The student council room carried a different kind of silence.
Organized.
Six people stood within it, each occupying their own space, their own presence shaping the atmosphere in subtle ways.
Rei stood near the window, hands loosely at his sides. Shiori stood not far from him, her posture straight, composed as always. Across from them was Souta Uzuki, relaxed yet undeniably at the center of the room.
Beside him stood Shun yamabuki, looking normal with neutral expressions. Kao Watanabe lingered near the desk, her expression gentle, observant. And near the far side—Yuna stood with a mix of anticipation and quiet nervousness, her hands lightly clasped together.
Uzuki clapped his hands once, drawing everyone's attention.
"Alright," he said with a smile, "first of all—welcome."
His tone was warm, easy, but carried a natural authority that didn't need to be forced.
"I'm glad all of you are here," he continued. "We'll be working together from now on, so I hope we can get along well and support each other."
No one interrupted.
But the room listened.
Carefully.
Uzuki glanced around once before continuing.
"Let's get straight to it," he said. "I've already decided roles based on what I think suits each of you best."
A brief pause.
Then—
"Shiori," he said, looking at her directly, "you'll be vice president."
The words settled clearly.
Shiori didn't react visibly.
"…Understood," she replied calmly.
Uzuki nodded, satisfied.
"Shun—you'll handle finances. Treasurer."
Shun gave a small nod. "Got it."
"Rei," Uzuki continued, his gaze shifting, "you'll be the secretary."
Rei blinked once.
"…Secretary," he repeated quietly.
Uzuki smiled. "You're observant. You'll manage records, documentation, communication. It suits you."
Rei didn't argue.
"…Alright."
"Yuna," Uzuki said, turning toward her, "you'll be in charge of event planning."
Yuna's eyes widened slightly.
"…M-me?"
"Yeah," he said easily. "You care about people. That's important for events."
She hesitated—
Then nodded.
"…I'll do my best."
"And finally," Uzuki added, "Kao—you'll be the support contact. If any students have concerns, they come to you. You'll work with everyone to resolve things."
Kao didn't looked much interested but agreed.
"I understand."
Uzuki looked around the room once more.
Six people.
Six roles.
A single system.
"That's everyone," he said. "From here on, we work as a team."
"…Let's do good work."
No applause followed.
No dramatic response.
That things had begun.
After school, the atmosphere at home was far removed from that structured tension.
Warm light.
Soft silence.
A small table between them.
Rei and Shiori sat together, plates of pastry set neatly before them.
The moment felt almost ordinary.
Almost.
Rei picked up his fork, taking a bite casually.
"…Not bad," he muttered.
Across from him, Shiori watched him for a moment.
Then—
She lifted her fork.
A small piece of pastry rested at the tip.
She extended it toward him.
"Say ahh."
Rei paused mid-motion.
"…I'm already eating."
"That's not the point," she replied.
He frowned slightly. "Then what is?"
"It's from me," she said simply. "Your reward."
Rei blinked.
"…For what?"
"For getting the secretary position."
He leaned back slightly.
"That's not something special."
Shiori didn't move her hand.
The fork remained steady, waiting in front of him.
"…It is to me," she said quietly.
A brief silence followed.
Then—
Rei sighed.
"…You're not going to stop, are you?"
"No."
Another pause.
Then—
He leaned forward slightly and took the bite.
Shiori watched him closely for a moment.
Then lowered her fork, satisfied.
"…There," she said softly.
Rei didn't respond.
Instead—
He picked up his own fork.
Cut a small piece.
And held it out toward her.
"…Your turn."
Shiori blinked once.
"…What?"
"Your reward," he said. "Vice president."
A small pause.
Then—
She leaned forward.
And took the bite.
Her expression softened slightly.
"…I want more."
Rei raised an eyebrow.
"…You're serious?"
She nodded.
So he fed her again.
And again.
Each time, she leaned in without hesitation, accepting it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The plate slowly emptied.
The distance between them didn't.
But something else did.
At one point—
Her lips brushed lightly against his fingers.
A small pause followed.
Rei stilled slightly.
Shiori didn't.
"…Consider it a kiss," she said calmly.
Rei stared at her for a moment.
"…You say things like that too easily."
"Do I?"
But she didn't deny it.
The moment passed.
The plate was empty.
The room quiet again.
After a while—
Rei spoke.
"…Do you remember what Dad said?"
Shiori didn't respond.
Not immediately.
Her gaze shifted slightly.
Then—
She stood.
"…Good night," she said.
Rei frowned faintly.
"…Shiori?"
But she was already walking away.
The door closed behind her and something was left unfinished.