Shinichi doesn't know how Kaguya feels right now, and he can't guess what actions she'll take in the future.
Even if he knew, it would be futile. Besides, he currently has no means to confront Kaguya, nor does he have any power to prove that he's stronger than others.
If there's truly no other way, who would want to resolve it by talking?
Though his words are true, Shinichi knows well that the world isn't that forgiving.
If telling the truth could be forgiven by everyone, then there would be no need for lies.
The most important thing is whether he can achieve the desired outcome while speaking eloquently, gaining recognition from others.
As he grows older and can no longer rely solely on talking, even if Kaguya brings her killer squad to block him in front of the toilet, Shinichi can calmly respond:
"I just want everything, what can you do? Drown me in Tokyo Bay?"
Thinking about that scene, his whole body feels enlightened and comfortable...
Of course, Shinichi is just thinking about it. In reality, even if his senior doesn't have breasts, he can't be rude to her.
Shortly after Shinichi returned to his seat, Kaguya walked back, wiping her hands with a handkerchief.
After the confrontation earlier, Shinichi had an inexplicable feeling that what she wiped wasn't a water stain but a bloodstain left by someone.
It seems there's a reason for Ishigami to occasionally depict Kaguya as a cold-blooded witch who killed many people...
"Kaguya-san, what were you and Asada-kun talking about?" Chika is never polite when it comes to things that interest her.
Kaguya answered with a gentle smile and continued talking without changing her expression.
"It's about the Shinomiya family. Thanks to his and 'Herthaka-kun's' efforts in activities like the Mei Festival and summer trips, I could smoothly have fun with everyone. I just informed him about the Shinomiya family's next reaction; it's a more serious topic."
When she heard that it was a more serious topic, Chika immediately lost interest, but she still paid attention to the name accentuated by Kaguya.
"Herthaka-kun?"
Chika looked at Shinichi with doubt.
Shinichi nodded calmly, "We talked about the fireworks show during the summer holidays. Without Herthaka-kun's internal support, I wouldn't have been able to place the fireworks at the designated location."
"So that's it." Chika realized, "No wonder you and Herthaka-kun have such a good relationship. When we went to the amusement park, I thought you were in that kind of relationship."
As she spoke, she put her palm on her cheek, smiling ambiguously.
Shirogane and Ishigami quietly moved their buttocks and sat a bit away from Shinichi.
Iino seemed to have found a new continent, and her pure eyes stared with strong curiosity.
"Who's gay!" Shinichi naturally understood his movements and almost flicked her forehead.
But before he reached out, Kaguya smiled and spoke, kindly proving that she wasn't guilty.
"Fujiwara-san, you misunderstood. Asada-kun doesn't like men."
"Because Herthaka-kun is actually a girl the same age as us."
"..."
Shinichi's eyes wrinkled this time, and he glanced at Kaguya, but the other party still smiled perfectly, but there was no smile in her eyes.
(I really didn't expect Shinomiya Senpai to take action so quickly.)
Shinichi sighed inwardly, his expression unchanged, but his brain started working quickly.
Both Shirogane and Ishigami realized that the atmosphere was getting awkward, but they also saw from Kaguya's eyes that now wasn't the time for them to intervene.
Ishigami also covered Iino's mouth, who had a confused expression and was about to say something, then sat obediently in her chair, watching the three-person drama.
"Herthaka-kun is a girl of the same age..."
Chika reread it emptily, then shouted loudly.
"Eh—?! Is Herthaka-kun a girl? So, she's not a weak butler, but a butler disguised as a boy?!"
"Yes, I apologize for keeping this from you for years."
After apologizing, Kaguya still looked a bit surprised, "The setting is not important, but you remember it very clearly..."
"Hehehe, besides, it's related to Kaguya-san!" Chika hugged Kaguya's arm, leaned her head on her shoulder, and smiled happily.
"Kaguya-san, stop apologizing! It's enough for me that you took the initiative to tell me these things and immediately said that I'm your friend. It's not Kaguya-san who wanted to hide it from me, right?"
"I know, if it weren't for the Shinomiya family rules, Kaguya-san would have told me the truth immediately! And such a trivial matter wouldn't shake our friendship at all. So, it doesn't matter whether we say it or not, so Kaguya-san doesn't need to apologize to me."
"Fujiwara-san..." Kaguya was stunned for a moment, then held Chika's hand.
"Yes, what I have to say now is 'thank you,' not an apology."
"Thank you, Fujiwara-san. You and Hayasaka are the most important people to me..."
She spoke the last sentence faintly, and no one could hear it clearly.
As she pouted, Kaguya narrowed her eyes and stared sharply at Shinichi, as if warning him.
Shinichi turned back with an unchanged expression.
"Wait a minute, if Herthaka-kun is Herthaka-chan..."
After looking back several times, Chika finally reacted, her eyes widened, and she stared at Shinichi.
"Asada-kun, do you know about this?"
Hearing this, the two men who witnessed it shouted in unison in their hearts: 'The main event is coming! Seize it, you are the person with many ships!'
"...Yes."
Everyone looked at him, and Shinichi certainly wouldn't lie.
Although he initially planned to tell the truth, the current atmosphere made him feel like he was standing in a courtroom and being judged publicly.
"I've known it for a long time."
He added and stared straight at Chika, whose expression was starting to change.
Chika muttered.
"If you've known it for a long time, during the summer trip and amusement park, were you really teasing?"
"I remember when the fireworks were lit for Kaguya-san, Asada-kun moved projection equipment with a blond-haired maid."
"That person, could it be Herthaka-chan..."