CH#150

#150

 

 

---

I was facing a girl who was sitting across the table with Yuuto beside her.

 

A night had passed since our discussion from yesterday.
In the end, after treating them to dinner at my house, I just confirmed one last time, just as a final check, and then we went our ways.

 

As I was discussed, I asked Yuuto to sit on the same seat as Shiraishi when we participated in today’s discussion.

 

“It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”

 

“Yeah… it’s a beautiful sunny day, not too hot and humid, I agree.”

 

“…”

 

An empty conversation…
Since it was the first time for both them talking to each other, a question-and-answer session continued.

 

About 15 minutes have passed so far.
I didn’t want to interfere with the conversation as much as needed, but at this rate, the conversation seemed like it was going in just endless circles.

 

I asked Yuuto because I thought he was the most suitable for this kind of situation among the three of them, but I guess he wasn’t the correct choice.

Yuuto’s speaking style is the same as it has always been, first exchanging information about each other, and then starting from a place of mutual familiarity before moving deeper into the conversation.

 

He doesn’t do this intentionally but naturally, which is what makes him so great at it, but on the other hand, it is Shiraishi who does it in the exact opposite manner.

Shiraishi answers it in a matter-of-fact to the questions she would have had anticipated in advance, and then asks related questions.

 

I thought that they could get to know each other quickly as they were so similar, but, instead I feel that they, instead, are growing distant from each other.

 

“How do you spend your days off, Ogiwara-senpai?”

 

“I hang out with friends, and then I work out at the gym.”

 

“It is looking like a blind date…*sigh*”

 

At this rate, the question would be, “What are your hobbies?” a classic in these situations.

When I tried to butt in with a petty remark, they turned their gaze toward me.

 

Their eyes seemed to pleading for rescue.

“Ah… you two would have probably finished your introductions by now, so let’s get down to business.”

 

I took on the role of a facilitator, which I am not very good at, and continued.

My words made their faces a bit serious.

 

Shiraishi leaned forward, and Yuuto leisurely leaned his body against the backrest.

However, his eyes were serious.

 

 

“In conclusion… it is difficult to make the three of them, including Yuuto, join the student council.”

 

“I see…”

 

Hearing my words, Shiraishi looked at Yuuto for once and smiled sadly.
I guess she expected it to some extent and was not greatly surprised.

From her point of view, I guess she was wondering how I would try to recover my image.

 

So, what Shiraishi is waiting for is the next word.
I told her about another possibility.

 

I haven’t yet talked about the executive committee to Shiraishi.

 

“So… as an alternative, I think you can work in the same organization, albeit for a limited time, as a head of the Sakura Committee in the second semester.”

 

“Sakura committee…?”

 

I know that this is a different proposal from Shiraishi’s idea of wanting to work with Yuuto and his group as a student council.

But even so, I couldn’t come up with a plan that would satisfy everyone.

 

This is the most ideal of the bunch.
…Most ideal, a solution that meets the minimum requirements for everyone’s needs.

 

Next, I tried to give an explanation, but Shiraishi seemed to have guessed my intentions in just a few words.

How did you come up with this idea?

 

“I’m sure that as a member of the executive committee, I can work together with all of them…”

 

“Then you’ll have to give up on being in the student council.”

 

“If I remember correctly, the executive committee and the student council are two different entities, even though they cooperate with each other.”

 

The title of “Committee head” is not something too big to be honest…
I guess she already had the knowledge about the school events.

 

Well, I just gave her the nickname “Committee head” at random.

 

 

Shiraishi was thinking about my proposal and fell silent on the spot.
Hopefully, she won’t notice the thing which I fear the most.

 

The question that Shizuku asked me at dinner yesterday.

 

That was the first question that Yuuto, Shizuku, and Kirasaka all had in their minds when they heard it from me.

After I split up with them, I went over it again and again in my room, but it was a problem that I couldn’t handle on my own.

 

“Suppose …if I join the Sakura committee and am elected to the student council. That won’t cause problems, would it?”

 

“…”

 

She noticed it after all.
Sigh… now I’ll have to do double work.

Shiraishi pointed out if it’s possible to hold down the jobs of Sakura committee member and student council officer at the same time.

If she had been aware of this when she had approached the president to be on the Sakura committee, there wouldn’t have been an issue at all, but she was unaware of it.

 

Perhaps she was a little too excited.
It is rare for me to be asked for help, and it is also rare for me to cooperate with others, so I could have easily noticed this point if I had repeated my usual mental question-answer session.

 

As I was thinking of how to respond to her, Yuuto, who was next to me, opened his mouth.

 

“There won’t cause much trouble, would it??”

“And what do you mean by that?”

 

Shiraishi asked again at Yuuto’s words.
I, too, waited for Yuuto’s word.

“I don’t think there would be a problem since President Hiiragi hasn’t yet told anything to Minato who she had elected herself.”

 

Yuuto’s words obviously seemed like they wanted to persuade someone.
But they were also words enough for any student attending Sakuranaoka Academy.

 

Akane Hiiragi is always right.
She has been absolutely supportive and has achieved results to the extent that her words, deeds, and actions are never wrong.

