The student council room was far from quiet that day.
Papers stacked over papers, files waiting to be reviewed, notes needing organization—it all blended into a kind of structured chaos that Rei wasn't used to.
He leaned back slightly in his chair, letting out a long, unfiltered sigh.
"…This is too much."
Across the table, a few heads turned.
"I've never done this much work at once in my life," Rei added, rubbing the back of his neck. "The previous secretary must've been ridiculously hardworking."
Souta Uzuki, who stood nearby flipping through a file, let out a small chuckle.
"She was," he said. "A third-year senpai. Really dependable. Always on top of everything."
He paused for a moment, then added with a faint grin—
"…And she was cute too. Kind of made the student council feel more charming."
Silence.
Rei slowly turned his head toward him.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Across the room—
The girls' gazes did the same.
Uzuki froze.
"…Ah."
Rei spoke first.
"…I'm not like her," he said calmly. "But I'm doing my best."
Uzuki raised both hands slightly in defense.
"No, no—that's not what I meant," he replied quickly. "I'm not comparing you."
Kao tilted her head just a little.
"…Are we not cute?" Kao asked gently.
Yuna blinked. "…Is the student council not charming now?"
Uzuki stiffened.
"…That's not what I said either," he replied, now clearly cornered. "Of course you are. All of you. It's very charming."
Rei watched him for a moment.
Then looked away.
"…You're bad at this."
"I know," Uzuki sighed.
A brief silence followed.
Then—
A small laugh escaped someone.
And just like that, the tension dissolved into something lighter.
After a moment, Uzuki straightened slightly.
"Alright," he said, regaining composure. "Jokes aside—Shiori, come with me for a bit."
Shiori looked up from her papers.
"…Where?"
"The art club requested a meeting," he replied. "Might be some issue."
She nodded without hesitation.
"…Understood."
The two of them left the room together, their footsteps fading into the hallway.
The walk was quiet.
Not uncomfortable.
Just… steady.
After a few turns through the corridor, they reached the art club room.
Uzuki knocked once before opening the door.
Inside, only three students were present.
A girl with short hair looked up first.
"Ah—Uzuki-senpai."
The others turned as well.
Satsuki Shiba, Ryuji Nishimura, and Tsubaki Kanzaki.
"Welcome," Satsuki said with a small smile.
Then her gaze shifted slightly—
To Shiori.
"…Oh?" she added, her tone changing just a little. "Did you get a girlfriend, Uzuki-senpai?"
Ryuji raised an eyebrow.
"…That was fast."
Tsubaki tilted her head, curious.
"…So she's the one?"
Uzuki blinked.
Then sighed.
"…No," he said flatly. "She's the vice president."
A pause.
"…Ah."
"Disappointing," Satsuki muttered.
Shiori didn't said anything.
Uzuki stepped forward slightly.
"So," he said, "why did you call me?"
The mood shifted.
Slightly more serious now.
Satsuki crossed her arms lightly.
"…We're in trouble."
Uzuki's expression sharpened.
"What kind of trouble?"
Ryuji answered this time.
"A club needs at least four members to remain active," he said. "We only have three."
Tsubaki nodded.
"If we don't get at least one more member by next week…"
She hesitated.
"…The art club will be disbanded."
Silence filled the room.
Uzuki's gaze softened slightly.
"…I see."
Satsuki stepped forward.
"So we were hoping," she said, "that we could put up a promotion on the school notice board. Maybe attract new members."
Uzuki nodded almost immediately.
"That shouldn't be a problem," he said. "But I'll need to confirm it with a teacher first."
The three of them visibly relaxed.
"Thank you," Tsubaki said.
"We are grateful," Ryuji added.
Satsuki smiled faintly. "…We appreciate it."
Uzuki gave a small nod.
"We'll handle it."
With that, the meeting ended.
As they stepped back into the hallway, the air felt lighter again.
They walked in silence for a while.
Then—
"…Students really like you," Shiori said.
Uzuki glanced at her.
"…Do they?"
"You're popular," she continued. "And reliable."
A small pause.
"…A good person."
Uzuki looked ahead, a faint smile forming.
"…I try."
The conversation ended there.
Elsewhere—
On a quieter section of the staircase—
A figure stood alone.
Shun Yamabuki.
His expression was different from before.
"…Rei Hayakawa…"
His voice was low.
Barely above a whisper.
"I haven't forgotten."
His hand tightened slightly against the railing.
"What your father did…"
A pause.
"…Just wait."
His gaze hardened.
"I'll make sure you regret it."
"…You and your sister."
The staircase fell silent again.
As if nothing had been said at all.