Heartbeats and Illusions

Get up, wash, and dress on time. Live seriously, treat every day as a new opportunity, and face confusion head-on without hesitation. These were the principles Natsukawa Kanade had internalized.

The beauty of life was abundant. Even if love seemed elusive, it didn't mean life lacked color. Respecting daily life, he believed, was akin to crafting a well-balanced dish. Love, then, was just the seasoning that made the dish more palatable.

Understanding this, Natsukawa had never wavered in his dedication to life's routines.

"Good morning, Natsukawa-san!"

"Good morning."

Kanade returned the greetings from his classmates with a polite, measured smile.

"Eh? You seem to be in a good mood today! Did something nice happen?"

"Hmm? What makes you think so?" Kanade tilted his head slightly. As far as he was concerned, everything was as usual. His routine was uninterrupted, and he wasn't doing anything particularly out of the ordinary.

"You're smiling more warmly! You don't seem as serious or distant. Could it be that..."

"There was a lot of math homework yesterday. Took me forever to finish it," he replied, his tone light but deliberate.

"Oh no, the math homework! I completely forgot!" The girl paled and darted off to her circle of friends, panicked.

"Mahi! Please, let me copy your answers before class starts!"

"Again? You need to try doing it yourself sometime," Mahi sighed.

"No way! Math is impossible to understand!"

"It's actually simple if you pay attention in class…"

As the lively banter filled the room, Kanade's thoughts wandered.

Genuine and approachable—was that really how others saw him now? The words felt unfamiliar. Once, perhaps, they had applied to him, before his involvement with the heroines of his life.

Since then, his identity had fractured, splintering into various roles. A loveless friend, an enthusiastic fan, a diligent achiever—all masks donned for different people and circumstances. The Natsukawa Kanade of today hardly recognized himself.

When had he last been his true self?

He thought back. His demeanor of dedication and aloofness had once been tailored to match Kaguya Shinomiya, the epitome of a dignified young lady. Yesterday, he'd still worn that persona. Yet today, it seemed discarded.

Did this inconsistency hint at playboy tendencies? Perhaps. Yet Kanade had made peace with his evolving self.

The morning passed swiftly. A handful of classes later, lunchtime arrived, and the classroom grew quieter as groups of students huddled together to share their meals. The soft hum of conversation filled the air.

Kanade stretched in his seat, shaking off the fatigue of focusing through the lessons. His gaze flickered to the small cliques forming around the room.

Once upon a time, he too would have left the classroom, heading to the student council room to share lunch with Shinomiya Kaguya and the others. Those days were more than a mere social engagement—they were opportunities to grow closer to her. Yet, more often than not, his carefully prepared bentos had been devoured by Fujiwara Chika instead.

Chika… The pink-haired tornado of chaos. Whether intentionally or not, her antics had been a significant roadblock in his pursuit of Kaguya.

"Natsukawa, someone's looking for you," a voice called from the door.

"Got it. Thanks for letting me know."

Kanade stood, his curiosity piqued. Who would seek him out during lunch?

He didn't have to wonder long. As he stepped out into the hallway, his gaze landed on a familiar figure.

Sawamura Spencer Eriri.

With her golden hair cascading down her shoulders, porcelain-like skin, and the faintest hint of a canine tooth glinting as she bit her lip nervously, Eriri was as striking as ever.

On the surface, she was the picture of a perfect young lady. Beneath that polished exterior, however, lay a messy, stubborn otaku who spent sleepless nights rushing to meet illustration deadlines.

"Is something the matter, Sawamura-san?" Kanade asked evenly, careful to keep his tone neutral.

He caught himself just in time, nearly calling her "Eriri." Though they were acquaintances, any slip in formality might give the wrong impression to the curious onlookers gathering nearby.

"H-hi, Natsukawa…" Eriri stammered, her voice barely audible.

Kanade fought the urge to chuckle. Despite the time that had passed since he'd turned down her confession, Eriri's nervousness around him hadn't faded.

"Did you need something?" he prompted, his tone softening.

Eriri opened her mouth to speak but faltered. Her gaze flickered around nervously, catching sight of the whispering students around them.

"Um… I…"

Kanade tilted his head. Was she here to ask for help with her work? That seemed the most logical explanation. He often helped friends in the past with tasks ranging from errands to assisting with deadlines.

Eriri's cheeks flushed. The words she wanted to say—I want to have lunch with you—stuck in her throat.

After hearing from Kato yesterday that Kanade was single again, Eriri had spent the entire night planning this moment. Yet now, standing in front of him, every rehearsed line had fled her mind.

Kanade noticed her hesitation and glanced at the gathering crowd. The murmurs were growing louder, fueled by the scene's ambiguity.

"If there's nothing else—"

"You're still as useless as ever, you golden-haired loser."

The voice cut through the tension like a knife.

Eriri's head whipped around, her expression shifting from nervous to indignant.

Standing a short distance away was a girl clad in a stark black uniform, arms crossed and lips curled into a smug smile.