"Did you just call the president Miyuki-kun?"

I froze. Curse that Tomoko, with her attention to detail. She ranked fifth in the entire school during exams, and I supposed she earned that spot. But coming back to this, I was stuck. My lies were worthless now. I tried to think of a way around it. How could explain my relationship with the president?

I could say he was tutoring me, because my grades were consistently average. No, that wouldn't explain why we were so close. They'd probably take that to me that we were secretly dating and using tutoring as an excuse. Not the answer.

Maybe I could say he and I were distantly related? No, they'd see through that too. Everyone knows Miyuki came from a family of commoners. And Natsuko's gossip web would quickly be able to prove it wrong. Also, not the answer.

Damn. If only Kaguya were here. She faces this kind of situation every day, and perfectly navigates through with ease.

I didn't have much time left. Natsuko even looked a little curious to my reply. The classroom was just a few steps away. Why couldn't this have happened inside?

RRRRRRR

The three of us standing jumped and turned to face the sound of a harsh whistle. Just a few feet away was the the most recent addition to the Shuchiin Student Council, Iino Miko. Next to her was the other member of the Public Morals Comittee, Osaragi Kobachi. Iino's long brown hair came down just past her shoulders, and her eyes were filled with displeasure. I have already had several run-ins with her in the past, usually just being able to escape. But it seems I was cornered this time. Or at least, that's what she thinks.

I smirked. I had been preparing for this for a while.

Iino drew herself as tall as for miniature stature would allow. "Hayasaka-senpai," she declared. "Finally, I caught you." She turned to face us and put her hands on her hips. Osaragi stood behind her in silence, her thick glasses obscuring her gaze.

Tomoko and Natsuko looked inquisitively at Iino. She was quite a sight, someone so small who thought she had so much authority. In truth she did have a fair bit of authority, and we all probably should have recognized that. But she was unfortunately easy to deal with.

Cheerfully, I replied, "Oh it's Iino-chan? What's up?"

Iino grimaced at my lack of propriety, but continued, "I see three clear violations right now." She pointed at my uniform, with a sweater wrapped around my waist. "That sweater does not constitute proper use of attire. That keychain is in violation of the adornments standard, and not to mention that skirt is clearly not the allowed length." She turned to Osaragi dramatically. "Yes, I'm afraid you'll have to come with me. I've never seen so many violations, why I-"

I cut her off. "Well actually." And I tugged my skirt, revealing that I had tucked it in at the waist to shorten it. "This is the official Shuchiin Academy skirt, however appropriate length is never specified."

She tried to intervene, "Maybe but-"

I cut her off again. "The keychain is smaller than a 500 yen coin, and so is permissible, and the sweater cannot be tied around the neck, but the waist is allowed." I kept my smile light and airy the whole time. I had of course read the Shuchiin Academy school handbook several times before coming here in preparation for Kaguya-sama's arrival. I would need to know all the fine details if I was to serve her dutifully.

These arguments were of course flimsy at best and founded upon weak technicalities. If a teacher were to seriously investigate my attire they would surely classify it as a violation. But this was getting tiresome anyway, and we needed to wrap this up.

Iino gritted her teeth, unable to think of a proper response through her frustration. Osaragi continued to watch, her expression unchanging. "But," I said suddenly, "Thank you so much for looking out for us. I know that is a difficult job as the Disciplinary Committee."

"Oh?" Iino was taken aback.

Tomoko jumped in at this point. "Yes it is very impressive how you're able to remember all those rules. As expected of the number one freshman student."

"Impressive..." Iino mumbled to herself.

Natsuko came for the final blow. Peaking out from behind me, she added, "Oh and those twintails are super cute! You'll have to show me how you do them some day."

Iino reflexively reached for her hair and started to stroke it. "Cute," she said clear enough for everyone to hear.

Then she suddenly regained her composure and looked around at where she was. She coughed to clear her throat and said, "Well that's very kind of you to say. Um, we can meet up some day and I can show you how I fix my hair."

Natsuko continued, "Ah yes! Definitely!"

Tomoko came in. "Thank you, Iino-san. It seems that we are almost late for class though. We should take our seats."

Iino looked quickly at the clock. "Ah! Yes." She coughed again. "You may return to your business. Goodbye." And she swiftly turned around, and as she was walking away, she reached up and felt her twintails again. Osaragi stayed to look at us for a moment, before breathing a deep sigh and following after Iino. It was honestly adorable, and a part of me feels bad for manipulating her like that. But it was a small, easily buried part of me. Greatly outweighed by the deeply amused part of me.

We finally entered the classroom, laughing when we got through the door. Natsuko was especially cheerful. "Man that went great!" Her hands were behind her head and she bounced down the seat aisle. Tomoko and I agreed as we merrily made our way to our seats. I looked over, and Kaguya-sama was dutifully waiting for class to begin. The appropriate textbook and paper was already prepared. All the people beside her did not dare to speak with her. They were engaged in separate conversations and most had their back to her. Kaguya seemed to pay them no mind, seemingly above the clamor with her icy determination. Her eyes flicked once in my direction and then turned back ahead.

"Scary, huh?" Natsuko whispered to me. We reached out seats, in the back of the room in an L-shape.

"Perfectly matching a certain president's eyes," Tomoko told the both of us.

"I still don't know if I see it," I added.

"Yeah, and we've got to figure out who this mystery blonde is," Natsuko replied.

"Ugh, you guys. No support here, I swear."

"Attention!" the teacher walked in. Relief swept over me. Tomoko seemed to drop the whole Miyuki-SNAFU. It seems I was in the clear. I leaned back in my chair as class began. Maybe this new chapter of my life would go smoother than I thought. Alas, this was to be horribly wrong.