The period for serious preparations for the Cultural Festival had finally arrived.
During this time, attendance at club activities wasn't strictly mandatory; students were encouraged to prioritize the progress of their respective class projects.
Incidentally, the Environmental Research Club I belonged to didn't have any specific plans. According to the other members, everyone was too busy conditioning their bodies for the Physique Contest. Between the preparations for Class A’s Maid Cafe and my commitment to helping the Student Council, I already had my hands full, so I decided to sit out the competition this year.
Under normal circumstances, I likely would have entered if I hadn't volunteered my time to the Student Council.
I had heard that the level of competition in the Academy’s Physique Contest was exceptionally high. My pectoralis major, quadriceps, and trapezius muscles surely yearned to compete, but there was simply no helping it this year.
Evi had apparently heard the news from somewhere, as he came to find me.
"Ray. I heard you aren't entering the Physique Contest."
"Yeah. I have a few things I need to prioritize."
"...Are you getting wrapped up in some kind of trouble again?"
"No, it's nothing like that."
After we finished our weight training, we sat together refilling our protein levels.
Wiping away the dripping sweat with our towels, we took a moment to relax before bed. We sat in chairs facing each other, catching our breath.
"Ray. If anything happens, you'd better rely on me, okay?"
"...But, Evi, you're busy conditioning for the contest."
"Well, yeah, that’s true. But if I had to choose between entering this contest or helping a pal in trouble... I’d choose the latter in a heartbeat. So, Ray. If you’re really in a bind, don’t hesitate to tell me. We’re soulmates, after all!"
"Heh... Yeah, you’re right!"
While making our pectorals quiver in synchronization, we further nurtured our bond of friendship.
I thought to myself that someday, I’d like to be able to tell Evi the truth about everything...
Next on the agenda were the plans for the Gardening Club. They didn't intend to do anything particularly grand either. Following their yearly tradition, they were simply going to exhibit the flowers and plants they had been cultivating.
Since the work mostly involved rearranging the pots from a few days prior to ensure the display looked presentable, it didn't seem like it would be a grueling task.
We had already discussed the logistics, and the meetings with the upperclassmen regarding the workflow were complete.
"Haa... I'm exhausted. But Ray, you really are competent. I'm impressed."
"Dina-senpai, please feel free to ask for help anytime. I was thoroughly trained in clerical work."
"...Yeah. You really are a mystery, Ray. Well, I'm used to it now, so I suppose it's fine... Yeah..."
Currently, the three of us were working in the Student Council Office.
Since the class-specific projects had already been approved, we were now in the middle of checking the documentation for various clubs and Voluntary Groups.
The workflow was efficient: Dina-senpai and I split the documents to perform an initial check, after which Rebecca-senpai would review them for final approval.
We had made significant headway, and it looked like today's workload would be finished early.
"Ray-san. Thank you very much, truly."
"Think nothing of it. I'm happy to help whenever needed."
"Fufu. You really are a mysterious person."
"You’re too kind."
"I mean it, Ray-san. You end up doing several people's worth of work all by yourself. It’s quite shocking, you know?"
"Rebecca-sama is right," Dina-senpai added. "That high-speed document processing of yours has reached a domain that’s actually a little creepy... yeah... Plus, you’re checking everything thoroughly even at that speed. You’re just completely beyond the norm."
"I'm just used to it."
As I spoke, a memory surfaced of Master returning home drunk, lugging a massive pile of documents.
She had claimed she’d be late due to a drinking party, but for some reason, she had stumbled back clutching a cardboard box. When I took it from her at the door, she explained that Abby-san had finally snapped and yelled, "Do your damn work already!"
"Ray~. I'm counting on you~."
"Eh!? Wait, Master!"
"I'm going to sleep now... Apparently, it's due by tomorrow morning~."
"Tomorrow morning!?"
The box was overflowing with paperwork.
She was expecting me to finish all of this by morning? It was pure insanity. I was about to tell her it was impossible, but Master was already fast asleep in the entryway. She looked perfectly content, mumbling, "Mnya... mnya... I can't eat another bite..."
