Steam curled up from the Hot Cocoa in front of Horikita Suzune.
She cupped the mug in both hands to warm them but did not drink yet.
Through the rising steam, she looked across the table at Kazehara Tetsu, who was prodding his tiramisu with a fork, and got straight to the point.
"I want to ask you something. Are you really not going to join the Student Council?"
"No."
Kazehara Tetsu did not look up. He lifted a piece of tiramisu into his mouth. "Too much work."
"I could give you an easy position. You wouldn't have to show up every day or take on any major responsibilities. Just lend me your name, give me advice when it matters, and help out now and then."
Kazehara Tetsu stopped chewing for a moment.
He raised his head and looked at her.
"If it's an easy position, couldn't you give it to anyone?"
Horikita Suzune opened her mouth but found no answer.
"Think about it."
Kazehara Tetsu set down his fork and leaned back. "Anyone can do easy work. You don't need to give that job to me specifically. You've reserved a spot for me and told me it's an easy one... Which means it's not someone to fill the spot you want. It's me."
"And I don't come cheap."
Kazehara Tetsu spread his hands. "So the deal doesn't work."
Horikita Suzune stared at him for two seconds before conceding defeat. She took a sip of Hot Cocoa to cover her speechlessness.
"All right."
She set down her mug and admitted, "The truth is, I haven't found many people who could do the job."
She frowned, showing a rare hint of uncertainty.
"Nagumo President asked me to find two people, one second-year and one first-year. But you know what I'm like.