“We’re showing the School Introduction VTR in the gymnasium, which means handling delicate equipment. There are a lot of other supplies, too, and it’s a bit much for the girls to manage alone. You’re a real lifesaver, Sajou-kun.”
“No problem. It’s part of the job.”
“Gosh, I feel bad asking, but I really appreciate it.”
A third-year senior I’d never met before took charge, explaining the workflow to me. She’d been part of the committee since before Shinomiya-senpai became president, so she seemed level-headed. The way she looked both apologetic and frustrated by the situation was a good sign; she was the kind of senior I could respect.
Naturally, I was paired with Ichinose-senpai. We were primarily responsible for the heavy equipment, using dollies to move the electronics. Since there were stairs and other obstacles to navigate, it seemed a man’s strength was an absolute requirement. This was already shaping up to be a lot of work; if I hadn't shown up, Ichinose-senpai would have been in for a living hell.
“Um... is it really just you and me for the guys, Ichinose-senpai?”
“Well, technically there’s one more guy in the third year and another in the second... but they just can’t seem to handle the feminine atmosphere here.”
Damn, I totally got that. If I were a regular Disciplinary Committee Member, I might have skipped out just like them. Honestly, I couldn't even blame them.
Seeing Ichinose-senpai’s troubled smile lit a strange fire in me as we began the transport work. The hardest part was that I couldn't loosen my uniform because there was a chance of passing by visiting middle schoolers in the hallways. Usually, they worked in black T-shirts because of the heat, and senpai looked like he was struggling under the layers.
I didn't know what had motivated the other girls to join the Disciplinary Committee, but seeing them look so distressed definitely triggered some kind of protective instinct. I knew I wouldn't get anything out of it, but a sense of duty—the feeling that I had to be the one to step up—welled within me. Men really are simple creatures.
“—Ah, let me take that.”
“Eh? Oh, thank you.”
I’d brushed it off earlier by saying I’d trained at my part-time job, but it turned out that organizing stacks of secondhand books had actually built some decent muscle. The number of volumes I could carry at once had been increasing steadily, and I realized men really do put on muscle easily. Well, I’d spent quite a bit of time trying to improve myself for Natsukawa’s sake before, so that probably played a bigger role than anything.
“—Senior, watch the step.”
“Got it! Let’s lift on three!”
“Right. One, two, heave—!”
Manual labor was easy, in its own way. My job experience had taught me how to handle paperwork and data entry, but physical tasks didn't require much brainpower. If you knew from the start that you’d be using your muscles, you could maintain that motivation throughout. There were fewer unexpected burdens, which made it mentally lighter. Jobs that were physically demanding but paid poorly definitely had that one saving grace.
“—Hey, first-year? Could you grab this too?”
“On it.”
I made several trips between the gym and the second floor of the North Building. I was out of breath and drenched in sweat, but it was all within my expectations. Ichinose-senpai, despite his build, barely sweated at all—maybe he worked out regularly. Even though he was my senior, seeing someone who looked like a total bookworm show that much composure made my pride flare up.
“—Oh, can you do this one too?”
“Sure thing.”
I don't know if “single-minded” was the right word for it, but I focused entirely on using my arms and back until the work was finally done. Naturally, Ichinose-senpai and I were the ones sweating the most. It was going to be a struggle to wipe myself down and face the middle schoolers without a change of clothes or showing any fatigue. I decided to cheat a little.
During our break, I headed straight for the school store. I bought a towel and some deodorant wipes that I’d forgotten to bring, then ducked into the shade of the outdoor water station. I secretly pulled off my dress shirt and doused my head with water. After drying my hair with the towel, I slid a deodorant wipe under my black undershirt, doing my best to scrub away the scent of sweat. It would have been much faster to just take a shower and change, but those facilities were strictly for students in sports clubs.
