"...How much do you hate the Shinomiya family?"
"There are three types of people I hate most in this world. First, the bastards from the U.S. CIA. Second, the pirates from Somalia. Third, your Shinomiya family." Takamine Rinji said. "Every time someone tried to trip me up, it was one of those three. Your family was the first to mess with me."
"So I'm a thorn in your side now?"
"I don't like people from your family, but you don't get involved in their decisions. So at most, I just find you annoying. But if it were your father or those two brothers of yours, I'd probably have already taken action."
"I guess I should count myself lucky then."
"People out there already know what kind of reputation your Shinomiya family has. When it comes to scheming, you guys are definitely better than me. But when it comes to being ruthless? You're no match."
"So that's why you did all those cruel things four years ago?"
"If you think a few people dying is the worst that could happen, you're in for a ride. What happened four years ago was just the beginning," Takamine sneered. "It pisses me off just seeing your family members walking around like nothing happened."
"We haven't exactly had it easy either. After what happened four years ago, the main family's side has been in chaos."
"...But the subsidiaries I targeted didn't really hurt your family wealth, right? Don't tell me your main family actually cared about those dead underlings. That'd be more ridiculous than a cat crying over a mouse."
"It happened during the two months you left Japan."
Kaguya spoke calmly.
"Takamine Rinji, who are you really?"
"Didn't Hayasaka already tell you?"
"Just one month after you left Japan, the main family got word that all the Shinomiya Group's industries in Southeast Asia suffered varying degrees of losses. Forty companies were shut down, executives mysteriously resigned, publicly traded shares were dumped maliciously, and there was a wave of negative press. This caused a huge drop in the group's stock price."
She looked him in the eye with her crimson gaze.
"This is said to be the Shinomiya Group's biggest loss aside from the Asian financial crisis. The ones behind it were reportedly the IW Southeast Asia branch... You had something to do with that, didn't you?"
Leaning back into the sofa, Takamine replied meaningfully:
"Back then, because of the Plaza Accord, the cost of domestic manufacturing in Japan skyrocketed. Your Shinomiya family rode the real estate boom while cutting costs by moving manufacturing to Southeast Asia—mainly Thailand. That's how your conglomerate stayed afloat when the bubble burst... But moving all your factories overseas means if someone wants to target your manufacturing sector, you can't protect it. You might strut around in Japan, but outside? You're nothing."
"...So it really was you? If you were only a second lieutenant in IW's Middle East operations, like your file says, there's no way you could have mobilized that level of force," Kaguya frowned. "And none of your personal or family information can be found."
"What I can tell you for sure is that it really wasn't me. I only found out after I left Japan," Takamine said. "Also, don't try to investigate my identity. Even your main family couldn't dig it up."
"...Alright. I won't speculate any further," Kaguya sighed.
"Good. Let's just get along for these high school years. We can deal with everything else later."
"I suppose that's for the best."
Takamine nodded and checked his phone.
It was still early in the lunch break, with plenty of time before afternoon classes.
"Since President Shirogane isn't here, I'll come back to the student council later."
He got up and walked toward the door.
Just as he opened it, he found Shirogane Miyuki standing right there, about to come in.
"Huh? You're that transfer student from yesterday, right?"
Shirogane still remembered him clearly—one of the few international students, and the guy who got into a shouting match with Kaguya on his first day.
"Wait a second..."
The only one in the office now was Kaguya, and Takamine just so happened to be here too. With clear hostility between them, could it be that he—
Wham!
Shirogane grabbed Takamine's shoulders tightly.
"Takamine... please don't do anything rash!"
"...???"
Kaguya smiled elegantly. "President, Takamine-Kouhai wasn't here to hurt me. He just had something to discuss with you."
"Eh? Really?"
"Also, could you not call me 'Kouhai'? It's weird."
Takamine looked at Shirogane.
"So here's the thing, President Shirogane. I came here today to talk about something with you."
"I see, you gave me a scare."
Shirogane clearly let out a sigh of relief, walking over to sit in his president's chair.
"How can I help you, Takamine?"
"I'd like to join the student council."
"Huh?"
"You've still got openings for treasurer and auditor, right? I think I'm qualified for the treasurer job. I've had experience handling order data before."
"I see..."
Shirogane thought for a moment, unsure what to do.
Although he technically had the authority to appoint members, it wasn't something done lightly. A thorough evaluation was necessary.
"If you're unsure, President, you can give me a set of data. I'll organize and process it by tomorrow."
"...Alright, Takamine. Come by the student council office after school. There's a school club funding report that needs to be sorted. Try that first."
"No problem. But why after school? Lunch break should be long enough, right?"
"Well... there's a pretty annoying meeting I have to attend," Shirogane scratched his head. "I've got to meet with the Club Union representatives."
"The Club Union... oh, the 'Shuchiin VIPs,' huh?"
"Wait—you already know about them?"
"A friend told me... How about this, I'll go with you to the Club Union meeting."