Episode 224: The Report Meeting Begins

The day of the report meeting.

After school, the Student Council was busy preparing for the upcoming general student meeting.

Sara-san was working on her inaugural speech as President, while the rest of us, including the current President, were checking the agenda items and items requiring approval.

「I probably shouldn’t say this, but even though it’s called an approval process, it’s mostly just going through the motions. The overwhelming majority of students have no interest in this, so even if we explain things, they usually aren’t listening. To put it bluntly, there’s meaning in just doing it, I suppose.」

I don’t think it’s good to agree, but unfortunately, the President’s words made perfect sense. I couldn’t help but think that if I weren’t on the council, or if Sara-san weren’t here, I wouldn’t have the slightest interest in what the Student Council does either.

「That said, we do get questions sometimes, so we can’t afford to slack off.」

「Depends on the person, but some people really do show interest.」

It’s only natural that we’d be in trouble if something came up and we weren’t prepared.

That’s exactly why we were spending time putting everything together.

「Takanashi-kun, about what we discussed the other day… do you have anyone in mind who could join as a new officer? If it’s too difficult, we’ll need to call for candidates or recruit at the general meeting.」

Crap… I completely forgot…

I’d been so caught up in the mess surrounding Sara-san’s marriage meeting that I hadn’t brought it up yet.

I figured it’d be hard for Hayato since he’s in a sports club, but I’d intended to ask Hanako-san and Todo-san to see if they’d be willing to take it on.

「S-Sorry, we’re all getting together tonight, so I’ll try bringing it up then.」

「Sorry for the trouble, but I’m counting on you. Even if the council ends up being a group of close friends, I want members who can tighten our unity for the future.」

The President was being vague, but he was essentially saying he wanted people who could work well with Sara-san.

To be honest, I’d be happy to have my friends there too, and I think it would help lighten Sara-san’s burden. Especially Hanako-san, who I’m sure is way more competent than I am… which is a bit pathetic for me to admit.

「By the way, I’m just asking out of curiosity… but is something happening today?」

The way he asked made it clear the President hadn’t heard anything from Natsumi-senpai.

It’s not like it was a secret, so it shouldn’t be a problem to tell him.

「We’re having a report meeting with our friend group today. Well, about me and Sara-san…」

「Wait, does that mean an engagement announcement!?」

A member who had been listening in on our conversation suddenly jumped in, clearly interested.

An engagement announcement? I guess it isn’t wrong… since we are reporting that we became fiancés.

「Engagement announcement sounds a bit grand, but for now, we’re reporting that we became fiancés and what we talked about at Sara-san’s house the other day.」

「Heh, I see. So the people gathering are just your really close friends?」

「Yeah, mostly my friends and Sara-san’s friends.」

「Ah, if it’s Satsukawa-san’s friends, does that mean Natsumi-chan will be there?」

A senpai apparently knew that Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai were best friends.

The President obviously knew this, so he didn’t react and just kept drinking his tea.

「Yeah. And one other person…」

「Ah, maybe Nishikawa-san!?」

「Cough!」

The President, who had been drinking his tea at his own pace, suddenly choked. Luckily, he didn’t spray it on anyone, but it looked like the tea went down the wrong pipe because he was still coughing.

「Hack, cough.」

「A-Are you okay, President?」

I called out to him while patting his back, but it seemed best to wait a bit.

As I kept patting his back and watching him, he eventually settled down and his breathing returned to normal.

「N-No, sorry. Thanks, Takanashi-kun.」

His eyes were a bit watery, but he seemed able to talk again. He was still coughing a little, but he looked okay.

「No, I’m just glad you’re alright.」

「President, you okay? What was that all of a sudden?」

「N-No, it’s nothing. By the way, Takanashi-kun, about what you said earlier… for your gathering today, among Satsukawa-san’s friends… is N-Nishikawa-san coming?」

「Wait, you know Nishikawa-san? …Oh, right, she used to be at this school, so of course you’d know her.」

Since the President is Natsumi-senpai’s childhood friend, it wouldn’t be strange if he didn’t just know her, but was actually friends with her. It seemed he wasn’t the only one who knew her, though.

「Ah, yeah. Partly through Natsumi, but we also ran into each other because of committee work. So I do know her. And, well, is Nishikawa-san doing well?」

「Eh? Oh, yeah. I think she’s normal.」

If they were in contact, that’s not really the kind of thing you’d need to confirm. It sounded like he really was just an「acquaintance,」not being humble. Besides, now that I think about it, I’ve never heard Nishikawa-san mention the President.

「Wow, I’m jealous. I want to see her again too.」

「Satsukawa-san, Yuuzuki-san, and Nishikawa-san… that’s an insane lineup. If it was a mixer, people would be climbing over each other to join.」

「True. B-But more importantly, an engagement announcement… that means, m-m-m-m-marriage… aaaaah, the shock and jealousy are so intense just remembering it…」

「Calm down, I can’t even understand what you’re saying. Though I guess the shock is just that big.」

Judging by that guy, the shock from yesterday hadn’t worn off yet. Come to think of it, he mentioned giving up, but did he used to like Sara-san?

…Thinking about that makes me feel a bit uneasy.

「Kazunari-san, how is the talk going over there?」

Whether she’d reached a stopping point with her draft or finished it, Sara-san had joined us without me noticing.

She pulled up a nearby chair right next to me, positioning herself so that our bodies were practically touching.

The contrast between the girls smirking at the sight and the guys looking clearly pained was, as inappropriate as it might be, actually a little funny.

「Sorry, Satsukawa-san. We borrowed your husband for a bit!」

Husband…

I’ve never been called that before, but judging by her expression, she was clearly looking for a reaction from Sara-san.