When I returned to the gym, the Transport Team had transitioned into the Setup Team. I was no longer needed for the heavy lifting, so I devoted myself to menial tasks like a TV production assistant—wandering around with a permanent marker and duct tape, or delivering screwdrivers and scissors. It was scary; I had so much talent for being an underling it almost made me want to cry.
Once the work was finished, we retreated. The Transport and Setup Teams, having fulfilled their duties, slumped over at the Disciplinary Committee's base. The faculty advisor mentioned there were electric fans available, so I helped Ichinose-senpai fetch them. There were five in total, so like a dutiful junior, I carried three of them. Compared to the heavy equipment from earlier, three fans felt like they were made of feathers.
While I was at it, I stopped by to see the School Nurse, whom I’d gotten on speaking terms with after my recent cold, and borrowed some ice packs. I hauled the bags back to the committee base, and finally, my work was officially done.
As I handed out the ice packs, the seniors wrapped them in towels and pressed them to their necks... Wow, that’s a good look... Yeah, it’s actually pretty sultry. I kind of wanted to take a photo. One senior was standing right in front of a fan and her shirt blew up, revealing her navel... wait, what? Seriously? Is she not wearing an undershirt? Is that for real? What’s going on with the Disciplinary Committee?
I shook away the impure thoughts and shared a fan with Ichinose-senpai—well, I tried to. It was impossible; the man was a bear. Since he only had a towel, I stepped back and made do with the stray breeze wafting from the side. The deodorant wipes gave me a cooling sensation, so even that was enough to feel refreshed.
“Ah, hey, first-year. Sajou, right?”
“Eh? Yes.”
“Good work today. You were a huge help. You’re a good junior.”
One of the seniors in a pair handed me an ice bar—the kind you snap in half. Wait... this felt a little like something a couple would do, which made me feel shy. Are you going to call me for the next event too? Because I’ll work my tail off if you do.
Ignoring my idiocy, the seniors walked past me, giggling. Apparently, the way they’d praised me had struck them as funny. “What even is a ‘good junior’?” one of them teased. Honestly, I wanted to know the specific criteria for being a “good junior” myself.
Exhausted, I sat down on the floor, and the senior who had directed the Transport Team walked over. Wait... she was coming to me, not Ichinose-senpai?
“Thanks for everything today, Sajou-kun. You too, Ichinose-kun.”
“No, it was nothing. Thank you as well.”
“I was actually a bit worried. Some of our girls aren't the most diligent, and I was afraid they might have made things unpleasant for you. They were being lazy and pushing their work onto you, weren't they?”
“Huh?”
Me? Having work pushed onto me...? Had that happened? I’d just been lifting things and walking back and forth to the gym like it was the most natural thing in the world, so I hadn't noticed at all. I was working so mindlessly that I was completely oblivious. Actually, I would have preferred to stay in the dark about that...
“But you accepted it all so readily, Sajou-kun. I think the girls felt guilty and started reflecting on it. They were all saying what a ‘good boy’ you are.”
“Oh, well... as long as I was able to be of help, that’s all that matters.”
The moment a spark of resentment flared in my heart, she hit me with a compliment. It was such an unfamiliar sensation that it made me feel restless. It wasn't often I got praised this much. But still... a “good boy,” huh? It was a little bittersweet to realize I wasn't being viewed as a romantic interest in the slightest...
“Since Rin was the one who brought you in as a helper, and you’re Sajou-san’s younger brother, I wondered if she was just showing favoritism, but I guess that was just my own prejudice. Here, take this as a thanks.”
“Oh.”
She plopped a nutrition jelly pouch into my hand. Faced with a continuous stream of rewards, I could do nothing but bow repeatedly. What was with me today? Was I ranked first in my horoscope? My reputation had never been higher. Could this be it...? Is this my popularity phase?
“Ah, Ichinose-kun. About that... once we’re done today, would it be okay if I stopped by your house...?”
Whoa, now that’s a sudden development.
Public morals, indeed.