Crossover: After deciding to give up, i became popular

"Good morning, President!"

"Yes, you look as dashing and handsome as ever."

"If you don't mind, would you like to have lunch with me?"

"..."

Kaguya Shinomiya stared at the piece of paper in her hands, which was titled: "Flirting Techniques Even a Monkey Could Learn."

This was Hayasaka's "gift" to her that morning, claiming that following its steps would make the president notice her charms and fall head over heels for her.

But those bolded words, "even a monkey," were unreasonably conspicuous.

"Hayasaka, what's the meaning of this?" Kaguya asked, her expression icy.

"The ink was running out when I wrote it, so the letters toward the end are faint," Hayasaka replied, completely unbothered.

"..." Kaguya blinked. That wasn't what she meant to ask. She was trying to figure out where this thing even came from.

Still, that didn't matter. The critical issue was whether or not this advice would actually work.

"Are you sure I need to say something like this to invite the president?"

"I'm absolutely sure, Miss Kaguya," Hayasaka said with a firm nod, using the gesture to shake off the grogginess from her lack of sleep.

This advice was the simplest and most straightforward Kaguya could manage without collapsing from embarrassment. Suggestions like, "President, I'd like to have lunch with you," or "I hope you'll stay by my side forever," or even the bold, "I want you to do this and that with me," were absolutely out of Kaguya's league.

"Well... fine. I'll give it a try."

Since Hayasaka was her most trusted confidant, Kaguya decided to follow her advice.

To ensure she caught a glimpse of the president first thing in the morning, she had woken up early and rushed to school, finishing her student council duties at record speed before joining the disciplinary committee at the school gate.

Yet, no matter how long she waited, Natsukawa Kanade never appeared. By the time the bell rang, it was clear: the president wasn't coming to school today.

Mahiru Shiina was a girl blessed with extraordinary charm. She was strong, kind, and empathetic—a beautiful girl beloved by all. Yet, despite her gentle personality and warm demeanor, there was one exception to her universal amiability: Natsukawa Kanade.

Their first meeting took place during a dreary, rain-soaked evening.

It wasn't a romantic tale of mutual assistance but one filled with suspicion, tension, and guardedness.

After being cruelly dismissed by her mother as "a child no one wants," Mahiru had stormed out to a deserted park, letting the rain soak her in a reckless bid to vent her frustrations.

It was there that Kanade had appeared, umbrella in hand, and approached her with an audacious opening line:

"Does the Angel need a sturdy shoulder to cry on?"

A presumptuous flirt.

In that moment, Mahiru's heart delivered its verdict: this boy was nothing but a shallow fool.

She didn't want to be anyone's "Angel." She was just a girl longing for her parents' love.

"Do you need something?" she asked curtly, though the shared school uniform he wore made her slightly less wary.

"I saw you standing here in the rain. I was worried..."

"I appreciate your concern, but I'd prefer to be left alone."

"But staying out here will make you sick..."

"Even if it does, that's none of your business."

Her sour mood had consumed her entirely, but Mahiru wasn't the type to lash out at strangers. Even if this boy seemed to be hitting on her, she wouldn't unleash her anger on him.

"I see..." Kanade stood silently for a moment before walking to the swing set nearby.

He placed his umbrella to the side and sat down on the wet seat without a word, his gaze fixed on the sky.

Mahiru ignored him at first, stewing in her own sadness. But their quiet proximity felt different from being alone, and eventually, she snapped.

"What are you trying to do? I don't need your pity!"

Kanade flinched at her outburst, then stood and bowed deeply.

"I'm sorry. I thought sitting nearby might help you feel less alone."

He straightened up, his voice earnest. "I just want you to know: no matter what, don't hurt yourself. There's always someone out there who would be heartbroken to see you like this."

"..." Mahiru's lips tightened into a line.

What did he know about her? Even her own mother wouldn't spare her a second glance, so why should she believe him?

"Sorry for overstepping," Kanade said after a moment, his tone gentler. "As an apology, please take this umbrella. My house is nearby, so I'll manage."

He forced the umbrella into her hands before dashing off into the rain.

"Liar..." Mahiru muttered, staring at the umbrella.

She knew they were neighbors. She'd seen him unlock the door next to hers plenty of times, though they'd never spoken before.

"Presumptuous, flirtatious, self-absorbed idiot..."

The cold rain no longer stung her body. The warmth lingering on the umbrella's handle seeped into her heart, chasing away the chill.

"...Thank you," she whispered.

The next day, Kanade predictably caught a cold. Though he stubbornly dragged himself to school, he collapsed in front of his house and lost consciousness.

Mahiru couldn't just leave him there.

She wasn't the type to abandon even a stray cat or dog, let alone the foolish boy who had given her his umbrella.

She brought him inside, boiled water, reduced his fever, and cooked porridge—all skills she had learned from her family's housekeeper. Slowly but surely, Kanade recovered.

In her mind, this act repaid her debt to him.

But fate had other plans. Through a series of chance events, the two began interacting more, their bond growing closer with each encounter.

They supported each other, lent strength to one another, and became sources of mutual solace.

Mahiru had always thought they'd remain lifelong friends... until that fateful day.

"Shiina, I like you."

"Eh? I..."

He wasn't supposed to have feelings for her. They weren't supposed to be anything more than friends. Why would he say something like that?

"I know you might not feel the same way yet, but I wanted to be honest. I don't want any misunderstandings between us."

"Don't..."

Don't say it. Don't push this further. If you do, we'll...

"I swear, I mean it. I'll never—"

"Stop!" Mahiru's voice broke, louder than she'd ever intended. Fear and guilt flooded her.

She couldn't handle it—the weight of his feelings, her own uncertainty, the crushing expectation. Escape was the only option.

"S-sorry. I need to be alone."

She fled to the sanctuary of her room, as if hiding there could make her feel safe again.

With time, surely, he'd understand that she wasn't the right choice for him. And she could continue basking in his kindness from afar...

Mahiru's gaze instinctively turned toward Kanade's seat after greeting her classmates.

Since becoming second-years, they'd been in the same class. Yet, apart from that rainy evening two days ago, she'd never dared approach him.

Instead, she quietly watched from a distance, her eyes often drawn to his empty desk.

"Huh? Kanade isn't here today..."

Could it be because he lent someone his umbrella again?

The memory of their first encounter flashed through her mind, and an inexplicable worry crept in.

But beneath that concern lay a faint, unacknowledged sense of delight—like a lost treasure, momentarily hers alone once more.

Notes-Read advances chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X, i have finished uploading the whole series in patreon, a total of 274 chapters you can find it in the collections, thanks for supporting me and special thanks to all the patrons for joining