Episode 343: Term of office's end

It's been a week since I introduced Noelle to everyone. For some reason, Noelle didn't get involved with me at all during that time. I think Nanami and the others probably said something to her.

"Good morning, desu, Fuhito-sama."

After all, now that a week has passed, she greets me normally, it's like she was banned from talking to me for a week as a period of reflection.

And even though I told her that she didn't have to change how she called me, for some reason only the 'sama' remains, and it seems she settled on calling me by my name plus 'sama'.

Well, I feel like it's far better than Yuusha-sama, so I decide not to say anything more.

"Speaking of which, it's almost election time."

"Election?"

Aki suddenly says something like that during a break between classes, so I ask him back.

I don't remember anything like that on TV.

"What, don't you know?"

Seeing me who can't think of anything, Aki makes an expression of disbelief.

Even if you look at me like that, I don't know what I don't know, so it can't be helped ...

"Yeah. What kind of election is it?"

"Seriously, this guy. You're not interested in that sort of thing at all. It's obvious, isn't it, it's for being the Student Council President."

When I ask him about the details of the election without giving any excuses, he gives me a very comprehensible answer.

"Ahh ~ , is that so ... It's already time for that."

Was the election a topic within the school ... After failing to make my High School Debut, I didn't really think about things inside the school.

"That's right. September is the election period at this school. The term of office runs from October to September."

"I see. The Student Council President will no longer be the Student Council President sometime soon."

It's hard to imagine that the Student Council President will no longer be the Student Council President.

"Even so, she will take over and teach the work content for a while, so it will be quite a while before she completely leaves."

"I suppose so, but for us, she is the Student Council President. 

"I don't know."

We shrug our shoulders at each other with indescribable expressions.

-Ki~n Ko~n Ka~n Ko~n!

"Hey~, take a seat~. Let's start class~."

While we are talking like that, the chime rings and the teacher of the next class opens the door and enters the classroom. Those who were talking to their friends face forward and straighten their posture. It is the same with us, Aki looks forward and I straighten my posture.

I can't believe that Student Council President will no longer be the Student Council President ...

I still can't digest the fact inside myself, so I look outside with a blank look.

"Food."

"That's right. Let's go have lunch."

When class ends and it is time for lunch, Shia calls out to me like usual, so I nod and leave my seat.

"Wait. Don't leave me behind."

"My bad, my bad."

"Well, it's fine."

Aki expresses his dissatisfaction at us standing up without saying anything, and I bow my head with a wry smile on my face, and Aki answers with a slightly annoyed look.

He'll forgive me because he's kind.

"Fuhito-sama, can I go with you, desu?"

"Ahh, I don't mind. Right?"

When we start walking towards the doorway to leave the classroom, Noelle says she wants to go to lunch with us.

I guess she called out to me because the contact ban period has passed, so I don't have any problems.

That's why I ask everyone else to confirm.

"Of course I don't mind, rather, please come join us!!"

"Nn."

Aki bows his head deeply, Shia doesn't seem to have received any orders from Nanami either, and she nods and gives permission. However, she is sticking close to me and firmly guarding me.

"Fuhito-kun, of course I'm going too, you know?"

"Yes, yes, I understand. Amane's bento is always delicious. I'm grateful."

"Ufufu, you understand well."

Amane joins us on the way, and the five of us start walking towards the rooftop.

"Ah, Satou-kun, what a coincidence."

"Ah, Student Council President. It really is. Are you having lunch?"

Just like when I met the Student Council President who was looking for Noelle, today is also a coincidence to run into the Student Council President at lunch.

"Yes, that's right. Satou-kun and the others too?"

"Ah, yes, that's right. It's been a while, would you like to come with us?"

I nod when the Student Council President who answers my question asks me the same question.

I wonder what the Student Council President thinks about the end of her term of office.

Thinking that, I naturally invite her to lunch.

"Ara, it's unusual for Satou-kun to invite me. Of course it's fine. Is the rooftop okay?"

"That's right. Let's go to the roof."

The Student Council President accepts my invitation with a happy smile. We head to the roof together.

Including the Student Council President's entourage, it's a large group of nine. Lunch time passes by while talking about trivial things without being able to find an opportunity to talk.

"Come to think of it, the Student Council President's term of office is about to end."

As if seeing through my frustration, Aki interrupts the conversation at the end of lunch.

"Yeah, that is so, isn't it. I've been working in my own way for the past year, and it's deeply moving."

"For us, the only Student Council President is Hojou-senpai, so it will be lonely."

The Student Council President looks into the distance at Aki's words and replies with a slightly lonely smile, and Aki also has a sad expression on his face.

"Thank you very much. It makes me happy to hear you say that. But time will not wait. My era is over, and the next Student Council President's Era is about to being. I think it will be difficult for the next Student Council President, so please support them."

"Of course. Please leave it to me!!"

Looking at Aki's sad state, the Student Council President replies happily, and at the same time, her expression is filled with sorrow, but Aki doesn't seem to notice it and accepts the request from the Student Council President by pounding his fist against his chest over his heart.

After that, the bell rings, so lunch ends, and everyone starts preparing to return to their respective classrooms.

"It's almost over ..."

Perhaps thinking that no one can hear her, the words the Student Council President murmurs while looking at the city from the rooftop for some reason stick in my ears.