This was unfair to everyone in the room.
"Don't be nervous. Just relax."
A voice similar to Dongfang Yi's sounded beside the girl. It was deep and steady, and simply hearing it made her feel reassured.
"Huh? Oh, sorry."
Only belatedly did Ichinose realize how clearly her inner turmoil had shown. She looked to her side and felt as if the whole room had grown brighter thanks to that gleaming bald head.
That reflection is blinding!
Was he a guidance counselor? But why was he wearing a school uniform?
"Thank you for the reminder." Interrupted in her train of thought, Ichinose smiled apologetically. "Sorry for making you worry."
"Don't worry about it. I was just as nervous as you the first time I had an interview."
The bald student wore a stern expression, not a hint of ease visible on his face. Or perhaps that was simply how he always looked. "But after you've been through it enough times, you get used to it. I'm Katsuragi Kohei, a first-year student in Class A."
"I'm not a guidance counselor," he added for emphasis.
"Huh? I'm terribly sorry!" Realizing she had mistaken him for someone else, Ichinose gave him a sincere apology, then introduced herself. "I'm Ichinose Honami, a first-year student in Class B."
"No need to apologize. This sort of misunderstanding has happened so many times that I'm used to it." Katsuragi remained composed, and it seemed he really hadn't taken Ichinose's mistake to heart.
"Katsuragi, are you here to become a member of the Student Council too?"
"Of course." Katsuragi looked at Ichinose in surprise.
Wasn't everyone in the room waiting for an interview to get into the Student Council?
"Sorry." Ichinose belatedly realized she'd said something thoughtless.
"It's fine." Katsuragi nodded, unconcerned.
After a brief pause, he continued, "Don't