Heartbeats and Illusions

"This game is kusoge! Absolute kusoge! A trash-tier game made by a trash club for trash players! Utter garbage!"

With this dramatic outburst, Ishigami Yu stormed away from the playing area, going from a contestant to a reluctant referee. He sat down with his arms crossed, glaring daggers at Fujiwara Chika as if sheer resentment could strike her down.

Ever since Ishigami's humiliating elimination, the atmosphere had grown tense. No one dared to speak, afraid their words might trigger a similarly ridiculous fate.

Natsukawa Kanade sighed, brushing a hand through his hair. "This won't do," he muttered. Breaking the silence, he turned toward Iino Miko. "You know, games like this rely on dialogue to move forward. Don't you think so, Iino-san?"

"Y-yes..."

Iino instinctively nodded before freezing, realizing her mistake. Her eyes widened in panic. What if this was a trap set by the kaichou? She clamped her mouth shut, refusing to meet his gaze.

Kanade only chuckled softly, shrugging as if to say, Suit yourself. He wasn't planning to eliminate her—not yet. After all, it was her first time joining the group's shenanigans, and it wouldn't be fair to crush her enthusiasm right away. Still, there were limits to his mercy. Once was enough.

"Oh~ Kaichou is such a nice guy!" Fujiwara Chika exclaimed, her voice dripping with playful exaggeration. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she leaned closer. "But don't you think this kind of kindness feels like... romantic affection? Like a love power-up?"

"..."

Kanade's eyes narrowed, gears turning in his head. Fujiwara wasn't one to make such comments without an ulterior motive. Considering Kaguya's card—"Say I like you"—could she be trying to bait him? His card couldn't possibly be the same, but what if it was something like "Say I hate you" or "Say I don't like you"?

His thoughts were interrupted when Iino, uncharacteristically bold, spoke up. "Then... what does Fujiwara-senpai hate?" she asked timidly, clutching her cards.

Kanade blinked in surprise. Who would've thought she'd actually take the initiative? It was a rare move from Iino, but one that worked in his favor. This question could lead the conversation away from him and toward someone else—perhaps even eliminate Kaguya.

"Good question," Kanade said with an approving nod, following Iino's lead. "I'd like to know as well."

Since there was no risk in agreeing, he spoke casually. In a game like this, overthinking would ruin the fun. The key was to listen carefully and adapt to the flow.

"Hmm..." Fujiwara tilted her head, a rare moment of seriousness crossing her face. "Well, if I had to say... I hate it when people tell me I can't read the room. I mean, sure, people also call it one of my charms, but still..."

Her voice trailed off, and to everyone's surprise, she began to look genuinely upset. "But when it comes to love... no one ever includes me in those conversations. They all say I'd just step on landmines without realizing it!"

"..."

It was hard to argue with that assessment.

"And the thought that I might unknowingly cause trouble for everyone..." Fujiwara's head drooped, her tone heavy with melancholy.

Just as the group exchanged awkward glances, a slender hand reached out and rested gently on Fujiwara's head.

"That's not true," Shinomiya Kaguya said softly, her voice carrying a rare warmth. "No one thinks you're a bother."

Fujiwara blinked, looking up with wide, teary eyes.

"Not only that," Kaguya continued, her hand still stroking Fujiwara's hair, "your unique personality has helped many of us in ways you may not realize."

"Really? Even Kaguya-sama doesn't hate me?" Fujiwara asked, her voice trembling like that of a forlorn puppy.

Kaguya hesitated, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. "Well... I... I actually like you very much."

The words came out awkwardly, but with an unmistakable sincerity. While expressing her feelings romantically toward someone was nearly impossible, friendship was a safer realm for Kaguya. After all, Fujiwara was her only friend growing up—a bond she deeply cherished.

"Yay! Mission complete!" Fujiwara suddenly sprang to life, her gloomy demeanor vanishing as she twirled around joyfully.

Kaguya's expression froze. Her heart skipped a beat as a sense of dread crept over her. With trembling hands, she turned over her card.

"Say I like you," it read.

"...!"

Her expression froze. A wave of disbelief and humiliation washed over her. "Absolutely unforgivable... you conniving baka! How could you do this, Fujiwara-san? Friendship? Trust? HA! I'll never trust this cancer of the earth ever again!"

Consumed by her inner turmoil, Kaguya completely overlooked the subtle involvement of the others, like Iino Miko and Natsukawa Kanade, who were equally complicit in setting up the scenario.

