Episode 240: Student General Meeting

The day of the student general meeting.

While the entire student body gathered in the gymnasium, we, the Student Council members, were waiting in the wings of the stage. Since this meeting was strictly to be run by the council members, we were the only ones here right now.

Curious about the situation, I peeked out from the shadows and felt a fresh wave of panic at the sheer number of people. I knew it was coming, but we really have to talk about all sorts of things in front of this many people.

Looking around, I can tell I’m not the only one who’s nervous. Todo-san seems especially high-strung, even more so than me, and the senpais are kindly encouraging her.

「Takanashi-kun, you okay?」

「Eh, yeah. Somehow…」

「I felt that way my first time too. Once you actually get out on stage, it somehow works out.」

Even I was clearly showing my nerves, as the guys were frequently striking up conversations with me. Honestly, just that much was a nice distraction, and I’m genuinely grateful for it.

The main flow of events after this is for the current President to give a final greeting and handle the handover to the new President, Sara-san. After that, Sara-san will introduce us as the new officers, and once we receive approval from the students, everyone will give their respective reports for their roles. By the way, since I’m the Vice President, I don’t have a specific department, but I still have to give a brief greeting.

In other words, my biggest highlight (?) is receiving approval as the Vice President and giving my greeting, so just thinking about it right now is making me seriously nervous.

I doubt it would happen, but if by some miracle I wasn’t approved, I might be too embarrassed to show my face at school starting tomorrow, no joke.

Well, if I did that, Sara-san would probably get mad at me.

As my nerves worsened because of those unnecessary thoughts, a gentle「something」that provides peace appeared and softly wrapped around me, pulling my head close. Of course, I know exactly what it is, so I slowly lean my weight into her and entrust myself to her.

「Fufu… I’ll stay like this for a while, so please calm down slowly… It’s okay, it’s okay…」

Wrapping me in kindness and happiness, she carefully strokes my head to put me at ease… Sara-san’s pampering is surely happier than heaven.

I’m happy about it, of course, but Sara-san was supposed to be checking her draft until just a second ago. If she had to stop because of me, I feel bad about that…

「Um, I’m causing trouble for Sara-san because of… bugh!?」

「Kazunari-san, saying it like that is… a no-no.」

My words were forcibly stopped by Sara-san’s finishing move of silencing me with a「happy something.」

That’s true… if I were in her shoes, I’d never think of it as a bother. I’d prioritize Sara-san without question.

Deciding to just honestly indulge in Sara-san’s feelings, I relax and completely entrust my body to her. Sara-san seemed happy that I was being honest, as she let out a small giggle.

「Just stay relaxed like that and calm your heart… Good boy, good boy ♪」

Maybe because I obeyed her so purely, Sara-san is in a very good mood while stroking my head. To be honest, this sense of security is beyond words. Thanks to that, I realized most of my tension had vanished before I knew it.

「…Aaaah, I’m jealous… Seriously jealous.」

「…I want to be treated like that by Satsukawa-san just once…」

「What happened?」

Hanako-san, who had been talking with the senpai she’s taking over from, seemed to have returned. As a new member of the Student Council, she’s also scheduled to receive approval just like me. Regardless… even though I’m this nervous, Hanako-san doesn’t seem to feel much tension at all. She’s reliable, but that just highlights how pathetic I am…

「Kazunari, you okay?」

「I-I’m okay.」

Even though I gave that reply while being held to Sara-san’s chest, I know my persuasiveness is at zero, or rather, in the negatives. But there’s no way I could give any answer other than「I’m okay.」

「S-Satsukawa-san, sorry, but is it about time?」

The President came to call Sara-san, looking a bit rushed.

Crap, the start time had approached before I realized it…

I ended up indulging for too long because it felt too good, but any more would really be a bother to Sara-san. My tension is almost gone anyway, so I’m grateful to her.

「Sara-san, I’m really okay now. Thank you very much.」

I made a slightly strong appeal so she’d know I was fine. Sara-san seemed satisfied with my state to some extent, as she slowly moved away from me. She had a lingering look on her face, so maybe she secretly wanted to stay like that a bit longer too.

「Kazunari-san, I am always by your side. So, do your best.」

「Yes!」

She seemed satisfied with my answer, as she gave a small nod and headed toward the stage with the President. After seeing her off, I checked myself just in case… yeah, I should be fine now.

「Kazunari, if you’re still nervous, your Onee-chan will give you a hug instead?」

Hanako-san, who had watched Sara-san leave with me, suddenly made that offer (?).

Hanako-san hugging me?

