The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

"Ahem! Kiana, Miko... seems afraid of you? That's strange. She's such a lively child, why is she like this now... Could it be that you did something really awful to her?"

Kaguya's words were, in a veiled way.

But I have to say, I completely guessed the little story between Kiana and Miko.

This also deeply moved Miko, who was directly involved in the incident, as she looked at her.

"Shinomiya-senpai!"

"Huh? Am I...?"

Seeing Miko's appearance, Kaguya was stunned for a moment, then looked at Kiana with great surprise.

At this moment, she seriously doubted that she had actually guessed correctly.

This transfer student from a foreign country actually did some very outrageous things to his classmates.

That's terrifying! So, despite her cheerful and lively exterior, she's actually a little devil inside?

"No." Kaguya's random thoughts were interrupted by Kiana's calm reply.

Startled, she looked in the direction of the sound and found that the white-haired transfer student was brazenly approaching Miko.

The poor junior tried to escape, but Kiana caught up with him in one step and grabbed his hand.

"No, um..."

Miko tried to break free, but Kiana was simply too strong.

In addition, she remembered her promise from yesterday, so she could only blush and stop resisting, like a kitten that had been caught.

"See, we actually have a very good relationship."

As Kiana spoke, she slowly reached out and placed her hand on Miko's delicate shoulder, then revealed a very kind smile.

This situation is truly somewhat eerie.

So much so that Kaguya was visibly taken aback for a moment, then silently looked at Miko and began to observe the expression on the girl's face.

After confirming that the other person was merely showing a shy expression, she shook her head speechlessly.

"I think so, um... I'm sorry, I was overthinking it."

"Hehe, Kaguya-chan is such a worrywart."

As Fujiwara was speaking, he suddenly leaned closer to Kaguya and stared at his friend with a big smile.

"Eh? Yeah... Secretary Fujiwara, please be mindful of your manners, we..."

Kaguya was clearly overwhelmed by her enthusiasm.

"Let's talk about that later. By the way... we spent so much time picking out gifts yesterday, have we finally decided on one yet?"

Secretary Fujiwara waved her hand in a very easygoing manner, and then asked the question with a face full of curiosity.

It seems that for her, this was something more important than any so-called etiquette.

Upon being asked this question, Kaguya immediately lowered her head slowly, as if something embarrassing had been touched upon.

"Um, well... actually I..."

Feeling extremely shy, she waved her hand somewhat incoherently, seemingly unwilling to share this information too soon.

But the two people in front of him at this moment were his best friends.

Should I just answer that I don't want to answer?

That would be really hurtful...

Seeing her like this, Kiana, who had already calmed Miko down, slowly moved closer.

"Kaguya-san, if you don't want to tell us, you don't have to."

"Huh? Really? But aren't we friends...?"

"It is precisely because we are friends that we need to look after each other."

Kiana smiled and stepped forward, placing her hand on the girl's shoulder and gazing at her with a warm smile.

Her pretty face, bathed in sunlight, exuded an irresistible sense of sacredness.

Seeing this smile, Kaguya's initially troubled mood gradually calmed down for some reason.

"Is that so...? Thank you."

"Kaguya-chan, could it be...?"

Seemingly having guessed something, Secretary Fujiwara covered her mouth in surprise, looking at Lady Kaguya with disbelief.

"Yes, I'm ready."

"Is that so... Hmm, make sure you don't have any regrets!"

Secretary Fujiwara raised her small fist and waved it, as if she wanted to cheer for Lady Kaguya with her own heartfelt support.

Whether her efforts had any effect is perhaps only known to the person involved.

Just then, the doors to the student council slowly opened.

Guild Master Shirogane slowly walked in, and only upon entering the meeting room did he realize with surprise...

Something's not right here.

"Huh? You're all here? This is...?"

"that..."

Seeing that the person in question had finally arrived, Kaguya coughed and then turned her gaze to the student council members.

"Could everyone please step outside for a moment? Except for the student council president, I have something I'd like to say..."

Kaguya hesitated, her blushing face looking incredibly alluring.

And she, being coy and hesitant, was hiding her delicate hands behind her back at this moment.

Clearly, behind that was the gift she had chosen for the student council president...

Seeing this, Kiana realized that her time to leave might be approaching, so she slowly got up:

"No problem, phew. Miko, let's go."

"Eh? Kiana, I... okay."

Miko wanted to ask what had happened, but not daring to disobey Kiana, she had no choice but to follow Fujiwara-senpai outside the meeting room.

As the student council gates closed, the three girls outside waited silently for the two to pour out their hearts to each other.

Finally, after a short wait...

Kiana heard the system's mission completion notification sound...

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have successfully completed the main quest for the [Shuchiin Academy] region: Create Opportunities When There Aren't!]

[Mission Completion Method: While avoiding interference from Iino Miko, wait for Kaguya-sama to reveal her true feelings.]

[Rewards for completing this mission: 5000 Herrscher Points, which can be redeemed at a discounted price for one world-exclusive item (Student Council Code of Conduct, costing 2000 Herrscher Points), and will randomly unlock the next story world.]

[Mission Completion Summary: Thanks to your encouragement, Kaguya successfully confessed her true feelings. However, unfortunately, the person she admires doesn't seem ready. This earnest confession ultimately ended with both of them laughing it off. Their story will continue.]

[Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the main storyline without excessively interfering with cause and effect. As a reward, the system can postpone the journey to the next world (KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!).]

[If the host chooses to delay, they can choose to travel freely for 30 days through the worlds they have visited, without a main storyline.]

Kiana was stunned when she heard about the system's special commendation.

"A journey without a main storyline?"

The Troubles of a New Student Council Member (Kaguya-sama: Love Is War): Chapter 36 A Silent Departure

When Kiana first heard the system mention this concept, she didn't understand its meaning for a moment.

Later, through the system's gradual guidance, she realized that the so-called "no-main-line trip" was actually just like taking a long vacation.

During the designated period, even if you remain in that world, it will not consume Herrscher Points; however, it is different from ordinary travel.

The journey without a main storyline will end immediately after it concludes, and there will be no option to exchange time for Herrscher Points.

Apart from that, this kind of journey does not have a so-called main quest.

In other words, if you want to obtain related rewards or gains, you can only do so through side quests or other means.

That's why Kiana felt like this was a vacation.

"There are no requirements or restrictions, giving me maximum freedom, yay! Hmm... Gan Yu and Ying helped me a lot during the last battle. This time... I should go and thank them properly."

But that's a story for another time.

At least Kiana felt that her journey through this world was now complete.

Fortunately, since there were no combat scenes, we might not even need to say a few words and can just leave quietly.

"Phew. Peaceful life always seems to slip away so quickly..."

Kiana, who was about to leave, uttered this sigh.

And she, with a slight sigh, probably couldn't have imagined it.

Secretary Fujiwara, who was smiling broadly, was secretly watching him.

"Kiana-chan? Why are you...?"

However, before the words of concern could be uttered, Kaguya's voice came from behind the student council door.

"It's ready now. I'm very sorry for taking up everyone's time."

After saying this, Kaguya slowly opened the student council door for everyone.

Her gentle smile contrasted sharply with the stern face of President Shirogane.

Seemingly sensing the gazes of the crowd, the president, who was sitting upright at the table, sighed.

"I hope you won't make jokes like that again, Kaguya."

"How annoying, President. It's just a gift, why are you so hung up on it? Really..."

"Hey, hey, hey, what do you mean I can't forget you? I'm talking to you..."