Chapter 24: Student Council New Member Welcome Party

“Here, fill this out.”

“Thanks, Aya!”

During lunch break, I received the student council application form from Aya. Despite the prestigious name, the form itself was similar to a regular club application, asking for basic personal information.

However… the envelope containing the form was adorned with a gold embellishment. It felt like a heavy burden, but I couldn’t refuse.

My desire to be with Aya. And a vague sense of unease. They pushed me to make a decision. My past self had been comfortable with solitude, but now, I couldn’t bear the thought of being alone. I’d come to this world, and I didn’t want to be lonely. And neither did Rina.

The increasing number of confessions I’d received during my solitary lunch break walks had only amplified the loneliness. So, I decided it was better to be with Aya and Mizuki, under the umbrella of the student council, than to be alone in the going home club. But…

‘Do I even… deserve this position?’

My doubts were understandable. In the novel, there was a male student who had been active in the student council since middle school. He was a diligent and charismatic figure, playing a key role. He’d lost to Aya in the vice-presidential election (at Takamari, the vice-president typically became the president the following year), but he’d accepted the results gracefully and continued to perform his duties diligently.

He was supposed to be studying abroad but would return to Japan around the second semester due to family circumstances. In the novel, the protagonist filled his vacant position, and upon his return, they engaged in a heated debate over the direction of the student council.

‘So… I need to prepare for a debate too.’

The thought made my stomach churn. A public debate, observed by more than half of Takamari’s middle and high school students. An audience filled with promising young heirs and scions of prestigious families.

Having to confidently express my opinions in front of over three hundred elites… It was suffocating just to imagine. But I had to pay the price for taking his place.

“They’ll contact you after the review!”

“Okay…!”

I’d submitted the application, honestly expecting to be rejected. But…

“They said you can come after school today!”

“Huh?”

I’d submitted the form just before the end of lunch break… and they wanted me to come after school, just a few hours later…?

‘That’s… fast. The protagonist’s review took a week.’

Flustered by the speed of the process, I found myself standing before the student council room door. I could hear familiar voices from inside, and I imagined Aya waiting for me. I took a deep breath and knocked lightly.

“May I come in…?”

“Yes, come in,” Hiiragi-senpai’s smooth, deep voice replied.

I took another deep breath and opened the door.

“Congratulations, Rina! Welcome to the student council!” Mizuki’s cheerful voice greeted me, accompanied by the pop of a small party popper. Confetti rained down.

“…Huh?”

I stood there, dumbfounded. On the table were a small cake, some snacks, and neatly arranged teacups. Mizuki, sitting comfortably in a chair, waved at me, and Shirazuka-senpai poured tea with an elegant smile.

“Rina, welcome,” Aya said softly, approaching me with a small strawberry cake. Written on it in delicate icing were the words “Welcome.”

‘Ah, right, the welcoming party.’

It was the same as the one the protagonist had received in the novel. But I wasn’t the protagonist.

But… I was a new member of the student council.

“Th-Thank you…” I mumbled, lowering my head shyly.

Mizuki grinned and patted my shoulder. “Aw~ it’s just a small welcome for our new member!”

“Indeed. It’s only natural to welcome someone new,” Shirazuka-senpai added, pouring tea with a graceful gesture and a gentle smile. She’d been portrayed as an intimidating figure in the novel, but in person, she was surprisingly kind. Or perhaps that was because of our shared arcade experience.

But one person in the room was different. Fujimoto, sitting quietly at the corner of the table, glanced at me and sighed.

“…Congratulations,” he muttered, his terse words laced with a complex mix of emotions, a clear reluctance to fully accept me.

I avoided his gaze, smiling awkwardly as I sat down.

“Alright, everyone, welcome to the welcome party!” Hiiragi-senpai announced, clapping his hands lightly, his leadership effortlessly setting the tone, easing the tension in the room.

“Now, let’s all have some tea and chat, shall we?”

Teacups and small plates of desserts were neatly arranged on the table. The aroma of tea and cake filled the air. I picked up my teacup, inhaled the fragrant steam, and glanced around.

The problem was… I knew nothing about tea ceremonies. There were different types of spoons, and I didn’t know which one to use. As I cautiously held the warm cup, unsure of what to do, Mizuki had already dug into her cake with a fork.

If Mizuki, arguably the most refined young lady in the entire academy, could act so casually, maybe I didn’t need to be so formal…?

