"Ah, then…" Miko Iino nodded, visibly pleased. However, despite her enthusiasm, she couldn't muster the courage to initiate. In the end, Kanade Natsukawa, seeing her struggle, sighed and decided to take the lead.
"Miko? Is that okay?"
"Yes! I'm here!" Miko immediately straightened up, her cheeks flushing. Even though she had prepared herself, hearing a boy call her by name still made her feel shy.
It felt entirely different from how Fujiwara-senpai's name was called, but… it wasn't unpleasant. In fact, it was quite the opposite…
Noticing her stiffness, Kanade offered a reassuring smile.
"There's no need to be so tense. If you're not used to it, you can keep calling me 'senpai' or 'Natsukawa-senpai.' Whatever feels most comfortable for you."
"No, um… I should reciprocate properly…" Miko shook her head, determined to seize this opportunity to strengthen their bond.
"..." Kanade's expression turned a bit wry. Reciprocate? Isn't that going a bit overboard?
Still, Miko clenched her fists as if psyching herself up.
"Then I'll… um… Kanade-senpai?"
Kanade nodded casually. "Sure."
To him, names weren't a big deal. Thanks to his relationships with people like Mahiru and Eriri, he was used to being addressed in various ways by girls. It didn't feel strange anymore.
But Miko, seeing how indifferent Kanade was, looked slightly disappointed. She had worked up so much courage, only for him to react like it was nothing. Of course, it made sense—Kanade was clearly used to this sort of thing.
For her, though, it was a big step. It was her first time addressing a boy by name, and it felt significant.
Kaguya Shinomiya glanced between the two and frowned. Something felt off. Wait, isn't this supposed to be my moment?
Both of them were loyal members of the "Hikazu Faction" (the shipper group for Kaguya x Kanade). Yet, here they were, each taking their turn to grow closer to Kanade. What about me? Kaguya thought. Why isn't anyone looking at the main character here? Look at me! Look at the rightful partner!
Feeling indignant, Kaguya considered saying something to redirect the attention to herself. But before she could act, someone else beat her to it.
"Alright, alright, my turn now! President, call my name next!" Chika Fujiwara piped up, quickly sliding closer to the center of attention.
Kanade shot her an incredulous look. "You? Didn't I already call you by your name before? Besides, you said yourself that you preferred being called 'Fujiwara.'"
"That was then, and this is now! It's different!" Chika argued, puffing out her cheeks. "Besides, I haven't called you by your name yet! Let me try it first!"
"Just call me then. It's not a big deal…"
"It is a big deal! If I start first, it's… it's embarrassing, okay?" Chika twisted her body shyly, pretending to act bashful.
Kanade sighed, shaking his head in exasperation. "I don't get you at all…" Still, he decided to humor her. "Fine, Chika—there, happy?"
But Chika wasn't satisfied. "Wah! That was so half-hearted!"
"You said it like you just wanted to get it over with! No sincerity at all!"
"What do you want me to do, act like I'm playing a role or something?" Kanade grumbled. "It's just a name. What kind of feelings am I supposed to put into it?"
"Well, you could try?" Chika's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Wouldn't it feel better if there was more emotion behind it? Otherwise, it's boring!"
"..."
Kanade massaged his temples. It's just a name. Why does she need "feeling" for it? I'm not a voice actor dubbing a romantic scene!
"I'll never understand you…" he muttered before taking a deep breath. Then, with exaggerated dramatics and a syrupy tone that could make anyone cringe, he said, "Chika, actually, I…"
"Eh? Wh-What?" Chika instinctively shrank back, her neck retreating like a startled turtle.
Kanade delivered the punchline with a perfectly straight face.
"Actually… I've always thought you're a total idiot."
Her expression went from awkward to blank to outraged in mere seconds. Seeing her face contort in frustration, Kanade felt oddly refreshed.
You wanted feelings? There you go.
Chika glared daggers at him, her cheeks puffed out like a pufferfish. She looked like she might explode—or roll across the table at him like some kind of pink-armored Digimon. Unfortunately for her, their seating arrangement kept her too far away to physically retaliate.
Kanade decided to leave her sulking alone. As long as they were in the library, the worst she could do was attempt to "kill him with her eyes."
"Alright, let's get back to studying," he said.
But just as he was about to refocus, he noticed Kaguya sitting beside him with her lips pursed. Her eyes held a faintly melancholic expression as she glanced his way. She seemed to mouth something along the lines of What about me?
"..."
Kanade sighed inwardly. Seriously? Even you want to join this nonsense?
Still, he couldn't deny it was unexpected—Kaguya, usually so composed and elegant, now seemed eager to be included. It was almost endearing. Maybe she felt a little left out?
"Is something wrong, Kaguya?" he asked, his tone unusually gentle.
"N-No, it's nothing…" Kaguya shook her head lightly, her lips parting slightly. "It's just that… I haven't called you by your name before. I've always just said 'President.'"
