"Kaisen-kun, besides Axew, I have a surprise gift for you."
Standing up straight, Ōoka Momiji placed both hands together before her chest, her fingers intertwined as a playful smile curved upon her lips.
Her crimson eyes sparkled mischievously."Kaisen-kun, do you want to guess what the gift is?"
Kaisen blinked, slightly tilting his head. He could clearly sense the subtle change in Hongye's gaze when she looked at Fafninter, the little Delta Axew that loyally stayed by his side.
Given her background as the heiress of the Ooka family, there was no doubt—this gift had to be something extraordinary.
"Hmm…" he murmured, tapping his chin. "Let me guess. Something related to dragons?"
In his mind, he instantly thought of all kinds of dragon-related items—dragon fangs, bird beaks dragon scale sharp enough to split steel, and above all… Mega Evolution stones.
Considering Hongye's family influence, the probability it was a Keystone set was practically one hundred percent.
But saying that outright would be too boring.So instead, with a teasing smile, he leaned forward slightly.
"Is it… Momiji-chan herself?"
That one sentence sent the room into chaos.
Immediately, a wild scenario played out in the girls' imaginations—
It was Christmas Eve.A huge red gift box sat in Kaisen's room. Inside it, Ōoka Momiji, dressed in a cute Santa outfit, quietly waited with flushed cheeks.The box was wrapped carefully with ribbons by her maids and delivered to his doorstep.
When Kaisen opened the box, their eyes met in a silent exchange of embarrassment and tension.Moments later… they began a "business transaction" worth billions—of emotions.
"Wuwuwuwuwuwu! Too indecent! Too indecent, President!" Fujiwara Chika flailed her arms wildly. "Please don't pollute the sacred atmosphere of the student council room!"
"Ka-Kaisen-kun, doing something like that behind Xiaolan's back… that's so unfair," Sonoko murmured, her eyes widening.Then she added in a tiny whisper—"...Please take me with you."
"P-President, what are you doing!? P-please restrain yourself!" Shinomiya Kaguya stammered, her cheeks crimson. The image of wrapping herself up and sending herself as a present was too bold, too advanced for someone as innocent as her.
Meanwhile, the real Hongye's face had gone completely red.Her voice trembled, yet she somehow managed a playful smile."Well… it's not wrong to say that, but… not this time~"
"Ehhh? Momiji-chan would actually consider doing that!?" Chika gasped, eyes sparkling as though she had discovered a new world.Such courage… such boldness!
Sonoko's inner heart screamed: How shameless!And yet, she couldn't deny the pang of jealousy that followed. In that instant, she marked Ōoka Momiji as her biggest romantic rival.
"This is the Delta Haxorite—the Mega Evolution Stone of Delta Haxorus—and this," Momiji said as she extended her hands forward gracefully, "is the Keystone for its trainer. I hope Kaisen-kun likes it."
The stone gleamed with a mesmerizing silver-blue light, echoing faintly like the roar of a dragon deep beneath the sea.
The Delta Axew resting near Kaisen's feet—instantly perked up."Xew~!" it chirped, jumping in place as its tiny tail fin flicked back and forth. The metallic sheen on its scales shimmered under the light, reflecting a faint blue glow that matched the Delta Haxorite's aura.
From the corner, Fafninter slowly lifted its gaze, its amber eyes gleaming with silent curiosity.The dragon's fins rippled faintly, a low hum resonating from its throat as if acknowledging the stone's power—but it didn't move closer. It simply observed, calm and composed, like an elder watching its pup grow.
Kaisen's expression softened.He didn't let Momiji or Axew down—he reached out, took the glowing stone reverently, and smiled.
"I'll use it well. Every time this Future Haxorus Mega Evolves, I'll think of Momiji by my side."
Momiji's heart skipped a beat."G-Great! It will be my honor."
As their eyes met, an almost visible current of warmth passed between them.
Watching from the sidelines, Suzuki Sonoko felt her soul leave her body.Unbelievable!
"When I offer Kaisen-kun a Mini Dragon, he didn't react like this!" she thought bitterly.Her cheeks puffed up as she stomped her foot.
