With summer vacation just around the corner, most students were buzzing with excitement. But as high schoolers, we couldn't afford to be as carefree as elementary schoolers. For many of us, the summer of our second year was synonymous with one thing: college entrance exams. Lately, conversations in my class were peppered with talk of summer courses and future plans. It was a stark reminder that I, too, needed to get serious about what lay ahead.
I had already decided on college, but beyond that, my only concrete plan was a future with my girlfriend, Umi. The dream was simple: we'd enroll in the same university in two years, maybe even start living together, and then… well, I could list a thousand things I wanted to do with her, but when it came to my own aspirations, my mind went blank. My philosophy had always been that as long as I could build a life with Umi, any job would do. Still, I figured it wouldn't hurt to explore my own interests a little more.
But for now, it wasn't the distant future I had to worry about, but the final exams looming right before me.
"Boo… Hey, Umi," Amami-san whined, "as my best friend, surely you know what today is, right?"
"Of course I do," Umi replied, her tone matter-of-fact. "It's our study session for the finals. We need to ace these exams."
"Yeah, that's… not it! Today is my birthday! July 7th, Tanabata! A day so romantic that Orihime-sama and Hikoboshi-sama get to meet once a year. And what am I doing? Staring at a math textbook, fighting to stay awake…"
[Note: Tanabata (七夕), celebrated on July 7th in Japan, is known as the "Star Festival." It commemorates the legend of Orihime (the weaving princess) and Hikoboshi (the cowherd), lovers represented by the stars Vega and Altair.]
"You're supposed to be fighting the problems, not sleep," Umi countered, unfazed. "We'll have a proper party when this is over, so let's just push through a little longer, okay? Here, four more pages."
"Gueh… M-Maki-kun…"
"…Don't look at me like that." I gently refused Amami-san's teary-eyed plea for help.
As she had passionately declared, today was her birthday. We typically held our study sessions at my place, but for this special occasion, we had relocated to the Amami's living room. The five of us were gathered around a large table, cramming for our exams. I felt a pang of sympathy for her, but she just had to hang in there a little longer.
"Maki, sorry, but can you help me with this English sentence? It's so long I can't make sense of it," Nozomu asked, breaking the studious silence.
"Hm? Oh, sure. See this 'that' here? It connects to the next part, so if you translate it in this order, it should be easier to understand."
"Oh, I see. Thanks."
Nozomu had also joined our study-slash-birthday party. It was a crucial time for the baseball team, right in the middle of their summer tournament. If they had been winning, he would have been on the pitcher's mound, not cooped up in the Amami's living room.
"Seki, you're working harder than usual today," Nitta-san teased. "Did losing in the first round light a fire under you?"
"…Hey, Nitta, don't say stuff like that when I'm trying so hard to forget," he sighed.
"N-Nozomu, cheer up," I interjected. "You may have lost, but that last game was a real nail-biter. You worked harder than anyone… right, guys?"
"Yeah, Maki-kun's right," Amami-san added. "Your opponent was one of the top baseball schools in the prefecture, wasn't it? It was a close match right up to the end. Right, Umi?"
"Definitely," Umi agreed. "I peeked at their bench, and they looked pretty flustered by how well you were pitching. I think you gave it your all."
"Thanks, everyone… but I'm still super frustrated that we lost."
"Don't worry about it, Seki," Nitta-san said casually.
"Only you could be so laid-back about it, Nitta… but I guess that's just you."
The game we had all gone to cheer for had ended in a heartbreaking 0-1 loss. It was a first-round defeat, but even to my untrained eye, Nozomu's performance had been exceptional. He'd held the powerhouse school to zero runs until the very end and even got a hit that boosted the team's morale. But in the final innings, under the scorching sun, a single mistake led to a run, and just like that, the game was over. They might have had a chance to win, but the ability to seize those opportunities was likely what separated them from a top-tier team.
On a personal level, I was happy that his early exit meant I could spend more time with him during summer vacation. But knowing how seriously he had been aiming for nationals, I couldn't help but feel a little conflicted.
"—Oh my, what's with all the gloomy faces?" a cheerful voice interrupted our conversation. "It's my daughter's birthday! I can't have you all looking so down."
"Ah, Mom, welcome back," Amami-san said, her face lighting up. "Did you get the cake?"
"I did. It turned out perfectly, just as I ordered. You'll love it."
Eri-san, Amami-san's mother, breezed into the living room, her arms full of shopping bags. It had been a while since we had all gathered here—not since Umi's birthday—and Eri-san seemed just as excited as we were. In addition to the cake, she had brought a large cut of meat, fresh fruit, and other groceries. It looked like we were in for another feast.
"Um, it's nice to meet you, Seki-kun, right?" she said, turning to Nozomu. "I watched the game with everyone, so it doesn't really feel like the first time we're meeting."
"O-Oh, hi. I'm Seki Nozomu. Um, I'm good friends with Yu… Amami-san."
"Oh, you can just call me Yuu," Amami-san chimed in.
"Then you can call me Eri, okay?" her mother added with a wink. "As for my daughter… well, call her whatever you like."
"M-Mom! Geez, we're studying. Don't distract us."
"Alright, alright. I'll leave some snacks here for you. Help yourselves if you get hungry. I'll start on dinner soon." With that, Eri-san disappeared into the kitchen.
"Sorry, Seki-kun," Amami-san said, a slight blush on her cheeks. "My mom took a liking to you at the game and she's been pestering me to bring you over."
"Oh, really? Well, if it's no bother, I'm glad."
"Y-Yeah."
"""…"""
"W-What's with you guys?" Amami-san demanded, noticing our silent stares. "If you have something to say, just say it."
"Nothing from me," I said.
"Same as Maki," Umi added.
"No objections here~" Nitta-san chirped.
The distance between Amami-san and Nozomu was still palpable. I knew it stemmed from their rejector-rejected past, but I wished they could be a little more… friendly.
"Anyway, since Eri-san's back, let's wrap this up," Umi announced, taking charge. "Maki, I'll handle Yuu one-on-one. You take care of the other two."
"Got it. Let's aim to finish in an hour. Nitta-san, Nozomu, you heard her. Let's give it one last push."
"Alright."
"Oka~y."
As usual, Umi and I divided and conquered, helping the other three with their studies. It wasn't always easy balancing their needs with my own, but seeing them grasp the concepts I taught them was rewarding. Besides, as long as the five of us were together, pretty much anything was fun.
"…Maki, I'm done," Nozomu said after a while.
"Me too, class rep," Nitta-san followed.
"Ah, okay. Let me see… Yeah, looks good. Umi, how's your side?"
"Well, she barely passed."
"Hauuu…" Amami-san slumped onto the desk, completely drained, having received a passing grade from the demon instructor, Umi. I had a tendency to be lenient with her, but Umi's strictness in these moments made me think she might have a future in teaching. Then again, from what I heard from Yagisawa-sensei, being a teacher was far from easy, even if it was a stable government job.
With our study session officially over, it was time for the long-awaited birthday party. We cleared the textbooks and notebooks from the living room table, and just as we finished, Eri-san emerged from the kitchen with the cake. It was a beautiful whole cake adorned with sugar-crafted sunflowers, a perfect symbol of Amami-san's bright personality, and an array of colorful fruits. A white chocolate plate in the center read, 'Happy 17th Birthday Yuu.'
