Crossover: After deciding to give up, i became popular

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Natsukawa Kanade said, jogging up to Katou Megumi.

To honor yesterday's lunch plan, Kanade had gone straight to the teachers' office after class to borrow the rooftop key from the head teacher.

Being a model student and former student council president came with its perks. With the excuse of "checking the rooftop for safety concerns and discouraging unauthorized gatherings," he had no trouble getting the key.

What had seemed simple in the moment turned out to be trickier than anticipated.

Not only did he have to decline his classmates' invitations to lunch, but he also had to find a suitable, discreet location.

As someone constantly in the spotlight, sitting down with Katou in a public space would undoubtedly spark rumors. The last thing he wanted was for her to endure the hassle of unwelcome attention, given her preference for a peaceful life.

"It's fine. I just got here," Katou said with her usual gentle understanding.

Kanade nodded and glanced around cautiously. After confirming no one was watching, he unlocked the rooftop door.

The vast blue sky greeted them—a pristine, serene expanse that immediately lifted their spirits.

Though the rooftop was typically off-limits, it was regularly cleaned. They found a relatively dust-free bench and sat down side by side.

"You look nervous, Natsukawa-kun," Katou said, noticing him scanning their surroundings. "Afraid someone will catch us sneaking up here?"

"Or am I making things troublesome for you…?"

"No, of course not," Kanade quickly reassured her.

He had extended the invitation himself, and spending time with Katou was a welcome reprieve from his usual stresses. There was no way he would find it bothersome.

"It's just… not to brag, but I tend to attract attention. If people saw us eating lunch together, it'd definitely lead to misunderstandings."

"Misunderstandings, huh…" Katou nodded thoughtfully.

"I don't mind much—I already have my fair share of rumors. But you, Katou, wouldn't you be bothered by it?"

"Not really."

"Huh?"

"After all, not many people even know who I am. Even if they saw me, they'd forget about it in seconds," Katou said with a small smile.

Kanade was momentarily speechless.

True, Katou's presence was so understated that even standing in front of someone, she could go unnoticed. Remembering her name? Even less likely.

"How about we find a different spot next time?" he suggested, feeling that sneaking around like this might come off as disrespectful.

"It's okay," Katou replied, shaking her head. Her shoulder-length hair swayed gently in the breeze, highlighting her delicate charm. "The view here is beautiful."

"Isn't it? I come here sometimes to relax. I'll just sit on this bench and watch the world go by beneath me," Kanade said, handing Katou her bento.

She accepted it with a nod and then handed him a bottle of tea.

"What's this?"

"Oolong tea. A friend of my dad's gave us a lot, and we can't finish it, so I thought you could have some."

"Well, thank you," Kanade said, taking a sip.

A rich aroma filled his mouth. Unlike the mass-produced bottled tea from the supermarket, this freshly brewed oolong tea had a slightly bitter start that mellowed into a sweet aftertaste, leaving a fragrant residue that lingered on his palate.

"Delicious. Thanks, Katou."

"I'm glad you like it," she said, a faint smile gracing her lips. She pulled out a tin of tea leaves from her bag.

"If you want more, here's some to take home."

"Wait, that's too much…"

"No need to hesitate. My dad doesn't like it, so if it just sits there, it'll go bad."

"…Alright." Kanade accepted reluctantly, feeling a twinge of guilt.

All this for a simple eel rice lunch… While the tea leaves weren't overly expensive, the thoughtfulness behind the gesture weighed on him.

"If you still feel bad about it, you can treat me to dessert next time," Katou said softly, her tone soothing.

"There's this new dessert I've been wanting to try, but I'm low on allowance…"

Kanade blinked at her before breaking into a grin.

"Katou, I didn't know you were such a schemer—using a gift to wrangle pocket money for sweets."

"…" Katou didn't reply, but her puffed-up cheeks and the faint blush on her ears betrayed her emotions.

Kanade decided to stop teasing before he pushed her too far.

After some light conversation, they enjoyed a peaceful lunch together, taking in the unique rooftop view without interruptions.

By the time school ended, Kanade was leaving the principal's office, stepping into the twilight of a darkening sky.

"Student council president, huh…" Kanade exhaled deeply, his thoughts swirling.

The conversation with the principal had been eye-opening. Of all the topics discussed, the one that struck him most was the school's stance on his resignation—they neither approved nor supported it.

The reason was simple: during his tenure, the student council had received unanimous praise from students and staff alike.

Under his leadership, the council had outperformed previous years, operating at what some considered a peak level of efficiency. The school wasn't willing to risk losing that success.

While the administration might not fully grasp Kanade's individual capabilities, they understood the exceptional harmony of his team. As the central figure who had united them, his departure posed a significant risk.

The unique position of the student council at Shuchiin Academy gave it authority far beyond that of a typical school. It managed nearly all student affairs, from attendance and regulations to major events like cultural festivals and field trips. The student council's influence was inextricably tied to the school's identity.

As a "transfer student," Kanade's rise to the presidency had been unusual, given the academy's traditional preference for lifelong attendees. Normally, someone in his position would have been quickly ousted, much like a previous mixed-entry student council president.

Everything had changed because of Kaguya Shinomiya.

Representing the Shinomiya Group and serving as his vice president, Kaguya had been instrumental in his success.

Driven by his feelings for her, Kanade had repeatedly challenged her—academically, socially, in every way he could. His goal was to surpass her brilliance and earn her acknowledgment.

He had poured endless hours into improvement, often sleeping less than five hours a night. Through sheer determination, he had managed to defeat Kaguya in academics and eventually became student council president, with her support.

But his romantic feelings for her had never been reciprocated. Kaguya respected his abilities, but he was not her first choice as a partner.

To run from his heartbreak by abandoning his friends, however, was cowardice.

He had made that mistake countless times before, only to be haunted by regret during lonely nights.

But then there was that rainy day when Katou's gentle words had given him strength.

Escape? Responsibility? None of it mattered. What mattered was staying true to himself.

"I want to be everyone's friend forever," Kanade whispered, clenching his fists.

To laugh, play, and live together with them—he couldn't give up that possibility.

To do that, he needed to let go of his past and embrace a new version of himself.