 

That is why Shiraishi was silenced by just those words.

 

As if to push her into a corner, Yuuto smiled gently and told her.

 

“That said… I’m not too keen on the idea of joining the student council, and to be honest, I think I’d probably say no… though I’d be interested in joining the Sakura committee with you, Shiraishi-san.

 

“…!?”

 

Done, it’s over.
Ogiwara Yuuto’s signature move – ‘The Lady-killer smile’.

 

The rumor on the street is that this special move is sure to make any woman, not just those in his grade, blush.

Shiraishi was no exception and turned over with a slight blush on her cheeks.

 

The only ones who were unaffected by this smile were probably only Shizuku and Kirasaka.

The two should not be considered the same as the average students, anyway

It looked like she was asking me to come closer, so I approached her… then she whispered in a low voice.”

 

“C-could it is that Ogiwara-senpai is a womanizer!?”

 

“…That’s just the way it is.”

 

“…That’s just the way it is!? If it had been the normal me, I would’ve died of cringe.”

 

Does this guy have two personalities, the normal and the unusual one…

Let me take back my previous statement.
It seems that Shizuku and Kirasaka were not the only two who should not be thought of as ordinary ones.

 

There was another student here who I should include in that list.

---

<TL>: No regular updates for now, too busy to squeeze out chapters.

Previous

ToC

Next

CH#149

#149

 

 

---

‘Three of us together’, it’s a very Yuuto-like statement.

I immediately took a peek at the person who would probably be swearing right now.

 

Kirasaka, perhaps realizing my intent, shut her mouth, which she was about to open.

I knew she would definitely be up to something.

I thought for sure she would say something like, “Shouldn’t there be four instead of three?” And it even seems as if she is looking forward to teasing Yuuto.

 

 

Anyway, that’s all what I can do.
All that remained was to have a meeting with Shiraishi herself and convince her to work with them three in the event as a committee member, instead of the student council.

 

But that, too, would not be easy.
From what I have inferred while talking to Shiraishi, she’s not the type to easily compromise on something.
I sense that she is a stubborn person.

 

Convincing is my weakest point.

I can disagree with people’s opinions, and I can talk on and on about contradictory opinions, but I am awful at convincing people and persuading them.

In fact, even this time, rather than persuading them, they just agreed with me since they saw the merit in doing it, not because of something I did.

It’s times like this that I wish I could ask the president for help, but …that person is probably not going to help me.

‘I’ve declared my neutrality and non-interference with regard to the election.’

 

Even though she said this indirectly, this is also an issue related to the student council elections.
In terms of convincing people, there is no one better qualified than her.

I looked at the three people sitting in front of me in turn and reflect.

 

Kirasaka is probably not going to be able to do it.
She is the type of person who would rather attack than persuade.

She is the type of person who can identify the weak points of her opponent through the short conversations and then strike down the opponent until he or she cannot defend.

And this is something that Shizuku is not good at either.
She’s too kind. 

She will listen to her other party’s opinion and look for the possibility that both can be fulfilled.

 

If that happens, we will be back to the same situation as earlier.

Then, inevitably, there will be only one person I can ask…

 

As soon as I came to that thought, Shizuku asked me.

“So, what will you do after this?”

 

“Oh, …I’ve given her my contact info, so I’ll wait until she calls me back.”

 

“So you don’t know when you’ll hear from her. Why didn’t you ask for her contact information?”

 

A sharp statement pierced my test.
It’s so true that I cannot even deny it.

 

But… I can’t say that in terms of an adolescent boy asking for a girl’s phone number is a taboo. It’s like appealing to them that you are interested in them, and that I for sure didn’t want to be mistaken as.

To begin with, I have never exchanged contact information with a girl before in my life, so I don’t even know how it properly.

 

This is the demerit of having spent time being in the corner of the class …I should keep this in mind.
But I won’t comment on whether I would follow it up properly next time.

The sharp stares from the two girls dominated the quiet space, cold sweat ran down my back. It was Yuuto who offered a helping hand.

 

“If it’s Shiraishi-san, I’ve got her contact info…”

 

“…Aa …Ah!?”

This is the Ogiwara Yuuto, who is known for his popularity among the girls at the school.

But the real question is, how many contacts has he got stored in that address book of his? But I won’t ask that for now.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

But the stares from the girls were cold.
No, well, I guess I somehow know the reason.

 

When you know the contact information of a first-year student who has just entered the school, it is proof that you have a certain amount of interaction with them.

It’s no wonder that he is considered a frivolous guy.

Ladykiller is not that bad either…

 

But for once, I was saved.
I’m not saying I’ll help him out here, but I’m going to say a few words to follow up on Yuuto.

 

“It’s great …and for the first time I realize how lucky I am to have someone close to me who has a wide range of friends.”

 

“No, no, don’t give me that kind of praise—“

 

“Then now give me your phone.”

 

“…You’re a really cold guy, you know? …You could have continued a little.”

 

Grumbling, he pulls his phone out of his pocket and holds it out to me.

He had already dialed the number with the screen showing ‘First-year Shiraishi-san’.

 

“Thanks …I’ll buy you a juice or something later.”

