With the end of the sports festival, the weather turned cooler, and yellow leaves began to scatter along the pathways.
On the eve of the student council's transition, Sakayanagi Arisu arrived at the council office to find Nagumo Miyabi sitting alone on the sofa.
"I thought you'd have already taken the president's seat by now."
Her remark didn't faze him.
Instead, a faint smile played on his lips.
"I hold too much respect for President Horikita to overstep before his term officially ends."
"I hear the student council elections begin next week. Aren't you preparing?" Sakayanagi placed her hat on the table and sat across from Nagumo.
"It's rare to have two vice presidents so equally capable."
Nagumo's smile faded.
Was she deliberately bringing up Kaoru Mitoma in front of him?
"Heh. First-years lack the experience and understanding of this school to take on the presidency. Besides, it's also President Horikita's wish."
Sakayanagi chuckled softly.
Clearly, Nagumo was feeling the pressure—otherwise, he would have confidently declared that someone like Kaoru was no match for him in an election.
Instead, he was suddenly bringing up "experience."
It seemed Kaoru's influence over the second-years had unsettled him.
Though Class 2-A hadn't suffered major losses during the sports festival, the event had given other classes hope.
Combined with Nagumo's underwhelming performance, doubts about his competence were beginning to surface.
"Let's get back on topic. Did you find my gift satisfactory?" Sakayanagi spoke calmly, a hint of amusement in her eyes as she recalled her unspoken understanding with Kaoru.
"From the results, your gift wasn't bad, but the effect was limited. Losing just due to group competition isn't satisfying enough for me." Nagumo Miyabi tried his best to appear nonchalant, yet his fingers were already digging deep into the armrests of the sofa.
"If I go too far, I risk exposure," Sakayanagi Arisu said softly. "Isn't Ryuen-kun your ally? He was the sole victor in the sports festival. Even he can't satisfy you?"
"Just some petty underhanded tactics," Nagumo replied coldly, completely forgetting that he himself was accustomed to such methods.
After a pause, Nagumo continued, "Katsuragi from your class is also under Mitoma's influence. From what I know, those two are about to take control of Class A. Your future might end up in their hands."
"What makes you say that?" Sakayanagi showed no change in expression.
"Only three first-years joined the student council, and two of them are from Class A," Nagumo deliberately paused.
"Though Ichinose is capable, Mitoma and Katsuragi clearly stand out more. One of them will likely become the next student council president."
"Hehehe, who can say what will happen a year from now?" Sakayanagi smiled faintly before asking,
"Did you call me here today just to chat about the student council and Mitoma-kun?"
"As a return gift, I'd like to invite you to join the student council." Nagumo dropped the pleasantries—this was the real reason he had asked Sakayanagi to come today.
Originally, he had planned to support Ichinose Honami to counterbalance Kaoru Mitoma, but she had shown no interest.
Left with no choice, Nagumo had to look for another candidate.
Sakayanagi Arisu was a good choice.
Having her join the student council would surely help keep Mitoma in check.
"I appreciate the offer, but the student council doesn't suit me," Sakayanagi refused bluntly.
"With my personality, I'd only be satisfied if I were in charge."
"This year's first-years sure have big mouths," Nagumo narrowed his eyes, as if recalling something.
Just as Sakayanagi was about to speak, he continued, "However, I have another gift in return—one that might just fulfill your wishes."
As he finished speaking, a shadowy smile crept onto Nagumo's face.
...
"Wow, today was so much fun! I really hate sports festivals, though!"
"Muu-chan, you were terrible! You kept clinging to me even though I told you I wouldn't fall!"
"But Kamuro-san from Class A was amazing!"
"It's the first time I've seen a girl that fast—even the boys couldn't catch up to her!"
"I—I got her autograph!"
On the way back to the dorms from Keyaki Mall, Ichinose Honami couldn't help but smile as she watched her classmates chatting and laughing.
Even though Class 1-B had lost 50 points in the sports festival, no one was particularly disheartened, let alone complaining.
After all, it was a competition based on physical ability—there was no point forcing it.
Speaking of Kamuro Masumi, Ichinose found herself thinking about Kaoru.
She wondered how he was feeling now.
Was he troubled by his class's loss?
They had spoken on the phone and when she had probed him, Kaoru had shown no reaction—as if he wasn't upset at all.
Come to think of it, the two of them hadn't spent any time alone together recently.
Maybe she should try asking him out?
Ichinose Honami found her cheeks burning as these chaotic thoughts ran through her mind.
Was their first date actually during the cruise?
"Honami-chan?" Amikura Mako called out to her.
"Ah, yes? What is it?" Ichinose snapped back to attention, then immediately realized she'd responded incorrectly.
"Sakayanagi-san is up ahead—it looks like she's waiting for us?" Amikura didn't seem to notice her odd behavior.
Ichinose felt a sudden relief.
Ever since summer break, Mako had returned to her usual self, no longer bringing up Kaoru in front of her.
It should be fine now.
Still, Ichinose couldn't shake her lingering concerns, though she didn't know how to bring them up with Mako.
"I didn't expect to run into you on the way back. Saves me the trouble of searching, Ichinose-san."
At that moment, Sakayanagi Arisu appeared before her.
Leaning on her cane, wearing a hat and the school uniform, she looked like a little princess.
"Did you need something, Sakayanagi-san?" Ichinose noted her uniform—she must have just returned from the school building, the only place where uniforms were required.
Sakayanagi didn't answer immediately, instead offering a polite smile to Amikura and the others.
"Pardon me, but may I borrow Ichinose-san for a moment?"
"O-of course."
Naturally, they didn't want to intrude further.
With cheerful goodbyes to Ichinose, they continued on their way toward the dormitory.
"You all seem quite close. How enviable."
"What did you want to talk to me about?"
"Fufufu. This isn't the best place. Let's take a little walk, shall we?"
Without waiting for a response, Sakayanagi turned and headed in another direction.
On weekends, students were either in their dorms or at the Keyaki Mall.
Baffled, Ichinose followed, unsure what Sakayanagi wanted to discuss.
"What is your relationship with Mitoma-kun?"
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