1 -1- Love is War

"Liking someone, then confessing, the two becoming a couple, and everyone thinking it's a wonderful thing."

"But..."

In reality, this is a big mistake. Within a romantic relationship, there's a clear power dynamic—exploitation and being exploited, giving and receiving, winners and losers. If you want to live nobly, you absolutely can't be the loser. Love is a battlefield!

Confessing first means losing. Shirogane Miyuki's pile of twisted reasoning is just to mask his own cowardice, but Kirisu Kazuto can't find a reason to counter that.

His name is Kirisu Kazuto. He just turned 17 and is currently a second-year student at Shuchi'in Academy. His soul was reborn from a distant place.

"So, should I or shouldn't I wear clothes for the weekend movie with Shinomiya Kaguya?"

"Miyuki, be careful, the police's gonna arrest you..."

A sarcastic comment slipped out unintentionally. People in love experience a drop in their IQ. Kirisu Kazuto had only heard that "girls' IQ drops to zero when in love" before, but it seems boys in their first love are similar.

He couldn't help but worry about his friend's romantic situation. This is still the phase of unrequited love. He hasn't achieved anything with Shinomiya Kaguya yet. The road ahead is rough.

Speaking of which, what Shirogane Miyuki told him about this matter goes back to yesterday. Yesterday evening at the student council, President Shirogane Miyuki and Vice-President Shinomiya Kaguya had an incident that eventually led to them watching a movie together on the weekend.

A date?

No, no, no, impossible. Such a thing can't happen. If his friend had the courage, he would have already won over the love target of many males in Shuchi'in Academy and started dating Shinomiya Kaguya.

Kirisu Kazuto fell silent for a moment. His friend is probably asking him what he should wear that day.

After a while, Kirisu Kazuto responded, "Dress up handsomely. The outfit you wore when we went to the mall last time should work. But change your shoes to white ones."

Before he could finish his sentence, Shirogane Miyuki interrupted him and asked eagerly, "And then, what should I do during the movie?"

He's supposed to be the top guy at Shuchi'in Academy. He's already panicking even though the battle hasn't begun. Being seen like this would damage the image of the student council president.

But since Shirogane Miyuki asked, Kirisu Kazuto couldn't help but assist. He's currently acting as a strategic advisor for his friend. After all, they've known each other since the beginning of high school and have similar backgrounds. They've already become friends who can exchange dirty secrets, even though Kirisu Kazuto is the only one who knows that Shirogane Miyuki likes Shinomiya Kaguya.

"What to do..." Kirisu Kazuto pondered for a moment. He may not have had a girlfriend in his previous life or this one, but he's well-versed in novels and manga. This kind of situation has been covered before. His confidence surged, and he patted his chest, speaking like a veteran, "Miyuki, you've asked the right person. The key to a movie date is the atmosphere."

"What atmosphere?"

"Of course, it's the atmosphere of the movie. If you create the right atmosphere, the girl's heart might start pounding. It might even make Shinomiya Kaguya confess to you."

Hearing Kirisu Kazuto's explanation, Shirogane Miyuki's eyes brightened. He's quite knowledgeable, and his advice carries weight.

Furthermore, his reasoning is sound. A single word can awaken great wisdom. Shirogane Miyuki couldn't help but get excited and asked, "So, what should I do specifically?"

Creating an atmosphere definitely involves flowers, but Shirogane Miyuki and Shinomiya Kaguya are just going to the movies. They haven't reached that stage yet.

"Be a gentleman," Kirisu Kazuto raised a finger with seriousness.

Shirogane Miyuki frowned. He didn't fully understand, so he asked, "Are you saying I shouldn't let Kaguya pay for anything at the theater?"

"No." Kirisu Kazuto looked at Shirogane Miyuki and saw that he still didn't get it. He explained, "The Shinomiya family isn't lacking in money. Doing that wouldn't have any meaning. Also, being a gentleman isn't just about who pays."

Seeing Shirogane Miyuki's continued confusion, Kirisu Kazuto continued, "Instead of saying 'gentleman,' it's more about acting gentlemanly. Like handing her a napkin when she needs it during a meal, or offering her your coat when the weather gets cold."

Shirogane Miyuki nodded, finally grasping the concept after Kirisu Kazuto gave examples.

Fujiwara Chika's love antennae picked up the scent of romance on her way down the hallway. She spotted the president and Kirisu Kazuto and approached with a suppressed smile, "President, Kazuto-san, what are you talking about?"

She is the student council secretary, a member of the tabletop gaming club, and shares the same class with both of them. As the daughter of a diplomat, she excels in social interactions.

"You and your love brain," Kirisu Kazuto tapped her forehead. She appeared like a ghost out of nowhere, but he wasn't angry. "I was just discussing our last trip to the mall with Miyuki."

He wasn't lying. He indeed brought it up earlier. The discussion about Shirogane Miyuki's movie arrangement with him shouldn't reach Fujiwara Chika's ears. Otherwise, within five minutes, she'd probably have gone off to tell Shinomiya Kaguya.

Just like his relationship with Shirogane Miyuki, Fujiwara Chika and Shinomiya Kaguya were also close friends who could spend the night at each other's house.

Having her forehead tapped, Fujiwara Chika didn't mind. She just felt that without her, the topic of love probably wouldn't be so interesting. "Hey, I thought you guys were discussing love topics without me."

Making sure Fujiwara Chika hadn't overheard their previous conversation, Shirogane Miyuki sighed in relief. He had been nervous when she appeared.

And this person isn't good at keeping secrets. Continuing from where Kirisu Kazuto left off, he said, "It's almost time for class, Secretary Fujiwara. As members of the student council, we should go to the classroom early and get things ready for the next class. That way, we can set a good example for other students."

Stating his words firmly, even though Fujiwara Chika was present, Kirisu Kazuto refrained from making any sarcastic comments. This friend of his is good in many ways, but he tends to overact sometimes.

Today is Saturday, half a day of classes. Tomorrow is Sunday, the day Shirogane Miyuki and Shinomiya Kaguya are going to the movies.

Without discussing love-related topics and having been chided by the president, Fujiwara Chika responded indifferently with an "okay" and returned to the classroom.

Half a day went by quickly, and the school bell rang for dismissal at noon. The students in clubs headed off to their respective activities, while those without club activities went home.

Kirisu Kazuto belongs to the group without club activities, though he occasionally hangs out with Fujiwara Chika in the Tabletop Gaming Club for some free snacks.

However, before he could even pick up his bag and leave the classroom, Shirogane Miyuki approached him with a troubled expression.

"Kazuto? I've been thinking. If I'm not well-prepared, tomorrow's movie date is bound to go wrong."

This isn't like Shirogane Miyuki at all. When did he become so indecisive? Just watching a movie with Shinomiya Kaguya, and he's already worried she'll eat him up?

But Shirogane Miyuki saying this must have some purpose behind it. After hesitating for a moment, Kirisu Kazuto asked, "So?"

"So, I'm hoping that you and I could go on a date this afternoon, Kazuto. Please."

Seeing Shirogane Miyuki's body bending and curving as if he were bowing, Kirisu Kazuto gradually lost his composure.

"Huh...?"