"Wow, what a cute cake… Mom, thank you," Amami-san said, her eyes sparkling.
"You're welcome. I have a present for you too, of course, but first, make a wish and blow out the candles."
"Okay! But… ehehe, before that, can we do the usual?"
""""You got it.""""
The familiar melody of the happy birthday song filled the living room. We had done the same for Umi's birthday, and it was still just as endearingly awkward the second time around. But it was fun, nonetheless.
"Fuu… Alright, I got them all in one breath!"
"That was a pretty long 'one breath'," Umi teased. "But anyway, happy birthday, Yuu."
"Yeah, thank you, Umi! And everyone else, too!"
Amami-san beamed, her face radiating pure joy. I caught a glimpse of something glistening in the corner of her eye, and I knew it was more than just tears of happiness. People often didn't see it, but Amami-san worried about things just like the rest of us—about her studies, about her relationships. Her standout appearance often made her a target for jealousy and unwanted attention, but that was when we, her friends, were there to support her. Umi, Nozomu, and Nitta-san, all watching her with fond expressions, clearly felt the same.
"Alright, next up is the exciting present-opening ceremony!" Eri-san announced. "But I'm sure you're all hungry, so let's eat first."
"I second that!" Amami-san exclaimed. "I was studying so hard under Umi's watchful eye, I'm starving."
"You have a strange way of putting things… Anyway, I'm hungry too. All thanks to a certain selfish princess who wouldn't listen."
"Geez, Umi, that's even more blunt!"
As their usual banter filled the room with a warm, peaceful atmosphere, we dug into the feast Eri-san had prepared. The spread was completely different from what we'd had at Umi's birthday, but every dish was just as delicious. It wasn't a competition, but her cooking skills were easily on par with Umi's mother, Sora-san.
The thought of food made me realize I hadn't eaten my own mom's cooking in a while. She was busy with work, so I was usually the one in charge of meals at the Maehara household. I didn't mind, but I did enjoy her occasional, spontaneous culinary creations. It wasn't that long ago that she used to get this excited for my birthday, too.
Lost in a wave of sentimentality, I felt a gentle poke on my cheek.
"Maki, what's wrong? You have that 'lost in thought' look on your face," Umi said softly.
"Eh, really? Class rep just looked like class rep to me," Nitta-san commented.
"Looked like class rep… No, I was just reminiscing a little. It feels a bit like I'm fishing for attention, but I'm turning seventeen next month."
"Ah! That's right!" Amami-san exclaimed. "Maki-kun's birthday is August 6th! It's exactly double Umi's birthday number, so it's super easy to remember~"
"Don't memorize my boyfriend's birthday like it's from a history textbook," Umi retorted, a faint blush on her cheeks. "…But now that you mention it, Maki's birthday is coming up soon."
"Asanagi, don't pretend you weren't already counting down the days," Nitta-san teased. "I bet you've been meticulously planning it since the start of the year."
"As if… I only started thinking about it here and there after Valentine's Day."
"…Hey, Asanagi, isn't that what people call 'meticulous'?" Nozomu deadpanned.
It had been nearly half a year since Valentine's Day, but that was just like Umi. I found it incredibly cute, a testament to our lovey-dovey relationship. With finals and summer vacation on my mind, my own birthday had completely slipped my mind. But for Umi, it was the first one we'd celebrate since becoming friends, and the first since we'd started dating.
I hadn't been quite as obsessive as her, but I remembered the restless days leading up to her birthday, agonizing over the perfect gift and how to wish her a happy birthday. Seeing her now, a slight blush on her cheeks as she twirled a strand of hair, I realized she was going through the same thing.
"Hey, since we're all here, let's celebrate Maki-kun's birthday together!" Amami-san suggested enthusiastically. "It's a school day, so we can hang out after, then come back to my place for cake, just like today. Right, Mom? Is that okay?"
"You're putting me on the spot again… Well, I don't mind," Eri-san replied with a smile. "I have to visit Hayato-san's parents during Obon, but other than that, my August is pretty much free."
"Yay! None of you have plans, right?"
"I'm free," Nitta-san said. "Celebrating the class rep is a bit iffy, but it beats staying home."
"I probably have club activities, but I'll be free in the evening," Nozomu added.
Amami-san, Nitta-san, and Nozomu were all on board, and thanks to Eri-san's approval, the location was set. I was obviously fine with it, which left only one person.
"Umi, what do you think?" I asked.
"Sounds good to me. It was the same for my birthday, so we should just party with everyone like we always do. Besides, we should accept their kindness… Or did you want to spend the night together, just the two of us, until dawn?"
"Whoa, Asanagi, that's way too bold!" Nitta-san exclaimed. "I know you guys are lovey-dovey, but there are ladies present. You should be more discreet."
"My words are being twisted so casually again…" I muttered.
I wouldn't deny that my interest in… various aspects of Umi had grown since our trip home last month, but I'd put those thoughts aside for now. As Umi said, if everyone wanted to celebrate with me, I couldn't just turn them down. Still, knowing Amami-san and Eri-san, they'd probably throw me a party just as grand as today's, which made me feel a little guilty.
"If everyone's okay with it… it feels a bit early, but I'll gladly accept."
"Then it's settled! Ehehe, I was worried next month would be nothing but somen noodles, but now I have Maki-kun's birthday to look forward to."
"Oh, somen is delicious, you know. In that case, on that day, only Yuu will be served somen dishes," Eri-san teased.
"Gege… M-Mom, um… ehehe, you're looking beautiful today, Mom!"
"Yuu-chin, you're terrible at sucking up~"
Nitta-san's witty comeback sent the room into a fit of laughter. A year ago, I never could have imagined being surrounded by so many people. I had been all alone back then. Whether the past or the present was better was a matter of personal preference, but for a loner like me, having people by my side was infinitely better.
I was too embarrassed to say it out loud, but I loved everyone here. Of course, Umi was still number one by far—
…There I go again, thinking such cheesy things so naturally.
With our hearts and stomachs full, the lively atmosphere carried us into the main event of the party: the gift-giving.
The first to present her gift was Eri-san, who gave Amami-san a designer hat she had been wanting for a while. I wasn't familiar with women's fashion brands, but according to Umi, it was 'pretty' expensive, so I decided not to dwell on the details. A gift was about the sentiment, not the price tag. Besides, Amami-san was just a 'friend,' and spending too much would only make her feel uncomfortable.
"…Nozomu, are you nervous?" I whispered.
"...…"
"Nozomu."
"!! W-What?"
"…Just take a deep breath." He was just as clumsy as I was, in his own way. I'd have to be ready to step in if needed. To think the day would come when I'd be the one looking out for my male friend. Life really could change in the blink of an eye.
"Yuu-chin, happy birthday. This is for you," Nitta-san said, handing her a stylishly wrapped gift.
"Thanks, Nina-chi! I swear, you always have the best taste~"
"You think? Yuu-chin looks good in anything, so it makes things easy." That said, I knew she didn't just pick things at random. That was something Nozomu could learn from her.
"Ah, Amami-san, um, this is from me too," Nozomu mumbled, extending his gift. "…I actually wanted to give you something else, but since I couldn't win the game…"
"'Victory as a present'? Seki, that's a bit cringey," Nitta-san commented.
"H-Hey, what's wrong with that? You're all giving her presents, so I thought something like that would be more my style, you know, the club freak."
