“Mika-senpai… are you perhaps moving to the Student Council?”
“I’m not going.”
My cute junior tossed that question at me.
Naturally, I denied it.
“I heard some news, Mika-chan! That you’re planning to switch to the Student Council…”
“Nope, not going.”
With a face that seemed to say ‘isn’t that right…?’, the eldest sister from the cathedral recited some nonsense she must have heard from who knows where.
I subtly indicated to that sister, who seemed to take the rumor seriously, that it was indeed just a baseless rumor.
Perhaps it was because my connections were so extensive. I received messages from all sorts of places linking me to the position of Student Council President.
Some congratulated me. Others sweetly asked for the truth about the rumors, wanting me to share it just with them.
“If I may share my thoughts, I believe it wouldn’t be so bad if Mika-san sits in the President’s seat.”
“…Nagisa-chan?!”
My precious partner, who holds all my love, was trying to push me into hell.
“How could you… betray me like this?”
“Huh…? Was it that much of a betrayal? I’m merely expressing my opinion from a place where I deeply support Mika-san’s goals… Yes, that’s right.”
“…From that perspective, it’s not exactly wrong.”
I wished for everyone who deserved it to be happy.
That sentiment hadn’t changed from back then to now. Yes, it was true, so there was some validity to Nagisa’s words.
The problem, however, was that I was just one person.
Having spent almost a year serving as the T-party President at Trinity, time slipped away while I was burdened with the Host duties due to others.
Of course, I didn’t refuse stubbornly because I was aiming for that position; it was simply because it would be beneficial for my goals.
Instead of vague aspirations, I had a more short-term objective.
To push for the perfect Eden Treaty that only I could draw up, a person who knew many things that would typically remain unknown.
I had faced life-threatening crises along the way and even transformed into a completely different rogue than the cliche playboy archetype.
But now, I was merely a last step away from finishing that.
To be honest, I just wanted to take a break.
Everyone’s happiness? Sure, that’s nice and all.
But what’s so laughable about someone who can’t even look after the happiness of those close to them discussing such a lofty ideal?
There were just far too many people I needed to care for. Various reasons contributed to that situation, but the biggest reason was probably because I was the biggest greedy person in Kivotos.
Though the direction might be a bit different, objectively speaking, my level of greed could rival even the ambitions of the Kaiser President.
…Anyway. Originally, I intended to wrap up the Eden Treaty and retire from the Host position right afterward.
While the advantages and power of sitting in this position were indeed significant, honestly speaking, I gained more than I worked for.
Still, the reason I had no attachment to this position was predominantly due to lacking time for my people.
About 90% of that reasoning was simply due to wanting more time with them, while the remaining 10% was solely because I didn’t want to work.
Who wouldn’t want a life where they don’t have to do anything and can happily live doing as they wish?
“So listen up, Nagisa-chan. If I get pulled into the Student Council, it’s going to be a huge loss for you, right? We won’t even be able to live together like now.”
“Trinity and D.U. are quite close, so do you really need to move?”
“…No, that’s not it.”
Nagisa-chan, where did your empathy go? Huh?
“Fufu, just teasing. I respect Mika-san’s choice. No matter what choice you make, I’ll always stand by you.”
“…That’s strange. It sounds like you want me to become the Student Council President, but is it just my imagination? Huh?”
“Of course. It makes me sad that the time I can spend with you decreases.”
Watching Nagisa’s expression, I swallowed down my discomfort. Though her words seemed genuine, no matter how I thought about it, this didn’t feel like just my imagination.
What on earth could be the reason Nagisa-chan wanted me to become the Student Council President? I pondered for a while but couldn’t figure it out.
That was our first husband’s opinion, but my thoughts were already partially solidified.
Hina and Noah, who cherish the short times we share over the phone above all else.
And Haruna, whose tail wags excitedly every time we have a meal together.
Just considering them alone made it seem unreasonable for me to take on the annoying position of Student Council President.
Giving my time to my husbands, who all lead busy lives, would be like taking responsibility for my greed.
So, I would resolutely refuse. Absolutely not.
…By the way, our Hanako mentioned that if I move to the Student Council, she could just follow along, so Senpai could feel free to decide as she pleases.
I really felt that I was incredibly fortunate to have such great connections.
*
I resolved to directly verify the truth of this thunderous news.
Honestly, I could have just called Kaya or even sent a message through Momotalk; that would have sufficed…
Let’s be honest.
This time, I was just scared of what bizarre reasons some club would come up with to ask for a budget and ran away.
