Episode 204: The New Student Council President and…

The main topic of today’s HR was, of course, the school festival.

First, we had to decide what this class was going to do.

If the content of our stall or exhibit overlapped significantly with other classes or clubs, the Student Council would make a judgment or hold a lottery.

And if we decided on something too easily, and it was judged during the mid-term investigation that the application actually couldn’t be executed, we’d be forced to change to something simple, plus there’d be a penalty next year.

After receiving that explanation, the discussion began.

「First off, if anyone has an opinion, go ahead~」

At the chairperson’s words, those who had already been thinking about what they wanted to do gave their opinions one after another, and supporters stepped forward too.

「Yes, yes, yes! A maid cafe would be great!」

「Ehh… that’s only fun for the guys. Let’s at least do cosplay.」

「I agree~」

「I want to try doing a play!」

「I hate that because the roles are unfair!」

「It’s gotta be a haunted house!!」

Well, that stuff is pretty common, or rather, the standard. Because of that, there’s a high chance of overlap, which means a high probability of ending up in a lottery…

「Hanako-san, is there anything you want to do?」

「That’s impossible for me on my first day of transfer.」

That’s true.

I’d already gotten used to Hanako-san being in the seat next to me, but it was still only the first day…

In the end… several opinions were voiced after that, but overall, the opinion that a cafe would be good was the most popular. However, since the opinion that a maid cafe would be a heavy burden on the girls was also strong, we reached the conclusion of a Butler & Maid Cafe.

…Well, I think that sounds interesting in its own way.

By the way, I didn’t voice an opinion because I have Student Council work and can only partially participate.

Now that the plan was decided, some of the group were getting particularly hyped. Ideas were swelling up and getting out of control, like who would wear the costumes and what dishes they wanted on the menu. I understand the excitement, but this is…

「Hey…」

「…Listen, why don’t you all just calm down for a second? Deciding so many things so suddenly, is there anyone who can actually cook? Are you going to make all the costumes for both the guys and the girls? Do you have that kind of skill?」

Just as I was about to step in, Hanako-san, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. It’s true that if there’s no foresight regarding those points, we’re the ones who’ll be in trouble later. The people who had been pushing the conversation forward based only on what they wanted to do fell silent at Hanako-san’s critique.

「It’s better to cut the cooking down to at least half of that. If you don’t narrow it down to a menu that can definitely be made, and since there are no experienced people, you’ll definitely be in trouble on the day. Also, how much material will be needed… What?」

My classmates probably felt that Hanako-san usually spoke in short sentences, so they were likely surprised to see her speak so proactively. Hanako-san seemed to notice she was gathering attention, and she stopped talking abruptly.

「No, I just thought Hanasaki-san is amazing. You’re thinking about things so calmly…」

「Yeah, honestly, I was worried too, but I was scared I’d be criticized if I said anything…」

「There’s no point in thinking it if you don’t say it. If you applied for the current ideas without checking this stuff, there was a chance it would turn into a disaster later.」

It was a bit harsh, but it was a sound argument.

This one sentence seemed to remind the rowdy group of the penalty, and they seemed to be listening to Hanako-san’s opinion obediently.

I felt like she’d said what I wanted to say first, but I should step in too…

「It’s not certain if this application will pass yet, but if it does, there are many things needed besides costumes, and there are a lot of things to think about, right? I understand the excitement, but it’s better to keep it within a realistic range for now. You can consult the Student Council and they’ll follow up on necessary things, so I think it’s better to keep the application to a minimum and increase it later after seeing how it goes.」

Since I’m technically a Student Council officer, I have to act at times like this.

It seemed everyone listened to my talk obediently too.

「Heh… Takanashi-kun is doing it.」

「Yeah. Did your character change?」

「Yo, Student Council officer!」

「Shut up.」

How long has it been since I’ve had this kind of lighthearted banter in the classroom…

「Roger! Everyone, just as Takanashi-kun said, let’s decide within a realistic range for now.」

The chairperson took control again, and everyone exchanged opinions and summarized based on what I said.

One way or another, seeing the atmosphere that this class could unite properly was a relief to me more than anything else…

The next topic was the Parent Visitation, but that was just an explanation.

There’s still nearly a month, so I’ll just contact my parents’ house tonight.

My old man will probably be working anyway, so if anyone comes, it’ll just be my mom.

I hope it doesn’t turn into a pain…

My mom really likes Sara-san, so I have to be careful not to let her go on a rampage…

Wait, on Sara-san’s side, Masaomi-san is probably busy, so will Mayumi-san come?

While thinking about that, I happened to glance around and my neighbor, who was looking at the print with her usual blunt face, caught my eye.

