"Come to think of it, we've spent so much time playing each other's roles, but we've never thought about why we suddenly switched bodies. This can't go on."

"You're right. It's only been a few days and chaos has already begun. If this continues, a real disaster might happen." Kaguya sighed.

It had been less than two weeks since their bodies first switched.

In those two weeks, Kaguya had experienced her servants disappearing, her father collapsing from illness, senior family members suddenly fearing her, and…

Her sudden increase in power—going from an unnoticed daughter to a legitimate candidate for family head.

Such ups and downs in life were extreme.

"I seriously suspect that if you keep messing around under my identity, next time I wake up I'll already be head of the Shinomiya family."

Becoming head of the Shinomiya family was something Kaguya had never considered.

Though she had her own methods, using allies like Hayasaka to gather intel as bargaining chips, those chips were only meant to free herself from the family's control, not to fight for power.

The Shinomiya family was a conglomerate controlling Japan's economy. Stepping into their factional struggles was like walking into a minefield. Every step could be fatal.

Kaguya knew that if she fought for the head seat, her brothers—who never treated her as family—would definitely try to eliminate her. In the Shinomiya family, there was no room for sentiment.

She just wanted to be an ordinary person and have a normal romance with Shirogane, not get caught in her family's mud.

"Isn't becoming head a good thing? The whole family would obey you. No one could stop you from pursuing whatever relationship you wanted with the president." Rinji said matter-of-factly. "I really believe your feelings for him are genuine, so I figured you'd eventually take those steps anyway."

"Of course I sincerely love the president, but… I wouldn't be as ruthless as you, Rinji."

"That's a necessary condition to achieve the goal. Your family's methods are already despicable. Even if they were upright gentlemen, I'd still strike hard." Rinji smiled.

"Besides, this isn't just about helping you. There are personal grudges involved. Using business tricks would be pointless. Not resorting to weapons of mass destruction is already my greatest compromise."

"You're really not trying to hide your malice at all."

"I was born this way, nothing I can do."

"But…" Kaguya suddenly smiled. "That's still better than those hypocrites. At least you're more genuine than anyone. That's probably what I appreciate most about you."

"Rare to hear you praise me, Shinomiya."

"Of course. After working together in the student council for over half a year, I've seen some of your shining points." Kaguya smiled. "So, Rinji, have you found any of mine?"

"…"

"What's with that conflicted look!?"

"Don't rush me… Let me think harder."

"Does it really take this long?"

"…"

"Have you thought of something?"

Seeing her expectant expression, Rinji racked his brain, then looked up seriously. "Can we change the subject?"

"You really can't think of a single thing!?"

"It's just… the qualities you have, the president has them too."

"…"

Kaguya was top of her class, athletic, kind, diligent, practically the perfect image of a young lady.

In Rinji's eyes, he couldn't think of a single unique merit.

"If I had to say… you're probably very kind, Shinomiya." Rinji said after hesitating. "But there are a lot of kind people."

"…At least I finally heard something decent from you."

As she spoke, Kaguya raised her head and looked at Rinji.

"At this point, shouldn't you also tell us about yourself?"

"Hm? Tell you what?"

"In the student council, you're the most mysterious person. You never share your family background or past experiences. You know everything about me and the president, but we know nothing about you."

"…What do you want to know? I'll answer depending on the question."

"What's your connection to IW, the group that terrifies the main family?"

"The founder of IW is my old man."

"…So it's true. Those people's suspicions were right."

Even if she had guessed a little, hearing the answer shocked Kaguya.

The founder of IW—though no records remained, the older generation still remembered. He was once feared by an entire era.

Kaguya herself had met Rinji's father before. The man seemed honest and playful, nothing like the terrifying figure of rumor.

"Any other questions?"

"Is your way of handling things innate, or shaped later?"

"Innate. It has nothing to do with my experiences. From a young age, I could sense malice directed at me, so I got used to killing threats in the bud." Rinji said. "I know my actions are unforgivable evil, but I don't intend to change. If I did, I wouldn't be me anymore."

"I see. I've gained a clearer understanding of you now."

"Understanding me is useless. Better think of how to solve our current problem."

"…You're right."

Their conversation circled back. Their top priority was solving the body-swapping issue.

"Is there anything we experienced that no one else did?"

"This counts as a supernatural event. My house is filled with art, but none of it is related to myths or spirits." Kaguya said. "I haven't visited any shrines lately either."

"I've encountered a supernatural event recently, but it's already been resolved." Rinji was referring to the case with Amano Hina.

"As for what we experienced together, the only time we went out during winter break was with Ishigami. That time…"

Suddenly, Rinji remembered.

On Christmas Eve, he and Kaguya had gone shopping for gifts. When they both touched a meteorite in the hands of a jewelry store clerk, they felt an electric shock at the same time.

"Could it be…"