"Not bad, President. We made quite a bit this time."

"I just feel uneasy about this money."

"The check was written willingly, both sides agreed. No need to let your conscience bother you." Rinji waved the check in front of Shirogane. "One hundred million yen. Not a lot, but good profit for the company at this stage."

"…But that was Shinomiya's father. He's sick, and we sold the medicine at such a high price."

Shirogane's face was full of conflict.

"If Shinomiya finds out I took advantage of her father's illness like this, she'll absolutely…"

"Just say I was the one behind it. It's true anyway. Considering my bad blood with Shinomiya, one more rotten deed won't make a difference."

"I still bear responsibility too."

Shirogane was completely different from Rinji.

Rinji was the type who could kill and burn without a shred of guilt.

Shirogane was the type whose conscience hurt just for charging a bit more.

That these two opposite kinds of people could work together was practically a miracle.

"Relax. I just talked with Shinomiya Un'yo. From now on, their side will get the medicine for free." Rinji said.

"That so? Good."

"If it were the old me, I wouldn't have been so nice."

In the past, Rinji would've blown Un'yo's head off minutes ago. Now, at least, he wasn't casually smashing skulls.

Nearly a year at Shuchiin plus Yomiyama had taught him restraint.

"Honestly, President, you're really not suited for a capitalist country like Japan." Rinji pocketed the check. "Isn't your country always preaching 'free market economy' with the US? Since we're the only ones in the world who can make this antidote, we could easily sell it sky-high."

"That's exactly why, before you helped my family, our lives were so harsh," Shirogane sighed.

"Even in Japan… I want to keep my conscience."

"As expected of the President."

"What about you, Rinji? Do you think you're a qualified capitalist?"

"I'm not a qualified capitalist, but I'm definitely a qualified bandit," Rinji grinned. "Since my father's time, I've known how to put a gun to a capitalist's head. Half the world's resources are in their hands. Robbing them is way more efficient than 'cutting leeks.'"

Bzzz—

Rinji's phone suddenly vibrated.

A LINE message. From Hayasaka.

He read it quickly, typed a short reply, then turned to Shirogane.

"President, we've still got time. Want to go see a movie?"

"Huh?"

---

"How often do you two go on dates?"

"Since we live together, there isn't much need for dates," Hayasaka said. "But if you mean going out just the two of us, about once a week."

"…"

"What is it?"

"Nothing," Kaguya murmured with her head on the table. "Just… jealous."

"If you want a date, why not just invite the President yourself?"

"But… isn't the guy supposed to be the one to ask?"

"You're such a hassle."

"I really do want to get closer to the President this semester. Even though we're together now…"

"Then how about a movie?" Hayasaka suggested.

"A movie?"

"If you want to get closer, movies are the best. And make sure it's a horror movie."

For romance, horror movies are a must!

Watching horror movies also increases hormones in the body. When people fall in love, feel fear, tension, or excitement, hormones rise, causing the sensation of a racing heartbeat. When two people in a relationship watch a horror movie together, the increase in hormones and rapid heartbeat, coupled with the fact that the other person is right beside them, makes the feelings of love even stronger.

And since both feel afraid while watching, it creates a sense of sharing hardship and being there for each other. Plus, when the other person is scared, you can hold and comfort them.

"Ah, horror movies really could work..."

Kaguya thought carefully.

"But since it's dating, romance movies also work, right? The first time I went to watch a romance movie with the president, it felt very sweet too~"

As Kaguya recalled the sweetness mixed with shyness of their first romance movie, Hayasaka's expression suddenly darkened.

"No, I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why? Hayasaka, you don't like romance movies?"

"I just don't have any good impressions of watching a romance movie with Rinji, that's all."

The first time Hayasaka watched a movie with Rinji happened to be the very same day Kaguya and Shirogane went to watch a movie together. It was the day Rinji had bought out all the tickets, forcing Kaguya to sit right beside Shirogane.

"You went to see a movie with Rinji... what happened that day?"

"Secretary-chan (Fujiwara Chika) was there too. The rest, Kaguya, you can imagine."

"Ah... that must have been a disaster."

Kaguya could imagine it. If she and Shirogane went on a date and happened to run into Fujiwara, the carefully built atmosphere would be ruined instantly.

"Besides, when Rinji watches these kinds of movies he usually just falls asleep, so I think it's better to avoid them."

Still, ever since they started dating, whenever Rinji fell asleep, it was always resting on Hayasaka's lap, so she didn't particularly mind.

"Since Rinji is with the president right now, when I invite him out I'll also have him bring the president out for you."

With that, Hayasaka pulled out her phone and started sending Rinji a message.

"Eh? Now?"

"Yes, now. While I'm dating Rinji, the president can date you. Isn't that a good plan?"

"That... does make sense, but—"

"Okay, sent."

"Eh?"

---

At the entrance of the mall cinema.

Wearing sportswear, Rinji stood next to Hayasaka, who was in casual clothes. Rinji was holding four tickets.

And across from them...

Kaguya, blushing, leaned against Shirogane's side, while Shirogane's face looked conflicted. He hadn't had time to change clothes, still in the suit he wore at work, which made him feel awkward.