The day of the Student General Meeting had arrived.
As the entire student body gathered in the gymnasium, we, the Student Council members, waited in the wings of the platform. Since the meeting was to be conducted solely by the council, only we were present backstage.
Anxious about the atmosphere, I peeked out from the shadows. Seeing the sheer number of students made a fresh wave of panic wash over me. I had known what to expect, but the reality of having to speak in front of such a massive crowd was finally sinking in.
One look at the others confirmed I wasn't the only one feeling the pressure. Todo-san, in particular, seemed even more overwhelmed than I was; the seniors were gathered around her, offering kind words of encouragement.
"Takanashi-kun, you doing okay?"
"Y-Yeah. Managing, somehow..."
"I was the same way my first time. Once you actually get out there on the rostrum, it usually works out."
It seemed my nerves were written all over my face, as the male officers made an effort to chat with me frequently. Honestly, just having the distraction was a relief, and I was genuinely grateful for it.
The general flow of the event was straightforward: first, the current President would deliver his retirement address and officially hand over the presidency to Sara-san. Then, Sara-san would introduce the new officers. Once we were approved by the student body, each of us would deliver a report on our respective duties. As the Vice President, I didn't have a specific department to report on, but I still had to give a brief introductory greeting.
In other words, my biggest moment—and the source of my crippling anxiety—was the formal approval and my subsequent speech. Just thinking about it now made my heart race.
I knew it was unlikely, but if by some freak occurrence I wasn't approved, I’d be too embarrassed to show my face at school tomorrow. I wasn't even joking.
Then again, if I did that, I’m sure Sara-san would be furious with me.
As my thoughts spiraled and my heart hammered against my ribs, a gentle, soothing presence appeared. Something soft and warm enveloped me, pulling my head into a tender embrace. Recognizing the sensation immediately, I let my strength fade and leaned into her.
"Fufu... I shall stay like this for a little while, so please, let your heart settle... It's alright. Everything will be fine..."
She wrapped me in kindness and happiness, delicately stroking my hair to soothe my fears. Sara-san’s doting was a slice of heaven itself.
As much as I cherished the moment, I knew she had been checking her manuscript just a second ago. I felt a twinge of guilt for interrupting her work.
"Um, I’m sorry for being a nuisance, Sara-san—mph!?"
"Kazunari-san, saying such things is... a no-no."
My words were forcibly cut off by Sara-san's special move: aggressively silencing me with a blissful embrace.
She was right. If the roles were reversed, I would never consider her a nuisance. I would always put Sara-san first.
Deciding to simply accept her affection, I relaxed completely and entrusted my weight to her. Sara-san let out a soft, happy giggle, seemingly pleased that I had stopped resisting.
"Just like that. Keep your strength relaxed and let your heart calm down... There, there."
She seemed to be in a wonderful mood as she continued to stroke my head. To be honest, the sense of security she provided was beyond words. Thanks to her, the tension in my chest had almost entirely vanished before I even realized it.
"...Aaaah, I'm so jealous. I am seriously jealous."
"...Just once, I’d like to be treated like that by Satsukawa-san..."
"What’s going on here?"
Hanako-san, who had been speaking with the senior handling the transition, had returned. As a new member of the Student Council, she was also up for approval today. Even so, she didn't seem nervous at all. Her composure was reliable, but it only served to highlight how pathetic I was being.
"Kazunari, are you alright?"
"I-I'm fine."
Even as I said it, I knew answering while buried in Sara-san's chest gave me zero credibility. Negative credibility, even. But what other answer could I possibly give?
"S-Satsukawa-san, I’m sorry to interrupt, but is it about time?"
The President approached us, looking a bit flustered as he called for Sara-san.
I hadn't noticed that the start time was so close. I had been so lost in bliss that I’d kept indulging myself, but I couldn't afford to be a burden to her any longer. My nerves were gone; I had Sara-san to thank for that.
"Sara-san, I’m really okay now. Thank you."
I gave her a firm, confident look to show I meant it. Seemingly satisfied, she slowly pulled away. A hint of regret lingered in her eyes, making me think she might have wanted to stay that way a bit longer too.
"Kazunari-san, I am always by your side, Darling. So, please do your best."
"I will!"
Satisfied with my response, she gave a small nod and headed toward the platform alongside the President. I watched her go and did a quick internal check. Yeah, I was going to be fine.
"Kazunari, if you're still nervous, Big Sister can give you a hug instead?"
Hanako-san, who had been watching Sara-san leave with me, suddenly made the offer.
Hanako-san hugging me?