“Yossha!”

I received the phone and listened to the mechanical beeping sound before the phone call connected, and after a few times or so, the other party picked up the phone with a panicked sound.

 <TL/N: I’ll be using […] for the voice from the other side of the phone call>

[Wa wa wa wa, y-yes, this is Momiji Shiraishi speaking!]

 

“…Sorry, this is not Yuuto.”

 

[What… that voice, Shinra-senpai?]

 

The tension in her voice dropped drastically.
She really has an easy-to-understand personality.

Even though I couldn’t see her face, I could easily imagine what kind of face she would’ve been making right now.

Sorry for not being the Ogiwara-senpai of your dreams…

 

Shiraishi had become so quiet that even her sigh could be heard. I told her the reason of the phone call shortly after that.

 

“Is there any day you are free in the near future? …I’d like to consult with you about something, so can we meet at the coffee shop?”

 

“Consult? …Ah, you mean by today …yes, I have time tomorrow or something.”

 

It’s a totally tossed-off response.
I smiled bitterly at the lack of motivation in her voice and asked again.

“…Then tomorrow at one O’clock in the afternoon will be fine?”

 

“Yeah…”

 

“Well, I’ll bring Yuuto with me tomorrow.”

 

“Eh!? Wait, is that true-“

 

The call was disconnected.
No, actually I hung up.

 

I gave a last parting gift to Shiraishi, who had completely lost her motivation. Then I returned the phone that I had borrowed from Yuuto.

 

“I survived.”

 

“You’re welcome. I guess I am supposed to come with you tomorrow.”

 

Yuuto only smiled bitterly and didn’t complain about the decision that was made without his consent.

Well, this guy is not in the club either, so he would be free anyway.

 

Besides, Yuuto was the one who seemed to be the most likely to get the conversation going.

The fact that we had exchanged contact information was the final deciding factor, and I decided to ask for his help in tomorrow’s discussion.

Well then…

 

 

Now that the groundwork has been laid, we are ready.
The rest depends on tomorrow’s events.

 

It was already dark outside, just the time for dinner.
As a thanks for making time for me on such short notice, I made a proposal to the three of them.

 

“Shall we have dinner?”

 

The three nodded their heads in agreement.

 

---

<TL>: 1 week off again.

---

Previous

ToC

Next

CH#148

#148

 

 

---

The same evening, several boys and girls were gathered at Shinra household at a time, at the time when one would have been soaking in the bath instead.

No, I was the one who asked them to gather.

To be exact, I picked up Shizuku from her house, while Kirasaka and Yuuto asked by Kaede to come here.

 

After confirming that everyone had gathered, Kaede handed out coffee to each of them, and after making sure that everyone was settled, I began to talk.

 

“Sorry for calling you on such short notice…”

 

They sat down across from me and I bowed once to them and then waited for their response.

Yuuto smiled and nodded as usual.

Kirasaka was also sitting meditatively with her arms folded.

However, Shizuku was the only one staring at me with her cheeks puffed.

 

“I’m still not satisfied with what happened today.”

 

After saying this, Shizuku shifted her gaze to Kirasaka next to her, seeking her agreement.

 

“I agree with her, but the fact that I came here is a sign of my grace and that I am willing to talk.”

 

“… A grace?”

 

She is as rude and boisterous as ever, and after letting out a sigh, she turned her attention to Yuuto.

He is the only one who doesn’t know what he is being called in to discuss, and he’s just letting the situation take care of itself.

 

“I’m sorry, but something has come up that concerns you as well.”

 

“I was bored anyway, don’t worry about it, so when you say I have something to do with it, do you mean the student council?”

 

Yuuto knows that I have been participating in the study camp in the student council until today.

He seemed to have guessed that he was inevitably called here to talk about something from the student council.

 

He is a very perceptive guy indeed.

I nodded in reply to Yuuto’s question and proceeded to the main topic of conversation.

 

“The story is about the student council presidential elections …and the fact that there was a candidate other than Koizumi, the vice president, caused a few problems.”

 

I briefed the series of events to Yuuto.
Just as we thought Koizumi was going to be the student council president, Shiraishi stood up as a candidate.

 

Shiraishi wants Shizuku, Kirasaka, and him to join the student council.
The two girls were of the opposing opinion.

 

Finally, to conclude, Shiraishi is very clumsy, yet has a very brilliant mind that can anticipate the flow of conversation and the talks of other people.

Above all, that she strongly holds her own ideals and wants them to come true.

 

 

After explaining the situation in detail, as much as I could talk, but as little as possible so that he would get the jest of it, Yuuto asked a question.

 

“So, did you hear why this Shiraishi-san girl is so obsessed with us?”

 

“…”

 

It is a perfectly natural question.
However, the answer to this question is a private concern of Shiraishi.

 

So, I gave a somewhat vague answer.

 

“She wants to build something with you guys from the ground up …You’ll have to ask her directly about the rest.”

 

They would be facing each other in the near future in any case.
As for the personal feelings part, I’ll let her tell you in person.

 

Yuuto is probably organizing the story, but he keeps his mouth shut.
In the meantime, I looked at the other two, but it seems that they have not changed their minds.