Hanako-san just transferred here, but…

「By the way, are you living alone, Hanako-san?」

「No. We all moved here together. The main reason was my parent’s job transfer.」

I see, so she didn’t come just because she wanted to transfer schools. But to move right here…

「By the way, my father’s employer is Saba… well, he’s just a regular employee, but he apparently got transferred to the head office.」

I’d only made a random guess, but to think I was right.

But a transfer to the head office, isn’t that a promotion?

「(…Thinking about it, if Kazunari marries his wife, will he be on the successor track? In other words, will he become my father’s boss?)」

「Hanako-san, is something wrong?」

「It’s nothing. I just thought I’ll be busy right after transferring.」

While she said that, I could tell her expression was relaxing somewhere. Lately, I might have become able to understand Hanako-san’s expressions quite well.

「Are you having fun, Hanako-san?」

Hanako-san had said before that school was boring. If that’s been wiped away by transferring…

「I guess. It’s hard having a little brother who’s a handful.」

Big sister, little brother, is there something she’s thinking, or is there a reason…

Seeing Hanako-san looking somewhat happy, I think she might tell me herself eventually… but I’m curious, so it’d probably be faster to just ask.

After school, I was heading to the Student Council room for the first time in about a week. Sara-san said she’d be busy, so that means it’s worth it for me to follow up.

When I opened the door, the members I hadn’t seen in a while were all gathered.

「Good work, everyone.」

「Good work~」

「It feels like it’s been a while!」

「Takanashi-kun, good work!」

「Good work. The class was noisy today, wasn’t it?」

「Hm, did something happen?」

There are currently eight Student Council members, and three of them are third-years, including the President.

If the number is matched for the handover, it means three new people must be added. However, since I was an irregular addition, I was in a position called Assistant that doesn’t normally exist. Thinking about that, maybe two people would be fine…

「No, a transfer student came.」

「Heh, that’s rare. A girl?」

「Yes, yes, the guys go there immediately.」

「No, it’s a classic trope that the transfer student is a cute girl.」

I don’t know if such a cliché actually exists, but if it does, it’s certainly according to the trope.

Rattle

「Good work, everyone.」

「Good work, President.」

While we were having that small talk, the President and Sara-san finally arrived, so that meant everyone was here.

Now, today’s agenda…

Once everyone took their seats, the President looked around at everyone and began to speak.

「Before we talk about the President election, first let me give a greeting. Thank you so much for everything. I truly believe that thanks to everyone’s support, I was able to carry out a position as unfitting as the President.」

Speaking slowly as if talking to us with a more serious vibe than usual, the President spoke. I think he’s being humble, but I can tell he truly believes it himself.

「Special thanks especially to Satsukawa-san. You’ve helped me by assisting my many shortcomings since the start of my term, and it was a huge help.」

「No, that is my role. Good work to you too, President.」

Even Sara-san, who always speaks to the President in a business-like way, spoke with words full of feeling this time. Since they’ve cooperated since before I entered the school, there’s probably a connection that I don’t understand.

「I’ve mentioned it before, but I think Sara-san is the only one who can take over after me. And I’m sure everyone thinks so too.」

Following the President’s words, everyone nodded in agreement. Of course, I think so too in my head. However, if there’s one thing different between me and the others, it’s that I’m thinking of opposing it if Sara-san dislikes it even a little bit. That’s because Sara-san’s feelings are my top priority.

「Satsukawa-san, I was refused before, but I’d like you to take on the role of Student Council President…」

「President, even if it is not me, there are people who can take over properly.」

As expected, Sara-san began to voice her refusal, as if she had no intention of accepting.

「Wait a moment, Satsukawa-san, I want you to listen to the end. We have no intention of pushing all the hard work onto you alone. Of course, all the officers will actively back you up, and I intend to cooperate as much as possible until I graduate. Also… fortunately, you have him, who specialized in following up for you, right?」

Wait, this is an incredibly anxious flow…

The serious atmosphere of the President until just now had vanished before I knew it, and he had the face he gets when he’s playing a prank on me.

「After all, don’t you all think Takanashi-kun is the only one who can give Satsukawa-san perfect follow-up?」

Everyone must have noticed the flow of the conversation had changed, but for now, they seemed to intend to go along with the President and were nodding. The only ones different were me, who was anxious, and Sara-san, who didn’t quite understand the situation.

「How about it, Takanashi-kun? Could you take on the role of the next Vice President? Ultimately, it will be a resolution at the general meeting, but I want the Student Council as a whole to recommend you. After all, you are the only one who can support Satsukawa-san the most by her side. How about it, everyone?」

「「「「「 No objections!! 」」」」」

Whoa, I can see a unity that’s never been seen before!