"O-Oh, I see. But you were really cool in the last game, Seki-kun. So don't be so down about it, okay?"
"Y-Yeah, you're right. Nitta, you should take a page out of Amami-san's book and be a little nicer."
"What was that?"
Nozomu and Nitta-san often bickered like this, but there was no real hostility between them. From an outsider's perspective, they seemed like a good match. But apparently, neither was the other's type.
"You two, calm down… Oh, right. Amami-san, this is from us," I said, stepping in.
"We could have gotten you separate gifts, but we figured we'd have more options if we pooled our money," Umi added. "…Happy birthday, Yuu."
"Wow, thank you, Umi, and you too, Maki-kun! It's a really big bag. Can I open it?"
""Go ahead.""
She eagerly tore open the wrapping paper and pulled out a teddy bear with a distinctly sullen expression.
"Ah, this is…"
"Yeah. Remember the one you gave me for my birthday? It's just like that."
"Unlike the one in Umi's room, this one has a ribbon."
"You're right, the ribbon is so cute! I'm putting this in my room tonight. …Ehehe, I'm so happy it matches Umi's."
Umi and I had stumbled upon it while we were out shopping for her present (and on a date). We had gotten excited and bought it on impulse, but seeing Amami-san's delighted reaction, I was glad we did. On a side note, the teddy bear's popularity had apparently skyrocketed after Amami-san bought the first one, and the price had increased by about 1.5 times. Trends were a strange and fickle thing.
"Hey, hey, Umi, what should we name this one? What did you name the one I gave you?"
"Eh? I've had it for a while, but I've never really thought about giving it a name. I-I mean, I have a shark plushie and other stuffed animals, and none of them have names either."
"Yuu-chin, you shouldn't ask Asanagi such a mean question," Nitta-san interjected with a mischievous grin. "Even Asanagi has a few embarrassing secrets she can't tell anyone."
"Feh? I didn't mean it like that… Ah! Oh, right. I see. Ehehe, sorry, Umi, for asking something weird. You can just forget I said anything."
"…Are you two having some kind of massive misunderstanding? Hey, Maki?"
"Y-Yeah. That's right. Yes."
Actually, Nitta-san and Amami-san weren't that far off the mark, but for Umi's sake, I'd keep my mouth shut. I definitely didn't know, nor had I ever heard from Sora-san, that when Umi was alone in her room, she'd gaze at the teddy bear that (supposedly) resembled me and dote on it while calling my name. That was the official story, anyway.
"Putting Umi's private life aside for now, we need to name this little guy. What do you guys think?" Amami-san asked, changing the subject.
"Class rep," Nitta-san suggested immediately.
"…Ma, Makiko," Nozomu added.
No, I'd have to put a stop to this.
"Nitta-san is just being herself, but you too, Nozomu?"
"Well, the more I look at it, the more it resembles the class rep."
"Now that you mention it, I kind of see it."
"Y-You think so…?"
The resemblance had become a running gag ever since Amami-san had first pointed it out, but I still didn't see it. I was aware that I had a more sullen expression than most, but when everyone insisted, I started to doubt my own perception. Still, I could appreciate the charm in its grumpy face, so I didn't mind too much.
"Sorry to interrupt your little comedy routine, but the shop clerk said this one's a girl," Umi interjected. "Also, please refrain from making fun of my boyfriend's name."
"That's right, you two. She's a girl, so a boyish name like that… Ah, but Makiko-chan sounds like a girl's name…?"
"Amami-san, please don't get swept up in the moment."
I had a feeling this would lead to something I'd regret, so I did my best to steer the conversation in a different direction. Also, I couldn't say this in front of everyone, but Umi was already using my name for her bear, so that was out of the question. No, that was a weird thing to say in itself.
"We can put the name on hold for now, right?" Eri-san chimed in. "It took us a week to decide on Rocky's name. Though Yuu's name came to me the second she was born."
"Mom, are you praising me or criticizing me?"
"Well, it just means I'm glad you were born on such an easy-to-remember day. My name was decided pretty easily too. Daichi for the earth, Sora for the sky, and since my older brother is Riku, the next one had to be Umi."
[Note: In Japanese, Daichi (大地) means "earth," Sora (空) means "sky," Riku (陸) means "land," and Umi (海) means "sea." The siblings' names follow a nature‑themed pattern, so after Riku "land," the next fitting element was Umi "sea"]
"Oh, so that's how it was for Asanagi. I've never really been interested in that kind of thing, so I've never asked how I got my name. What about you, class rep?"
"My dad is Itsuki and my mom is Masaki, so they took parts of their names and made Maki. …It's interesting how everyone's name has a story behind it."
Thanks to Eri-san's timely intervention, the naming issue seemed to be resolved for now. I was relieved. I didn't know what Amami-san would end up naming her new companion, but since Umi and I had chosen it together, I hoped she'd give it a name that would make it a cherished part of her life. As long as it wasn't Class Rep or Makiko, I'd be fine.
With Amami-san's birthday celebration behind us, it was time for the long-awaited finals. For me, someone aiming for the advanced class next year, these exams were more crucial than ever. For three days, I diligently followed Umi's advice, carefully tackling each problem.
"—Alright, this should be it…"
On the final day, just as I finished reviewing the last question, the chime signaling the end of the exam echoed through the school.
The results would be posted the next day, but for now, I was done. Released from the tension, I slumped onto my desk, completely drained. With finals over, there was nothing left but the closing ceremony. Summer vacation was just around the corner.
"—Well then, good work on the exams, everyone," Yagisawa-sensei announced. "There are no more classes today, so go home and rest your weary minds… is what I'd like to say, but I have a few things to discuss, so bear with me a little longer."
"Yes! Yagisawa-sensei, is it about the sports festival?" Amami-san asked, her hand shooting up.
"Oh, as expected of Amami-san, you're sharp. Yes, yes, the super fun, super exciting event held under the scorching September sun… Damn it."
I pretended not to hear our teacher's muttered complaint. Another major event was on the horizon. Our school alternated between a cultural festival and a sports festival, and this year, it was the latter. I questioned the wisdom of holding it in September's lingering heat, but it was a school decision, and we had no choice but to comply.
Naturally, a sports festival required preparation. First, the student body would be divided into four teams—red, white, blue, and yellow. Then, each team would have to select a representative, a vice-representative, a cheerleading captain, and other leaders. Since it was held every other year, I knew it was a large-scale event, on par with the cultural festival, which meant a significant amount of time would be dedicated to preparation and practice. Of course, that also meant sacrificing a portion of our precious summer vacation.
"As for team assignments, the teachers will handle that… but is there anyone who would like to volunteer as a representative for the second-year group? Naturally, your cooperation will be rewarded accordingly—" Yagisawa-sensei's voice trailed off as she scanned the silent classroom, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "—No one, right? I figured as much. I was just like you when I was a student."
If the teacher didn't want to do it, it was unlikely any of the students would. Being a representative at the sports festival was a high-profile, demanding role. It was undoubtedly rewarding, but it also meant dedicating most of your summer vacation to the event—a tough choice for any student. The custom at our school was for non-representatives to begin practice in earnest after the Obon holidays, but the leaders had to start planning much earlier.
Lately, the sports festival had become a competition in 'Instagrammability,' with each team going all out with props and elaborate cheers, which only added to the time commitment. Even with the promise of a favorable report on our school records, the general consensus was to avoid it if at all possible. And I was no exception.