 

Shizuku shakes her head and Kirasaka doesn’t even react.

 

” …Still haven’t changed your minds?”

 

“Yes, …I don’t think we need to, though.”

 

Certainly, Shizuku assured us that the current members of the student council are also very talented and that there is no need for them to join us.

 

If the three of them were to run for the Student Council, they would most certainly be elected.
If that were to happen, someone would naturally have to leave the current student council.

 

Shizuku, who does not think this is a good idea, has not changed her opinion.

Kirasaka on the other hand was drinking her coffee quietly, as if she wasn’t interested in whatever we were discussing.

 

Then, Yuuto, perhaps having reached his own conclusion, joined the conversation again.

 

“Well, it’s not so bad because Minato and the student council sounds like fun …but I don’t think I’d want to take a current member’s place to join.”

 

“I see…”

 

Yuuto had a similar opinion.
But at the same time, I was relieved.

If no one is willing to join the student council, it is easier for us to proceed with the plan.

 

Once the three of us had come to an agreement, we decided to start talking about alternative executive committee members.

 

“Then… how about joining the Sakura committee in the second semester?”

 

“Sakura committee?”

 

Shizuku was the first to react.
They do not need to explain about the Sakura committee, they are aware of it.

 

It is only natural that they know what kind of activities they are involved in, having experienced last year’s Cultural Festival and Sports Festival.

 

At first glance, I could tell from their reactions that they did not have a bad impression of it, and then I added a few more words.

 

“I’ll participate as a student council member, too, but only for a limited time, and if more talented students are on the executive committee, the better.”

 

“That’s right… I remember you were busy last year.”

 

…This could work.
Shizuku is just one more push away, and I can see the possibility that if I offer some benefits, they would agree.

 

Here’s where I change the subject to the next person before any negative comments make her waver in her decision.

 

“…Kirazaka, too, if you’d like–“

 

“No.”

“Too fast…”

 

As I had feared, Kirasaka was in denial.
After expressing her refusal, she succeeded rapidly.

 

“I’m not good at that kind of organizational activity, and I don’t see the benefit of my participation in it.”

 

…Surely, she’s not good at group activities.
She’s like me in that aspect.

 

And it doesn’t help when teachers say that there is something to be gained through activities.

I thought the same.

 

Only those who had a comfortable position in the group can get something out of it, and most of them have negative opinions such as ‘it was hard’, ‘I’m tired’, or ‘I don’t want to do it anymore.’

 

That’s why it’s so troublesome to convince her.
With the few pieces I have, I have no choice but to take a stand.

 

“I’ll listen to at least one of your requests if it’s within my capabilities, …but if it’s not enough then…”

 

“I’ll do it.”

 

“…You’re switching way too fast for.”

 

When I was stunned by how quickly she switched, Kirasaka’s mouth twisted into a grin.

That’s the same expression when she’s up to something.

 

“You’ve already made your offer, so you can’t take it back.”

 

“…What are you planning to do?”

 

When I asked her this, she just smiled and never replied.
The fact that I did not know what she might say, made me even more wary.

 

“If you say you don’t like it, it’s easy to imagine that you would offer me something in return because of your personality. And as you don’t like to get help from others, I could have you listen to my wishes as much as I like.”

 

“You sound like a bad guy…”

 

Kirasaka, who sat deep on the sofa with confidence, had nothing further to say.
She was satisfied that things had gone as she had expected.

 

But now the troublesome party was resolved.

When I shifted my gaze to ask Shizuku once more, there was no hesitation in her expression.

 

“I’ll be happy to go home with you after the …activities.”

 

“I see …I wouldn’t mind that much.”

 

“I just have one question.”

 

 

When Shizuku says this, she casts her gaze down once.
Then she asked in a tone of voice that sounded a little like a mixture of anxiety.

 

“Why is Minato-kun helping… Shiraishi-san to such an extent?”

 

Shizuku has been watching me more closely than anyone else.
From her point of view, it must be unnatural for me to work so cooperatively for a particular person.

 

At Shizuku’s words, Yuuto, who had been quietly watching the conversation, asked the same question.

 

“I also wanted to ask you about that …it’s not like Minato, is it?

 

“Not like me…?”

 

I have always made it a priority to live comfortably and not interact with those around me more than necessary.
I avoid trouble, and even if I am alone, I don’t mind if it goes against my own ideas.

 

That hasn’t changed.
But I guess I am acting against that belief now.

 

This is just self-satisfaction.
It’s a reminder to myself that I had previously refused their wishes and made wrong decisions based on my own speculation.

 

 

“I guess it’s because the way I looked when Shiraishi asked me to do it …resembled you guys during spring break.”

 

 

Shortly, I answered that.
It was no wonder that Shizuku and Yuuto were uncomfortable about this.

 

I had turned them down last time and accepted this time.
In particular, it was the reason Yuuto and I have become a little distant from each other is because of that one incident.

 

I told him that, knowing very well that I was saying something convenient, and waited for a response from the two of them.

 

“Then ….it’ll be the three of us together this time.”

 

Yuuto said this with his usual innocent smile.

