Episode 229: Welcome to the Student Council

Morning

When I walk into the classroom, the usual ruckus, and greetings fly my way from classmates who notice me. Returning them as I head to my seat, I see the typical morning crowd gathered around my desk. It means Hanako-san is already here.

「Morning.」

This greeting also doubles as a way of saying,「Move out of the way.」Of course, if they can’t read the room and stay put, I’ll just tell them straight, but…

「Ah, morning Takanashi-kun, sorry.」

「Morning!」

「Mornin’~」

Each of them offers a greeting while clearing a path for me to reach my seat.

Well… it’s better than them not moving at all.

「Morning, Takanashi-kun. Good work yesterday.」

「Morning. You too, Hanako-san.」

「Yeah. I talked it over with my parents as soon as I got home yesterday. They told me to do what I want, but they gave me one condition.」

For now, I’m relieved that it seems okay, but as long as that condition is something I can handle, it shouldn’t be a problem…

「If I’m going to be late, I have to either go home with someone or wait for my parents to pick me up…」

「That’s fine then. I’ll make sure to walk you home, so don’t worry. I’ll mention it to your parents too.」

I’m going to Hanako-san’s house this weekend anyway, so I can just talk to them then. I’m glad the condition was something I’d already planned for. I guess this means Hanako-san is joining the Student Council executive committee.

「…That sounds way too meaningful.」

「…Talking to her parents, no way…」

「…I’ll walk you home, how manly~」

「I, I see. Then I’ll leave it to you. So, I’ll help out with the Student Council.」

「Thanks!! That really helps!」

「Ugh… s-so much excitement…」

「No, I’m just really grateful. I want to at least introduce you today, so do you have some time after school?」

「Got it.」

Good.

Just having Hanako-san join will be a huge boost, and I’m really thankful that the support for Sara-san is being reinforced. I’m happy about it personally too… now I just need an answer from Todo-san during lunch break, and then we can decide on things moving forward.

「…Oho, Hanasaki-san is blushing.」

「…So cute.」

「…The reaction really is different when it’s her boyfriend.」

Ding dong…

Rattle

「Alright, HR is starting. Get to your seats~」

With the arrival of our homeroom teacher, the girls nearby return to their own seats.

Well, time to do my best today too.

…………

Lately, I’ve been trying to take my classes more seriously than ever, keeping my future path in mind. I’m conscious of taking notes exactly the way Sara-san taught me. I don’t forget to check off the main points in my own way, either. When I do that, the classes are over in a flash.

…And then fourth period ends, starting lunch break.

The store group dashes out of the room, while those eating in the classroom split into groups and line up their desks. As the people eating elsewhere start moving out bit by bit, Hanako-san and I stand up too. Hanako-san has her own bento, but I’m empty-handed, of course.

「Takanashi, let’s eat together for once!」

As I’m about to leave the room, Yamakawa’s group calls out to me. Those guys are always the bento-in-the-classroom group, sometimes three of them, sometimes five or six.

「Sorry, maybe next time.」

「I see. Hanasaki-san, you’re welcome to join too~」

「Ah, you!!」

「Only if Takanashi-kun is going.」

「…Of course.」

Since they’re going through the trouble of inviting me, I don’t think it would be bad to join them once in a while. But for me, choosing anything over lunch with Sara-san is just impossible…

「…Those two are as close as ever.」

「…Sigh… I’m so jealous.」

Well, I’d better get going before it’s too late.

We’re going to be the last ones again.

As I step out into the hallway, Hanako-san starts walking right beside me.

When we reach the flowerbed, everyone is already gathered, and Sara-san stands up to welcome us as soon as she spots us.

「Kazunari-san, good work today.」

「Sorry, did we keep you waiting?」

「Sorry for the wait.」

Sitting down in my usual spot, Sara-san, who sits next to me, takes tea from her thermos and hands it to me. Taking a breath before eating my bento while drinking it, Todo-san, who seemed to be waiting for the right moment, gave her report.

