'Thoughts' ← thoughts / "" ← speech
** ← actions / ~~ ← phone calls
[ ] ← Narrator
6 months later after chapter 1.
Ryo and Kaguya were sitting side by side on one of the couches. Kaguya was signing papers while Ryo stamped them as they both sat in silence.
Kaguya broke the ice. "By the way, they found a snail in the apple and cherry relief on the water fountain in the courtyard and removed it before it could do any damage".
Ryo was so lost in thought about how to get Shirogane and Kaguya to meet that he just replied without thinking. "Is that so?"
The room fell silent and became awkward again.
During this one-sided romantic stalemate Kaguya's tactics have become more aggressive, but luckily for Ryo he might remember what she'll say next. This one sided assault was unnoticed by its primary bystander.
Across the table to them both was a long pink haired chick with a small back headband with a bow on it. Chika Fujiwara.
The Chika spoke up. "Ah~ oh that's right, guess what happened you guys~. Lookie, lady luck was on my side and helped me win these movie tickets, but then she abandoned me because it turns out this is a movie my parents won't let me see. Do you two want them?~" Chika pulled out two movie tickets and waved them around.
'Oh right he says something doesn't he… what was it?'
Ryo opened his weekly planner. "For the first time in forever, my schedule happens to be free" Ryo turned to Kaguya. "If you're free too I don't see wh-" Chika cut him off.
"Rumor has it that boys and girls who watch it together become couples without fail~ So sweet!".
'Oh right she does say that'.
Kaguya put her pen down, "I'm flattered, you did just invite me to go see this right?" Kaguya continued her assault. "Which of course means you asked to take me to a movie that makes boys and girls who watched it together start dating. Why if I didn't know any better I think you were… well".
'Is this the part where I'm meant to say to myself "Confessing my freaking love!" or something like that?' Ryo imitated Shirogane in his head. 'What comes next? Isn't the narrator supposed to say something, speaking of which, where is he?'
Meanwhile the narrator was nowhere to be heard.
"So president, were you inviting me?".
'Okay so the narrator isn't here. You can do this just do what you're good at lying, you may not know how they get there but you do know what the end looks like'.
"I'm not one for superstitions like that, but I don't mind going if you are?."
'"He didn't retract his statement but is implying any romantic interest is coming from me… well played. I could refuse right here and now and end this whole charade but all of the planning I did ahead of time would be for nothing" Is what I bet she's thinking. Sorry Kaguya but I've seen every move you'll make… And hopefully remember them'
Kaguya finally spoke up. "Well you know, I'm a bit of a romantic at heart, I can't help but believe in stories like that" Kaguya's eyes started to shine as she acted innocent. "So if we do go see it. I think you should ask me with more passion don't you?".
'Is this the Shinomiya secret weapon that can make even a god's heart skip a beat!?' Ryo knew of the tactic and what it can do, but to witness it first hand he didn't stand a chance against it. "It would be rude of me to just ignore Kaguya's feelings right? I mean she likes me and I know that but…" Ryo was lost in a maze in his mind. Kaguya saw her chance, got in closer and held his hand confusing Ryo even more.
"I have to admit… I'm curious about falling in love, I'm at that age you know".
Ryo couldn't help but blush. "O-oh".
Ryo's mind was trying to piece everything together and break out of the spell Kaguya put on him and Kaguya's thoughts were calculating every response he could give. Ryo was cornered with no place to go, he's on the ropes. One wrong move could end it all.
Chika interrupted. "Oh if neither of you are into romantic movies then you can have th-".
*Knock knock* Chika was interrupted by someone at the council room door.
The noise managed to knock Ryo out of Kaguya's spell and he sat up straight. "Come in".
A familiar blonde teen walked in.
"Ah Shirogane, good to see you, what brings you here?"
"Am I interrupting something?" Shirogane stared at Kaguya's hands holding Ryo's "So the rumors were true you two are dating".
'Oh crap! When did she grab my hand!? And nobody ever walked in on them in the anime… Is this a manga only thing? Damn it narrator, where are you!?' Ryo stood up and walked over to Shirogane. "Oh no we're just fooling around".
"Is the student council allowed to fool around?".
"The council room is like a safe space, it's for us to work or relax. Anyway enough about me, how'd you find your first month at Shuchiin?". 'If I can hold this conversation long enough I should be able to get him and Kaguya to introduce themselves'.
"I mean for one I'm called "Impure" because I transferred here" Shirogane put his head down.
"That is a problem, but no matter if you need anything just come here to relax or hang out, the door most times is always open" Ryo walked back to the couches.
"Thanks, I appreciate it".
'Now's my chance!'. "It's nothing, I'm sure the other student council members feel the same. Speaking of which I don't think you've met them have you?".
"No I haven't".
"Well this one here is Chika Fujiwara, she's the secretary," Chika waved. "And that's Kaguya Shinomiya the vice president".
"Hi," Kaguya smiled. 'I almost had him, why did you have to come now of all times!'
"Oh right I should probably introduce him, this is Miyuki Shirogane. My friend".
"Isn't he the student you gave a second chance for?" Kaguya asked.
"Yeah, turns out he lives in the same apartment building. With your father and younger sister right?" Ryo asked.
"Yeah, it's small but we make it work," Miyuki smiled.
"Well anyway nice to meet you," Kaguya said.
