Chapter 3: This station is a trap-

Miyuki’s relentless clinging to my leg wore me down.

I agreed to a week-long trial in the student council, thinking he’d leave me alone if I refused afterward.

The moment I gave in, did his face turn sly for a second? Must be my imagination.

He wouldn’t pull anything weird… right?

Miyuki said the student council room is quiet, stocked with snacks, so I could just read books there. I agreed to do that for a week.

The first two days were exactly like that. Cozy, even.

The other members, besides Miyuki, treated me well, so it wasn’t uncomfortable.

While I was reading, two girls walked in.

“Oh, you’re already here.”

Shinomiya Kaguya, the vice president, greeted me as she entered.

The eldest daughter of the Shinomiya Group, worth 200 trillion yen, she’s second in academics at Shuchiin, excelling in arts, music, and martial arts—a genius.

She’s also widely regarded as the school’s top beauty.

A girl with a laundry list of daunting titles. Miyuki’s got some nerve managing someone like her.

When I saw her in first year, she was an ice princess. But up close, she’s kinder than expected.

Lately, I’ve caught her and Miyuki sneaking glances at each other. Something’s up.

Following Kaguya was a pink-haired girl with a black ribbon, who greeted me cheerfully.

“Hey, Suzuki-kun! Hi~”

Fujiwara Chika, the student council secretary.

Daughter of a prominent politician, now in my class, 2-B. Her bright, sociable vibe is obvious.

From what I hear, half the guys in class call her cute or want to date her—she’s pretty popular.

I’m only here for a week, so I’m not planning to get too close. Still, I should be polite while I’m here.

“Hey.”

I gave a quick nod and dove back into my book.

A few minutes later, Kaguya spoke up.

“I’m brewing tea. Would you like some, Suzuki-san?”

“No, I’m good. You don’t have to bother.”

I didn’t want to owe anyone anything.

Accepting stuff like this makes leaving awkward later.

“No need to feel burdened. I enjoy doing it.”

“Right, Kaguya-san’s tea is amazing! You could brag about it anywhere!”

“Fujiwara-san, don’t oversell it. Hehe.”

It felt ruder to refuse at this point. Guess I had no choice.

“Alright then…”

Kaguya smiled and went to a drawer to prepare the tea.

She asked what I liked, but I don’t know much about tea. I just asked for something standard.

“Here you go. It’s Darjeeling, top quality. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

“Thanks.”

I took a sip without expecting much—and was surprised.

“This is… really good.”

Smooth, sweet, with a subtle aroma. Impressive.

“Really?”

Kaguya smiled, surprised by my praise.

Not to be outdone, Fujiwara brought coffee soon after. Also impressive.

A perfect blend of sweet and bitter.

They could open a café at the school festival and make a killing.

“Coffee’s boring alone, so have some snacks!”

“Thanks.”

They kept offering things at just the right moment, so I kept accepting.

And honestly, it was genuinely tasty.

About an hour before school ended, as I was deep in my book, Miyuki spoke cautiously.

“Hotaro, we’re swamped. Could you help sort some documents?”

“Hmm.”

“It’ll take about an hour. No pressure if you don’t want to.”

I glanced at the pile. A ton of papers.

This is exactly why I avoided the student council—too much work. My energy-saving creed screamed to say no, but…

“Fine, I’ll do it.”

I’d been treated to good stuff today, so I was in a decent mood. Plus, it’s only fair to give back.

Miyuki’s been looking rough lately, with darker circles under his eyes. I felt a bit bad for him.

“Thanks.”

He nodded simply and got back to work.

I grabbed the papers, sat on the couch, and started sorting.

It took a bit to get the hang of it, but I figured it out quickly.

‘Who the h*ll submits this stuff…’

Among the papers were anonymous suggestion box entries.

“How do I get closer to Kaguya-sama?” “Install a gaming PC booth at school.”

So much pointless stuff. No wonder the council’s always busy.

I tossed out the obvious junk, sorted the important stuff, and finished in about 30 minutes.

“Hey, Miyuki. I’m heading out. Sorting’s done, so check it.”

“Already? Let’s see—”

He flipped through the papers, his tired eyes widening.

“Not a single mistake. Good call trusting you. Thanks.”

“Yeah, finish up your stuff.”

I packed my bag and left Miyuki to his work.

Honestly, it wasn’t bad. Less stressful than I expected.

Yeah, I had no idea things would turn out like this…

The next day, and the day after, were similar.

“Today’s Earl Grey. How is it?”

“It’s impressive.”

“Hehe, glad you think so.”

Drinking tea and coffee from Shinomiya and Fujiwara—

“Ugh, Hotaro. Could you help with this for a sec?”

“Let me see.”

