Crossover: After deciding to give up, i became popular

After parting ways with Hayasaka Ai, Kanade Natsukawa quickly found Shinomiya Kaguya, who was in her classroom and hadn't gone anywhere.

Standing outside, Kanade asked a passing girl to call Kaguya for him, then waited patiently.

"Kaguya-san, the President wants to see you!"

In an instant, the classroom buzzed with excitement.

"The President? Isn't this the first time he's come here?"

"Why's he looking for Kaguya-san? Student council business?"

"Doesn't seem like it. If it were, they could just talk in the council room."

"Could it be… that?"

"Yeah! Maybe it's that!"

Kaguya's thin skin wasn't built to handle this kind of speculation. Her face turned crimson as she hurried to the door, head lowered.

"P-President, w-what do you need me for?" she stammered.

She knew Hayasaka had gone to meet Kanade, supposedly to gather intel, but she hadn't expected things to escalate to the point where Kanade came to find her in person! Hayasaka's efficiency was terrifying!

Could it be that Hayasaka had told him about her feelings? And now…

Kaguya recalled her classmates' teasing voices.

!!!

"It… It can't be…"

"Yeah, it's a personal matter," Kanade replied with a slight nod.

Technically, asking Kaguya to deliver an endorsement speech for him was personal business. If she declined, it wasn't a big deal, as he had half-pressured her last time anyway.

"Can we talk somewhere quieter?" Kanade suggested, glancing at the noisy classroom where curious eyes were fixed on them.

If Kaguya refused him here, the next morning's headlines would surely explode with something along the lines of:

— Scandal! Former Vice President Refuses to Help Former President with Election Speech!

He wasn't thrilled by the idea of becoming gossip fodder, especially if it morphed into some baseless love triangle drama.

He loved hearing juicy stories, but not when he was the subject.

"!" Kaguya panicked at his suggestion and stammered, "C-could you g-give me a moment?"

Kanade nodded, telling her he'd wait on the field. Originally, he had planned to use the student council room, but since the keys had already been returned to the faculty, he figured the open space of the field would suffice.

After Kanade left, Kaguya floated back to her seat, her steps light and unsteady. Her classmates swarmed her immediately.

"Kaguya-san, it's that, isn't it?"

"Definitely that! Finally, huh? Good luck, Kaguya-san!"

"Why are you wishing me luck…" Kaguya muttered, her cheeks rosy as she squirmed in embarrassment. "It's definitely not what you think. The President must have something important to discuss, right?"

Despite her protests, Kaguya couldn't suppress the smile spreading across her face. Her heart was pounding with excitement.

It's a confession! It has to be! Why else would he come to my classroom to find me?

She began running through potential responses.

"'Yes, I'd love to!'"

—Too forward. What if I seem desperate?

"'Since you insist, I guess I'll agree.'"

—Too aloof. He might think I'm pitying him!

Ahhh, forget it! I'll figure it out when the time comes!

Her thoughts briefly turned to Hayasaka, who she now believed had orchestrated this.

Kaguya sent her a text:

"Hayasaka, you're amazing! The President is going to confess to me!"

The message was marked as read immediately, followed by a single reply:

"Huh?"

It was a warm day, and the field was mostly empty except for a few club members practicing. It was an ideal place to have a private conversation while enjoying the breeze.

Kanade spent a few moments watching some students play soccer before Kaguya arrived.

To his surprise, she looked completely different.

Was it his imagination, or had she put on makeup? Her entire aura seemed to exude a vibrant, youthful charm, something he hadn't associated with her usual composed demeanor.

More surprising was the group of students trailing behind her, clearly there to watch whatever was about to happen.

Surely they didn't think he was going to confess, did they?

"President, did you wait long?" Kaguya asked cheerfully, her radiant smile catching Kanade off guard.

Who is this adorable girl, and what has she done with Shinomiya Kaguya?!

"Uh… Kaguya, are you… okay?" Kanade asked cautiously.

"Of course! But you said you had something to tell me?" Kaguya replied, stepping closer.

Too close.

Her flawless skin, delicate lashes, rosy lips, and the faint sweetness of her breath—all of it was far too close for Kanade to maintain his composure.

"…A-alright, I'll just get to it." Kanade took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Kaguya, I'd like to ask you…"

"…" Kaguya gazed at him expectantly, her heart racing.

"…"

Kanade opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat. He couldn't stop thinking about how stunning she looked in that moment.

Nervousness, doubt, and a strange, unfamiliar excitement overwhelmed him.

For the first time in ages, his heart pounded uncontrollably.

"President?" Kaguya tilted her head, looking at him with concern.

A breeze rustled through the trees, scattering flowers from the nearby locust tree. A few petals landed in Kaguya's hair—and in Kanade's heart.

Placing a hand over his chest, Kanade finally resolved himself.

"Kaguya… I'd like you… to continue being my Vice President."

Kaguya's expression fell briefly, and Kanade quickly added, "I know I'm asking a lot. There's no wager this time, so if you don't want to, that's okay…"

"President."

"Yes?!"

"I'd love to."

"…What?"

"Whether as Vice President or anything else, my answer is 'Yes, I'd love to.'" Kaguya's smile softened, radiating warmth.

"…Uh…"

"But as a reward, would you hold my hand?"

"H-hand?!"

"President, are you unwilling?"

"No, but… if it's just holding hands…" Kanade trailed off, glancing at the onlookers behind her. "Won't they misunderstand?"

"I don't mind."

"…Alright, just for a moment."

Kaguya immediately reached for his hand, intertwining her fingers with his.

"Your hands are so big, President."

"…"