Chapter 28: Shinomiya Kaguya

A little flashback...

As day turned into night, after Minoru scolded her, Kaguya proceeded with her plan to get back on her feet and restore her name in front of that teacher.

Yeah, you got a point. There's this saying that in a war, the one with the most info on their opponent comes out on top. So, she went all in, did another round of digging into Yanagi's background, and got the lowdown on who the hell Yanagi Minoru really was.

It's not just a petty revenge.

Of course, she also had pride and wouldn't allow anyone to do something like that, but it was also important. She feared that her family would hear that a teacher scolded Shinomiya because she made a mistake, and that mistake could lead her to hell. With that, Kaguya needed something to make Minoru shut his mouth.

'Somehow, Yanagi-sensei gave me the impression of a person who never would take advantage of something like that. But, it's just a safety measure.'

Kaguya contemplated, with a young maid named Hayasaka Ai standing beside her.

"Are you done monologuing, Kaguya-sama?"

"Stop ruining my thoughts, Hayasaka."

"Hah… anyway…"

The girl in the maid uniform handed Kaguya a lot of paper, and she began to look at it carefully. She had just come back from her investigation in the UK, where it seemed Yanagi Minoru lived or rather where James Moriarty spent most of his time.

"With our informant and my own intel, I couldn't find any flaws in his record. It all seems real."

"Hmm... is there something special about his adoptive family?"

"No. They're not from noble or royal families, but it's still a good and normal family, though not that well-off either. The adoptive father, Lancaster Moriarty, couldn't have children, so he adopted Yanagi Minoru. Ten years after the adoption, the father died because of cancer."

"That's unbelievable. Tsk, why should I even care, hah…" Kaguya massaged her forehead as she stared back at Hayasaka. Kaguya noticed Hayasaka seemed to think that she wasn't her usual self, yet Kaguya didn't care as her focus was on Minoru.

"Then, how about his degree?"

"Yes, it's all valid and not a fabrication. Besides, he was quite popular with girls. And that popularity also applied to the professors. The fact he was once a substitute for some lectures—"

"What?" Kaguya frowned, and Hayasaka sighed at her.

"Please let me finish. For the record, I've seen his video lecture, and don't ask me 'cause I don't understand his lecture at all. My honest thought? I think… hm, it was quite hard to believe since he's not even an Oxford professor, but he's been called 'Professor Moriarty' there. After his graduation, rumors circulated that he'd continue his lectures. But then, no one knows where he is, as he disappeared like it was nothing for him. Shortly, we found him here, becoming a teacher at Shuchi'in. Also, about his motive, Yanagi-sensei claims he wants to gain some experience? I dunno."

Kaguya placed the sheets on the table, then tapped her finger as she thought.

"These intel say he never had a college life. Did you find out whether he had close people around him? There should be someone..."

"Yeah, there is... I reckon."

Hayasaka handed her another identity sheet. "There's a rumor going around that he's gay because he never hits on girls. And, um, there's another rumor, not confirmed yet, about the kind of relationship he has. It's all based on circle gossip. Luckily, I believe that Kaguya-sama met her once when you visited the US ambassador."

Kaguya furrowed her brows, looking at the blonde. "Angelina Kudou Shields. That genius detective? So, Yanagi-sensei has a connection with the CIA?"

Hayasaka shrugged. "Well, that's just what I heard. But what's she doing with him, considering they have different majors?"

Kaguya leaned back, visibly tired. "The real question is whether it even matters. If this so-called Professor Moriarty is a big deal, we, the Shinomiya family, would know about him. Either we'd leverage his worth, or he's just too good at hiding things. Anyway, this intel hasn't taken us anywhere. Ugh, but he does suspicious man."

"I agree. More importantly, Kaguya-sama, can I ask something?"

Kaguya hummed, a signal to go ahead, as she opened her notebook and started jotting something down. Her expression remained cold and distant.

"If I remember correctly, this is your first time meeting him. And you seem to have a grudge? Or did you somehow shift your focus away from Shirogane Miyuki? Though I can tell this superhuman-looking teacher is even tougher than the president."

Hayasaka knew they often discussed plans to make Shirogane Miyuki yield because Kaguya found it amusing to toy with him. However, since Minoru scolded her, her focus had shifted.

"Hah!? you misunderstood," Kaguya sighed. "As a Shinomiya, it's necessary for me to be wary of people around me. You know that my brother has a bounty on my head, right? As for the president, what do you take me for? I don't see him as a man, he's just a friend."

Hayasaka looked at Kaguya, realizing she was serious. It was the first time Kaguya took someone this seriously as if she were dealing with a family member. There was no need to probe further, something must have happened.

"Ah... um, then what about my other question? Does Kaguya-sama like Yanagi-sensei?"

Kaguya frowned. "Are you kidding me?"

