The day of the debriefing session had finally arrived.
In the Student Council room after school, we were busy preparing for the upcoming Student General Meeting. Sara-san was focused on drafting her Presidential Inaugural Address, while the rest of us—the President included—were occupied with confirming the agenda items and checking off the points that required formal approval.
"I shouldn't really say things like this, but when we talk about 'approval,' it’s mostly just a formality that gets rubber-stamped. The overwhelming majority of students have zero interest; even if we explain things, most of them aren't actually listening. To put it bluntly, the significance lies simply in the fact that we're holding the meeting at all... I suppose."
I didn't think it was right to agree with such a cynical take, but unfortunately, the President’s words made perfect sense. I realized that if I weren't in the Student Council myself—or if Sara-san weren't here—I probably wouldn't have had the slightest interest in what went on in these rooms either.
"That being said, we do get questions occasionally, so we can't afford to slack off," the President added.
"It depends on the student, but some do show interest," another officer chimed in.
Naturally, we had to be prepared. We would be the ones in the hot seat if a difficult question arose. That was exactly why we were taking the time to organize everything so thoroughly.
"Takanashi-kun, regarding what we discussed the other day—do you have anyone in mind who might join us as a new officer? If it's too difficult, we'll need to call for candidates or start recruiting at the general meeting, but..."
Oh, crap. I’d completely forgotten.
Everything had been so hectic with the fallout from Sara-san's arranged marriage talk that I hadn't brought it up with anyone yet. While I figured it would be difficult for Hayato since he was so committed to his sports club, I had intended to ask Hanako-san and Todo-san to see if they would be willing to take on the roles.
"S-Sorry. We're having a gathering tonight, so I'll try talking to them then."
"I'm sorry to put this on you, but I'd appreciate it. Even if the council ends up being a group of close friends, I want members who can bond tightly for the sake of the council’s future."
The President was being vague, but he was implicitly saying he wanted people who could work well with Sara-san. To be honest, I would also be happier having friends around, and I believed it would help lighten the burden on her. Especially Hanako-san—I honestly thought she was more competent than I was. It was a bit pathetic to admit, but it was the truth.
"By the way, I'm asking out of simple curiosity... is something happening today?"
Given the way he asked, the President clearly hadn't heard anything from Natsumi-senpai. It wasn't exactly a secret, so I saw no harm in telling him.
"We're having a debriefing session among friends today. About, well, me and Sara-san..."
"Does that mean an engagement announcement!?"
The other officers, who had been quietly observing my conversation with the President, suddenly perks up and joined in.
An engagement announcement? Well, I suppose that wasn't exactly wrong, since we were planning to report that we were officially engaged.
"Calling it an announcement sounds a bit grand, but we're going to let them know we're fiancé and fiancée now, and talk about what happened at Sara-san's family home the other day."
"Heh, I see. So, is it just your inner circle gathering?"
"Yes, it's mostly my friends and Sara-san's friends."
"Oh, if it's Satsukawa-san's friends, does that mean Natsumi-chan will be there too?"
The officer seemed to know that Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai were best friends. The President, of course, already knew this, so he didn't react and simply continued sipping his tea.
"Yes. And one other person..."
"Ah, could it be Nishikawa-san!?"
"Gwah—! Cough!"
The President, who had been drinking his tea at his own pace, suddenly spluttered. By a stroke of luck, he didn't spray anyone, but the tea had clearly gone down the wrong pipe. He doubled over, hacking.
"Are—are you alright, President?"
I called out while patting his back, but it looked like he needed a moment. I watched him carefully as I kept up the steady rhythm on his back, and eventually, he seemed to calm down. His breathing returned to normal.
"N-No, sorry. Thank you, Takanashi-kun."
His eyes were a bit watery, but he was able to speak again. He let out a few lingering coughs, but he seemed to be through the worst of it.
"I'm just glad you're okay."
