Chapter Text
The smell of fresh bread and sugar filled the kitchen as Hikigaya Yui hummed softly, flipping pancakes with practiced ease. Morning sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the small bakery-café in warmth.
Behind her, footsteps approached.
“Mm… morning,” a low, sleepy voice muttered.
Yui turned just in time to see Hikigaya Hachiman shrugging into his coat, eyes half-lidded as always, like the world personally offended him by continuing to exist.
“Going already?” Yui asked, smiling.
“Unfortunately,” he replied dryly. “Capitalism waits for no one.”
She giggled, walked over, and planted a quick kiss on his lips. Hachiman stiffened for exactly half a second before relaxing.
“…Be back tonight,” he said, turning red just enough to be noticeable.
“Mm! Don’t work too hard, Hikki!”
With that, he slipped out the door, leaving behind the faintest hint of roasted coffee and eternal pessimism.
Yui turned back to the stove—only to nearly drop her spatula.
Standing in the doorway was a strikingly beautiful boy, pale-skinned and slim, with long lashes framing peach-reddish eyes that still looked half-asleep. His short light-orange hair fell softly around his ears, and his slightly feminine features made him look like the kind of boy who caused unnecessary emotional distress just by existing.
He yawned.
“Morning, Mom.”
“H-Hikaru!” Yui clasped her hands together. “You’re up early!”
Hikigaya Hikaru, eldest of the twins, stretched lazily. “Bakery smells too loud. Couldn’t sleep.”
Yui smiled warmly. “Could you wake up your sister for me?”
Hikaru froze.
Slowly, he looked away… wearing the saddest smile imaginable.
“Please, Mom,” he said quietly.
“Don’t make me wake her up.”
Yui blinked. “Why not?”
“…There are some things,” Hikaru said solemnly,
“…a brother can’t unsee.”
Yui’s imagination immediately betrayed her.
“W-WHAT DID YOU SEE—?!”
“Nothing illegal!” he said quickly. “Just—traumatizing.”
She sighed. “I’ll do it myself…”
Before she could move—
“Morning.”
A cute teenage girl stood at the kitchen entrance, average height, fair-skinned, with nape-length orange hair and bangs parted neatly down the middle. Her dead-fish eyes stared ahead, completely devoid of morning motivation.
“Hikari!” Yui beamed. “You’re awake!”
“Unfortunately,”Hikari replied flatly.
She glanced at the clock.
“You two better hurry. You’ll be late.”
Hikaru grabbed his bag. “Student council meeting today. I’ll help at the shop after.”
“Thanks, sweetie!”
Yui immediately pulled him into a hug.
“M-Mom—!” Hikaru protested. “I’m not a kid!”
“You’ll always be my baby~”
Hikari watched silently.
Minute later at Shuchi’in Academy,in the Courtyard...
The twins walked side by side toward the gates of Shuchi’in Academy, black uniforms crisp and immaculate. Hikaru wore his jacket open, hands in his pockets, expression calm.
Hikari yawned again.
As they entered the courtyard, Hikaru froze.
There she was.
Fujiwara Chika—pink hair bouncing lightly, black bow perched proudly atop her square bangs. Her bright blue eyes scanned the courtyard… until they landed on him.
“Oh! Hikaru!” She waved enthusiastically.
His heart detonated.
“O-Oh. Morning, Fujiwara.”
He waved back, stiff as a corpse.
Hikari smirked. “You should just ask her out.”
“…It’s not that easy.”
She tilted her head. “Why?”
“She wouldn’t get it,” he muttered. “You’ve never had a crush.”
Hikari paused.
“…You’re right about that.”
She waved casually. “See ya later, big bro.”
Hikaru watched her walk off, exhaling slowly before heading to class.
Classroom – 2-A...
Hikaru slid into his seat beside his best friend.
“Yo,” said Shirogane Miyuki, already buried in paperwork. “You look dead.”
“Chronic condition,” Hikaru replied.
Miyuki sighed. “Fujiwara again?”
“…Yeah.”
Unbeknownst to them, Chika Fujiwara, sitting a few rows away, peeked back at Hikaru—heart pounding.
Not yet, she thought.
A Few Hours Later…
The hallway outside the student council room was unusually quiet.
Chika Fujiwara hummed to herself as she walked, clutching a small bag of snacks—purely for emergencies, of course. Just as she reached the door, it opened from the inside.
“Hm?”
Standing there was Hikigaya Hikaru.
He paused when he saw her, peach-reddish eyes softening almost immediately. Without a word, he stepped aside and held the door open, giving a small, exaggerated bow.
“After you, Ms. Secretary.”
Chika blinked… then grinned.
“So thoughtful,” she said playfully, stepping past him. “You’re popular with the ladies, you know.”
“…I doubt that,” Hikaru replied, closing the door behind them.
Minutes later, the four members were seated around the long table.
At the head sat Shirogane Miyuki, the eternally sleep-deprived student council president, blond hair slightly unkempt and dark circles giving him his usual intimidating glare. Across from him sat Shinomiya Kaguya, vice president—beautiful, composed, black hair tied neatly with a red ribbon, every inch the elite heiress she was born to be.
