Kaguya-sama Love is War

Ai Hayasaka Wants to seduce

Chapter 16: Ai Hayasaka can(not) deny

A/N:

Narration

"Dialogue"

Monologue

*sfx*

Shuchi'in Mass Media Club Room

When there's smoke, there's fire.

A saying that denotes any information from rumors or gossip has its origin. Incidentally, Rumors and gossip are the very lifeline for the socialite more so to schools like Shuchi'in that cater to children of prominent families. Thus the main bread and butter of the Shuchiin Underground SNS. An unauthorized SNS site is rumored to have been rumored to have been started by the Mass Media Club's original founder... well at least that's what the underground SNS site proclaims it to be. To begin with, electronic messaging or blogs wasn't invented yet when the club was formed so that self-proclaimed origin is dubious from the start.

While it is an underground site of the school, a certain decorum was still upheld. Exam leeks are one of them. Amongst the rumors that circulate on the group, the relationship of Kaguya-sama is the most active thread with most information coming from user name Agent K.

Since the two entered the Student Council, their relationship has been one of the most searched gossip. As the council room is secure to prevent leaks, the anonymity leaves a void on what exactly their relationship is about, Then there was Subject F's outburst when Miyuki recruited Kaguya-sama as his VP further fueling their curiosity. The SNS was overflooding with speculation on what their affair was all about. After all, the romance between a typical commoner who rises to the top of his peers in a year and the heiress of a prestigious family is stuff that you'd see mostly in stories.

While I tried to lessen all the damning evidence that would paint an accurate picture of what is true by being a hindrance to an eyewitness, I never imagine that I would find myself once more at the center of a rumor that involve their relationship.

I was prepared when I had Miyuki to tutor me out in the open and it's all thanks to his comment that they redirected their focus on the outcome of Miyuki and Kaguya-sama's wager. But a few days ago, even Miyuki wouldn't be able to make an excuse about it.

After all, we are caught in a picture together alongside two infamous couple of our school.

"Care to explain?" Karen asked coldly as she threw several photos onto the table

Inside the Mass Media Club Room, I sat at an interrogation table while Karen and Erica acted as my interrogators with the club president standing at the door.

My exit has been blocked. I thought as I shifted my eyes to the nearby window. While I can jump off the window, it will just garner more attention to myself.

"..." I look at the pictures they present as I try to maintain my poker face.

It's all mom's fault!

The photos presented to me are from when we got out of Yakiniku J*mb* H*nt*n.

Yakiniku J*mb* H*nt*n

Due to Shirogane's father having a prior appointment after the counseling, it was only the three of us that went out for dinner.

*ring*

"Please wait a minute,"

After being shown to our table, Mom's phone rang and as always it was about work.

"Sorry, I know it is rude to invite you but I have an urgent meeting to attend to," Nao said apologetically to Miyuki who was sitting beside me.

"Ah... no, you don't need to apologize to me," Miyuki replied while nervously looking my way.

"What?" I ask.

"no-nothing..."

"In that case, I'll be going now," Mom replied somewhat happy for some reason. She winked at me before dashing out.

"Hmph! I should have known!"

Oh, and mind you I am not sulking. Not One Bit.

Seriously! She's bailing out on me again!

I mean isn't she supposed to apologize to me first?

Haaah, regardless, Mom guaranteed to pay the bill so we should just order whatever we want.

"Ah... so..." Miyuki asked nervously as he looked at the menu. Seeing how his eyeballs almost popped out and he almost paled that instant, I summarized that he got dizzy over the price on the menu.

"I... um..." In front of the waiter waiting for us to take our order, Miyuki hesitated to give his order.

Right now, I have no patience to wait for his order thus

"We are not familiar with your menu, so we'll go with your best seller?" I ask calmly as I slightly tap his knee with mine under the table.

"Hm?"

"She already gave us the go signal, no point in hesitating," I whispered.

All in all, the dinner was not bad. Miyuki and I had a decent discussion and for the first time in a while, I let go of my guilt and just enjoy his company. Everything is nice that is until we finished eating.

*Bzzz*

As I was in the washroom, I received a Line message from Mom.

I won't mind you going all the way but don't overdo it

!

I quickly turned off my phone and returned it to my pocket. Right now my face is as red as a tomato that is until I saw a familiar blonde hair walk pass on my back.

"Mom!" I called as I quickly reached for her arm. "What is the meaning of this?"

At this point, I don't mind if it is not her. I can just apologize as mistaken her for that person. But reality sure is cruel.

