"I'm kind of jealous of you, Rinji."
"Huh? What's there to be jealous of?"
"You don't have to hide your flaws, don't need to wear a mask in life," Miyuki said with a bitter smile. "I absolutely can't show my weakness. I can't afford to."
"…That's not necessarily a bad thing. To achieve your goals, you show your best side to everyone."
Takamine Rinji leaned on the railing, gazing silently at the skyscrapers outside and listening to the sound of distant cars. His thoughts drifted to the past.
"There was a time I wanted to be a normal person too. But a 'mask' isn't something you can just put on when you feel like it. Deep down, I'm still that cruel and ruthless guy. I might wear it for a while, but eventually the truth will come out."
He spoke lightly and tossed the burnt-out cigarette off the balcony.
"And wearing a mask when you look in the mirror… you might not even recognize yourself. That's why I've grown too lazy to bother wearing one just to meet other people's expectations. Besides, I never wore masks to protect myself."
"I see…"
---
The weekend passed quickly, and it was Monday again.
Takamine Rinji stood outside the corridor with his bag, speaking into his phone.
"Hello? Did you find anything... Just as expected. Keep gathering evidence over the next few days, then send everything to my email… No need, if it comes to it, I'll deal with him myself. Alright, thanks again."
After ending the call, he calmly put his phone away, his expression cold as he looked toward the classroom.
"Rinji, good morning."
"Morning… Oh, Ishigami, just the person I wanted to see."
Takamine called him over immediately.
"What's up?"
"The thing you asked me to investigate—Ogino Ko—there's a result now."
"That fast?"
Ishigami was surprised. He thought it'd take at least a month.
Rinji glanced around, then pulled Ishigami aside into a less-traveled spot.
"It's just as you suspected. That guy's a repeat offender," Rinji said. "He's conned four girls already, threatening them with photos to keep quiet. His next target seems to be Kyoko Ootomo, and he's already contacted three different guys."
"..."
"My people are still collecting evidence. In a few days, we'll wrap this up. I'll handle him," Rinji said, patting Ishigami's shoulder. "For now, act like nothing's going on. Don't do anything rash."
Ishigami clenched his fists, his shoulders trembling. His anger had reached a breaking point.
"…Got it."
"Good. You can give him a warning if you want—just to let him know trouble's coming. I'd prefer to avoid resorting to extreme methods."
"I understand. Thanks for everything."
"What are you saying? You're my bro."
Buzz~
"Oh, it's here."
Rinji checked his phone—the person he hired had already sent some of the evidence.
He copied the files to a memory card and handed it to Ishigami.
"Use this as leverage if you try to negotiate."
"Understood."
---
After the morning classes, it was finally break time.
As a member of the student council, Rinji could enjoy lunch in the council office—good environment, and free coffee.
He walked into the office with a red bean bun. Besides the president, two familiar faces were already inside.
Vice President Shinomiya Kaguya, and Secretary Fujiwara Chika.
"Oh my, it's Rinji-kun. Rare to see you here," said Kaguya.
"I come here often when you're not around."
Although he didn't like Kaguya or her "-kun" nickname for him, Rinji still sat down and unwrapped his bun.
[Note: In the raw, Kaguya Address Rinji as "junior". And in Japan, the term for addressing a junoir is "Kouhai". However, Kouhai is not used as a suffix when addressing someone directly unlike the term "senpai". Hence I used Kun]
"What are you eating, Rinji-kun?"
Fujiwara curiously looked at his red bean bun.
"Ehh~ that's so boring."
"A single bun is enough to keep my energy up. When you're just using your brain in class, sugar is what matters most."
He glanced at the two girls.
Fujiwara seemed to have eaten already. As for Kaguya...
Her extravagant bento box was steaming with steak and lobster—everything perfectly balanced and clearly made with premium ingredients.
"As expected from the Shinomiya heiress. Even lunch is ridiculous."
"Hmm? Would you like some, Rinji-kun?" Kaguya asked with a smile.
"I'll pass."
Shirogane suddenly seemed to remember something, grabbed a bag, and walked over.
"Rinji, I promised on Saturday—so I made you a bento this morning."
"Oh! Thanks a lot~"
"No problem. Just used leftover ingredients," Miyuki smiled.
As Rinji took the lunchbox, Kaguya's expression froze.
'What's going on!? The president made Rinji a bento? Why!?'
None of them noticed Kaguya's shocked face. Rinji opened the box, smiled at the still-warm food, and said:
"How about I come to your place again this Saturday? I've got nothing planned."
'AGAIN!? He's already been to the president's house!?! I haven't even gone once!'
Kaguya tried to stay calm while eating, but her chopsticks were grinding audibly under her teeth.
"I don't mind," Miyuki said. "But this time you're not allowed to buy ingredients. You already brought stuff last time. Kei seems to want you to come again too—she even complained about today's bento."
"Then maybe I'll stay over Sunday night. I can cook breakfast too."
'STAY OVER AT THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE!?!?!?!'
If Rinji were a girl, Kaguya might've fainted from the shock. Fortunately, he was a guy—so the worst that could happen was some rivalry…
Wait!!
'That bastard better not have badmouthed me at the president's house!!'
Kaguya's face went through several stages—from shock to denial, calm to panic. Very entertaining.