'That's step two: introduce them, this is going perfectly. If the narrator was here I'm sure he'd be somewhat proud'. "By the way Miyuki, did you need something?".
"Not really, I just wondered what the council room was like".
"That's fine" 'The next task should be to get Miyuki to want to become the president'. Ryo got close to Miyuki. "You want to try the chair out?" 'If I can give him the view of what the president is like then maybe it might spark something in him?'.
"Are you sure?"
Ryo started pushing Miyuki towards the chair. "Yeah, go on."
Miyuki sat down and faced forward.
'That looks right, but it's missing something...' "Hey Miyuki put this on" Ryo handed Miyuki the aiguillette.
Kaguya stared at them with a glare. 'The president never let me try it on! If he's just a friend then why does he get to? Or does the president not even see us as friends but more co workers or fellow students'
After putting the aiguillette on Miyuki, Ryo took a step back to get a better look. "It suits you."
Kaguya's glare got even more ferocious.
"This thing is heavier than it looks" Miyuki held the aiguillette.
Ryo clicked his neck and stretched. "Yeah after a while it does start to take a toll on your shoulders."
"I can imagine" Ryo and Miyuki laughed.
Chika walked up behind them. "Oh can I try it on?"
"If you want" Miyuki took the aiguillette off and gave it to Chika.
Kaguya gave Chika the death stare. 'The president sees her as more of a friend than me!?'
Chika put the aiguillette on her chest. "It doesn't feel that heavy".
Ryo turned his head away. "Well I guess you would be used to weight in that general area of the body".
Chika turned her head to him. "Are you calling me fat?"
"What!? No! I'm just saying… Well…" not even Ryo could formulate words as he kept glancing over.
'What's with that reaction!?' Kaguya thought.
Chika took the aiguillette off and ran out of the room. "Pres' You meanie!"
Miyuki tries to make heads or tails of what happened. "Well that was…"
"I'll go and apologize later." Ryo picked the aiguillette up. "Shinomiya, do you want to try it on?"
"Alright" Kaguya tried to keep her cool on the outside but on the inside she was overly happy as she walked over and put it on.
Ryo looked her up and down. "Maybe you should run for president".
"Why not sit in the chair while you're at it?" Miyuki got up and walked around the table.
"Is that alright president?" Kaguya asked Ryo.
"I've got no problems with it".
Kaguya sat down in the chair.
"It looks good on you Kaguya".
'He called me by my first name! Only those I give permission to can call me by my first name… but it didn't feel nice' "Thank you R- p-president," Kaguya hid her embarrassment from trying to say his first name and smiled.
"Were you about to say something?"
"No it's nothing".
["PhAHA!"] The narrator burst out laughing, making Ryo jump.
'What's so funny!?'
["I- I can't hold it in anymore!"]
'Were you here the whole time!' The narrator could tell Ryo was angry.
["Yes I was"]
'You left me on my own… On the first day!' Ryo managed to keep a straight face so Kaguya and Shirogane couldn't notice that he was talking with the mysterious voice in his head.
["Would you believe me if I said that I was making sure you were up to the task and not just tricking me to get to Kaguya?"]
'Yes… I would but that's not the issue. The issue is that the story has changed!'
["Don't worry minor changes like this won't affect the whole story… I hope"]
'You… hope?' Ryo facepalmed and the other two noticed.
"Are you alright president?" Kaguya asked.
"Yeah, just a slight headache". 'And a terrible partner!'
["I'll make it up to you I promise"]
"Why don't you go lay on the couch for a bit," Kaguya suggested.
"Yeah I think I'll do just that" Ryo turned around and laid on the couch.
"I'll head back to class now, I'll see you later" Miyuki said walking towards the door.
"Alright see ya" Ryo waved as Miyuki left. As Ryo stared at the ceiling he thought to himself. 'Should I really be trying to make them date… I feel kind of bad. I mean does Kaguya "Like" me because I'm me or because I'm the president? She hasn't even said my name once she's only called me "president". What about Miyuki? I don't think he even sees Kaguya as a love interest. If I remember correctly Miyuki fell for her when he was at his lowest, but I'm keeping him from reaching that point. Would it be right for me to let him get to that point?… I don't know, maybe I'm just overthinking it…" Ryo fell asleep as he covered his eyes with his arm leaving him with his thoughts.
"President, where did you put the-'' Kaguya walked up to the couch and saw Ryo asleep. 'The president looks cute when he's sleeping… Wait what am I thinking!' Kaguya stood there staring at Ryo. "I think I'll leave him be," Kaguya walked back to the desk.
End of school.
"President, I'm heading home now" Kaguya walked past with her bag in hand. "I see he's still asleep" Kaguya took one last look at him and noticed his aiguillette was missing. "Oh that's right" She placed her hand on her chest where the aiguillette was, she then took it off and went to place it onto the table next to Ryo and heard him sleep talking.
"I-is it right for me to ignore her feelings…?"
Kaguya stood back up and went to walk away before slightly turning her head. 'It doesn't matter if you do because I will make you confess to me… Ryo Itsuki'.
["Today's battle result: Kaguya loses"] Ryo avoided confessing thanks to Miyuki stopping by.
And thus marking the end of chapter 2, I'll try to keep each chapter's "Battle" parallel to the manga and keep each chapter 1500 words or a bit more. Oh and if you're interested in my work I have ongoing original stories on wattpad under the same name (JellyFilledDoughnut) thank you for reading.