I almost reflexively started to imagine it, and hurriedly shook my head to clear the thought.

「…H-Hug!?」

「…Wait, what’s this ‘Onee-chan’ thing!?」

「H-Hanako-san, I’m really okay now.」

「…Pity.」

…Apparently she was seriously considering it. Is it too much of a positive interpretation to think she waited until Sara-san was gone to say that as a sign of consideration?

Well… she isn’t causing trouble, and I’m sure she was just worried about me…

Finally, the assembly began, and on the stage, the President is currently giving his retirement speech. Once that’s over, it will move to the handover of the presidency, followed by the inaugural speech from Sara-san as the new Student Council President, and then it’s my turn.

「…The fact that I was able to accomplish this much is thanks to the officers who supported me and all of you who cooperated. I am truly grateful. Thank you very much. Please continue to offer your cooperation in the future. With that, I conclude my greeting.」

Clap clap…

Clap clap clap clap!!!

Like a ripple spreading… the wave of applause spread throughout the entire student body, and loud clapping echoed through the gymnasium. While receiving that applause, the President wore a refreshing smile. It looked like a satisfied smile that said he’d done everything he needed to do.

After waiting for the applause to settle down a bit, there were introductions and brief greetings from the other senpais who are also retiring, and then finally, the handover of the presidency took place.

「Now, let me introduce the new Student Council President as of today… Satsukawa Sara-san.」

When Sara-san’s name was mentioned, a thunderous round of applause echoed through the gym, accompanied by unpleasant shouts of「Satsukawa-sa~an!」and「Sara-cha~an!」from all over.

Those guys think she’s an idol or something…

However, Sara-san herself completely ignored them, not even moving an eyebrow. She stared straight ahead and exchanged greetings with Uesaka-san as she took her place at the podium.

…I will likely never forget the sight of Sara-san at this moment for the rest of my life.

Her dignified, commanding presence, a sharp gaze she never shows to me, looking straight ahead with an aura that felt almost divine; it was a Sara-san who looked like a completely different person from her usual self.

I certainly have no memory of seeing this Sara-san. Maybe she was like this when we first entered the school, but I didn’t have the luxury to notice back then.

「Sara-senpai… looks totally different from usual.」

Todo-san, who was also watching the stage from the wings with me, let out her impression in a daze as she watched Sara-san. She must have never seen Sara-san like that either.

「Yeah. I don’t recall ever seeing Sara-san like that.」

「The Sara-senpai who’s with Takanashi-kun is completely different, after all.」

「I’m sure that’s the wife’s original style. If I had to put it in words… her public face?」

The meaning behind Hanako-san’s words,「public face」…

I feel like I understand what she’s trying to say. In other words, that’s a strict side that Sara-san intentionally creates for the outside world. The version of herself that the former Sara-san wore to maintain her isolation… that must be this Sara-san.

「…I would like to express my respect for the efforts and dedication of the President and all the senior members, and offer my words of gratitude once more in this place…」

While we were being flustered by the unusual Sara-san, her inaugural speech continued.

And I… was so captivated by her that I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

「…The cooperation of all students is indispensable for the operation of the Student Council under this new system. We, the officers, will also work together as one to manage operations, but…」

Even if it’s a manufactured image, even if Sara-san herself doesn’t like it, I believe it is undoubtedly one side of her. Since I’ve accepted everything including that, I felt a duty-like thought in my heart that I must remember this sight well.

「…With that, I conclude my inaugural speech. Once again, I look forward to working with you all.」

Clap clap clap clap!!!

Just like before, a thunderous round of applause echoed through the gymnasium. This time, whether they read the room or were overwhelmed by Sara-san’s aura, no students made any unnecessary noise.

「Takanashi-kun, it’s almost your turn.」

「!?」

I was so moved I was practically trembling, and I’d completely forgotten that my turn was coming up.

Realizing it from Todo-san’s voice, I hurriedly took a deep breath to switch my mindset.

…Phew, if I stay calm, I’ll be fine.

「Kazunari, do your best. Your Onee-chan is with you.」

Hanako-san gripped my hand firmly. A small, cute… but very warm hand. I could feel her kindness coming through.

「D-Do your best, Takanashi-kun!!」

「Thanks, both of you!」

Moving to the edge of the curtain while feeling the support of Hanako-san and Todo-san at my back, Sara-san happened to turn her gaze toward me.

When I signaled with my eyes that I was okay, Sara-san seemed to understand, as her dignified expression softened into a smile.

「Takanashi Kazunari-san, please come this way.」

And so, called by Sara-san, I finally stepped onto the stage.