"That being said, someone has to do it… and not just for the grade-level, but we also for each class."
Yagisawa-sensei, being young and still in tune with the students' perspective, seemed to understand how much she was asking. Her apologetic expression said it all. Suddenly, her gaze shifted to Amami-san. I didn't think she wanted to pressure her, but it was an almost instinctive reaction. In terms of ability, no one was more suited for the role. Amami-san was a natural athlete, as evidenced by her performance in the class match.
But more than that, it was her innate brightness. People often focused on her striking appearance, but her true charm lay in her personality. Only those of us who were close to her truly understood the countless times her energy and natural air-headedness had saved the day. She wasn't perfect—she struggled with her studies and could be emotionally impulsive—but her imperfections made us feel like we had to get our act together, too. If she were the representative, class morale would undoubtedly soar.
…But that was precisely why I didn't want to nominate her. It felt like her own feelings were being overlooked. I glanced at Amami-san, who was now sitting by the window after a recent seat change.
"…What is it, Amami? You're annoying, don't touch me."
"Nagisa-chan… But I just felt like it."
I could just barely make out her exchange with Arae-san, who was sitting in front of her. As I had suspected, the 'usual' atmosphere had settled over the classroom. No one had explicitly said, 'Amami-san for class representative.' There were no expectant gazes. But deep down, everyone was hoping. Hoping that with her bright, sun-like smile, she would say,
'Yes! I'll do it!'
Am I going to be ignored again? I thought, a sense of déjà vu washing over me. If Amami-san took on the role, she would undoubtedly give it her all. That was just the kind of person she was. But it wasn't what she truly wanted. She was just like everyone else; she wanted to enjoy her precious summer vacation with her friends.
I see, so this is what it's like. Amami-san and Umi had been fighting against this kind of pressure all along. A newfound respect for them bloomed in my chest.
"…U-Um!" I called out.
"? Maehara-kun, what is it? Are you volunteering perhaps…"
"No, with my abilities, I'd probably just be a burden. Instead, I was wondering if we could decide by drawing lots, even if it's just a temporary decision. We'll never get anywhere at this rate."
I was sure most of my classmates were thinking, 'Why are you the one to say that?' but no one objected. The fact that Amami-san hadn't volunteered was a clear sign that they couldn't just push the responsibility onto her. So, as usual, we had to leave it to fate.
After confirming that there were no objections, the teacher nodded.
"Alright, since we're short on time, let's do as Maehara-kun suggested. Sorry, can someone lend me a piece of loose-leaf paper? With that, we can quickly—"
"—I don't mind doing it."
Before the teacher could finish, a voice cut through the air, coming from the same row as Amami-san.
"Eh?"
"Sensei, didn't you hear me? I said I don't mind being the representative."
"! A-No, I heard you loud and clear. Your voice carries surprisingly well. But… I never thought you'd volunteer."
All eyes in the classroom, including the teacher's, turned not to Amami-san, but to Arae-san, who sat in front of her with her usual grumpy expression.
"Nagisa-chan, what's gotten into you? Did you eat something weird?"
"I've only had water since this morning… What is it, Amami? If you have a problem with it, you can do it yourself."
"That's not it, but…"
Like Amami-san, I, and probably everyone else in the room, was completely taken aback. That Arae-san. The girl who had skipped the opening ceremony, shown up late on the second day without a hint of remorse, caused endless trouble for her team during the class tournament, and had been uncooperative in every class activity since. She claimed to have only had water all day, but her sudden proactiveness made me wonder if there was something wrong with that water.
"Damn it, if I just sit here and watch, the homeroom teacher and everyone else will just keep dragging this out. I want to go home, but you're talking about drawing lots… If we decide on a representative, we can leave, right? Then, I'm out."
"Ah, wait…! Besides the representative, we also have to decide on one boy and one girl for the backboard and one for the cheering props…"
"Is that so? Then, Amami for the backboard, and for the props… yeah, Yamashita is fine. You guys do it. I don't care about the boys, so decide among yourselves with your precious lottery. By the way, I won't accept any complaints. You're all just a bunch of cowards who can't decide anything unless I spell it out for you, anyway."
Her words were as harsh as ever, but since she was right, no one could argue. After a final, sweeping glance at her classmates, as if to confirm their silent acquiescence, Arae-san's expression returned to its usual languid state, and she sauntered out of the classroom.
"What is with that girl… Um, it was pretty much decided by Arae-san's arbitrary decision, but are Amami-san and Yamashita-san okay with this?"
"Ah, yes. I don't mind if it's just that… What about you, Yama-chan?"
"I'm fine with it too. It'd feel bad to leave everything to Arae-san, after all."
The two girls nominated were the ones right in front of Arae-san—Yamashita-san—and the one behind her—Amami-san. I could tell it wasn't just a random choice.
As you could guess from her being in charge of the mosaic art draft for last year's cultural festival, Amami-san is good at drawing. And Yamashita-san, who's in the handicrafts club, is probably well-suited for making props. Of course, another reason is likely that those two have been talking with Arae-san a lot recently. Incidentally, Yamashita-san was one of the members who worked hard with Amami-san on the same team during the class tournament.
She might seem annoyed by Amami-san, but Arae-san is actually quite the lonely person. I could never say that to her face, though. I shudder to think what would happen if I ever let it slip.
"Anyway, the girls are decided, so let's get the boys sorted out quickly… Um, Maehara-kun, since you brought it up, could I ask you to take charge?"
"…Right. I know."
In this atmosphere, it seemed like I was about to get paired with either Amami-san or Yamashita-san, but the lottery is what it is to prevent that from happening. The teacher wrote 'Backboard' and 'Props' on two small pieces of paper, put them in an empty box, and shuffled them lightly.
I'm still not great at being in front of people, but I've been gradually building up my courage.
"Um… O-Okay, everyone in the row next to the entrance, please come up and draw one by one."
At my instruction, the boys rushed to draw lots, as if they couldn't wait. Even though it meant sacrificing part of their summer vacation, they were probably convinced that the advantage of being paired with Amami-san for the backboard was immense.
According to what I heard from Nitta-san, the time pairs spend together for the sports festival is much longer than for the cultural festival, and there's a high probability of couples forming by the end of it. Regardless of whether that's true or not, the one who got the chance to get closer to Amami-san was—
"I got… neither, I guess."
Maybe I had last year on my mind, thinking, 'Maybe it's me again this time…' but it wasn't me. It was the boy who drew after me.
"…Maehara-kun, um, this."
"! Ah, that's it. Well then, Ooyama-kun will be in charge of the backboard for this sports festival. Together with Amami-san."
I could hear sighs leaking from the boys who were eagerly waiting for their turn, but this time, Ooyama-kun drew the lot. For some, it might have been the 'win' they would kill for, but it seemed that wasn't the case for him.
"…Hah, I got stuck with something troublesome."
"Sorry, Ooyama-kun. But, no hard feelings, okay?"
"I know. It was you last year, Maehara-kun. This time it's just my turn." Ooyama-kun said with slumped shoulders, adjusting his black-framed glasses.
