Heartbeats and Illusions

Watching the seemingly casual interaction between Hayasaka Ai and Natsukawa Kanade, Shinomiya Kaguya's chest tightened with a tangle of emotions.

On one hand, she fervently hoped that her maid would succeed in getting the ever-enigmatic president to open up, perhaps even reveal the long-guarded secret of who held his heart. Did he… truly love her? Or was it someone else entirely?

But on the other hand, a treacherous thought loomed: what if Kanade actually succumbed to Hayasaka's "honey trap"? If he carelessly admitted his feelings to someone he barely knew, wouldn't that render all her painstaking efforts worthless?

The idea struck her like a thunderbolt. Kaguya clenched her fists tightly, her mind racing. The answer to her questions could come so easily to someone bold enough to ask directly. Yet, despite all her cunning strategies and carefully laid plans, she had gotten nowhere. If Hayasaka succeeded where she had failed… it would be too humiliating!

Her mind spiraled further into chaos. A darker thought reared its head, whispering that Kanade might actually find Hayasaka appealing. No, impossible! How could he fall for someone so… common? That's ridiculous. I'm overthinking things.

Her lips twitched as she attempted a shaky smile, trying to banish the irrational worry. "Yes, yes, it's just Hayasaka. Kanade would never… never fall for her charms," she muttered under her breath, as though the mantra would make it true.

But no matter how much she reassured herself, Kaguya's sharp crimson eyes never left the pair, observing every nuance of their interaction like a hawk. Her love-stricken heart, once so confident, was now entirely under siege.

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Meanwhile, at the bookstore, the so-called pair engaged in an unexpectedly awkward conversation.

"I'm sorry, President. I know I'm taking up your time…" Hayasaka Ai bowed her head slightly, a picture of polite humility.

"It's fine," Natsukawa Kanade replied with a calm indifference, though his tone carried a subtle undercurrent of reluctance. "I happened to have a little free time."

In truth, he hadn't planned to stick around. If not for her sudden plea— "President, please help me!"—he would have left without a second thought. Being the student council president came with its share of obligations, but sometimes those obligations felt more like traps.

Hayasaka, undeterred by his lukewarm response, flashed a charming smile. "That's so reassuring to hear. As expected of the gentle and dependable president."

Kanade's eyebrow twitched ever so slightly. Something about her words rubbed him the wrong way. Was she mocking him? Her tone seemed sincere, but…

Before he could dwell on it, Hayasaka pressed on, her tone shifting to one of playful distress. "Actually, I've been thinking about getting a computer for myself. But I'm so clueless when it comes to these things! I don't even know where to start."

She placed a delicate hand to her cheek, sighing as if the burden of such a decision was unbearable. "But then I thought, the president would know! Boys always know more about these things, don't they? I was hoping you could recommend one for me."

Kanade regarded her with a blank stare. "You're asking the wrong person. I know nothing about computers."

Hayasaka blinked, momentarily thrown off balance. "You… don't?"

"No." Kanade shook his head firmly. "Not even a little."

It wasn't false modesty. Kanade genuinely lacked knowledge in this area, and he saw no reason to pretend otherwise. He wasn't the type to feign expertise for the sake of appearances. If he didn't know something, he admitted it without hesitation.

"Uh…" Hayasaka Ai blinked, caught off guard by his bluntness. This wasn't how the script was supposed to go.

Wasn't a normal boy supposed to get flustered? Maybe try to help, even if it meant fumbling through? She hadn't done anything unreasonable—she was simply seeking assistance. And seriously, could a guy stand there, staring at a cute girl asking for help, without at least pretending to know something?

"Well, that's okay!" Hayasaka said quickly, forcing a cheerful tone. "It's just a matter of picking out a computer. I trust the president's intuition!"

"Sorry, I can't help," Kanade replied flatly, shaking his head. "And if I relied on intuition, the result would probably be worse."

"Anyway, I'll take my leave now," he added, already turning to go.