"President, are you sure you're alright? What happened all of a sudden?"
"I-It's nothing. Anyway, Takanashi-kun, back to what we were saying... regarding the friends of Satsukawa-san coming to your gathering today, it's Natsumi and... N-Nishikawa-san is coming too?"
"Oh, you know Nishikawa-san? Wait, of course. She used to attend this school, so it makes sense you'd know her."
Since the President was Natsumi-senpai's childhood friend, it wouldn't be strange if they were friends, too. However, it seemed the President wasn't the only one who knew her name.
"A-Ah. I know her through Natsumi, but we also crossed paths during committee work. So, we are acquaintances. And is Nishikawa-san... well, is she doing well?"
"Eh? Y-Yeah. I think she's just her usual self."
If they were in contact, that was the kind of thing he wouldn't even need to ask. It wasn't humility or anything; they really must have been just "acquaintances." Come to think of it, I had never heard Nishikawa-san mention the President either.
"Wow, that's nice. I'd love to see her again after all this time."
"Satsukawa-san, Yuzuki-san, and Nishikawa-san... that's an incredible lineup. If that were a mixer, people would be trampling each other to join."
"Right? B-But more than that, an engagement announcement... that means, m-m-m-m-m-marriage... Ugh, the shock makes me so jealous it hurts just thinking about it..."
"Calm down, I can't understand a word you're saying. Well, I suppose the news really was that big of a blow."
From the look of it, the impact of yesterday's revelation still hadn't worn off for the guys. So he’d said he’d given up, but had he really liked Sara-san before? Thinking about that made me feel slightly uneasy.
"Kazunari-san, how is the conversation going over there?"
Perhaps her draft was finished, or she’d just reached a stopping point, but Sara-san had joined us without me even noticing. She pulled a nearby chair right next to mine, settling in so close that our bodies were practically pressed together.
Watching this, the contrast between the female officers, who were wearing teasing grins, and the male officers, whose expressions were visibly twitching, was—unintentional as it might be—a little amusing.
"Sorry, Satsukawa-san! We've borrowed your husband for a bit!"
Husband...
I had never been called that before. Judging by the speaker’s expression, she was probably hoping for a reaction from Sara-san. However, that was a little—no, quite naive.
"Not at all. Kazunari-san has his own work to do, so it is not a matter of 'borrowing' him."
"...No bashfulness... at all?"
"...She just naturally accepted him being called her 'husband' and kept the conversation going."
"...She's so dignified about it that there's no opening to tease her..."
"...Marriage with Satsukawa-san..."
"...Let's just get used to it already... even if I am dying of envy... ugh..."
Sara-san wasn't the type to get flustered by something like that. She occasionally referred to herself as my "wife," and I didn't think she said that just to be playful. I believed she said it to prepare her heart, to define her own identity. Therefore, simple teasing was a complete waste of breath.
"Satsukawa-san, how is the draft coming along?" the President asked.
"It is finished. Is there anything I can help with here?"
"No, we're almost done, so it's fine. You have a gathering with your friends today, right? Let's end this at a good stopping point."
"I'm sorry, even though it's for our convenience..."
We still had plenty of time, but the President was clearly being considerate. I felt a bit bad about it, but it was a kind offer, so I decided to accept.
"It's fine. Well then, let's finish up the rest."
""""Yes!""""
With everyone sharing the workload, we finished much earlier than expected. Since everyone was ready to head home, the group naturally decided to walk out together like we had yesterday. Since we still had time to spare, we accompanied them part of the way.
As we walked, chatting about nothing in particular, we arrived at the intersection where we would part ways.
"Well, we'll head off here."
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work."
"Good work~"
"See you tomorrow."
"Good luck with the debriefing session!"
As we were exchanging goodbyes, the President approached me, looking like he had something on his mind.
"Good work today. Um, well... please give my regards to Nishikawa-san."
Even though it wasn't a strange request, the President looked oddly hesitant. Give his regards? I guess I’d just tell her exactly that.
