This year's school festival concluded smoothly, following the usual pattern.
After her performance at the Tokyo Dome, Hoshino Ai had practically become the top idol in Japan's entertainment industry.
Following that, her schedule included a world tour, capitalizing on the hype from her Dome performance to solidify her fame globally.
As a result, Hoshino Ai couldn't attend this year's school festival.
During the festival, Haruto received numerous invitations. With his prior experience, handling them this time was effortless.
Once the festival ended, the exchange student program was set to take effect.
Shizuka reluctantly bid farewell to Haruto.
Ever since they confirmed their relationship, her life had taken on a newfound brightness.
Previously, her after-work routine consisted of stopping by an izakaya for a drink. Now, she eagerly looked forward to spending time with Haruto after work.
Even her bad habit of excessive drinking had improved.
Before parting, Shizuka clung to Haruto, demanding her fair share of affection. The details of what transpired... were best left unsaid.
What's that? You say you're an insider?
Ask yourself—if I wrote down the details, would this book even survive?
-----------------
The Next Morning
Shizuka personally dressed Haruto in his new uniform, carefully buttoning it up.
Even after spending several days together, looking at the handsome young man before her still felt like a dream.
She had actually managed to get such an outstanding boyfriend.
Shuchiin Academy's uniform was a meticulously crafted Western-style outfit.
Before issuing it, the academy even requested Haruto's precise body measurements.
Thus, his uniform was a custom-tailored, high-end piece.
With his naturally striking figure, wearing this uniform made him an absolute heartthrob.
After planting a light kiss on Hiratsuka Shizuka's forehead, Haruto bid farewell to the older black-haired beauty and set off for Shuchiin Academy.
After a short car ride, Haruto arrived at the entrance of Shuchiin Academy.
Unlike Hyakkaou Academy, Shuchiin's entrance did not exhibit excessive extravagance.
Instead, it exuded an understated yet refined elegance.
However, anyone with a discerning eye would notice the meticulous craftsmanship in its design.
Even the threshold was made of rare and expensive wood.
A tree-lined path stretched from the entrance, flanked by carefully cultivated ornamental plants. Though its cost surely rivaled that of Hyakkaou, it emphasized low-key luxury with depth and heritage.
Even just standing at the entrance, one could sense the academy's deep-rooted prestige.
Haruto looked around, clicking his tongue in admiration.
Compared to this, the fact that the Three Great Families could still tolerate Zōbu Academy was nothing short of a miracle.
At that moment, a black Rolls-Royce pulled up to the entrance.
Haruto didn't recognize the model—most likely a custom-built vehicle unavailable on the market.
From the passenger seat, a blonde-haired girl quickly stepped out.
She glanced at Haruto before heading to the back and opening the door.
From the car emerged a black-haired, red-eyed beauty with an icy demeanor.
The next moment, their eyes met.
Instantly, the ice queen's composed aura shattered, and her eyes lit up with undisguised excitement.
The two girls, of course, were Hayasaka Ai and Shinomiya Kaguya.
"Milady, maintain your composure," Hayasaka Ai whispered into Kaguya's ear.
Snapping back to reality, Kaguya instinctively touched her cheek and forcibly activated her mental cooling mechanism, restoring her usual icy façade.
Watching this, Haruto found it amusing.
After all, he could hear Hayasaka Ai's voice perfectly.
Having heightened perception was nice, but sometimes it did take away a bit of the fun.
Shortly after, with Hayasaka Ai accompanying her, Kaguya approached Haruto in small steps.
Upon reaching him, she gave a slight bow.
"Haruto-kun, welcome to Shuchiin Academy as an exchange student. My name is Shinomiya Kaguya, the student council president of Shuchiin. If you encounter any trouble, feel free to come to me. Since this is your first day at Shuchiin, you must be unfamiliar with the academy. How about I be your guide?"
Her words were perfectly delivered, leaving an excellent impression.
Of course, that was assuming Haruto had never interacted with Kaguya before.
However...
Kaguya was already a member of Haruto's foundation, handling affairs related to the Shinomiya Zaibatsu.