"Wait! President, wait a second!" Hayasaka Ai panicked and hurried to block his path.

She had prepared herself for the possibility that cracking Kanade's shell might be challenging. But this? This was madness. Every attempt to engage him slid off like water on glass. It was like trying to scale an impossibly smooth wall.

"Actually, there's one more thing I'd like to ask you!" she blurted, desperation creeping into her tone.

Kanade paused, glancing over his shoulder with mild annoyance. "What is it now?"

For a moment, he wondered if he was imagining things. Was this girl unusually persistent, or was he just unlucky? She didn't seem the type to give up easily, even after multiple rejections.

"I… I want the president to help me with my homework!" Hayasaka declared, putting on her best pleading expression. Her eyes shone with faux vulnerability, the perfect mix of sincerity and helplessness. "To be honest, my grades are terrible. No matter how hard I try, I just can't improve…"

Caught off guard, Kanade raised an eyebrow.

Of all the topics she could've chosen, this wasn't one he expected. Games? She probably didn't play them. Sports? Not the right atmosphere. Romance? It would've been too direct, considering their tenuous dynamic.

So, homework? Clever. A strategic move designed to appeal to his strengths. After all, academic excellence was one of the few things Kanade could claim as a point of pride. If she thought flattery about his intelligence would bait him into helping, it wasn't the worst approach.

"Here? In the bookstore?" Kanade asked, his tone skeptical.

"Why not?" Hayasaka replied, her voice tinged with hope. She clasped her hands together as if to say, Please don't make me beg.

Kanade sighed. The girl's persistence was relentless. Her eyes sparkled with determination, and her stance screamed, I won't give up until you agree.

"...Fine," he relented after a long pause, rubbing the back of his neck.

Hayasaka's face lit up with triumph, but Kanade barely noticed. His attention had shifted to the bookstore clerk, who had been sneaking curious glances at them for some time now. The scene they were causing must've been more conspicuous than he thought.

As Kanade pulled out a notebook to prepare for the impromptu tutoring session, his thoughts wandered.

Is this what they call a "love brain"? he mused, watching Hayasaka's determined expression. Her sheer will to get close to him was both admirable and exhausting.

He thought back to his younger years, when his own attempts to connect with people were clumsy at best. Would things have been different if someone like Hayasaka had taken the initiative with him back then?

Maybe… maybe if he had met someone like her earlier, he wouldn't have spent so much time alone.

The idea crept in like an uninvited guest, whispering temptations of compromise. If he couldn't have the girl he liked, would it really be so bad to give someone who clearly liked him a chance? Relationships built on such shaky foundations weren't ideal, but he was the type who would take responsibility, even if the feelings weren't mutual at first.

Still, there was no way to be certain of Hayasaka Ai's intentions. Was she genuinely interested, or was this all an elaborate game? For now, he decided to observe.

Kanade softened his expression slightly, his tone less rigid. "Alright, let's head to the café."

"Okay!" Hayasaka Ai's face lit up with enthusiasm, her inner voice practically cheering. Yes! He's opening up! This is progress!

As the two of them settled into a cozy corner of the café, Hayasaka rummaged through her bag, eventually pulling out a small stack of neatly prepared math problems. She slid the papers across the table toward Kanade with an air of mock helplessness.

Kanade glanced at the papers, scanning the equations and problem-solving steps. As expected, they were riddled with errors—though the patterns were almost too convenient.

"Math, huh?" Kanade adjusted his posture and picked up a pen. "Alright, let's see…"

Hayasaka watched him carefully, her gaze a mix of curiosity and admiration.

Kanade's teaching mode kicked in immediately. "For this question, your process was fine up to a point, but you applied the wrong formula here." He circled a specific part of the problem and continued, "The correct approach is actually simpler. Just substitute it directly into this formula instead. See? The answer pops right out."

Hayasaka blinked, feigning awe. "Amazing…" she murmured.