Now that she thought about it, she hadn't even addressed him by his surname much—maybe once or twice when they first met. Ever since, it had always been "President."
Considering how close their relationship had grown, and with rumors swirling that they were the academy's "perfect couple," it seemed odd. If people knew they didn't even use first names, wouldn't it cast doubt on their closeness? Worse, others might get the wrong idea and start vying for Kanade's attention.
"So… I'd like to try calling your name. Is that okay?"
"..."
"Well, since you've said that…" Kanade Natsukawa shrugged. What else could he say? Protesting further would just make him look like someone who couldn't read the room.
"Of course, call me whatever you like."
Kanade had grown used to the girls in the student council overthinking things like this. They weren't as bold as the senior from his previous school, who had no qualms about calling him names like "Amoeba-kun," "Junior-kun," or even "Scumbag-kun" without the slightest regard for his feelings. Compared to her, these girls were far more restrained.
"Then… Kanade?" Kaguya tilted her head slightly, her expression soft and graceful.
She looked confident and poised on the surface, but in reality, her other hand was gripping the back of her free hand so tightly it was turning red. Without that anchor, she wouldn't be able to maintain her composure.
Said it! she thought triumphantly. Surely, Kanade would understand her intentions now. He'd respond to her subtle hints, starting by changing how he addressed her. Then, they'd confess their feelings for each other in a heartfelt exchange—naturally, he'd confess first, and she'd graciously agree with a "What am I to do with you?" expression.
Children? Maybe a large family would be nice. It would show how inseparable we are, leaving no room for anyone else. I'll leave the rest of the details to Hayasaka…
While Kaguya's thoughts spiraled into a romantic fantasy, Kanade's mind was much simpler. Hearing Kaguya call his name didn't seem like a big deal at first. However, when he noticed the faint blush on her cheeks and her shy demeanor, he couldn't help but feel something stir within him.
Well, it's no surprise. Guys are naturally weak to this kind of thing.
When a girl you're fond of shyly calls your name, it's impossible not to feel a slight flutter. No wonder people said boys were easy targets for romance.
With neither of them speaking, a quiet stillness fell over the group. Even Chika Fujiwara, usually the most lively, remained uncharacteristically subdued. She glanced between Kaguya and Kanade, then tilted her head thoughtfully, eventually propping her chin on her hand and zoning out.
Finally, the study session seemed to return to normalcy. Everyone resumed their focus, delving back into their work.
The peaceful atmosphere lasted until Kanade suddenly felt something under the table—a foot brushing against his leg. At first, it nudged his foot lightly, but then it started poking and rubbing against his shin.
"..."
There's no doubt about it. This has Chika Fujiwara written all over it.
Kaguya would never stoop to such antics, especially given her composed nature. Besides, her position at the table didn't align with the source of the mischief. As for Miko Iino, she was sitting directly across from him, diligently listening to music and working on her assignments with a level of focus that ruled her out completely.
That left only one person: Chika. She was pretending to sleep, head down on the table, while using her foot to carry out her prank.
Kanade raised an eyebrow but refrained from confronting her directly. He tried sliding his chair back slightly to move out of her reach. Yet, her foot continued to probe forward, undeterred, maintaining a steady rhythm as it invaded his space.
"..."
Kanade's patience snapped. Enough is enough. Sometimes you just have to fight back.
Seizing the opportunity during one of her foot's movements, Kanade swiftly reached down and grabbed the intruding leg. He held it firmly, showing no intention of letting go.
He didn't bother looking at Chika to gauge her reaction—he already knew she'd put on a mix of embarrassment and guilt, silently begging for forgiveness. Ignoring her, he decided to make her squirm a little longer as a form of punishment.
After completing his current problem set, Kanade finally looked up to check on her. To his surprise, Chika was still slumped over the table, seemingly undisturbed. Her breathing was slow and steady, as though she were genuinely napping.
"..."
Wow. She's got some nerve, Kanade thought. How is she still acting so calm with her leg caught like this? Does she not need to put in any effort to hold it steady?
Despite his confusion, Kanade didn't release her. If Chika wanted to act like nothing had happened, he'd make sure she didn't get away with it so easily.
Smirking, he tightened his grip on his pen, then carefully reached down with his free hand. He slid it under the table, skillfully removed her indoor shoe, and brought the pen's cap to the sole of her foot.
Let's see how you like this, he thought.
He was expecting some sort of reaction—an apology, perhaps, or a plea for mercy. Yet, to his astonishment, Chika remained perfectly still. Instead, a soft, unexpected sound came from the person sitting next to her.
"Mmnh…"
Kanade froze.
What was that?
He slowly raised his head, his eyes narrowing in suspicion as he turned toward the source of the noise. Sitting beside Chika was none other than Miko Iino, her head still lowered over her workbook.
Kanade's mind raced as he glanced between Chika and Miko.
Wait… could it be…?
It dawned on him in that moment that he might have grabbed the wrong leg.