Everything is Anime!

Tsubaki Shinra.

Although she wasn't the most dazzling beauty in Kuoh Academy—where gorgeous girls abounded—her looks and talents still garnered a considerable following within the school. The moment she appeared in the classroom, many students instinctively focused their attention on her. And upon seeing her head straight for Hikaru's desk, both boys and girls alike held their breath.

"Hikaru, could you come with me for a moment?"

"Sure."

He nodded slightly, having already gleaned her intent from her eyes. Business about the grimoire was not something to discuss openly in front of everyone.

"How's Sona doing lately?"

He closed his extracurricular novel and stood up. Tsubaki turned and walked out of the classroom.

"Thanks to you, the President is doing quite well."

She offered a faint smile, which immediately made a number of male classmates discreetly pound their chests in frustration. Because typically, neither the Vice President nor the Student Council President displayed any warmth toward other students, and yet here she was, smiling at Hikaru.

What did that imply?

It meant their relationship was definitely not ordinary.

Once the two left, chatter in the classroom and hallway erupted to an even higher pitch.

"Did you see that? Hikaru even called the President by her first name! Does that mean they're already…?"

"No way, right? They don't usually hang out or anything."

"That's where you're wrong! I bet they've been secretly meeting up. No other way they'd be on such familiar terms."

"And wasn't Princess Rias also interested in him not long ago? She's been pretty close to him for a while… but now the Student Council President steps in? Is this some big love rivalry? Are both these 'princesses' vying for the same man?!"

Hearing the girls' excited gossip, the few remaining boys sank into despair. It's over. Everything's over. They could still cling to some faint hope before, but now they had no illusions left.

"Eriri… you've known Hikaru since middle school, right? Do you know anything about him secretly meeting with the President?"

A girl's voice suddenly brought the blonde twin-tailed Eriri out of her trance.

"Huh? How would I know? A womanizer like him… I don't care what he does!"

Eriri craned her neck, trying to keep her agitation under wraps, forcing her tone to remain calm.

"Oh, I see."

The girl walked away, looking puzzled, while Eriri's clenched fists remained tightly wound in her uniform's sleeves. Ever since entering high school, Hikaru had been surrounded by more and more girls, and she'd barely been able to speak to him. Could it be there's no way for me to get closer to Hikaru except by taking the initiative?

…

Meanwhile, Hikaru and Tsubaki Shinra arrived at the Student Council Office. Since it was lunchtime, no one else was around. In that spacious room, besides Hikaru and the black-haired Vice President, only Sona Sitri sat at a desk, busy with paperwork.

Sunlight poured in through the windows, illuminating Sona's ebony hair with a glossy brilliance. That inky black hair accentuated her fair skin, and her sharp yet delicate features looked especially striking as she worked. Noticing the door open, Sona glanced up; with just that simple motion, she exuded a captivating air. No wonder even some girls admired her deeply.

But Hikaru was unmoved.

"So, Tsubaki said the item I asked for has arrived?"

"…"

Tsubaki gave a little start when he used her real name,—but managed to maintain her composure.

"Yes. My family was overjoyed to hear Kishimojin's affair had been resolved. Not only did it boost my record as a territory manager, but it also assures the general public they can depend on us more. My sister fully agreed to me giving you a grimoire."

Sona smiled sweetly. It was obvious Hikaru had inadvertently solved a major headache for her, thereby increasing her leverage in her family and in the Underworld. Granted, it was still early days, but at least she was heading in a promising direction.

Having said that, Sona handed Hikaru a book bound in black leather.

"This is our general spellbook. Every member of the Sitri family studies it from childhood. Apart from common, universal magic, it includes some of the Sitri clan's specialized Water Magic as well. Learning it might be challenging, so if you have any questions, you can come to me."

When Hikaru accepted the tome, Sona continued,

"There's a restriction placed on it. You have to channel your own magical energy to see the text; ordinary humans won't see anything."

"You're giving me Sitri magic? Isn't it an issue to share it externally?"

Hikaru asked.

"It's fine. Though I'm acting on my own, this magic isn't anything top-secret. Consider it a small token of my appreciation for you, Hikaru."

Sona lightly pushed up her glasses and smiled.

~~~

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