Heartwarming / Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

"This is how I feel."

As a Moments subpage, all spoilers are unmarked as per policy. You Have Been Warned.

---

General

• As the series goes on, nearly every member of the Student Council has improved or slowly become their ideal selves or loosened up.
  • Shirogane realizes he doesn't have to hide all his flaws and those he opens up to accept him for who he is. Kaguya loves him despite his screw-ups and Tsubasa and Mikado accept he has no experience with women and don't shame him.
  • Kaguya found her a group of friends who accept all sides of her personality, a boyfriend like Shirogane who loves all her emotions and manages to break away from her family's control.
  • Ishigami breaks out of the shell of his past, becoming more honest, finding his own group of friends, and having Kaguya become a big sister figure to him, even trying things he usually would not like.
  • Iino realizes that not everything is black and white, learning to become more sociable and loosen up in the future where she becomes a party girl, enjoying life to the fullest.
  • While Fujiwara hasn't grown the most, she accepts that things are changing around her and has to be a good friend to support those changes.
• Kaguya and Ishigami's friendship as the series goes on. At the start, Ishigami was terrified of her, but later begins to see Kaguya's kinder side as she helps him study and stick up against bullies. Kaguya's efforts end with Ishigami becoming the second closest guy friend she has, viewing him as a little brother figure and someone to talk to when Shirogane moved away to Stanford.
• Even though it was Hell for her, Fujiwara can't refuse to help Shirogane improve himself, even when he doesn't ask for her assistance. Although the experience ruins her opinion of Shirogane, by the end, she begins to see that he's a man who works hard and learns to become his ideal self, allowing herself to give her blessing to Shirogane and Kaguya's relationship.
• While at times she takes Hayasaka for granted, it's clear that Kaguya values her friendship with her childhood friend greatly. And when it's revealed that she's a mole from her family, Kaguya decides to listen to her side of the story before judging how to feel about it. After learning the whole ordeal, Kaguya came to forgive Hayasaka and still sees her as a dear friend.
• Despite arguing all the time, when push comes to shove, Ishigami will always look after Iino, whether she's going to embarrass herself or save her from some guys.
• Shirogane and Ishigami are not only best friends who look out for each other in dark times, but Shirogane is the first one in their school to believe him and tells him he did not need to apologize for something he knows was right (despite acknowledging that he should have gone a different route.) Ishigami is so grateful for Shirogane's kindness that he wants to work for him, in a company that's up and coming, in the future once he graduates.
• Shirogane and Kaguya's whole relationship. What starts off as two teenagers trying to trick the other into confessing how they feel evolves into a young couple in love who want to spend the rest of their lives with each other, even allowing their weaker sides to come out if it will ease the other's feelings.
• Longing for a family who could love her, Kaguya found one in Shirogane's family where Kei looks up to her as a big sister figure, and Papa Shirogane (despite being scared of him at first) sees her as a great future wife for his son. Although her family ruined his business and left him in massive debt, Papa Shirogane holds no grudge against Kaguya.
• A few chapters involve Shirogane trying to get Kaguya to go someplace with him, only to end up having to go with Ishigami instead. Instead of it being an awkward, Ho Yay-laden experience, the two of them enjoy hanging out together. It's a testament to their friendship, as well as a nice message that such places are perfectly fine to go to with friends.
  Ishigami: You know, I thought two guys going to the aquarium alone would be the epitome of sadness. But this is more fun than I imagined.
• In the updated Student Council Relationship Chart in Volume 20, Iino refers to Shirogane as "her beloved senpai." Kaguya's feelings for Ishigami are also listed as "treasures their relationship".
  • Compared to the first chart, Kaguya's and Shirogane's relationship was marked as "wanting the other to confess" as they both frown. But in the latest one, it now states "dating" with a heart, with the two of them smiling at each other.

Volumes 1 - 3

• Chapter 5: Fujiwara realizing that Kaguya wanted to share lunches and offers her some. Kaguya eats the octopus wiener in the manner she envisioned and apologizes for all the horrible things she mentally said about Fujiwara. The narrator declares this battle as her victory.
• Chapter 6: Tsubasa asks Shirogane for love advice, and the conversation soon turns to what Shirogane thinks of Kaguya. He says that some things about her annoy him, such as her wealth and natural talent, but he also thinks she's cute, elegant, refined, and clever. It is only after stating that he thinks she is the ideal woman that he notices her eavesdropping. Kaguya is so happy that she glows and sparkles for the rest of the chapter.
• Chapter 9: Kaguya giving up her only chance to walk to school with Shirogane so she can help a sad kid. And she's rewarded by getting to ride on the back of Shirogane's bike.
  "The next day, Kaguya returned to being driven to school...but at times, a smile would come to her face."
• Chapter 16: When Kashiwagi asks for advice on whether or not she should break up with Tsubasa, Kaguya states that she should think about his good traits before deciding on something significant. As an example, Kaguya lists out that if he's sincere, a good student, a hard worker, surprisingly kind, always comes to the rescue of those in trouble, and has intense glaring eyes, then he's good boyfriend material. Kashiwagi quickly picks up that Kaguya is talking about Shirogane, leading to Kaguya denying it vehemently.
  • With Fujiwara's advice, Kashiwagi realizes she really likes Tsubasa when she pictures him flirting with another girl and how upset she gets by that idea. Fujiwara even declares that romance takes time to nurture for someone to fall in love, something Kaguya took notice of in her situation with Shirogane.
  • Following Fujiwara and Kaguya's advice to "rebel against society," Kashiwagi, Tsubasa, and other students form a charity run to overcome trouble and deepen their relationship. And seeing how serious they are about it, Shirogane permits them and helps them in their donation, the sight of this act affirming Kaguya's feelings for Shirogane once more.
• Chapter 20: As a test by the French Principal for his character, Betsy insults Shirogane in French (not knowing he could not understand a word she is saying). When Betsy goes overboard in order to break him, Kaguya steps in and shuts her up by giving a long-winded list of insults that was so severe, it made her cry. All because she was making fun of Shirogane.
• Chapter 20.5: Following the party, Kaguya feels embarrassed over what she said to Betsy and believes that Shirogane sees her as vulgar. Shirogane revealed, even though he fears that this would make him be seen as weak, that while he doesn't know French, he did know that Kaguya was defending him, something he's thankful for. As she smiles, Kaguya is so moved that she said something in a foreign language, hinting to be like/love.
  Narrator:Due to being able to share their respective weaknesses, mutual victory.
• Chapter 28: Played for Laughs, however, but the fact that Shirogane wants to have nine kids (even though his reasoning is to make a baseball team) and Kaguya, while embarrassed, doesn't mind the idea.
  • When asked who they see in a dark alley, Shirogane pictures Kaguya before knowing what the answer represents.
  • Regarding the final question, with it being how many flowers would you take, the results are Fujiwara wanting a few pretty ones and Kaguya wanting a large bouquet. Shirogane's answer? A whole trunkful of them. Kaguya looks up the answer and revealed that the flowers represent how much love you can give, making her very flustered.
• Chapter 32: Reading from a magazine, Shirogane takes the advice to give Kaguya the "cold shoulder" to get her to notice him. One problem; he's too much of a Nice Guy to "hate" anyone, even if he's just faking it. Humorous, sure, but it shows what kind of person Shirogane is. Even Ishigami took notice of how out of character for him to do this and realized it was some sort of tactic, but he doesn't know what it was.
• Chapter 33: Fujiwara agreeing to train Shirogane again at singing, even though the first time teaching him volleyball was "pure hell".
  • Fujiwara's reaction at Shirogane fulfilling his Humble Goal of singing the school anthem together with everybody despite starting off as a horrifying example of Hollywood Tone-Deaf. She's directing the song from the stage as Tears of Joy begin to fall from her eyes, all while the lyrics about overcoming one's flaws with each other's help accidentally seem to talk directly to them. In the end, she completely breaks into sobs, and when Kaguya approaches her to ask how she is, she just hugs her as she cries "he made me so proud!"

