And with that, the final decision was made.
Miyabi Nagumo leaned back in his chair and looked at the two girls standing before him. He showed no surprise, as though he had accepted this outcome long ago.
He sat up and straightened the documents on his desk.
"All right, that settles it. Before you go, there's one more thing I need to tell you."
He looked at Horikita Suzune.
"When Kiriyama and I graduate next spring, there won't be any third-years left in the Student Council. You'll take over as president, but a president needs people to do the work. Find two students to fill the vacancies we leave behind."
Horikita Suzune nodded without speaking, waiting for him to continue.
"Ideally, one should be a second-year and the other a first-year. A second-year can get to work right away and take some of the load off your shoulders. A first-year can stay for another two years, so there'll be someone to keep things running after you graduate."
He paused. "If you can't find a suitable second-year, two first-years will do. It's better than leaving the positions empty."
"I understand." Horikita Suzune took the matter to heart.
Beside her, Ichinose Honami showed no disappointment despite having withdrawn from the election.
She stood there and listened to Miyabi Nagumo's instructions, then nodded with a smile, as though she had no objection to the result.
"We'll leave you to it, then," Ichinose Honami said.
Miyabi Nagumo waved a hand. "Go on. Horikita, start recruiting soon. Don't leave it until the last minute."
"All right."
The two girls turned and headed for the door, one after the other.
Kiryuin Fuka was still sitting in a chair off to the side.
With her legs crossed, she had watched the whole thing from start to finish.