After deciding to give up, I became popular

Luckily, he had helped Kaguya relax a bit earlier, otherwise, her finger might have been ruined with that much force.

"Although the cut isn't deep, it still needs to be treated. Come with me."

"Eh, but the spot I just borrowed..."

Kaguya Shinomiya seemed a bit unwilling, so Sou Natsukawa had to become firm.

"This isn't the time to worry about that. You're definitely more important."

Seeing how much she valued the opportunity to learn, he had to gently reassure her:

"There's no need to rush. I can teach you another time."

He thought Kaguya had some important matter to discuss, but it turned out she just wanted to take advantage of the forest school trip to have him teach her cooking.

He didn't have any official business at the moment, so he agreed. However, he didn't expect such an inauspicious start; the official cooking hadn't even begun, and she had already failed at the vegetable cutting stage.

But after all, she was a proper young lady who had never lifted a finger in the kitchen, so it's normal that she couldn't do this. There was no need to criticize her; rather, he should have been more aware of this.

Hmm... Next time, he might as well teach her hands-on to avoid any more accidents.

"Does it still hurt?" Sou Natsukawa turned his head and asked softly.

He had experienced this himself, so he knew how it felt, making it easy to empathize with Kaguya. His tone couldn't help but become gentle.

"Not, not that much anymore..." Kaguya Shinomiya nodded slightly, her voice soft and weak, a blush rising on her face.

He's... holding my hand!

Although it wasn't the intimate interaction she had planned, this wasn't bad either!

Even the bleeding finger didn't seem to hurt as much... No, that's not right! Didn't they say that if your finger bleeds, you just need to put it in your mouth for a moment?

Why isn't the president helping her?

Could it be... that he finds her disgusting?!

Ugh...

Kaguya Shinomiya recalled the scene when she discussed the president's攻略 plan with Ai Hayasaka.

Clearly, in the manga that Hayasaka had shown her for reference, the male protagonist would put the female lead's finger in his mouth and lick it when he saw her cut herself while cutting vegetables. Why didn't that happen to her?

False advertising! Bad review!

As expected, manga is unreliable. It's better to rely on herself...

"This should be it." Sou Natsukawa stopped and looked at the small wooden house in front of him, saying to Kaguya Shinomiya behind him, "This should be the temporary infirmary. Let's go in."

"Okay."

Pushing open the door, the room was empty. There weren't even many of the bottles and jars that should have contained medicine. Only a few small bottles were placed on the old wooden cabinet against the wall.

After searching briefly, he quickly found antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ointment on it. After confirming the date and finding that it hadn't expired, he told Kaguya to sit on the wooden bed.

"Sit here. I'll apply the medicine for you."

For him, such a shallow wound would only require a band-aid, but since Kaguya was injured, it was best to treat it carefully.

He took her hand and observed it for a while, finding that the injured area was no longer bleeding. He felt relieved and began to apply the medicine to her in a businesslike manner.

"How does it feel?" Sou Natsukawa asked.

"Wh, what is it...?" Kaguya Shinomiya was a little confused.

Is he talking about the warmth of his palm?

It feels very comfortable. The president's hands are also big and warm...

"Hmm... the entire process, from wanting to learn cooking to experiencing initial failure," Sou Natsukawa pondered.

"Uh, is that what you mean...?" Kaguya Shinomiya was a little disappointed, thinking that the president was starting to be mischievous. She had been looking forward to it a little, but he just wanted to ask about this.

"What's wrong?" Sou Natsukawa asked in confusion.

"No, I mean... it's somewhat profound?" Kaguya Shinomiya replied.

Although the plan failed due to an accident, this result wasn't bad. It even made the president worry about her condition and even take her hand...

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was a complete victory, right?

As expected, the goddess of fortune favors her!

"Profound... it does fit somewhat," Sou Natsukawa nodded, but he wanted to ask about other aspects.

He had seen too many people who became interested in something due to a sudden accident, but only dabbled in it, never going deep, and even giving up at the first sign of setbacks.

Although he didn't think Kaguya was that kind of person, it wouldn't be good if she developed a psychological shadow about cooking from this.

"Actually, I've had similar experiences. When I first learned to cook, I cut my fingers several times while cutting vegetables, and the dishes I made were not even edible. You could even say they were inedible..."

Because he had a good role model, and he was focused on creating surprises for the angel, he studied very seriously and eventually managed to barely reach her level.

So, what about Kaguya?

No matter what her reason for suddenly wanting to learn cooking was, he still hoped she could persevere until she fulfilled her "dream," at least not leaving regrets like he did back then.

"So, please don't hate cooking because of this. Although the process may be difficult, I believe that with your abilities, Kaguya, you can definitely overcome it quickly."

"What silly things are you saying, President? Of course, I won't do that," Kaguya Shinomiya shook her head, looking at Sou Natsukawa, who was half-squatting in front of her. A strange impulse suddenly arose in her heart.

