11 -11- Stabbing a friend for love

"Kazuto! I'm sorry. Both Shinomiya and Secretary Fujiwara want to join the study session, so I brought them along."

Huh?

Since when did this turn into a study session?

Don't just change things without permission. Seriously, are you guys at the student council that free? Aside from the treasurer Ishigami Yu, almost everyone is here.

However, Shirogane Miyuki kept giving him meaningful looks to cooperate, and Kirisu Kazuto understood what his best friend was trying to convey. With a inward sigh, he nodded and introduced everyone, "Let's all take a seat. Furuhashi-san, this is Shirogane Miyuki, whom I mentioned to you earlier. These two are Fujiwara Chika and Shinomiya Kaguya."

For now, let's call it a study session. With more people, it was pretty much the same as a study group. After introducing Furuhashi Fumino to everyone, their study session began.

Furuhashi Fumino worked on a practice paper, while Kazuto started reading a book.

As long as he consistently studied, the exams would be manageable. He wasn't the last-minute cramming type. Now that everyone is here, he might as well read some books.

"Furuhashi-san, you made a mistake here," Shirogane Miyuki sat across from Furuhashi Fumino and next to Fujiwara Chika. He noticed that she had made an error in the third question on her practice paper and kindly pointed it out, "The calculation here shouldn't be like this, you should..."

Huh? President tutoring another girl, I see. Just as I thought. This girl is trying to seduce the president. Ah, the pests on this planet are truly terrifying. I need to keep an eye on it, or else...

The coffee cup in Shinomiya Kaguya's hand trembled incessantly. Although her face didn't turn towards Shirogane Miyuki and Furuhashi Fumino, her ears were attentive. After enduring for a while... she finally couldn't hold back. She put down her coffee cup, wiped her lips, and said, "Fujiwara-san, I saw a dog that looked a lot like Pes just now, passing by outside."

"Pes!" Fujiwara Chika became alert. "I'm sorry, everyone, I'll go take a look."

The Fujiwara family lived in Chiyoda. If she thought about it, her family's dog wouldn't be out here. However, she didn't exactly lie since a dog did pass by the window.

As for looking alike? Well, a dog do look like a dog.

With Fujiwara Chika no longer between her and the president, Shinomiya Kaguya subtly moved closer to him.

"President, you must be tired too." Shinomiya Kaguya naturally took over the position of tutoring Furuhashi Fumino and, incidentally, nudged the president a bit to the side. She glanced at the question Furuhashi Fumino was working on and continued, "Furuhashi-san, you shouldn't use this formula here..."

Shirogane Miyuki was stunned for a moment. How did he end up being overshadowed? Could it be...

Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying, Shinomiya. To think that she would be disappointed with his tutoring and give advice to Furuhashi Fumino. Was she implying that he was failing as a tutor?

"Didn't the president said he has a natural talent for teaching? But even I can't stand the way you're tutoring. You're just too adorable."

Oh no...

This was the one thing he couldn't accept. He couldn't bear to picture this in his mind. Shirogane Miyuki clenched his fist in frustration. He hadn't lost yet!

...

It was good for someone to teach Furuhashi Fumino, but compared to Kazuto and Shirogane's guidance, Shinomiya's approach seemed a lot more assertive. She listened intently at first, afraid that if she blinked, she might miss something and get scolded for not paying attention.

However...

Shinomiya Kaguya began speaking faster and faster, and Furuhashi Fumino gradually found herself struggling to keep up.

Outsiders enjoy the show, experts see the techniques. Initially, Kazuto didn't pay much attention, but he soon realized that something was off.

Fujiwara Chika hadn't returned. Shirogane Miyuki and Shinomiya Kaguya seemed to be at odds over teaching Furuhashi Fumino, with each trying to outdo the other. After a few instructions from both, they started to contradict each other.

"Furuhashi-san, for this question..." Shinomiya Kaguya began, then casually added, "Oh, by the way, was my explanation correct, President? Is there anything you'd like to add?"

Shirogane Miyuki's heart tightened. Was she testing his knowledge?

He quickly scanned the question and pointed out, "Furuhashi-san, actually, you could also solve this question using a different method..."

The two engaged in a back-and-forth, neither giving in. Unfortunately, Furuhashi Fumino was caught in the middle. The methods were getting confusing for her – one from each of them – and her brain seemed to crash. She just nodded and made a sound like "Em-Em," not really understanding anything.

Kazuto Kirisu, who had brought Shirogane Miyuki to help Furuhashi Fumino, couldn't bear to watch any longer. He wanted them to assist her, not bicker with each other. Pausing for a moment, he interjected, "Miyuki, Fujiwara-san has been gone for a while. Do you think she got lost?"

"No, she wouldn't." Shirogane Miyuki's focus was entirely on Shinomiya Kaguya now. He was done thinking about Fujiwara Chika. After all she is already an young adult, maybe she really had met her own dog and was just playing around somewhere. To his friend's query, he casually replied, "Secretary Fujiwara will be back soon."

When will Fujiwara Chika come back wasn't his concern. Kazuto's intention was for Shirogane Miyuki to stop clashing with Shinomiya Kaguya. He continued after taking over the conversation from Shirogane Miyuki, "There's a new fast-food restaurant near the school. Let's go check it out sometime, Miyuki."

Shirogane Miyuki hesitated for a moment, glanced at Shinomiya Kaguya, and then averted his gaze. Even if he didn't quite get Kazuto's intention earlier, he now understood what he was trying to do.

Fujiwara Chika's situation and the fast-food invitation were both excuses. The main goal was to give him and Shinomiya Kaguya a break from the argument. But...

If things calmed down now, wouldn't that mean he was failing as an "educator"? That he was weaker than Shinomiya in this situation? Would he be subjected to her saying, "The president is just adorable"?

He would lose.

Between two undesirable options, the best course was to ignore one side and let the other shine.

He wasn't one to waver in decisions. Once he understood, Shirogane Miyuki remained quiet for a moment and then said, "I know about that restaurant... So, Shinomiya, the method I'm teaching Furuhashi-san is the best."

"President, there are many ways to solve a problem in mathematics. Do you really believe there's only one correct method?" Shinomiya Kaguya frowned slightly. Her approach was a bit more complicated than the president's. She was naturally at a disadvantage, but even though she sounded confident, she couldn't afford to lose easily. The thought of the president's affectionate demeanor while teaching Furuhashi Fumino, she couldn't bear it!

Shirogane Miyuki was surprised once again. Was Shinomiya Kaguya implying that he lacked flexibility? This was the one thing he didn't want to be told, as inflexibility was often associated with the term "straightforward" or even "blunt."

"..."

Today's battle, Kirisu Kazuto's loss