Chika suddenly slapped the table.
“Oh! That reminds me!” she said brightly. “Listen to this—I won a pair of movie tickets!”
Everyone looked at her.
“But,” she continued, pouting slightly, “my parents won’t let me see stuff like that. Sooo… anyone interested?”
Miyuki adjusted his glasses. “Hmm. Now that you mention it, I actually have a rare free weekend. Shinomiya, why don’t we—”
“Apparently,” Chika cut in innocently, “there’s a jinx if a boy and a girl see this movie together. They’ll become a couple. Super romantic, right?”
The room froze.
Hikaru leaned back in his chair. “People really will believe anything.”
Kaguya slowly set her pen down.
“President,” she said coolly, “did you just invite me to a movie?”
“W-Well—!”
“If I didn’t know any better,” she continued, eyes narrowing, “I might think you were asking me out.”
Miyuki waved the tickets defensively. “So do you want to go or not? I don’t put much stock in dumb rumors—but if you do, I’m still willing. It’s your call.”
Kaguya paused.
Then—
“Well… I am a bit of a romantic at heart,” she said softly. “If we’re going to see it, shouldn’t you ask with more passion?”
Before Miyuki could react, she reached out and gently took his hand.
“I’m at that age where I’d like to try a little romance too.”
Miyuki’s face turned red instantly.
Hikaru glanced away, pretending not to notice.
Chika, however, watched closely—then casually reached into the pocket of her skirt.
“Oh, if you don’t like love stories,” she added, pulling something out, “you could always use the tickets to see The Birdie from Tottori.”
“…The birdie?” Miyuki repeated.
“From Tottori?” Kaguya echoed.
They both stared at her in stunned silence.
Hikaru sniffed the air.
“…Something burning?”
“Oh! Right!” Hikaru stood. “I almost forgot—I should head back to class. You coming, Fujiwara?”
“Yep!” Chika said cheerfully, already munching on a steamed bun as she followed him out. “See you later~”
The hallway felt quieter as they walked side by side.
Chika kept glancing at him.
Once.
Twice.
Five times.
“…Is something wrong?” Hikaru finally asked. “Do I have something on my face?”
“No,” she said quickly—then hesitated. “It’s just… we’ve known each other for years, but you never call me by my first name.”
Hikaru stiffened.
“…Fujiwara is fine, isn’t it?”
She pouted. “I call you Hikaru. See? Easy.”
He looked away, ears faintly red. “…It’s harder for me.”
Chika studied him for a moment—then smiled knowingly.
“Well, you’ll get there someday.”
She walked ahead, leaving him standing there, heart pounding.
Today’s Battle Results:
Fujiwara Chika — Victory.
(Hikigaya Hikaru has taken emotional damage.)
The next Day...
Student Council Room — Love Letter Incident
The student council room was unusually peaceful.
Papers rustled. Pens scratched. The soft hum of productivity filled the air.
Then—
“A love letter?”
Fujiwara Chika’s voice cut through the room like a knife through cake.
Miyuki’s pen froze mid-stroke.
Hikaru slowly looked up.
“Yes,” Shinomiya Kaguya replied calmly, eyes still on the paper in her hands. “And it’s surprisingly romantic. The boy even asked me to have dinner with him.”
“…You mean,” Chika said slowly, leaning forward, “he asked you on a date?”
“Essentially.”
Who’s the guy? Hikaru wondered, unease creeping up his spine.
“So?” Chika asked, fingers fidgeting. “Do you think you’ll go?”
“Well… sure. Why not?” Kaguya answered with a faint smile.
“…Wow,” Hikaru muttered before he could stop himself.
“Writing a love letter like this takes courage,” Kaguya continued serenely. “He must have built it up just for me. How could I not be moved by a boy like that?”
“…Wouldn’t that count as a blind date?” Hikaru asked carefully.
“What? You’d actually go on a blind date?” Chika gasped.
“Yes. I’m rather looking forward to it.”
Miyuki cleared his throat loudly.
“There’s just one problem,” he said, pushing his glasses up. “As student council president, I can’t endorse you having a relationship like that.”
“A relationship like what?” Kaguya replied coolly. “We’re only going out to dinner.”
“Let an adult be the judge of that,” Miyuki said gravely. “Depending on how it’s perceived, this could result in suspension. If you insist on going, I’ll have no choice…”
He paused dramatically.
“…I’ll have to report this blind rendezvous to one of the teachers.”
The room went dead silent.
He’d snitch?!
Chika and Hikaru thought in perfect sync.
“Go right ahead,” Kaguya said without hesitation. “It’s possible this is true love. I’m prepared to risk expulsion if necessary.”
“YOU’D GO THAT FAR?!” Hikaru shouted.
“You can’t!” Chika cried.
“If it means experiencing true love,” Kaguya declared boldly, “I’ll willingly offer my body and soul.”
“…That’s not how school works,” Hikaru whispered.
“DON’T BE ABSURD!” Miyuki yelled, slamming his desk and knocking papers everywhere.
“How is it absurd?!” Kaguya shot back. “He’s already shown his devotion through his sweet words. I’ll show mine by risking expulsion!”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Miyuki snapped—then hesitated. “…Hypothetically… if I confessed right now… would you forget him if I said I loved you?”