---

Previous

ToC

Next

CH#147

#147

 

 

---

The summer sun irritates my skin.

The usually unhealthy white skin should look like that of a high school student who has spent some outside in this summer vacation.

 

I am supposed to be spending a long vacation, confined to my room spending alone, but instead, my brain is packed with a schedule.

 

– Days from the beginning to the end of summer vacation.

– The time and number of days in the Student Council till the   elections.

– Need to talk to the required people along with it.

…was what occupied my mind.

 

As for time to finish assignments, I am glad that most of them are done this year.

 

Most people would think that was what I have had planned for my nearly month-long summer vacation.
However, let me tell you.

My original plan was to get up in the morning, eat, read, take a bath, and go to bed.

It was supposed to be a completely indoor person, which is far from what the case is.

 

Some time have passed since when I returned home after my talk with the president. I threw myself on the sofa as soon as I came, in the air-conditioned living room without even turning on the TV or the lights.

The impact on my face was stronger than I had imagined, and I mistook that my nose was bleeding.

In fact, I even mistake my runny nose for a nosebleed sometimes.

 

“…-I wonder?”

 

It was just a monologue, not something uttered in search of an answer.
But unexpectedly, a reply came back.

 

“What happened?”

 

“…I didn’t know Kaede was home too.”

 

Kaede, with a shopping bag in her hand, stood at the entrance of the living room, tilted her head and asked a question.

Kaede looked at me with a little sweat pouring down her forehead, moving in the direction of the air conditioner breeze, as if to relieve the heat built up in her body.

 

It must be a strange situation from Kaede’s point of view.

Her brother, who was supposed to be at a study camp to finish his assignments, came back only to find him talking to himself in the living room.

 

“I just went shopping in the shopping district. …So, is there something troubling you nii-san?”

 

“No, nothing’s troubling me, though, …It’s just a little something related to the student council.”

 

Kaede sat down next to me and took out an iced coffee from a bag and listened to me as I sipped it.

We were as close as ever, and I could feel the heat on my arm from Kaede’s body, who had just returned.

 

I know the root of the problem and the answer.
But I can’t connect the path to get there.

I know the quickest way to solve the problem.
I can just bow down to Shizuku and the others and ask them to cooperate with us.

I’d rather throw away my petty pride than to report that I couldn’t do anything with my big mouth.

 

But while it sounds good to rely on them that way, it also sounds somewhat forced.

As a council member, I would have to be active in the student council, so I won’t be able to help much.

‘I can’t do it, but you guys do your best!’ …might make me question my humanity.

I feel guilty that because I am friends with someone I could easily ask to do something.

I’m not sure if Kaede could tell from my voice and facial expression that I was talking about something serious, but instead, she said in a cheerful tone.

“Nii-san has been always been an over-thinker, so why don’t you just talk to Shizuku-san for the time being?”

 

She then pointed to a room in the house across the street.
It was a window with a single light-source, where Shizuku’s room was located.

 

“…”

 

“I can’t say too much when it comes to Nii-san’s school, and I’m sure Shizuku-san won’t deny your request.”

 

No, imouto (*Younger sister), Shizuku-san is the main issue as well.
Rather, Shizuku-san is the main issue.

 

My legs are heavy, partly because she was somewhat grumpy when we parted at school.

But in the end, the fact remains that we are going to talk.

It’s just a matter of whether it’s sooner or later.

 

If it were true, I would have liked to have talked to her later when I made a firm decision, but now it’s clear that it’s better to move quickly.

 

“…Can I ask you to contact Yuuto and Kirasaka from my phone? I’ll go get Shizuku.”

 

“Understood!”

 

Pointing to the phone on the table and requesting her, I nodded once to Kaede, who made a saluting pose, and then decided to go to Kanazaki’s household across the street.

 

---

<Author>: The next episode will unfold more quickly.

---

Previous

ToC

Next

CH#146

#146

 

 

---

Sakura Festival.

It is a common term for the sports and cultural festivals held in the second semester at Sakuranaoka Academy.

 

The committee members are called the Sakura Executive Committee.
The second semester is the busiest of the year, with a series of events taking place at a fast pace.

 

In September, there is the Sports Festival and the Student Council election.
Then, from the end of October to the beginning of November, the Cultural Festival is held.

 

In addition to this, there is the usual test period and a school trip for second-year students, making it a busy semester.

Because of the short interval between the Sports Festival and the Cultural Festival, it is the custom at our school not to have separate committee members for each event, but to have a single executive committee that manages both the events.

 

Naturally, the student council also participates in the activities.

 

However, since they are not members of the executive committee, as a member of the student council, their main activities is to make sure that the activities of the executive committee are appropriate and that nothing is amiss.

 

The student council also participates in the activities of the school, but the main focus is the Sakura Executive Committee, the leader of which is appointed by the student body president every year.
This is not because it is Akane Hiiragi, but because it is decided that way every year.

 

It is a kind of tradition
It is said that only a few teachers know how it originated and why it became such a rule.

 

 

What I can do is only recommend Shiraishi as the head of the executive committee for now.
In essence, nothing has been resolved, but it is an ambiguous part of my plan that cannot be compromised.

