— SHORT STORY —

[ SUZUNE HORIKITA ]

He Who Stands Beside Me

You want to join the student council?”

President Nagumo looked surprised when I asked to join the

student council.

“What kind of development occurred for this to happen? I

honestly can’t say I have the intention to accept your request.”

“So I’m not welcomed?”

“No. I basically don’t refuse anyone who wants to come to me.

If there is a person who wants to join the student council, I will

accept them as long as vacancies allow me to. I’m not interested in

the reason for applying either. Even if it’s for the OAA’s sake,

future job positions or for justice, it’s all up to you.

“But you are special, Suzune Horikita. I’ll only give you one

condition to join the student council.”

As Manabu Horikita’s sister, it seems a condition is necessary

for me to join.

“What’s the condition?”

I prepare myself to receive it by asking him.

“Tell me why you decided to join the student council at this

timing.”

That condition isn’t what I would’ve imagined, but I can’t refuse

to answer it either way. Even if I made up some stupid lie here, he

surely wouldn’t think twice about it. That said, I can’t mention

Ayanokouji-kun’s relation to this either.

“I had a certain obsession over my brother that caused some

tumult between us. To eliminate that feud was the reason why I

entered this school. However, the relationship between me and my

brother never changed.

“I didn’t want to admit that I wasn’t growing as a person. My

brother wouldn’t accept such a person. In the end, a whole year was

wasted without settling anything with him—that is, until just before

his graduation.”

I answered with the most convincing voice I could muster,

feeling my heart beating faster and faster. And he, who listened

closely, didn’t say anything either. If it all ends without me being

able to enter the student council, he would surely be disappointed.

I want to avoid that at all costs.

Disappointed? In me? Why am I so afraid of him being

disappointed in me?

My heart couldn’t handle this feeling that I never realized I had

before. How do I look to him right now? I’ll admit I am a bit

interested in that…

The fact that he isn’t a normal student is something I’ve known

for a long time, even before he got that perfect score in

mathematics.

President Nagumo, who stands in front of me, is certainly an

amazing student, no less even acknowledged by my brother… but

even comparing him to Ayanokouji-kun—I feel that my

impressions are beginning to change.

I undoubtedly value him very highly. While a part of me wants

to learn his true potential, I realise there is a part of me that wants something else.

That is—I want him to acknowledge me.

Perhaps that was one of the reasons why I so happily obliged to

join the student council?

…That isn’t my intention.

I pushed those odd thoughts into the back of my mind. There’s

other, more important things I have to focus on right now.

—I have to enter the student council and watch President

Nagumo’s movements. That is a crucial task.

Taking hold of my focus again, I threw away those unnecessary

thoughts.

“There are no student council members from the second-year,

other than Honami right now, and the lack of numbers is causing

us a fair bit of trouble.

“Welcome to the student council. From today onwards, I’ll have

you work as a student council member, Suzune.”

I took the left hand that he held out towards me.

“Of course.”

Our relationship will be full of thorns. Even so, there are

certainly many things that I can learn from him who once stood

beside my brother. I will take that experience and grow further.

By doing so, Ayanokouji-kun will surely acknowledge me. And

when that time comes… we will definitely be knocking on the door

of class A.

That is a premonition I can’t shake away.

— SHORT STORY —

[ ICHIKA AMASAWA ]

What is Reflected in her Eyes

I wore my favorite clothes today as I hummed to a song.

“Will this be cute enough for him?”

For two weeks now, I’ve been watching the movements of a

class 2-D student by the name of Kei Karuizawa. From the café, to

the karaoke, she’s been going to every corner of Keyaki Mall.

However, thanks to my endearing dedication to stalking her, the

promised day has finally come.

Unlike her normal routine, Karuizawa is heading straight back

to the second-year dormitories after school today. I rushed to the

lobby of the second-year dormitories and watched as she went

inside her room.

After waiting for a while, I took the elevator up to the floor

where Karuizawa’s room is. Whilst waiting for her to appear again,

I hid myself near the emergency staircase, with my breath held as I

stood on alert.

An hour later, she exited her room, wearing her school uniform.

Looks like she’s ready for her secret date.

The beat of my heart accelerated as I watched her take the

elevator to Ayanokouji-senpai’s room floor. With that confirmed, I hastily left the second-year
dormitories and returned to my own

room.

“Perfect!”

It’s a hassle that I had to do it this way, but now I can finally

change into some cute clothes! It wouldn’t work as well if I’m not

cute enough.

“Ah, yes! I can’t forget this!”

I bought a lovely little protective box at the convenience store

earlier, which will be crucial to my act. I slid it into one of my

pockets.

After I finished changing my clothes, I left the first-year dorm.

I really wanted to head straight to the second-year dorm, but I

resigned myself and went to Keyaki Mall first.

At the supermarket, I hurriedly threw in whatever cooking

groceries I could find into my trolley. The type of groceries I picked

weren’t important, so long as they spoil easily, such as vegetables

and fresh meat.

After paying for them, I once again head to the second-year

dormitories.

Luckily, a student had just returned, so I followed them inside

from behind and got past security. Using the emergency stairs, I

climbed up to room 401 where Ayanokouji-senpai and Karuizawa

are secretly dating.

My heart raced as I approached his room. I tried to calm myself

down before I reach the door.