“Suzuki-san, we’re short-handed. Could you…?”

“What do you need?”

They looked swamped, so I helped out.

It felt so natural that before I knew it…

“Hotaro—”

“Suzuki-san?”

“Suzuki-kun~”

They were calling me like I was already part of the team.

That’s when it hit me.

‘D*mn it, I’ve been had!’

I’d been slowly trapped in a quicksand pit.

“Come hang out, you don’t have to do anything~” they said, then softened me up with tasty snacks and tea, slipping in tasks until I was basically a member.

Miyuki’s behind this, no doubt.

What a cunning, terrifying bunch.

If I let this drag on, I’d never escape.

Miyuki knows me too well—he’d catch me trying to slip away.

Leaving without a word felt wrong, so I needed a proper goodbye.

Kaguya was alone in the room—perfect timing to bail. I’d talk to Fujiwara tomorrow since we’re in the same class.

I cleared my throat and spoke.

“Hey, Shinomiya…?”

“Yes, Suzuki-san?”

She responded politely. Time to lay the groundwork.

“Thanks for the past week.”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

She tilted her head, confused.

“The tea was great, and you’ve been kind. I appreciate it.”

“…”

“I’ve got personal reasons, so I can’t keep doing the council. It’s a shame, but…”

“…sniff.”

I couldn’t finish.

Kaguya’s eyes started welling up.

‘Huh?’

My brain froze. I made a girl cry? Never even imagined it.

What’s happening? What did I do?

“…sob, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know the tea wasn’t to your taste, and I kept pushing it…”

“No, the tea was great—”

“Please don’t lie to spare my feelings… You must’ve been uncomfortable with all the tasks we asked you to do… sob, I’m so sorry…”

“That’s not it…”

I felt like human garbage, panicking, when someone burst in.

“Oh no! Kaguya-san? Why are you crying?!”

Fujiwara, of all people.

This is a nightmare. One disaster after another.

“sob, I did something terrible to Suzuki-san… He doesn’t want to stay in the council… sob…”

“What? No way…”

Fujiwara looked between me and Kaguya, then—

“Waaah!”

She started crying too, clinging to me.

“Don’t go, Suzuki-kun! It’s my fault… I’ll make better coffee…! Waaah…!”

“sob, I’m so sorry… sob…”

In one day, I made two girls cry—a grand achievement.

‘…I want to die.’

I stood there, brain completely shut down.

My memory’s hazy after that. I think I signed something…

Goodbye, my energy-saving days.

[It worked.

• Shinomiya Kaguya]

“Exactly as planned.”

Alone in the classroom, the boy checked the text.

‘Good job, thanks,’ he replied, smirking slyly.

His name was Shirogane Miyuki.

The mastermind behind it all.

The story goes back a week.

Miyuki called Kaguya to a private meeting.

Her heart raced, being summoned by someone she’d been interested in lately.

Miyuki got straight to the point.

“Shinomiya, I need your help.”

“Me? Really?”

“Yes, it has to be you.”

His direct words made Kaguya’s face flush.

Calming her pounding heart, she asked.

“What’s the favor?”

“There’s someone I want to get into the student council—”

He explained: a friend from middle school he wanted to recruit, but who kept refusing because he hates tedious work.

He’s capable, responsible once he starts something, and would be a great fit.

With only three people handling a six-person council’s workload, Kaguya welcomed the idea of another member.

If the president, whom she trusted completely, was this eager to recruit someone, they must be exceptional.

“If I can help, I’ll do everything I can. Do you have a plan?”

They schemed to trap him in a situation he couldn’t escape.

The biggest issue? Fujiwara.

“Hmm, should we ask Fujiwara for help?”

“Do you think you can control her, President?”

“…Fair point.”

They’d had disagreements before, but on Fujiwara, they agreed perfectly.

She’s like a dodgeball—unpredictable. They just hoped she wouldn’t interfere.

Miyuki set the broad plan, Kaguya handled the details, and it worked flawlessly.

Ironically, Fujiwara ended up being a big help.

As the plan unfolded perfectly, Miyuki grinned.

But his smile didn’t last.

“Huh? Shinomiya?”

His phone buzzed with a new text.

[Yo.

• Hotaro]

A chill ran down his spine.

The eerie vibe carried through the text.

Ten seconds later, another message sealed it.

[Come to the rooftop.

• Hotaro]

“…”

Miyuki quietly closed his phone.

“…Heh.”

He smirked, glanced at the sky, then sent another text.

[Dinner might be late tonight.
Or I might not make it…
To: Dad, Kei]

Staring at the darkening sky, Miyuki thought.

‘He wouldn’t actually kill me… right?’

The stars seemed especially beautiful tonight.