After deciding to give up, I became popular

How could you not say something like that? Are you even still the playboy Casanova with countless romances?!

Hayasaka Ai was very puzzled, even beginning to doubt her own judgment.

Could it be that he doesn't have any feelings for her at all? Then why was he able to see through her disguise, and why did he confess to her that day? It's possible that he gave up pursuing her after being rejected... That's actually quite possible.

But that would mean that he wouldn't launch any more pursuit offensives against her, and by the same token, he wouldn't pay too much attention to the young lady... That's right, that explains it!

It's not about introducing a new rival in love to make the young lady jealous and aware of the crisis, nor is it to draw out her, the real target hidden behind the young lady; he might just simply be interested in that Iroha Isshiki.

This is of course a good thing! As long as Xia Chuanzou lets her go, then the young lady won't be toyed with like that every day... It won't work at all! The young lady looking so worried now is the consequence!

If Young Master Xia stopped paying attention to the young lady, she might be depressed all the time and end up with depression...

!!! Could it be that Young Master Xia even thought of this? Using her concern for the young lady to force her to take the initiative to approach him...

So he didn't give up pursuing her at all, but forced her to take the initiative to come over?! How ruthless!

This kind of person is definitely not suitable for Kaguya-sama; she can't let the young lady sink any deeper! She must stand up and protect her immediately!

It doesn't matter if she has to sacrifice herself for this, as long as she can protect Kaguya...

That's right, that's the only way.

“…” So Hayasaka Ai took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed the dissatisfaction in her heart, and pretended to be calm and asked, "Young Master Xia, are you free this weekend? I want to…"

"Sorry, I have things to do this weekend."

"... Ah?" Hayasaka Ai was really at a loss this time.

She had already made it so clear, and you actually said you're not free?

Playboy, don't go too far!

"I have plans with friends this weekend, if there's anything... let's talk about it later." Xia Chuanzou shook his head.

Honestly, he doesn't have anything to go out with Hayasaka Ai for; they're not even friends, so there's no need to agree. If it's for Kaguya's matter, he can patiently talk to her, but other private matters are out of the question.

They're not familiar in the first place, are they.

“…”

Hayasaka Ai finally saw that the other party wasn't even willing to be perfunctory, not even giving her a "next time for sure" opportunity.

Then what exactly do you mean? Could it be that she thought about it for so long and didn't get anything right?

No wonder Kaguya-sama is so troubled... Who could guess what he's thinking?!

062. Just holding hands, huh…

After saying goodbye to Hayasaka Ai, it didn't take much effort to find Shinomiya Kaguya, who was staying in her class and hadn't gone anywhere.

Xia Chuanzou stopped a girl outside the door and asked her to help call for someone, then waited patiently outside.

"Shinomiya-san, the president has something to talk to you about!"

Instantly, the entire class became lively.

"President? Is this his first time coming here?!"

"Looking for Shinomiya-san... Is it something about the student council?"

"I don't think so, otherwise they could just discuss it in the student council room, right?"

"Could it be that..."

"Yes! It must be that!"

“…”

The thin-skinned Shinomiya Kaguya couldn't stand this kind of discussion; instantly, red frost surged onto her face. She lowered her head and hurried over, then asked in a low voice, "P-President, what, what's the matter…"

She knew that Hayasaka had gone to find Xia Chuanzou, saying it was to gather information or something, but she never expected that he would even directly coax the president over! Hayasaka's efficiency is too high, isn't it?!

Could it be that she told him that she likes the president? And then he came over…

Then she thought of the way her classmates were teasing her…

!!!

"C-Could it be that…"

"Well, it's a bit of a private matter…" Xia Chuanzou nodded slightly.

Although it was to ask the other party to help cheer on the speech, it was ultimately his private matter. It wouldn't matter if Kaguya didn't agree, since that time was somewhat forced.

"Let's find a place to talk?" Looking at the noisy environment around him, and noticing that many people were looking over here, Xia Chuanzou made this suggestion.

If he was rejected in front of everyone, it would make the morning headlines tomorrow—laughable! The former student council vice president refused to help the former student council president cheer on the speech, and it was for this reason!

Maybe it would even evolve into some strange development, like discussing a non-existent love triangle or something.

He quite likes watching gossip, but he wouldn't be happy if he was the one being gossiped about.

"!" Shinomiya Kaguya suddenly became flustered and stammered, "C-Can you… give me a little time?"

Xia Chuanzou nodded, then told her that he would wait for her on the playground. Originally, he wanted to go to the student council room, but he had already returned the key to the grade director, so he simply found an open space.

After Xia Chuanzou left, Shinomiya Kaguya returned to her class with floating steps, during which she was constantly questioned by other classmates.

"Shinomiya-san, is it that?"

"It must be that, right?"