The image flashed through my mind for a split second before I shook my head violently to dispel it.
"......M-Mothering?!"
"......Wait, what do you mean, 'Big Sister'?!"
"H-Hanako-san, I'm really okay now."
"...How regrettable."
It seemed she had been genuinely considering it. The fact that she waited until Sara-san was gone to suggest it—was that her being considerate, or was I just overthinking it?
Regardless, she wasn't actually causing trouble; she was just worried about me in her own way.
The general meeting finally began. On the platform, the President was delivering his retirement address. Once he finished, the transition of the presidency would be discussed, followed by the inaugural address from the new President, Sara-san. Then, it would be my turn.
"......I was able to accomplish all of this thanks to the officers who supported me and the cooperation of every one of you. I am truly grateful. Thank you very much. I ask that you continue to show that same cooperation in the future. With that, I conclude my address."
Clap... clap...
Clap-clap-clap-clap!!!
Like a ripple turning into a wave, the applause spread through the student body until the gymnasium thundered with the sound. Bathed in that ovation, the President wore a smile of pure refreshment. It was the look of a man who had done everything he set out to do—a smile of total satisfaction.
Once the applause died down, the other retiring seniors were introduced and gave brief greetings. Then came the moment for the handover.
"Now, allow me to introduce her. Succeeding me as the new Student Council President, effective today... Sara Satsukawa-san."
The moment Sara-san's name was called, the gymnasium erupted in thunderous applause. Mixed in were various unpleasant shouts of "Satsukawa-sa~n!" and "Sara-cha~n!" from the crowd.
Those idiots were definitely mistaking her for an idol.
Sara-san, however, completely ignored them. Not a single eyebrow twitched. Keeping her gaze fixed straight ahead, she exchanged a formal greeting with Uesaka-san and took her place at the rostrum.
I don’t think I will ever forget the sight of her in that moment as long as I live.
She stood there with a regal, dignified posture. Her gaze was sharp—a look she never showed me—and her presence was so commanding it bordered on the divine. It was a Sara-san I had never truly seen before.
I had no memory of her looking like this. Perhaps she had been this way when we first started school, but I hadn't possessed the composure to notice back then.
"Satsukawa-senpai... she looks like a completely different person."
Todo-san, who was watching from the wings beside me, whispered her awe. She clearly hadn't seen this side of her either.
"Yeah. I don't remember seeing her like that, either."
"The Satsukawa-senpai who's with Takanashi-kun is totally different, after all."
"I suspect this is the Wife's original style," Hanako-san added. "If I had to put a label on it... her public persona?"
I thought I understood what Hanako-san meant. This was the strict, uncompromising side that Sara-san intentionally projected to the world. It was the armor the old Sara-san had worn to maintain her isolation—the person she became for the sake of the public.
"............I would like to express my deepest respect for the efforts and dedication of the President and my predecessors, and once again offer my gratitude..."
While we were taken aback by her transformation, her inaugural address continued. I found myself captivated by her, unable to look away.
"......The cooperation of every student is indispensable for the operation of the Student Council under this new administration. We, the officers, will work together as one, but......"
Even if this was a persona she had created, and even if it wasn't the side of herself she preferred, it was still a part of who Sara-san was. I had promised to accept every part of her, and that meant I had to burn this image of her into my memory as well. I felt a sense of duty, almost like a calling, to witness this version of her.
"...With that, I conclude my inaugural address. I look forward to working with all of you."
Clap-clap-clap-clap!!!
Once again, the gym thundered with applause. This time, there were no catcalls or cheering; perhaps the students had finally read the room, or perhaps they had simply been overwhelmed by the weight of her presence.
"Takanashi-kun, it's almost time."
"!?"
I had been so moved by her performance that I’d completely forgotten my own role. Startled by Todo-san's voice, I took a deep breath to settle my nerves.
Right. Just stay calm, and it’ll be fine.
"Kazunari, do your best. Big Sister is right here."
Hanako-san took my hand and gave it a firm squeeze. Her hand was small and delicate, but it was incredibly warm. I could feel her kindness through the touch.
"D-Do your best, Takanashi-kun!"
"Thanks, both of you!"
Bolstered by their support, I moved toward the edge of the wing curtain. At that exact moment, Sara-san shifted her gaze toward me.
I sent her a silent look, trying to convey that I was okay. Sara-san seemed to sense it; for a fleeting second, her sharp, regal mask cracked, and she gave me a tiny, tender smile.
"Kazunari Takanashi-san, please come forward."
With that, Sara-san called my name, and I finally stepped out onto the stage.