Ch 7 β Say my Name
Flashback
Dream
In the elegant and refined student council room of Shuchiin Academy, the sunlight streamed through tall windows, casting a soft glow over the polished wooden table.
The room was quiet, save for the gentle shuffling of papers and soft hum of the air conditioning.
Kaguya Shinomiya, as always, sat perfectly poised, her long black hair draped gracefully over her shoulders.
Her sharp, ruby eyes flicked towards the boy sitting across from her, expression as composed as ever.
Miyuki Shirogane, the diligent and ever-stressed student council president, was reviewing some documents.
But unlike the usual tension that filled the room whenever two were alone, today there was a mischievous air about him.
He leaned back slightly in his chair, eyes darting towards Kaguya, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
βKaguya,β he began, his voice teasingly casual, βyou know, weβve known each other for a long time now. Donβt you think itβs about time you started calling me by my first name?β
Kaguyaβs hand paused mid-signature.
Her grip on the pen tightened just slightly, though her face remained calm and composed.
However, there was a flicker of something in her eyesβhesitation, perhaps?
βShirogane,β she replied coolly, avoiding the bait, βI fail to see why that would be necessary. Formality is important, especially in a professional setting.β
Miyuki chuckled softly, resting his chin on his hand.
He leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming even more playful. βOh come on, weβre the only ones here. No need to be so formal. You can say it just once. Iβm sure it would sound nice coming from you.β
Kaguyaβs heart skipped a beat, but outwardly she remained unflappable.
She glanced at him, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. βWhat are you trying to imply?β
Miyuki leaned in closer, with a teasing glint in his eyes seemed to be intensifying. βNothing at all. I just think that βMiyukiβ would suit me better when you say it.β
Kaguyaβs cheeks tinged with the faintest hint of pink, though she quickly turned her gaze away, hiding her fluster behind a calm mask.
βYouβre being ridiculous,β she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
But Miyuki wasnβt going to let it go.
He pushed a little more, relishing in her reactions. βRidiculous? I think youβre just shy. Afraid itβll come out too sweet, maybe?β
The redness in Kaguyaβs cheeks deepened, and her eyes widened as she tried to regain control of the conversation.
βThatβs absurd!β she snapped, the mask cracking just a little. βIβm not βshy,β as you so crudely put it.β
Miyuki laughed softly, clearly enjoying her flustered state. βWell then, prove it,β he challenged. βSay my name, Kaguya. Just once.β
Kaguya glared at him, her mind racing.
She couldnβt let him win this little game, but thought of calling him by his first nameβof breaking the delicate balance of their relationshipβleft her off-kilter.
It was too personal, too intimate.
And yetβ¦ the way he was looking at her, that confident smirk on his face, made her feel like she couldnβt back down now.
With a deep breath, she closed her eyes for a brief moment, steeling herself.
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When she opened them again, she met Miyukiβs gaze head-on, her expression firm. βMiyuki,β she said, her voice soft but steady.
Miyuki blinked, momentarily taken aback by how easily his name rolled off her tongue.
For a second, he lost his composure, the teasing smirk fading as a light blush crept up his own cheeks.
He hadnβt expected her to actually say it, let alone with such grace.
Kaguya noticed his flustered state and, despite the lingering warmth in her cheeks, allowed herself a small, triumphant smile.
βSatisfied now, Miyuki?β she added, the name rolling off her tongue again with a deliberate emphasis.
Miyuki quickly straightened up, trying to regain his usual confident demeanor.
He coughed, clearing his throat. βY-Yeahβ¦ thatβs good. I justβ¦ wanted to hear it, you know?β
Kaguyaβs smile widened ever so slightly, her eyes gleaming with victory.
βOf course,β she replied, her tone sweet and laced with subtle mockery. βAnything for you, Miyuki.β
The air between them crackled with unspoken tension, both of them acutely aware of the shift that had just occurred.
Neither wanted to acknowledge it outright, but there was no denying that something had changed.
The teasing battle might have been over, but the war between them was far from finished.
βA...Anything for you, Miyuki.β
Narcissa was just about to kiss her forehead as a loving gesture after being harshly reprimanded by Lucius for breaking a small object in the house.
β.....β