TLNOTE : I’m really sorry! The timeline glitched, and Chapter 2 part 1 posted before Chapter Chapter 1 part 14 was fully posted. I’m fixing it now!
“Can I assume you already have someone specific in mind?”
“You catch on quick—that’s a big help. Yes, I already have specific students I’d like you to work with.”
Just as I thought. President Tokimoto already had certain people in mind when he brought this up.
“Each of them was admitted for their exceptional talent. But they’re not making use of it. And I think that’s a waste. I want you to help those students.”
“……………………”
“Of course, this all depends on their own will. I want you to understand—I’m not asking you to force them. There’s no point in coercing someone into something they don’t want.”
“I understand.”
“By the way, the reason I chose you isn’t just because you’ve gained trust from many clubs soon after enrolling. It’s also because the students I want you to help are all first-years like you. But the biggest reason is this—you came from outside Seishinkan. That means you can build relationships with them from zero.”
It felt like he was answering my questions before I could even ask them.
Anything I could think of had already been taken into account and shut down from the start.
I give up. —Because the truth is, I don’t have any other option but to accept this request.
This isn’t a request I can turn down. The student council president—by extension, the whole council—hasn’t said it outright, but they have the power to forbid my activities if they see them as a problem.
No matter how you look at it, I’m working for students at this school and getting paid for it. I’ve already confirmed it doesn’t break any school rules, but in the end, I’m just exploiting a loophole.
If they officially tell me to stop, that alone would be enough to ruin everything I’m doing.
In other words, if I were to rephrase President Tokimoto’s proposal, it basically means, “As long as you do what we say, we’ll treat this as a request from the student council and overlook it.” If I refuse, they’ll crush me. Simple as that.
Whether the student council actually follows through with that threat doesn’t even matter anymore.
This is a negotiation where I’ve already lost from the beginning—and the winner is being generous enough to offer me a compromise. It’s mercy. And if I throw that away myself, then there’s no saving me to begin with.
“I’m not saying you have to do it for free. You are, after all, someone who works in exchange for compensation.”
President Tokimoto’s words were basically a warning disguised as kindness.
This was a total defeat. After being given this much leeway, I couldn’t pretend to be too stubborn to accept.
“If it’s within my power, you can ask for anything. I won’t demand any results. If you’re willing to take it on, I’ll promise your reward right from the start. As for the details, I’ll let you decide.”
“…………”
“Can I count on you?”
With those words, President Tokimoto bowed deeply to me. Suruga, the vice president beside him, did the same.
“…Understood. I’ll take the job, so please raise your heads.”
“I see. I’m glad to hear you say that. Thank you.”
At that moment, as if he’d prepared it in advance, Tokimoto placed a clear folder on the desk.
As I glanced down at it, he continued speaking.
“The information on the students I want you to help is inside. I’d like you to use it as a reference.”
“…Okay.”
“Well, don’t take it too seriously. I’ve already arranged for Kimiya-san to assist you too, so don’t overthink it. Just approach it like you’re trying to make some new friends.”
I nodded and picked up the clear file on the desk.
Inside were a few documents. They looked like basic resumes, complete with photos.
“…Huh?”
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A name caught my eye—one I recognized. I let out a small sound without meaning to.
Driven almost entirely by instinct, I flipped through the papers. Then I frowned without thinking.
[Shiranui Natsuki]
[Isago Natsuki]
[Minase Natsuki]
What are the odds of this kind of coincidence?
All three documents were about someone named “Natsuki” that I knew.
Faced with this pointless miracle, I went silent—feeling like I might as well start believing in fate. President Tokimoto spoke up.
“That’s right. They all have the same reading for their names. Including Kimiya-san, they’re kind of famous in the school for that.”
He must have thought I was surprised because the names matched.
If I told him I’d already met every one of them today, he’d probably be just as shocked.
A moment of silence passed.
It seemed the meeting was over. I reached for the tea I hadn’t finished.
The cup emptied quickly. I looked at Vice President Suruga and said,
“Thank you for the tea.”
“You’re a guest of the student council, after all.”
Probably meant something like “no need to thank us.” Even so, I gave a polite bow.
I tucked the file away and stood up.
“Well then, I’ll be going now.”
With one last bow, I turned and headed for the door.
The two seniors stood as well and followed me to the entrance. President Tokimoto was still smiling.
“I put my contact info in the file, along with the documents. If you need anything, feel free to reach out. Of course, you can come to the student council room directly too—but I’d appreciate it if you let me know in advance. I’m not always here.”
“Got it. I might stop by for advice at some point.”
“Like I said, you’re always welcome—even if it’s just to hang out.”
“Haha… That’d be nice.”
Honestly, getting connected with the student council president is a big deal. For me, this is real progress.
Sure, the job I was given is weird, but since I’m not expected to deliver results, there’s no pressure.
Actually, the more I think about how well-calculated this proposal was, the more impressed I am.
And honestly, that feels kind of good. This is exactly the kind of thing I’ve been aiming for.
And so, I left the student council room behind.
The heavy doors closed, hiding the two seniors from view.
That’s how my “business” became something officially contracted by the student council.
※
A few seconds after the guest disappeared beyond the door—
Vice President Suruga Kokono let out a small sigh and then spoke.
“What was your idea this time?”
“Hm?”
President Tokimoto Kazusa simply brushed off his trusted vice president’s exasperated tone.
But it wasn’t meant to stop him. Kokono defined her job as “saying the things Tokimoto Kazusa doesn’t want to hear,” and Kazusa accepted that. So she said it.
“‘Interaction,’ huh? That’s a pretty vague way to put it. Doesn’t it seem unfair to him, considering he doesn’t know what happened in middle school?”
“I don’t think it’s wrong, though. Do you have a better word for it than ‘Interaction’?”
“Rehabilitation. At least, that’s what you’re expecting from him, isn’t it?”
“I’m not trying to look down on anyone like that. Sure, those girls are a handful, but…”
“…………”
“Besides, the important thing is, he agreed to do it. So there’s no issue, right?”
“To me, it looked like he felt he had no choice but to accept. —Well, to be fair, I didn’t think he’d agree to something this vague. Is there something special about him?”
Kazusa shook his head in response to her question.
“I think he has potential. But honestly, I just followed my gut—and I trusted what Kimiya-san told me. I don’t know much about him myself.”
“I see. So, he’s been marked.”
“I’d prefer to say ‘supported.’”
“Sure looks like you just shoved the problem kids onto him.”
“Oh? Are you saying you’re against it?”
“Not really. I’m not as passionate about student council work as you are. Honestly, I’ve been thinking I might not run again next year—I’ve had more trouble with it than I expected.”
“That would be a problem. I want you to stay on. Things go so much smoother with you around, Kokono.”
Kokono didn’t respond. And Kazusa didn’t push it further.
He just let out a quiet breath, then voiced his unwavering conviction as student council president.
“Whatever the reason, he’s now a part of Seishinkan.”
“President?”
“It’s simple. I just… want Kageyuki-kun to enjoy this school too.”
—Even if that young man
chose this school by giving up on the idea of enjoying anything.
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