So, she slowly reached out and gently stroked his loose hair, rubbing it, her eyes full of smiles, saying charming words:

"After all, I am Kaguya Shinomiya, who never gives up..."

"..."

112. Limited Kaguya

His hand involuntarily touched the spot that Kaguya had just touched, still retaining a trace of warmth.

Instinct told him that the barrier that had existed between him and Kaguya seemed to be disappearing little by little, but his experience with Shiina reminded him that this was just normal interaction between friends.

Even someone like Kaguya Shinomiya would yearn to have friends; it's just that she couldn't grasp the distance in friendships.

"Um... does your finger still hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt at all anymore. Thank you for your concern, President." Kaguya smiled sweetly at him, and he was at a complete loss for words again.

"..."

They fell into a long silence.

"It's, it's getting late. It's time to go back for lunch. Maybe everyone is waiting..." Sou Natsukawa glanced out the window, seemingly admiring the dazzling warm sun announcing noon.

"Can we stay a little longer?" Kaguya suddenly said softly, grabbing his hand, wanting him to sit next to her again.

"I want to spend a little more time alone with the President... Is that not okay?"

"Uh..." Sou Natsukawa was a little stunned.

Kaguya being so spoiled...

Normally, she was the undisputed princess of the second-year students. Her spoiled appearance at this moment would only make her cuteness even more pronounced.

Holding a boy's hand, whispering private sweet nothings in his ear, this didn't fit Kaguya's image, but when she did it, it didn't feel out of place at all. All that remained was a strong throbbing in his heart.

Thump, thump...

His heart was beating fast.

Even though they were in a dimly lit wooden house, he felt that the whole world had become much brighter.

"Just for a little while..."

"Yeah! Just a little while is fine." Kaguya pulled him over, sat next to him, and leaned against his arm.

"The President smells so good. Did you use perfume?"

"N, no..." Sou Natsukawa shook his head, trying to quietly pull his hand away, but he couldn't. Kaguya was holding it tightly.

"But it really smells good..." She sniffed her nose lightly, then leaned her whole body closer.

She also turned her head, staring at him with her bright, beautiful eyes without a moment's break.

"Even though you didn't spray perfume, it smells so good. Why is that...?"

"..."

"President..."

"Wh, what's wrong...?"

"Can I get a little closer to smell it again...?"

"..."

But your whole body is already touching me. How much closer do you want to get? Sou Natsukawa thought that something seemed a little off.

Kaguya's state didn't feel like her usual self...

To be precise, it was like she had changed into a different person.

From a cold and proud queen to a naive and adorable girl in love—that was roughly the feeling.

"Are you okay?" Realizing this, Sou Natsukawa's heart was no longer so distracted.

He remembered that Kaguya seemed to have something like multiple personality disorder. However, he had never seen such a scene until now, but it seemed like he had encountered it today.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Sou Natsukawa asked.

Just from the screen, both personalities of Kaguya were of course quite cute, which was one of her endearing qualities, but if it appeared in reality, because he knew about this situation, he couldn't help but worry.

Would her other personality have any impact on Kaguya's main personality?

Would it last for a period of time or would it require some trigger to change back?

Would the main personality retain memories of what the other personality did?

Although recently his relationship with Kaguya seemed to be gradually becoming closer, it certainly hadn't reached the point where they could do such things without any reservations.

For her now, everything was so natural, but if her main personality knew about it, wouldn't she become depressed...

"Do you want to lie down for a while and rest?" Sou Natsukawa suggested.

Perhaps sleeping was a good idea. As long as she lay down, closed her eyes, and woke up, she should be able to return to normal.

"I don't want to rest yet. Please stay with me a little longer, President."

"Then let's compromise. You lie on the bed, and I'll chat with you," Sou Natsukawa coaxed.

Kaguya at the moment seemed too easy to coax, even giving him the feeling that he was luring an innocent little girl.

Fortunately, they were both the same age, and even if they were both underage, it wouldn't attract guys who would shout "Open the door!" outside the door.

"Hmm... then the President should join too!" Kaguya first tilted her head and looked at him, then nodded happily.

"I don't need to..." Sou Natsukawa wanted to refuse, but Kaguya suddenly reached out and pulled him.

So, his body involuntarily tilted forward, making a "壁咚"—no, it should be a "床咚"-like pose on Kaguya.

"..."

"..."

The surroundings were quiet, even the rustling of the wind blowing through the trees was clearly audible, as if it was ringing in his heart.

But the sound of his heartbeat was so strong, gradually completely drowning out all the sounds, until it spread out, then deprived him of all his senses, and only Kaguya's delicate appearance remained in his eyes, still blinking gently at him.

"..."

"What's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing..." Looking at Kaguya's ignorant eyes below him, Sou Natsukawa suddenly woke up.

He supported himself and climbed off the bed, wanting to escape.

But Kaguya wouldn't let him.

Although she was still lying obediently on the bed, her eyes kept staring at him, and her slender little hand had already grabbed his palm at some point, and he couldn't break free anymore.