We haven't talked that much, but he and I have some things in common, so he probably wanted to prioritize his summer vacation, just like me. As Nitta-san said, there are surely merits to actively participating in the sports festival. But having to change into your uniform, go to school, and work outside in the heat while everyone else is enjoying summer vacation is, tough after all. Some say it's a good experience, but I wonder if it really is a 'good experience' for everyone. I was just lucky; it's not guaranteed that everyone else will have the same outcome.
For a moment, I wanted to say, 'Should I take your place after all?' But since I'd said no hard feelings, it would look like I was giving him weird pity, and I was afraid of hurting Ooyama-kun's pride. It was a difficult situation.
"Ooyama-kun, it's probably gonna be tough, but let's do our best together. Even if you're not good at drawing, we have other members, so we'll be fine if we all support each other."
"Ah~… Yeah, you're right… Haha."
Sensing the slightly heavy atmosphere between me and Ooyama-kun, Amami-san spoke to him in her usual tone. In response, Ooyama-kun subtly averted his gaze and stepped back. It's been a while since we've spoken face-to-face like this, but compared to our first year, Ooyama-kun looks much smaller now. In terms of physique, he should be about the same size as me… Is he intimidated by Amami-san? His usual tendency to look down and slouch has gotten even worse.
"Maehara-kun, Amami-san's pair is one thing, but I'd like you to decide my partner soon. I'm honestly fine with anyone."
"Ah, sorry… Alright, the rest of you, please come draw quickly."
At Yamashita-san's call, the lottery resumed, and soon, a class representative and the male-female pairs for the backboard and cheering props were decided. As for the other roles, like the cheer squad, they'll be recruiting volunteers after the teams are decided, so for now, that concludes what we had to do today.
Arae-san has probably left the school already. A good while after she was gone, we could finally go home. As I returned to my seat and got ready to leave, Amami-san spoke to me.
"Maki-kun."
"Amami-san… I don't know what to say, but, well, this is going to be tough, huh?"
"It's fine. My summer vacation might get a little shorter, but I just have to make sure to have a ton of fun on my days off… Maki-kun, sorry, but you and Umi better be ready for it, okay?"
"You look scary for some reason…"
Of course, I'll be joining her and Umi, but thinking about the energetic Amami-san, I'm worried if my stamina will last until the end. This is shaping up to be a fulfilling summer vacation.
"You're going home with Umi today, right? Can I tag along?"
"I don't mind, but… Umi's class seems to be done already. Shall we go get her?"
"Ehehe, roger that!"
As I left the classroom with Amami-san, I glanced at the people still inside, but Ooyama-kun, who should have been at his seat just a moment ago, had disappeared. It's a pity since he clearly looked like he didn't want to do it, but the result is the result, and he has no choice but to accept it.
"…Maki-kun, are you worried about Ooyama-kun perhaps?"
"Ah, yeah. I don't think he's the type to slack off, but…"
"It's okay. I'll follow up on that and make sure Ooyama-kun doesn't get isolated."
"You're quite motivated, Amami-san."
"Yeah. I talked a bit with Yama-chan… Yamashita-san just now, and for us second-years, this sports festival will be the first and last of our high school life, right? So we thought we might as well go all out."
"I see. Well, that's one way to think about it."
I'm just a participant this time, but since I'm doing it, I want to be serious about it. If possible, I want to win and work hard from practice. And if Umi is by my side, it will surely become an even more memorable experience. The teams will be decided through discussion from now on, but I sincerely hope I end up on the same team as Umi's Class 11.
"More importantly, Umi is still in her classroom, huh? When she finishes first, she's usually waiting for you right in front of the door, Maki-kun."
"Yeah. But Umi has her own friends too."
It's been about three and a half months since we became second years, but Umi seems to be fitting into her class smoothly. She's still getting along well with Nakamura-san and the others from the class match. I often hear stories about the four of them from Umi, and the happy smile she shows at that time is so cute… but anyway, as her boyfriend, I'm relieved that she's having a problem-free school life without any fights or troubles.
I peeked into Class 11 from the half-open door and confirmed that it was okay to go inside. Since Nakamura-san often pulls me into the classroom, my face is becoming familiar to some people in Class 11, but I still get a little nervous going in on my own. As I entered the classroom, a short girl who noticed us—Shichino-san—approached with a toddling gait.
"Oyo? Maehara-shi, what's up? You've even got Amami-chan in tow."
"Hey. Um, I came to pick up Umi…"
"Ah, I see. Ooi, Umi-chan! Maehara-shi says he wants to go home with you and get all lovey-dovey~!"
"I didn't go that far…"
It's not that I don't want to do that kind of thing with Umi, as Shichino-san said, but it feels like everyone exaggerates my feelings a bit too much when they speak for me. She's apparently the bassist in the light music club, but her voice, which resonates as well as a vocalist's, reached Umi's ears, and my cute girlfriend's cheeks flushed a faint red.
"M-Miku-chan, you and your unnecessary comments… S-Sorry Nakamura-san, it's bad to keep Maki waiting, so let's talk about this tomorrow or later."
"Mhm, got it. I'll try to find someone else who's motivated and has potential, like Ryouko, Ryouko, or Ryouko."
"Ahaha, that doesn't sound too promising."
Umi, who was next to Nakamura-san, came over to us, but her expression seemed a bit stiffer than usual.
"Umi, can I go home with you too?"
"Yuu… yeah, of course. I was just wanting to ask you about how you did on today's tests for each subject."
"Ah, I just remembered that my mom asked me to do an errand—"
"Don't think you can escape, bestie?"
"Aahn! Please be gentle with me~!"
Just watching this exchange, she probably looks like the usual, unchanging Asanagi Umi.
"…Umi, what were you talking about with Nakamura-san?"
"Just a little something… This isn't the place for it, so let's talk about it at your house, Maki, while having some snacks. Yuu, can you listen in too?"
"Of course… It's okay, I noticed it too."
"Oh, that's reassuring."
Taking the hand of Umi, who gave her usual smile to her best friend and boyfriend, we immediately left the school to head to my place. I thought I would be spending a noisy but lively summer with my girlfriend and friends, but it seems like this year's summer is about to head in a slightly unexpected direction.
※※※
The story goes back to a little before Maki and Yuu came to pick me up.
Right after all the final exams were over, I was talking with my usual group of four, including Nakamura-san, about how we did on the tests. This time, the final exams had many challenging problems, and we were all saying things like, 'This time might be a little bad.' However, as for Nakamura-san, she didn't hide her confident expression, saying, 'Hm? I got a perfect score, though?' as usual, which made me laugh. I did my best too, but she'll probably be first again.
Just then, a visitor came to see us.
"—Asanagi-san, long time no see. My little brother is always in your care."
"! President."
"Tomoo-senpai, that is. I'm still the student council president for now, but I won't be at the end of the first semester."
The person, who had a similar atmosphere to my former classmate (and I guess, friend) Seki, was our high school's student council president, Seki Tomoo-senpai. It's probably been over half a year since I've properly spoken with the president face-to-face like this, since last Christmas. I feel like her dignity has been polished even more now that she's a third-year, but well, my impression of her hasn't changed much from before. In other words, she was the same Tomoo-senpai I knew.
"It's a little early, but thank you for your hard work as president until now… So, why are you in our class, senpai? You didn't come to hang out… right, of course not."
"Fufu, of course. To be honest, I came to scout you today."
"Eh? Scout… you mean, like, recruiting for the student council?"
