Haruya internally let out a deep sigh.
Glancing at the blackboard, he noticed that the list of potential events had exceeded ten items.
Most of them were food stall ideas, but everyone’s opinions converged on a play after their homeroom teacher said, [Since every class wants to do food stalls, a play might be a good choice~].
Haruya felt somewhat relieved that they had decided on a play, as overlapping with other classes’ events would have required discussions in the executive committee meetings.
“Now that we’ve decided on a play, who wants to write the script?”
Just deciding on the genre had taken more time than expected.
Choosing a scriptwriter, reviewing the script, making costumes…
There was still so much to consider.
Well, tasks like script review and costume making would probably be assigned to specific committees…
“Oh, Yuuna-rin, you’ll write the script!?”
“…Well, since Rin said she’d work hard on the executive committee, I thought I’d try to do something for the festival too… This seems like a good opportunity…”
Yuuna volunteered, twirling a strand of her jet-black hair around her finger.
No other students seemed to be stepping forward.
It looked like Yuuna would be the scriptwriter.
(Nayu-san ending up as the scriptwriter… This could be quite interesting.)
Perhaps due to his personal feelings, Haruya found himself writing [Takamori Yuuna] on the blackboard a bit more neatly than the other names.
Haruya and Yuuna had been interacting behind the scenes in their alter egos.
Yuuna also had a hidden side, and they communicated with each other as Haru-san and Nayu-san, wearing metaphorical masks.
Even with these masks on, they talked about their shared interest in shoujo manga.
Their tastes seemed to align, and they always got excited discussing their favorite series.
They had similar preferences in shoujo manga, and their favorite works were often the same.
Haruya couldn’t help but be excited about a production with her as the scriptwriter.
“…Ah, but don’t expect too much from me, okay? Just letting you know as a precaution.”
“No way~ We’re definitely going to have high expectations, Yuuna-sensei!”
“Geez, Rin… If you say things like that, I might withdraw my offer.”
“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again, Yuuna-sensei~”
“…You haven’t changed at all.”
The classmates burst into laughter at this exchange.
Checking the clock, Haruya realized it was getting late.
People with club activities, especially those in sports clubs, should probably wrap things up soon.
“Alright then, with Yuuna-rin in charge of the script— once again, our class will be doing a play!”
Another round of applause erupted from the class.
This call from Rin signaled the end of today’s discussion.
Although standing at the podium and writing on the blackboard all this time had been tiring, the news that Nayu-san would be writing the script put Haruya in a good mood.
(I might be too easily pleased… But I’m really looking forward to Nayu-san’s script…)
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
It’s better to have meetings earlier rather than later.
With that in mind, the executive committee meeting was about to begin.
Given how late it was getting, today’s meeting would likely be limited to greetings and self-introductions.
As he walked towards the meeting room, the beautiful girl walking slightly ahead of him spoke without turning around.
“…Sorry for the sudden question. You ended up having to be on the executive committee…”
“……………”
Haruya was at a loss for words at her sudden address.
The best response would probably be something like “No, it’s fine. Let’s do our best together,” but due to his pent-up frustration, he remained silent.
Seeing Haruya’s reaction, Rin laughed softly and continued.
“To tell you the truth… I’ve been interested in you for a while, Akasaki-kun~”
“Huh…”
Haruya froze at this unexpected confession.
At that moment, Rin turned around.
Her semi-long hair and slightly short skirt swayed as she did so.
“I guess from your reaction, you hadn’t noticed.”
“No, it’s just… I don’t understand why you, Rin-san, would be interested in me.”
“Because Akasaki-kun is hiding something, aren’t you?… You can’t fool my eyes~. Besides, Akasaki-kun seems interesting.”
Her tone was as if she was peering into the depths of his soul.
Just as his long bangs obscured his vision, Haruya never failed to close off his heart.
Trying to maintain his composure, he asked.
“…Interesting? I don’t think I’m that interesting.”
