Yu Ishigami's concern was tangible, almost suffocating.
He had always feared for Fujiwara Chika's safety whenever Kaguya Shinomiya's sharp glare settled on her.
In the past, that look had the power to send someone straight to the afterlife within three months, in Yu's overactive imagination at least.
Even now, the terrifying glint in Kaguya's eyes was deeper, more intense, and undeniably real.
Yu Ishigami couldn't help but think, She might really… go ahead before me. Sunk into Tokyo Bay or something.
Haruto almost laughed outright at the thought, but restrained himself, waving a hand to calm Ishigami.
"Ishigami," he said gently, "don't be so concerned. Kaguya can be fierce sometimes, yes, but it's mostly a way for her to vent emotions. But she's no longer the Ice Princess who doesn't care about anyone. She… values everyone in the student council a lot."
Ishigami's suspicious gaze only deepened. Haruto's words sounded like nonsense—or perhaps the survivor's bias of someone close to Kaguya.
Still, separated by a thin bamboo wall, Ishigami and Haruto weren't the only ones listening.
On the other side, the female hot spring held two girls near the wall, ears straining for every word.
"'Three… two… zero,'" Fujiwara Chika whispered, winking at Kaguya.
"Just by staying quiet, you can probably hear something really powerful," she added, smugly, lowering her voice.
Originally, Chika had hoped to overhear a sincere confession.
But this? This was almost as good.
Hot springs had a strange way of loosening words. Boys always spilled a few unpolished truths in a few sentences, according to youth magazine statistics.
And Kaguya—after years of observing such "X-knowledge" of preschoolers and student council discussions—had a subtle foundation for understanding these things. Sometimes, even the mere mention of them would make her laugh unexpectedly.
Fujiwara Chika wanted to see the shy, flustered side of Shinomiya Kaguya.
And now, it seemed she would—at last.
Haruto's words were almost a confession, a protective affirmation. They sent Chika's "love nerves" into overdrive.
Even Shinomiya Kaguya couldn't hide her subtle smile at the corner of her mouth, suppressing it with all her might.
"This isn't a big deal… Haru's opinion of me has always been this good," she murmured harshly, though her heart fluttered.
Chika tilted her head, suspicious. In the past, she'd never doubted Kaguya's words. Lies were rarely even noticeable.
But now?
Girls in love were unpredictable. Arrogant. Silly. And easily flustered.
Just as Kaguya felt the discomfort of being observed so keenly by Chika, Ishigami's voice cut through the bamboo wall again.
"Speaking of which… what kind of girl does Haruto-senpai like?"
Suddenly, both Fujiwara Chika and Shinomiya Kaguya perked up.
This was a topic worth hearing!
Even Iino Miko, who had been paddling cautiously along the female side, slowed and listened carefully.
On the male side, Haruto glanced at Ishigami.
Boys chatting in hot springs often wandered into topics like this. Still, Ishigami had a habit of taking things to extremes.
Haruto could clearly feel the three girls' heightened heartbeats through the thin bamboo wall.
Time to let Ishigami shine.
He was, after all, the hero—saving everyone from stress and cold baths.
"Ishigami," Haruto said gently, "I actually don't remember much about that."
Ishigami blinked, bewildered. How could Haruto not remember?
Haruto continued calmly:
"Perhaps, when I was younger, I had an ideal image of someone I longed for—like a goddess in my dreams. But as time passes, when you meet someone whose soul matches yours, that idealized image blurs. Over the years, the people you meet may differ from those dreams, yet they gradually occupy your heart, shaping the dream itself."
Philosophical, almost romantic realism. In simpler terms: the person he loved was already standing before him.
He shifted topics subtly, sparing Ishigami from too much mental damage.
On the other side of the wall, all three girls' hearts beat faster.
Romance.
Destiny.
Mutual admiration.
A boy calling his feelings in such a way? Irresistible.
Yet Ishigami Yu, unfazed, raised his voice.
"Eh?! Too vague! I mean… describe! The figure, Haruto-senpai!"
Water splashed as he gestured dramatically with his arms, miming every curve and angle:
"Like a ripe peach—plump, full, irresistible! And also like a green apricot, imperfect yet pleasing to the eye! Makes you want to endure the sourness for the sweetness!"
Haruto's deep sigh carried both exasperation and admiration.
What has this boy become?
And then, a sudden thunk!
The bamboo wall trembled slightly. An arrow, embedded deep in the wall, protruded halfway through.
Haruto recognized it immediately: Shinomiya Kaguya's prized arrow from kyudo.
A symbol of honor. Her first perfect shot.
Sometimes, she even used it as a hairpin.
And now?
It had lodged in the wall between the hot springs, a quiet, terrifying marker.
Ishigami's eyes widened, cold sweat trickling down his face.
"Haruto-senpai… you said Kaguya values the student council and wouldn't just throw someone into Tokyo Bay, right?" His voice trembled.
Haruto patted him gently on the shoulder, offering consolation.
"Don't worry. Anyway, there's a company called Delamain. Specializes in safe 'taxi projects'—transport, funerals, cremation, all done beautifully."
"If you ever… well, die in a car," he said gently, "Delamain will ensure a proper cremation, and your ashes will be scattered into the Pacific. Sounds perfect, right? Ishigami… while you're still alive, go grab the VIP Package."
Ishigami blinked, still pale but slightly reassured.
The life-and-death absurdity of this moment only added to the weird humor of their hot-spring afternoon.