As the tension lingered in the room, Natsukawa Kanade scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Ah, Kaguya-san... maybe don't take it too seriously? It's just a game, after all."

His attempt at easing the mood didn't go unnoticed, but Kaguya's icy glare silenced him. Meanwhile, Fujiwara Chika, still basking in her victory, waved her hands dismissively.

"Okay, okay, moving on!" she said brightly, trying to reset the tone. But Kanade caught her gaze, raising an eyebrow knowingly.

"Fujiwara-san, shouldn't we wrap things up soon?"

For a moment, Fujiwara seemed confused, but realization dawned. She straightened her posture, her mischievous grin returning. "Oh, of course! It's about that time, isn't it?"

Kanade nodded, gesturing toward the cards in her hand. "Why don't you take another look at your card? I think it'll make things clear."

Fujiwara hesitated, sensing the trap, but with everyone's eyes on her, she had no choice but to reveal her card. As her gaze landed on the words, her face twisted into shock and betrayal.

"You sneaky devil!" she cried, pointing at Kanade. "You manipulated the game, didn't you?"

Kanade simply shrugged, an innocent smile on his face. "Strategy, Fujiwara-san. It's all part of the game."

Fujiwara stomped dramatically toward Iino Miko, grabbing her junior by the arm. "Miko-chan, it's all up to you now! Don't let this villainous president win!"

"H-hai!" Iino Miko stammered, feeling the weight of Fujiwara's trust on her shoulders. Her eyes darted nervously to Kanade, her opponent, who stood calmly with his arms crossed.

But Iino was determined. She had a plan. Straightening her back, she pointed at Kanade and declared in halting English, "Let's fight it out, President!"

Kanade blinked, his expression unreadable. The room fell into a stunned silence.

Even the spectators—Kaguya, Ishigami, and Fujiwara—were momentarily speechless. Then Ishigami's quiet snickers broke the stillness, followed by Fujiwara squatting down, hiding her face as she trembled with suppressed laughter.

Kanade, maintaining his composure, stepped forward slightly, towering over Iino. His voice was calm but firm. "Iino Miko."

"Y-yes?"

Her posture straightened immediately, like a soldier awaiting orders. Kanade's intense gaze bore into her, and she felt her knees weaken under the pressure.

But Kanade said nothing further, simply staring at her with an unreadable expression. The silence in the room grew heavier.

Iino's heart pounded in her chest. Why isn't he saying anything? Did I make a mistake?

Finally, Kanade broke the silence. In smooth, flawless English, he said, "Didn't you want to fight it out? Why are you hesitating now?"

Startled, Iino gasped. "I-I won!" she exclaimed, jumping up in triumph.

Kanade, still calm, flipped his card over, revealing the words "Speak English". He sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Well, I suppose victory and defeat are part of life, aren't they?"

Fujiwara wasted no time. She leaped at Iino, pulling her into a celebratory hug. "Miko-chan, you did it! You beat the president on your first try!"

"Eh? R-really?" Iino stammered, still processing her victory.

Fujiwara grinned and teased, "And now, as the victor, you get to make one wish to the president! Anything you want!"

Kanade groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Oi, don't make it sound like I'm some kind of genie granting magical wishes. But fine, I'll allow it—as long as it's reasonable."

Iino hesitated, her voice small. "A-anything? Um... I don't have anything in mind right now. Can I decide later?"

Kanade nodded with a soft smile. "Take your time. You've earned it."

Relieved, Iino hugged Fujiwara tightly, her previous nerves melting away. "I did it, Fujiwara-senpai! I actually won!"

Fujiwara rubbed her cheek affectionately against Iino's. "Yes, you did! I'm so proud of you, Miko-chan!"

Off to the side, Ishigami muttered under his breath, "Yeah, yeah. Everyone's a winner except me."

"Shut up, Ishigami!" Kaguya snapped, her eyes flashing.

Kanade watched the scene unfold with a satisfied smile. Moments like these, where his friends could bond and enjoy themselves, were what he cherished most.

As the room settled back into its lively atmosphere, Kaguya stepped closer to Kanade, her voice quiet. "Is this really okay, President?"

Kanade tilted his head slightly, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "It's a welcoming party, after all. This is exactly what it should be."

Kaguya's heart skipped a beat at his proximity, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Y-you're always so cunning..."

Kanade raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Hmm? Did you say something, Kaguya-san?"

"Nothing!" she replied quickly, turning her head to hide her embarrassment.