Heartbeats and Illusions

For Natsukawa Kanade, games were just a fleeting distraction, a way to lighten the atmosphere before the student council returned to its usual grind. But the responsibilities weighing on his shoulders weren't going anywhere.

"The student council election is just around the corner," Kaguya Shinomiya remarked, her tone sharp but composed. "I heard there's a rising star among the freshmen. President, shall we gather some intel?"

"No need," Kanade replied with a dismissive shake of his head, his hands still scribbling away at a document. "If she wants to challenge us, we'll face her head-on. If she pushes, we'll push back. And if I lose to her, then maybe I'm not fit to hold this position in the first place."

This kind of mindset had been a constant for him. It was one of the reasons he hadn't initially intended to run for re-election. He'd planned to step down gracefully and let someone else shoulder the burdens of leadership. Yet, as the days passed, he found himself filled with a gnawing regret.

The student council's workload was relentless, especially during the busy period of welcoming new students. While Kaguya and Shirogane's support eased some of the burden, there were still piles of tasks demanding his attention. Kanade had little time for petty politicking or worrying about rivals. In a school like Shuchiin, where leadership was democratically decided, only genuine competence could sway the sharp-eyed student body.

As Kanade sorted through another stack of paperwork, a rhythmic knock interrupted his focus.

"Come in," he called, his voice steady.

"Excuse me," came a cool, refined voice. "I'm Yukinoshita Yukino from Class 3, Year 2."

Kanade's eyes flicked toward the door. A slim figure stepped into the room, her posture perfectly straight, her expression calm and unreadable. Her reputation preceded her, yet Kanade wasn't easily impressed.

"Yukinoshita, is it? This is the student council office. State your business," Kanade said, his tone formal as he set down his pen.

The name wasn't unfamiliar. Earlier that morning, he'd received a cryptic text from Hachiman Hikigaya: "Yukinoshita might come knocking soon. Brace yourself." He hadn't expected her to show up so quickly.

"I'm here to ask why my club's funding application was rejected," Yukinoshita said, cutting straight to the point.

Her demeanor was icy and direct, as if she'd weighed her words carefully in advance. She wasn't here to exchange pleasantries or mince words, even with someone like Kanade, who was not only the student council president but also a former member of her club.

"I followed all the rules and outlined the purpose and destination of the funds in detail. There's no reason for my application to be dismissed without explanation," she continued, her gaze unflinching.

Kanade said nothing at first, his sharp eyes narrowing as he glanced toward Kaguya.

"Shinomiya?" he asked, his voice calm but probing.

Kaguya adjusted her glasses, her expression cool. "I do recall something about this… Yukinoshita's club is the 'Service Club,' correct?"

"Yes," Yukino replied succinctly.

Kaguya reached for a folder, quickly producing a stack of papers. "Here's the application in question."

Kanade flipped through the documents, pausing at the one marked with bold red letters: Rejected. Below the rejection stamp was the official seal of the student council president.

His brow furrowed. He didn't remember handling this application, which meant the decision had been made in his absence. Yet, as president, he still bore responsibility for the outcome.

"Minister Yukinoshita," Kanade began, his tone measured, "are you familiar with the strict requirements for club recognition at this school?"

Yukinoshita frowned slightly, but she replied with her characteristic honesty. "I'm aware that our club membership doesn't meet the minimum requirement of five members. However, the contributions we've made speak for themselves."

Kanade didn't hesitate. "The lack of members is sufficient grounds to reject your application."

"But previous applications were approved," Yukinoshita countered, her voice unwavering.

"Those weren't 'club activity funds' in the official sense," Kanade explained, leaning back slightly. "The funds you received before were categorized as 'financial subsidies' for your club's demonstrated contributions to the student body. That's a different matter entirely."

He glanced at the rejection stamp again, sighing softly. "To be clear, the earlier approvals were something of an exception… or a personal favor. I was willing to grant them because I know your club's value firsthand."

