"Hey, did you hear? Shinomiya-san is going to play a volleyball match after school against that first-year transfer student."
"Of course I heard."
"I'm so excited~"
"The 'Ice Princess of Shuchiin' versus the 'Dictator of Shuchiin.'"
"A match between Shinomiya-san and Mona Lisa, this sounds amazing."
Like a stone thrown into water, Rinji had only just let slip the news to Class 2-A, and within two hours the entire school already knew.
In this closed-off school, students might not be sensitive to outside news, but internal gossip spreads like wildfire.
Both Rinji and Kaguya were celebrities on campus.
Rinji needed no introduction—after the trouble he caused in the first two semesters he earned quite a bad reputation, but later redeemed himself through the sports festival and his violin performance at the Hoshin Festival.
Kaguya needed even less explanation—the perfect lady, top of the class academically, outstanding in sports, a genius who won awards in every field, and the idol of the student body.
Both Rinji and Kaguya had their share of fans at school, both male and female.
Rinji himself had no idea he even had fans, though their numbers were nowhere near Kaguya's. She was practically worshipped by the entire school.
"Are you going to watch the match after school?"
"Of course!"
"Count me in."
"Better get there early to grab a good spot."
In Class 2-B, the discussion was just as heated.
Shirogane, however, was on edge.
He had thought it would be a private match, but now the entire school knew.
This time, under the gaze of every student, he was bound to lose. His image as the perfect student council president was about to crumble.
And since his opponent was Rinji, he never even considered the possibility of winning.
"By the way, I heard Takamine chose a girl named Hayasaka from Class A. Do you know her?"
"I think I've heard the name."
"Do you guys know who Shinomiya picked as her teammate?"
"Probably that third-year who used to be volleyball club captain. He's really strong…"
Shirogane: "Sorry to disappoint, but that's me."
"Really? But against Takamine and some no-name girl, there's no need to pick someone that strong. Otherwise, Shinomiya would look like she's bullying underclassmen."
Shirogane: "No, no, even if you brought in Japan's national volleyball team, we'd still be the ones getting bullied."
Escape was impossible now. He could only pray that Rinji would show some mercy.
Throwing the match on purpose was out of the question, but maybe Rinji could at least give him a little face and not crush him completely.
[Bzzt—]
At that moment, the school broadcast suddenly came on.
As students wondered what the announcement was about, a girl's voice came over the speakers.
[Hello everyone, this is Karen from the mass media club. By now, I'm sure you've all heard about the upcoming volleyball match between Shinomiya-san and Takamine-kun.]
"Ohhh, so the mass media club's already on it?"
"Are they going to announce the match time?"
[Since this is a 2v2 match, it will follow beach volleyball rules. The referee will be Secretary Fujiwara of the student council.]
"Fujiwara?"
"I was wondering why she wasn't in class. So she went to apply as the referee."
Classic Chika Fujiwara.
If you didn't see her stirring up trouble every day, then it only meant she was planning something even bigger behind the scenes.
As classmates chattered, Shirogane felt the situation spiraling out of control.
The broadcast continued.
[This time, the mass media club has specially invited one of the players, Rinji Takamine. So, Takamine-kun, how do you feel right now?]
[Hello everyone, I'm from the astronomy club, Rinji Takamine. I feel great.]
[Can you tell us why you suddenly decided to play a match against Shinomiya-sama?]
[To promote the spirit of sports, and also to warm up for the upcoming first-year volleyball tournament in two days. I hope the upperclassmen will come cheer for us first-years then.]
That was what Rinji said on air.
Of course, the real reason was nothing like that.
Both of them just wanted to put the other in their place.
Kaguya was a genius in every field, volleyball included, already at professional athlete level. Rinji, on the other hand, was ridiculously quick to learn and had a body beyond normal human standards.
To Kaguya, Rinji was weak.
To Rinji, Kaguya was nothing special.
That's why the match happened.
[This is Kose from the mass media club. Thanks for your answer, Takamine-kun. Now, another question.]
[Please go ahead.]
[How long do you plan on lasting against Shinomiya-sama?]
[You're just assuming I'll lose?]
[Of course! How could the noble Lady Kaguya ever lose?]
[Wow, talk about zero objectivity in journalism.]
[The fact that it's you standing against her is already infuriating… why isn't it me on the court with her…]
[Bzzt—]
The broadcast was suddenly cut off.
Students in their classrooms broke into a cold sweat, staring at the speakers. Clearly, something had gone wrong in the broadcast room.
A few minutes later, the broadcast restarted.
[This is Karen from the mass media club. We had a little accident earlier, but let's continue the interview with Takamine-kun.]
[Okay.]
[Do you have anything you'd like to say about the upcoming match?]
[Nobody knows volleyball better than me.]
[Uh… thank you for your comment. Next is something everyone wants to know.]
[Go ahead.]
[Everyone already knows who your teammate is, but can you reveal who Shinomiya-sama picked?]
[About that…]
[It has to be President Shirogane, right! Only someone as dazzling as him deserves to stand beside Shinomiya-sama. No one else is qualified!!]
[Karen, we're live…]
[Just imagine Shinomiya-sama and Shirogane standing side by side on the court! Their eyes meeting, full of trust and love…]
[Bzzzzzzzt——]
Rinji had cut the broadcast switch himself.
Another broadcast accident.