Chapter 88: Invitation to the Student Council

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Translator: Soafp

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As lunch break ended and the two of them put away their lunch boxes in the locker and walked down the hallway, they noticed some kind of commotion. A crowd had gathered in front of their classroom.

“What's going on?”

“Isn't this a familiar scene? Aika-chan must've shown up. But… there might be some people here I don't usually see… huh? It kinda feels like they're looking over here…”

“No, I think they're here to see you. Or maybe they came to see me, since I'm dating Sora.”

Ginji figured eating lunch away from people had been the right call, but Sora was clearly fed up with the unexpectedly large crowd. Strangely enough, the neatly lined-up crowd parted without blocking the path as Sora approached.

“Wh-What is this?! This is totally weird! Actually, it's scary! Why are there even more people when lunch is already over?!”

“Well, I mean, you are cute, Sora.”

“Ugh… it's nice hearing that from you, Ginji, but I don't like all the attention from everyone else.”

“Just bear with it for a while. They'll get bored eventually.”

As Sora approached the classroom, all the eyes turned to her and the noise died down.

They ignored the stares and entered the classroom. Inside, the atmosphere was even stranger than outside. Aika stood at the center, with Mio by her side. About ten followers were, as usual, showering Aika with praise. This time, there were some boys among them.

Ginji sat down in his seat while Sora, carefully scanning the area, borrowed a chair from the seat beside his and sat down. There was still a bit of time before class. Sora pulled a notepad from her pocket and began sketching a scene that came to mind with a pencil. Ginji, yawning, watched her draw.

“You're really good at that.”

She had drawn the aisle between the shelves at the general store they'd visited recently. In black and white, it had the feel of a foreign scene.

“Photos are nice, but drawings have their charm too, don't they?”

“Yeah. That eerie vibe comes across better in your drawings. It's weird how that works.”

Until now, Sora had never drawn in front of others, but now she was happily sketching and even showing her work to Ginji.

In the quiet classroom, a shadow stepped between them as they looked at her notebook. It was a male student who had been near Aika.

“Can I talk to you for a second?”

“You need me? Or Sora?”

“I wanted to ask Takagi-san for something.”

He seemed to be a first-year from another class. Ginji didn't recognize him, but Sora apparently did.

“You're Muroi-kun from Class C, right?”

“You know him?” Ginji asked.

“Um… Takagi-san, could you come to the student council room today?”

“…I already said I'm not helping with menial tasks anymore.”

As Sora responded while shifting behind Ginji, Muroi shook his head.

“Yeah… I heard that. But there are documents missing and things we need to hand over. If you could just help us with that, it'd be a huge help. Honestly, if we don't figure this out, our summer exchange with other schools and the culture festival are in jeopardy.”

“That's not Sora's problem. The fact that you're in trouble without a first-year helper just shows your system's flawed. Wait—are you even on the student council?”

“I'm just helping out. I'm set to become a full member starting second year… Only Shiki-san is a first-year officer right now…”

Ginji gave him a sharp glare. His naturally rough-looking face made it more intimidating, and Muroi shrank back. But glancing behind Ginji at Sora, he bowed his head again.

“I know what I'm asking. But I was sent by the student council president. Please…”

Sora put a hand to her chin, deep in thought. Then she gave a firm nod and formed a T with her hands.

“Time out.”

She said that, then led Ginji to a corner of the classroom.

“Hey, Ginji. Do you think it's okay if I go?”

“I don't think there's any reason for you to. They'll just dump more chores on you again.”

The noise from the hallway grew louder, but neither of them paid it any mind.

“It's fine—I can say no properly now. What I'm more curious about is what's actually going on. I only did simple things like draw requested designs and help with small tasks. Aika-chan could easily call for backup. I don't see how my absence should cause this much trouble.”

Ginji briefly didn't understand what she meant—but then remembered.

Right. Sora's got seriously low self-esteem.

He'd almost forgotten with how she'd been acting lately, but Sora always seemed out of sync with how capable she really was. Ginji started calculating in his head—maybe this was a good chance for others to see how much she could do, and maybe she'd gain a little confidence.

“Alright. Sure, could be fun to see how the student council is struggling without you. Last time you went alone, but I'm coming with you this time.”

“…That's a mischievous look you've got.”

“This is just how my face looks.”

Ginji flopped back down into his chair. Sora, still standing behind him, turned to Muroi.

“Okay, I'll go. But Ginji's coming too.”

“Thanks! …Um, by the way… are you two really dating?”

“Y-Yeah. What's with the sudden question?”

“Got a problem with it?”

“No, I mean… I get it. Okay, see you after school.”

Muroi practically ran out of the classroom. Watching his retreating back, Ginji and Sora exchanged looks.

“…What was that about?”

“I am your girlfriend, right? Right, Ginji?”

“Why're you sounding unsure? We're definitely dating.”

“…Ehehe.”

Sora's soft giggle in response to Ginji's reassurance was met with a sigh from the hallway. The crowd began to disperse. Apparently, they were satisfied. A few students ran off holding what looked like club application forms, but the couple didn't seem to care.

And meanwhile, having overheard their official confirmation, Aika ran her fingers through her hair, visibly irritated.