There must always be flaws; without them, the story cannot unfold.

The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day.

Tsukiya Jinguuji packed up his bag, preparing to leave. As he stood up, bag in hand, he seemed to sense something and fixed his gaze on the front door of the classroom.

Three seconds later, just as he expected, something unexpected happened.

"Excuse me, is Jinguuji here?"

A young girl appeared in the doorway, a gentle smile gracing her face. Her deep blue Western-style uniform fit her perfectly, the bow beneath her collar tied with meticulous care, and her sky-blue hair, long and straight, cascaded down like a waterfall.

"It's the president."

"Why would she be looking for Jinguuji?"

"So the rumor that they're dating is actually true."

"My heart is broken."

A chorus of chatter erupted around him. Jinguuji tugged at his bangs, ready to slip out the back door.

But clearly, escape was futile. As the rest of the class turned their attention to him, Hoshino Morino smiled at him, as warm and gentle as a spring breeze.

Under the watching eyes of his classmates, Jinguuji followed her out, spiritless and resigned.

"Wow, that guy Jinguuji is something else. Maybe the rumor that they're dating is really true, huh?" a friend remarked, arms crossed, while a girl silently packed her bag at her desk.

"Sakura, let's go."

"Sakura?"

"Huh? Sorry, what did you say?"

"There you go, daydreaming again. I was talking about Jinguuji— Never mind. You’re not interested in that stuff anyway. We need to get to the clubroom."

"Oh... okay."

"Why are you so distracted?"

"I'm hungry."

"You! I have some snacks here—want one?"

With hands pressed together in a solemn gesture, the girl bowed her head and intoned, "Ha~ha! Thank you, my goddess."

"Yes, yes. Honestly, you're just like a pet."

"Hehe~"

Grinning sheepishly, the girl cast a sidelong glance at the doorway. The boy was already gone.

...

At dismissal, students headed off to their clubs. Never mind Jinguuji, but Hoshino Morino was undoubtedly a celebrity at Kamizakura High. So when students saw her walking with Jinguuji, shock quickly gave way to a flurry of whispers.

Even before, the two of them had never walked together so openly.

Feeling the prickling stares, they made their way toward the old school building as the number of students around dwindled.

Hoshino Morino walked ahead, with Jinguuji trailing silently three or four paces behind. Eventually, Jinguuji, whose time was being wasted—though he had nothing urgent to do—broke the silence.

"President, where are we going?"

"The student council room."

"Um... Why?"

"If we pull up the records for all the clubs and let you filter through them, it'll be much faster than yesterday, don’t you think?"

Jinguuji felt a tinge of exasperation. She really was persistent.

"President Hoshino Morino is even more stubborn than I imagined."

"I’d prefer you call it steadfast."

"President Hoshino Morino is even more steadfast than I imagined."

"I’ve worked hard for this. So, Jinguuji, do you feel moved by my determination?"

"I still think picking up girls at Shimokitazawa Station is more my style."

"I thought you didn’t like the term 'picking up girls'?"

"President Hoshino must be the type to check her boyfriend’s phone, remembering everything. Your gravity is off the charts."

There he went, lying again.

She would never check his phone.

He was only trying to provoke her, hoping she'd get the message and keep her distance.

A man like him—any girl who got too close would only end up hurt.

Hoshino Morino paused, turned to look at him, and sighed softly.

"To be honest, I don’t like that side of you, Jinguuji."

"It’s fine. Nobody does. I think it’s good to go along with the crowd."

"You think I’m someone who just follows the crowd?"

"Basically. Those who go against the grain get ostracized."

"A clever strategist can often win with fewer numbers."

"I see, you can even answer like that. I’m impressed—thank you."

"Anything else?"

"Just one more thing."

"Go on."

"That girl from yesterday—what happened with her?"

"Don’t worry, I have it under control. If Miyagi manages to persuade me, as the top student in your year, I’ll grant you the same consideration as her—I won’t force you to join any club activities."

Secretly, Jinguuji cheered the girl on, hoping her yokan would do the trick.

Come to think of it, that girl didn’t seem particularly bright—yet she was the top first-year? Truly, people are more than they appear.

When they reached the student council room, it was empty. As usual, Hoshino Morino took tea leaves and utensils from the storage cabinet.

"What about the other student council members?"

"The vice president and secretary are both third-years; they resigned to prepare for exams. I should have found replacements in the first semester, but I never found the right candidates."

"I see," Jinguuji nodded.

Hoshino Morino, having already secured a recommendation for university, would continue as president without it affecting her studies.

"Please wait a moment, Jinguuji. I’ll get the club records."

"Oh, that’s really not necessary."

"You’re being too polite—it’s my duty."

"No, what I mean is, even if you bring them out, I’m not going to join any club."

...

Their eyes met, and the atmosphere in the student council room grew a little tense.

"Jinguuji, do you dislike me?"

"How could I? I doubt any man could dislike a beautiful girl like the president."

"While I’m a little confident in my looks, I dislike people who judge by appearances. I hope you’ll choose your words more carefully—I am, after all, your senior."

Jinguuji spread his hands. "Understood. So this is what they call hierarchical society. I’ll remember that."

Hoshino Morino sighed gently and pressed her hand to her forehead, while Jinguuji, unfazed, lifted the steaming black tea and took a sip.

"Thank you for the tea, President."

Suddenly, the girl bent down and set a towering stack of documents in front of him. Her sky-blue hair slipped past her slender, fair finger as she hooked it behind her ear. A faint fragrance drifted from her.

But Jinguuji made no move to look through the files, simply savoring the tea she poured, wearing a self-satisfied smile.

He looked like a debt collector from a loan shark agency, calmly enjoying the tea as the due date for repayment loomed and the office faced bankruptcy.

Brazen, utterly lawless.

"By the way, Jinguuji."

"Yes? What is it?"

She narrowed her eyes in a lovely smile, smoothed her skirt, and sat down on the sofa across from him, speaking casually.

"Actually, you know, during the summer vacation... it seems I lost my memory."