Heartbeats and Illusions

When someone rejects your confession but still keeps you close, it's usually not because they regret their decision. Most often, it's because they've found something beneficial in staying connected and want to continue enjoying that advantage.

This holds true in the majority of cases, with only a few exceptions.

For people like Kasumigaoka and Eriri, perhaps it's different. Lacking genuine companionship, they treasure the hard-earned friendship they've formed. They see Natsukawa Kanade as a rare and cherished friend they don't want to lose.

But no matter their reasons, Kanade has the right to refuse any overtures he's uncomfortable with. As Kato once wisely said, it's high time he started prioritizing his own feelings instead of living cautiously in the shadows of others.

The cafeteria wasn't as crowded as one might expect for lunchtime. At Shuchiin Academy, most students preferred bringing their lunch boxes from home and gathering in small groups to chat about their interests.

Those who noticed Natsukawa Kanade entering the cafeteria couldn't help but feel curious. After all, it wasn't every day that the student council president dined here alone. Speculations swirled about whether he was inspecting the facilities or introducing some new policy.

Despite their curiosity, none of them dared to approach him. His well-crafted aura of authority kept them at bay.

Kanade stood before the menu on the vending machine, lost in thought.

The eternal dilemma plagued him: What should I eat today?

And, if one dared to look ahead: What about tomorrow? And the day after?

The chefs at Shuchiin were top-tier, capable of preparing an endless variety of dishes. Yet, having grown accustomed to catering to the preferences of others in the past, Kanade was momentarily paralyzed when asked to choose for himself.

"If you can't decide, go for the yakiniku set meal," came a familiar, deadpan suggestion.

Kanade turned toward the voice and was greeted by an unexpected sight.

"Hikigaya... Hachiman?"

The boy who had earned the dubious title of "Great Sensei," with his perpetually dead-eyed expression and a knack for appearing unkempt yet oddly handsome, stood before him.

"Hey, stop looking at me like that," Hikigaya muttered, visibly uncomfortable. "It's like I just walked into your private thoughts or something."

"No, not at all," Kanade chuckled. "It's actually quite helpful. Good to see you again."

Since Kanade had stepped down from the Service Club, their paths had rarely crossed. On the few occasions they had, it had always been in passing, with Kanade too preoccupied to stop and chat.

"Good afternoon, Hachiman," Kanade said warmly.

Hikigaya froze, his face betraying an odd mix of embarrassment and irritation. "What's with that malicious smile? You're plotting something, aren't you?"

"It's just a greeting! No need to be so defensive around an old clubmate, right?"

Hikigaya didn't reply, but his gaze grew resentful. Ever since Kanade had left the club, Minister Yukinoshita's sharp tongue and uncompromising demeanor had intensified, making life under her rule unbearable. He often found himself wishing he could flee as Kanade had.

"I think you owe me for abandoning us to that tyrant. At least buy me a coffee," Hikigaya finally grumbled.

"Coffee? Sure. You still like MAX, right? What about lunch? My treat," Kanade offered.

"I was just going to grab a yakiniku set meal…"

"Perfect." Kanade swiftly placed the order and handed Hikigaya a meal ticket. "Here, go grab the food. I'll fetch the drinks."

"Wait, I didn't agree to—"

"You don't want to miss lunch and risk being late for class, do you? Just think of this as my apology," Kanade quipped before walking away.

Hikigaya sighed but complied, grumbling to himself about Kanade's disarming charm.

The two eventually settled at a quiet table, their trays laden with food and drinks.

"Is the club doing well?" Kanade asked, breaking the ice.

Hikigaya hesitated. "Shouldn't you be asking Yukinoshita that? I'm just a small cog in the machine."

"Still, you must have some idea."

"Well... I guess it's fine. The school even approved our activity funds recently."

Kanade smiled knowingly. The club didn't meet the usual standards for recognition, and he had pulled a few strings during his tenure to ensure its survival.

Despite his introverted tendencies, Hikigaya didn't mind Kanade's company. In fact, he secretly admired him. Kanade was everything Hikigaya wasn't—charming, hardworking, and effortlessly charismatic.

"Why do I feel like you're cursing me in your mind right now?" Kanade teased.

Hikigaya shifted uncomfortably. He couldn't exactly admit he was lamenting Kanade's seemingly flawless existence.

"It's just your imagination," Hikigaya mumbled, taking a sip of his MAX coffee.

Kanade smirked but didn't press further. Instead, he turned the conversation to lighter topics, sharing anecdotes that had Hikigaya chuckling despite himself.

"By the way, I saw a crowd near your classroom earlier," Hikigaya remarked. "You weren't causing a stir with those two girls again, were you?"

"Hachiman," Kanade said seriously, "you've never been in a relationship, have you?"

"Why does that matter?!" Hikigaya sputtered.

Kanade chuckled. "I'm just saying, spending time with two or more girls at once actually avoids misunderstandings. People assume it's business-related, not romantic. It's one of life's little tricks."

Hikigaya stared at him, dumbfounded. "That's... not how it works."

"Think about it," Kanade continued. "If you're seen alone with a beautiful girl, everyone assumes there's something going on. But add a second or third girl, and suddenly it's just a friendly discussion."

As much as Hikigaya wanted to argue, he couldn't deny the logic. But the scene he'd witnessed earlier still felt like a romantic battlefield.

Reflecting on Kanade's casual demeanor, Hikigaya realized something: Kanade's pursuit of Kaguya Shinomiya had likely ended in rejection once again. Yet, rather than wallowing, Kanade remained composed, even cheerful.

Hikigaya couldn't help but admire him for that. Rejections had crushed Hikigaya before, but Kanade took them in stride, living life with resilience and optimism.

"Damn humanoid charm machine," Hikigaya muttered under his breath, feeling a mix of envy and grudging respect.