When I reunited with my arrogant childhood friend, she had become a talented and beautiful girl – Even though she has probably forgotten about me and I don’t want to be toyed with, for some reason she keeps getting involved with me!?

At Hekiryō Academy, the all-school morning assembly time is used for a greeting by the new student council president, and the student council members are announced to all students.

It’s a tradition at Hekiryō Academy that the students called by name are invited to the stage to receive a chrysanthemum badge made of gold, the symbol of the student council, from the previous student council president.

At this point, the only ones who know who the members are are the previous student council president, Aoi-san, and the new student council president, Akane. The only others would be the members themselves and the head of the election committee, Shion.

We wait for that moment, looking up at the podium while harboring thoughts about what kind of members will be selected.

At least, that was supposed to be the case.

Right now, I’m in the wings of the stage with Akane.

Akane said she brought me here after speaking to various people.

… I wonder why she brought me here. While thinking the same thing as before, I listen to the principal’s long talk and look at Akane who is next to me.

“Being here together like this reminds me of that time,” Akane began, sounding nostalgic.

Akane, who has stage fright, was set to give the morning assembly greeting.

“Back then, Akane, your face was pale.”

“Yes, I was so scared back then, but now it’s different.”

Her words are not just bluster. I can understand that by looking at Akane’s face. Accepting her weakness and confronting it, she looks commendable no matter who looks at her.

“I’ve changed, just a little bit. Today, I wanted you to see me become the student council president up close.”

Akane said that and laughed.

This is the reason she brought me here.

This is probably the last “request from Akane.”

“Now, we will have the announcement of the 104th student council by the new student council president.”

“Well, I’m off. Make sure to watch.”

As she said that, Akane walked from the shadows of the wings to the illuminated stage.

Ah, I understand. This is the “end.”

“Good morning, everyone. I’m Shinjo Akane, the 104th student council president.”

Unlike before, I couldn’t help but feel

“Tearing up, are we?”

“…Shion. Please don’t anticipate what I’m thinking.”

“Hehe, I apologize.”

When I turned around, Kanzaki Shion was there.

“Good morning, Kando-kun. What a coincidence to meet you here.”

“If coincidences pile up like this, I wonder if it’s really a coincidence.”

“What are you talking about? I just got lost and happened to end up here. Oh dear, Shion slipped up.”

“At least put some heart into what you say.”

“It’s Shinjo-san’s first big moment. Shall we watch it together?”

“It’s useless to refuse, isn’t it?”

“Hehe, indeed, you understand well.”

And so, Shion and I ended up watching Akane’s big moment together.

“This time, I have made significant changes to the student council as the first step in changing this school.”

Ah, I seem to recall Futaba said something like that before.

“In order to overcome the problem of inadequate handover of duties that has existed in the past, the previous student council president, Shinjo Aoi, will continue to serve as deputy student council president.”

Deputy student council president… isn’t that a good attempt? In fact, Aoi-san lamented that the workload of the student council president was too much and she couldn’t hand over the duties properly.

It’s probably just for a certain period. There should be no problem.

“Next, I will announce the student council members. Students whose names are called, please come up to the stage.”

…Here it comes. I feel overwhelmed, my heart pounding.

“Student council treasurer, Nakano Futaba.”

Well, I knew… I persuaded her.

Futaba heads to the stage, yawning sleepily.

“Student council secretary, Komiyama Hiyori.”

Huh, Hiyori? No, I expected her to join the student council, but I was taken aback because I thought she would definitely be the vice president.

Hiyori heads to the stage with her usual confident manner, watched by many students.

Then who’s the vice student council president…

“Vice student council president, Kanzaki Shion.”

…Huh?

“An unexpected… expression, isn’t it?”

Shion next to me peers into my face with a small smile.

Certainly, if it’s Shion, she would be able to handle both the role of election committee chairperson and vice student council president. But, I didn’t think her name would come up here.

“I didn’t expect you to be so invested in Akane.”

“Oh, please don’t misunderstand. This is purely for my own purpose.”

What does that mean-

“I would like to announce another significant point regarding the student council.”

Another major change?

“In establishing the new student council this time, we have created a new recommendation quota.”

The hall buzzed at Akane’s words.

A recommendation quota…? My heart flutters at those words.

“This recommendation quota refers to outstanding students recommended by the student council, club union, and committee union. Unless there is a valid reason, these students will be required to join the student council.”

Student council members, club union, committee union, compulsory… no way…

“Recommendation quota, Vice Student Council President, Sato Kazuki.”

“…Shion. Did you do this?”

“I just proposed it. They carried it out.”

“No… it’s impossible. It can’t be.”

“Impossible… what do you mean?”

“I mean, it’s not easy to create a “recommendation quota”. This is a new rule within the school. Various procedures are required, and even if it’s proposed, it can’t be done in a few weeks.”

“That’s right. That’s why I proposed this “recommendation quota” and have been pushing for it since a year ago. For when you returned to this school.”

“…Huh?”

“The reason I became the election committee chairperson was to create this “recommendation quota”, and I prompted you to give a supporting speech to make all students aware of the fact that “Kazuki Kando has returned”. If so, it’s easy to gather recommendation letters.”

Easy? What is she talking about?

“No way… not just student council members, but getting recommendation letters from all club presidents and committee chairpersons…”

“That’s the man named Kazuki Kando.”

I was speechless at Shion’s words.

Wait, wait… I can’t keep up with this.

“…Did you know I would come back here that far in advance?”

“No? I only knew that you had returned to this school after reading the letter you sent me.”

So, in other words, she had been preparing for my return, even though she didn’t know if I would come back? All this time?

“I just considered the possible future and was prepared for a reunion at any time. Besides, I was confident that we would meet again someday.”

“Confident…?”

“Yes, it’s fate. I am a maiden, after all.”

I could feel an extraordinary determination in her eyes.

“Besides, it wasn’t just me. In fact, Shinjo-san and the others were the ones who convinced the school to recognize this “recommendation quota”, coordinated with the club and committee unions, and gathered the recommendation letters.”

Shion says it easily, but it’s not something ordinary.

That’s why I don’t understand. Why is she so obsessed with my existence?

“You underestimate us. Our obsession with you.”

Saying that, Shion walked towards the stage a step ahead.

Shinjo Akane.

Nakano Futaba.

Komiyama Hiyori.

Shinjo Aoi.

Kanzaki Shion.

They were all looking at me, waiting for me to come out.

There’s no way to refuse when it’s announced so publicly in front of all the students. I’m completely cornered.

I was dragged from the shadowy backstage to the bright stage by Akane and the others.

As the last member, I was handed a golden chrysanthemum badge by Aoi-san.

“…You really did it.”

“Hmm, what do you mean? I just adopted it as part of the school’s reform.”

Aoi-san’s face bore a triumphant expression.

“So, let’s get along from now on♪ Vice President.”

“Y-Yes, nice to meet you.”

“Hehe… your face is twitching, isn’t it?”

“Hahaha…”

With a bitter smile, I received the badge.

Heirin High School, 104th Student Council

President: Shinjo Akane

Vice President: Kanzaki Shion

Secretary: Komiyama Hiyori

Treasurer: Nakano Futaba

Vice President (Recommendation Quota): Sato Kazuki

These are the five members.