Chapter 4: Prince Ryuguin II
◇◇◇
This was a scene unfolding after school. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the break room where two students were engaged in conversation.
“Isn’t it Ryuguin? He should at least be the one serving tea! I mean, he’s part of the Cultural Festival committee, yet he’s done nothing!”
The boy in uniform exclaimed. His name was Motegi Takuya.
“Ah, he left earlier saying he had other work to do…”
A girl from the same class replied. Her name was Itsuki Saki.
She was the type of student who wore her uniform neatly. However, her polished appearance was far from dull; it added to her beauty, giving her an air of cleanliness.
“What work could he possibly have? He’s always disappearing when we’re busy with the preparations for the festival! I thought he might have gone home, but he shows up just as we’re finishing up, acting like he’s been working hard too! Damn it!!”
“Come on, stop using such foul language.”
Saki admonished Takuya gently.
“But it’s true! It’s strange how he always seems to be somewhere in the school.”
Perhaps wanting to vent his frustrations, Takuya leaned closer to Saki.
“Keep this between us, okay?”
“What is it? I love gossip.”
Saki’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“That guy is just cowardly.”
“Cowardly?”
“Yeah, cowardly. He always makes sure to give words of appreciation… but only to certain people.”
Saki listened quietly.
“Just hearing him say ‘Thank you for your hard work,’ ‘I appreciate it,’ ‘Let’s do our best,’ or ‘Don’t push yourself too hard’ makes the girls blush and fall for him. It’s utterly ridiculous!”
Takuya continued, his voice rising.
“Seriously, he’s got the looks to back it up!”
Unable to contain herself, Saki burst into laughter.
“That’s just jealousy, you know? Jealousy doesn’t look good on you.”
She mimicked a snicker, teasing Takuya.
“This isn’t jealousy!!”
However, Takuya’s indignation fell flat as he raised his voice.
“Hey! What if someone hears you? Lower your volume!”
“Oh, right… sorry.”
“In the end, even if you say it’s not jealousy, it doesn’t matter.”
“Why not?”
“It’s about how others perceive it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, no matter what you say, if others think your words are just jealousy towards Ryuguin, then it becomes jealousy.”
Saki looked down, a hint of sadness in her expression.
“So, aside from what others think, what do you really think about it?”
Saki had also been chosen to be part of the Cultural Festival committee alongside Ryuguin.
“Oh, you’re asking me?”
“Why not? It’s not a big deal.”
“You really are naive.”
“Why’s that?”
“If you say something like that in our class, the girls who admire him will turn their attention to you. Just so you know, most of the girls in our class are his fans.”
“I know that… but still.”
“But still, what?”
“You’re different, right?”
“Why do you think that?”
“Most girls go wild over his every move, but you don’t seem to care about Ryuguin at all.”
Takuya answered, somewhat hesitantly. Saki raised a finger.
“I have two things to say. First, stop calling me ‘you.'”
“Then what should I call you?”
“My name is Itsuki Saki. Normally, you’d call me ‘Itsuki-san,’ wouldn’t you?”
“Oh, then I’ll just call you ‘Itsuki.'”
“That’s fine. I’ll call you ‘Motegi-kun.'”
“Got it,” Takuya nodded.
“Now, for the second thing.”
Saki raised a second finger.
“I don’t like idiots.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Isn’t that a bit arrogant?”
“No,” she shook her head.
“There are two types of idiots.”
“Two types?”
“Yes,” she nodded, “cute idiots and hopeless idiots.”
“Really?”
“Motegi-kun, you’re a cute idiot.”
“Ha!” Takuya laughed, “So I’m an idiot too!!” He clapped his hands in amusement.
“Well, yes. Bringing up this topic with me, a girl, is pretty foolish. But I don’t dislike you as a person.”
“That doesn’t make me happy,” Takuya turned his face away.
“And Ryuguin-kun is a hopeless idiot.”
“Why’s that?”
“In the end, he thinks everything revolves around him—”
But then Saki corrected herself, “No, that’s not right.”
“He believes everything is under his control.”
Takuya listened in silence.
“You can see that he thinks he can achieve success without lifting a finger, as long as he can manipulate others to do the work for him.”
Saki stated firmly.
“You must have noticed, right?”
Takuya, having spent time as classmates, could only agree. Every instance she mentioned rang true—every single one.
“Even with his words of appreciation, as long as he doesn’t suffer any consequences, those words are cheap.”
“Because they’re free,” Saki added with a snort.
“With just a few words, everyone—especially the girls—will happily jump to help him.”
“That’s—”
Takuya hesitated, wanting to question if he truly thought that deeply about it, but Saki cut him off.
“He knows what he’s doing.”
She wore a faint smile, as if to say she knew exactly what she was talking about.
◇◇◇
Motegi Takuya was captivated by her expression. He desperately wanted to get closer to her. This moment—though it was a coincidence that they were opening up to each other—felt like a chance he couldn’t afford to miss. Of course, that was just an illusion, but he lacked the experience to realize it. So, he asked.
“Uh, um… Itsuki, do you have someone you like?”
“Where’s that coming from?”
“Just making small talk.”
“Hmm.”
“So, I’m not asking for any big reason, so if you don’t want to say, you don’t have to.”
“I do.”
“What?”
“I said I do.”
“Wait, who? Who do you like?”
“Is it weird for me to have someone I like?”
“No, that’s not it… I mean, in this class? Who’s your crush?”
“…He’s in a different class.”
“Who? Who is it?”
“Why are you so eager?”
“Because… but more importantly, just tell me who you like! I promise I won’t tell anyone, and if anything happens, I’ll help you out, so please tell me!”
“You’re so persistent… But Motegi-kun, you’ll really help me if something happens, right? Then I guess it’s okay to tell you.”
Motegi Takuya waited for her answer.
“My crush is—”
─────────
You might be wondering what you’re being shown, but please bear with me for just a moment. Itsuki Saki is positioned outside the social caste of the class, a refined beauty who is popular among the boys.