"Hey! Kaisen-kun! What's the meaning of this? Are you planning to raise another Pokémon behind my back?"
Kaisen turned to her, immediately recognizing the faint sadness in her eyes. He sighed softly—Ah, I see where this is going.
"Sonoko-san," he said gently, "don't tell me… you also wanted to give me a Pokémon?"
"Can I!?"
Her eyes lit up like stars. "My family just adopted a few shiny Beldums recently!"
The others froze.
Shiny Beldums. A few of them.
Even Chika let out a small gasp. "As expected of the Suzuki Zaibatsu…"
Luckily, Kaisen was already used to being surrounded by absurdly rich girls—Ōoka Momiji, Shinomiya Kaguya, Fujiwara Chika, and now Sonoko.If Sonoko weren't part of such a wealthy family, she might've collapsed from inferiority on the spot.
"Sonoko-san, shiny Beldums are far too valuable."
"But why did you accept Momiji-chan's gift then!?" Sonoko's voice trembled slightly. "Is it because she's prettier? Or because her family's richer!?"
Kaisen blinked in surprise—then smiled faintly."Let me put it this way. I accepted Momiji's gift because… Hongye chose me even after knowing who I really am."
Turning toward Momiji, he added softly, "You already investigated me before coming here, didn't you?"
Hongye blushed, lowering her gaze—but didn't deny it.
That line wasn't just for Momiji—it was also a reassurance for Sonoko.
Kaisen wasn't playing games; he didn't lie, didn't hide.He simply showed his heart from the beginning.
Shinomiya Kaguya tilted her head in confusion, not quite catching the deeper meaning.Hongye, ever perceptive, immediately understood the twofold hint.Chika, who acted innocent but wasn't, caught half of it and covered her mouth, blushing furiously.Sonoko, on the other hand, went completely red from head to toe.
Her heart thumped violently as she whispered, "Then… you're not just using me for my money?"
Momiji, overhearing, leaned closer to Kaisen with a teasing smile."Ne, Kaisen-kun… are you interested in Sonoko's family property? Because my family's quite wealthy too, and I'm the only heir~"
Sonoko froze."Wha—Momiji-chan!?"
Her voice cracked. "Kaisen-kun… you…"
After a long pause, Sonoko bit her lip, summoning all her courage."Kaisen-kun, do you… care that I'm the second daughter of the Suzuki family?"
Her tone was careful, almost trembling.The humility in her words made even Chika's heart tighten.
Kaisen smiled softly, placing both hands on her shoulders.
"Sonoko-san… what you really want to ask is whether I like you for who you are, or for what you have, right?"
Sonoko nodded. "Y-Yes…"
"Then listen carefully," he said, his voice lowering gently. "I like you—the cheerful girl who gossips, who hides her love behind jokes, who acts spoiled but always helps her friends. The girl who shines even when she thinks she doesn't."
Sonoko's tears spilled over.
Without thinking, she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.Her heart pounded so fast it felt like it would explode.
Moments passed—long, silent, tender.
"Ka-Kaisen-kun… this isn't a dream, right?" she whispered.
"Of course not," he chuckled, brushing away her tears.
"But I'm not pretty at all… Compared to Ran, Momiji-chan, Shinomiya-san, and Chika-chan, I'm nothing."
The others exchanged glances—and reluctantly nodded. Even Hayasaka Ai, listening from behind the door, agreed internally.
Kaisen only smiled wider. "That's not true. To me, Sonoko-san is a top-tier beauty."
"Ehhh~? That's impossible!"
Before she could say more, Kaisen lifted his hand—gently removing the headband from her hair.
Sonoko blinked in confusion, then gasped as her soft brown hair fell naturally over her shoulders.
"See?" Kaisen whispered. "You're beautiful—just like this."
For a brief moment, time itself seemed to stop.
Hongye looked at the two of them with a complicated smile, Kaguya blushed and turned away, and Chika clasped her hands together dramatically.
Outside the window, Fafninter's metallic cry echoed softly—"Fafn…!"
"Xew..!!
And Axew Joined it as if even the little dragon was cheering for its trainer's growing harem