 

A choice where no one gains or loses much.
It sounds good to say it is a peaceful solution, but in the end it is probably just a distraction from the current flow of the conversation.

 

“…You mean to include Kanazaki, Rei, and Ogiwara there.”

“…I honestly don’t know if I can convince them, but I’m sure we can work something out.”

 

I can’t assure you, but I have to do whatever I can.
As a necessity, their participation is a prerequisite.

 

They are absolutely necessary for the smooth operation of the project and to motivate Shiraishi.
As a bargaining chip, we could ask them to do in a free spirited manner.

 

The scary part though, is that we don’t know what …Kirasaka is going to say.

 

“So you’re saying you’ll let Shiraishi run for executive committee chair and make her give up the student body president election?”

 

President put her hand over her mouth and asked the question.
Certainly, I suppose that’s how the story goes.

 

“No, I’ll participate in the elections.”

 

This much I told her in a firm voice.
President was just quietly waiting for my words to come out.

 

“No matter what the result, the victory or defeat will be clear.”

 

This is a matter of feelings.
‘At that time, if I didn’t decline the election, I could become the student council president because the other party declined’ …I should eliminate the factors that could cause regret later on.

So, the election should be done in a proper manner.
Which one of us will be president will be decided by a ruthless election.

Hearing my words, president breathed a sigh of relief.

 

“It’s a problem for me to decline now, so I’d appreciate it if you would do so, besides-“

She continued…

“It’s better for their growth to win the election and become the president than to become president without doing anything.”

 

Is what she said with a somewhat persuasive tone in her voice.

Whether it leads to growth or not, I don’t know.

I guess it is something only those with experience can understand.

 

Having grasped the gist of the conversation, as she thought over it the room fell silent once again.

I immediately opened my mouth to tell her about the issues that needed to be said.

 

“So …is it difficult to leave the person who lost in the election as the vice president?”

 

I have been curious about it since I first thought about it.
Who will be the vice president in the future?

 

I thought it would inevitably be Miura, but such a discussion has not come up as of yesterday and today. It is reasonable to assume that she will remain as the treasurer next year too.

 

President shook her head in response to my question.

“No, it’s not a problem in itself. It’s not unprecedented, so even if it’s a rule, teachers won’t complain if there are no candidates.”

 

I just asked her something that had been in my mind for a while …and she came up with the answer just like that.

 

“At the student organization that Shiraishi thought of, I thought that it would be one of the three of them. …This will depend on what Shiraishi thinks of it.”

 

“…”

 

Indeed, the only way to get this done is to persuade the Shiraishi situation to change her mind.

As I was thinking about how to smoothly persuade Shiraishi to change her mind, president stood up from her seat.

 

“I understood what you said about the executive committee. I’ll consider it proactively, however the issue is the election first. Let me know if Shiraishi changes her mind …or if there’s any progress.”

 

President placed her hand on my shoulder and laughed.
Koizumi and Shiraishi, people who do not stand on either side of the issue, talked at length and could only speculate.

 

President, who was about to leave the student council room first, turned around and spoke the last words with a hint.

 

“You may want to talk to your ‘friends’ about it …sometimes it is difficult to make progress alone.”

 

After saying this, president left the room.

In the room left behind, I imagine the first person who comes to mind when I hear the word ‘friend’.

 

I could easily imagine myself being teased with a grinning face.

…I wonder why I feel uncomfortable asking that guy for a favor.

---

Previous

ToC

Next

CH#145

#145

 

 

---

Why am I going to help Shiraishi?

It should be rather weird to help someone with whom I have no relationship with.

Still, if I were to give a reason for helping her, it would be because of the two faces that flashed in my mind.

 

I can’t say for sure that I have learned from my past mistakes.
So, let’s just call it a whim.

 

It’s not that I have any personal feelings about helping Shiraishi.
Let’s just say that for now.

 

“I-is that true?”

“Calm down …we’re just talking about possibilities.”

 

When I told her that there were ways other than the student council that I could help, Shiraishi’s eyes lit up and she tried to move the conversation forward.

I put my left hand out in front of me to stop her.

There was something I wanted to confirm before proceeding with this conversation.

 

If I didn’t make that clear, this method might end up making her get her hopes up.

 

It was still early in the summer vacation.
There is still about a month to go before the first day of school.

 

The student council elections will start in the second semester, so if we fo by the method I’m thinking of, there’s no problem even if we don’t act immediately.

 

“Let’s call it a day …I have a few things I need to look into.”

 

“B-but you haven’t told any specifics yet…”

 

“Talking about an idea without certainty might only raise expectations. …so that’s it for today.”

 

I managed to persuade Shiraishi, who looked unhappy and unconvinced, and then left.
Shiraishi went home, and I walked once more to the student council room of Sakuranaoka Academy.

 

When we parted ways, I gave her my phone number and asked her to call me later when she was free, so she shouldn’t have any problems getting in touch with me.

No, I thought about exchanging contact information first, but for some reason I was reluctant to ask for a girl’s contact info, so I just gave her my phone number instead, which was extremely inefficient, needless to say.

 

 

Summer days are long.
The sun was just a little over my head, and the kids were still running around.