Volumes 4 - 6

• Chapter 37: In the midst of their passive-aggressive battle over a slice of cake (and lingering ill feelings over the "Kaguya Home Visit Incident"), Shirogane and Kaguya both angrily (and hilariously) recount small previous incidents that reveal just how deeply they care about one another, even in the midst of their argument:
  • Shirogane recounts that Kaguya once admitted to him that she likes shortcake, and notes that he remembers specifically because it was the first time she briefly dropped her icy expression towards him, saying "I could never forget that face!"
  • Kaguya, meanwhile, wants Shirogane to eat the cake because she remembered an offhand comment he had made the previous Christmas about never eating Christmas cake due to his family's poverty and indifference to the holiday.
• Chapter 39: Kaguya's reasoning to befriend Kei is not just to get closer to Shirogane, but to find a family who could love her, unlike her cold biological family.
  • And at the end of the chapter, Kei comes to greatly admire Kaguya, meaning the feelings might be mutual. All in all, Kaguya's original goals are successfully fulfilled, and her feelings for Shirogane grow once more.
• Chapter 45 (I Can't Hear the Fireworks, Part 2) ends with Shirogane, going above and beyond to make sure that Kaguya gets to see the fireworks. Kaguya becomes more occupied with the sound of her heartbeats and is unable to do anything but stare at Shirogane's face.
  Kaguya: Everyone is looking at the fireworks. The fireworks they worked so hard to let me see. But I'm sorry. I can't turn my eyes away from his face. My heart is so loud that... I can't hear the fireworks.
  • Kaguya's internal monologue as she rushes to meet everyone.
    Kaguya: I'm sure I'll see them there. The first junior I ever had to look after. The first girl who ever became my friend. And the first person... I ever took interest in. I'm one of them. If I could see those beautiful fireworks together with the people who mean so much to me... I'm sure I would be so happy. I'm sure it would be so wonderful that I wouldn't remember a single other thing about this summer break. Please, God. This summer... doesn't need to have love. So please... just let me be with them...
  • A bonus chapter released to celebrate the live-action movie was set immediately after this with the student council enjoying the various stalls at the festival before they close. It ends with Shirogane taking Kaguya by the arm and leading her to the festival, and ends with a shot of Kaguya's Twitter profile with a single new tweet:
    This summer was amazing!
• Chapter 49:
  • Shirogane reveals the only one he's okay with showing his pathetic side to is Fujiwara. This touched Fujiwara so much that she ended up teaching him how to fillet a fish despite how painful their previous two training sessions were.
  • Fujiwara growing attached to the fish they were gonna fillet, even giving him a name and planning to raise him.
• Chapter 51: Whether subconsciously or not aware, the way Shirogane and Kaguya talk about their love of cat and dog perfectly describe each other without the other knowing, something Kashiwagi picked up on.
  • When Shirogane claims that his bag's glaring eyes are the reason why students fear him and should get surgery to fix it, Kaguya heavily objects. With some pushing on her side, Kaguya states that his glare is something he inherited from his parents, making him look cute. While he dislikes that word, Shirogane claims Kaguya wouldn't understand as someone with beauty, much to her flustered embarrassment.
  • Shirogane states that he loves cats (Kaguya) because while they seem cold and sly, they are really timid and shy. That they have big round almonds eyes, sleek silhouettes, and they are noble, elegant, and don't curry favors with anyone.
  • Kaguya's reasoning for loving dogs (Shirogane) is because they are good-natured, don't expect anything in return, are noble beings who give their love, have glossy fur, piercing glazes, are kind, and help those who are in need.
  • At the end, Kaguya and Shirogane proudly state that they only love cats (Kaguya) and dogs (Shirogane).
• Chapter 52: As Kei and Kaguya sit down on a bench, Kei complains about how annoying Shirogane is at home. Kaguya begins to worry that Shirogane is putting up a good front at school until Kei mentions that during her birthday, Shirogane left her 1,000 yen without her noticing, despite their promise of no gifts on birthdays.
  • Showing that she's really Shirogane's little sister is when a child is about to fall and Kei catches her before it happens. Kei then uses the handkerchief she just brought to patch up the kid's wound.
• Chapter 53: Kaguya giving Shirogane a birthday cake with a fan as a gift that he continuously uses in later chapters. His immediate response? A mental shout of "I'M SO HAPPY!"
  • And what kind of cake did Kaguya have made for Shirogane? A perfect strawberry shortcake - quite similar to the kind of Christmas cake Shirogane admitted he had never eaten before.
  • Immediately outside the Student Council room, Kaguya collapsed from a nervous breakdown. Hayasaka is there to hold her, pat her head, and say "Good job".
• Chapter 55: Kaguya taking it upon herself to tutor Ishigami, and then scaring off some girls who try to dissuade her from doing so.
  Kaguya: I do not judge people based on what others say of them. I consider Ishigami to be someone worthy of my time based on what I have personally seen of him.
• Chapter 56: While stargazing with Kaguya, Shirogane asks her what she thinks about the story of her namesake Princess Kaguya. When she replies that she hates the story - and the moon in turn - Shirogane counters with his own interpretation of the story that is not only a stealth confession to Kaguya, but foreshadows just how far he'll go to keep his relationship with Kaguya in the face of all odds.

  Shirogane: When she gave him that elixir, she was trying to tell him she would wait as long as it took. But the man didn't even think about what she was really trying to say, and threw the elixir into a volcano in a dramatic ending. A truly tragic story. If it were me, there's no way I'd have let Kaguya go. Were it me, I would have gone all the way to the moon and brought her back, without fail. Even if it took hundreds, or thousands of years. If this were our story, I would have considered Kaguya's every word, to ensure things ended differently.

  • Kaguya's reaction to this? Her feelings for him intensify as her heart instantly melts.

Volumes 7 - 9

• Chapter 61: Shirogane seriously considers confessing to Kaguya when everyone misinterprets him wanting to ask her to help with his reelection, only to chicken out at the last second and go with his orignal plan. While Kaguya is clearly disappointed, she gives a very sweet response.
  Kaguya: Very well, President. I have an answer to your question. Whether about the speech, or whatever else it may have been... [whispers in his ear] Yes. Gladly.
• Chapter 62: Without realizing it once again, Shirogane and Kaguya put their feelings for one another into their artwork, much to Kashiwagi's chagrin.
  • No matter how hard she tried to make him look less appealing, Kaguya could not help but see Shirogane as handsome. Even when she made his cheeks bigger and his eyebrows thicker. Just the idea of removing his glare and long nose would make him look off to her.
  • Like the star gazing chapter, Shirogane could not help but admire beautiful things. When looking at Kaguya, he could not help but admit how beautiful she is, and no matter how hard he tries, in his eyes, he cannot capture it on paper. When presenting the drawing to Kaguya, she tries to get him to admit he thinks she is beautiful. Without a pause, Shirogane acknowledges that he does finds her beautiful and apologizes he could not draw it well, catching Kaguya off guard.
• Chapter 63:
  • While she isn't as attracted to Shirogane's normal eyes compared to his usual glare, Kaguya admits that she would prefer to see Shirogane happy and relaxed instead of fulfilling her desires and would continue to have feelings for him.
  • Shirogane realizes that he would rather be liked by Kaguya than be popular among the student body as a whole.
• Chapter 67 has Ishigami determined to beat Iino as harshly as possible so the student body doesn't see her loss as a reason to mock her. Despite their differences, Ishigami can't stand for a person that tries as hard as Iino to be insulted for her efforts.
• Chapter 68 follows with Shirogane agreeing with Ishigami but instead goes for a different route. With Iino suffering heavy stage fright and unable to properly articulate her reasoning, Shirogane comes on stage and basically turns himself into the bad guy that she can voice her reasoning against instead of a large crowd. It works so well that instead of losing by a landslide, Iino barely loses and is almost guaranteed to win next year.
  • A large crowd of students greets her afterwards to console her and encourage her to run next year. They even got her fetish trending on Instagram!
  • While Kaguya criticizes Shirogane for nearly ruining his reelection, her eyes turn into hearts not long afterward, symbolizing her love for Shirogane's selfless action.
• Chapter 69: Hayasaka hugging Kaguya after the exhaustion of the election.
  • Shirogane going to see Kaguya in the infirmary after she faints. He tells her that he knows that it was because of her, Fujiwara and Ishigami that he could do what he wanted, thanking her and asking her to be his vice president again. Kaguya accepts with no hesitation.
  • Shirogane asking Iino to join the Student Council.
  • Shirogane reassuring Ishigami and Fujiwara that of course they're going to be on his new Student Council as his Treasurer and Secretary.
• Chapter 71: Wanting to apologize for calling Shirogane a manwhore (and to prevent him from “cheating,”) Kaguya offers to massage his hands and shoulders. While it was excruciating as Kaguya had never done it before, Kaguya enjoyed having the chance to touch his hands, stating that she never physically touches people much due to her cold and distant family. When Iino walks in, Kaguya offers the same treatment. Unfortunately, Iino thought they were doing something inappropriate and ran off.
  • According to the narrator and extra, the massage really did loosen his shoulder, something Shirogane is grateful for.
• Chapter 75: Hayasaka cutting up a notebook that she cherished in her childhood so that Kaguya would be able to enter something in the bellmark collection. Even more heartwarming is the fact that she had to talk Kaguya into letting her do it since Kaguya didn't want her to sacrifice a precious memento for her sake.
  Hayasaka: Miss Kaguya, in my eyes, you're more like my precious little sister than my master. Your big sister will do anything for you.
  • To make it even better, when Fujiwara and Ishigami show up with more bellmarks than her, her first thought isn't "President will think I'm useless", it's "I'm sorry Hayasaka".
  • Why does Hayasaka treasure her notebook? Her mother was always busy with work, so she made a point of leaving messages in it for her every day.
• Chapter 77 Shows that Kaguya's platonic love for Fujiwara is just as strong as her romantic love for Shirogane (much to her own shock). And on her end, Fujiwara proclaims that if she could save Kaguya's life by giving up her own, she would do it in a heartbeat.
  • Kaguya trying to point out Shirogane's bad qualities just to make Fujiwara lose interest in him. She could only think of three and even then she has a difficult time saying them out loud and doesn't actually believe in them (though she does believe he's a little defensive.)
• In the flashbacks to Iino's middle school experience, we see that she got encouragement from an anonymous classmate despite her being treated as a nuisance. Heartwarming by itself, but going by the chapter title ("Thus Yu Ishigami Closed His Eyes Pt. 2"), it's more than likely it was a certain someone.
• Chapter 82: Kaguya teases Ishigami by writing on his forehead. While it's a cute scene on its own, it also doubles as a Call-Back to Chapter 10, which established that the ability to do such things without fear of reprisal was a sign of closeness between two people (as well as a sign of Kaguya's character development, since the old Kaguya would never have considered pulling a prank on someone).
• Chapter 83 has Kei wanting to advise Miyuki but is too embarrassed to say anything. In the end, Kei is able to say it's possible that the girl he likes might just be too embarrassed to talk to him which cheers him up while she gives a little blush.
• Chapter 85 has Osaragi note how hard Ishigami works and appreciates his hidden sweetness. Evidently, the Cheer Squad doesn't think badly of him either, much to Ishigami's (and the audience's) relief.
• Chapter 86: As a Secret Test of Character, Papa Shirogane badmouths Shirogane in front of Kaguya (who doesn't know who he is) to see how she would react. Egging her on, Kaguya said that Shirogane works really hard, that students look up to him enough to elect him as Student President, and that he has beautiful eyes.
  • When asked by Papa Shirogane how she feels for Shirogane, Kaguya reveals that Shirogane allows her to open her eyes and realize that people can be nice and expect nothing in return, allowing her to make genuine friendships with Fujiwara and Ishigami without fear that they are after something from her.
• Chapter 89 takes a look into Ishigami's time after the middle school incident. After being suspended for the remainder of middle school and pressure from all sides to just give in and apologize to Ogino, he gets into high school with unknowing assistance from Iino. And when he first meets Shirogane, the latter boy reassures him that what he did was just and turned out well in the end, and comforted him, telling him that he's not crazy for acting the way he did. The tears of relief on Ishigami's face really help sell the scene.
  • Also from chapter 89, we have Iino standing up for Ishigami when the school administration was trying to keep him from attending high school because he hadn't written an apology to Ogino. This is even though, from all evidence, Iino doesn't like Ishigami very much. She stood up and fought the administration on behalf of a boy she didn't like solely because it was the right thing to do. And she succeeded: her arguments caught the attention of the principal, who accepted Ishigami into the school.
• Chapter 90 has Ishigami finally get to see his classmate's faces after the relay race. It's quite a moving moment when you remember that Ishigami intentionally blocks out the faces of others in his mind.
  • While Ootomo insulted Ishigami in chapter 89, her cheerful nature and kind smile is because as Kaguya and Hayasaka state, it's proof that Ishigami's efforts paid off.
  • Iino quietly cheering for Ishigami as he runs.
  • Despite being at odds with him most of the time, Fujiwara also stops Iino from going to console Ishigami after his loss, showing that she is just as invested in his problems as the other members of the Student Council despite their sniping most of the time.
  • Kaguya revealed Ogino's true nature to various VIPs in Shuchiin and forced him to transfer out as retribution for what he did to Ishigami. You do not mess with Kaguya's friends.
  • We Want to Talk About Kaguya chapter 78 has Karen looking on and smiling as the cheer team comforts Ishigami. She might not consider him to be anything more than her editor, but she's clearly happy for him.
  • The cherry on top for the anime adaptation comes when the credits play and (after having spent the entire season with a neutral frown) Ishigami finally smiles when he looks at Kaguya.
• Chapter 91 has this in Shirogane's father, of all people in his childhood. Although he admits to not being able to prove himself as an ideal father to his son, Papa Shirogane's humble wish for his son does cement the fact that he is still a Nice Guy through and through.
  Papa Shirogane: Miyuki, I'm a lousy person. I don't have the authority to boss you around. However, there is one thing that I want you to promise me. When the people he loves or the girl he loves is in trouble, a man will protect them, no matter what he takes. And he will face any challenge to do so. Miyuki, become that sort of man. That's all I ask of you.
  • Of course, what follows after this is a Mood Whiplash that cuts to the present, where he's willing to leave Kaguya to pump the massive balloon just to save his own skin.
  • However, this also served as a Heartwarming in Hindsight, as it's implied to be part of the reason behind his Nice Guy tendencies.
• Chapter 92: Wanting to know that Kaguya likes him more than as a friend, Shirogane tried to get her to blush but to no avail (not knowing that Kaguya had been controlling her emotions via a hand touch.) When Kaguya says he's a nice guy, Shirogane becomes depressed, as he considers nice guys to be non-combustible trash, something Kaguya is firmly against. Kaguya then allows herself to open up and say she longs for kindness and wants to spend the rest of her life with someone who's nice. After she leaves, Shirogane could not help but feel overjoyed that he might have a chance with her.
  • After being alone, Kaguya is beaming with happiness from the compliments Shirogane gave her about her looks, eyes, and hair, saying that today is an amazing day.

