“...And that’s the gist of it. The committee's progress isn't looking very promising.”
“...I see.”
“...”
We were in the Student Council Room. My sister’s mood had taken a total nose-dive because I’d only managed to bring back half of the documents she wanted. Actually, 'nose-dive' wasn't the right word... it was more like adding fuel to the fire. I could practically feel her temples throbbing. I really needed to get her a meat bun... wait, wouldn’t that just spike her blood sugar?
“...How strange.”
“...It is, isn't it?”
“Strange...?”
The Student Council President—Yuuki-senpai—didn't take my report at face value. Hanawa-senpai seemed to share his skepticism. Both of them had dropped their usual smiles and were now lost in deep thought. Now there were two cool-type handsome guys brooding at the same time; what was I supposed to do? Should I start brooding too?
“If what you’re saying is true, why hasn't the committee reported this to the Student Council? Issues regarding the work environment are our jurisdiction.”
“Perhaps they aren't actually in a bind yet?”
“I doubt that. If they weren't, they wouldn't have exposed their own incompetence in front of an underclassman.”
“Whew... harsh.”
Kai-senpai threw in his two cents, and Todoroki-senpai offered a remark that seemed to poke at the President’s biting words. While not everyone was like this, the atmosphere felt distinctly 'Student Council.' It felt like the first time I was actually witnessing them in a serious light.
“...It’s just a matter of competence. I mean, look at the state of things.”
“Nee-chan.”
“Wataru, you’re done here. Go home. We’ll look into the rest ourselves.”
“Eh?”
Wait, really?
Even though the air was thick with the scent of impending trouble, I just got permission to head home. Man, what a model company. It was like being allowed to clock out right on time during the peak season. Seriously, that was incredible. Actually, now that I thought about it, I wasn't even an employee here. This wasn't a 'white company' at all—they shouldn't be making an outsider do work in the first place.
“Wait, Kaede. Why not have Wataru help us further?”
“Hah? Why? He’s an outsider.”
“It’s a bit late for that... From what I’ve heard, he has acquaintances on the Executive Committee, right? It’s better to have a pipe like that. We’re too far removed from the general student body.”
“I have no intention of dragging him into things that don't concern him.”
“He’s your brother, isn't he? What guarantee is there that Sajou Kaede’s brother can remain uninvolved forever?”
Hmm... eh? What was with this ominous atmosphere...? What was Yuuki-senpai even talking about? I had nothing but a bad feeling. Didn't he basically just say that even if I stayed away from the Student Council, I wouldn't be able to remain uninvolved? That was legitimately terrifying.
“...Um, Kai-senpai? What does he mean by that?”
I whispered the question to Kai-senpai. In times like this, it was best to rely on the person closest to you. The fact that he was a second-year senior was a big plus. Since I knew he didn't have much of an obsession with the Student Council itself, he was easy to talk to.
“...Until last November, the school’s management was essentially handled by students from the 'West' side—mostly from donor families.”
“Ah... okay?”
“There were various conflicts. In the midst of that, one of the people who—albeit coincidentally—ended up actively leading the rise of the 'East' side was—”
“Takuto. You’re being loud. Quiet.”
“...! Yes. My apologies.”
“...”
Hey now, you didn't have to be that cold to him. Kai-senpai looked exactly like I do when I'm at home. What a waste of a handsome guy in glasses. The only thing this guy would enjoy is probably a more sadistic kind of coldness—he wasn't the type of masochist who enjoyed that kind of genuine chill.
...Yeah. Definitely a waste of a handsome guy in glasses.
...So that was it. The 'East vs West' issue. The reason Nee-chan suddenly tried to push me away was likely because this problem was tied into it. If Kouetsu High School’s management had been composed entirely of 'West' side members until last November, that meant the Cultural Festival Executive Committee had also been run almost exclusively by 'West' students.
The difference from last year—that was the link to the 'East vs West' issue.
“Kaede. That said, I have no intention of letting Wataru get in too deep either. Believe me on that.”
“Tch... fine. He remains an outsider. Just a first-year who knows nothing, helping out. If anything happens, Hayato, I will never forgive you.”