「Takanashi-kun, about the Student Council thing, I’m okay with it.」

「Thanks, that helps a lot.」

This should settle things for the Student Council. We’ve secured the personnel, and since it’s Hanako-san and Todo-san, they’ll get along great with Sara-san. It’ll be easier for Sara-san herself to work with them, and for me, it’s perfect.

「I’m doing it too.」

「Oh, Hanako-san is okay with it too. I don’t really know what Student Council work involves, but it might be kind of fun if it’s with everyone.」

「Todo-san, do you have a little time after school today? I’d like to at least introduce you along with Hanako-san.」

「Yeah, sure.」

「Thanks. I’ll come pick you up after school then.」

「Got it!」

Relieved that the first hurdle is cleared, I’m suddenly embraced gently from the side, and then my head is slowly stroked.

I knew immediately it was a reward from Sara-san, so I just let my body lean into her.

「Kazunari-san, good work.」

「It’s rare for Sara not to say anything.」

「It’s something Kazunari-san decided to do on his own, so I won’t interfere. My role is just to help if something happens, and then after it’s over…」

Sara-san stops there and moves the hand she was resting on me to my back, this time pulling me into a tight hug.

「Is to do this for you.」

「…Ah, I see, I see.」

「Sigh, I can already see what’s going to happen in the Student Council room…」

「…Ahaha, it’s nice that they’re so close. Right, Yokogawa-kun?」

「…Y-Yeah.」

With the exasperated voices of Natsumi-senpai and Hanako-san behind me, I slowly relaxed and indulged in the reward of Sara-san’s embrace.

I mean, there’s no way I can resist this…

Once the afternoon HR was over and I’d packed my things, I spoke to Hanako-san, who was already prepared, and we headed off to pick up Todo-san.

This is actually my first time going to a class other than my own, so I was debating how to walk in, but Todo-san happened to be in the hallway.

She was with a few guys and girls who looked like her classmates, so while I was deciding whether to call out or wait, Todo-san spotted us and waved with a happy smile.

「Ah, Takanashi-kun! Thanks for coming.」

「Sorry to keep you. Um, should we wait a bit longer?」

「Eh? Ah, no, I’m fine. Sorry everyone, I have a promise to keep.」

When Todo-san quickly spoke to the classmates around her, I felt like the guys glared at me for a split second.

…Come to think of it, I’d heard before that Todo-san was secretly popular in her class. Does that mean they mistakenly thought I was hitting on her? Or that I was getting in the way?

But that didn’t last long. Hanako-san suddenly stepped in front of me, and the guys who were looking our way immediately averted their eyes.

「H-Hanako-san, calm down…」

I wonder what Todo-san saw in Hanako-san that made her so panicked… I couldn’t tell from where I was standing.

「Let’s go.」

Turning back to me, Hanako-san seemed the same as always. As we started walking at her urge, Todo-san lined up next to her while replying「See ya~」to the others.

「Sorry, Hanako-san.」

「What ridiculous people.」

「Ahaha… I’m not really part of that group either, but I just happened to get caught… so you saved me.」

Well, honestly, they didn’t look like a group Todo-san would hang out with, but they’re classmates, so I refrained from saying anything more.

And Hanako-san must have thought the same, as she didn’t say anything else.

Rattle…

「Excuse us~」

「Good work, Kazunari-san.」

Opening the door to the Student Council room and greeting them, Sara-san approaches with a smile.

「Good work, Takanashi-kun.」

Following the greeting from the President, who was watching with a wry smile, everyone else returned our greetings.

Walking into the room as if escorted by Sara-san, the members who noticed Hanako-san and Todo-san entering behind me went wide-eyed with surprise. The guys were especially shocked.

「Aaaah! It’s the transfer student!?」

「Wait, wait, why is she here!?」

For some reason, those two seem to know about Hanako-san.

