With the Sports Festival finally upon us tomorrow, the Student Council Room was a hive of activity as we conducted our final walkthroughs.
Representatives from the Broadcasting Club, the PE Committee, and the Disciplinary Committee had gathered to hammer out the last details of the schedule and event logistics.
Checks on the equipment, final confirmation of the rules...
It was actually kind of exciting that the school let the students handle the live commentary to a certain extent.
For me, the biggest perk was that as a Student Council Member, I had access to the Headquarters Seats and the Waiting Seats.
In other words, I didn't have to stay at the Class Seats against my will. I planned to make this my base of operations whenever I didn't have specific duties elsewhere.
"Takanashi-san, how are the checks on your end?"
I was currently reviewing the patrol route.
It was my job to make sure no one was loitering in restricted areas or causing trouble during the Sports Festival.
While it was a joint effort with the Disciplinary Committee, I had been assigned my own specific rounds.
"Everything's fine here. The Disciplinary Committee is on the move too, so my area isn't that large."
"If there is anything you find confusing, please ask me immediately."
"Understood."
I was almost finished, so once I was done, I figured I would go see if there was anything I could do to help Senpai.
"Vice President, about the live commentary role for tomorrow."
"Um... must I really do it? To be honest, I am not particularly good at public speaking."
"Satsukawa-san, I’m participating as well. It only carries weight if the Vice President is involved too..."
"I never gave my consent in the first place."
The big day was tomorrow, and yet they were already at loggerheads?
If they were trying to force Senpai into something she didn't want to do, I couldn't just stand by and watch.
"...Persuading her is going to be a nightmare."
"...I’ve never seen anyone successfully change her mind once she’s like that."
"...I mean, given Satsukawa-san’s personality, it’s a tall order to begin with."
The surrounding members were all whispering to one another.
If Sara-senpai truly hated the idea, I wanted them to let it go.
"Ehh, you can't back out now! That's a problem, President!"
"Just hold on a second."
"Um... President, if this is a job that Sara-senpai feels uncomfortable with..."
As I began to voice my objection, the President looked at my face, and it seemed like a lightbulb went off in his head.
"...That’s it. Takanashi-kun, wouldn't you like to hear Satsukawa-san's live commentary from right beside her?"
He suddenly turned the question on me.
Well, obviously, if such a thing were possible, I’d love to hear it.
"President, what are you telling Takanashi-san...?"
"I mean... of course I’d like to hear it, but if Sara-senpai is reluctant, then—"
Having heard enough, the President turned back to Sara-senpai.
"Takanashi-kun says he wants to hear your live commentary from up close. What do you think? We can arrange for his seat to be right next to yours during your turn."
"...Takanashi-san, do you truly wish to hear my live commentary?"
How was I supposed to answer that?
I didn't want to say something careless and trouble her, but my desire to hear it was genuine.
"If it doesn't bother you, Sara-senpai, I'd like to hear it. But if you feel even slightly uncomfortable—"
"I accept the role."
"Great! That's that settled, then. Let’s both do our best."
"......Ehh?! I was certain there’d be a fight, but she decided instantly?! ...So he’s the one Natsumi-chan was talking about."
"...I should have seen this ending coming."
"...Ah, yeah, it’s Takanashi-kun. Of course it is."
"...I’m not jealous... I’m not jealous..."
...Was this really all right?
I worried that she might actually be forcing herself for my sake...
"Takanashi-san, I will do my absolute best with the live commentary, so please keep your eyes on me."
She looked genuinely enthusiastic and was smiling, so maybe it was okay after all.
"I will be making plenty of bento tomorrow, so please look forward to it."
"You're making that much?"
"Yes. Since I have to make enough for you, Natsumi, and my mother, I will be preparing it in a multi-tiered bento box."
Wait.
She definitely said "mother," didn't she?!
Well, it was a school event, so it wasn't strange for a parent to show up.
My own parents weren't coming, though.
I felt a strange mix of anticipation and intense nerves.
"Is Sara-senpai's mother coming?"
"Yes. It seems she was unusually able to clear her schedule, and she is quite excited about it. She has specifically asked me to introduce her to Takanashi-san, so please be prepared."
Ah, hearing that only made me more nervous.
Still, since it was Sara-senpai's mother, I wanted to make the best possible impression. I’d have to be careful not to screw up.
"Takanashi-san... Um, what about your own Father and Mother...?"
Senpai asked tentatively, as if the topic were difficult to broach.
I hadn't even told my parents about the school event.
It wasn't that I had a problem with them coming, per se. It was more that if they saw me at the events or the class waiting seats and realized I still wasn't getting along with my classmates, I didn't know what they would say to me.
"No, they just can't make it because of work. They’ve never really come to school events much."
I told the lie without thinking, only to panic a moment later when I remembered that my lies never worked on Sara-senpai.
"...I see. Well then, if there is ever an opportunity for your parents to visit, please allow me to greet them."
She seemed to swallow whatever she was actually thinking and accepted my answer at face value.
I really am no match for Sara-senpai...