"That's right, but a little different. I came today with business for you, Asanagi-san, and also for Nakamura-san, who's taking rice crackers out of her bag over there for some reason… I have business with you two."
"Eh?"
"Mgggh?"
Tomoo-senpai has business with me and Nakamura-san… From the flow of the conversation, she probably came with a request related to the student council, but if that's the case, she could have just asked through our class's homeroom teacher, who was the student council advisor. The fact that the student council president herself would come to make a request means…
"Asanagi-san, Nakamura-san. Are you interested in the student council? I'm hoping one of you will take over as student council president."
As expected, it's about something important like this.
"It's embarrassing to say, but for the new student council that has to be established in the second semester, only the student council president hasn't been decided. The vice president and the others have been decided, but a little irregularity occurred… Can I talk to you about that for a bit?"
"…Nakamura-san, what do you think?"
"Isn't it fine? Whether we accept the offer or not is another story, and I was so bored I was about to eat a rice cracker since I was hungry. You're free until your boyfriend's homeroom is over too, right, Asanagi-chan?"
"Ugh… that's true, but."
I glanced at my phone and there's a message from Maki saying, 'Sorry, things are running a little late because of the sports festival stuff.' So, it seems I have no choice but to listen to Tomoo-senpai's story. I'm still unable to suppress my inner turmoil over this sudden development.
To summarize the story, the members of the new student council had already been informally decided as of last month. The old student council members, including the former president Tomoo-senpai, were in the process of handing over their duties for the full-scale launch from the beginning of the second semester. However, with new first-year members joining, they had just started working behind the scenes with Tomoo-senpai's support for the autumn sports festival, the first job of the new student council, when… the second-year student who was supposed to become the new student council president (not from our class) ended up having to move abroad around September due to family reasons.
Judging that it would be difficult to overturn what had been decided, they first considered whether they could manage with the current student council members, but they couldn't get a very positive response from the current members—
"—And so, you came to invite either me or Nakamura-san."
"Yeah. When I consulted the advisor, you were mentioned as students with excellent grades who weren't in any particular club."
"Hmph, I see. What a nuisance."
"Hey… Nakamura-san, you're as blunt as ever."
"Of course, Asanagi-chan. I get that we're in front of the student council president, but what's troublesome is troublesome. Even if it's sudden, it's rude to come without any appointment."
"I'm sorry. I did ask the teacher to let you know I was coming today, though…"
At Tomoo-senpai's words, the two of us shook our heads in silence. That tanuki… anyway, he really pushed a troublesome role onto us. Especially recommending us, who are among the top five in our grade, seems so thoughtless.
In my personal opinion, academic performance isn't that necessary for student council activities. It might be required to some extent to set an example for other students, but the most important thing is motivation. I never even considered it in elementary or middle school, but seeing how busy Tomoo-senpai was with planning last year's cultural festival and Christmas party, I thought I'd rather avoid student council activities if possible, and I'm sure many others felt the same. The fact that our high school doesn't hold a student council election was good proof of that. Even if they recruited, not enough candidates would gather to hold an election. I don't want to compare, but it's a huge difference from Tachibana Girls', where the school gets noisy and lively every election season.
"I apologize for leaving the appointment to the advisor. You don't have to give me an answer right away, and you can refuse if you don't want to do it… But if you have even a slight change of heart, or if you want to hear a little more about our student council activities, please contact me right away. You're always welcome."
Saying that, Tomoo-senpai straightened her posture and bowed her head deeply. Even though she's the one asking, she's swallowing her pride in front of us underclassmen.
"…You're amazing, senpai. You're bowing your head so earnestly to us for the sake of your juniors even though you're quitting."
"Of course, I've thought, 'Why did I even run for president?' many times. But it's definitely rewarding, and I have cute juniors who look up to me. After doing it for over a year, I guess I've grown attached to it."
"That… is certainly true."
Recruiting for the student council is something that could normally be left to new members or the advisor, but she doesn't do that and takes the initiative herself. That's just so like Tomoo-senpai. We don't usually talk to each other much, but it would be a lie to say I don't feel any sense of gratitude towards her. The events at the Christmas party became the catalyst for Maki and me to go from 'friends' to 'lovers'—if it weren't for that, we might still be just 'friends.' Thinking that our relationship might have become something different in our second year, I think it wouldn't be so bad to repay her in some way, but…
"Anyway, I'll be leaving for today… Well then, both of you, thank you for your hard work on the final exams."
Saying that, Tomoo-senpai left the classroom with a gentle smile, waving to our entire class, including us. She must be quite anxious on the inside, but she doesn't show any sign of it… A huge difference from Seki, who is said to be Tomoo-senpai's younger brother.
"Mmf… nnh, I shee… thad's our school's shtudent council ballot…" she mumbled, cheeks puffed out with cracker crumbs.
"Nakamura-san, forget the rice cracker, please chew before you speak."
"Nnngh… I can't put thith away…"
In contrast to me, who couldn't hide my confusion, Nakamura-san, who started crunching on a hard-looking rice cracker, is as laid-back as ever. If I could live this brazenly, my student life might be a little more mentally relaxing… I thought for a moment, but then I realized that would probably just make me unnecessary enemies, so I stopped thinking about it. I am me. I'm happy enough as I am, so this is surely fine. Maki would surely say the same.
…Thinking about that, I suddenly wanted to hear Maki's voice. I wanted to tell him about what happened right away. Unlike the me before last fall, ever since I fell in love with someone, I've become unable to hold things in by myself. If something bad happens, I immediately confide in Maki, and we talk it over while he hugs me tight and pats my head.
I'm such a clingy person, I thought, giving a wry smile in my heart.
"By the way, Asanagi-chan, the president made that request, but what are you going to do? Knowing her, she'll probably find a replacement somehow."
"…Or maybe she'll be president until the very last minute."
"Ah, I get that. She had those eyes that looked full of a sense of responsibility… Well, conversely, we absolutely can't let that happen."
"Yeah. That would be, as expected."
Third-years have another half-year until the full-blown exam season, so we have to let Tomoo-senpai focus on that. …Yeah. I really can't decide this alone. I wanted to hear not just Maki's opinion, but Yuu's and Nina's as well.
※※※
I thought this summer was going to be incredibly busy with school events and my private life, but I never expected to be approached by Tomoo-senpai about something like this. When I think of Tomoo-senpai, the first person that comes to mind is Nozomu, but when I asked him, he said he was busy with his own club activities and didn't know anything about the student council.
(Seki) So that's what happened… Well, that sister of mine, she likes to pry into other people's business, but she doesn't talk much about her own.
(Nina) Isn't that because you're unreliable?
(Seki) Nitta, you little—
(Maehara) Now, now, you two… Anyway, thanks for the advice. We're going to talk it over ourselves now.
(Seki) Yeah. I gotta get back to my club activities too.
(Nina) I'm free, but I'm sleepy from pulling an all-nighter, so goodnight for today.
(Amami) Thanks, you two!
(Asanagi) Well then, see you tomorrow.
(Nina) Yup~
(Seki) Later.
I closed the five-person group chat which had become quite lively with the addition of Nozomu. In this case, it was just asking for their opinion, but even that helps me feel a bit more at ease, so it's a great help. Is this what they call 'a friend in need is a friend indeed'? I never thought I'd be using such words a long time ago.
"For now, the reply is on hold, but considering the future, it's better to reply by the end-of-semester ceremony… Umi, have you heard anything else from senpai?"