Volumes 10 - 12

• Chapter 94: An underrated moment where despite believing for a moment that Shirogane and Hayasaka just had sex and appearing very upset by it all, when Kaguya finally entered the room, the first thing she did was to make sure Hayasaka was okay. Just like with Fujiwara, her romantic love for Shirogane does not take precedence over her platonic love for Hayasaka.
• Chapter 96: Played for Laughs, but Fujiwara could tell by Shirogane's fried rice taste that he had been cooking for his family for a long time and figured out ways to make the dish taste as outstanding as Ishigami's, but without spending much.
  • Starting off furious at Iino for eating all of her fried rice so she couldn't share it with Shirogane, Kaguya becomes blissful when Iino points out the love she put into it, and she would make a perfect wife one day.
• Chapter 97: Kashiwagi's boyfriend giving her a heart-shaped necklace gift for their six-month anniversary. After spending a whole chapter worrying nonstop that he was cheating on her with Maki, he reveals that he was only spending so much time with Maki because they were going out to get a present for her. All of Kashiwagi's worries melt in an instant, and they share a(n admittedly raunchy) kiss in the aftermath.
  • For that matter, Maki for most of the chapter. Despite the slight sabotage (she suggested the heart necklace because she thought it would be a lame gift), spending time with Tsubasa made her arguably the happiest she'd ever been in a long time.
• Chapter 98: Despite wanting to break up Kashiwagi and Tsubasa, Maki values her too much as a friend to break her heart like that.
  • By the end of the chapter, Maki found a group to who she could talk and vent out her emotional problems, and her heart feels lifted after admitting to Shirogane and Ishigami how she feels about Tsubasa.
  • Why does Shirogane keep calling Maki cute? Because her mannerism reminds him so much of Kaguya's.
• Chapter 99: The Ten Yen Coin game has the usual Kaguya / Shirogane mind games, but it also has some sincerely sweet moments:
  • Ishigami asks if the Student Council hates him, and only one coin says "yes", which he thinks is Iino (who the audience knows does the most to help him behind his back). This makes him happy. Although attentive readers will notice that Fujiwara was most likely the one who said "yes" because Ishigami consistently plays the Straight Man against her by pointing out her numerous personality flaws, meaning that Iino actually admitted that she didn't hate Ishigami under the privacy of the game.
  • Next, Iino asks if she is truly needed by the Student Council. Every coin says "yes", and the council repeats that she is needed and they value her. Even Ishigami agrees. This validation clearly means a lot to her.
• Crossing over with a Tear Jerker in chapter 100, Kaguya starts crying after her phone breaks when she realizes how important the photos on it (which featured the rest of the Student Council) were to her. The extra panel shows Kaguya hunched against Hayasaka, who can't seem to console her dear friend.
• Chapter 100: The cover page for the chapter shows that Kaguya used a photo of the rest of the student council as her wallpaper for her new phone.
• Chapter 101: Kaguya getting all the photos that the rest of the council has taken (far more than she had originally lost), ending with everyone taking a group photo that has her dead center with the biggest smile on her face.
• Chapter 104 shows that Kaguya has grown close enough to Ishigami that she shows interest in his crush on Tsubame (and takes it upon herself to help him study so he can both win her affection and improve his self-confidence). And when he doesn't place high when the results come in, she busts into the boy's bathroom ("irrelevant") just to give him some much-needed words of encouragement.
  • Also, the thing that motivated Ishigami wasn't the possibility of earning Tsubame's affection, but the fact that Kaguya believed in him.
• Chapter 109: After picturing what it's like to have the girl they are in love with taken by someone else, Shirogane and Ishigami become more empathic of Maki's predicament and offer her a shoulder to cry on whenever she needs it. By the end, Maki openly declares to Kaguya that Shirogane and Ishigami are her friends. For bonus points, Ishigami is happy as well to have a female friend.
• Chapter 111: Hayasaka's look of pure joy when her mother shows up for her parent-teacher conference. Additionally, while the former's mother was assigned to represent Kaguya's mother at the meeting, Papa Shirogane joins along with his own volition and actually presents himself as a much more capable father figure than even the teacher himself.
  • Played for Laughs, but Papa Shirogane assert that he doesn't mind if Shirogane and Kaguya get together, even getting married young in high school, much to Kaguya's embarrassment.
• Chapter 118: Even if he's embarrassing himself in public, Shirogane refuses to ask Fujiwara any more favors in tutoring him as he asked her enough and wants to improve on his own.
  • Kashiwagi tries her best to comfort Shirogane after some of the other male students give him a hard time for wasting so many balloons.
  • Fujiwara couldn't take it anymore and lets her motherly instincts take over and help Shirogane out, despite the latter never asking for aid.
  • This chapter demonstrates just how much Shirogane and Kaguya have changed since the series began. Shirogane, having trouble creating balloon animals, admits to Kaguya how much he struggles with pretty much everything that isn't studying and how hopeless all his efforts feel. Rather than trying to take advantage of this display of weakness, Kaguya expresses admiration towards his constant hard work and is overjoyed that she is able to understand him better.
• Chapter 120: Kaguya tries to come up with a plan to give Shirogane a polka dot handkerchief with a single dot replaced with a heart due to the legend that giving someone a heart-shaped gift during the school festival will result in eternal love. This results in the following exchange with Hayasaka.
  Hayasaka: You realize that giving him something that like this is basically a confession, right? Well, I'm sure you'll just make up some crazy excuse, and go on about how you don't really like-
  Kaguya: I like him.
  [Beat]
  Hayasaka: ...What?
  Kaguya: I... like Miyuki Shirogane.
  • Note Kaguya's choice of words here. She doesn't say "I like the President", she says "I like Miyuki Shirogane". This is one of the few times that she's ever used his first name.

Volumes 13 - 15

• Chapter 123: Kaguya giving an absolutely adorable smile while thinking about confessing to Shirogane.
• Much like Kaguya, Maki gives Ishigami words of encouragement to confess to Tsubame, and offers to hang out with him if it goes badly.
• Chapter 126: Moeha defending Shirogane against Fujiwara when the latter points out all of Shirogane's bad qualities, so she no longer has feelings for him. Moeha points out that Shirogane spends time and effort to improve himself, and to her, that makes him even more amazing.
  • Shirogane remembers his grandmother fondly, proud she's able to juggle more than eight balls at the same time while he couldn't.
  • Shirogane saving Moeha from a flying ball that was aimed at her face.
  • While she started off hating Moeha for showing interest in Shirogane, Kaguya could not help but be in total agreement and squee when Moeha brings up Shirogane's good traits, like his eyes. Overall, she was just more glad to find someone who understands the appeal of Exhausted Eye Bags and how much of a hard worker he is.
• Chapter 129: Maki tries to offer Kaguya a massive balloon art sculpture of a whale as thanks for going into the haunted house with her a day earlier.
• Chapter 131: Knowing that he's going to Stanford next year, Shirogane made the day wonderful for him and Kaguya to enjoy so he could break the news to her.
  • While remaining somewhat humorous, the fortune teller Yume (whose prediction tends to become true) told Kaguya that she and Shirogane are extremely compatible as a married couple. Yume could tell that Kaguya would not only become a good wife to Shirogane but a wise mother. If the prediction comes true, that means Kaguya broke the cycle of her family's terrible treatment.
  • Realizing that her friends are occupied for the day, Kaguya could finally have a nice day with Shirogane, enjoying the festival without any issue.
• Chapter 132: Hayasaka tries to get Kaguya to come up with a proper confession to give to Shirogane. She isn't impressed with most of them and eventually tells her to just put her feelings into words.
  Kaguya: When we're walking in a group, and there's someone walking alone in the back, he'll check on them. I love the profile of his face when he turns to look back. Those sleepy eyes of his that almost make me worry. His tense smile when he's faced with a tough problem, his honesty, which borders on annoying, and how he makes you think you can accomplish anything with hard work. The fact that he's such a sore loser, I love all of that. And I love the way he's always striving to improve. And that's why there's no way I can tell him not to go abroad...
• Pretty much everything in chapter 135 that doesn't have to do with Kaguya's self-loathing (and even a bit of it that does) is heartwarming incarnate, especially when Shirogane reveals his Grand Romantic Gesture: showering the school with hundreds of heart-shaped balloons.