"Mom? I don't know what you're talking about, ohohohoho~" the blond woman said to me in a falsetto voice as she avoided looking my way.

Wait... if she is still here then...

As I was lost in thought, my grip loosened a bit and

"Oh look at the time, I got to go." she uses the opportunity and quickly whips her arm off my hand before dashing out of the restroom.

That was just the start of all of this mess. Bailing on us was all an elaborate ruse. She still ate in the restaurant but not in our table. At least that was what i heard from one of the waiting staff I intero- er asked.

After that, I decided to quickly leave the vicinity and that was my second mistake.

As we left the restaurant, with me dragging Miyuki along, we bumped into Kashiwagi and her boyfriend.

The third mistake came after that as I was looking at it right now. The photo of us along with the two said couples.

"And?" I tilt my head to the side and ask cluelessly.

"What do you mean and?" Karen yelled as she banged the table with both her hands. "I thought we were supporting Kaguya-sama's relationship with Prez? Why are you trying to weasel your way in?!"

"You remember Prez tutoring me right?" I ask as I plaster the best deadpan expression I can muster while carefully monitoring the club president, Asahi. IF it is just these two boneheads, I can weasel my way out no prob. The issue here is that she is not like my two interrogators.

"Well yeah, that did cause a huge uproar before- hey! stop changing the subject!" Kose rebutted

I shook my head at her rebuttal. "Kose, Prez help me in my studies," I then turn my sight to my second interrogator. "My mom was just happy how high my rank rose and all. It was her way of thanking Prez for his time helping me in my studies.

If that is the case then why is your mom not with you?" Karen asks.

I shifted my gaze towards the blonde long hair that was a toxic Kaguya-Prez shipper. "unfortunately, she bailed halfway through due to work" I replied darkly as I clicks my tongue in irritation.

"Really?" Karen asked with clear distrust in her tone.

"Sounds too convenient," Kose added.

God! It would be nice if the two are not in synch like this.

This continues a little longer until finally, they relent.

"But are you sure that's all there is to it?" For the first time since the interrogation began, Asahi spoke up. "Are you really sure you felt no romantic attachment to Presiden Shirogane?"

"..." I turned my head towards the half-open window, lowered my head so that my bangs would cover my eyes, and with a bitter smile, I watched the curtain flow gently. "We decided to support Kaguya-sama's romance. Even if I fell for Miyuki, it is already too late for me..."

"..."

"You-"

*clap*

Kose was speechless and while Karen tried to say something, Asahi clapped her hands to get their attention. "Then that's that." She then move aside and open the door of the room.

"But-"

Karen tried to protest but Asahi raised a hand for her to stop. "... this whole incident was just Hayasaka's mom showing her gratitude towards Prez. So let's drop this issue."

"... very well," Karen grumbles.

While she left not saying a word after that, her sharp gaze before closing the door tells me that this is far from over. After all Agent K is persistent to all of her claims even if she has little to no evidence to show.

"Thank you, senpai," I bowed to Asahi as I slowly stood up.

"Not so fast," Asahi said calmly as she sat across me and showed me her phone.

...

"Karen would surely flip the table if she saw this,"

"... hmmm? Why are you telling me this?" I try to feign ignorance as Asahi just adjust her eyeglass in response. The picture in question was taken a few days ago when I accompanied Miyuki to look around how other school conducts their cultural festival. And because Kaguya-sama got an unexpected appointment, she sent me to tag along with him to shoo unnecessary interaction he could have with the opposite sex ignoring the fact that I am also of the opposite sex. At this point, Miyuki already knows of my actual job so tagging along with him doesn't look suspicious at all.

"I just want you to be honest with them," Asahi said before leaving me alone in the room.

*Bzzz*

As I was lost in thought, my phone buzzed indicating that my Line just got a message.

"Whose this?" I ask as only a handful on person does contact me. I frequently file my report on a specific time so I doubt itis about work, Kaguya-sama is currently at the council office still trying to get Miyuki to confess to her. Needless to say, I only have a few on my contacts that will message me at this moment.

Looking at the Line message, I saw Kei's name pop up inviting me out.

"I have nothing to do so I might as well go," I said as I typed my reply.

After my cover was busted by Kei, especially when I was avoiding Miyuki, we regularly texted one another. Though most of it happened pass dinner so it never occurred to me that the message came from her.

Though, oddly, she is inviting me right now.

Aaaaaaaaand cut!

With that, the chapter came to a close.

For the review, likes, and follow, thanks!