“...Fine. That works.”
...Excuse me? This conversation was moving right along, but what about my input? Well, I didn't mind helping out with some light tasks, but I really wanted to avoid any serious trouble.
“...You two. For now, let’s just organize the facts. At the very least, the discrepancy from last year is our problem.”
“Yeah, you’re right. We’ll go with Kaede’s wishes on this. Wataru, that’s all for today. I’ll call you again when we need someone for miscellaneous chores. I'll make sure the reward is worth your while.”
“E-eh? Ah, yes—I mean, okay.”
So, it was basically an agent contract?
I couldn't quite keep up with the suddenly serious atmosphere. It felt like I’d been watching a scene from a movie. When the conversation was passed to me in that kind of mood, all I could do was nod. I hadn't grown up living in such a refined world. But yeah—if I could eat those high-quality lunch boxes just for doing some chores, I’d do it gladly.
I felt very much like I’d been tossed out. Honestly, I didn't know what was what anymore. At the very least, I understood that Nee-chan and Yuuki-senpai were trying to keep me away from the real trouble. I wasn't in a position where I had to help in the first place, and while part of me wondered why they were acting so considerate, I couldn't deny that they had drawn a clear line for me. This school... a lot must have happened until last year.
I didn't know if I’d have another chance to get involved with the festival’s operation, but if I had one concern, it was that Natsukawa was part of the Executive Committee... I just hoped that the lack of progress wouldn't end up piling a huge burden onto her.
Maybe I’ll just go take a look...?
“—...Huh?”
The moment I turned the corner of the hallway, I saw something strange. Two female students and one male student were coming out of the Cultural Festival Executive Committee’s classroom. Sasaki—that annoying pretty boy—was being led away with one of the girls’ arms draped over his shoulder. What was that...?
“Ugh, I can't deal with this. Taka, I can't believe you’re taking this so seriously.”
“Um... yeah.”
“The people at the top aren't taking it seriously, so there’s no reason for us to stick around, right?”
I checked the time on my phone. There was still time before the final dismissal, so the committee should still be in the middle of their work. And yet, the three of them were leaving the classroom with their bags in hand.
“—You've gotta be kidding me.”
I had a prediction that was hard to believe. Still, having a bad feeling, I couldn't help but peek through the window into the classroom. Those files and documents that had been piled up when I visited earlier—what had happened to them?
At the back of the room, two seats on the second-year side were empty. Next to them, the seat where Sasaki had been sitting at the edge of the first-year space was also empty. On top of that desk, the analog crystals were piled high.
It was as if—they had pushed everything onto Natsukawa, who was sitting right next to him.
“Excuse me.”
Everyone in the room turned to look at me. I wondered why I’d done it. I hadn't intended to open that sliding door. I hadn't intended to draw this much attention. At the front of the classroom, Hasegawa-senpai—the third-year whose face had gone slightly pale—looked at me with trepidation.
“...Um, is there something else?”
“Class 1-C. I’m here to replace the guy who just left. This has nothing to do with the Student Council, so you don't need to be so on guard.”
“Eh...?”
Without waiting for permission, I sat in the seat where Sasaki was supposed to be. Natsukawa, sitting next to me, spoke up in confusion. She was probably wondering why I was here. Don't worry, I was wondering the same thing. No, actually, nothing about this was okay.
“Wa-Wataru...?”
“Natsukawa. Can you tell me which parts of this I need to fill out quickly?”
“Wait...! Sasaki-kun didn't slack off on purpose...!”
“Yeah, yeah. It’s fine. I get the gist of it.”
From the look of it, the girl who had her arm around Sasaki’s shoulder was a second-year senior. Even if it was someone of the opposite sex, I could only think 'don't let it get to you.' Knowing how serious he was, I figured leaving halfway through wasn't what he wanted.
I understood the logic that he couldn't go against a senior. But I didn't feel even a shred of sympathy for him.
“Um, Wataru...?”
“...”
I mean, aren't you supposed to be in love with Natsukawa?