  Shirogane: This is how I feel.

  • Made even better in the following chapter when she accepts his offer to go to Stanford with him and decides to take her prize for catching him (seen above in the officially colored version of the manga).
    Kaguya: This is how I feel.
• Kashiwagi asking Maki to dance with her during the bonfire.
  Maki: You like me more than Tsubasa-kun?
  Kashiwagi: [confused] Of course.
• Miko was out on patrol during the time of the bonfire, so she wasn't able to see it despite being the one who pushed for it in the first place. So when Ishigami comes by to give her a heart keychain for the lost and found, he also shows her some photos of everyone enjoying it so she can see the fruits of her labor.
• Chapter 139: While Fujiwara might not like it, it's really sweet that Kaguya and Ishigami's relationship has improved so much that she places him above Fujiwara.
  • Wanting to talk to her, Shirogane transforms into a baka version of himself to be able to better communicate with Kaguya. While it didn't lead anywhere, it was the thought that counts.
• Chapter 147 has Shirogane almost breaking into tears when explaining his burden of being abandoned by his mother to building up the facade of a capable student council president on a surface level, seeing it as the only way he can catch up to Kaguya. The nurse however reassured him and gave him sound advice, so much so that even Dr. Tanuma was stunned by her words.
• Chapter 148: Hayasaka hatches an idea to create a roleplay of Shirogane to a depressed Kaguya while using his texts for her speeches. Doing this has the two heartbroken lovers indirectly talking to each other. The icing on the cake:
  Kaguya: How much do you like me?
  Shirogane: A lot more than you think.
  Kaguya: (Squees while burying her face to a pillow.)
• Chapter 150: Kaguya and Shirogane finally confess their feelings for one another, followed by a very sweet (if simple) kiss.
  Kaguya: This is fine. I don't need lights or balloons. I mean those balloons were certainly splendid, and romantic... but I'm perfectly fine without any of that. Just being like this... I think that's romantic as well.
  • In the same chapter, Shirogane admits that he doesn't hate Kaguya's icy, difficult side, and in fact, admires her attempts to overcome her upbringing and become kinder. Kaguya, who wholeheartedly believed her "Ice" persona was a reflection of her true self and wholly undeserving of love, is stunned into silence.
• Chapter 151 is basically one long heartwarming moment as the two of them more or less start dating.
  • Kaguya admits that Shirogane's hard-working nature is one of the things she loves about him; she does prefer he takes it easy and not land in the hospital like before. That way they both can take a break together.
  • Kaguya using the cloth from Shirogane's gift as a new ribbon, turning herself back to her regular self, fully happy that Shirogane accepts all parts of herself.

Volumes 16 - 18

• Chapter 152: Kashiwagi is overjoyed to find out that Shirogane and Kaguya have started dating without being told so by the couple. Not wanting them to be interrupted, Kashiwagi places a “bug bomb” sign on the door so no one would come in. She even spends the whole chapter stopping their friends from coming in.
  • Shirogane and Kaguya spend the whole chapter embracing and telling each other that they miss and love them. Even though it's behind a closed door, they can still find happiness among themselves.
• Chapter 153 really shows how far Kaguya and Ishigami's relationship has come when they go Christmas shopping. With Kaguya overthinking everything and Ishigami choosing presents with innocent ideas in mind, it creates a lot of Adorkable moments between the two. Kaguya even gives him a ring that wishes him success in love. But the real kicker is this conversation.
  Ishigami: Is there someone special that Senpai likes?
  Kaguya: [nods]
  Ishigami: Can I ask who it is?
  Kaguya: It doesn't really matter, does it?
  Ishigami: Of course it matters. If that person is a good-for-nothing loser, I would have to intervene.
  Kaguya: [smiles] You haven't changed a bit.
• Chapter 159: After all the struggle and hustle, Shirogane and Kaguya can finally have a proper first date.
  • Shirogane knows that on a date, a couple usually holds hands. Taking a leap, Shirogane took Kaguya's hand, and she happily accepts it.
  • Having to let go of their hands, Kaguya returns Shirogane's previous affection and clings to his arm. Shirogane could not help but be happy to have Kaguya stick to him.
  • Unlike Chapter 3, Shirogane and Kaguya are able to properly go to the movies and hold hands during the whole movie runtime.
• Chapter 160: While the two had technically already started dating, Kaguya brings their initial "War of Love" to an official end by actually telling Shirogane that she loves him, capping it off with The Big Damn Kiss when he says yes to her asking him out.
  • Papa Shirogane's words about true love are nothing short of beautiful and wonderfully poetic. Perfectly describing Shirogane and Kaguya's relationship without knowing it.
• Chapter 162 has a segment where Shirogane is looking through the stationary set he got from Kaguya for a Christmas present and seeing that multiple dates on the calendar are filled with notes about things she wants to do with him (spending time together during the school trip, seeing another fireworks show in the summer, having a date next Christmas...). This inspired him to buy a birthday gift for her in a form of a crescent moon necklace, which served as an in-universe Genius Bonus when she realizes its meaning; that "time is theirs to share" and correctly guessed that Shirogane is wearing the same necklace as well. Kaguya could not help but squee in happiness.
  • Even though it is embarrassing for the young couple, Papa Shirogane supports Shirogane's newfound relationship, wishing them luck and inviting Kaguya over whenever she can visit.
  • Hayasaka was the first person Kaguya called to let her know that she and Shirogane are officially dating, much to Hayasaka's happiness and support. While it made Hayasaka lonely that she doesn't have a special someone like Shirogane, Kaguya goes into detail about how the kiss went and is over the moon that she could experience it with someone she loves and want to do it again.
  • Fujiwara wishes for world peace during New Year and feels extremely guilty for believing she might have doomed it by saying it out loud.
  • Kaguya found out from the principal that Shirogane got her a letter of recommendation so she could join him at Stanford. Kaguya could not help but state that she loves him so much with hearts in her eyes.
  • During Kaguya's birthday, only Hayasaka and her sister-in-law celebrate it.
• Chapter 163: Fujiwara, in an attempt at a prank, says that she and Shirogane are secretly dating. Wanting to admit to her friends how she feels, Kaguya confesses that she's been dating Shirogane since the Christmas Holidays. After telling everyone that it was a "prank," Shirogane questions why she did it. Kaguya just wanted to brag a little.
• Chapter 164: Not wanting to betray Kaguya's feelings by blushing to Fujiwara's "I love you," Shirogane purposely made himself cry by thinking of the painful memories of his mother leaving him. Taking notice of this, Kaguya understood why he was reacting this way and told Ishigami that this is how a man should act. As a reward (and wanting to once again flirt in public,) Kaguya told Shirogane that she loves him, making him genuinely blush at the comment and stop from crying further.
• Chapter 165: Wanting to get to know her better, Shirogane asks Iino what she likes. And to their surprise, they love the same authors and enjoy writing and reading poems.
  • While he has no idea what her poem means (and the second one is too creepy), Shirogane remains nice and supportive of Iino's writing, allowing her to be happy.
  • When Shirogane reads his poetry, Iino is amazed by it (despite it being a love letter and not about chewing gum.)
  • The fact Shirogane wrote a love poem for Kaguya to read at some point. Cheesy, yes. Sweet, definitely.
• Chapter 166: We once again have Kaguya doting on Ishigami in a sisterly manner, giving him encouragement for his new workout regimen.
  • Shirogane giving his full support for Ishigami's workout routine in the office, realizing that he's doing it to impress Tsubame and knowing that Ishigami is taking his advice to heart.
  • Deciding that he wants to follow Ishigami's workout routine, Shirogane's desire to get stronger is not to be popular with girls, but rather be strong enough to carry Kaguya princess style without shaking, seeing it as a good reason to improve their relationship.
• Chapter 167: Wanting to tell someone about her love life, Kaguya decides she trusts Kashiwagi enough to share her secret. Kashiwagi, in return, gives Kaguya her full support, saying how happy she is for them.
  • Instead of letting Kaguya knows that she's aware of their relationship, Kashiwagi let Kaguya ease herself into telling her.
  • While Kashiwagi doesn't see the appeal, Kaguya shows off the necklace Shirogane gave her on her birthday while still squealing over the symbolism of it.
  • Kaguya wanting to become a part of Shirogane's family. To the point, she wants to learn how to make miso soup the way Miyuki likes it (in Japanese culture, a woman making the way her husband likes miso soup from his family is a sign of affection.)
• Chapter 168 has Maki and Kaguya finally getting along as they watch some porn, complete with a Meaningful Echo to the first time they ever met.
• Chapter 170: Kaguya and Shirogane enjoying a phone call so much that it goes on for over five hours. And when Kaguya finally falls asleep, Shirogane calls her by name for the first time in the entire series as he wishes her a good night.
  • At the end of the chapter, Kei and her father were revealed to have overheard Shirogane's phone call. It interested them enough that they were willing to stay up late. While Papa Shirogane knowing and supporting his son's romance isn't anything new, Kei of all people was the one who puts up a lot of interest. This comes from a pair of siblings who were practically estranged and hadn't had a normal conversation in years.
• Chapter 172: Kaguya established that she would "test" her friends in the past to see if they could be trusted to keep secrets. While lots of girls failed, Fujiwara of all people was completely trustworthy, explaining why she and Kaguya are such close friends in spite of their wildly different personalities.
  • The main plot of the chapter is that Ishigami's classmate Rei Onodera found out about Kaguya and Shirogane's relationship. Kaguya initially thinks that one of her friends was gossiping, which would lead to her cutting all ties with that person. When Onodera reveals that she found out because Kaguya was Talking In Her Sleep, her immediate reaction is to shed Tears of Joy that her friends really are good, trustworthy people after all — She saves the embarrassment over sleep-talking for later.
  • Onodera ends up keeping Kaguya's secret, explaining that in the past she had a tendency to spread gossip and ended up hurting people like Ishigami and Iino in the process, but now she's trying to find more positive ways to satisfy her curiosity. The fact that she's friends with both of those two now helps demonstrate Onodera's Character Development.
  • In the bonus extra of the manga, Kaguya's test scores are revealed. She passed Maki, Fujiwara, and Kashiwagi, with Ishigami estimated to pass soon. But for Iino, Shirogane, and Hayasaka, they remain untested. Hinting how much she trusts and values them without needing to test them.
• Chapter 173: During a cherry-tying contest, Kaguya reveals to Ishigami in secret that she's really good at this skill but doesn't want others to see it as it implies she's a fantastic kisser. Ishigami agrees to keep it a secret without any issue.
  • During a massive argument over the ideals of kissing, Shirogane gives his two cents on the idea. That skill is not essential; what's important is adapting to your partner's liking. Kaguya could not help but smile at the comment.
  • When Kaguya gets a little carried away and almost reveals her kissing experience with Shirogane, Kashiwagi quickly comes in and hides Kaguya's secret by talking about something else.
• Chapter 175: Even though he's busy with work, the fact remains that Kaguya allows herself to be very lovey-dovey to the man she loves, wanting Shirogane to dote on and spoil her. Despite being busy with Student Council paperwork, Shirogane doesn't scold her or get angry; instead, he acts patient and places her on a couch as he pats her head in comfort.
• Chapter 178 reveals that while the entire Student Council was unhappy with Ishigami being an outcast over the Ogino/Ootomo incident, Fujiwara was the most vocal, wanting to reveal the truth of the incident to the whole school to exonerate him. And despite getting outvoted on the matter, Miss Secretary showed her protest by deliberately misfiling the incident's report in plain sight. Considering her normal Sitcom Arch-Nemesis relationship with Ishigami, this says a lot.
• The cover for volume 18 has an adorable sister-brother moment between Kaguya and Ishigami as she playfully pokes his cheeks.