I assumed they could see me through the peephole on the door,

so I hid the bag with fresh groceries in a corner, dead to all lines of

sight.

Alright! Preparations are complete!

I rang the door bell without any prior notice. After a stretched

length of silence, I felt senpai from behind the door. “Senpai~!”

I called out to him in the sweetest voice I could muster. He must

be looking at me now. My cuteness must have already attracted his

line of sight.

But it won’t be enough.

I have to make him realize it’s the one and only me.

For that reason, I must force him to invite me inside using

whatever means I could think of.

Everything’s fine. I can predict all the ways he’ll reject me.

Twice. Thrice.

No matter how many times he may try to push me away, I won’t

back down. He’ll succumb to my tenacity.

To get close to a strong opponent, it is necessary to pierce at

them using their weak points. I will thoroughly aim at his ever so
little weaknesses.

As the door slowly creaked open, I smiled broadly.

“It’s me!”

I wonder what sort of face he is making right now… I’m so

looking forward to that.

— SHORT STORY —

[ SHIINA HIYORI ]

An Excuse

Albert-kun and I waited quietly on standby right around a corner. I

could hear the voice of an energetic Ishizaki-kun and a calm

Ayanokouji-kun from a slight distance away.

Our goal was to create a small group for the special exam which

is scheduled to be held on an uninhabited island. The first student

that crossed our minds to invite wasn’t Sakayanagi-san, Ichinose-

san, nor even Horikita-san.

Ishizaki-kun and I both shared this train of thought.

Our idea was to call out to Ayanokouji-kun and invite him to

our group before anyone else does. I just thought this was such a

right move to do.

Before long, Ayanokouji-kun bumped into us, and showed a

surprised look at the sight of Albert-kun.

“Hello there, Ayanokouji-kun,” I greeted.

“This is a rare combination.”

“Maybe so.”

The plan was rushed, so it’s no wonder Ishizaki-kun hadn’t

planned anything after this. I could easily have said something to

him, but I decided to keep silent. “I have a bad feeling about this. Can I go?”
He probably sensed some danger ahead so he asked if he could

go back.

“Well, aren’t you free right now? We’re not letting you go

anywhere.”

With our movements in sync, Albert-kun and I went behind

Ayanokouji-kun.

“You won’t let me… what?”

“I’m sorry, Ayanokouji-kun. I can’t let you escape.”

Albert-kun held his back with a tight grip, while I took hold of

his left arm to prevent him from escaping.

“What…?”

Us using force on him was not expected, so it’s no wonder why

he looks so confused. Though, truthfully, even if we invited him by

force, I already know it would be futile.

He’s probably going join a group solely made up of class D

students, or possibly even going alone. In either case, such a person

who holds the key to success wouldn’t easily succumb to other

classes.

But even so, I chose to encourage Ishizaki-kun on his plan and

accompany him while doing so.

“We’re looking suspicious here. Let’s move, Ishizaki-kun.”

What was my reason for helping? Well, I only wanted to…

Yes—I only wanted to meet Ayanokouji-kun.

I decided to cooperate since I wanted an excuse. I slightly

tightened my embrace of Ayanokouji-kun’s arm.

I’m looking forward to spending more time together with him,

even just for a second longer—

— SHORT STORY —

[ SAKURAKO TSUBAKI ]

What Could Be Seen from That

Back

If I were to be asked about what I am best at, I would answer,

without hesitation, that it was my insight and intuition.

On the way back to the dorms from Keyaki Mall, I am watching

Ayanokouji-senpai’s back disappearing into a convenience store.

I had been silently trailing him until now, but he hasn’t yet

shown any signs of noticing me.

However—he definitely did notice me.

His usual behaviour is that of a normal high school student. He

looked completely ordinary, like a student one would find

anywhere without needing any effort.

I stayed a proper distance away from him, taking a lollipop

nearby before calling out to him. But still, there isn’t a need for me

to assume he’s already noticed me.

He didn’t pay any attention to me and continued to put items

into his shopping basket. Before long, I called out to him right as

he was about to pay.

“Excuse me?”

If I decided to let him leave, there won’t be any other chance

left today.

“Tsubaki, right? Do you need something from me?”

Even when I directed his attention towards me, he didn’t seem

surprised at all. He didn’t bring up the fact that I’ve been watching

him in the café either.

“There’s something I want to speak to you about, so if you don’t

mind, could you wait outside for me for a moment?”

Buying a lollipop is the least I could do to show courtesy

towards the shop and not have the impression of a window-shopper.

Well, actually… this guilt might just be the work of the store

clerk.

“Thanks for waiting.”

I removed the wrapping paper of the lollipop as I started to walk.

To tell you the truth, I’m not very good at holding conversations.

It’s not like I’m particularly bad at talking to people of the

opposite gender—I’m just bad at talking overall.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

He asked me the reason for calling out to him.

“There’s something he had to tell you about, if I happen to meet

you, Ayanokouji-senpai.”

For now, I have to buy enough time for Utomiya-kun to arrive.

“Utomiya-kun did?”

He knows what I’m thinking. That questions of his answered

itself.

“Guess I was right.”

As expected of him… wait, is that the right way to put it?

“He said he’ll be here at once.”

I’m not able to dig into his psyche just yet. Though, there is

more than enough time to spare, so no need for panicking. Just do

it slowly but surely.

And then –

Short Stories Ends Here.

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