Unlike Kurosawa Ren, Fujiwara Chika's grades had always been fairly stable.
Even though they had gradually declined, she still managed to stay around the 100th rank in her year.
She was the kind of "excellent student" who floated somewhere between the "top students" and the "underachievers."
Though her grades were impressive to most people at school, within the student council, she was at the bottom of the academic ladder.
So, when it came to someone like Kurosawa Ren—capable, mysterious, and talented—the girl couldn't help but feel a little admiration in her heart.
"You're too kind. President Shinomiya is way more impressive than I am," Ren replied humbly.
Though inwardly, he didn't agree.
In this nightmarish world, what use was academic excellence?
When monsters and demons descend upon you, and you're powerless to resist, then everything you studied for becomes meaningless.
The two of them reached the student council office. When they opened the door, they saw a petite figure seated properly in a chair, quietly reading a book.
"Chika... oh? Do we have a guest?"
Shinomiya Kaguya looked up when she heard the voices. Her elegant crimson eyes lingered on Kurosawa Ren's slender figure, a bit puzzled as to why Fujiwara Chika had brought someone with her.
"President, Ren just helped me out earlier, so I wanted to treat him to some tea," Chika explained with a cheerful tone.
"I guess I can't stop you," Kaguya sighed softly. "The black tea leaves are under the counter."
Chika gave her signature carefree smile, one that made it difficult for even the cool and composed Kaguya to say no.
Ren quietly observed the girl known as "Ice Kaguya," and his thoughts flickered.
As the eldest daughter of Shinomiya Yan'an, the president of the Shinomiya Group, Kaguya Shinomiya wasn't just academically gifted—she excelled in the arts, music, martial arts, and more. She was a true prodigy.
The Shinomiya Group boasted total assets exceeding 200 trillion yen, with thousands of subsidiaries. It was one of Japan's four largest financial conglomerates.
And yet, despite all this, fate seemed to shower favor upon her.
On top of her accomplishments and heritage, Kaguya was undeniably beautiful.
Her perfectly tailored uniform hugged her slender waist and subtly accentuated her modest chest. Her long, elegant legs emerged gracefully from beneath her skirt, wrapped in sleek black pantyhose. Just one look at them conveyed their softness and shape—it was hard not to imagine resting one's head on them.
The charm of Ice Princess Kaguya needed no explanation.
As Ren studied her, Kaguya was also observing him.
She was slightly intrigued by this top-ranked student—handsome, fit, and strangely charismatic.
Rumors said he was constantly surrounded by beautiful girls and handled social situations far better than she did.
"Here, Ren-kun, please enjoy the black tea I brewed myself," said Chika, interrupting the silence as she returned with hot tea and snacks.
"It's good," Ren said after taking a sip.
Though he wasn't well-versed in tea ceremonies, the rich aroma alone made it clear—Chika's brewing skills weren't bad.
"Hehe, really?" Chika scratched her head, embarrassed. "I'm still nothing compared to the President when it comes to the tea ceremony."
"Oh! That reminds me," she suddenly said, clapping her head in exaggerated realization. "It's lunchtime, isn't it? You haven't eaten yet, have you? Let's eat together!"
"Sure."
Though Ren had eaten a bit on the rooftop earlier, he was only about 70% full. A second meal now was more like afternoon tea to him.
Conveniently, he still had homemade food in his bag.
As he opened his lunchbox, a savory aroma filled the room.
There were crispy sausages, thick tamagoyaki, and potato salad—simple, classic Japanese home cooking, but with excellent taste.
"Wow! That smells amazing! Ren-kun, can I have a bite?" Chika's eyes sparkled as she stared at the lunchbox, practically drooling.
After getting his permission, the pink-haired girl eagerly took a piece of sausage with her chopsticks.
"Mmm~~! The crispy sausage, paired with the sweet sauce—it's sooo good!"
"...Is it really that delicious?" Kaguya asked, watching Chika's blissful expression.
As a noble, Kaguya's lunches were crafted by the Shinomiya family's private chefs. They were carefully balanced, filled with seasonal ingredients, and prepared with culinary precision.