Volumes 19 - 21

• Chapter 183: Last few chapters prior, Hayasaka confesses that she has not been very close with her companions, and was merely using them as a means to gather intel on and for Kaguya. She's convinced that nobody would want to befriend someone like her, but this doesn't stop Shirogane from talking her out of this mentality. The manga even cuts to Hayasaka's usual companions sincerely acknowledging her as a friend.
• Chapter 185:
  • After being captured by Kaguya's brother Unyo, Hayasaka still refuses to reveal any more information about Kaguya to him (partially her relationship with Shirogane). He calls Kaguya directly and admits that Hayasaka was a traitor, and Kaguya seemingly says that he can "do whatever you want" to her. As he readies to leave with her, Kaguya appears out of nowhere, still holding her phone, telling her that she was actually talking to Hayasaka at that time. While it quickly turns into a Tear Jerker as Kaguya calls her "the most despicable kind of traitor" (combined with Hayasaka fantasizing in vain that Kaguya would downplay the double-cross) and claims she has never forgiven anyone who has betrayed her before, she punches her brother for interrupting her just as Hayasaka was trying to explain herself because she still wants to find it in herself to forgive Hayasaka after all of this.
    Kaguya: I have never forgiven anyone who has betrayed me before. This is the first time I've ever wanted to forgive anyone, so I don't know how! What am I supposed to do?! What do you want to do?!
  • It's also revealed that the blue scrunchie that Hayasaka always wears was originally a gift from Kaguya when they were children.
• Chapter 187: With Kaguya and Hayasaka's master-servant relationship gone, they're now free to act as close as they want, reflected in how they address each other as they walk to school together. Kaguya even comments how this is the dynamic she wanted from the very beginning.
  Hayasaka: L...let's go to school together, ...Kaguya.
  Kaguya: Let's go, Ai-san!
  • Even though Shirogane barely did much, Kaguya remains thankful to him for helping Hayasaka during her troubled time and apologizes for getting jealous of seeing them together.
  • After all the chaos, Kaguya and Shirogane enjoyed their time together before meeting up with Fujiwara.
• Chapter 191: A very small moment, but the presidents of the Occult Club and Mass Media Club mention that their respective members like and trust Ishigami, and refer to him as a "good kid". At the start of the year, Ishigami was a total pariah, but after coming out of his shell he's slowly repairing his reputation just by being himself.
• Chapter 193: Kaguya and Fujiwara are caught in the opposite of an in-universe shipping war over who should Ishigami be paired with, Tsubame or Iino. They end up dragging poor Shirogane into the fight and he ends up torn between who should he side with. Eventually, he tells Kaguya that he decided to support Iino, and she isn't even mad, because he'll be there to support her - not as the Student Council president, but as a friend.
  Kaguya: [thinking] From the bottom of my heart, I'm so glad, he's the one I fell in love with.
  • Shirogane relating to Iino's pain, that if he were to see Kaguya with another guy, his heart would not be able to take it.
  • As Shirogane begins to wonder when he fell in love with Kaguya, he spoke out loud and revealed to Kaguya that while he isn't sure when it was, Shirogane knew he liked her the moment they met and began to like her even more with each day they spend together.
  • Like Shirogane, Kaguya began to like Shirogane each day during their rivalry. While she was initially scared of him, she started to see his better qualities, which slowly made her fall in love with Shirogane.
  • Shirogane revealed that getting to know all three sides of Kaguya's moods didn't lower his opinion of her. Instead, it made Shirogane like Kaguya far more than he previously did.
  • This deserves a little more elaboration. Despite not showing any hesitation about her actions, Shirogane immediately realized that Kaguya felt guilty about not only refraining from supporting Iino in her time of need but also for actively helping Ishigami to get together with another girl, as doing otherwise would mean going back on her word to support Ishigami. Shirogane not only understood Kaguya's dilemma right away but also accepted the request that she couldn't bring herself to make without going against her own Code of Honour. That is, to support Iino himself so Kaguya will be able to support Ishigami with a clean conscience and spare her from the guilt of making Iino the Romantic Runner-Up in case Ishigami will end up getting together with Tsubame. Now that's a man protecting the girl he loves like Papa Shirogane tried to teach him.
• Chapter 195: Valentine's Day
  • For Ishigami, Valentine's Day is just a reminder that his life sucks. Not this year. This year, he receives chocolate from not one, not two, but five people! Tsubame, Onodera, Osaragi, Fujiwara, and later Iino all give him chocolate. For someone given the short end of the stick in life, it's nice seeing things work out for him.
    • The scene with Iino deserves special mention considering the state of their relationship. She gives Ishigami her chocolate putting a lot of emphasis on the fact that it's just obligatory chocolate for the student council. Even still, he accepts her chocolate with a smile. In turn, Iino runs off elated that he's happy with her chocolate.
  • Hayasaka giving Shirogane chocolate, while at the same time, asking him to be her friend - for real, this time.
  • And of course Kaguya giving Shirogane her chocolate at the end of the chapter.
• Chapter 196: As thanks for always listening to her problems, Maki invites Ishigami and Shirogane to somewhere fun. This leads Ishigami, Shirogane, Maki, and Hayasaka to all spend the day hanging out at a batting cage, genuinely having fun.
  • During the course of this chapter, Maki ends up bonding with Hayasaka with the chapter even ending on the note that Hayasaka managed to make herself another friend. Maki even starts going on a first-name basis with Hayasaka, stating that she does this with anyone she considers her equal. The fact that she had been doing this towards Shirogane and Ishigami without ever calling attention to it highlights just how much she actually appreciates how much they've been a shoulder for her to cry on.
  • While batting, Shirogane very briefly starts to freak out at the possibility of embarrassing himself in front of the others with his horrible batting form, right down to imagining them all mocking him using Kaguya's "How Cute" catchphrase. He ultimately ends up shaking away the thoughts and goes through with it anyway, and while the others do lightly make fun of him, they also encourage him and he gets better the more he does it. This a far cry from the guy who has repeatedly put Fujiwara through hell teaching him just so that he wouldn't look bad in front of others. He even gains a win over Ishigami and Maki by partnering up with Hayasaka.
  • Despite knowing he's not the best player in the group, Hayasaka is willing to team up with Shirogane to play against Maki and Ishigami.
• Chapter 198: Ishigami, once again, turns to Kaguya for help with his studies. Kaguya addresses his lack of self-respect, giving him encouragement and offering strategies that best benefit him. On top of that, the rest of the student council (Hayasaka included) pitches in to help, and it ends with him placing 36th in his year. Kaguya's moved to tears, and even the narration twists a joke from an early chapter into a touching moment.
  Kaguya: Well, I've been helping you, so that's a given.
  Narration: That was a lie. This girl has been watching Ishigami's efforts the whole way through, and as such, she knows more than any other person, that this was the result of his own hard work.
• Chapter 199: Thanks to some unhelpful words from Kashiwagi, Kaguya is afraid that Shirogane will lose interest in her now that he has her. It starts playing out like one of the earlier chapters where each of them is misunderstanding the other, but Kaguya hits the brakes and just talks to Shirogane about her worries, with Shirogane being honest in return. These two have come a long way since their countless days of mind games.
  • Related to above, Shirogane's sudden drop to the 12th position in the final semester test isn't out of losing interest in Kaguya, but due to how he took her words to heart about not overexerting himself in his studies way back in Chapter 151 and show his weaker side.
  • Kaguya's reaction is also to be noted. In the past chapters, she was very competitive to get first place in the second years, but once she did so in this chapter, her priority goes to Shirogane out of pure concern instead of celebrating it to herself.
  • As an apology for making him think she doesn't love him anymore, Kaguya massages his feet. A shame that Iino walked in on them and it looked far worse than it is.
• Chapter 200: Out of everyone's offerings in the council, Kaguya's gifts to Ishigami and Fujiwara were the most well-thought-out. Ishigami gets a new mini-game console, as not only a Birthday gift but as a reward for all his hard work during final exams. Fujiwara's gift is tickets to a cruise, as she felt the two of them barely hang out as much as they used to. Both of them are joyful over the gifts they got.
  • Iino's gift to Ishigami was far better thought-out than Fujiwara's gift. A pair of special limited edition sneakers.
  • During their walk home, Shirogane admits his pride in Ishigami's growth over the year.
• Chapter 201: Provides a minor one, but Tsubame was revealed to have reached out to Momo in the past and rescued her from being dropped out of the school. It makes her being one of the student VIPs who prevented Ogino from ever enrolling into Shuchi'in High School and spreading a false rumor to vindicate Ishigami being all the more Heartwarming in Hindsight. While the two have yet to meet each other, it's likely that Momo is able to relate Ishigami's problems with her own personal issues as well.
• Chapter 202: While it's definitely bittersweet in tone, the chapter has some genuinely sweet moments as the younger students say goodbye to their senpais.
  • Shirogane gets together the members of the old student council to throw a going away party for his predecessor. It's even the first time that we see Momo smile.
  • Ishigami's tearful thank you to Kazeno for everything that he's done for him in the short time that they've known each other.
• Chapter 204: While Tsubame ultimately turns Ishigami down, she does so while tearfully, earnestly expressing how much she loves him as a friend and begs him to remain in her life. And while it's clearly not the answer he hoped to hear, Ishigami accepts the rejection gracefully and promises to maintain their friendship.
• Chapter 205: Realizing how heartbroken Ishigami is of Tsubame's rejection, the Student Council spends the whole afternoon trying to get him back to normal by activating his "straight man" routine after seeing how much in pain he is.
  • When Kaguya tries to make a joke about a mop, no one understands the joke, with Fujiwara thinking it's a riddle. Disheartened, Kaguya claims she will never make another joke again until Shirogane states that after some thinking, he understands the joke and thinks it's very clever. Touched that Shirogane tried to understand her, Kaguya declares that she loves him in her head while blushing.
• Chapter 207: Kei admits to Kaguya that despite her brother's clumsiness, he is still someone that she idolizes.
  • Even though she's panicking about cleaning up the house, it's clear Kei is very happy to have Kaguya dating her brother, hoping that one day they would marry and they could become sisters-in-law.
• Chapter 208: Kaguya bonding with the Shirogane family after paying a visit and spending the night in their house.
  • While grocery shopping with Papa Shirogane, the two bonded over the story of Shirogane's mother and Kaguya evidently no longer feared him as she did in the past.
  • Papa Shirogane makes it clear that while he's still in love with his wife, he understood how much pain she brought onto his kids and why they act the way they do.
  • As Kaguya slept in the same room as the Shirogane siblings, she went to Miyuki and reassured him that she loves him for who he is when he still felt that people generally looked up to him only for his academic success and not for his true self. Wanting to be closer to him, Kaguya moves into Shirogane's futon and sleeps by his side.
• Chapter 209: Learning that Kaguya is staying in Japan because her family is forcing her, Shirogane decides to stay in Japan to be with her, something Kaguya is against because it has been Shirogane's dream to reclaim his father's lost company.
  • Kaguya is touched by how kind Shirogane's family has been, despite her family being the reason they are bankrupt and in debt, wishing that she had a family like theirs and hopes to join them in the future.
  • Kaguya admits that while they are walking on slightly different paths, she is sure they will meet up in the future.
• Chapter 211: It's shown that Ishigami's reputation has recovered thanks to Tsubame. When he introduces himself to his new class, boys and girls alike clap for him.
  • After so many instances of Kaguya bemoaning that she isn't in the same class as Shirogane and Fujiwara, she finally gets her wish in the third year. The look of elation she has on her face completely sells it.
  • And it's not just them, either; just about every named second-year student is in the same class, including Hayasaka and her friends, Maki, Kashiwagi and her boyfriend, and even Karen and Erika from We Want To Talk About Kaguya. Everyone is here!
  • As it turns out, this was all planned by the principal, who had foreseen that Kaguya would face hardships moving forward. Thus, the best course of action was to fill her class with as many people that she could trust as possible. Even though his behavior can be unpredictable, this shows that he cares enough for Kaguya to want to support her in any way he can.

