"Anyway, Ichinose, could I ask you to take Classmate Sakayanagi back? Her health isn't very good." Rather than continuing to argue with Sakayanagi, Sawahara turned to Ichinose.
"Mm." Ichinose had no objections. After hearing Sawahara explain what had happened, she understood that Classmate Sakayanagi was spending Christmas alone and that she really was in poor health and needed someone to look after her.
"Classmate Sakayanagi, could I trouble you to show me the way?" Ichinose stood and walked over to Sakayanagi's side, asking with a smile.
"Mm." Knowing that Ichinose was saying this to preserve her dignity, Sakayanagi understood her own condition and did not refuse. She could simply treat Ichinose as Kamuro's replacement.
"I nearly forgot. Merry Christmas, Classmate Sawahara." Before leaving, Sakayanagi took a blue gift box from her pocket and placed it on the Student Council desk.
Although she had originally planned to come and mock Sawahara for working overtime on Christmas, as a lady, she would not forget to bring a gift during the holidays.
"Merry Christmas, Classmate Sakayanagi."
Watching Ichinose and Sakayanagi leave the Student Council room together, Sawahara lowered his head and continued processing the documents.
Ichinose and Sakayanagi's arrival had been somewhat unexpected, but the effects they brought had canceled each other out. Everything was still under control.
The Student Council's work was not difficult for Sawahara. He had finished organizing the documents at around eleven, and until noon, no one opened the Student Council door again.
Out of curiosity, Sawahara opened the gifts Ichinose and Sakayanagi had left behind.
Ichinose's gift was some cookies. They looked handmade. Sawahara tried one, and it was very sweet—she must have added a lot of sugar. Unfortunately, Sawahara did not like sweet food, so after tasting one, he set them aside.
And Sakayanagi's gift... was a