In truth, she had intentionally botched the solutions beforehand, but watching Kanade effortlessly untangle the problems still left her genuinely impressed. The precision, the clarity—it was like watching a master swordsman cut down an opponent in one fluid stroke.

So this is what makes him such a legend in academics… No wonder he's rumored to be even sharper than Shinomiya Kaguya herself.

Kanade, unaware of her inner monologue, continued explaining. "This one's pretty similar to the last, but you need to identify this condition first…" He marked another portion of her notes and laid out the steps.

Hayasaka leaned forward, nodding as she absorbed his instructions. "Oh, I get it now!"

Gradually, their conversation became more animated. Hayasaka found herself genuinely engaged, and Kanade seemed to be warming up to her earnest questions.

Unbeknownst to them, a figure lurked in the shadows of the café, silently fuming.

Kaguya Shinomiya.

She had carefully positioned herself in a nearby seat, hidden by a strategically placed plant. From this vantage point, she could see—and hear—everything.

"Excuse me?" Kaguya hissed under her breath, barely containing her indignation.

Ai. Hayasaka.

What on earth are you doing?

The plan had been clear. All Hayasaka needed to do was butter Kanade up, extract a few key pieces of information, and report back. Yet here she was, completely absorbed in actual studying.

Idiot! What part of 'gather intelligence' translates to solving math problems?!

Kaguya clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she watched the two grow progressively closer, their heads nearly touching over the shared papers. Her imagination ran wild with possibilities, each more infuriating than the last.

This… this treachery will not stand! Hayasaka, your paycheck is on the line!

Meanwhile, back at the table, Kanade leaned back in his chair, stretching slightly. "Not bad. You're actually catching on quickly."

"Really?" Hayasaka beamed, her excitement genuine this time. "I thought math was impossible, but you make it seem… manageable."

"Hard work pays off," Kanade replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. It wasn't often he saw someone so determined, even if their approach to asking for help had been a bit roundabout.

Hayasaka yawned suddenly, covering her mouth with her hand. "Ugh, I didn't think studying would be this exhausting…"

"That's a good thing," Kanade said with a small nod. "It means you're actually using your brain. Most people don't even try."

For a moment, he watched her, a sense of approval settling in. Hayasaka's persistence and willingness to put in the effort—despite the circumstances—were qualities he couldn't help but respect.

"Do you want to keep going, or should we take a break?" Kanade asked, glancing at the remaining stack of problems.

When he turned back, he noticed Hayasaka slumped over the table, her breathing slow and steady.

"…Hayasaka?"

He gently nudged her shoulder, but there was no response.

"She fell asleep?" Kanade blinked, staring at the girl now softly snoring on the table.

For a moment, he was at a loss. On one hand, her exhaustion spoke volumes about her dedication. On the other, falling asleep in the middle of a café wasn't exactly normal behavior.

He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Seriously, how do I end up in these situations…"

Yet, instead of leaving her to fend for herself, he quietly stood, his chair scraping the floor softly as he made his way to the counter.

Unbeknownst to him, a certain someone in the corner froze, hastily ducking behind her menu. Kaguya Shinomiya peeked out cautiously, her heart pounding as she watched Kanade approach the clerk. Could he have noticed her? She held her breath, waiting for the moment to pass.

When Kanade returned, he carried a small blanket. His steps were deliberate, his expression calm, but there was a distinct gentleness in his actions as he draped the blanket over the sleeping Hayasaka Ai. Satisfied, he sank back into his chair, careful not to disturb her.

"Good grief," he sighed, picking up her workbook. The math problems still needed solving, and he wasn't the type to leave a task unfinished. With his pen in hand, Kanade resumed making notes, his focus shifting back to the formulas and steps on the page.

The scene unfolded like something straight out of a romance manga: a girl sound asleep, her delicate features softened by the blanket draped over her, and a boy diligently working beside her, his brows furrowed in concentration. It was the kind of serene, heartwarming tableau that could make onlookers swoon.

But not everyone was swooning.

