Heartbeats and Illusions

Iino Miko prided herself on her seriousness and dedication. Whether it was fulfilling her duties on the Discipline Committee or performing her responsibilities as a member of the Student Council, she always ensured her tasks were completed meticulously and with unwavering determination.

Today was no exception. After glancing at the time on her phone, she murmured to herself, "There's still some time left. I should check in at the Student Council room before patrolling."

Though President Natsukawa Kanade had assured her that the strange events from yesterday were nothing more than a misunderstanding, Miko couldn't shake the lingering doubts in her heart. She needed closure—a direct explanation from Senior Shinomiya herself.

But surely, she reasoned, there couldn't have been anything indecent happening in the revered Student Council room. After all, the Student Council was the epitome of respectability and admiration among the student body. Surely it was just a misunderstanding... right?

With a resolve to confirm the truth, Miko approached the door to the Student Council room, brimming with respect and decorum. She pushed it open with a determined yet gentle hand—

—and froze.

What greeted her eyes was... baffling. From her position at the doorway, she couldn't see Natsukawa Kanade directly due to the sofa's high backrest. However, his unmistakable voice drifted through the room, layered with an edge of despair.

"Ahh... no... don't... too much force..."

"It's obvious I'm the better choice for this, President," came Shinomiya Kaguya's composed yet competitive voice.

"Not a chance, Kaguya-chan! This is where I shine!" added Fujiwara Chika, her tone brimming with unrestrained glee.

"Please... I'm going to die..." Kanade's voice groaned from the unseen depths of the sofa.

The scene before Miko painted an unspeakable picture. Her mind reeled as the words registered. Terrible things... They're doing terrible things!

"..."

Her eyes widened, her mouth dry, and her grip slackened. The papers in her hands fluttered to the floor unnoticed. The chaotic scene before her confirmed her worst fears.

This isn't a misunderstanding... The President... he's actually a degenerate!

As her thoughts spiraled into a vortex of betrayal and disbelief, Fujiwara Chika turned toward her, her eyes sparkling with an almost sinister excitement.

"Ah, Miko-chan! Come in! It's super fun!" she called out, waving energetically.

"!"

Miko recoiled as if struck. Her faith in humanity—or at least her seniors—shattered in an instant. "F-Fujiwara-senpai... why would you do something like this?! I thought you were a serious person!"

"Serious? Of course I'm serious!" Chika declared with unwavering conviction. "That's why I can't lose to Kaguya-chan today!"

With that, Chika spun back around and resumed her position on the battlefield—otherwise known as the sofa.

Miko stood frozen in the doorway, her mind whirring. They're doing this in the sacred Student Council room... and it's not even the first time?!

Shinomiya Kaguya, noticing Miko's continued hesitation, glanced up. "Iino-san, are you coming in?"

"N-No!" Miko stammered, taking an instinctive step back. "I-I don't have any experience with this sort of thing! I'd only get in the way!"

Kaguya tilted her head, puzzled by the statement. "No experience?" she repeated, her tone softening as if addressing a naive junior. "That's fine. Everyone has to start somewhere. I can teach you."

Kaguya smiled, the thought of mentoring someone in such an unexpected field filling her with a strange sense of pride. To think she'd one day become a role model for her kouhai in this way...

But before she could rise and guide Miko, the younger girl panicked.

"No, I don't want to!" Miko shouted, shaking her head vehemently.

"Don't want to?" Kaguya asked, blinking in confusion.

"Don't make me witness such things!" Miko wailed, spinning on her heel and bolting from the room.

"Huh?" Kaguya looked down at herself, momentarily puzzled. "Is there something weird about me?"

She glanced at Kanade, who was slumping further into the sofa, his expression one of reluctant resignation.

"Oh no, you don't!" Kaguya muttered under her breath. With renewed vigor, she returned to her task, determined to ensure her massage skills surpassed Fujiwara Chika's.

========

Jingle bell...

The crisp chime of the lunch bell marked the end of class, a signal that Natsukawa Kanade usually welcomed with open arms. Lunch break was his sanctuary—a time to indulge in delicious food and escape the chaos of student life.

Today, however, that joy was tarnished.

Kanade's prized lunchbox, the one carefully prepared by Miss Angel herself, had been claimed as a prize in the morning's bizarre competition. Fujiwara Chika had emerged victorious, narrowly edging out Shinomiya Kaguya with her unique advantage: "My massage wasn't painful enough." Her reward? His nutritious, lovingly made lunch.

It wasn't like he had agreed to this willingly. Oh no, he had been dragged into their antics, as always. By the time he realized what was happening, he was already neck-deep in their game, with no way out. Rejecting the outcome now would be akin to consuming someone's hard work and then commenting, "Great effort, but I'll contribute next time!"

Kanade sighed, pulling out his phone to draft an apology message to Shiina. But how could he explain this situation without sounding utterly ridiculous? Maybe he could lie and say he forgot to make a bento today?

No, that wouldn't work. Everyone knew he prepared his lunch daily—well, almost daily. Shiina often helped, her culinary skills turning his humble lunches into masterpieces. And today was no exception.

Caught in a web of indecision, Kanade was startled when his phone buzzed. A message appeared on the screen:

"Want to have lunch together?"

Looking up, Kanade spotted Shiina sitting in the front row. She glanced back at him, winking playfully. Despite chatting with her friends, she managed to slip him this small, mischievous gesture. Miss Angel, always so composed, had these moments of lighthearted humanity that never failed to surprise him.

But today wasn't the day.

Kanade's heart sank. While he was thrilled by her invitation, the thought of Shiina discovering that her lovingly crafted lunch was currently in the possession of a certain pink-haired troublemaker filled him with dread.

The best-case scenario? A mild scolding. Worst-case? An explosion of emotions he wasn't prepared to handle. His instincts, honed by countless mishaps, screamed at him not to tempt fate.

Carefully crafting his response, Kanade typed:

"Sorry, I have something to do with the Student Council today. Can we meet next time? I'll treat you to lunch."

After hitting send, he looked up again. Shiina seemed a little disappointed but quickly nodded, her lips curving into a small, content smile.

Girls are so complicated, Kanade mused, feeling a mixture of relief and guilt.

Carrying his lunchbox, he trudged toward the Student Council room. When he arrived, only Shinomiya Kaguya and Fujiwara Chika were present. The other two, Ishigami and Shirogane, were conspicuously absent.

"They've been awfully close lately," Kanade muttered to himself.

He had noticed the duo spending more and more time together, even during lunch breaks. Whatever they were working on, it seemed to consume their attention entirely. Kanade had tried asking once, only to be met with vague, dismissive answers. The memory still stung.

They've formed a secret alliance without me! Kanade thought, his brow furrowing in exaggerated offense.

The betrayal ran deep. Not only had they excluded him, but they hadn't even bothered to tell him why. Weren't they supposed to be friends? Partners in chaos?

Kanade clenched his fist dramatically.

"This grudge won't be forgotten!" he declared under his breath, his imagination already concocting elaborate scenarios of vengeance.