"Nothing so far. But considering the sports festival, the sooner the better, don't you think? That's the new student council's first job."
According to Umi, they're already preparing behind the scenes, so they probably want to finalize the official members as soon as possible. Starting with team assignments, deciding on events, arranging the venue setup, and dealing with parents and guests coming to see the sports festival, just thinking about it briefly brings this much to mind. Including minor chores like cleaning up after the sports festival, it's likely to be as much or more work than the cultural festival. With the added pressure of representing the entire student body.
…Just imagining it is already too much for me.
"Umi, what are you going to do? From the sound of it, you're actually quite torn…"
"No way. As Tomoo-senpai said, it would probably give me a sense of accomplishment when it's all over, and it would definitely be a good experience, but when I think about sacrificing my precious second year of high school summer vacation… that's a bit much… If it were last summer, I might have been a little swayed."
"Is that so? Umi as the student council president… ehehe, I kinda want to see that. And I'd be the vice president, supporting you with all my energy."
"aren't our positions reversed? Well, I think most students would be worried if someone who's always on the verge of failing was the student council president."
"Maybe so. Ahaha."
"This is no laughing matter."
For these two, I wonder if such a future could have been possible. Amami-san becomes the representative of the entire student body, with excellent student council members, including Umi, firmly supporting her by her side… That scene is so easy to imagine that, if anything, it's more surprising that they didn't have such opportunities in elementary or middle school.
Objectively speaking, I think it's reasonable for Tomoo-senpai to have chosen Umi as a candidate for the new student council president. Her academic performance is, needless to say, excellent, and she has more than enough qualities to be a team leader. I tend to be biased because she's my girlfriend, but even compared to Nakamura-san, who excels only in academics, or Amami-san, who has a rare presence, Umi has a comprehensive ability that is in no way inferior. If it were last summer, I'm sure I would have irresponsibly recommended Umi.
…But that future never came to be.
"Hey, Maki."
"Yeah."
"What do you want me to do?"
"…Um, by the way, is the answer, 'I'll respect Umi's decision'…?"
"......"
"Ah, yes. I understand. It's okay."
She replied with a silent, smile, and I quickly backed down. I know. In times like these, I should just properly tell her what I wanted. …I'm a bit bothered by Amami-san, who's smirking next to me for some reason, but you can't be a doting couple if you're worried about what your friends think.
"I'm sure you already know, but I don't want you to accept this offer… I guess. I have no doubts about Umi's abilities, and even if you did accept it, I believe you'd do an even better job than Tomoo-senpai."
"Isn't that overestimating me a bit? It's an honor and I'm very happy that you'd say that, Maki… My abilities aren't the problem, but you still don't want me to do it?"
"Well, yeah. We already don't have much time together since we're in different classes, and I don't want to think about being separated even more because of student council activities."
Our friends like Amami-san would probably be exasperated, thinking, 'Isn't the current situation enough?' but personally, I want more and more time with Umi.
Umi comes to pick me up in the morning, we think about each other during class and secretly text each other, we go home together after school, we keep talking on the phone at night until one of us gets sleepy, and on weekends, we spend as much time as possible alone together in the same place… I think we're doing pretty well with that even now, but if Umi were to join the student council, we'd definitely have less after school time, and I'd be spending more time alone on holidays.
"To others, saying 'I don't want to because I'll have less time with the person I like' probably just sounds selfish, and I'm well aware that people don't call that being busy… but for me, it's an incredibly precious time."
For me, who has spent my entire student life alone, this is the first time I'll be spending summer vacation with someone. And it will be the last time in my high school life that I can properly hang out. I know Tomoo-senpai is in trouble, and it's not that I don't want to help. But if I'm told to choose one, then my choice is, after all, singular.
"…So, um, Umi-san."
"Yeah."
"During summer vacation, please spend as much time as possible lazing around with me, playing games and watching movies in an air-conditioned room… Please."
"…Hmm~"
"Huh? Did I say something wrong… No, no matter how I think about it, I'm saying something wrong. Sorry."
"You really did. Being so brazenly selfish is almost refreshing. Right, Yuu?"
"Ahaha… Well, I really get how you feel, though."
The two who were usually on my side gave me wry smiles, yet those faces are filled with affection.
"Fufu… Hey Umi, Maki-kun is saying this, but based on that, how are you going to reply to Tomoo-senpai? Oh, if you want, shall I think of something for you? The kind of thing that even Tomoo-senpai would be convinced by."
"If I leave it to Yuu, it feels like she'd be more 'exasperated' or 'disillusioned' than 'convinced'… Well, I don't mind either way, though."
Umi showed a negative attitude towards taking on the student council president position in front of us, but maybe somewhere in her heart, she was hesitant. Tomoo-senpai is one of the upperclassmen who has helped us a lot, and considering Umi's kind-hearted nature, similar to mine, she shouldn't be able to turn down a benefactor's request so easily.
So, it's fine for this to be my selfishness. I made her stay by my side for my own convenience. I think I should try not to be this selfish in the future, but I'm going to be honest with my desires, just for this summer. …Of course, not in a weird way.
"Alright, now that that's decided, I think I'll reply tomorrow. Maki, can you come with me to the student council room after school tomorrow? I want to be with you, Maki."
"Of course… Is it okay if I just stay behind you?"
"Yeah. It feels bad to turn down such a kind offer, but I have to say it properly myself."
Going to reply to the student council president with her boyfriend in tow—even thinking about it myself, we're quite the doting couple, but it might be a good opportunity to let Tomoo-senpai know that 'this is how we usually are.' I also haven't been able to properly thank her for the Christmas party.
"Thanks, Maki. I was wondering how to reply to senpai, but thanks to talking with you, I feel like my head has cleared up a lot."
"Muu~ hey Umi~ what about me? I gave you advice too, you know? It was more like I was just a hype man than giving advice, but I still did my best, you know?"
"Yes, yes, good girl. Yuu-chan did a good job too. Good boy, good boy."
"I'm not a boy… Hey, that's what you always do to Rocky!"
"Huh? Isn't that how I always treat you, Yuu?"
"The last time you treated me like a dog was during my self-introduction last year! Muu~ you're so mean, Umi~"
"Ahaha, sorry, sorry. Thanks for the advice, Yuu. It really makes things easier when I talk to you. Thanks, my best friend."
"Ehehe. Thank you for relying on me too. I love you, Umi!"
"Ah, Yuu, you… I wonder where the person who told me not to treat her like a pet went. You're hopeless… Fufu."
If we already reached a conclusion, then all that's left is to relax until evening. What we do doesn't really depend on the season, be it spring or summer. We spend our time being a little lazy in an air-conditioned room with snacks and juice, with close friends, without worrying about what others think. Umi is laughing, and Amami-san too. And watching them from the side makes me feel calm. It's basically a scene that doesn't change much, but for me right now, that's enough.
The day after all the final exams were over, Umi and I were heading to the student council room. It's been since last December when we visited to negotiate our participation in the Christmas party, but compared to last time, I'm hardly nervous.
"Is Tomoo-senpai already in the student council room?"
"Yeah. It seems like any time is fine… But since they have a meeting today, it seems the other members are all there too."
"A full house, huh… Well, we have no choice but to quickly decline and leave."
