Heartbeats and Illusions

"Miss, have you been slacking off recently?" Hayasaka Ai folded her arms, her sharp gaze focused on Shinomiya Kaguya, who sat on the bed with a faraway look in her eyes.

Normally, Kaguya's demeanor was a perfect blend of elegance and precision, but lately, something was off. Her usual commanding aura had given way to bouts of silence and a wistful expression. To Ai, it was troubling. A lethargic Shinomiya Kaguya was as foreign a concept as an unpolished diamond.

Kaguya tilted her head slightly, blinking. "Eh? Slacking off? I've kept up with my studies…"

"I wasn't talking about your studies, Miss," Ai sighed, shaking her head. "I meant Master Natsukawa."

The name seemed to strike a chord. Kaguya's cheeks flushed faintly, and she averted her eyes. Ai noticed, of course. She always noticed. The evidence was overwhelming—Kaguya hadn't brought up her usual schemes or shared her latest romantic ploys in days. The once relentless chatter about her plans to ensnare Natsukawa Kanade had gone silent. For Ai, it had been a rare and welcome respite, but also a warning sign.

"Hayasaka…" Kaguya's voice wavered, her gaze dropping to her lap. After a long pause, she whispered, "What should I do?"

The floodgates opened, and Kaguya poured out her worries. She recounted recent events, her fears and insecurities tumbling forth in a way that was entirely uncharacteristic of the composed Shinomiya heiress.

"So, you're afraid of being replaced by Isshiki Iroha?" Ai cut to the chase, her tone laced with gentle amusement. She had spent enough time with Kaguya to read her like a book.

Kaguya's silence confirmed her suspicion. Finally, the young heiress nodded, her face a picture of vulnerability. "It's not just that… I'm afraid the president will stop relying on me entirely."

Ai's eyes softened. So, that's what it's about.

"Miss, you're overthinking this. Your position is irreplaceable. Master Natsukawa isn't someone who would abandon you so easily." Ai's words were steady, a rock amidst Kaguya's turbulent thoughts.

The old Kaguya would never have doubted herself. Back then, she was the epitome of strategic brilliance, calculating every move with an unshakeable confidence. But now, love had transformed her into a girl lost in a maze of emotions, fretting over trivial matters that her former self would have dismissed without a second thought.

"If you're that worried, why not just ask Master Natsukawa directly?" Ai suggested, holding up her phone. "You could send him a message."

The idea was enough to make Kaguya panic. Her hands shot up, waving frantically. "No! Absolutely not! What if he misunderstands and thinks I… I like him?"

Ai raised an eyebrow. "But you do like him, Miss."

"That's… that's irrelevant!" Kaguya stammered, her face glowing red. She clutched a nearby pillow, burying her face in it. "If I admit it, it's like I've already lost!"

"Lost?" Ai sighed, exasperated. "Miss, this isn't some chess match. If you don't act, Master Natsukawa really might leave you behind."

Kaguya froze. Ai leaned in, her tone turning playful yet pointed. "Imagine it—he could be hugging another girl, laughing with her, while you're left crying in your room, wishing you'd done something."

"!!!" The thought hit Kaguya like a thunderbolt. She shot upright, her hands gripping the bedspread. "I know, I know! But… but I just can't do it…"

Expressing her feelings first? That was a hurdle too high for the proud Shinomiya Kaguya.

Ai shook her head. As expected, Miss Kaguya is still her own worst enemy.

"Then why not start with Isshiki Iroha? Use some light intimidation or maybe a bit of bribery to keep her in check." Ai's tone was nonchalant, as if coercion was just another tool in Kaguya's arsenal.

"Of course not!" Kaguya's response was swift and firm. "The president entrusted me with taking care of her. I can't betray his trust like that."

"Fine, then hint to her that she should keep her distance. Or better yet, talk to her about your feelings. Maybe she'll understand."

Kaguya shook her head vehemently. "What if she tells the president? I can't trust someone I've only just met with something so important. I haven't even told Fujiwara…"

Ai sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. She was running out of ideas, and Kaguya's refusal to budge made the task all the more frustrating. "How about I contact Master Natsukawa myself? I can try to gauge the situation."