"How can this be happening?!" Kaguya Shinomiya's inner voice screamed as she fidgeted in her hiding spot. Her hands clenched tightly around the menu, her nails threatening to tear through the laminated surface.

"Hayasaka! You traitor! You're supposed to be gathering intelligence, not napping like some pampered princess!" Kaguya fumed silently, her jealousy bubbling over. She imagined herself in Ai's place, Kanade gently draping the blanket over her shoulders, his fingers brushing against her hair—

She shook her head violently. No! Focus, Kaguya! Focus! But it was no use. Every time she glanced at the pair, she felt another pang of envy stab her chest.

"Just you wait, Hayasaka," Kaguya muttered under her breath. "I'm deducting every yen of your salary for this month!"

Meanwhile, time passed in a quiet blur. Hayasaka Ai stirred, her eyelashes fluttering as she slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she noticed was the cozy warmth of the blanket draped over her.

"Eh? Did I… fall asleep?" she murmured groggily, glancing at her watch. Her eyes widened. "Three hours?! You've got to be kidding me!"

Kanade looked up from his notes, his expression calm but tinged with concern. "Feeling better? If you need more rest, I don't mind waiting."

Ai blinked, momentarily stunned by his kindness. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink as she quickly shook her head. "No, no! I'm fine now. Thank you, President…" Her voice trailed off as she tugged at the blanket, her face growing warmer with embarrassment.

"Wait…" She hesitated, her gaze darting toward him. "Did you stay here the whole time?"

Kanade paused, his pen hovering above the page. He quickly shook his head, his tone casual but carefully measured. "Not exactly. I just needed to sit for a bit after standing too long while reading."

It was a small lie, one meant to avoid making her feel awkward. Excessive kindness could easily put people on edge, and Kanade had learned the hard way to tread carefully in situations like this.

Ai, however, wasn't fooled. She lowered her eyes, a faint smile playing at her lips. Liar. You were sitting here the whole time, writing those notes.

"It's getting late," Kanade said, glancing at the clock. "If you're feeling better, we can—"

"President," Ai interrupted, her voice unusually soft. She raised her head, meeting his gaze directly. Her expression was a mix of hesitation and determination. "Can I ask you something?"

Kanade blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in her tone. "…What is it?"

"Do you… have someone you like?"

The question hit him like a bolt of lightning. For a moment, Kanade's mind went blank. His pen slipped from his fingers, clattering softly against the table.

"What… Why would you ask something like that?" he managed to stammer, his usual composure slipping.

Ai's cheeks flushed, but she didn't look away. "Because… I care about you."

The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. Kanade's heart thudded in his chest as he struggled to process the situation.

Was she confessing? Was this what it felt like to have someone genuinely like you? The thought sent his mind reeling. For so long, he had convinced himself that such things were impossible for him. And yet, here she was, her feelings laid bare before him.

"Hayasaka…" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ai didn't break her gaze, her eyes shimmering with a mix of vulnerability and resolve.

The choice was his now.

It was undeniable now—100% certain—that the girl standing before him genuinely liked him. The weight of her feelings pressed against the air between them, and now the choice was in his hands.

What should I do? Kanade thought, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

"I'm so tired… so alone…" he murmured inwardly, feeling the familiar ache that had lingered in his heart for far too long. Should I agree? Or should I reject her, cutting this fragile moment apart with cruel finality?

His gaze lingered on Hayasaka Ai. Today was the first time they had properly met, and yet her feelings were clear. He didn't know her well enough to reciprocate her affection fully, but she had left an impression on him. A small spark had ignited—something warm and kind—but it wasn't enough to call love.

Still, he remembered every failed relationship he had endured, every moment he had spent picking up the pieces of a heart he hadn't been careful with. The guilt of seeing someone hurt because of his indecision or selfishness lingered, a shadow he couldn't ignore. He clenched his fists.

I can't let this happen again. I won't let a good girl like her get hurt because of me.

"Ha… Hayasaka!" Kanade blurted, his voice a little louder than he intended.

