Chapter 57: Transfer Student Iwanaga Kotoko
Monday morning, eight thirty, inside a classroom of Class B at Private Shuchiin Academy.
"Asuna! Long time no see!"
Hearing that bright, energetic voice first thing in the morning, Asuna looked up and saw Chika practically bouncing over with a sweet grin. Asuna couldn't help smiling back.
"It's only been the weekend. It hasn't been that long."
"As the saying goes, one day apart feels like three autumns! This represents my longing for you!"
Chika dropped into her seat, hung her shoulder bag on the hook beside the desk, then turned back around, propping her chin on both hands. Her eyes glittered with gossip as she stared at Asuna.
"So, these past two days… did you make any progress with Utsunomiya?"
"Progress?"
Asuna flinched at first, then realized what Chika meant. Her cheeks warmed slightly as she gave a helpless smile.
"There's no progress."
"Really? My love detective radar has already detected the scent of lying!"
At some point, Chika had already put on a detective hat and was holding a lollipop shaped like a pipe, fully transforming into a self appointed love detective.
Asuna's face reddened even more. She glanced left and right, then spoke quickly.
"Nothing happened. Besides, you're always gossiping about me. Why don't you talk about yourself for once?"
"Me?" Chika tilted her head, wearing the purest, sweetest smile. "But I don't have a boy I like."
"What about before?"
"I haven't had one before either."
Asuna blinked, momentarily speechless.
Then she stared at Chika like she'd just discovered a fraud.
"Then why do you keep calling yourself a love detective?"
Chika didn't even look offended. She simply leaned in, curious and cheerful.
"Then ask me something else!"
Asuna sighed and gave in.
"Fine. Do you have a type you like?"
"A type…" Chika pressed one finger to her cheek and seriously thought it over. Then she raised her soft, pale index finger like she'd reached a grand conclusion.
"I do have one. I like someone a little taller. Looks aren't a strict requirement. Of course, it's better if he's handsome, but the most important part is, he can't be some weakling."
Chika's smile turned even sweeter, like she was saying something totally normal.
"He has to have a strong personality and style. The type who takes the initiative and comes at me first. If he can just… eat me up confidently, that's not impossible either."
Asuna froze.
"Your standards are… unique."
She muttered it like she was still trying to process the words.
"Are there even people like that in our school…"
Halfway through the sentence, Asuna's mind went blank.
Strong personality. Strong style. Tall. Handsome. Takes initiative.
Isn't that exactly Asagiri?
Asuna's stomach sank.
So the rival in love was right at Honnoji Temple.
......
Later, inside Year 1 Class A.
"Ahem. Before we begin class, there's something I need to announce."
Miwa Ashikaga, wearing a fitted suit and gold rimmed glasses, scanned the room and spoke calmly.
"Starting today, there will be a transfer student joining our class."
"A transfer student? At this time?"
The moment those words landed, whispers spread through the classroom. Most of the students looked at each other, surprised.
Normally, Shuchiin didn't take transfers, especially not in the high school division. Those seats were decided before the school year even started.
And transferring straight into Class A?
Which powerful relative was this supposed to be?
Ashikaga ignored the noise and simply turned toward the classroom door.
"Come in."
"Okay."
A crisp tapping sound followed, something hard gently striking the floor.
Then a petite figure stepped in, leaning on a cane. She had a delicate, adorable face, and her posture was composed despite the obvious disability. She walked to the teacher's side and smiled.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Iwanaga Kotoko. Starting today, I'll be a student in Class A. Please take care of me."
The room stirred again.
"What a beautiful girl… but is she really a high school student?"
"She looks more like a middle schooler…"
"What do you know? That's called a loli. A loli. Understand?"
"Iwanaga Kotoko… that name sounds familiar. Where have I heard it…"
While the whispers swelled, Kotoko had already moved away from the podium. She walked straight toward Kaguya Shinomiya.
Even without her usual beret, she still made a polite gesture like removing a hat, then gave a slight bow, perfect in etiquette.
"Shinomiya. Long time no see."
"So it's you." Kaguya's expression stayed calm, unreadable. Her tone was flat. "I didn't expect you to come to Shuchiin Academy."
The next thing Kotoko said made the entire class go still.
"Actually, I don't really like Shuchiin Academy. It's boring, decadent, and old fashioned. There's no fun at all. Originally, I didn't plan to study here."
The students were dumbfounded.
This transfer student was fierce.
She looked petite and sweet, yet her words cut like a blade. Calling Shuchiin boring, decadent, and old fashioned, right in public, with a smile on her face.
That mouth was practically a controlled weapon.
"If you look down on Shuchiin Academy that much, then why did you still come?" Kaguya asked, voice even.
Her face remained expressionless as she continued, each word precise.
"You donated fifty billion yen to the school, secured a seat on the board of directors, used board privileges to transfer into the high school division, and specifically requested Class A. Your actions contradict what you just said."
"Oh, you misunderstood." Kotoko smiled, unbothered. "I really don't like Shuchiin Academy."
She paused, then turned slightly.
"I only transferred here for one person."
In the stunned silence of the entire class, including their homeroom teacher, Kotoko walked up to the corner of the classroom.
To Asagiri.
She looked up at him and smiled so sweetly it felt almost unfair.
"As promised, I came for you."
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