last semester.
Though his nationality was unclear, Rinji was, after all, Part-Chinese.
As a Chinese person, it was only natural to go home for the New Year.
Of course, anyone with study-abroad experience knew that when China celebrated New Year, other countries usually didn't have a holiday. Either you returned early to celebrate, or you just ignored it.
But Rinji didn't care if the school gave leave or not. When the time came, he would vanish on his own.
"Rinji, you really do whatever you please," Kaguya said helplessly. "First semester was suspension, second semester you transferred out to avoid trouble, and now this semester it's New Year. You really stick to the tradition of disappearing for at least a month every term."
"When things come up, they can't be stopped."
Rinji did a quick calculation.
"In about two weeks I'll head out. I should be back around mid-February… maybe even later, since I have a lot of relatives to visit."
Shirogane thought for a moment. "The student council doesn't really have an issue, but… if you request a whole month of leave, the school might not approve it."
"If they don't approve it, so what? I'm not asking for their opinion."
"As lawless as ever. I thought you'd finally become normal this semester." Kaguya sighed.
"I've improved a lot this semester, okay? Shinomiya, since the start of this term, have I mouthed off at you even once?"
"…That's true."
Their relationship had gone from mutual dislike in the first semester to being able to talk like normal friends in the third. Rinji had clearly learned to restrain himself somewhat.
"So Rinji-kun might disappear for another month?" Iino asked.
If it were anyone else skipping a month of classes, Iino would immediately brand them as an irresponsible delinquent. But if it was Rinji…
He wasn't a good student to begin with. Based on his past record, this was actually normal for him.
Better this than causing trouble and getting punished.
Still, as a dutiful member of the discipline committee, Iino protested.
"It's still best not to skip classes. A whole month is really too much…"
"Oh, right. Since I'll be away so long, I probably won't be able to attend midterms this semester."
"Please go ahead, Rinji-kun."
Not taking midterms was great! That meant no one would compete with her for the top rank in their year.
"So… you're going back home in about two weeks?"
"Yeah, a stranger in a foreign land should return home once in a while." Rinji spread his hands. "That's the life of a foreign student. One day, President, when you study abroad, you'll feel homesick too."
"Ah… I guess so."
"Especially after you experience America's city planning and idiotic public transport."
"Oh…"
---
"That's how it is, Ai."
Back at home, Rinji told Hayasaka about it.
"In two weeks, I'll be heading back home. Can you get leave around that time?"
"…I don't think I can," Hayasaka said, troubled.
Unlike Rinji, she wasn't so free-spirited.
Humans were social creatures. Since she was already part of Shuchiin's little society, she couldn't just ignore its rules. Even if she didn't care about school regulations, her family and friends wouldn't just accept her vanishing for a month.
Constraints from the environment were everywhere.
Two weeks later was the second-year school trip. Hayasaka naturally had to attend. With Rinji suddenly deciding to leave for a month, she really couldn't go with him.
She just couldn't live like him, detached from society, doing whatever she pleased.
"That's a shame."
"Yeah, if I had the chance, I'd love to visit your hometown too," Hayasaka smiled. "It's been a long time since I last saw your mother."
"Yeah, I haven't heard from my mom in ages either. This trip home will be a chance to see her." Rinji smiled.
"Actually, I've got a lot to do this time. Visiting relatives, calling on my parents' old colleagues… and what I'm looking forward to most: another real PK with my dad."
"What a strange father-son relationship. Do you two really have to fight every time you meet?"
"It's a yearly tradition."
"And this year… there are things I have to ask him."
"Hm? Like what?"
"I only found out during winter break. Turns out I used to have an older sister, but Dad never mentioned her once. So I want to take this chance to ask him about it."
"I see… I always thought you were an only child."
"I thought so too. But if I really did have a sister, that wouldn't be so bad, right?" Rinji said with a smile.
After he spoke, Hayasaka suddenly stood, walked behind him, and hugged him from behind. Her chest pressed against the back of his head, her hand stroking his hair.
"If you're hoping for an older sister to take care of you, I can play that role."
"Ah… thanks," Rinji muttered, blushing.
…
This trip home would be a bit of a triumph.
When he came to Japan, his dad gave him a hundred million dollars. That money had already multiplied several times over. Returning home now would be impressive.
But honestly, Rinji really wanted to bring a girlfriend home.
Hayasaka's refusal wasn't surprising. After all, this wasn't just a simple trip abroad. Explaining things would get complicated, and it might even shake her worldview.
Still, Rinji wanted to bring a girlfriend home.
He pulled out his phone and made a call.
"Hello? Rinji."
"Karura, how's school on your end?"
"Pretty good. Same old daily life," she laughed. "I'll be at your place again this weekend."
"Good… By the way, in two weeks, can you get leave from school?"
"Why?"
"I want to go home to visit family."
"Mm, then I'll go request leave~"
"Thanks."
As expected, communication between two abnormal humans was easy. Neither Rinji nor Karura were the kind to be bound by rules.