As I finished the last of the paperwork, I left the student council room and began my journey home. The school corridors were deserted at this late hour, with only the faint buzz of fluorescent lights accompanying my footsteps.
Exhaustion weighed heavily upon me, and the thought of cooking dinner felt like an insurmountable task.
Sighing wearily, I resigned myself to the idea of skipping dinner and headed straight home.
After a few minutes, I finally arrived at my house and entered, immediately seeking solace in the comfort of my room.
Collapsing onto my bed, I stared up at the ceiling, "So tiring..."
"We want to do something to keep the school from closing!" Her voice echoed in my mind, filled with determination. "School Idols are really popular now, so... I..."
Idols, huh...
Idol groups thrive on close interactions with fans, from handshake events to fan meetings and concerts. Building a dedicated fan base requires a strong presence and plenty of members to keep the momentum going.
Despite the challenges they may face, I wished them all the luck.
I decided to agree to support them, after all.
Feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me, I decided to call it a night and surrender to sleep's embrace.
The next day, back in the student council room...
"Good morning," I greeted as I entered the room, acknowledging President Ayase and Vice President Tojo.
"Good morning, Secretary Nishihara," President Ayase replied with a warm smile.
"Good morning," Vice President Tojo chimed in, her gentle demeanor evident in her greeting.
"Secretary Nishihara."
"Yes, President?"
"Thank you for handling the paperwork yesterday."
"Oh, it's no trouble at all. I have a feeling there will be more paperwork to tackle, especially with the Welcome Party coming up."
"Your intuition is spot on," Nozomi replied with a smile.
"Haha, I was hoping for a bit of a break, but it looks like we'll be even busier."
I remarked with a slight smile as I made my way to my seat and began reviewing the forms.
Today, the student council will be reviewing and approving proposals for activities at the Welcome Party. President Ayase and I were focused on the task at hand, while Vice President Tojo was engrossed in shuffling her tarot cards.
Vice President Tojo, at least try and give us a hand here.
"Hm? Did you say something, Secretary-kun?"
Vice President Tojo glanced at me, a smile playing on her lips.
"Oh, it's nothing important. Just lost in thought."
Uwah! Is she reading my mind!?
"Lost in thought?" Her smile widened slightly.
"Oh... just random thoughts, really."
"Fufu~ If you say so~" Tojo's gentle laughter filled the room as she returned her attention to her tarot cards.
Scary...!!
Just then, the door to the student council room slid open, revealing three familiar figures entering and closing it behind them.
It was Honoka, Kotori, and Umi once again.
Honoka confidently placed a form in front of President Ayase.
President Ayase regarded them with a blank expression, silently observing their actions.
"So early... What is it?"
President Ayase inquired as the trio approached.
"We thought we'd ask for permission to use the auditorium!"
Honoka answered with enthusiasm.
"The student handbook states that students can use the auditorium for purposes besides club activities," Umi added, providing additional context.
"To be specific, the requested date is after school on the day of the Welcome Party," Vice President Tojo interjected.
Curiosity flickered in President Ayase's eyes as she questioned.
"What are you planning?"
"Well..." Umi hesitated, but Honoka boldly stepped forward, taking the lead. "A concert. The three of us have decided to become the school idols, and we're planning to hold our first concert in the auditorium!"
"H-Honoka..." Umi's surprise was evident as she turned to her.
"W-We don't know if we'll be able to do that yet..." Kotori voiced her uncertainty.
"Huh, yeah, we will!" Honoka asserted, turning to Kotori with determination.
"J-Just a moment, I never agreed to appear onstage," Kotori protested.
While the trio engaged in their discussion, President Ayase and Vice President Tojo observed with neutral expressions.
Meanwhile, I focused on my own tasks, diligently checking the contents of the form from other students.
Honestly... These girls... are they really prepared to become idols?
"Are you truly prepared to undertake this?"
President Ayase's voice cut through the trio's resolve.
The girls exchanged glances, their determination unwavering.