Though Kaguya didn't respond immediately, Ai could see the hesitation in her eyes.

It's always the same with her, Ai thought, a wry smile tugging at her lips. So stubborn, yet so hopelessly in love.

Still, Ai couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration toward Natsukawa Kanade. Why did he introduce Isshiki Iroha into their circle in the first place? It seemed unnecessary, almost impulsive.

What are you really thinking, Master Natsukawa? Ai wondered, her mind racing. Whatever it is, you've certainly stirred things up.

But in terms of ability alone, my eldest daughter is definitely better. Even when it comes to appearance, Isshiki Iroha is no match for Miss Fujiwara, and the student council certainly doesn't need more than one ornamental "vase." Hayasaka Ai's thoughts spun endlessly, her sharp mind analyzing every angle.

Still, no matter how much she turned the matter over, the motives behind Natsukawa Kanade's actions remained an enigma. He wasn't the type to act on a whim. From the moment he'd approached Kaguya, it was clear that he was a man with a plan—each move deliberate, each step calculated. This sudden inclusion of Isshiki Iroha felt too out of character, too impulsive to align with the Kanade she thought she knew.

Could it really be impulsive? No, that's impossible.

Hayasaka frowned, her mind wandering back to when Kanade first began interacting with Kaguya. His precision and decisiveness had been unmistakable, qualities that left no room for aimless actions. Everything he did served a purpose. The notion that Isshiki's involvement was a thoughtless move simply didn't add up.

Unless…

Could he have deliberately introduced Isshiki as a way to create an "external crisis" for Kaguya, forcing her to act? If his true objective was to push Kaguya into a corner, it would make perfect sense. But that begged the question—was Kaguya his ultimate goal? Or had she miscalculated his intentions all along?

Hayasaka's frown deepened, her thoughts hitting an impenetrable wall. No matter how she dissected the situation, no clear answer emerged. It was frustrating, like trying to solve a puzzle with pieces missing.

Maybe I've misjudged him… but then what happened that day?

Her fingers tightened into a fist, the memory lingering vividly in her mind.

Shaking her head, Hayasaka finally sighed. "I guess there's no use overthinking it. If it comes to that, I'll just have to take the risk and contact Master Natsukawa myself."

"It seems that's our only option…" Kaguya murmured, her voice reluctant yet resigned. Her crimson eyes darted to Hayasaka, hesitant. She hated the idea of involving her in this again, especially after what had happened last time.

The memory of that incident made Kaguya's cheeks burn slightly. Whatever Hayasaka and Kanade had discussed during their private conversation, the aftermath had been… odd. Kanade had behaved strangely for days, and Hayasaka, usually unshakable, had taken several days off—an unprecedented move for someone as diligent as her.

Could Hayasaka have confessed to him and been rejected?

The idea took root in Kaguya's mind, and despite herself, she found it plausible. Kanade was undeniably exceptional, after all. Even Hayasaka, exposed to Kaguya's daily musings about him, might have developed feelings of her own.

But no—Kaguya quickly dismissed the thought. She trusted Hayasaka implicitly. If anything, a more reasonable explanation presented itself: in her attempt to coax Kanade into revealing his thoughts, Hayasaka might have inadvertently expressed something that Kanade misconstrued as affection. If he had misunderstood, perhaps he had turned her down gently—too gently, in fact, leaving both parties in an awkward haze.

Kaguya's imagination ran wild. Yes, that must be it. Kanade is far too kindhearted to reject someone outright without feeling guilty. That's why he seemed so moody afterward. As for Hayasaka, she must have felt humiliated and took some time off to recover.

Satisfied with her mental gymnastics, Kaguya nodded firmly to herself. "Yes, that must be it," she muttered under her breath.

The thought buoyed her spirits slightly. After all, it confirmed something important: Kanade wasn't the type to form attachments with just anyone. His treatment of other girls—be it Isshiki or Hayasaka—was merely an extension of his sense of duty.

When it comes down to it, I'm still the one he truly cares about.

Kaguya's expression softened, her heart lifting with a tentative sense of hope. Even as doubt gnawed at her, she clung to the belief that Natsukawa Kanade's feelings toward her were genuine and irreplaceable.