At his side, Kaguya Shinomiya nodded, her agreement reserved but visible. However, a faint crease on her brow betrayed her skepticism. While she respected Kanade's leadership, she couldn't help but feel his kindness was a touch excessive. To her, clubs like the Service Club, which teetered on the edge of disbandment, could simply be dismissed without a second thought. Yet, Kanade's steadfast "willingness to be kind" was a trait she had come to begrudgingly admire.

"Of course," Kanade began, leaning slightly forward, his voice steady yet sincere, "if you can meet the minimum member requirement for establishing a club before the next round of funding distribution, I will personally recognize the Service Club's legitimacy. Furthermore, I'm open to approving additional funds beyond your initial request—provided the activities align with your stated purpose."

"President, isn't that a bit..." Kaguya hesitated, her tone cautious.

"Shinomiya," Kanade interrupted gently, shaking his head, "I spent some time in that club myself."

The admission caught Kaguya off guard. Her sharp eyes widened ever so slightly, the calm mask of the vice president slipping for just a moment. She turned her gaze toward Yukinoshita Yukino, her eyes narrowing with newfound wariness.

This woman is dangerous.

Kaguya's thoughts raced. The calm demeanor, the unflinching confidence—it was all too deliberate. No wonder she felt uneasy the moment Yukinoshita stepped into the room. She wasn't here just for club funding; she was here to stake her claim, to stand toe-to-toe with Kanade and remind him of her presence.

Unaware of Kaguya's internal alarm bells, Kanade continued, his voice even and reflective. "The Service Club provides real value to this school. It supports students, resolves their uncertainties, and offers guidance. Honestly, I think a club like that holds more merit than something like the 'Board Game Club' or, heaven forbid, the 'Nap Club.'"

Kaguya suppressed a sigh. Of course, Kanade's disdain for the Board Game Club was no secret. Fujiwara Chika's antics had ensured that club was a perpetual thorn in his side. If it weren't for her ceaseless interference, Kanade might have already slashed their budget, citing their eccentric activities as frivolous.

Instead, Kanade often found himself begrudgingly allocating funds for games with names like "Exploding Cabbages" or "Penguin Politics". It infuriated him to no end. "They could take a page from the Afternoon Tea Club next door," Kanade muttered under his breath. "At least they play music and host concerts instead of inventing… whatever that nonsense is."

"...I understand," Yukinoshita finally said, breaking the silence. Her voice was calm, yet her words carried a weight of unspoken resolve. She gave Kanade a faint nod before turning on her heel and walking out of the room.

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving a momentary stillness in her wake. Kanade exhaled softly, glancing at the closed door. "Well, that was… intense."

Kaguya said nothing, but her sharp gaze lingered on the door, as though Yukinoshita's shadow still hung in the air.

For Yukinoshita, the encounter hadn't been a complete loss. True, she hadn't achieved her primary goal of securing funding, but she had gained something else entirely—insight into Natsukawa Kanade.

As she walked down the hallway, her thoughts churned. His behavior during their conversation didn't align with the image she had of him. He was supposed to be the aloof "scumbag" who had confessed to her once, only to disappear from her life without so much as a glance back. But today, he seemed… different.

There was no pretense in his actions, no ulterior motives hidden behind his words. If anything, his fairness and sincerity felt genuine—almost annoyingly so. Was it all an act? No, that didn't seem right.

The more she thought about it, the more her memories of his failed confession felt… off. At the time, she had brushed him off without a second thought, convinced he was simply another shallow boy chasing after her for appearances' sake. But now, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had missed something important, some deeper truth that eluded her.

Her hand instinctively tightened around the strap of her bag as an inexplicable irritation swelled in her chest. It wasn't anger, exactly—more like a sense of loss, as though something precious had slipped through her fingers without her noticing.

Yukinoshita frowned, her pace quickening as she headed back to her classroom. She needed answers. Answers from that woman.

The void in her heart grew heavier with every step, the nagging feeling that this was just the beginning of something far more complicated.