I was curious why, but for now I’ll just introduce them.

「These two are going to start helping out the Student Council. This is Hanasaki Riko-san and Todo Marina-san.」

Hearing my words, the guys started acting excited for various reasons, while the girls were just genuinely happy that we’d found more people. The President looked relieved as well.

「Hanasaki Riko… Nice to meet you.」

「I’m Todo Marina. It’s nice to meet you.」

「「「NICETOMEETYOUUUUU!!!!」」」

Even though they only gave simple introductions, the two of them looked surprised at the unexpectedly high-energy response. But since they were being welcomed, they didn’t seem to mind.

「…Alright… I’m seriously motivated now.」

「…Ooh, I can’t believe the rumored transfer student is coming… and they’re both cute.」

「…Sigh… what shallow guys.」

「…You’d think they’d have learned their lesson with Satsukawa-san…」

「…But I’m just glad our successors are decided.」

「Takanashi-kun, these two are… well.」

I knew what the President wanted to ask, so I signaled him with my eyes to「Don’t worry,」and he seemed to get it.

「Hanako-san, Todo-san, thanks again. It really helps.」

When Sara-san greeted them, Hanako-san gave a smirk, and Todo-san gave a bow with a smile.

「Well, it’s not like I could refuse Takanashi-kun’s request… right?」

「Fufu, I’ll thank you either way.」

「…W-What’s with that meaningful conversation?」

「…No way… she just talked to Satsukawa-san so casually…」

「…Amazing… who is that girl…」

「…I wonder what their connection is?」

「…They seem pretty close.」

「Satsukawa-senpai, I look forward to working with you in the Student Council too!」

Todo-san, who smiled at Sara-san with her usual angelic grin, also drew their interest.

「………」

「…Why are you staring?」

「…Man, I’m seriously looking forward to the future now.」

「…I have nothing but gratitude for Takanashi-kun.」

It seems they’ll be accepted favorably for the most part. Everyone’s cooperation is essential for the two of them to get used to the Student Council quickly, and in that sense, it’s better that they’re being viewed positively.

「I’d like to offer my thanks as well. Thank you both so much. We third-years are retiring soon, but I personally will be helping out until graduation, so I look forward to working with you. Also, I’m a bit late, but I’m Uesaka Daichi, the current President. Nice to meet you.」

「Nice to meet you too.」

「Nice to meet you.」

After exchanging greetings with the President, the two of them finished up their introductions with the other officers and stayed to observe. Since today was just the final check for the student general meeting and an outline of the schedule for the school festival, it probably wouldn’t take too long.

During the meeting, the two of them watched us with interest, but since it ended fairly quickly, they’re currently talking with the people they’ll be taking over for.

According to the plan, Hanako-san will be the treasurer and Todo-san will handle general affairs.

「Come to think of it, when should we hold the cooking class for Kazunari-san’s class? We need to reserve the home ec room.」

「Ah, right. We haven’t talked about that in class yet, so I’ll tell them to decide soon.」

I’ll tell the homeroom teacher tomorrow and let them discuss it during HR. I have a feeling it’s going to turn into a huge fuss, though.

「Should I just teach the people in charge of cooking?」

「Well, it’s technically for volunteers, but I think everyone will probably join. Also, I’ll be participating too.」

Since I have Student Council work, the chance of me actually helping with the cooking on the day is slim, but that’s a separate matter. There’s no way I wouldn’t participate here, and honestly, I’m worried about the class… specifically the guys doing something weird.

「Understood. Of course I will teach you. However, since making meals at home is my role, you are forbidden from standing in the kitchen there, okay?」

Even though she was smiling, I felt a strange pressure and nodded obediently. I have no intention of thinking I can suddenly cook just because I learned a few things, but Sara-san is strict about this domain.

Still, I was grateful that she didn’t notice my tiny bit of possessiveness…