My Wives Of Simulation

Chapter 58: Yukinoshita Yukino's Friends

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Kunugigaoka Private Academy, as the leading educational institution in all of Japan, encompasses junior high, high school, and university programs.

In the latter half of the 19th century, black ships brought white faith to this land. Much like the churches destroyed by Elric in the Roman Empire, these beliefs found fertile ground to resurface, eventually growing into the largest sect in Japan.

Fortunately, due to the backing of powerful consortiums, Kunugigaoka Academy remained untouched by the influence of the church. Despite adopting certain architectural styles reminiscent of religious structures, it is one of the few academies that has expanded several times without any ties to the church.

Jointly funded by numerous consortiums, Kunugigaoka bears the marks of countless influential chaebols, including the five major conglomerates of Japan.

For example, Tomoyo Daidouji, a junior high student, is the sole heir of the Daidouji Group.

In the university department, figures like Kashiwazaki Sena, Shinomiya Kaguya, and Suzuki Sonoko represent the Kashiwazaki Foundation, Shinomiya Foundation, and Suzuki Foundation, respectively.

Although the Karasuma Group does not currently have an heir enrolled at Kunugigaoka, rumors suggest that for unknown reasons, the group directly sponsored Kunugigaoka College this year, becoming one of its shareholders.

Besides these financial giants, the academy is also home to students from influential political families, such as the Horikita and Suou families.

Naturally, the 433 Student council wields immense power across the entire institution.

Unlike student Council's in most Schools, Kunugigaoka student Council operates with unparalleled authority due to the wealthy and influential families whose children attend the academy. The scope of its power is staggering.

For instance, the council manages over 5 billion yen in activity funds, approves or denies faculty appointments, assigns student homework, oversees dormitory renovations, organizes club activities, and even influences post-graduation employment.

There's virtually nothing the student council cannot do—its influence is limited only by imagination.

Given such authority, becoming a member of the student council is no easy feat. Candidates must possess an impeccable family background, outstanding academic performance, and exceptional appearance.

To lead such a prestigious group, Yukinoshita Haruno, now in her fourth year, has gained widespread recognition. As student council president, she is both respected and feared.

Haruno is known for relentlessly pursuing her interests to their utmost limits and utterly crushing the things she despises.

Although the Yukinoshita family is merely well-regarded and cannot rival the five major chaebols, Haruno's appointment as president speaks volumes about her extraordinary abilities.

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The crisp autumn air illuminated by the morning sun marked the start of another school day.

Reflecting on the past week since enrolling at Kunugigaoka Academy, Yukino silently sighed.

It was the short break between the second and third classes.

Despite being a girl of breathtaking beauty, whose every movement exuded aristocratic grace, she seemed utterly disconnected from those around her.

Sitting upright, radiating a coldness that kept others at bay, it was no wonder that no one dared to approach Yukinoshita Yukino.

Adding to this, her older sister, Yukinoshita Haruno, was the president of the all-powerful student council, making Yukino even less approachable—a super ice queen who seemed untouchable.

"Should I… take the initiative to greet him?"

Lost in thought about her only friend, Yukino considered her unusual situation.

Since entering Kunugigaoka Academy, she had been assigned to Class 1, while he was placed in Class 3.

The once-familiar sight of her classmate, whom she had grown accustomed to seeing daily during middle school, had suddenly vanished. This unexpected change left Yukino, who had always relied on routine, feeling a rare sense of unease.

She didn't know what to do.

As she sat lost in thought, the phone in her pocket emitted a crisp ringtone, signaling that someone had sent her a message.

"Is it him?"

She immediately took out her phone. Yukino, ever meticulous, would naturally keep her phone on vibrate during school hours. However, there were two exceptions—two individuals whose messages she would read right away.

The first was undoubtedly her only friend.

As for the second…

"Come to the student council for a meeting."

Looking at the message from the contact labeled sister, Yukino could practically envision her sister's stern expression as she read it.

While outsiders might see her sister, Haruno, as a gentle, intellectual, and considerate beauty, Yukino knew better. To her, Haruno was a source of constant pressure.

Haruno had always been exceptional—possessing unimaginable talents, beauty, and intelligence far beyond her peers. Yet, even as someone remarkable in her own right, Yukino had always been overshadowed by her older sister.

At home, the dynamic between their strong-willed mother and kind-hearted father created a stifling environment for Yukino. She often felt as though her life was a puppet show, her strings pulled by expectations and comparisons. Living under Haruno's shadow made life feel suffocating.

But amidst this oppressive existence, Yukino vividly remembered one bright spot: her only friend.

It had been three years ago, at the start of middle school.

Back then, Yukino had no friends due to her aloof personality. While she was admired by many boys for her beauty and academic prowess, her cold demeanor kept everyone at arm's length. She had always been independent, her icy reputation deterring anyone from approaching her—boys and girls alike.

During lunch breaks, she often found herself eating alone. On her first day of high school, Yukino had wandered the campus, searching for a quiet place to have lunch. She disliked eating in noisy classrooms or bustling cafeterias, as doing so would draw unwanted attention, something she detested.

Aimlessly walking through the school, she eventually stumbled upon a classroom in a secluded corner on the second floor. The door looked a little worn, but the space was spotless. Above the door hung a sign with three large characters:

"Storage Room?"

Curious, she pushed the door open. Inside, she found a small classroom. Most of the tables and chairs were stacked neatly in a corner, leaving the center of the room relatively empty. The contrast between the cramped area and the spacious middle was striking.

In the center, at the only desk and chair not stacked away, a boy sat quietly reading a book.

From where she stood, Yukino could see the characters on the book's cover. Though she didn't understand all of it, she recognized enough to discern the title:

"When the human star shines," a work by Stefan Zweig, a renowned masterpiece.

For some reason, even though this was her first time seeing him, Yukino didn't turn away. She remained rooted in place, silently observing the boy.

It wasn't infatuation—she wasn't the type to swoon easily, and coming from a powerful family, she'd met her fair share of impressive young men. Yet, something about this boy was different.

There was an inexplicable charm in his presence. His features looked as though they had been sculpted by the hands of the Creator Himself. His black hair and dark eyes exuded a calmness beyond his years, and under the sunlight streaming through the window, he seemed almost otherworldly—like a god descending to earth.

She found herself inexplicably drawn to him.

She stood there, captivated, until he finally closed his book. As he looked up, their eyes met for the first time.