"If you say so, I understand. Anyway, Kaguya-sama, the more I learn about Yanagi-sensei, the more he seems like my type. Sigh... just kidding. Are you sure you don't like him? And could you stop with the glaring eyes?"

"Ah! Stop that, Hayasaka! Before I'm done with him, don't do anything weird. Understand? Anyway, I want you to do exactly what I tell you—Hey! Don't give me that look, Hayasaka!"

Hayasaka sighed, a lazy expression on her face.

Can she catch a break?

Her face said she just got here, and now she had to gather intel on this new teacher. Knowing her personality, Kaguya wouldn't let someone who crossed her path slip away; she'd do whatever it took to get what she wanted. Despite that, Hayasaka was also curious about Yanagi-sensei and was looking forward to it.

"Yes, yes, Kaguya-sama."

---

Four days had passed since then, and nothing had happened!

'Sigh, I thought I had a chance to talk with him, even just randomly. But, he's not that interested.'

Kaguya stared at the billboard. The place was close to the teacher's room, making it convenient for announcements. She glanced at the list of classes.

"2-A. But who's the homeroom teacher assigned to my class?"

Kaguya wondered if he was the one, or maybe not. Either way, she had already seen this billboard when she arrived, and her bag was safely stowed in her classroom. So, what was she doing here?

Just then, she heard someone sliding the door.

"I'm going first."

"Yanagi! W-Wait—"

A silver-haired man in a sharp black suit closed the door, ignoring the pleas of helpless Shizuka. As Hayasaka said, he was popular, and Kaguya was well aware of it. Kaguya could feel the man's steps gradually getting louder as he walked toward her.

"Shinomiya?"

Minoru looked at the girl's back. Her loose black hair moved like a wave even though Kaguya had only turned her head. Then her gaze turned to Minoru completely.

"Ah… good morning, sensei," she said with an icy face. "I didn't see Briar-sensei today with you—"

"She'll catch up later."

"Is that so? Hm…"

Kaguya thought this might be a good chance to walk together, but she refrained from saying it out loud. Moreover, Minoru never seemed to put much interest in her as he only visited the student council room to check on them, and that was it.

'And that poker face. Well, he did smile at me once. Hmm, maybe he's smiling because of Teresa? Or am I ruining his mood?'

Kaguya also wondered why Minoru's poker face seemed hard to melt, like iron.

"Are you done looking at me like that?"

Kaguya snapped from her thoughts. "Ah, I'm sorry for my rudeness."

Minoru never forced himself to smile when the other person wasn't smiling. Just look at her. Kaguya's face was always as cold as ice, and Minoru prevented himself from being friendly. He shook his head internally and started walking to the student meeting room. And Kaguya walked slightly behind him, peeking at his back.

"Did you want to say something?" Minoru felt her gaze and asked.

Kaguya tilts her head, "Ara… aren't you being overconfident?" Kaguya smirked a little, somehow happy that he started the conversation. "I never wanted to talk or something like that."

He could somehow see her smug face, even though he wasn't looking at it; she was enjoying her time.

"Какой милый…"

Kaguya said, "How cute," in Russian, and, of course, in a very low voice so he wouldn't hear that.

"Милый? Я? Спасибо за комплимент." (Cute? Me? Thank you for the compliment.)

What the… he heard her mumble, and more importantly, Kaguya's smile cracked as Minoru responded back in Russian! She just wanted to bolt, find a hole to hide in, and Kaguya could legit die from embarrassment!

'Ahh! Hayasaka! You never mentioned he speaks Russian!' Kaguya cursed.

"P-Please forget what just happened. And it was just s-sarcasm, not something like a compliment."

Minoru chuckled, finding it amusing, and also found something intriguing about her personality—acting tough, cold, and dishonest. It was exactly like that airhead.

"Ты тоже можешь говорить по-русски, молодец."

Minoru complimented her on her Russian skills, though her Japanese accent was still there.

Kaguya's icy face melted a bit as she blushed a little, "Th-Thank you…" She also didn't reply in Russian because of how embarrassing it was back then.

'Did sensei just…' Kaguya glanced back at Minoru, 'he's finally smiling.'

As she walked a little behind him, she only saw his side, but Minoru was clearly smiling and giggling. Somehow, Kaguya regretted not keeping up with his pace.

Anyway… wasn't Kaguya the winner of today's battle?

'Shit, this place is way too big.'

Minoru complained as he wished the room was nearby; he could feel his backside wound was quite painful and annoying after all. It was a bullet wound, and he didn't use painkiller drugs.

"EHHHHHHHHHHHHH!? W-What...! What are y-you do-doing here!?"

As they were about to enter the student meeting room, someone shouted in disbelief. Glancing at the source, Minoru and Kaguya saw Shijo Maki pointing her finger at Minoru.

'Fuck… give me a break.'

Minoru somehow didn't like the timing. And she was none other than the girl he was with when that cursed airline almost crashed thanks to a group of assassins. Well, they finally met again.

---

Stones? Please?