“No way~ I think it’s quite interesting that you suddenly called me by my first name, and with a question mark at that.”
“…………”
“Hehe, maybe you didn’t properly remember my family name?”
“Don’t you think that’s cruel?”
“Not at all. If anything, I’m relieved to confirm you don’t have any ulterior motives. It’s good to know we can have a purely business-like relationship.”
Her voice remained cheerful as she gave him a thumbs up.
“You see, I’m quite popular despite how I look~ Don’t fall for me, okay, Akasaki-kun!”
At that moment.
“…!”
Haruya caught his breath.
It wasn’t because of her “coy” way of speaking.
He was taken aback by her way of being—acting cheerful while building walls around herself.
—As if she was afraid of something.
—As if she was hiding her heart.
Because he sensed something slightly similar to himself…
He had an inkling about her type.
A distorted relationship where they were acquaintances from the café, knowing only each other’s family names.
Yes, her family name was…
“I’m Kohinata. Kohinata, okay? Remember that at least, Akasaki-kun.”
He had been trying not to see, hiding behind his long bangs.
He had been closing his heart, trying not to get involved.
The moment that facade crumbled, her face clearly appeared in Haruya’s eyes.
—Ah, it’s Kohinata-san.
The moment he clearly recognized her existence, relief outweighed surprise.
Perhaps that’s why, without realizing it, he addressed her in a slightly more casual tone.
“Nice to meet you, Kohinata-san.”
“…!”
She widened her eyes for a moment.
Perhaps she felt a sense of déjà vu at Haruya’s appearance.
But it was only for a moment, and after shaking her head vigorously, she turned back to face forward.
Creating an obviously coy voice, she said:
“Let’s get along well from now on, Akasaki-kun.”
“You really have a nice personality.”
It’s as if she’s declaring that she’s putting on an act.
Haruya followed Rin into the conference room.
The room designated for the first-year student committee meeting was indeed a conference room.
The second and third-year students were probably having similar committee meetings in other classrooms.
It was no different in size from the classrooms they usually used, making Haruya feel stupid for having expected something more.
(Well, you know, when you hear ‘conference room,’ you imagine something spacious with an open feel. But there was none of that. Damn it. This is just a classroom with the name ‘conference room’ slapped on it. I won’t be held responsible if this violates fair labeling laws.)
When Haruya entered the conference room with Rin, there were already a few people inside.
Many students were engaged in chatter, but when they noticed Rin, everyone turned their gaze towards her.
Whether they were mesmerized or there was some special gravitational pull forcing them to look at her, it was unclear, but almost everyone in the room seemed to have their eyes drawn to her.
After a while… their gazes shifted to her companion, Haruya.
However, in Haruya’s case, their eyes quickly darted away.
It was a storm of glances that clearly said, “Ah, I see…”
(Hey… I want to go home already… Kohinata-san?)
As he was sending such a gaze towards Rin,
“Looks like most of us are here,”
said one male student, looking around the room.
“We don’t have much time today, so let’s do introductions and self-introductions. Also, if your class has decided on what to do for the festival, please share that. Is that okay?”
“Yeah, I think that’s good!”
This student is probably a girl from another class.
She agrees to the proposal loud enough for everyone to hear.
“…Are we going to decide on the committee’s events another day?”
A student from yet another class asked, pushing up his glasses.
“That’s right. Since time’s up, let’s start with self-introductions to get to know each other,”
said the male student who had taken the lead, taking a seat. Following his lead, the other students began to sit down in available seats.
Haruya also took a nearby empty seat.
Once everyone was seated, the male student who had taken charge looked around with a gentle smile.
“Well then, shall we begin? Let’s start with self-introductions. I’ll go first. I’m Kogure Yudai, and I’m in the student council. Our class is planning to do a popcorn stand for the festival. Nice to meet you all.”
He finished his brief greeting and self-introduction with a refreshing smile.
Everyone in the room applauded.
Haruya, not having the mental fortitude to pretend to be asleep in this situation, joined in the applause a bit late.
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