I Don't Want An Ordinary Life

Chapter 21: Finding a Way to Finish What Was Left Unfinished Four Years Ago

"The President likes a woman from the Shinomiya family? Are you joking?"

Ronan was momentarily stunned by Momo's words.

"Do you think I would lie to you?"

"…President Shirogane seems like a pretty smart guy. Why would he do something so irrational and fall for a woman like that? Did he suffer some kind of emotional trauma?"

"I couldn't understand it either at the time. Back then, we were both in the student council—I was the treasurer, and he wasn't even the president yet. But he looked completely miserable just because he couldn't catch the attention of that Shinomiya girl."

"Did he never consider his chances of success? Even if they were head over heels for each other, the Shinomiya family…"

"Would definitely find a way to tear them apart. There's no way the Shinomiya family would allow their eldest daughter to be with a commoner. If necessary, your president might even be in danger."

"…That's what I thought too."

"Even I know just how deep the Shinomiya family's influence runs. They're the type of people who stop at nothing to achieve their goals."

"Oh? Are you saying they're more ruthless than me?"

"…Of course not. At the very least, they still consider the consequences of their actions. You, on the other hand, don't even bother with that. Like how you confessed to a girl without doing any research beforehand and got rejected…"

"Stop talking."

Ronan clutched his chest, trying to stop Momo from inflicting more psychological damage.

"I'm about to break."

"Serves you right."

Momo rested her chin on her hand, turning her face away in frustration as she muttered under her breath:

"Ignoring the girl you're familiar with and confessing to someone you barely know... Classic move."

"What did you say?"

"Tch, nothing."

She waved her hand dismissively, signaling Ronan to forget what she had just said.

"Back to the topic, even if that kid Miyuki Shirogane's romance actually works out, it's still a long shot. No one knows what the Shinomiya main family would do to him."

"Yeah, I get it."

Ronan snuffed out his still-burning cigarette on the ground, then sat cross-legged in front of Momo with a grin.

"Looks like, as the treasurer under our president, I have no choice but to take on the duty of protecting him."

"And the real reason?"

"Just an excuse to kill off a few more Shinomiya family members. Sounds like fun~"

"Haven't you caused enough trouble for the Shinomiya family already? That whole incident was a huge mess." Momo sighed in exasperation. "I heard a lot of their businesses were ruined because of you, and they were planning to take care of the troublemaker behind it. But for some reason, they suddenly backed off."

She hadn't expected at the time that the one stirring up all that chaos was actually Ronan.

"It was probably the 'Elder Council' that intervened. They originally wanted to wipe out the entire Shinomiya family, but in the end, Uncle Sagara stepped in to stop them. After all, IW has quite a few businesses in Japan." Ronan spoke lazily. "Of course, I also stopped them, because if anyone's going to do it, it should be me. That's the fun part."

"…Your identity really isn't as simple as it seems. I should've realized that four years ago."

"It's pretty simple, actually. My family runs a farm. Next time, I'll bring you some watermelons from back home. They're pretty tasty."

"Oh, you'll definitely get the chance."

Momo suddenly smiled.

"Because from now on, you have to come here every day after school."

"Huh? Why?"

"Because you're officially a member of the Astronomy Club now."

Momo waved Ronan's signed club application in front of him with a smug grin.

"In other words, you're mine."

"…So, what kind of activities does the Astronomy Club have?"

"What activities?"

"I mean… aren't there any club events?"

"Nope."

"Then where are the other members? I've been up here for a while and haven't seen anyone else."

"They can't come to the rooftop. I've claimed this spot for myself. From now on, it's just you and me up here. Forever."

"…"

...

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in."

"Excuse me."

While sorting through documents in the student council office, Shirogane heard the knock and called for the visitor to enter. Naturally, it was Ronan who walked in.

"President, is there any student council work left to do?"

"Ah, Treasurer Ronan. There's nothing urgent at the moment, but since you're part of the student council, you're always welcome to stay in the office."

Miyuki smiled as he spoke.

"Though, now that I think about it, you might be the only student council member who actually knocks before coming in. It's a little unsettling, to be honest."

"Just basic courtesy."

Ronan glanced around.

"Fujiwara-san isn't here, right?"

"Nope. Why? Are you scared of her?"

"That woman is a master at psychological warfare, I'll give her that. But I've built up some immunity."

Seeing that the office was empty except for Shirogane, Ronan casually found a spot on the couch and sat down.

After spending two hours chatting with Momo on the rooftop—mostly catching up on what had happened over the past four years—she finally let him go. His next stop was the student council office.

At this moment, the room was quiet, with only Shirogane present. Neither Kaguya nor Chika was around.

"What about the other two?"

"Shinomiya is in the archery club; she has club activities. Fujiwara is with the board game club—her activities are probably still ongoing too." Shirogane explained.

"Board game club, huh? I heard from the public moral committee that it's an organization constantly dancing on the edge of the school rules."

"Let's just say they're… a little more energetic than usual." Shirogane chuckled. "Speaking of which, shouldn't you be attending club activities too, Treasurer Ronan?"

"You know how the Astronomy Club is—there's no way to see stars during the day."

"…Fair point."

"By the way, I heard some interesting rumors about you from Momo-senpai."

"Oh? Well, I was in the student council with Ryuji back then, so—"

"She told me about the girl you like, President."

"!!"

"I have to say, that was an answer I didn't expect."

"W-What are you even talking about, Treasurer Ronan…?"

"President, you're sweating. Have some tea and calm down."

"Oh, s-sure… T-thank you."

Ronan handed the teacup to Shirogane, whose hands were trembling uncontrollably. The cup in his grip was shaking so much it was vibrating at high frequency.

"President, take a deep breath. Try to relax a little, okay?"

"I AM calm! Completely calm!"

"Alright then, I'll continue. Momo-senpai mentioned that you have feelings for the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya family—"

Bang!

The teacup trembled too much, and the tea spilled all over Shirogane's school uniform.

"T-That's nonsense! My feelings for Shinomiya are purely admiration for her abilities! Nothing more!"

"Oh, I see. No other feelings, huh? That's good to hear. Because you know how things are with the Shinomiya family. Forget about whether she would even consider a broke guy, even if you two did end up together, her family would go to extreme lengths to tear you apart. It's doomed from the start… Here, take some tissues. And please, don't cry."

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