Putting off what I needed to do isn’t my style, but this was like an ingrained fear. Now that I had an excuse, I should take a bit of time to prepare myself. Yeah.
…In fact, it’s almost like a fire that fell on my feet.
It would be best to suppress the situation before it spirals into something I can’t manage.
“…The Defense Office Head is currently refusing all visitors.”
“Heueng… is that so? Alright.”
But what’s this? The Defense Office student who answered me was sweating profusely while watching me closely. Did I misjudge our Kaya?
I never imagined she’d play such a cowardly move. Seriously.
“Um, the constant knocking from Kronos School and other media has become too much, so that’s why. So, if I speak directly, the Defense Office Head will probably come out… maybe.”
Whether she believed that or not, her voice trembled slightly. She probably thought if I were coming, I would have sent word ahead to let me in.
I felt a bit bad for the staff who were getting caught in between.
“Hey, should I discipline my annoying Kaya-chan a bit?”
“That’s really not necessary!”
“Huh? Why not? You’re suffering because of Kaya-chan. So, I was offering to show her some discipline. Of course, I’ll make sure it won’t affect you☆”
“No, really, it’s fine! I mean it. The Defense Office Head… must also have her own thoughts about this.”
“…Hmm.”
Look at that? Our Kaya seems to have quite a good reputation.
Regardless, the Defense Office student who showed me a stern attitude was suddenly looking panicked and bowed her head… no, practically bent her waist. Then she hurriedly left, saying, “I’ll inform the Head Defense Officer of the T-party Host’s visit right away!”
How strange. My reputation shouldn’t be that bad, and I’m managing my expressions pretty well. Why is she being so cautious…?
Ah.
Could it be that she’s convinced I’ll soon move into the Student Council?
Considering the closeness I have with Kaya is an open secret, maybe it’s only natural for her to assume Kaya knows something.
Having felt the gazes from the Defense Office students sneaking looks at me, I crossed my arms and closed my eyes.
How long did I wait like this?
“Mika-san.”
Kaya came out to greet me, outright disproving my suspicion that she was purposely avoiding me.
“Hey, Kaya-chan. We seem to have a lot to discuss, right?”
I noticed Kaya’s face, which had a warm smile, briefly hardening. Nevertheless, her eyes, which always held a slightly suspicious but likable half-moon shape, curved.
“Fufu.”
What’s this? Is she flustered, or is she happy?
“Mika-san, shall we take a walk for a moment?”
“Wait… does that mean I can see this as a date request? Hmmm, that could be a little troublesome.”
While I was being sincere, I thought it might already be too late. Nagisa-chan might strangle me otherwise.
“That’s not what I meant.”
Judging by her serious expression, it seems she genuinely didn’t mean that. Thank goodness.
“Well, we should start as friends first anyway.”
“That’s not it either…”
Sighing, Kaya began to walk ahead. She acted as if she expected I would follow her, but I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.
Kaya’s hair was braided beautifully…
The woody scent… that perfume I had gifted her once really suited Kaya. I had given it to complement her image as the Defense Office Head and provide balance to her kind demeanor, but considering the amount I had gifted, she might have bought extra on her own.
However, as it was now summer, it might be better to switch to a different scent. If it weren’t for this situation, I’d have taken her to a perfume shop to sniff around together…
No, let’s not jump to conclusions.
No matter how indifferent our Kaya acts towards the current Student Council, if I said I didn’t want to, she’d surely respect that. So, perhaps I could gently encourage her before we go perfume shopping. Yeah.
As July approached, we moved from early summer to the hot summer of Kivotos. Yet, despite the heat, it left me with a feeling that it’s a wonderfully livable place.
With global warming wreaking havoc, the bizarre climate made the four seasons nearly nonexistent, leaving only summer and winter. It’s still much better than that.
Given the time of year, there weren’t too many students walking the streets, allowing Kaya and me to stroll at the lakeside park without interruption.
Then, Kaya opened her mouth first.
“Mika-san, I want to clarify this here. I believe there is no one besides you who can bear the weight of the Student Council President. I could boldly assert that this thought is indeed a fact.”
“Ahaha. Um, Kaya-chan… aren’t you being a bit too serious? I mean, I don’t think it’s really as serious as that.”
“Mika-san.”
Kaya effortlessly brushed off my light-hearted comment and opened her eyes wide as if it were unusual for her. Then, locking eyes with me, she declared solemnly,
“Only you can fill her void.”
She claimed there was no other person more fitting for the Student Council President than me.
Her eyes were filled with desperate sincerity as she made this serious statement.
…What on earth is going on?