"Huh? W-We'll be fine!" Honoka replied with unwavering determination.
"The Welcoming Party isn't merely a game," President Ayase cautioned.
"Well, they've only come to request permission to use the auditorium, you know?" Vice President Tojo interjected, offering a pragmatic perspective.
"I agree."
I added, still engrossed in my own tasks. "Why not grant their request? I highly doubt any harm will come of it."
"That's true..." Tojo nodded, rising from her seat and moving closer to the window. "Considering they're not an official club, the student council doesn't have the authority to provide extensive commentary on their request."
"Indeed, but..."
"President, let's view this as a positive opportunity for our school," I suggested with a smile, attempting to sway her decision.
With President Ayase's decision to accept their form, the trio departed, their excitement palpable as they left the room.
A few minutes later, after they had left, President Ayase broke the silence. "Nishihara... Nozomi... Why did you two take their side?"
"Instinct," I replied simply.
"Instinct?" President Ayase repeated, puzzled by our response.
At that moment, Nozomi opened the window with a serene smile.
"As for mine... No matter how many times I do it, that's what they guide me to do."
President Ayase's gaze shifted from Nozomi to the tarot cards on the table. "The cards...?" she murmured, her curiosity piqued.
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept into the room through the open window, causing the paperwork to scatter and the tarot cards to flutter in the air, accompanied by sakura petals.
"I'm honoring the divine will of the cards!"
Ah, I see now! That's why Nozomi-san was shuffling her tarot cards earlier! She must have been trying to predict something!
My attention was drawn to the card that had been revealed by the wind and now hung on the wall. It was "The Sun."
The Sun card symbolizes feelings of optimism and fulfillment...
After the wind finally subsided, I quickly gathered the scattered papers strewn across the floor.
It appeared that it would be a lengthy day ahead.
Resolving to tackle at least half of the paperwork, I diligently worked through the forms before making my way to my designated classroom.
Hours passed in a blur of lectures until finally, the lunch hour arrived.
Finally free from lectures, I stretched my limbs as I exited the classroom, feeling a wave of fatigue wash over me.
"Nishihara-kun," a classmate called out to me, causing me to pause in my tracks and turn towards her. "Yes?" I responded.
"What's your plan for the Welcome Party?" she inquired.
"Plan? Well, mostly just handling paperwork."
"How hardworking of you," another girl interjected with a chuckle.
"Well, it's thanks to all of you that I was nominated as secretary, even though I'm relatively new to the role. Without your support, I'd just be another student."
"But you are normal," one of them teased, prompting laughter from the group.
I smiled in response. "Well, I've got to head to the student council now. See you all later."
"See ya~" they chorused as I resumed my track to the council room overhearing the whispers of my peers as I walked.
"Nishihara-kun is actually helpful, huh... I'm glad there's a boy in our school."
"I know, right?"
"I heard he saved a girl from almost getting hit by a truck."
"Really? Oh my gosh."
I sighed inwardly, accustomed to the rumors that always seemed to surround me.
To be honest, I was initially an outcast at this school. During my first years, nobody really accepted me or even acknowledged me as a legitimate student. After all, what business did a male have in an all-girls school, right?
Rumors spread about me, mostly negative ones, painting me as an outsider. But everything changed on the day of the school festival.
That day, I intervened to save a girl from almost being crushed by a falling bookshelf in the library.
In an instant, the tide turned. The bad rumors were replaced by a single, positive rumor.
And now here I am... A secretary of the Student Council.
"Excuse me..." I slid the door open to the student council room, but it was empty. "No one's here, huh..." I muttered to myself with a slight disappointment.
I was expecting President and Vice President here... I guess I was wrong.
Deciding to make the most of the situation, I shrugged and resolved to head to the rooftop instead, where I could enjoy the breeze while eating my lunch.
As I made my way through the school, I exchanged greetings with a few passing students. However, as I ascended the stairs leading to the rooftop.
Hm?
