Hachiman laughed in response.
This was all because of you, you know~
What did I do?
The plans you wrote have already been put into practice on a trial basis, and the response has been pretty good so far.
Haruno said this.
So you called just to say that?
No, there are two other things.
Just say them already. Yukino and I still have work to do.
Aww~ Little Yukino hasn't contacted me lately either. She really forgets her sister once she gets a lover.
Are you going to keep talking or not?! Hachiman roared irritably at his sister-in-law.
All right, all right. Young people shouldn't be so impulsive~ The first thing is~ Dad said that Yukino should bring you home for dinner this weekend.
So? Are you happy?
No... I'm just a little surprised. I know about that now, but what's the second thing?
The second thing is~ You were originally supposed to get a share of the profits, but considering how men become corrupted once they have money, I transferred most of it to Yukino's account. You don't mind if I leave you a little spending money, right? Haruno said with a grin.
I don't mind. It's all the same wherever it goes.
Hachiman answered.
Then that settles it. We'll talk about anything else tomorrow.
What? Are you coming to Sobu High School?
The Cultural Festival is coming up, isn't it~ As your upperclassman, I'm coming to take a look. Are you saying you don't welcome me?
No, I welcome you very much. Because once you come, Yukino and I can take it easy.
After saying that, Hachiman hung up immediately.
Huh? Take it easy with what? Miss Haruno stared at the disconnected call and blinked in confusion.
Was that your sister? Yukino asked Hachiman.
Yes. She said she's coming to Sobu High School tomorrow. The two of us can slack off.
Hachiman spoke flatly.
Pfft. You really don't treat her like an outsider at all.
Yukino giggled.
What does my sister-in-law count as, then?
Hachiman glanced at the transfer notification on his phone.
More than eight million yen counts as spending money? What an ugly capitalist face.
Thinking that, Hachiman never imagined that he would join those ranks himself from then on.
Yukino also glanced at her phone. Why is my sister like this...? Should I transfer it to you?
No need. I have enough.
Hachiman waved his hand.
Hearing Hachiman say that, Yukino smiled happily.
What is it? You're being so secretive.
Yui leaned over, and when she saw the number displayed on Hachiman's phone, she immediately cried out.
Yikes! Hikki, did you rob a bank? That's so much money!
Yui, who had barely even touched a Yukichi bill a few times in her life, was extremely shocked.
If you robbed a bank, would you have them transfer the money to your account? Hachiman covered his face, utterly exasperated.
Sorry, sorry~ It's just that Hikki seems so amazing. My family has never had this much in savings.
Yui stuck out her tongue.
Yukino was just about to say something when a knock at the door interrupted her, so she could only give up.
Come in.
Yukino spoke coldly.
Um... I'm Student Council President Meguri Shiromeguri. She opened the door and walked in. We're going to hold a meeting to choose the committee chairman and all that. Aren't you coming?
No. Yukino and I aren't interested.
Yukino had just begun to stand when Hachiman stopped her.
Even so, come to the meeting. It'll make the Cultural Festival work easier.
Meguri smiled warmly.
All right, then.
Only then did Hachiman pull Yukino along and follow Meguri toward the meeting room.
The Black-Bellied Couple
Hachiman followed behind Meguri Shiromeguri into the meeting room. As soon as he entered, the buzzing discussions echoed in his ears. Hachiman frowned and found an empty seat to sit in.
The other committee members showed no reaction to Hachiman's arrival, as though no one had just entered at all.
Oh~ Yuu-chan, you're here too! Sagami seemed quite happy as she spoke to a girl beside her whom she apparently knew.
What? Did you lose at rock-paper-scissors too? the girl asked.
No~ I was chosen by Teacher Hiratsuka. Speaking of which, I was startled at the time.
I'd never been a committee member before, so I had no idea what to do.
Sagami pretended to look troubled, but her smug smile practically spilled out.
What a terrible performance.
Hachiman shook his head.
Just then, Yukino walked silently into the meeting room behind him.
The moment the girl entered, the entire meeting room fell silent. Aside from when she was with Hachiman and Yui, Yukino always returned to her original cold demeanor whenever any outsiders were present.
Yukino, the Ice Queen, walked to Hachiman's side under everyone's gaze and sat down silently.
Seeing that Yukino gave no response, the people in the meeting room began talking softly again, gradually returning to the bustle from before.