Kaguya froze.
“I… I wouldn’t rule it out,” she said, blushing and fidgeting. “So… maybe.”
Miyuki stepped forward, eyes sharp.
“It seems your feelings are rather fickle.”
How did we get here? Hikaru thought, overwhelmed.
“If you’d discard his heartfelt confession so easily for another man,” Miyuki continued smugly, “then how genuine can that love be?”
“All I said was maybe—!”
“Ah yes,” he cut in, leg shaking. “Because nothing screams true love like maybe.”
Kaguya grabbed her bag and stormed toward the door.
“I’m leaving. I don’t care what you say—”
Suddenly—
Chika burst into tears and grabbed Kaguya by the shoulders.
“I DON’T WANT ANYONE TAKING YOU AWAY, KAGUYA!” she sobbed. “I DON’T WANT YOU TO GET EXPELLED! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN ANYONE DOES!”
She clung to her, crying openly.
The room froze.
“…Fine!” Kaguya snapped, face red. “You’ve convinced me. Now let go!”
Hikaru stood there, utterly lost.
He felt bad for whoever wrote that letter.
Far away, somewhere in the school—
Ai Hayasaka sneezed.
Today’s Battle Results:
Kaguya —Loses.
Next Day — Lunch Time, Student Council Room...
Hikigaya Hikaru pushed open the student council room door, expecting the usual chaos.
Instead, he was greeted by an oddly domestic scene.
At the center table sat Shirogane Miyuki, proudly holding a neatly arranged bento box.
Across from him, Fujiwara Chika stared at it in pure awe.
Nearby, Shinomiya Kaguya stood with her arms crossed, observing like a hawk.
“Oh?” Chika said brightly. “You brought your own lunch today? It looks amazing!”
“I know,” Miyuki replied confidently. “I made everything from scratch.”
“Huh,” Hikaru muttered. “Didn’t know the Prez could co—”
“Do you mind if I get a teensy bite?” Chika interrupted.
“I don’t mind,” Miyuki said immediately. “What do you want to try?”
HUH?!
Hikaru and Kaguya thought at the same time.
“There’s so much to choose from~” Chika said, leaning closer.
“In that case,” Miyuki said, “try the patty.”
“Yay!”
Hikaru watched in silent horror as Chika took a bite.
(You traitor!) Hikaru screamed internally.
(Inviting me to the council… making me general affairs officer… and now you offer Chika your lunch?! I thought we were friends!)
“So yummy!” Chika said cheerfully. “Nothing makes my taste buds happier than the juicy burst when I bite into the patty!”
(Relax… relax, Hikaru…) he told himself.
(The Prez doesn’t like her like that. He can’t. Right?)
Trying to regain composure, Hikaru grabbed a stack of papers and pretended to work.
“Oh!” Chika said. “Is that miso soup?”
“Well, if you’ll excuse me,” Hikaru said abruptly, standing up and walking out.
“…That was weird,” Chika said.
“Anyway,” Miyuki replied, “try some of the rice.”
“Right, Kaicho!”
Later — Hikigaya Bakery
“I want to learn how to make a bento!”
The sudden shout nearly made Yuigahama Yui drop a tray.
“H-Hikaru? Where did that come from?”
“I just do,” he said seriously.
“…Okay?” Yui replied, thoroughly confused.
The Next Day — Student Council Room...
Hikaru entered the room and immediately froze.
Chika and Miyuki were staring down at something on the table.
“What are you both staring at—whoa.”
Inside the bento sat a whole lobster, perfectly cooked and arranged.
“It seems our chef got carried away,” Kaguya said coolly.
(You call that carried away?!) Hikaru thought.
“It looks great,” Miyuki said. “Let’s all eat together.”
“Yeah!” Chika agreed enthusiastically.
Hikaru smiled. Normal lunch. Good.
Then—
Miyuki opened his own bento.
“You’re having octopus sausages again?” Chika asked.
“Yeah, part of—” Miyuki stopped. “Whoa. Look at Hikigaya’s bento.”
Chika leaned over.
Hikaru’s lunch was neatly packed: zucchini noodles, baked chicken, and a side of dumplings.
Before he could explain—
He felt it.
A dark aura.
“President,” Kaguya said sweetly, “I recall you have a fondness for oysters, yes?”
Miyuki paled.
Meanwhile—
“Wanna share some of my lunch?” Chika asked suddenly.
“Sure,” Hikaru replied without thinking.
She picked up a piece with her chopsticks and stepped closer.
“Say ‘ah~’”
Hikaru froze.
“A-Ah…”
She fed him.
“Was it good?” she asked, noticing his bright red face.
“Y-Yeah,” he replied quickly, looking away.
(So cute.) Chika thought happily.
Across the room—
"(I wish I could feed the president,)" Kaguya thought bitterly.
"(I wish I could feed Shinomiya,)" Miyuki thought at the same time.
Neither noticed they were glaring at the wrong person.
Results of Today’s Battle:
Hikigaya Hikaru — Victory.
(Student Council morale: in shambles.)