Volumes 22 - 24

• Chapter 213: Iino whispers to Kaguya, who is enraged that the former is trying to steal Shirogane from her, that she knows the two of them are dating, and that she has nothing to worry about. She then tells Kaguya that she supports them and that Shirogane spends the whole afternoon thinking about Kaguya and their worries.
• Chapter 215: Continuing Shirogane's Character Development, he just admits to Mikado and Tsubasa that he actually has no sexual and little romantic experience, and ran with the rumors that he did out of the belief that people would look down upon him if they knew the truth. By the end of it, they're all on a First-Name Basis with each other.
• Chapter 216: While her timing is ill-timed, the fact that Kaguya has high confidence to discuss things that bother her shows how much she has grown to trust people.
  • Hayasaka comforts Kaguya by saying that being looked at with lust by someone you love is better than if it is done by some stranger.
  • Kashiwagi relates to Kaguya's worries, having experienced the same problems with Tsubasa when they first did it. Kashiwagi lets Kaguya know what she is feeling is normal and happens to a lot of teenagers at their age.
• Chapter 218: During their talk, Shirogane revealed that what he believes in the meaning of life is to better oneself. What is Shirogane's ideal self? Someone who could bring peace to the world. While Kaguya did giggle, she admits that it was a wonderful goal.
  • Kaguya's ideal self is someone who can control the world, so no one can force her to do things as her family did. While Kaguya is disappointed in herself that her ideal is the opposite of Shirogane's, the latter admits that if Kaguya runs the world, it would be a peaceful place.
  • The joyful pride of Shirogane showing off his new house, while Kaguya, who has seen higher quality houses before, is just enjoying the tour, happy at seeing her boyfriend in a moment of genuine pride.
• Chapter 219: Kaguya and Shirogane spending the night eating pizza, watching a film, and checking Shirogane's family photo album. Just enjoying themselves as any normal couple would.
  • Despite being strict over Fujiwara studying and not wasting her time playing games, in the volume bonus extra, Fujiwara's family, including the parents, are shown to be playing Among Us and seemingly having fun with them.
• Chapter 220 had a very mature take on consent, as while Shirogane definitely wants to have sex with Kaguya, he most certainly isn't going to do it if she isn't comfortable, and he even ensures her there is no need to rush things. Kaguya is incredibly comforted by his assurance and they adorably start kissing and sharing "I love yous". While they ended up getting carried away and had sex, it somehow remained tasteful, the imagery making it clear that Kaguya was consenting (compared to when she was unsure) before the cutaway.
• Chapter 221 follows Kaguya talking to Hayasaka about that night. Kaguya's take on the act is wholesome and well-grounded, explaining how sex isn't this crazy moment in life, but just a moment where the couple can just let go of their emotions and share their bonds with no regrets. Hayasaka happily freaking out about how far Kaguya has come is also particularly adorable.
  • Kaguya makes it clear that the act was consensual and found the experience to be incredible, leading to her decision to be more open about her relationship with Shirogane. After several long battles in their war of love to retain dignity, Kaguya is no longer caring about what her family or the school thinks about her and Shirogane dating.
  • While humorous, Shirogane becomes nervous and worried that he pushed Kaguya into it last night (even though it wasn't true). This just shows how considerate and kind Shirogane is for his girlfriend's well-being.
• Chapter 223: The primary couple finally admitting to the entire student council that they're dating. Ishigami and Iino, despite having known since they started, are still extremely happy and excited for their senpais and adorably tease the two about their relationship. Ishigami and Iino's happiness is heartwarming in and of itself, but seeing how they both react to their senpais' relationship in such a joyful manner makes it even more heartwarming for everyone involved (except Fujiwara, who gets annoyed very quickly).
  • Extra points for IshiMiko shippers: after they sit, they really look like a double date.
  • Ishigami and Iino ask Shirogane and Kaguya what they like about each other. They could not think of anything besides that they like everything about them, causing both of them to blush.
  • When Fujiwara mentions dating Shirogane and dealing with his bad qualities is like living in Hell, Kaguya assures Fujiwara that she believes that she and Shirogane can overcome anything, with Shirogane blushing at her comment.
• Chapter 224: Looking to be another disastrous "Fujiwara teaches Shirogane something" chapter with Fujiwara resigning herself to teaching Shirogane how to ballroom dance. However, aside from a few initial stepped toes, Shirogane is actually able to learn rather quickly and smoothly by drawing from what he learned from Fujiwara from their past lessons. Afterward, while watching him practice dancing with Kaguya, she realizes that the reason she tried to reject their relationship was that she was afraid that their growth would mean they would mean her two best friends would leave her behind and officially gives her blessing to their relationship.
• Chapter 225: Despite his grim and scary appearance, Hikaru Obayashi is a nice guy who is trying to look out for his students. When hearing that Kaguya had her first time, he agrees to keep it a secret for the sake of their relationship. He even understands Kaguya's fear of adults, relating that he was the same back then as well. At the end of the chapter, he ended up falling for Ms. Machida.
  • Even without telling them, Tsubasa and Mikado realize that Shirogane had his first time and congratulate him. The fact that Shirogane refuses to tell them because he wants to be a gentleman and not share the details he had with Kaguya makes it all the better.
  • Maki goes into defense mode when she finds out that Kaguya had her first time, ensuring that Shirogane didn't do anything terrible to her auntie. At the same time, Kashiwagi is happy that Kaguya and Shirogane shared a special moment.
  • While scared of him at first, Kaguya refuses to give up on Shirogane or betray him, even willing to pay Hikaru to give up on this case (even though that's not what he wanted.) After giving her some advice, Kaguya realizes he's a nice guy.
• Chapter 226: Sees Fujiwara walk in on Iino's dejected daydreaming about Ishigami and, after a bit of obligatory (for Fujiwara) teasing, advises Iino to stop dithering and just go for it. When Iino protests that it's too soon after Tsubame turned him down, Fujiwara acknowledges the point but tells Iino to at least get on Ishigami's radar for when he is ready (rightly countering that, now that he is popular, he will be receiving a great deal of attention).
  • A small one, but Kaguya finally having a bento date with Shirogane and both trying each other's food. They are something she's wanted to try since very early in the series, and the payoff is clearly worth it.
• Chapter 227: The interactions between Iino and Ishigami. Iino has completely discarded her shyness and adherence to morals and is shown to be extremely bold in her pursuit of Ishigami, to the point that she even scares Fujiwara, who was the one who urged her to do this in the first place. She comforts Ishigami by patting his head, and then she offers a Lap Pillow, which Ishigami gladly accepts (much to the on-looking Fujiwara's surprise). And then, when she opens up to Ishigami, about how hard she has it at home, he comforts her back, which causes her to become all teary-eyed and flustered.
• Chapter 234: Iino and Osaragi, after listening to Kaguya and Ishigami, respectively, manage to reconcile. Their relationship may never be the same as it once was, and they may yet drift apart in the future, but it shows they really do care about each other.
  Iino: Well, there's still no guarantee I'll end up going out with him (Ishigami) though. I can't really imagine him liking someone like me, after all.
  Osaragi: Are you still going on about that? I'm sure you'll be fine. Anyone who has known you for long enough should be able to see your good points.
• Chapter 235: At the start, Shirogane and Ishigami believe that Fujiwara is messing around and isn't serious about finding a boyfriend. But after Fujiwara becomes honest about why she wants one, Shirogane and Ishigami decide to be serious and try to find an ideal guy for her.
  • Even though she is still furious that Fujiwara might try to steal Shirogane from her after stating what her ideal guy is, Kaguya advises against dating Mikado as she doesn't trust him. Kaguya might want to eliminate potential rivals, but she wouldn't let her friend become miserable with someone she doesn't trust.
  • Played for Laughs, but Shirogane states he will not give Kaguya away, even to Fujiwara, with Kaguya blushing at the comment.
• Chapter 236: Realizing that Kei has been splitting them up the whole day, Kaguya calmly explains that while she loves spending time with her because Shirogane is moving away in a few months, she wants to spend as much time as she can with him. Kei reluctantly let them sleep in the same room, but not on the same bed... a shame they immediately went against her wishes so quickly.
  • In the bonus volume, the couple manages to get their way and spend the night together as they wanted.
  • Kei realizing that she will miss her big brother once he moves to America for college.
• Chapter 237: Kaguya telling Shirogane that he would look nice with glasses despite the latter thinking it would make him look like a nerd. Hearing this, Shirogane decides to have second thoughts about not wanting glasses.
• Chapter 238: After a pep-talk from Maki, Ishigami casually asks Iino to be his partner for the exchange dance after Iino remarks that no one has asked her yet. However, Iino had in fact already been courted by a few suitors and turned all down because she was waiting for Ishigami to ask her. The end chapter results put it perfectly:
  Narrator: After much persistence, Iino finally wins.
• Chapter 240: Kaguya and Shirogane enjoy a very sweet and simple ballroom dance together, before the next day, she disappeared.

