"Then, Senpa—"
"Takanashi-san."
Senpai spoke over me, cutting my sentence short.
Her expression was dead serious—though she still hadn't let go of the hem of my blazer. It meant she was standing awfully close.
"My apologies. There is much I need to discuss with you, including the events of today, and I imagine you have things you wish to say as well. However, please... let me speak first."
"I understand. But first, let me check one thing."
She looked calm enough on the surface, but Senpai was an expert at masking her true feelings. I needed to be sure.
"Senpai, are you really okay?"
"……Yes."
"A lot just happened. You don't have to put on a brave face. Just be honest with me."
"……"
I waited for her to respond.
"…Well, it's just… when I think back on it…"
Just as I'd feared, her hands began to shake.
Based on my past experiences, there was only one solution for a situation like this: a 'Shocking Overwrite.' I'd never even done something like this with Yuzuha, but...
"Senpai, I'll apologize in advance. I'm sorry."
Steeling my resolve, I reached out and pulled her into a light hug—something I hadn't been able to bring myself to do back on the rooftop.
"Eh!?"
The move was clearly unexpected; a small, startled sound escaped her lips. I continued anyway, speaking softly.
"Senpai, like I said before, those guys aren't going to be a problem anymore. The President has already handled it, and he made sure there would be consequences for anyone associated with them, too. Plus, you have your friend with you."
I kept talking, trying to let my voice soothe her.
"And... I won't get the wrong idea again. What you said the other day—you were speaking as the Vice President, weren't you?"
"…Yes. I was actually planning to explain that just now."
"Then I won't misunderstand anymore. As long as you don't find my presence a nuisance, I want to keep helping you."
"…Thank you… I’m sorry, but please… just let me stay like this a little longer."
She wasn't crying, but she leaned her weight into me. I held her there for a while, waiting until the trembling finally subsided.
Once she'd calmed down, I stepped back, though honestly, I’d been at my own limit. My heart had been hammering against my ribs the whole time.
"My apologies. I am alright now. If anything else troubles me, I promise to speak up."
It seemed she had finally found her composure.
"I intended to have a proper talk with you, but it seems you have already grasped the most essential part. Even so, I still wish to say it clearly. Will you listen?"
"Yes."
"To say it once more—I trust you."
She looked me straight in the eye.
"I believe you are different from other men. Please, forget what I said about not giving anyone special treatment. That was strictly in my capacity as the Student Council Vice President."
"…Yes."
To be honest, I was happy to hear it, but a wave of guilt washed over me. It really had just been a massive misunderstanding on my part.
"I personally view you as someone special... Do you understand?"
Senpai asked, a hint of anxiety flickering in her eyes.
"…Yes, thank you. Honestly, it makes me really happy to hear you say that. I have things I need to tell you as well, but can I ask you one thing first?"
"Of course."
This was something that had been nagging at me for a while, and now that I knew how much she trusted me, I was even more curious.
"Senpai, you knew who I was from the start, didn't you? I know you mentioned seeing me watering the flowers at the flowerbed, but you were so friendly toward me the very first time we officially spoke. We were strangers then, so I was wondering why you were so kind to me right from the beginning..."
"Ah, so that is what you were wondering."
Senpai's gaze drifted away as she searched her memories.