And it was an agreement without any hesitation. Judging from the look of things, there probably wasn’t any prior discussion, yet they’re completely united…

「Please wait.」

Sara-san stepped in here. She seemed to have been watching the situation until now, but it looks like she finally has something she wants to say.

「If I listen in silence, you say such selfish things. More than my own situation, I absolutely will not allow anything that causes trouble for Kazunari-san, you know?」

Ah, there’s a possibility Sara-san will snap…

「Takanashi-kun, what do you think? I think you also understand that Satsukawa-san is the only person fitting to take over as President. And if you become the Vice President and cooperate with her, I think you two will become a wonderful pair that I could never compare to…」

He shifted the target to me and while persuading me first, he’s cleverly shaking Sara-san’s resolve. Sara-san got flattered regarding her relationship with me and was lost for words.

However… what should I actually do?

Situationally, I understand that there’s no choice but to have Sara-san be the Student Council President.

And Sara-san said she didn’t want to cause trouble for me more than her own situation. In other words, Sara-san herself understands the situation where she has to accept the role of President. Even so, I think she’s considering prioritizing me. If that’s the case…

「Sara-san… honestly, if the reason is that everyone would be in trouble if you didn’t accept the role, I hated it because it felt like you were being sacrificed. If you disliked it even a little bit, I was planning to immediately move to oppose it. So, please let me hear your true feelings. Forget about me for a moment, and please tell me what you yourself think.」

「………I…」

At my words, Sara-san looked down as if she were thinking about something. The surroundings were also silent as if watching her, and a strained air drifted through the Student Council room.

So I decided to add one more word so it would be easier for Sara-san to talk. Of course, this is my true feeling. I stood up, moved right next to Sara-san, and when I gripped her hand on the desk, the downcast Sara-san looked up and stared straight into my eyes.

「What I hate more than anything is not being able to be with you, Sara-san. Not just at home, but if I can be by your side at school even more than before as the Vice President, then I will gladly work hard together with you. So, please move as you wish. Whichever you choose, I will be by your side.」

「…Kazunari-san… I…」

Sara-san is looking at me very happily, her eyes slightly moist. I think she understood my talk.

「…Hmph, as expected.」

「…Isn’t he just flirting…」

「…This might be a bit unfair.」

「…That Satsukawa-san has completely become a maiden…」

「…No, didn’t he say something amazing just now?」

「………Did he say they’re together at home too?」

「「「「「 ………Eh!? 」」」」」

We’re in a good mood, so I want the outsiders to stay quiet.

I tried my best to convey it in my own way, but how was it… No, from Sara-san’s expression, I can see a state where she’s decided on something rather than the hesitation from before. Does this mean something has been decided within Sara-san?

「…To me, more than anyone and anything, Kazunari-san is important. I understand the situation where I have no choice but to accept the position of President, but rather than being swept along by that, I truly have the feeling that I’m fine with accepting it myself. But even so, my priority is still only one thing.」

That’s the same for me. There’s nothing I want to prioritize over Sara-san; if Sara-san dislikes accepting it, I’m planning to immediately move to oppose it.

「Kazunari-san… is it not a nuisance? If taking the position of President causes any trouble for you, I cannot forgive myself. However, I was truly happy that you said you would be by my side even more than before. If you are with me, I can work hard to any extent. Is it truly not a nuisance…?」

…I don’t care about the President’s maneuvering anymore. In the face of Sara-san’s longing expression, everything else doesn’t matter. If Sara-san says she wants me by her side, if she seeks me out, I’ll gladly stay by her side. That’s everything.

「It’s absolutely not a nuisance. I’ll be by your side, Sara-san. I want to be by your side even more than before and be of help to you. That is my wish.」

Hearing my answer, Sara-san finally wore a smile. Good, it seems she understood…

Thump…

I firmly accepted and hugged Sara-san as she suddenly dove into me.

「…Kazunari-san, I think I will try accepting the position of President. But I hate it if it is just me… if you are not with me, I cannot be the Student Council President. Please stay by my side always…」

「Of course. Let’s work hard together.」

「Yes… together always… Kazunari-san… I love you…」

Saying that, I hugged Sara-san again as she leaned her body against me as if she were being pampered…

「…N-No way… Satsukawa-san is… being pampered…」

「…Whoa, Satsukawa-san is too cute.」

「…Surprising, she had a side like that…」

「……It’s too shocking, I can’t anymore.」

「……Gugh, Satsukawa-san… like that…」