Miko's mind lit up with inspiration.
Leaning closer to Hana's ear, she whispered, lowering her voice:
"The reason I went alone… was because Arthur and I were talking about ghost stories."
Yes—technically not a lie.
They had talked about spirits.
She just didn't mention the rest.
"Eh!!!"
Hana froze at her words, her face twisting instantly, eyes flashing with panic.
A chill ran through her. She hugged herself tightly, blurting out,
"Why would you two ever talk about something like that?"
Her suspicion seemed to fade. After all, yesterday when Arthur had introduced himself, he had claimed to be a horror-story enthusiast.
Miko curved her lips into a faint smile.
"I knew you'd be scared—that's why I didn't want to tell you. But you insisted on asking."
Her expression softened into a helpless look.
"Ugh!"
Hana puffed her cheeks and pouted in protest, frustrated.
How was she supposed to know that Miko's "secret meeting" with Arthur was about spooky topics she hated?
So it really was true—curiosity killed the cat.
"Wait a sec!"
Suddenly, Hana narrowed her eyes, suspicion sparking as she stared at Miko.
"Miko, you're not just scaring me to hide the real reason you met Arthur-kun, are you?"
"Miko froze, startled."
Miko's heart skipped a beat.
But thanks to her "training" from countless ghost encounters, she didn't let her nerves show.
She glanced at Hana with a calm face, replying flatly:
"Believe me or don't—it's up to you."
With that, she deliberately turned her head away.
"Alright, alright, I believe you! Please don't be mad, okay?"
Panicking at her best friend's apparent sulk, Hana quickly grabbed her hand, shaking it playfully like a spoiled child.
Miko's lips curved again—
a smile Hana didn't notice.
Outside, a breeze stirred the treetops.
The sun had unknowingly drifted toward the west, turning into a painter, brushing golden colors onto the clouds.
Arthur, having packed up, glanced once at the back of the girl sitting in front of him, then gave up on saying hello for now.
After bidding goodbye to Miura Yumiko and the others, he picked up his bag and left for the student council office.
At the moment, he was still its only member.
The student council system at Private Unified High School Academy was unusual.
It revolved around the president, elected every two years.
When a term ended, all members—no matter their year—retired together.
The new president was chosen from among the incoming freshmen, specifically whoever ranked first overall.
That was Arthur.
If he didn't want the job, he could decline—but he didn't.
And as president, he held immense authority: the right to handpick his officers.
So he had chosen three.
Shinomiya Kaguya, as vice president.
Manabe Nao, as treasurer.
Fujiwara Chika, as secretary.
Today was the day they officially joined.
After recording the roster and collecting the office key, Arthur set his bag down on the lounge sofa and waited.
Time ticked by.
About five minutes later, a knock sounded. The door opened.
Three girls entered.
The first had flowing black hair, sleek and lustrous, parted in the center.
Beneath her bangs glowed calm crimson eyes.
Her face was expressionless, her aura cold and refined, exuding distance.
Delicate features, fair skin, and a slender figure completed the image.
Her presence alone hinted at her noble background—though, in her case, it also came with a "runway-flat" silhouette.
The second girl's hair was a long cascade of cherry-pink.
Her bangs were layered neatly, a black ribbon bow tied to the side.
Her skin was pale with a rosy flush, her big blue eyes sparkling with cheer.
Compared to the first girl's cool aura, her rounder cheeks and bright smile made her instantly approachable—adorably energetic.
And unlike her friend, her figure was… abundantly well-endowed.
If the first girl embodied the saying "a flat chest is justice",
then this one clearly proved that "a big chest unites all hearts."
The third had short reddish-brown hair brushing her shoulders.
She wore rimless red glasses.
Her features were less striking than the others, but still neatly balanced.
Her gentle smile radiated warmth, her presence reliable and steady.
Perhaps it was the glasses, but she carried a calm, intellectual air.
She looked like someone you could depend on.
They were: Shinomiya Kaguya, Fujiwara Chika, and Manabe Nao.
When Nao closed the door behind her, Arthur put aside the folder in his hands and stood with a polite smile.
"Shinomiya-san, Fujiwara-san, Manabe-san—welcome to the student council."
"Let me reintroduce myself. I'm Arthur, from Class 1-C, currently serving as student council president."
His gaze shifted to Kaguya.
"Shinomiya-san, would you go next?"
The "ice queen" glanced at Arthur, then at Nao, before speaking in her calm tone:
"My name is Shinomiya Kaguya, from Class 1-A. I've been invited to serve as vice president."
"Me, me next!"
Before her words had fully settled, Chika shot her hand up with a bright grin.
"I'm Fujiwara Chika, Kaguya's best friend!"
"I'm from Class 1-G, and I've been invited by Arthur-kun—ah, I mean, by the president—to serve as secretary."
"Your turn, Manabe-san."
Her smile sparkled with cheer.
Feeling three pairs of eyes on her, Nao smiled gently in return.
"Hello. I'm Manabe Nao, from Class 1-H. I've been invited to serve as treasurer."
"Nice to meet you, Nao-chan!"
Chika waved excitedly, her voice bubbling with friendliness.
"Hello, Fujiwara-san."
Nao's reply was equally warm.
Then, she turned toward Kaguya, who still wore her cool, impassive mask.
"Shinomiya-san, hello."
"…Hello, Manabe-san."
Kaguya responded politely, her face unchanged, her voice calm—
Yet her words were courteous enough.
Clap, clap, clap.
Arthur clapped his hands.
"Alright, now that introductions are out of the way, we'll save the deeper bonds for later."
"For now, everyone should start getting used to their roles."
"Eh, already?!"
Chika's eyes went wide as she leaned forward.
"President, do we really have to start working on the very first day? Shouldn't things be quiet around this time of year?"
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