The two of them had not gone far down the Tree-lined Path.
Kazehara Tetsu had thought that once Sakayanagi Arisu agreed to "meet her," that would settle things for today. All that remained was for him to arrange a time with Horikita Suzune, tomorrow at the earliest, or some other day during winter break.
He was just considering how late to sleep on the first day of winter break when the girl beside him stopped.
"No time like the present."
Sakayanagi Arisu stood leaning on her cane and turned to him, her tone carrying a certainty that allowed no argument. "Let's do it now."
Kazehara Tetsu froze for a moment. "Do what now?"
"Go talk to Horikita."
Sakayanagi Arisu spoke as though it were obvious. "The closing ceremony just ended, and the grades have been announced. Winter break officially starts today. At this point, she has no classes or other plans, so she should be free."
"Let's strike while the iron is hot and get this meeting done now."
"No, hold on."
Kazehara Tetsu raised a hand. "You were just saying you weren't interested in the Student Council. I persuaded you to agree to a meeting, and how long has it even been? You won't even give me a day to let things settle or notify her in advance?"
"The longer you drag out something like this, the less interesting it becomes. I want to see her now, so I'll see her now. By tomorrow, I might have lost interest and changed my mind."
"You wouldn't want someone you worked so hard to persuade to change her mind after a night's sleep, would you?"
Kazehara Tetsu studied her face.
Sakayanagi Arisu looked perfectly calm, but there was not the slightest room for negotiation in her eyes.
She was the sort