"It's finally coming, Shinomiya-san, good luck!"

"Suddenly telling me to cheer up or something…" The silly young lady's face was rosy, her posture was coy, but she refused to admit it at all, "C-Certainly, it's a misunderstanding, the president is looking for me for something else, something…"

However, that being said, she couldn't suppress the smile on her face at all, and her heart was even more excited.

It must be a confession, a confession! Otherwise, he wouldn't have come to her classroom to look for her!

So she began to think about how she should reply to the president later.

"Yes, I am very willing!"—Wouldn't that seem too unreserved? "Since the president is so strongly requesting it, I will reluctantly agree."—Be a little nicer! The president might misunderstand that she's pitying him…

Oh well, never mind, I'll think about it later!

Thinking like this, Shinomiya Kaguya couldn't help but thank Hayasaka, not knowing what she had done to make the president suddenly get enlightened.

So she sent her a text message: "Little Ai is awesome! The president is going to confess to me!"

The word 'read' quickly popped up over there, followed by a big question mark: "Ah?"

……

The temperature has been a bit high these days, and there aren't many people on the playground except for those club activity members, which is perfect for walking and talking about things.

After watching others play soccer for a while, Xia Chuanzou waited for Shinomiya Kaguya.

He didn't know if it was his illusion, but he always felt that Shinomiya Kaguya seemed to have put on some makeup, and the overall feeling she gave was completely different from just now. She also exuded a… uh, something like the aura of a young girl?

Although she was originally one, it was somewhat inconsistent with her long-standing image.

But that was alright; the key was that there was a dense crowd of people following behind her, not knowing what they were doing here.

They wouldn't be here to watch him confess, would they?

He wasn't here for that kind of thing…

"President, have you been waiting long?" Unexpectedly, when she saw him, Shinomiya Kaguya suddenly showed a smiling face, greatly shocking Xia Chuanzou.

Where did this cute girl come from?

For a moment, Xia Chuanzou wondered if there was a twin sister in this world with a personality completely opposite to Shinomiya Kaguya's.

"Uh, Shinomiya, are you… are you okay?"

"I'm fine, but President, didn't you say you had something to talk to me about?" The silly young lady still had a happy look on her face, and even got closer.

So close…

The delicate and smooth skin, the slender and slightly curled beautiful eyelashes, the pink and moist lips, and the sweet breath spraying on his face, were all within reach, making it impossible for him to calm down.

"… T-Then I'll just say it directly." Xia Chuanzou took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, "I hope you, Shinomiya…"

“…” Shinomiya Kaguya looked at him patiently.

“…”

However, Xia Chuanzou couldn't say his request after opening his mouth for a long time. All he could think about was Kaguya's smiling, flowery, and cute appearance.

So, entanglement, nervousness, uneasiness, all kinds of complex emotions instantly surged into his heart.

Perhaps he was frightened by the students hiding not far away, or maybe it was something else. The heart that was very calm when facing Fujiwara Chika suddenly began to beat violently.

What suddenly happened to him?

"President?" Shinomiya Kaguya tilted her head slightly, looking at him with some concern.

Suddenly, a breeze blew, and several petals from the pagoda tree above her head fell down, landing on Shinomiya Kaguya's head, and also landing in Xia Chuanzou's heart.

“…”

Pressing his hand on his chest, trying to push back the heart that was about to jump out, Xia Chuanzou finally made up his mind.

"Shinomiya… I want to ask you… to continue being my vice president."

Not just cheering on the speech, but also the vice president, or something else… He wanted Kaguya to be by his side, not to leave him.

“…”

Seeing that Shinomiya Kaguya's expression was not very good, Xia Chuanzou quickly said:

"Indeed, my request is a bit excessive. There's no bet this time either. If you don't want to stay in the student council anymore, it's okay…"

"President."

"Yes!"

"I'm very happy to."

"… Ah?"

"Whether it's the vice president or something else, my answer is 'Yes, I am very willing'." Kaguya's smile suddenly became gentle again.

“…”

"However, as a reward, hold my hand, okay?"

"Uh…"

"Is President unwilling?"

"No, if it's just holding hands…" Xia Chuanzou shook his head, then looked at the crowd of onlookers behind him, finding that they still hadn't left. "Might be misunderstood, right?"

"It's okay, I don't mind."

"Then, just for a moment…"

So, Shinomiya Kaguya immediately went up to him, slowly grabbed Xia Chuanzou's hand, and interlocked her fingers with his.

"President's hands are very big."

“…”

063. Goodbye, the past me

In a certain mansion of the Shinomiya family, a girl wearing pajamas was rolling back and forth on the bed.

"Ahhhh!!! I… held hands with the president!"

The same lines were repeated several times, and even the accompanying maid next to her was getting a little impatient listening to it.