Technically speaking, Haruto was actually her superior.
With that context, her words sounded rather odd.
Despite maintaining her composed expression, Kaguya was actually nervous inside.
This was part of Hayasaka Ai's strategy.
To win over Haruto, she first had to separate herself from her role in the foundation. Kaguya found the logic convincing, but she was also worried that Haruto wouldn't play along and might see through her act.
However, Haruto simply smiled.
"Sure, I'll be in your care, President Kaguya."
Since he was here as an exchange student, there wasn't much else to do. Walking around with Kaguya and enjoying the view of a beautiful girl seemed like a nice way to pass the time.
That was Haruto's thought process.
"Eh? Really?!"
Surprised by how smoothly things were going, Kaguya blurted out her excitement. But she quickly realized her slip-up, cleared her throat, and gestured forward.
"Ahem. Haruto-kun, this way, please. I'll introduce you to Shuchiin Academy."
Haruto chuckled lightly and nodded.
His gaze inadvertently shifted toward Hayasaka Ai.
Their eyes met, and they exchanged a brief, silent conversation.
Haruto:"So this was your idea? Your lady is really adorable."
Hayasaka Ai:"Don't bully the young mistress, or I'll 'sa' you!"
Haruto:"Oh no, I'm terrified."
Hayasaka Ai: Rolls her eyes.
After that, she quickly found an excuse to slip away. She had no intention of being a third wheel. As for the young mistress' safety...
There was no safer place in the world than being by Haruto's side.
Kaguya led Haruto on a leisurely stroll around Shuchiin Academy.
This prestigious institution, with its long-standing history, indeed had many remarkable aspects.
Haruto listened with genuine interest.
On the first day as an exchange student, there were no scheduled classes—just time to familiarize himself with the academy.
As Kaguya and Haruto walked through the campus, they inevitably drew countless gazes and whispers from onlookers.
"That's Lady Kaguya! Who's that with her? He's talking so casually with her!"
"I've never seen him before… but he looks so compatible with Lady Kaguya. Could they be… dating!?"
"He must be a transfer student. There were rumors about a member of the Hundred Devouring Families enrolling..."
"Wait, those rumors were real!? And he matches Lady Kaguya so well, it's like they're a perfect couple!"
Snippets of conversation trickled into Kaguya's ears.
Words like "dating" and "compatible" seemed absurd, yet at the same time, she found herself subconsciously agreeing.
Haruto, on the other hand, caught every word clearly, feeling slightly surprised.
Since when was he associated with the Momobami Clan?
But upon thinking it over, it made sense.
News of his victory over Kirari Momobami had stirred the upper circles of Japan.
And coincidentally, after that, the clan began investing heavily in 'Umbrella'-affiliated companies.
Given that Haruto was publicly known as the head of 'Umbrella,' linking him to them was a natural assumption.
Meanwhile, Kaguya subtly leaned closer to Haruto, shortening the distance between them.
This was the second stage of her strategy—establishing casual physical proximity. According to psychology, this was the fastest way to build intimacy. Executing it, however, was another matter entirely...
Just as Kaguya was about to make her move—
"Haruto!"
A loud and energetic voice suddenly rang out.
Already slightly flustered, Kaguya jumped back in shock.
Haruto turned to see a lively pink-haired girl dashing toward him.
Seeing her, Kaguya nearly ground her teeth to dust.
This damn plague upon Earth! Maybe I should just get rid of her!
Haruto, on the other hand, was a bit surprised.
Ah, the secretary.
If there was one scene he remembered best from Kaguya-sama: Love is War, it was Chika's legendary dance.
But...
He was pretty sure he'd never met Fujiwara Chika before.
So why did she look at him as if they were close?
Chika ran up to him, giving him a thorough once-over. Then, with astonishment, she exclaimed—
"Wow, it's a real, live Haruto!"
Haruto: "???"
"Excuse me, but have you seen a dead version of me before?"
Haruto's lips twitched.
Suddenly, he could completely understand why Kaguya considered this pink-haired girl an absolute menace to humanity.