A Liar's Truth [UNDER FINAL REVISION]

Ch 7: One of them

Third person point of view 

Kunugigaoka Academy's student council lounge was a display of excess—polished mahogany tables, velvet seating, and an atmosphere soaked in superiority. This definitely is an elite school, alright. 

Ginka took in her surroundings with a playful tilt of her head, crossing her arms. ["How grand. I can see where our school funds are well spent."] Her tone was light, teasing—but the meaning beneath it was not. ["This is an abuse of power."]

"Nonsense." A smooth voice cut through the air as Gakushuu Asano stepped forward, his usual self-assured smirk in place. "This is simply the fruit of our labor during school festivities."

Labor. Right. If one considered strategic manipulation and high-pressure tactics labor, then perhaps that was true. Then again, this is all business. 

But Ginka wasn't about to argue.

At least, not yet.

"Asano-kun!" His loyal followers immediately straightened at his arrival, their movements practiced—automatic.

Then, one of them—a tall, smug-looking student with perfectly styled hair—stepped forward, turning his attention to her. "Ah, the infamous Sei-chan~"

Before she could react, his fingers ran through her hair, twirling a strand between his fingers as he smirked. "Sakakibara Ren. A pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

Ginka laughed politely, though every fiber of her being wanted to slap him into next week.

The audacity.

The sheer disregard for personal space.

But before she could do anything, Gakushuu moved.

A sharp movement. A flick of his wrist.

"Ow—ow! Okay, okay, I'm sorry!" Ren yanked his hand back, eyes wide as Gakushuu calmly pressed down on a pressure point in his wrist, his smile never wavering.

"There are limits to how audacious one can be."

A second student—a young man with slicked-back green hair—stepped in, clearing his throat. "No need for tension. I'm Araki Teppei. A pleasure to have you here, Asano-san."

["Oh my, you certainly know your way with words."] Ginka smiled sweetly, observing him carefully. ["Surely befitting your reputation as broadcasting president. I must warn you, though—I don't enjoy answering press questions outside of work hours."]

"Of course not!" Araki laughed, waving his hands. "I wouldn't dare put you in such a position."