But that was a bit… no, very optimistic.

「No, Kazunari-san has his own work to do, so it’s not a matter of borrowing him.」

「…She’s not blushing at all… seriously?」

「…She just naturally started talking about Takanashi-kun when they called him her husband.」

「…She’s way too dignified, there’s no opening to tease her…」

「…Marrying Satsukawa-san…」

「…Let’s just get used to it already… even though it’s enviable… ugh…」

Sara-san isn’t the type to get flustered or embarrassed by something like that.

In the first place, she calls herself my「wife」sometimes, and I don’t think she says it as a joke or just to be lovey-dovey. I think she says it to set her own resolve and define how she wants to be.

So, simple teasing is completely wasted on her.

「Satsukawa-san, how’s the draft coming along?」

「It’s finished. Is there anything I can help with here?」

「No, we’re finishing up too, so it’s fine. You have a gathering with your friends today, right? Let’s call it a day once we hit a good spot.」

「Sorry, especially since it’s for our convenience…」

We still had some time left, but it looked like the President was being considerate.

I felt a bit bad, but I decided to take him up on his kindness.

「It’s fine. Alright, let’s finish the rest.」

「「「「 Yes! 」」」」

Thanks to everyone splitting the work, we finished much earlier than expected.

Since everyone was able to head home, it turned into a flow where we all walked back together just like yesterday. Since we still had time to spare, we decided to accompany them part of the way.

We left the school and walked along while having idle conversation, arriving at the intersection where we’d part ways in no time.

「Well, we’ll head off here.」

「Good work today, everyone.」

「Good work~」

「See you tomorrow.」

「Good luck with the report meeting~」

As we were saying our goodbyes, the President approached me looking like he had something to say.

「Good work today. Um, tell Nishikawa-san I said hello.」

Even though he wasn’t saying anything strange, the President looked strangely hesitant. Telling her hello… should I just say it exactly like that?

「Got it. I’ll tell her.」

「Thanks, see you tomorrow then.」

Apparently that was all, as the President returned to the others and they started walking. Sara-san watched the President with a puzzled look, but when our eyes met, she smiled and immediately linked her arm with mine.

「Was he an acquaintance among Nishikawa-san’s circle?」

「I suppose… She was the President of the Gardening Club, so there were plenty of opportunities to see the Student Council officers.」

I see, since the Gardening Club is effectively just one person, Nishikawa-san would naturally be the one attending those meetings.

If that was their connection, then the President’s choice of the word「acquaintance」over「friend」probably meant exactly that.

We’d received word that today’s report meeting would be a direct meet-up at the hotel where it was being held, so Sara-san and I were currently in a car that had come to pick us up. I’d thought everyone would be traveling in this car, so it was a bit of a shame.

Eventually, the car carrying us entered the hotel roundabout ahead. It looked like this was the venue.

When we stopped right in front, a staff member waiting there opened the door. I offered a quick thanks and stepped out. As soon as we entered the hotel entrance, a sight that made me doubt my eyes jumped out at me. Our names were written in big letters on the daily schedule board.

『Takanashi Kazunari & Satsukawa Sara Engagement Report Meeting』

「「………….」」

I wonder if this was Nishikawa-san’s doing… or maybe Natsumi-senpai’s?

Feeling embarrassed, I looked to my side and locked eyes with Sara-san, who was also looking at me. We both ended up giving a wry smile.

Shaking it off, we headed toward the room where the meeting was being held. I saw several staff members who looked like receptionists waiting in front of the door. When we gave our names while greeting them, they said「Congratulations on your engagement」and opened the door.

?

From the outside, it didn’t look like there was anyone in the room… but as soon as we stepped inside…

Pop!! Pop pop pop pop pop!!!

!?

「Kyaa!?」

Party crackers went off all at once from the shadows of the door. A startled Sara-san jumped and clung to me. It was a very familiar sight.

Yuji & Hayato:「Kazunari!!」

Natsumi & Nishikawa:「Sara!!」

Everyone:「Congratulations on your engagement!!!!」

Everyone jumped out in front of us at once to offer their congratulations.

Sara-san seemed more surprised than I was, as she stood there dazed while still clinging to me. When I stroked her head, a soft smile finally spread across her face.

Kazunari:「Uh, well, it’s not official yet…」

Yuji:「Do you think your parents are going to say no?」

Kazunari:「No, they seem fine with it.」

Hayato:「Then it’s basically a done deal.」

Hanako:「It doesn’t really matter what happens; the form might change, but you’re going to get married eventually anyway. So the result is the same.」

She was as blunt as ever, but she was right. No matter what my parents said, if we had no intention of being apart, the result would be the same. In that sense, Hanako-san’s point was right on the money.

Natsumi:「Come on, stop clinging to each other at the entrance and head to the guest of honor seats!」

Looking closely, there were two seats facing us in the venue, with other seats arranged to face them.

I guess those two were the seats for the guests of honor.

As we headed toward the seats, everyone else headed toward theirs too. Once everyone was seated, the lights suddenly went out, and for some reason, a spotlight shone down on only Sara-san and me.

「We will now begin the engagement report meeting for Takanashi Kazunari-sama and Satsukawa Sara-sama.」

Clap clap clap clap clap clap!!!

Someone who looked like an MC had appeared out of nowhere. This was a bit much, or rather, it was way too elaborate. I stole a glance to the side to see Sara-san looking at Nishikawa-san and Natsumi-senpai with an「oh boy」expression.

It looked like we were going to have to give our report in a situation that felt like a press conference.