Volumes 25 - 28

• Chapter 261: After a long battle, Shirogane not only saved Kaguya from her family but confesses his feelings once more. Kaguya gladly accepts it and the two resume dating. Shirogane even used a similar confession Kaguya gave back in Chapter 160.
  Shirogane: I love you, Kaguya. Please go out with me.
  • Extra layer of heartwarming that if one remembers back in Chapter 56, Shirogane declared that if he were in Princess Kaguya's story, he would not have stopped until he saved his beloved, even if it took him hundreds of years. In this chapter, he completed that goal: he took the money (immortality elixir), used it to make a plan, and saved Kaguya so they could be together.
  • A blink-and-you-will-miss-it moment, but Kaguya is shown to still wear the necklace that Shirogane gave her back on her birthday.
• Chapter 263: Shirogane playing along with the Student Council antics and wearing the silly outfits they gave him, wanting no one to be sad that he's moving away to Stanford in a few days.
  • While it still leads to a humorous fight, Kaguya revealed that Maki played a part in ending the Shinomiya and Shijo feud after Kaguya begged them to hash things out and Maki came to her defense.
  • Maki gets upset when Kaguya says Tsubasa is kind of dumb and doesn't see the appeal.
  • Even though Kaguya tries to keep things somewhat civil between her and Maki, Kaguya goes into attack mode the moment Maki calls Shirogane a “commoner” twice, and she could do better.
  • Ishigami realized Maki was suffering enough from Kaguya's brag and called her out on it while padding Maki's head.
  • Even though he thought Kaguya went a bit far, Ishigami scolds Maki as well for calling Shirogane a commoner.
• Chapter 264: Wanting to call Shirogane by his first name as he did with her, Kaguya settles on Miyuki-chan. Hearing this, Kei fears for their relationship as "Miyuki-chan" has been a Berserk Button for him ever since he was a kid. Before she could stop Kaguya, the latter used the name, and to Kei's surprise, Shirogane is joyful. According to Shirogane, he feels happier if Kaguya was the one who used that name for him.
• Chapter 265: Shirogane having a farewell discussion with nearly everyone he befriended.
  • Ishigami said that while he had made many friends, he would always consider Shirogane his best friend.
  • Iino looks up to Shirogane as a big brother, and the reason she teases him about becoming a couple is that she knows he will never cheat on Kaguya and that the two of them are perfect for each other. Kaguya could not help but be moved by that statement, even wanting Iino as her sister.
  • After seeing a group of guys inviting Shirogane to a karaoke party, Kaguya realizes that Shirogane is well-loved and it isn't just about her. She decided to be the bigger person and let others have their chance to say goodbye.
• Chapter 267: Before Shirogane could leave on his flight, his friends gave him some inspiring and heartfelt send-offs. After being nudged by Ishigami, Maki admits she will greatly miss him. Fujiwara admits that the two years with Shirogane were fun and she doesn't see him as her "useless son" anymore. Iino is thankful for all Shirogane taught her, and she will put them to good use running the student council. And Ishigami wished him luck on the trip.
  • Played for Laughs, but even though Kaguya missed Shirogane's departure, she used her money to buy a ticket and fly to San Francisco to say goodbye. Extra points as she realizes she can come and visit him at various times on the weekend. The two even hugged as Kaguya came crying to Shirogane.
• Chapter 268: Iino revealed that Kaguya has been visiting Shirogane every weekend to the point she believes it's no longer a long-distance relationship. Kaguya even plans to join Shirogane next year as she manages to resolve the inheritance issue.
• Chapter 269: Feeling weird about her father's passing, Kaguya decides to spend the day with Ishigami, showing her photo skills (which are not very good at the moment.) There Kaguya reveals she wants to take photos of people's smiles but believes someone who's heartless like her could not do just a job, as Kaguya could not cry over her father's death. Ishigami comforts Kaguya by saying that she makes him smile all the time, whether she means it or not.
  • This comes full circle when Ishigami is the one to comfort Kaguya's lack of confidence in herself and her skills, not unlike how Kaguya has to act as a big sister figure for Ishigami.
  • Despite her distant relationship with her father and inability to cry for him, Kaguya admits that she wished she had a photo of him smiling.
• Chapter 272: We see how much Kei truly loves her brother the moment their mother dismissed the treatment she placed on Miyuki, seeing as it improved his grades. Kei's response?
  Kei: Mom... we don't need to be geniuses. What we really needed in our lives were neither good grades nor a perfect future. All we really wanted was a normal, loving mother.
  • Mrs. Shirogane reveals that one of the reasons Papa Shirogane's company failed is that he refused to fire his employees and leave them without money after all the hard work they put in for him.
• Chapter 273: Played for Laughs, but Maki revealed that after the funeral and dealing with her father's passing, Kaguya still manages to visit Shirogane every other weekend, helping him out and spending time together until she joins him next year.
• Chapter 274: Instead of taking advantage of Tsubasa when Kashiwagi broke up with him, Maki went to her friend and demanded an answer.
  • While it was a bit selfish, Kashiwagi broke up with Tsubasa because she learned that Maki was in love with the latter for seven years. Her reason? Because she loves Maki more than Tsubasa.
  • Maki manages to convince Kashiwagi to get back together with Tsubasa, saying she wants them to be happy and wants Kashiwagi to be by her side when she gives up on Tsubasa.
  • According to the narrator, Maki will manage to find her own true happiness sooner rather than later.
  • Tsubasa found out, much like his father and grandfather, that he's gonna be a dad at the age of 17. While surprised, Tsubasa is over the moon that he's gonna have a baby.
• Chapter 275: Osaragi fears that she's not the best person to give Iino's campaign speech, due to her unpopularity among the student body and the awkwardness after her fight with Iino. Ishigami replies that Iino chose Osaragi because she's her best chance at winning. Osaragi then gives a heartfelt speech summing up how much Iino has changed for the better and become worthy of serving as Student Council President. Iino wins in a landslide and the two friends embrace while crying Tears of Joy.
• Chapter 276: So much was shown in this Time Skip chapter, whether or not it's a dream or reality.
  • The main cast, despite having busy careers now, still manage to meet up and have a nice meal/drink together.
  • Hayasaka managed to save enough money to travel all over the world.
  • Shirogane not only moved back to Japan, but restarted his father's company.
  • Even though Ishigami is not doing well in his studies, he's working hard to graduate one day and go work for Shirogane.
  • Kashiwagi still managed to graduate despite raising a baby. For extra points, she named her son after Maki.
  • While it was already confirmed in Oshi no Ko, Kaguya managed to become a well-respected photographer who's making a decent living.
  • Fujiwara managed to grow up a little, becoming responsible and helping her dad's campaign. She even let Hayasaka live with her for a while.
  • While they haven't seen each other in some time, Kaguya and Hayasaka still tease each other as if they never left each other.
  • Iino finally loosened up and is enjoying her life, if a little too much with the drinking.
  • Something that could be missed, but Shirogane and Kaguya both have wedding rings, hinting that the two got married, with or without the Shinomiyas' permission.
  • For the first time in so many years, Hayasaka can finally sleep in peace.
• Chapter 279: After learning that Fujiwara is considering taking a young pianist's offer to move in with him in Vienna, Kaguya wonders if she should support it. By the end, Kaguya realizes she will miss Fujiwara if she moves away and states that she loves her. Happy that Kaguya understands how she felt when Kaguya first reveals her relationship, Fujiwara gladly rejects the offer.
• Chapter 280: Shirogane arrives back in Japan a day before graduation to surprise Kaguya.
  • Shirogane stated that he no longer cares about being a top student as he found something - or rather, someone - else to care about: Kaguya.
  • When Mikado says that he's jealous of Shirogane, the latter tells Mikado that he's rich, intelligent, handsome, and good at sports. There's nothing for him to be jealous about.
  • During a discussion with Mikado over the idea of geniuses, Shirogane gives his idea on it. Everyone is a genius at something, but there are things that they lack. Kaguya may be brilliant at many things, but she sucks at photography, something she wants to do for her career. But despite that, Kaguya continues because it's what makes her happy. That she chose a life of normality over the life of a genius. One of the reasons why Shirogane loves her.
  • Shirogane tells Mikado that he's free to pick whatever path he wants if it makes him happy.
  • One of Shirogane's goals in his new company is not only to be known as the world's greatest genius but to bring happiness to everyone.
• Chapter 281: Papa Shirogane gives Shirogane his old school uniform in order to sneak in and surprise Kaguya and be there for his friends when they graduate.
  • Papa Shirogane is last seen wearing fancy clothes and driving a sports car, confirming that his life is back to normal and doing better than ever.
  • Hikaru Obayashi helps Shirogane sneak in and leads him to the moment Kaguya is getting her diploma. Kaguya spots Shirogane and happily raises her diploma to her boyfriend.
  • Principal Pescarolo whispers to Kaguya's ears that Shirogane was standing right behind her, letting her know that her boyfriend had arrived all the way from America to see her.
  • Kaguya and Shirogane reminisce about all the good times they had in the Student Council room and will miss it all. Kaguya stated she was happiest in this room, especially since Shirogane was in it.
  • Kaguya not only got accepted to Stanford, but she's making preparations to move to America to be with Shirogane fully.
  • While it's Played for Laughs, Shirogane and Kaguya fully intend to propose and get married. While Kaguya wants it as soon as possible, Shirogane intends to be an ideal man for her family and her.
  • Since he had to skip a grade and didn't graduate with everyone, Kaguya set up a grand plan where everyone tossed up their flowers and congratulated Shirogane for all his hard work and for going to Stanford. This moves Shirogane to tears.
  • Kaguya gives Shirogane one final "How Cute" after seeing how much he liked her gift. For bonus points, one of her eyes is drawn as (Ice) Kaguya, showing how both sides of her are now fully in synch.
  • Principal Pescarolo later gives Shirogane his own diploma so he wouldn't feel left out by the others.
  • The now former Student Council heads off to a restaurant that Ishigami rented to celebrate together, ending the series with all of them walking towards a bright future.

