"Rinji already left?"
"Yes, he left with Karura this morning."
"You're really not going with them? Rinji going home alone with Karura, what if something happens…"
"No matter what happens, it's within what I can handle. And with Rinji's personality, nothing will happen." Hayasaka said. "I know him that well."
During lunch break, Kaguya met Hayasaka in Shuchiin's back garden, and the two chatted.
As for what effect Rinji's absence had, basically none.
After all, he disappeared for a month every semester. At first the student council members would feel a bit unsettled, but in a couple of days they'd get used to it. Then when Rinji returned, daily life would start over again.
"After confirming your relationship with Rinji, there's been no progress?"
"Progress? It skipped straight past the honeymoon phase into old married couple mode." Hayasaka said. "Even though I live with Rinji now, nothing's happened between us. If it goes on like this, we'll really end up with a Platonic relationship."
It had been months since they started dating, and Hayasaka actually enjoyed the careful attention Rinji gave her at home.
The days of heavy work at the Shinomiya household were long past. Now she lived freely under Rinji's protection.
Yet this kind of life made Hayasaka feel something wasn't quite right.
According to logic, she and Rinji were lovers.
So far, the things they had done together were nothing more than living together, with household chores mostly handled by Rinji. Even though she had huge savings accumulated from ten years of work, every month she still received pocket money from Rinji that exceeded those savings. Hayasaka only occasionally did some chores, and on holidays they would go shopping or watch movies.
Looking at it this way, Hayasaka felt that instead of being Rinji's lover, she was more like his daughter, always being taken care of one-sidedly.
"If I hadn't kissed him this morning, the number of times we've kissed wouldn't even exceed three."
"..."
"Kaguya, how many times have you kissed President Shirogane?"
"Eh? Such a private question…"
"How many?"
"…Around ten times." Kaguya replied, blushing.
The time when Kaguya and Shirogane confirmed their relationship was the same as when Rinji and Hayasaka did—on the last night of the Hoshin Festival.
Although Shirogane and Kaguya hadn't taken the final step either, they were indeed in love, and had shared quite a lot of private intimacy.
By contrast, Hayasaka and Rinji…
"Kaguya-san, I have a question."
"What is it?"
Seeing Hayasaka's serious look, Kaguya also became serious.
"How should I turn Rinji into a pervert?"
"Huh?"
"Right now, Rinji is way too proper."
"Isn't it good for a boy to be serious?"
"Being too serious isn't a good thing either." Hayasaka spoke as if it were obvious. "Although I enjoy being taken care of by him, I also hope one day he'll pin me down on the bed and ravish me…"
"Hayasaka, shut up!!"
Kaguya squatted down with her face covered.
Hayasaka's explosive words were far too fast-paced for Kaguya at this stage.
"You and President Shirogane will get to that step sooner or later too."
"T-that kind of thing is still far off…"
"I don't think so. We're already in high school," Hayasaka said. "This upcoming Kyoto trip will be just the opportunity. Hot springs, yukata, youthful boys and girls, all the elements are there."
"That doesn't mean it will happen so fast…"
"Speaking of Kyoto, Kaguya-san, isn't there something you still haven't done?"
"Huh?"
Kaguya looked at Hayasaka puzzled, not knowing what she meant.
Seeing her reaction, Hayasaka sighed helplessly.
"You still haven't taken over your assets, have you?"
"Eh?"
"I mean the shares that Rinji helped you seize from the main family using your identity. At least seventy percent of the Shinomiya family's overseas raw material channels are now under your name."
"…That's true."
"Kaguya-san, don't tell me you're going to leave the rest of the work for Rinji too? He's already created all the conditions for you, paving the way completely for your and President Shirogane's future. You should be more mindful."
"Of course I know…"
Kaguya's eyes showed some helplessness.
"Although Rinji and I often quarrel over trivial things, I know he's always been helping me and the President. It's thanks to him that the President and I have gotten this far and can look to the future without worries… But… it feels like right now, the one standing between us is also Rinji."
There were no more days of struggling over who would confess first, no obstruction from the Shinomiya family, but for some reason, Kaguya regarded Rinji as another obstacle.
The main reason was that Rinji spent too much time by Shirogane's side, which made this girl in her honeymoon phase feel dissatisfied.
It was the same as a girl being unhappy when her boyfriend preferred playing games over spending time with her.
"Compared to relying on me, the President relies more on Rinji…"
"That's only because President Shirogane doesn't want to add pressure on you. After all, boys always want to appear perfect in front of girls," Hayasaka said. "At least this month you can spend time alone with him, and you'll get to go on the school trip together. Meanwhile, I won't have Rinji with me."
Actually, even if Rinji didn't return to his hometown, he wouldn't be able to join the trip anyway. Second-year school trips didn't include first-years.
---
Far away in the western Pacific, a plane landed on an island's airport.
Rinji and Karura stepped out of the plane, and waiting outside was someone already expecting them.
"Son~"
"Dad, you came to pick me up."
"Yeah no shit, that's why I'm here dumbass."
Rinji's father smiled, then looked at Karura beside him.
"You must be Kure Karura."
"That's right, uncle." Karura waved with a smile.
"Well, since you're my son's girlfriend, calling me 'dad' in advance isn't a problem." Rinji's father chuckled. "Oh right, son, you have another girlfriend, don't you?"
"She couldn't come."
"I see… well, there'll be other chances. We'll set out tomorrow. It's been a long time since you've come home."
"Yeah," Rinji said. "When we get back, explain everything clearly."
"What do you mean?"
"About my sister."