Sunlight streamed into the Executive Committee's office, casting a soft, platinum glow over Totokubara Kanata. Without her usual wide-brimmed hat to obscure her face, her striking blend of Eastern and Western features stood out, captivating anyone who laid eyes on her.
Her golden hair cascaded in soft waves, shimmering like spun gold under the light. Her turquoise eyes, calm and refined, resembled a tranquil spring. With a perfectly oval face, high nose bridge, delicate lips, and slender eyebrows, she exuded the elegance of a noble princess.
Stretching lazily, Kanata stood and glanced at the electronic clock on the wall— 11:30 AM, almost lunchtime.
After exchanging pleasantries with the other committee members, she donned her hat, picked up her parasol, and made her way toward the school cafeteria.
Hagun Academy provided balanced meals three times a day, though the food was notoriously bland.
Unlike most highborn ladies who remained sheltered, Kanata had frequently sneaked out as a child, wandering through her family's orphanage, where she had first met Toudou Touka and Misogi Foam.
She enjoyed tea but wasn't picky about food, so she tolerated the cafeteria's bland offerings—mostly because she was too lazy to hire a private chef.
…
On her way, Kanata spotted two figures engaged in a heated argument beneath a tree.
One of them was Kusakabe Kagami from the Journalism Club, who had helped her with club applications on her first day at school.
At that moment, Kagami was gripping the sleeve of another student, who was indignantly protesting.
"Twenty thousand yen for a set of photos? You might as well be robbing me! How could someone as refined as Nangou Ryoji allow such exploitation?"
Since Ryoji personally responded to every love letter he received—though he firmly rejected them—obsessive fans had twisted this into an act of kindness.
"Ah, my idol rejected me personally. That must mean he cares about me!"
Kanata, intrigued by the mention of Ryoji's name, paused slightly.
As a Student Council member, she was obligated to intervene in campus disputes, but instead, she discreetly lifted the hem of her skirt and tiptoed around the building's corner to observe.
Kusakabe Kagami, rather than disputing the claim, smirked knowingly.
"You say robbery like I haven't already robbed you."
The other student gawked, dumbfounded.
Twelve unframed photos, casually stuffed into a plastic bag—yet priced at 20,000 yen? That 'was' daylight robbery.
"Well? Do you want them or not?"
"...There aren't any duplicates or fakes, right?"
"Please. I have a reputation. Would I sell you fakes?"
With a reluctant sigh, the student handed over the cash and took the photos.
Humming a cheerful tune, Kagami skipped away, her pockets heavier by another commission of 6,000 yen. The world suddenly seemed brighter and friendlier.
Meanwhile, the buyer clutched his newly acquired treasure and hurried toward the dorms. Having spent a small fortune, he had no time to waste on trivial things like food.
---
"Excuse me, but I think I just saw you engaging in an 'illicit' transaction."
Before he could disappear, the student found his vision suddenly blocked by a parasol-wielding noblewoman.
A Student Council member?!
"May I see what's in your bag?"
Kanata smiled sweetly, extending a gloved hand.
The student paled, trembling as he pulled the photos from his bag and surrendered them with a look of utter despair.
Kanata lowered her gaze, flipping through the images.
''Oh my… how handsome."
A flicker of intrigue flashed in her eyes.
Ryoji rarely cared for his appearance, relying solely on his natural charm. Yet, in these photos, he had been meticulously styled, every angle capturing his ethereal beauty. The photographer had skillfully highlighted his best features, transforming him into a picture-perfect model.
Instinctively, Kanata continued flipping through the set.
It wasn't until she reached the last photo that she snapped back to reality.
Right. She was supposed to be addressing an 'illegal transaction', not admiring its contents.
"Confiscated."
Kanata's voice was calm, but her actions were swift—she slipped the entire set of photos into her pocket.
The buyer's face drained of color.
He was doomed.
Not only had he spent a fortune, but now he wouldn't even get to keep what he paid for. The next month would be nothing but instant noodles and regret.
Kanata, on the other hand, was in a splendid mood.
She had no particular opinion of Ryoji, but beauty was beauty—why deny herself such simple pleasures?
"As a Student Council member, I have a duty to confiscate contraband. This is about maintaining campus integrity… not personal gain. Yes, absolutely."
With that rationalization, she lifted her skirt slightly and hurried after Kusakabe Kagami.
---
''Meanwhile…''
"Ryoji-senpai, here's the income from the past few days!"
Kusakabe Kagami presented a stack of cash with both hands.
"A total of one million yen! Please sign for it!"
"Subarashii!" Ryoji beamed, flashing a rare full-toothed smile.
He had no natural talent for making money— every business venture he attempted personally was a disaster. But as long as he acted as a 'middleman' and let others do the work, profits were possible.
Unfortunately, Hagun Academy's student population was small, and most students weren't exactly wealthy. Plus, illegal transactions involved a lot of hesitation. Otherwise, making just one million yen in five days would've been disappointing.
Following their prearranged deal, Ryoji handed Kagami her 300,000-yen commission. She had done all the legwork, after all.
"Ryoji-senpai, when's the next photoshoot?"
Kagami, now fully invested in the operation, looked at him with eager anticipation.
"Let's wait a month."
Ryoji leaned back in his chair, thinking.
Seven hundred thousand yen was enough to last a while. The current set of photos hadn't even hit peak demand yet—there was still more profit to squeeze out. Besides, photoshoots were exhausting. Between the makeup, outfit changes, and endless posing, it was a hassle.
More than anything, he was just lazy.
Still, it was a pity.
With a stomach condition like his, shouldn't some 'wealthy noblewoman' have stepped in to sponsor him by now?
'(End of Chapter)'
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