We Want To Talk About Kaguya

• Chapter 9: Karen spent the whole chapter fearing that someone would discover her fanfic manga and would make fun of her and might get kicked out of school. When her fears come true when Ishigami discovers it, instead of making fun of her, Ishigami gives her tips to improve her drawing and storytelling. Even saying he wouldn't mind seeing more when it's done. Karen ends up considering Ishigami as her "editor" with the latter not minding the title.
• Chapter 20: Even after discovering Shirogane being terrible at volleyball, making embarrassing poses, and believing Shirogane has feelings for Fujiwara, Erika ends up refusing to share the information with the Mass Media Club (beyond Karen), seeing as it isn't her place to share such information and secrets.
• Chapter 27: Erika tells Toyosaki that Karen often helps her out with studying and is very grateful for her kindness.
• Chapter 28: Even though she didn't land number 3 (right next to Kaguya,) Erika lowered her score from 72 to 50th place by herself. This made Erika beaming with joy that her name can be shown alongside her friends.
• Chapter 30: Ishigami apologizing to Karen for being too critical over her drawing and he shouldn't be treating her like Fujiwara.
  • Ishigami reveals that he fears rumors would be spread between him and Karen and doesn't want her reputation to be damaged. Karen assures Ishigami that she can handle the rumors, seeing as she is a member of the Mass Media Club. At the end of the chapter, the two properly introduce themselves to each other.
• Chapter 33: Kashiwagi eases Erika's desire for a boyfriend (in reality, wanting a chance to give advice to Kaguya) by saying that she shouldn't rush for a boyfriend and she would be happy if Erika falls in love with a special someone.
• Chapter 39: After clearly having her first time, Kashiwagi is shown to mature, more teasing and overall happier. She even calls her boyfriend by his first name rather than "him." Something that Karen pick up.
• Chapter 40: Maki is concerned over Karen and Erika's fainting habits. Even though she's annoyed by the reason they faint, she's happy that they are fine.
• Chapter 41: Kaguya is still beaming with happiness from being able to see the firework and witnessing Shirogane going so far to help her to see them.
• Chapter 43: Tsubasa remains thankful for Karen's advice and now had the best summer with his girlfriend. And while it was a short while, Karen felt relieved that she at least made one of her friends happy.
• Chapter 47: Karen and Erika disregard the rumors about Ishigami, treating him with kindness because they trust Shirogane and Kaguya's judgement. In their eyes, nobody picked for the student council could be a bad person.
• Chapter 54: Noticing that Karen was feeling down from lack of romance, Maki told her that Shirogane asked Kaguya to meet her outside in order to cheer Karen up.
• Chapter 55: Ishigami praises Karen's improvement in her drawing and storytelling.
• Chapter 58: The reason why Kaguya threatens Hayato Hongo back in the main series? Because she overheard him planning to spread false rumors about Shirogane, sabotaging his chance to be re-elected.
• Chapter 63: Erika, during a massage, remembers the fond memories she and Karen shared when they were children, promising each other that they will be friends even as old ladies.
• Chapter 66: Fujiwara agrees not to send the photo of Karen and Erika's making funny faces as she hates doing something that upsets people.
• Chapter 70: Learning that Kaguya was taken to the hospital, Karen and Erika went to a shrine early morning before school to pray for her health and well-being.
• Chapter 71: Even though she was left there against her will, Erika actually ended up having fun with the TG Club.
• Chapter 72: Karen admits that just talking to Ishigami about her hobbies is enough for her and makes her feel truly blessed. This was enough to make Ishigami blush.
  • As thank you, Karen says that she would draw a manga about Ishigami and someone he loves if it ever happens.
• Chapter 73: Erika states that despite tossing her into the den of the TG Club, she would never hate Karen. This was enough for Karen to give her a big hug and stick by her side.
• Chapter 78: Karen selflessly uses her artistic eye to record a moment of true happiness: Ishigami being comforted by the Cheer Team.
• Chapter 83: Noticing that Iino feels down today (because her headphones were unplugged and the rest fo the student council heard her motivational CDs) Erika tries to cheer her up. As thanks for being supporting and understanding the liking of being encouraged, Iino lent Erika the same CD she listened to.
  • Iino revealed that the other day, Kaguya and Fujiwara praised her for her hard work, something she found embarrassing but otherwise sweet.
• Chapter 86: In her own strange way, Karen helped Maki by finding someone else to forget about her feelings for Tsubasa. While she didn't find a new love, Maki found a friendship in Shirogane and Ishigami, something she might not have found if Karen hadn't interfered.
• Chapter 94: Karen and Erika enjoy themselves at Karen's house and have a sleepover that they haven't had in a long time. The night ends with Karen admitting that Erika is becoming a fine lady.
• Chapter 99: Nervous at first not being able to see each other when they go to college, Karen and Erika find comfort in talking about Shirogane and Kaguya's future, making them forget about their worries for the time being.
• Chapter 115: Karen chanting hallelujah when she saw Shirogane and Kaguya having their first kiss. And deciding, for the sake of their privacy, to keep it a secret from Erika, Maki, and Fujiwara for the time being.
• Chapter 125: Karen reveals that while she would love to see Shirogane and Kaguya have a special moment, she knows that they would prefer privacy and decide, against what she wants, to let them have their happiness in peace.
  • Another reason she wants to leave Shirogane and Kaguya alone because Karen fears Erika would see them and might destroy her. Karen cares about her friend's sanity over a romantic moment.
  • Erika eases Karen's pain by offering to go out and eat cake together.
• Chapter 129: While she was confused at first, Tsubame is happy that Karen and Erika are having so much fun celebrating Kaguya's birthday without her. They were so touched to find someone who wasn't weirded out that they all agreed to celebrate Tsubame's birthday when it comes.
• Chapter 185: Following their first time, Shirogane and Kaguya freely flirt with each other in public, with Kaguya not caring what anyone thinks anymore, not even her family. Karen could not help but be happy for them.
  • According to Karen, several people she talked to are happy that Kaguya and Shirogane are dating and supportive of them.
  • When asked if Kaguya becoming a regular girl would ruin their image of her, Erika proudly states that Kaguya is still Kaguya. And if Kaguya is allowing herself to be happy, that makes her happy as well.
• Chapter 186: While Kazamatsuri and Toyosaki did mess with Shirogane a little bit, did admit that they are happy things with him and Kaguya is improving despite the duo being left in the dust.
• Chapter 192: The narrator reveals that in the near future, Erika will open her own ramen restaurant named "Miso Matsuri Ramen". It not only gets rave reviews but eventually wins a Michelin Star. Also, the name of the restaurant implies that she and Kazamatsuri end up together.

Other

• In a Q/A, Aka revealed some interesting but heartwarming details and facts.
  • Kaguya would grow to love Shirogane without his tired glare eyes if he went normal permanently.
  • Ishigami's family learned about the Otomo incident from Shirogane, growing fond of the young man who helped their son.
  • The reason Ishigami is so knowledgeable about flowers is because his mother runs a flower shop and he often helps out.
  • Shirogane has high respect for the woman (Toyomi) who helped teach him how to study and become the man he is today.
• According to the Kaguya-Sama Booklet:
  • When the air in the heart balloon went flat, Kaguya became saddened. What did Hayasaka do? She helped Kaguya frame it, so she doesn't lose it.
  • In the past, Toyomi Fujiwara, like her sister, trained Shirogane when she was in middle school as he had a difficult time knowing how to study.
• According to Aka Akasaka, Oshi no Ko is set in the same world as Kaguya-Sama. And in their special chapter 90.1, Kaguya is confirmed to not only be married to Shirogane, but became a famous photographer. She also has Shirogane's last name, proving that she managed to get away from her family.

---