Starting With The Sefirah Castle In The Anime World

(3/5)

In the Student Council Office of Shuchiin Academy,

As the president of the Student Council, Shirogane Miyuki subconsciously glanced at the seat that belonged to the vice president, Shinomiya Kaguya.

"Hmm…"

The slightly irritated mood caused him to tap his fingers against the table without realizing it.

"President, what's wrong today? You seem… agitated," asked Ishigami Yu, who was working on the student council's project report. Noticing the president's unusual demeanor, he turned his attention toward Shirogane with curiosity.

"Ah… you're thinking about the vice president, aren't you?"

"Hey! Ishigami, I'm just… concerned about Shinomiya. She's been on leave for three days."

"Oh? So the president doesn't know?"

Hearing this, Shirogane immediately straightened his posture.

"Ishigami, do you know why Shinomiya took leave?"

"Not only do I know, but almost everyone in Shuchiin knows why the vice president is absent."

"Wait… everyone knows?"

"Yes, it's been a hot topic for the past few days. Honestly, I thought you already knew about it."

"This is news to me."

For the first time, Shirogane Miyuki felt the sting of how limited his access to information was.

"But if the reason is so well known, why am I the only one left out?"

"Ishigami, can you explain everything to me?"

"Of course."

Ishigami nodded, setting his computer aside for the moment.

"The story is pretty straightforward. A few days ago, a sudden upheaval occurred in the Shinomiya family."

"Upheaval?"

"At the time, a powerful force began suppressing all of the Shinomiya family's businesses."

"Not just in the business world, either—even their political connections were targeted. The entire family was under pressure."

"But… the Shinomiya family is massive. Shouldn't they be able to resist?"

"Nope. The Shinomiya family was nearly crushed overnight."

"That's… unbelievable!"

Shirogane Miyuki couldn't mask his shock.

Since starting at Shuchiin, he'd constantly heard about the scale and influence of the Shinomiya family.

For something so formidable to be brought to its knees in such a short time was utterly mind-boggling.

"That's why Shinomiya asked for leave? Because of the chaos in her family?"

"I'd say that's part of it."

Ishigami considered it for a moment before continuing.

"While the vice president's leave is definitely tied to the family crisis, the reason might not be what you think."

"Not what I think? What do you mean?"

"President, let me put it this way, everyone is saying that the upheaval in the Shinomiya family was orchestrated by Sanzenin."

"Sanzenin?"

The weight of the name hit Shirogane like a brick.

The Sanzenin family, another name representing wealth, power, and prestige far beyond the Shinomiya family.

As if Shinomiya alone wasn't overwhelming enough, now Sanzenin was added to the mix.

"But that's not the only thing. What's really surprising is that people are saying… the mastermind behind it all was Shinomiya herself."

"Wait. What?"

"The person behind the Shinomiya family's crisis… was Shinomiya?"

"Exactly."

Shirogane stared at Ishigami, dumbfounded.

"Ishigami, are you messing with me right now?"

"Not at all."

Ishigami raised his hand in mock oath.

"Everything I'm saying is public knowledge. The rumors are flying all over campus, so it must be true."

"But people are saying the vice president worked with Sanzenin. They must've made some kind of deal."

"Deal? Why would Sanzenin need to negotiate with Shinomiya?"

"That's the thing, there's been a lot of debate about it."

"What's there to debate?"

"It doesn't make sense. Sanzenin is leagues ahead of Shinomiya in terms of power. They wouldn't need any agreement to force the Shinomiya family into submission."

"True…"

Shirogane thought it over and realized how strange the situation sounded.

Sanzenin had enough power to crush Shinomiya at will. There was no logical reason for them to bother negotiating.

No wonder people were skeptical.

"I guess only Shinomiya knows what really happened."

Shirogane decided not to dwell on it further.

"And then?"

"And then, the Shinomiya family announced that the position of heir had been officially transferred to the vice president."

"So the reason for her absence is probably tied to restructuring the family's internal affairs."

"I see…"

It all made sense now. That explained why Shinomiya had been gone for three days.

Suddenly, a new thought struck Shirogane, and he froze.

"Wait… doesn't this mean Shinomiya is now in charge of the entire Shinomiya family?"

"Exactly."

Ishigami confirmed it without hesitation.

"Because of Sanzenin's intervention, Shinomiya Kaguya is now the head of the family."

"She's effectively in control of the entire Shinomiya conglomerate."

"This… all of this happened in just three days?"

At that moment, Shirogane Miyuki felt his body go rigid.

For the longest time, he'd believed that by working hard and studying diligently, he could match Shinomiya's achievements, prove he was just as capable, if not more so.

But now, the gap between them felt insurmountable, like they were in completely different worlds.

"Oh no!!!"

Just as Shirogane began spiraling into self-doubt, the door to the Student Council room was flung open with a loud bang.

"Bang!"

"Oh no, President!"

Fujiwara Chika rushed in, her face a mix of panic and anxiety.

"I just heard something terrible, Kaguya chan might be transferring to another school!"

"What?!"

The sudden announcement caused Shirogane's mind to short-circuit.

Even Ishigami, who usually stayed composed, was momentarily stunned.

He quickly questioned the source of the news.

"Fujiwara-senpai, where did you hear that?"

"From the principal, of course!"

Fujiwara puffed out her chest proudly but couldn't hide the worry in her expression.

"Wuwu~ Kaguya and I are so close! How could she transfer without telling me?"

She looked genuinely distraught, wanting desperately to know where Kaguya had gone.

Typically, Fujiwara would have picked up on something earlier. But with Kaguya having been absent for three days, she had only just learned about the transfer.

Shirogane, on the other hand, was in complete shock.

The news of Shinomiya transferring schools had shattered his already fragile composure.

Moments ago, he had been grappling with the realization of the vast gulf between them.

Now, she was leaving entirely.

---

Meanwhile, in a classroom at a different school, two new transfer students were being introduced.

"These two are our new transfer students."

"Please, introduce yourselves."

One of the students stepped forward confidently.

"I am Shinomiya Kaguya. I look forward to being your classmate. Please take care of me."