She'd never tasted ordinary food before—civilian cuisine was a foreign concept to her.
"If you don't mind, President Shinomiya, you're welcome to try as well," Ren said with a friendly smile, offering her a pair of chopsticks.
Kaguya hesitated, then finally gave in to temptation. She picked up a piece of fried tempura.
The moment she tasted it, her crimson eyes widened.
Her taste buds exploded with unfamiliar flavors. Her small body trembled slightly.
"I didn't expect common food to be this... incredible…"
Twenty minutes later, the lunchbox was empty—devoured during the girls' playful tug-of-war for bites.
Noticing Ren's gaze, Kaguya bashfully covered her slightly rounded belly.
"Ren-kun… sorry. We ended up eating all your food."
"It's fine," Ren replied. "If you like it, I'll bring more next time."
Just then, a new card appeared in his personal system space.
Who would've thought—sharing a meal could trigger a collectible outfit!
[Three-Star Costume: The Power of Food]
Description: Wow! That flavor! That aroma! That beautiful presentation!
This is no ordinary meal—it holds the divine secrets of ultimate flavor.
It's said many have become addicted to it.
"So tasty, I'll enjoy it all to myself."
[Costume Effect]:
Food you prepare has a chance to trigger a unique bonus effect:
Health regeneration, speed boost, detoxification, increased base vitality, etc.
"Wait, seriously? Why didn't Jian Qiming, her daughter, or Kitagawa Haimeng trigger a costume drop?"
Ren's head filled with question marks.
It had to be the emotional intensity. Maybe the explosive reactions from Kaguya and Chika were the key.
Both girls were born into elite households, and it was their first time tasting real, homemade food from a commoner. The contrast alone must've shaken them.
And just like that, over lunch, his bond with the two girls grew stronger.
The gluttonous little cat, Fujiwara Chika, even proposed he come to the student council office every day to share lunch.
After considering it, Ren agreed to eat with them every Monday and Wednesday.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, he'd continue having rooftop lunches with Yukino and the others.
Fridays? That depended on his mood.
It was worth noting that [The Power of Food] wasn't fully unlocked yet.
Like the [Girl's Sincere Love] costume, it might evolve in the future.
A simple lunch led to friendships with two beautiful girls and even a new collectible—Ren was in a great mood.
Before long, it was time to head home.
First, Ren used his armored motorcycle to take Mr. Pan back home.
Then, he picked up Jian Qiming and headed to the meeting place arranged with [The Strongest Genius Elementary School Student in History].
It was an abandoned shrine far out west of the city.
Rumor had it the temple once served as a spiritual refuge for deceased infants. It was littered with Jizo statues and stone carvings symbolizing mothers and children.
The wind howled violently, tousling the girl's short hair as they sped along.
Jian Qiming clung tightly to Ren's waist, scanning her phone for updates.
"That's strange… There's barely any information online about this place. Even the Demon-Hunting App only has a few mentions."
"Most of the exorcists just say it's cursed and dangerous. They repeatedly warn people not to get anywhere near it."
"Looks like that genius kid wasn't exaggerating."
According to official classifications, supernatural zones are divided by threat levels.
S-rank areas are places where escape is impossible once entered. Victims get imprisoned or cursed across any distance.
Even A-rank zones—though not as extreme—are highly dangerous.
A-class ghosts can still leave you cursed, tormented even while alive.
The only difference from S-rank is that there might be an escape route.
Ren rode the armored cavalry through backroads and quickly reached the secluded shrine.
He dismounted and returned the bike to his card storage.
Waiting near the meeting point was a tiny girl already standing alone.
"Huh?"
She turned sharply when she heard them approach.
The girl had her lavender hair tied up in a bun, wore a punk-style jacket that clashed with her youthful appearance, and on her feet were a pair of shark-themed platform shoes.
What stunned Jian Qiming wasn't the outfit—but the girl's eyes.
In her pupils were strange white skull symbols.
Cartoonish in design, the skulls radiated a faint, ominous aura.
Yin-Yang Eyes.
Just like her, this mysterious little girl was a spiritual medium—one who could see beyond the veil.