As I reached the top of the stairs leading to the rooftop, the door swung open, revealing a female student exiting onto the rooftop. Our eyes briefly met, but she chose to ignore me, walking past without a word.
Wow... So she's just gonna ignore me like that.
With a sigh, I continued onto the rooftop, hoping for a moment of peace during lunch break.
"Oh? It's you three. What are you up to?"
I greeted them as I spotted Honoka, Umi, and Kotori.
"We were just trying to convince Nishikino-san to be our composer... but it seems she refused," Honoka explained with a hint of disappointment.
"Oh, is that so?" I said taking a seat near the door and unwrapping my lunch. (Bread) "How about you three take a break and have something to eat?"
The trio exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. "That's a good idea," Umi acknowledged. "Let's eat before lunchtime is over," she added.
"Okay..." Honoka responded with her tone slightly down.
"See you later, Nishihara-san," Kotori said bowing politely before leaving me alone to the rooftop.
I sat quietly, chewing my bread as I gazed up at the clouds, feeling the gentle breeze against my skin.
...
Too quiet...
Feeling the need to occupy myself, I finished my bread and checked the time on my phone. "An hour left before lunch ends."
I'll take note of it in my mind.
Deciding to make the most of my remaining break time, I headed back downstairs to the cafeteria and purchased another snack.
Now then... Time to head there.
With that in mind, I made my way to the music room where I knew she would likely be there.
A few minutes later, I arrived, only to find her focused on playing the piano. She paused when she noticed me enter, giving me a stern look.
"What are you doing here?"
Just visiting you," I replied casually, extending my arm to offer her the sandwich I had brought. "Here."
Her gaze softened slightly as she eyed the sandwich. "What's this for?"
"My treat. I figured you might not have had lunch yet."
I explained attempting to hide my concern behind a nonchalant demeanor.
"I was about to eat after finishing this one song until you showed up."
Oh, you and your tsundere tendencies are shining through.
If you're wondering who I'm talking to, her name is Nishikino Maki, a first-year student known for her skills on the piano. She has semi-long red hair that reaches her shoulders and piercing purple eyes. One trait that I like about her is her tsundere nature.
But how did we meet?
Well, it was a typical day at school, and I was wandering the halls when I heard the sound of a piano accompanied by a beautiful singing voice. Intrigued, I followed the melody until I reached the music room.
And there, to my surprise, I found Nishikino Maki, lost in her music, singing and playing the piano with incredible skill and passion.
It was a mesmerizing sight and sound that captivated me instantly.
"Well? What are you here for?"
I decided to take a seat, grabbing a chair and positioning it beside the piano so I could face her directly. "I heard you rejected Kosaka-san's proposal to compose a song for them."
"And? What about it? It's my choice."
"Then can you at least tell me why you rejected their offer?"
"Haa? Well... I don't even listen to that type of music."
"Country bumpkin, huh..." I muttered under my breath.
"Who are you calling 'country bumpkin'!?"
"You're not?"
"I'm not! I just prefer classical or... jazz!"
"Oh? So you prefer the old style."
"Plus, pop music these days is so light and lacks substance... as if they're just playing around. I mean, have you heard the lyrics in some of these pop songs? It's like they're not even trying to say anything meaningful," Maki remarked, frustration evident in her voice.
"True, it does seem like many artists prioritize catchy tunes over lyrical depth."
"Exactly! I want music that challenges me, that makes me think or feel something real."
"Then... how about listening to their lyrics for once?"
"Huh?"
"It couldn't hurt to listen for their lyrics once you know?" I placed the sandwich delicately on the piano keys and rose from my seat, preparing to leave. But before I could take a step, Maki's voice stopped me.
"Nishihara-senpai... Why are you telling me this?"
I paused, slowly turning to face her over my shoulder. "Because I'm their first supporter." before turning away and heading out of the music room.
Maki's gaze then turned to the sandwich, and picked it up, she found a sticky note attached to the wrap, which she read with furrowed brows. "Anonymity," it read.