“Mmm~ this cake is delicious. Where did you get it?”

Shirazuka-senpai took a sip of her tea and smiled. “It’s from Mont-Clair Pâtisserie.”

“Oh~ let’s go together sometime.”

“Oh ho ho, certainly, Asakura-san.”

I chuckled inwardly, listening to their conversation. They were the same girls who’d been shouting and competing at arcade fighting games, yet they put on such a refined act in front of others. Tachibana-senpai, meanwhile, was quietly taking notes, adjusting her glasses.

“Please be mindful of the student council budget.”

“It’s already been accounted for in the welcome party budget, Tachibana-san.”

“Shirazuka-san’s lax attitude towards finances is a problem.”

Tachibana-senpai sighed lightly, her tone more playful than accusatory. It was the kind of banter only possible between close friends. Just then, Hiiragi-senpai, seated at the head of the table, looked at me.

“Kurosawa-san, I look forward to working with you.”

“Thank you. I look forward to working with you as well,” I replied, holding my teacup with both hands and bowing my head politely.

“Don’t feel pressured. You’re more than qualified, Kurosawa-san,” Tachibana-senpai said, her calm voice surprisingly reassuring, despite her stern demeanor.

“Now that we’re all here, shouldn’t we have a round of self-introductions, for our new member’s benefit?” Hiiragi-senpai suggested. Everyone nodded in agreement.

Well… I already knew everyone… but as a new member, I supposed it was proper to listen to their self-introductions.

Starting with the second-years.

Hiiragi Haruto, Vice-President. The black-haired prince. At first glance, he seemed perfect, with his sophisticated aura, gentle smile, and captivating gaze. But… was it just my imagination, or was he looking at me with a lingering, almost longing, gaze? Sorry, senpai, but boys weren’t my type.

Shirazuka Yurika, Secretary. My first impression had been that of a classic noble lady, with her elegant updo and graceful smile. But the Shirazuka-senpai in the novel, and the one I’d met in person, was someone who enjoyed a secret double life, sneaking off to arcades. Knowing this, I could now detect a mischievous glint in her eyes, similar to Mizuki’s.

Tachibana Kaho, Treasurer. A thorough pragmatist, whose outer appearance perfectly matched her inner self. Strict and meticulous, especially when it came to finances. But she was also kind and caring towards her juniors, so I wasn’t too worried.

Kamisaka Ren, Public Relations. I’d just learned his name. Ren-senpai, Ren-senpai… I repeated it in my head, but I knew I’d probably forget it soon. I’d just remember him as “the public relations senpai.”

Next, the first-years.

Asakura Mizuki, Treasurer. The cheerful and energetic mood maker. Honestly, without Mizuki, I might have been suffocated by the aristocratic atmosphere of this school. She’d made the student council seem more approachable, and I was grateful for her friendship.

Yukikawa Aya, Planning. Aya… my goddess. No further explanation needed.

Fujimoto Kenichi, Secretary. The one who glared at me. But now that he’d been introduced as the secretary, it seemed… fitting. I didn’t want to get close to him, but I knew he was competent.

After the self-introductions, the conversation naturally shifted to the remaining first-year position.

“So, the only remaining position for the first-years is public relations.”

“That’s right.”

“Rina in public relations…? That doesn’t seem like a good fit.”

“Huh…?”

Mizuki was right. Public relations required a lot of socializing and networking, something I wasn’t good at.

‘Can I even… do that…?’

As I hesitated, Mizuki raised her hand. “I’ll take the public relations position instead of Rina.”

“Asakura-san?”

“Yes! I’ve helped with public relations before, and I’m comfortable talking to people.”

“Hmm… alright, let’s do that.”

And so, Mizuki became the public relations officer, and all eyes turned to me.

“Then, Kurosawa-san, how about treasurer?”

“…Um, okay.”

Tachibana-senpai narrowed her eyes at me. Ugh… even if she was kind to her juniors, would she be kind to a junior who’d just been assigned such an important role? I felt a chill run down my spine. But I had to do my best.

Mizuki grinned and patted my back. “Let’s do this, Rina!”

“Yeah… I’ll do my best.”

And, in this room, Aya’s presence was the most reassuring. Looking at her gentle smile, I felt like I could handle anything.

“This isn’t just a welcome party, is it?” Hiiragi-senpai said, and everyone nodded.

“We need to discuss the Spring Festival.”