On the weekend, the three of them went out together.
Sitting on the sofa in the student council room, Tsukiyomi Jinguuji leisurely read his novel, turning the pages at perfectly regular intervals. When he came across a sentence he particularly liked, he would linger for a few seconds longer.
One had to admit, the student council room was an ideal place for reading. Located in the rarely visited old school building, it was quiet and bathed in excellent natural light—a perfect retreat. But all of this depended on being able to enjoy the room alone. At present, it was far from a flawless sanctuary, and the reason naturally lay with the girl beside him.
“Hey, senpai, why do you only read these books? Are they really that interesting?”
“They’re alright.”
“Why not read light novels? I heard from the president that you read those too—the ones with illustrations.”
“Do you know Hotaka Kazumi? I really like his novels. I read every issue of his ‘Hotaka’s Cafeteria,’ and I love the anime he voices…”
“You can’t bring that kind of book to school,” Jinguuji interrupted.
“But the one in your hand is fine?”
Jinguuji lifted his book, revealing the title “I Am a Cat.”
Yō Miyagi fell silent, muttering under her breath, “Didn’t we study this enough in class?”
It was still class time; the other two members wouldn’t arrive so early. For now, it was just Jinguuji and Miyagi alone in the room. If the girl could keep her mouth shut, he’d find it even more pleasant than the gymnasium.
No, even if she chattered nonstop, Jinguuji still preferred this room over the gym. Perhaps he was allergic to “youth”—just being in that place made him itch all over.
Suddenly, Miyagi leaned in close, bumping her narrow shoulder against his arm again and again.
Jinguuji was long accustomed to Miyagi’s lack of boundaries; at this point, he couldn’t bring himself to protest.
“Hey, senpai.”
“…Hmm?” he replied, nasal and indifferent.
“I still haven’t asked why you skipped class.”
“It’s not skipping. It’s PE, and the teacher gave permission,” Jinguuji answered offhandedly.
“So you’re just like me then. Ah… Is it because you’re too handsome and the girls fight to team up with you? Haha.”
Jinguuji glanced at her flatly.
“…Uh, I was just kidding.”
Even though Miyagi was oblivious to such things, after meeting Jinguuji, she had started to pay some attention to the rumors about him, at least knowing what kind of reputation he had at school.
When people found out she had joined the student council alongside the infamous Jinguuji, they expressed concern for her.
But clearly, Miyagi was not the type of girl to be bound by such worries.
“Hey, senpai—”
“What is it now?”
“Can I ask a rather personal question?”
“No.”
---
“I heard you not only dated a teacher, but even kissed at school. Is that true?”
You really dare to ask.
“I already said ‘no,’ didn’t I?”
“But I can’t help myself.”
“Then don’t bother asking permission in the first place.”
“Oh…”
Miyagi fell quiet for a moment, then gazed at him hopefully.
“So? Is it true or not?”
Smack—
Thinking of that teacher, remembering her parting words, Jinguuji’s mind grew restless. He closed “I Am a Cat,” stood up, and left.
“Where are you going, senpai?”
“The bathroom.”
…
When Hoshino Mori Hoshino walked into the student council room, she was surprised to find Jinguuji and Miyagi already waiting.
“Jinguuji, isn’t this your week for duty?”
“It’s already done.”
“I see…” She turned to Miyagi, examining her outfit.
“Why are you in gym clothes, Miyagi? PE?”
“Uh… There are reasons beyond my control.”
In the end, no one explained anything to Hoshino, and student council business began.
But Hoshino didn’t stay long; she left for the drama club, this time without Jinguuji. Near the end of the day, she returned, packed up the files she’d been reviewing, apparently planning to work on student council business at home over the weekend.
After locking the room together and heading toward the staff office, Jinguuji eyed her heavy bag, hesitated, then offered to carry it for her.
Hoshino was momentarily surprised, then burst out laughing. “Jinguuji, are you finally trying to win me over?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Jinguuji replied, brushing her off.
“Then I won’t refuse. Here.”
“Hehe, I knew I wasn’t wrong about you. Jinguuji, you’re so gentle. Others just don’t see it.”
Jinguuji said nothing. The bag was unexpectedly heavy—clearly stuffed with files.
“Are these all for the weekend?”
“Yes! I spent my after-school work time guiding the drama club, so I have to make up for it in my own time.”
“But the drama club’s performance is for the culture festival. That counts as student council work, doesn’t it?”
---
“If you put it that way, wouldn’t I have to personally guide every club? I do it for the drama club because I used to be a member, out of personal attachment. But if I let my personal feelings make me dump all the council work on you, my pride wouldn’t allow it.”
So Jinguuji said no more, thinking to himself that Hoshino really was that kind of person.
“Such hard work—please take care of yourself.”
“Oh? Jinguuji, are you concerned about me?”
“It’s just polite. Why must you always steer the conversation in that direction?” he replied helplessly.
“Hmm… Why, indeed? Ahaha, maybe because I enjoy seeing you flustered.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You’re always so serious. If I spend too much time with you, I worry I’ll get so repressed I lose years off my life.”
“You don’t look repressed at all.”
“Of course not! I’m always happy—especially when I’m with you, Jinguuji.”
“……”
“Ah? Why so silent?” Hoshino covered her mouth, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“Nothing. Just thinking that someone actually feels happy around me… You must be a little strange yourself, President.”
“Oh, come on, are you just hiding your embarrassment? Is your affection for me increasing?”
“There’s no such thing.”
After returning the keys, the two left school together, chatting idly as they walked to the station. Once there, Jinguuji bid her farewell, but as he turned to go, she tugged at his sleeve.
Jinguuji looked at her, puzzled.
“Hey, Jinguuji, are you free tomorrow?” Hoshino asked.
“Tomorrow?”
“Mm-hmm.” She nodded with a smile.
“Do you want me to come help you with council work over the weekend? You were just talking about your pride a minute ago.”
“No, it’s something else.” She waved her hand.
“Something else?”
She let go of his sleeve, clasped her hands behind her back, and smiled softly.
“It’s not anything important, really.
“I’m going shopping with Sakura Komichi tomorrow, and I thought, if you’re free, maybe you could come along too… What do you think?”
“……”