"Eh? Y-Yes?" Hayasaka Ai's eyes widened in surprise. She had no idea why Natsukawa Kanade suddenly called her name with such urgency.

Kanade took a deep breath, steadying himself as he fought to calm the storm in his chest. A man must take responsibility when it's necessary, he told himself. Girls shouldn't have to shoulder the burden of confessing their feelings first.

"Actually…" he began, his voice faltering for a moment before he forced himself forward. "It might be a bit presumptuous to ask this out of nowhere, but…" He paused again, then, in a single breath, blurted out, "Will you… will you go out with me?"

For a moment, time seemed to stop.

Hayasaka Ai's eyes widened in shock, her pupils shrinking as she tried to process what she had just heard. Her mind raced in a frantic, chaotic storm.

A confession?! Me? From him?!

Her cheeks turned crimson as her thoughts spiraled out of control. This has to be a joke, right? There's no way this is happening! Natsukawa Kanade, the calm and collected president, is confessing… to me?!

She shook her head, trying to ground herself in reality. Her gaze darted to Kanade's face, and the serious look in his eyes made her heart pound even harder.

Wait, but… why me?

The shock gave way to suspicion. Hayasaka began replaying everything she knew about him, her analytical mind piecing together fragments of their interactions. Could it be… all this time, his attitude toward Kaguya-sama was a façade? Was he actually approaching her just to get closer to me?

She frowned slightly, her mind betraying her with absurd possibilities. No, that can't be right… Or could it? After all, he's never been particularly gentle with Kaguya-sama. Maybe… maybe his so-called rivalry with her was just a distraction. Could I really be his true goal?

Hayasaka's heart was pounding so loudly she was sure Kanade could hear it. Her admiration for him, buried under layers of professionalism and duty, began to surface. If this is true… then isn't Natsukawa Kanade incredibly brave? To confess to someone like me… just a maid in disguise…

"Hayasaka? Are you okay?" Kanade asked, his voice breaking through her whirlwind of thoughts.

She blinked, realizing she had been standing there frozen for far too long. "Ah! Y-Yes, I'm fine!" she stammered, stepping back instinctively as he reached out to her.

But her sudden movement startled Kanade. He hesitated, his expression stiffening as doubt crept into his mind.

"…You don't have to explain," he said quietly, his voice tinged with sadness. "I understand. I must've misunderstood the situation. I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable."

Before Hayasaka could respond, Kanade began packing his things in silence. His movements were deliberate but filled with unspoken regret.

"I'll leave now," he said, his tone polite but distant.

"President, wait—" Hayasaka reached out, her hand trembling. She wanted to stop him, but the words she needed wouldn't come. What right do I have to hold him back?

As Kanade walked out of the café, his figure disappearing into the night, Hayasaka felt a hollow ache in her chest. She clutched the blanket he had draped over her earlier, her fingers tightening around the soft fabric.

Moments later, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the room. Kaguya Shinomiya appeared, her expression a mixture of confusion and frustration.

"Hayasaka! What happened? Why did the president leave like that?" Kaguya demanded; her voice sharp with concern.

Hayasaka stood there, her head lowered, tears threatening to spill from the corners of her eyes. "…Miss…" she whispered, her voice trembling.

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T/N:

I want to thank Farhas, Jeremy and Najicablitz for being my latest patrons, all 3 in the week of Christmas. Your support is truly appreciated.

Last week's stone's barely got to 80 before the reset, so disappointed😥. Where's the Christmas spirit guys, look at this extra long chapter, can you bring yourself to go the next one without leaving some stones?

Still, I'll do 2 chapters a week this week but from the first week of the new year, I'll be very strict about this. I want more exposure for this story, more readers, more stones. Let's try getting to the top 50 in the stone rankings at the end of the week.

Lastly, the link to my Patreon is in the story's synopsis, in case of any issue, comment under the chapter, I'll get back to you. Good day to you!!! 

There's a next chapter!!!