After analyzing the known information, Shinomiya Kaguya sighed:
"Given the situation, we'll end things here.
There is no conclusive evidence to support Aki Tomoya's accusations against you, and based on our assessment, it doesn't appear you have violated any school rules."
That was her conclusion.
It wasn't that the matter couldn't be investigated, but rather that investigating it served no real purpose. Aside from the time cost involved, even if they uncovered details, what difference would it make? So Kaguya merely added a caution:
"Perhaps there hasn't been any wrongdoing up until now, but I must remind you: from now on, you must abide by school regulations."
A hush fell over the group. Their gazes drifted, each person's thoughts unclear. The matter was basically settled, so they left the student council room.
"Ugh...my detective game..." Fujiwara Chika was still in her own world, sulking.
Shinomiya Kaguya shot her a cold look.
"Secretary Fujiwara, I don't recall dealing with school affairs being any kind of detective game."
Fujiwara Chika flinched. She'd nearly forgotten she couldn't act so carefree around "Kaguya-chan" when alone with her.
"I'm sorry, Kaguya-chan!!!"
Submissively admitting her mistake was the best move.
Kaguya withdrew her gaze, turning back to the paperwork, yet found herself unable to focus. Her mind was filled with that odd, unwavering look Kato Megumi had directed toward Rei Ao.
Her softly rounded lips moved as she whispered to herself:
Detecting the keyword "love" as if by radar, Fujiwara Chika darted over.
"Kaguya-chan wants to talk about romance? You can't leave me out of that!~"
Kaguya was at a loss. She'd only mumbled one word, yet the "bane of the Earth," Fujiwara Chika, had heard it. She was exactly the type Kaguya struggled with most.
After leaving the student council, Hyodo Michiru turned to Rei Ao, Kato Megumi, Eriri Sawamura, and Kasumigaoka Utaha:
"I'm sorry about my cousin's accusations, Rei Ao-san, Megumi-san, Kasumigaoka-san, and Sawamura-san."
Eiri blinked in surprise. She hadn't known that Aki Tomoya had such a lovely cousin.
"Even if he was your cousin, it has nothing to do with you," Rei Ao replied.
"And even if it was his fault, you're not the one who needs to apologize."
Hyodo Michiru gave a bitter smile.
"I just never expected him to pull something ..."
Kasumigaoka Utaha spoke up:
"Anyway, with the truth out, there's no need to dwell on it."
But her gaze narrowed mischievously at Rei Ao:
"All we can say is, Aki Tomoya reported the wrong people."
Yes, the wrong people indeed, Eriri thought to herself. If he had accused Rei Ao, Kato Megumi, and Sakurajima Mai, that might have been on target. From Utaha's remark, Rei Ao of course understood the subtext, but merely gave a confident smile.
"Even if he'd accused me correctly, so what?"
As if he cared about minor "school rules." Kato Megumi, Eriri, and Utaha each had a knowing look. Right now, Rei Ao probably didn't care about world rules, let alone school ones.
To Hyodo Michiru, it felt like the four were speaking in cryptic code. The matter concluded, they each headed back to their classrooms—Utaha left swiftly, Eriri seemed like she wanted to say something but ultimately stayed silent.
Yukinoshita checked her phone for the time, raising an eyebrow. Yui was late. They had arranged an important matter for today. She had sent a message telling Yui to come to the Service Club, and Yui only replied "OK," but never showed up.
"Huh? You want me to go to the Service Club with you?"
Miura Yumiko stared in astonishment at Yui, who blushingly clung to her, asking her to come along to the Service Club. All throughout the meeting, Yui hadn't even greeted her properly, which Yumiko already found strange. Now Yui wanted her to visit that Service Club, which Yui surely knew Yumiko didn't get along with, especially its leader Yukinoshita Yukino? What was going on?
"Um, Yumiko, I'm just a bit scared... Could you come with me, please?"
Yui forced a timid expression, requesting a favor. Service Club...?
In fact, the text from "Yukinoshita Yukino" surprised her. She was amazed her daughter had joined such an unorthodox-sounding group. Yes, you read that right: though the figure in front of us appears to be Yui, she's actually Yui's mother inhabiting Yui's body. The story goes back to that morning:
Yui had looked flushed and dizzy all morning.
"Yui, what's wrong? You feeling unwell?" asked Yui's mother, worried, stepping closer.
"Mm, Mom, I...I feel faint..."
Yui's voice was limp, as though lacking energy. Realizing something was off, Yui's mother reached out to check her forehead temperature. The moment her hand touched Yui's brow—
The world flipped. Everything spun. Yui's mother...saw herself!!!
Yui blinked, touching "her own" face, but found that she was standing opposite it.
Mother and daughter gasped in horror. Somehow, they had become each other. What on earth was going on? They were seeing their familiar faces in the mirror, yet it felt bizarre. Rather than simply "transform," it looked like a body swap. Thus, Yui's mother ended up attending school in her daughter's body. She barely knew any of these students. The entire morning, she had only talked to Miura Yumiko, who approached her, evidently quite close to Yui.
Now, upon discovering her daughter had joined some suspicious "Service Club," she felt compelled to investigate for Yui's sake. But she had no clue where that Service Club was located, so she had to rely on Miura Yumiko, who apparently knew about it. She planned to see what kind of group it was and gauge whether it was safe for her daughter's mental well-being.
400 Powerstone Bonus Chapter!
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