The rooftop was quieter than the rest of the school.
It always was.
Above the layered noise of classrooms and corridors, it felt distant—like a place removed from routine, where thoughts could exist without interruption.
Rei stood near the railing, one hand resting lightly against it as he looked out over the city beyond the school grounds. The wind was gentle, just enough to shift his hair slightly, carrying with it the faint hum of life below.
He had come early.
The door behind him opened with a soft metallic sound.
"…You called me?"
Rei didn't turn immediately.
"I did."
Footsteps approached.
Souta Uzuki stepped onto the rooftop, his usual relaxed demeanor unchanged, though there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
"…This is rare," he said lightly. "I didn't think you were the type to call someone out like this."
"I'm not," Rei replied. "Usually."
Souta walked up beside him, leaning casually against the railing.
"So," he continued, "what's this about?"
Rei finally glanced at him.
"…Student council."
Souta smiled faintly. "Figured."
For a moment, neither spoke.
The wind passed quietly between them.
"You're running again," Rei said.
"Yeah."
"No hesitation."
"Not really."
Rei studied him for a second.
"…Why?"
Souta blinked, then let out a small, amused breath.
"Why?" he repeated. "That's a pretty serious question."
"It is."
Souta looked out over the city, his expression softening just slightly.
"…Isn't it cool?" he said.
Rei frowned faintly. "That's your reason?"
"That's part of it."
A brief pause.
Then Souta continued, his tone calmer now.
"I made a promise," he said. "To someone important to me."
"I told them I'd become someone people could rely on," Souta went on. "A leader. Someone who stands at the front and doesn't back down."
His gaze remained steady.
"…And honestly," he added with a small smile, "I kind of like it too."
Rei watched him in silence.
There was no arrogance in his words.
"…That's a good reason," Rei said.
Souta glanced at him, his smile widening slightly.
"Thanks."
Then, after a brief pause, he added—
"But that means you're going to be a problem."
Rei raised an eyebrow. "A problem?"
"Yeah," Souta said. "You're running too, right?"
For a moment—
Rei didn't answer.
Then—
"No."
Souta blinked.
"…No?"
"I'm not participating."
The wind passed between them again.
This time—
Heavier.
"…You're serious?" Souta asked.
"Yes."
"And your sister?"
"She won't either."
Souta straightened slightly, his relaxed posture shifting into something more attentive.
"…Why?"
Rei looked away, his gaze drifting back toward the city.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then—
"…I don't want to win," he said.
Souta frowned faintly. "What?"
"I don't want to win," Rei repeated. "Not like that."
A pause.
"…And see her lose?" Souta asked.
Rei didn't answer directly.
But his silence was enough.
"I don't know if she feels the same," Rei continued quietly. "Maybe she doesn't."
His grip against the railing tightened slightly.
"But I don't think she'd like it either."
Souta watched him carefully now.
"And if I don't participate," Rei added, "she'll probably withdraw on her own."
A brief silence followed.
"…That's your plan?" Souta asked.
"It's not a plan," Rei said. "It's just… how it'll go."
Souta exhaled slowly.
"…You're making a lot of assumptions."
"I know."
"And if you're wrong?"
Rei shrugged lightly. "Then I'm wrong."
Another pause.
"…There's another reason," Rei said.
Souta raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not interested in it," Rei continued.
"Student council. Leadership. All of it."
His voice remained calm.
"I don't want to do something I don't care about."
Souta stared at him for a moment.
Then—
"…You're serious."
"I am."
The wind shifted again.
"…If you two don't participate," Souta said slowly, "then no one in this school is going to beat me."
Rei let out a quiet breath.
"…Yeah."
There was no challenge in it, not any rivalry either.
Then—
"…Don't tell Shiori," Rei added.
Souta looked at him.
"…You're asking me to keep this from her?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because it's easier this way."
Souta was silent for a moment.
Then—
"…Alright," he said. "I won't tell her."
Rei nodded once.
"…Thanks."
"But," Souta added, straightening slightly, "I have a condition."
Rei glanced at him. "A condition?"
"Yeah."
Souta smiled.
Not casually this time.
But with intent.
"You join the student council after I win."
Rei frowned slightly. "…Why me?"
Souta turned toward him fully now.
"Because I want you there."
A pause.
"I'll make you interested," Souta said simply.
"That's my job."
Rei stared at him for a second.
"…You're confident."
"I am."
A brief silence passed.
Then—
Rei exhaled softly.
"…Fine."
Souta's expression shifted slightly.
"…That easy?"
"Not exactly."
Rei turned toward him.
"…I'll join," he said, "if you take Shiori too."
Souta blinked.
"…Your sister?"
"Yes."
Rei's gaze remained steady.
"I'm not going to stand above her without competing."
A quiet moment followed.
Then—
Souta smiled.
"…Alright."
No hesitation.
"Deal," he said.
The conversation ended there.
Not because there was nothing left to say—
But because everything that needed to be decided—
Already had been.
After school, the streets were quieter than usual.
Rei walked alone, his hands in his pockets, his steps unhurried.
The sky had begun to dim slightly, the light softening as the day moved toward evening.
"…This is messed up," he muttered under his breath.
None of it had gone the way it should have.
Not the competition.
Not the decisions.
Not even his own thoughts.
He had tried to avoid it.
Tried to step away from it.
And somehow—
He had stepped deeper into it instead.
A quiet sigh escaped him.
"…Hope she don't get mad at me.."