Shirogane looked a little embarrassed. Had he known he would run into Kaguya while going to the movies, he wouldn't have worn a business suit but instead the casual outfit his sister Kei picked for him.

Of course, Kaguya didn't find anything wrong with his suit. On the contrary, she thought, "The president looks so handsome in a suit too."

"Shinomiya..."

"Sorry, president," Kaguya said softly with a blush. "I know you're very busy. Asking you to come out on a date today might have been a bit selfish."

"Not at all. I finished today's tasks long ago," Shirogane said with a smile.

Though he was feeling a lot of pressure. After all, dealing with Kaguya's older brother had been so stressful that even someone as used to pressure as Shirogane nearly couldn't bear it.

"I just thought... since we're dating now, we should go out on dates sometimes..."

"I know. I really haven't spent much time with you lately."

Shirogane felt a bit guilty. Aside from one date at Christmas, their time together since then had mostly been in the student council office. With the second-year school trip coming up, as president he had plenty to prepare. On top of that, he had to deal with studying abroad, so he had barely any time to be with Kaguya, let alone date her.

He was grateful that Kaguya didn't feel neglected. Though in truth, she did feel a bit that way—she just complained to Hayasaka instead of to his face.

At that moment, Rinji returned from the counter with the tickets. Since they were two couples on dates, naturally they would sit together.

The seats were in the middle row: Kaguya, Shirogane, Rinji, Hayasaka.

Rinji had originally planned to buy out the whole theater but was stopped by Hayasaka.

"President, here are the tickets."

"Ah, thanks."

Shirogane accepted them. The title on the ticket and the dark poster outside made it obvious: a newly released horror movie.

He looked at Hayasaka beside Rinji.

"So you're Rinji's girlfriend?"

"Yes."

Hayasaka answered firmly and naturally took Rinji's arm.

Shirogane recalled the day of the Hoshin Festival when Rinji suddenly announced he had gained another girlfriend, apparently with full awareness. He still wondered how Rinji's two girlfriends managed to get along.

In the first semester, Rinji was still a pure underclassman troubled by not having a girlfriend. Less than a year later, he had two girlfriends, practically a playboy. Shirogane had no idea what had changed.

---

The four entered the dark theater just before the movie started. Even without buying out the place, there were only a handful of people inside.

Rinji and Shirogane sat down first. Shinomiya Kaguya and Hayasaka lingered at the entrance.

"I don't need to explain what comes next, do I?"

"Eh? Hayasaka, you mean..."

"Not every horror movie is truly scary. Even if you're not afraid, you have to act like you are," Hayasaka said seriously. "That way you'll have the chance to get close to the president—ask for a hug, for comfort, that sort of thing."

"I see."

Kaguya nodded thoughtfully.

"Will you be doing that, Hayasaka?"

"No."

"Eh?"

"I no longer need to rely on acting to get what I want... though if I'm really scared, that's another matter."

After all, horror movies are scary to some degree.

Once they sat down, the movie began.

The entire film had a sinister atmosphere, with good buildup. Diddy popped out unexpectedly, making the audience scream. From the start, Hayasaka gripped Rinji's hand tightly, and as the story progressed she buried her head in his shoulder.

Rinji kept a calm, expressionless face throughout, gently stroking her hair as she leaned on him.

Kaguya couldn't help noticing their interactions, thinking it seemed nice—very much like a couple. She thought, "Since I'm also in a relationship with the president, I should try it too."

Just then, a ghost suddenly appeared on the big screen, making Kaguya jump. Seizing the chance, she quickly turned toward Shirogane.

A perfect opportunity!

"President, I'm so scared... huh?"

Unlike Kaguya, who was only startled by the jump scare, Shirogane had been stiff with fear from the very beginning. With Kaguya beside him, he couldn't show it and could only pray the movie would end soon.

At that moment, the ghost's sudden appearance made him flinch hard, instinctively leaning to his side—not toward Kaguya, but toward Rinji.

"What's wrong, president? Afraid?"

"No no no... just a little..."

"Relax, it's all fake."

Rinji smiled and patted him lightly on the back. Shirogane could only mumble a soft "mm."

Kaguya stared blankly at the interaction between Shirogane and Rinji, her eyes growing emptier by the second.

Just then, the movie gave a close-up of the ghost's terrifying face. At that moment, Kaguya's expression looked identical to the ghost's—murderous and terrifying.

She pulled out her phone and began typing furiously.

Buzz~

In her pocket, Hayasaka's phone vibrated. She lifted her head from Rinji's shoulder, opened it, and saw a message from Kaguya.

[Take your boyfriend and get lost!]

"Hm?"

Hayasaka looked toward Kaguya and saw her glaring with bloodshot eyes, drawing a finger across her neck.

"...Kaguya, you're scarier than the horror movie."