As time passed, the meeting room door kept opening and closing. Although most people looked over whenever it opened, they quickly shifted their gazes away and continued what they were doing after realizing that the person entering was not someone they knew.
This continued until the meeting began. Shizuka Hiratsuka and Teacher Atsugi, who supervised physical education, walked in with several students and went to the front of the meeting room.
Shizuka Hiratsuka looked at Meguri Shiromeguri and nodded lightly.
It seemed to be a signal. The two students who looked like first-years began handing documents to everyone. After looking around and confirming that everyone had one, they quietly stood at the back.
Um... I'm Student Council President Meguri Shiromeguri. I believe this year's Cultural Festival will also proceed smoothly with everyone's efforts... Uh... probably.
The girl, whose hair was tied with colorful rubber bands, touched her shoulder-length hair and smiled warmly.
So, shall we begin the Cultural Festival Executive Committee? Like an affectionate cat, Meguri Shiromeguri issued a soft command.
After President Meguri finished speaking, the student council members applauded, and sparse applause rang out through the meeting room.
Now, let me see what the first item is... Ah~~ First, we're choosing the Executive Committee Chairman.
Meguri Shiromeguri looked at the document in her hand and spoke while tapping her chin.
Um... Shouldn't you be the chairman? a student below asked softly.
Ah~ I thought you all knew... Meguri Shiromeguri gave a wry smile. Usually, the chairman is a second-year student, but I'm already a third-year student.
After all, third-year students have to prepare for their entrance examinations~ Meguri Shiromeguri explained.
I see. That makes sense.
The student who had asked the question nodded and sat down.
Then~~ Who wants to be the chairman? Meguri Shiromeguri continued asking.
However, the only response was wave after wave of silence. Although this was an excellent opportunity, most people lacked the necessary ability and did not want to waste the time and effort.
What?! You don't want to contribute to your own festival? Teacher Hiratsuka slammed her hand on the table in displeasure.
Teacher Atsugi looked directly at Yukino. If I remember correctly, you're Yukino's younger sister, right?
Ah, that Cultural Festival really brings back memories.
As though she had remembered something, Atsugi continued without paying attention to Yukino's slightly displeased expression.
How about it? Are you interested in becoming the chairman?
Sorry, I've been feeling a little unwell lately, so I'm afraid I can't. I'm very sorry.
Yukino replied flatly.
Haruno's younger sister, huh~ What a shame.
Meguri Shiromeguri seemed to recall the time she had spent with Haruno.
In that case, is there really no one else willing to do it? The upperclassman looked unusually troubled as she turned to the others.
Ah~ I forgot to mention this, but the chairman can receive Recommendation Qualification and things like that~ So, is no one interested?
Um... If no one else is willing, how about I give it a try? Sagami Minami hesitantly raised her hand, her voice filled with intense uncertainty.
Um... May I ask your name? Meguri Shiromeguri hesitated, because she had no impression whatsoever of the red-haired girl in front of her.
Ah~ I'm Sagami Minami from Class 2-F.
I thought I'd use this opportunity to train myself~ I'm not very good at this sort of thing, but I'd like to give it a try.
Sagami spoke haltingly.
Mm, that's very good. Training yourself and all that.
Meguri Shiromeguri spoke flatly, then turned around and wrote Sagami's name on the blackboard.
Um... Senior... Sagami stared at the name on the blackboard. You wrote it wrong...
Ah~ Is that so? Sorry, I'm not entirely sure how it's spelled... Meguri Shiromeguri said apologetically.
It's fine.
Sagami smiled, but her eyes held hostility as she stared at Meguri Shiromeguri's back.
Then the first matter is settled. Next, let's assign the tasks.
-
What are you going to do? Yukino asked, tilting her head toward Hachiman.
Me? I'll do whichever one is easiest.
Hachiman still chose Miscellaneous Records.
You really are hopeless.
Yukino shook her head helplessly.
Heh heh, these people even decide their positions by rock-paper-scissors. I'm too lazy to say anything about it. Hachiman looked at the noisy meeting room and Shizuka Hiratsuka's darkening face, then sneered.
What are you going to do next? Yukino asked.
Same as before, I suppose. Haruno and I will help you this time. There's no need to push yourself this far.
Hachiman spoke.
What are you actually planning this time? You've been acting mysterious the whole time.
Before you continue