Chapter 46

After school, as I was walking towards Pivoine's salon, I saw Mihari and Ensho walking ahead, surrounded by a group of girls chattering around them.

In the past, Mihari would have completely ignored such girls, but he was at least responding to them now, albeit rather casually.

He really has grown up, hasn't he?

However, in the manga, he was portrayed as a strong-willed person, more forceful than arrogant. I wonder how close he can get to the emperor in the manga in the next three years.

When the two of them reached the salon, they went straight into the room.

Since the salon is generally off-limits to students who are not members, the girls could only follow them up to the door.

They lingered in front of the door for a while, looking reluctant to leave, but eventually gave up and started to head back down the corridor. That's when they noticed me walking behind them.

I'm not close to them, so I tried to pass by and enter the salon.

Oh, I was glared at.

One of the girls glared at me as I passed by.

I was surprised.

To be honest, I didn't think any girl would glare at me, a member of Pivoine, so openly.

Pivoine is a privileged class within the academy, so few people openly challenge us. At most, it would be the student council members.

We haven't gotten along well with their group before, but are they finally declaring war?

Hmm. I don't want to be friendly with those flashy types, but I don't like trouble either.

While sipping tea in the salon and absentmindedly thinking about what just happened, Aira and Yurie spoke to me.

"Your performance on the last test was excellent, Reika. Congratulations."

"Reika, you seem to be working hard in the English class too."

Wow, both the princess and the knight are here. So dazzling!

"Thank you. But it was just a fluke."

I'm fortunate to be on good terms with Aira, but unfortunately, I'm not as close to Yurie as I am to Aira.

That's all because of him, who is always around...

"Yurie"

Gah! Here he comes.

Sure enough, Mihari quickly followed Yurie, and Ensho came along too.

I really want to get closer to Yurie, whom I admire, but I can never approach her because Mihari is always nearby.

Even now, I was just talking to Yurie!

Aira, who somehow sensed that I find Mihari difficult to deal with, looked at me with a worried expression.

I feel bad for worrying Aria.

I should respond in a way that doesn't cause any trouble...

"Speaking of which, I remember. Reika, you were attacked by a deer during the school trip, right? I was shocked when I saw the photos. It must have been scary, right?"

...Yurie, why are you bringing that up now?

The guy next to you is trying hard not to laugh.

"Um, yes. But I wasn't injured, so it's fine."

How long is he going to keep laughing?

I'm so frustrated. I want to get back at him!

"By the way, I heard from a friend that the Emperor's name is famous even at Yurigakuen."

Mihari's face changed.

Haha, got you.

"Oh dear. It seems there's no way to put out the fire, Masaya."

Yurie laughed.

"...It's fine. I've given up."

Mihari sighed.

Hmm?

"It wasn't my idea to call myself the Emperor. Being called Napoleon is worse, so this is better..."

He said this with a look of exasperation.

"True. If someone called you Napoleon in the street, it would be embarrassing. But being called the Emperor in the street is also tough. I might pretend not to know you and move away from you, Masaya."

"Shusuke, you..."

Despite Mihari's glare, Ensho laughed and said, "Ahaha."

"Masaya, we don't know how long you'll be called the Emperor. At least you're not called 'Deer Girl' like Kichijouji. That's better, right?"

That's not comforting at all.

You're not even trying to comfort him. Your eyes are laughing.

What's with 'Deer Girl'? It's worse than pigtails. If I were called that, I'd cry.

"Maybe I'll give you a weird nickname someday."

Mihari said this out of frustration.

That won't hurt me at all, Mihari.

Ensho is still laughing.

Ah, but I want to find Ensho's weakness too.

I want to rub salt in his wound.

It's not fair for only him to be so calm.

What's with 'Deer Girl'?

While I was seething with these thoughts, Mihari and I made eye contact.

After staring at me for a while, Mihari shook his head slightly.

Hmm? What was that?

Why is he looking at me like I'm a pity case?

Just so you know, in terms of being a pity case, we're on the same level right now!

"By the way, I heard that Okishima-senpai and the student council president were arguing again."

"Oh, what about this time?"

"I don't know. They argue all the time."

I was relieved that the topic had moved away from the deer, but more importantly,

"Is the relationship between Pivoine and the student council that bad?"

Okishima-senpai is the current president of Pivoine.

If he and the student council president often argue, it must be quite serious.

"No, not really. Of course, they're not on good terms, but those two are special. They've had a personal grudge since the past. Since they became the president of Pivoine and the student council, they've had more conflicts in this generation. The relationship between Pivoine and the student council depends on whether the current student council is moderate or authoritarian."

Hmm.

I haven't heard of the middle school student council having conflicts with Pivoine, so I haven't been too concerned.

Is the high school student council this year more aggressive? That's tough.

"But the current student council president is working hard for the academy and isn't a bad person. If you just live a normal life, you won't have any problems. I met him by chance in the music room the other day, and he opened the door and let me pass. Just because the presidents don't get along doesn't mean we have to fight too."

Is that because you're the beautiful Yurie?

The eyebrows of the guy next to you twitched, didn't they?

"If Okishima-senpai heard that, she'd be upset."

Hmm?

Could it be that Okishima-senpai has feelings for Yurie?!

Oh, the guy's mouth is completely in a frown.

But the student council, huh? I wonder what kind of people they are.

I'm a bit curious now.

And why am I getting along with Mihari so easily...