"I understand. I'll tell her."
"Thanks. Well then, see you tomorrow."
That was apparently all he wanted to say. The President returned to the others, and they began walking away. Sara-san watched him with a curious tilt of her head, but when our eyes met, she beamed at me and immediately linked her arm with mine.
"Does Nishikawa-san have many acquaintances?" I asked.
"I suppose... since she was technically the head of the Gardening Club, she would have had opportunities to meet the Student Council officers."
I see. Since the Gardening Club was essentially just her, Nishikawa-san would have been the one to attend those leadership meetings. If that was their only connection, the President's choice of words—calling her an "acquaintance" rather than a "friend"—probably meant exactly what he said.
We had received word that today's debriefing session would be held directly at a hotel, and currently, Sara-san and I were being driven there in a car that had been sent for us. I had thought we would all be traveling together, so it was a bit of a surprise.
Before long, the car pulled into the rotary of a hotel that had come into view. This was the venue. When the car stopped in front of the main entrance, a staff member opened the door for us. I offered a quick word of thanks and stepped out.
As we entered the lobby, a sight that made me doubt my eyes jumped out at me. On the large digital board displaying the day's events, our names were written in bold, grand letters.
Kazunari Takanashi & Sara Satsukawa Engagement Debriefing Session
" "............" "
Was this Nishikawa-san's doing? Or was it Natsumi-senpai?
Feeling a wave of embarrassment, I looked to the side. My eyes met Sara-san's, and we both shared a wry, helpless smile.
Pulling ourselves together, we headed toward the private room serving as the venue. Several staff members who looked like receptionists were waiting outside the door. After we gave our names, they opened the doors wide, offering their congratulations. "Congratulations on your engagement."
Wait.
From what I could see from the threshold, the room looked empty. There weren't any signs of people inside... but as soon as we stepped into the room—
Pop!!
Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop!!!
"Kyaa!?"
Party poppers erupted simultaneously from behind the doors. Startled, Sara-san jumped and clung to my arm. The scene was incredibly familiar.
Yuji and Hayato: "Kazunari!"
Natsumi and Nishikawa: "Sara!"
Everyone: "Congratulations on your engagement!!!!"
The whole group jumped out and showered us with cheers. Sara-san seemed more shaken than I was, as she stayed clung to me in a daze for a few seconds. When I gently stroked her head, she finally gave a soft, relieved smile.
"Um, it's not exactly official yet..." I started.
"What, do you think your parents are going to say no?" Yuji asked.
"No, they seem to be okay with it."
"Then it's as good as decided, right?" Hayato added.
"Regardless of how that turns out, only the technicalities will change," Hanako said, her tone as blunt as ever. "You're going to get married someday anyway, so the result is the same."
As usual, she was incredibly matter-of-fact, but she wasn't wrong. If we had no intention of being apart regardless of what my parents said, the outcome was inevitable. In that sense, Hanako-san's logic was perfectly on point.
"Come on, don't just stand there clinging to each other at the door!" Natsumi teased. "Proceed to the Guest of Honor seats!"
Looking across the room, I saw two chairs set apart from the others, facing the rest of the group. Those had to be the Guest of Honor seats.
As we walked toward them, the others took their respective places. Once we were all seated, the lights in the room suddenly cut out. A moment later, a bright spotlight snapped on, illuminating only Sara-san and me.
"We will now begin the Engagement Debriefing Session for Mr. Kazunari Takanashi and Ms. Sara Satsukawa!"
Clap clap clap clap clap clap!!!
Before I knew it, a professional-looking MC had appeared out of nowhere. This was way beyond "high effort"—they had gone completely overboard. I glanced to the side and saw Sara-san looking at Nishikawa-san and Natsumi-senpai with a look of utter exasperation.
Apparently, we were expected to give our report in an atmosphere that felt less like a party and more like a high-profile press conference...