Perhaps that person is still in that room.
Probably sitting there like the master of that room.

 

It isn’t certain, but I know.

 

I thought it was just a rumor, but it was only a few minutes ago that I came to the conclusion that president knew the name of every student who attended the school, and I wondered if it was possible for her to even know something that I was unaware of.

That’s exactly what I noticed when I was having a conversation with Shiraishi at the coffee shop.

 

I thought it was an excessive speculation, but I still couldn’t stop thinking about it.

 

In spite of racking my brain, progress was slow.
There was no point in running to reach the student council room if I couldn’t make a calm decision.

Slowly but surely, I walked back to the school in about twenty minutes.

 

The school was still quiet.
There were no students in my line of sight.

 

I went back the way I came and arrived in front of the room I wanted.

I knocked on the heavy iron door, making a loud sound, and opened it without waiting for an answer.
The air in the room was cool and pleasant from the hot and humid summer temperature.

 

I closed the door quickly to keep the cool air inside, and turned my gaze to where the boss this place was.

There she was, after all.

 

“Shinra, you’re back earlier than I expected.”

 

“I don’t remember saying that I was coming back. …Well, I guess the president already knew that I would come back.”

 

Akane Hiiragi, the head of the student council, was sitting on her seat with the same smile on her face as when she sent me off.
She was seated just like the last boss. I sat down at my seat in the student council room, which was empty except for the president, and looked at her.

 

“So, how did the conversation go?”

 

“Well…”

 

I knew without being told that she was referring to the conversation between me and Shiraishi.
In order to explain, I had to find out how much president knew before I could go any further.

 

“How much does president know?”

 

“How much… well, at least I don’t know what Shiraishi and Shinra talked about today.”

 

In other words, she know everything else.
She knows the true character of Shiraishi.

 

“Does that mean the way she was acting when she came to the student council room yesterday was also an act?

 

The surprised look on her face, the slightly angry tone of her voice, if it was all an act, it was a genuine performance.

I couldn’t see through it.

 

“I’m proud to say that I’m a little better at this than most of you…”

 

From the expression with a bitter smile, president probably didn’t mean to know about it either.
Sometimes a position requires us to hear or know something that we don’t really mean to.

 

And when we didn’t see it coming, it was our fault too.
I’m not going to say anything because president had her own ideas and intentions.

“I’m investigating what kind of student Shiraishi is, not to mention her lifestyle and her academics …I immediately noticed that she was acting differently than her usual self.”

“So …do you know what motivated her to run for the position?”

 

“No, as I said earlier, I only know what I heard yesterday.”

 

She asked again, ‘What did you talk about today?’

How much should I tell her?
I had to sort through the information and find the correct words.

It’s going to take some time.

 

“No problem, we have plenty of time.”

 

President smiled and said so.

If I talk too much, it will be difficult to understand.

The first thing I said was my idea of how I would lend her a hand.

 

“I’m thinking of having Shiraishi run for the head of the executive committee of the Sakura Festival*.”
(TL/N – Cherry Blossom Festival)

President nodded happily at these words.

---

<Author>: The Sakura festival will be continued in the next chapter.

---

 

Previous

ToC

Next

CH#144

#144

 

 

---

It was the first time in my life that I was grateful for the calm background music of a coffee shop.
It was the first time that I felt grateful for the conversation that people had around me.

 

Because that’s how much silence had fallen between me and Shiraishi.
The words shock and unexpected should be appropriate here.

 

The words that came out from Momiji Shiraishi, who had been so dignified, confident and eloquent in the student council room, were too self-absorbed.

 

“…is that what you meant by ‘don’t laugh’?”

 

To be honest, the thought of laughing didn’t even cross my mind.
The only thing that came was a sigh.

 

Rather than a sigh of disappointment, it was more like dismay.
I don’t know if I should say that she herself was too honest or the words that came out were too honest.

 

“…It’s just my personal feelings”

 

It was not an answer I could agree with.
It wasn’t that I was denying Shiraishi’s idea or making fun of her, but it just wasn’t a commonly accepted reason.

 

“It’s my personal feelings, can’t I have any?”

 

But the words that came out of Shiraishi’s mouth showed no hesitation.
So it’s clear that this was what she expected.

 

“People are motivated by their personal feelings. If we use the student council as an example, even matters such as internal scores, popularity, or impressions from teachers. also contain some.”

 

“It’s not like I’m trying to be popular or score points.”

 

“Senpai is an exception …No, senpai is the exception. You’re supposed to be in this kind of organization because there’s something you can gain.”

 

If you ask me, it was the same with Hino-kun and Koizumi.

They were active because they wanted to have friends and to be recognized by the people around them and become the next student council president.

 

I don’t know about Miura.
It’s not that I’m not interested, I’m just not good at talking to the opposite sex.

 

If I were to talk to her myself, she would say, “What’s this guy is interested in me?”. And if that happened it create an awkward atmosphere.

 

The reason why people who don’t have many friends tend to excel in self- defense techniques is because they assume the worst possible situation first and then act accordingly.

…Let’s use this as the subject for the independent research.

 

Now that I have decided on the subject for my project, let’s get back to the point.