After dragging Master to her bed, I had spent the entire night devoted to the paperwork.
That sort of thing happened multiple times. Consequently, my current processing speed was a skill born of semi-forced necessity.
I had resented Master at the time, but looking back now, I suppose you never know when life's trials will prove useful.
"Dina-san. Why don't you head over to your class and check on things?" Rebecca-senpai suggested.
"That's... a good idea. We have some breathing room now."
"I'll take care of the rest here. You're free to go as well, Ray-san."
"Understood."
I neatly organized the documents I had finished and placed them on Rebecca-senpai’s desk. After giving our greetings, Dina-senpai and I left the Student Council Office together.
However...
"Ray. Got a minute?"
"What is it, Senpai?"
A short distance away from the office, Dina-senpai’s expression turned somber.
"Do you need to get back to your classroom immediately? How is your class's progress?"
"They’re doing fine without me. I've already set up a rotation for the preparations. Besides, I had intended to stay in the Student Council Office all day today anyway."
"I see... Then I have a request. Is that okay?"
"Yes. Anything."
"...At least hear what it is first."
"I would never refuse a request from you, Dina-senpai."
"I might be asking for something unreasonable, you know?"
"I don't believe you are that kind of person, Senpai."
"Haa... Honestly. You really are a good boy, Ray."
With a soft, fleeting smile, she reached out and patted my head. It was as if she were soothing a child, but I didn't mind the gesture.
"Ray. You've heard about the engagement, haven't you?"
"Yes."
"That matter has deeper roots than you might think."
"In what way?"
"I think there’s something suspicious about Evan Bernstein."
"Suspicious? Do you have any specific details?"
"That's the problem—I don't. But don't you think it's strange to have such a sudden engagement announcement right now? I'm a noble myself, so I know how these things work, but I’ve been by Rebecca-sama’s side constantly... and yet this was decided without me knowing a thing. It’s abnormal."
"I see..."
I felt the urge to comment on her saying "without me knowing," but I had known since shortly after enrollment that Dina-senpai cared for Rebecca-senpai more than anyone else.
While Dina-senpai insisted she was just a devoted fan, I understood that they were truly best friends.
I didn't know the history of their bond.
However, it was clear from the tone of her voice and the look in her eyes that Dina-senpai was genuinely worried for her friend.
Hearing her words reminded me of Rebecca-senpai’s behavior recently.
—Help me.
I felt as though I had seen her whisper those words that day. I could still see the melancholy in her eyes, as if she were carrying a heavy burden alone.
I was helping the Student Council specifically to find the source of that lingering sense of wrongness.
"Ray. Rebecca-sama and I are too close. If I try to press her for answers, she won't tell me anything. Precisely because she treasures our friendship, she’ll never let me in... But you... I think you might be able to reach her."
"...I'm not anyone significant. Even so, Dina-senpai, are you sure you want to entrust this to me?"
"I am. Ray, I truly trust you. When you first enrolled, I looked down on you because you were an Ordinary and a boy. I let my prejudices get the better of me. I’m truly sorry for how I acted... So, I know it's selfish of me to ask, but could you stay by Rebecca-sama’s side? She’s been making such a pained expression lately. Especially recently. She’s fond of you, Ray... I’d feel much more at ease if you were there with her."
With a pained look of her own, Dina-senpai tightly clasped my hands and bowed her head in a sincere plea.
"Please, Ray. I'll keep investigating on my end, but I think it’s better if I don't crowd her right now. So..."
"...Senpai."
The corridor was bathed in the orange glow of the sunset.
My answer had been decided long ago.
"Senpai, leave it to me. I will fulfill that wish."
"...Thank you, Ray. I'm truly glad I met you."
After parting ways with Dina-senpai, I made my way back toward the Student Council Office.
Just what was happening to Rebecca-senpai?
Whatever it was, I couldn't stop now. I had to keep moving forward.