Because tomorrow was a school day, after simply finishing their farewell dinner, the group decided to head home together.
Well, except for Miyahito, who rode a motorcycle and was an outsider to the school.
After bidding farewell to Chika, and Ishigami Yu, who walked her part of the way, the remaining Miyuki took on the task of escorting Kaguya home.
On the way to the Shinomiya secondary residence, Miyuki and Kaguya remained silent, neither having any intention of talking or chatting with the other.
Perhaps it was because they were too familiar with each other, or perhaps it was because starting tomorrow, their lives would return to the fact that they no longer had intersecting paths.
Even though there were still so many words, so many feelings they wanted to pour out to each other.
But the moment the words welled up in their hearts, the voices seemed to get stuck in their throats, unable to be spoken.
'Sigh....'
Swallowing the words stuck in his throat once again, Miyuki let out a silent sigh full of helplessness.
At the same time.
"Think about it, Miyuki-nii."
"The 67th Student Council has been dissolved. Miyuki-nii, do you know what this means? The only intersection point between you and Shinomiya-senpai has now disappeared... Those words, if you don't say them now, you will never find another opportunity to say them in the future."
Accompanied by the voice of Miyahito echoing in his mind—the Miyahito who had suddenly called out to him at the door just before leaving the restaurant, the words he said, the expression on his face, and that look as if he were looking at a disappointing older brother—Shirogane Miyuki, walking in front, couldn't help but smile.
How embarrassing, to actually be looked at by Miyahito with that kind of gaze.
Then again, am I really that disappointing?
After laughing self-deprecatingly in his heart, recalling the bits and pieces of the past year, a trace of reluctance and attachment flashed through Miyuki's sharp eyes.
How could he not want that beautiful, warm time to continue forever?
There was a way to make that impending end of beauty embark on its journey once again.
That was for him, Miyuki, to run for Student Council President once again, serve as the 68th President, and rebuild a Student Council that belonged to them.
However.
That morning, when the teacher in charge of Student Council affairs asked him if he wanted to seek re-election, Miyuki had chosen to decline.
Because he didn't know if the person he wanted—and who was worthy of being his Vice President... was still willing to be his Vice President once again.
'Shinomiya probably won't be my subordinate anymore... right?'
Tilting his head up slightly, in a spot where Kaguya couldn't notice, Miyuki used his peripheral vision to secretly glance at Kaguya, who was walking behind him, seemingly lost in thought.
Silently withdrawing his gaze. His eyes reflected the bustling, prosperous streets and the myriad of lights in the distance. Suddenly, a contradictory feeling of loneliness yet warmth welled up in Miyuki's heart.
Lonely, because he didn't know if he was the only one who wanted to salvage this beautiful time that was coming to an end.
Warm, because... Kaguya, the girl he liked, the girl he wanted to protect, the girl he wanted to spend his life with, was walking right behind him at this very moment.
Just like in the past year, that figure standing behind him, silently handling all the trivial matters for him and supporting him wholeheartedly. Just like in the past year. Whenever Miyuki needed Kaguya, all he had to do was turn around to see that face overflowing with reassurance and gentle grace.
"Hoo...."
Exhaling a warm breath softly, Miyuki made a decision in his heart. Before they parted ways later. If Shinomiya still had no intention of speaking her mind. Then he would be the one to ask. He would ask her himself.
"Shinomiya, could you please serve as the Vice President of the 68th Student Council? Just like before, standing right behind me."
Thinking this, the right hand holding his schoolbag tightened slightly. And inside the bag on his shoulder, lay silently an application form—"Student Council Election Application," and at the very bottom signature line of this form, there was only one name.
"2-B. Shirogane Miyuki"
.....
All the way, Kaguya, who walked silently behind Miyuki, thought about a lot. Without the Student Council, she and Miyuki, who were in different classes, would lose their point of intersection. The number of times they met in the future would definitely decrease, and the bond they had formed would gradually dissipate with the passing of time.
Kaguya also thought about it. What if she became President, made the President the Vice President, and let everything (except Chika) return to the way it was (Ah, right, Secretary Kashiwagi is quite good too).
.....Just kidding.
Because, even if the President became the Vice President, he would definitely, absolutely overwork himself. Even if their titles changed, nothing else would change... The President would still work hard and force himself. Therefore, it was best for the President to focus on his studies and his own future.
Let the days that passed just come to their own conclusion like this.
She couldn't... be selfish.
Raising her gaze slightly, her crimson eyes reflecting the secondary residence immersed in tranquility, Kaguya took a slow, deep breath, curved the corners of her lips, and revealed that gentle, quiet smile as always. Turning around, she looked at the figure of her President for the last time.
"You've worked hard, Shirogane-kun."
That's right. Just like this. Just like this... come to a... conclu... Actually, the title "Shirogane-kun" still didn't feel quite right to say.
Thud—!
A soft sound of a schoolbag dropping to the ground.
Kaguya grabbed the arm of Miyuki, who was about to turn and leave. Tilting her gaze up slightly, her crimson eyes hiding a hint of pleading and shimmering with a trace of mist, Kaguya pursed her lips, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor.
"Can I say something selfish?"
The moment the words left her mouth, it felt as if Kaguya had used up all the courage in her lifetime.
"Just this once in my life, I want to be selfish." Her hands, which had been tightly gripping his sleeve, loosened weakly. Fearing she would lose the courage to speak her mind before finishing, Kaguya slowly rested her forehead lightly against Miyuki's arm.
"I think...."
After taking a small, deep breath, Kaguya gathered her courage, raised her head, her crimson eyes staring intently at Miyuki's face, and said in a soft yet firm voice.
"The President is, and always will be, the best as the President."
After a moment of silence, Miyuki slowly turned around.
"In other words, Shinomiya, you want me to be President for one more year?"
Then, as you wish.
My Vice President.