 

 

“So for Shiraishi, it’s about creating an ideal student council….”

 

“Yes!”

 

She looked straight into my eyes and assured me.

Those determined eyes are similar to those of president, Shizuku, and Kirasaka.

 

I’m not a fan of those eyes…
I have a very hard time with eyes that are so clear and confident, like the complete opposite of my own.

 

I wanna run away.

 

“But it’s just motivation, not a statement that be addressed to the students. I’ve told my real feelings to you just because …I’ve already been seen by Shinra-senpai.”

 

“You were squirming around and it was because of your own carelessness that you showed me your notepad.”

 

I’d like you to refrain from saying something that could be misinterpreted by others.

School is bad itself, much less a place in front of a train station with a lot of people coming and going.

 

 

Still, this clarified why Shiraishi wanted Shizuku and the others to join instead of the current members.

For current students, it was a given to make the next student council as equal or better than the student council led by Akane Hiiragi, as discussed in the student council.

 

It’s well thought out.
I also think it was a near-perfect plan to keep me in the student council, as I had something in common with the girls, in anticipation of the possibility that they would refuse to join.

 

She was observant and made accurate guesses based on the information.
This would certainly make me want to join conversation and maybe even think of a response.

 

You can’t deny that there was a little bit …well, a lot of mistakes that screwed things up.

 

But it was because of this that I was curious.
Why is she so obsessed with ideals?

If she worked together with Koizumi and the others and got along well, she would be able to develop the student council to a good point, if not to the current level.

 

As these questions crossed my mind, Shiraishi opened her lips with a smile.

 

“I told you not to laugh, but to be honest, I don’t mind being laughed at. Even if they say it’s impossible, or that such a thing doesn’t exist in reality …I don’t want to end up doing nothing for the high school life I’ve always dreamed of.”

 

The ideals that Shiraishi talked about are indeed ideals and difficult to make into reality.

To be honest, most of people would think the idea of being in the student council surrounded by beautiful girls and boys just as a joke.

 

She’s just a dreamy girl with a longing desire.
She can’t deny the fact that it is unreasonable.

 

But the student council that she yearned for, is possible at our school, Sakuranaoka Academy.

 

As if by chance, there are three excellent, popular, and good-looking students in our school.
Each of them had their own weaknesses, but they still had more than enough ability.

 

 

When Shiraishi entered the school, she saw that the three of them had already established themselves as popular figures in the school, and her desire for the ideal dream must have grown even stronger.
But that’s why I wanted to say something.

 

“There are times when it is useless to hold on to your aspirations…”

 

The greater the desire, the bigger the impact will be when you fail.
The gap between ideal and reality makes you come to a halt.

This is how the people turn away from the ideal, find a compromise, and talk about it as growth.　

 

 

“You may be right …but it can’t be helped, can it? Like in several of anime and manga, I’ve longed to be a high school student, and now I’ve finally found myself in a school full of talented seniors just like I had imagined.”

 

Even so, Momiji Shiraishi did not stop.
The expression on her face as she spoke with glowing eyes gradually changed to one of dignity and firmness.

 

With the motive of achieving her personal desires, the junior who harbored sweet ideals, looked at me as if she was expecting something.

 

“So I need your help, Shinra-senpai!”

 

“…”

 

“Whenever I saw the Senpais, Shinra-senpai was always beside them …at first, I thought they were just coincidentally nearby, but I soon realized that I was wrong and that they were gathering around Shinra-senpai.”

 

…It’s not like the problem will be solved if I help out.

 

Why does everyone overestimate me?
What I alone can do is negligible.

 

I’m not smart, I’m not athletic, I’m not rich, I’m not good looking.
I just know people who can have it.

 

…Also, I have a cute little sister.

 

Shiraishi bowed her head and asked me.

 

“Before the seniors graduate, I want to build something together, just once! Please help me!”

 

I feel like I’ve been in this situation before.
When was it?

 

I searched my memory and remembered it was around the end of March this year, at the end of spring break.

 

He bowed to me, like now, asking me to help him and Shizuku out.

And I had refused at that time. I didn’t want to get into trouble, so I gave myself an answer and decided that it was not necessary.

 

Then, even though I said I didn’t want to, I ended up doing something, started talking to Kirasaka, and even joined the student council later on.

I wonder if I’ve grown in some ways.

 

 

 

I looked up at the ceiling and searched for the right words.

And what came out was-

 

“I’m sorry, but I refuse.”

 

In the end, the answer was the same as it was then.

 

“I see…”

 

Shiraishi’s voice became low and her expression darkened, as if she was depressed.

For her, I might have been a bridge between possibilities.

 

With an effortless movement, I stood up and picked up my luggage to leave the store.

I bowed my head and said my goodbyes.

“Thank you for your time today …I’ll be leaving now-“

 

“But-“

 

My way of thinking may not change.
That’s just the way I am.

 

However, it is certain that I made a mistake later by refusing a similar situation once.

I can’t afford to repeat that.

“…But it’s a different matter if I do something outside the student council.”

 

So it might not be a bad idea to do something unusual this time.

---

Previous

ToC

Next