The old student council members, except for Tomoo-senpai, have already stepped down, so most of the people inside will be new faces, including first-years. Considering what we're going to talk about today, we probably shouldn't do it in front of the juniors, but we'll have to have them understand that general students with these kinds of thoughts also exist at our school. We haven't made our relationship public in school, but little by little, our relationship was becoming known to those around us.
"Maki, are you mentally prepared?"
"Yeah. I'm just waiting in the back, so I'm not particularly nervous or anything… Ah, let go of my hand once we're in the room—"
"No."
"…I see."
And so, we knocked on the door of the student council room, still holding hands. I knocked twice, firmly, and Tomoo-senpai's voice replied from inside.
'Yes.'
"President, it's Asanagi from the second year."
"Same, Maehara."
'Come in. Sorry, it's a bit messy.'
""Excuse us.""
When we opened the door and entered the student council room, just as she said, they were right in the middle of work. There were many documents, files, and work laptops on the desks, and members other than Tomoo-senpai were working busily. I glanced at their faces, and as far as I could tell from the color of their neckties or ribbons, most of them were first-years. Secretary, treasurer, general affairs… Only the vice president's seat was empty right now, but there were signs of work in progress, so they were probably in the restroom or something.
"Maehara-kun, long time no see. You're a huge help taking care of my brother all the time."
"Ah, no, if anything, Nozomu is always helping me out… Um, about last Christmas, thank you very much."
"Fufu, don't mention it. My brother is usually spaced out, but it seems I can praise him for that one idea from last year… Right, Asanagi-san?"
"Y-Yes."
Squeezing my hand tightly, Umi looked down, her cheeks slightly flushed. She's probably thinking about what happened back then, but personally, when I remember what happened last year, my body still gets all tingly. I was happy that our feelings for each other were mutual, and at the same time, I was embarrassed I conveyed what I honestly felt to her, but I was also filled with happiness at becoming her boyfriend—it feels like it was a long time ago, but for us, it's a precious memory we'll never forget.
"I had a feeling when I got your message, but… I guess you're not going to accept, are you?"
"I'm sorry. I'm sure it would be a good experience, and there are probably benefits considering future exams, but."
"I see. I had a little hope for Asanagi-san, but that's a shame. The other person didn't seem interested at all… The road to choosing a president is going to be long."
Tomoo-senpai said with a shrug and a smile, but we're back to square one. I felt sorry for her when I thought about her feelings, but this is something we decided after talking it over, so I have to make sure not to waver on that point.
"So, with that, we'll be—"
"! Ah, wait a minute. Since you've come all this way, we have to show you some hospitality. We just got some snacks from our advisor, so why don't you stay for some tea? Oh, it's just that I want to take a break, and I only have a little bit of a desire to keep Asanagi-san here as long as possible."
"So you do have some…"
We could have just gone home right away, but since it was an offer from Tomoo-senpai, we decided to accept her kind offer for the time being. That said, I feel like overstaying our welcome is a bad idea, so we should probably leave in about ten minutes. After the president herself prepared tea and snacks, we were briefly introduced to the new student council members. Since they were chosen by the third-year members of the old student council, including Tomoo-senpai, their practical skills are a given, and they all seem very serious and full of motivation when I talk to them.
"…But looking at it this way, the lack of cooperation from us second-years stands out. Was the only second-year the one who was a candidate for president?"
"No, actually there was another second-year girl as a candidate for new vice president, but she quit around the same time… For that one, we were lucky enough to have someone who wanted the position, so the handover went smoothly."
"Is that so? Was that person also due to family reasons…"
"Ah, no. That girl was for personal reasons… Just between us, it seems they had been secretly dating since their first year, and she said, 'If he's not here, then I'm quitting too.'"
"…I see."
I'm not in a position to say anything about others, so I just give a noncommittal nod. But seeing the senpai and new student council members sigh for a change, I can guess that it must have been quite dramatic back then. It's just a nuisance for the current members, but I can now understand the feeling of being so in love that you can't see anything around you. If I were in that position, Umi would suddenly go somewhere far away, and I wouldn't be able to see her for at least a few years, maybe even longer… For me, who has learned the warmth Umi gives me with my heart and skin, there is nothing more painful.
…I feel like I'm becoming more and more dependent on Umi.
"Oops… S-Speaking of which, the new vice president isn't back yet. Um, I think his name was Takizawa-kun, right?"
"Yeah, Takizawa Souji-kun. He was a really talked-about kid among the first-years, and among this group, he's exceptionally motivated and his abilities are very excellent, which is a great help, but… Ah, speak of the devil, it seems he's back."
The president, noticing the sound of footsteps from afar, stood up from her seat. Right after, a student with a refreshing voice entered the student council room.
"—Excuse me. I have returned."
"Welcome back, Vice President… That was quite a long toilet break, don't you think?"
"Ahaha… I sincerely apologize. I intended to return immediately, but there were unavoidable circumstances."
The one who appeared was a tall male student with very handsome features. His light brown hair and dark brown eyes are striking, and he has the kind of looks that Nitta-san, a self-proclaimed die-hard fan of good-looking guys, would gladly jump on—the kind that wouldn't be out of place on the cover of a fashion magazine. His gaze then shifted to the two of us.
"President, um, who are these people…?"
"I think I mentioned it a little while ago, but the female student over there is Asanagi-san, and the male student next to her is Maehara-kun. Both are my important guests. Of course, they are both your senpais, so be sure to be polite."
"Ah, my apologies… Asanagi-senpai, Maehara-senpai, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Takizawa Souji, and I will be serving as the student council's vice president starting in September. I look forward to working with you."
"Thank you for your politeness. I'm Asanagi, a second-year."
"M-Maehara."
My first impression was that he seemed a bit frivolous due to his hair color and slightly disheveled uniform, but judging by his language and demeanor, he gives off a very serious personality, just like the other student council members. The president just said he was talked-about, and I can't help but agree. Should I describe him as someone like Amami-san in our grade?
"By the way, Vice President, you mentioned 'unavoidable circumstances' just now. Was there some kind of problem while you were out? If so, I'll handle it right away."
"Ah, no. It's not a complaint or trouble or anything like that… It's just that there's someone I'd like to introduce to you, President. I have them waiting just outside."
"Eh, really? You should have told me sooner… I'll hear the details later, so please show them in right away."
"Understood… Well then, if you'll excuse me for a moment."
Takizawa-kun, who bowed politely to us and left his seat, went to the other guest he had waiting outside.
'…Senpai, thank you for waiting. Please come in.'
'Ah, u-uhm… This is my first time doing something like this, so I'm kind of nervous.'
'It's okay. If it comes to it, I'll be there for you. Please rely on me, senpai.'
'I-I know, you idiot… honestly.'
From the voices and content of the conversation coming from the other side of the door, it seems to be a second-year girl. Moreover, I feel like I've heard this voice somewhere before.
"Excuse me. I've brought someone who will be newly joining the student council… Senpai, please."
"Ah, um! I am Nakamura Mio, and I am volunteering to be the new student council president for certain reasons. I wasn't interested at all at first, but I was moved by the President's passionate recruitment the other day…"
""…Eh?""
"! …A-A-A-Asanagi-chan and Maehara-shi?! Wh-Why are you here?!"
The identity of the female student Takizawa-kun brought was none other than Nakamura-san, the 'other person' the president tried to recruit. But… I'd like to return that line right back to her.