Chapter 8: Student Council’s First Meeting

I stared at my empty tray and sighed.

‘Curry was definitely the wrong choice…’

It had seemed like the safest option on the menu. Despite my initial lack of appetite, it had been surprisingly delicious. But the problem was, Takamari Academy, in its pursuit of excellence, extended its high standards even to the smallest details.

‘What kind of spices did they put in this curry…?’

My stomach was staging a violent protest. But I’d had no choice. I was having lunch with two of the most beautiful girls in the school and the black-haired prince, no less. As a “transfer student,” I couldn’t just pick at my food. I had to at least pretend to eat.

As a result… I’d forced myself to finish the entire plate, even though I was probably full halfway through. Indigestion was guaranteed.

‘I should have just gotten a convenience store bento…’

I stared at my tray, another sigh escaping my lips.

“Rina, did you force yourself to eat too much? You look a little pale.”

“Yeah, you okay? Was the curry not to your liking?”

Flustered by their concerned voices, I shook my head and mumbled, “No, it’s fine. I’m just… not used to it yet.”

Mizuki chuckled. “Ah~ that makes sense. But Rina, don’t overthink it. You’ll get used to the school cafeteria eventually.”

I sighed internally again. ‘Get used to it? My digestive system is about to shut down.’

“Still, it’s good that you tried your best to eat. It might be a bit unfamiliar at first, but you’ll adjust soon,” Aya said, her gentle smile as perfect as ever.

Her encouraging words, like a gentle pat on the back, made it impossible for me to confess that I doubted I’d ever “adjust.”

****

After lunch, we stood up to return our trays. Mizuki turned to Hiiragi-senpai.

“Hiiragi-senpai, you have a student council meeting after lunch, right?”

“Yes. As I mentioned earlier, we need to discuss the club activity guidance for the transfer students and the new student council recruits.”

‘New recruits?’

That phrase triggered a memory. In the novel, there was an empty spot on the student council, and the protagonist ended up filling it after helping out.

‘But they’re talking about a vacancy already?’

I listened to their conversation, my mind racing. In the original story, Aya and the protagonist didn’t become close this quickly. He’d persistently pursued her, while she emitted a strong “I will never be your girlfriend” aura.

So, the first student council meeting, with their relationship still underdeveloped, was barely mentioned. There was no indication of the protagonist’s involvement.

“Rina, do you want to come along?” Mizuki asked.

My eyes widened. “M-Me? I’m not on the student council…”

“It might be alright. It’s for the transfer students, so having a transfer student’s perspective might be helpful.”

What was Aya thinking? I hesitated, then mumbled, “Um, I think I’ll just… head back to the classroom…”

Just then, a smooth, masculine voice spoke from behind me. It was Hiiragi-senpai, the black-haired prince.

“I think it would be fine for Kurosawa-san to attend the student council meeting.”

I turned to see him looking at me, his eyes warm and inviting. That alpha male gaze… like a lion on the savanna, it was impossible to refuse.

“I can invite her as the vice-president, so don’t worry about it.”

Flustered, I stammered, “B-But, isn’t the student council only for members…?”

Haruto chuckled. “It’s fine. For a transfer student like Kurosawa-san, it might be a good opportunity to experience what student council activities are like.”

His words made me freeze.

‘Transfer student… transfer student, that word again.’

Transfer student. A special case. In this school, those two words carried a lot of weight.

‘Which means… a prime target for attention.’

In the novel, the protagonist, simply by being a transfer student, was constantly in the spotlight, constantly embroiled in events. And now… I was experiencing the same phenomenon.

‘This… this wasn’t just the protagonist’s story.’

“So, Rina, want to come along? Don’t feel pressured,” Aya said, her perfect smile sealing my fate.

I nodded reluctantly.

Honestly, I was also curious about what their “noble office” looked like.

****

The student council room was as grand as a nobleman’s office. Antique furniture, ornate wall decorations, and a large table with the intricately carved student council logo at its center dominated the room. Aya and Mizuki, being former middle school student council members, and the second-year students naturally took their seats.

I cautiously sat in the remaining chair at the end of the table.

‘This school is… unbelievably impressive.’ I couldn’t help but marvel internally. This grand, museum-like space was actually a functioning office… I still couldn’t believe I was here.

And then, a sobering thought.

‘I definitely can’t join the student council.’

In the novel, the student council was the epicenter of all the drama. Four members from each grade, all perfect specimens of academic excellence, physical prowess, and good looks. While officially a recommendation-based system, it was well known that only those from prestigious families or with exceptional abilities could join.

I recalled the student council’s structure. The president was a symbolic leader, handling important announcements and external affairs. The three third-year members were mostly absent, busy preparing for graduation and their studies. So, the four members from the first and second years were the core of the student council.

At the head of the grand table sat Hiiragi Haruto, the second-year vice president. The black-haired prince, with his flawless looks and calm demeanor. His presence alone commanded attention. He placed his fingertips on the table and started the meeting.

“Is everyone here? First, let’s discuss the club activity guidance session for the transfer students.”

Seated beside him was probably… Shirazuka Yurika, the second-year secretary. With her blonde, curled updo, she was the epitome of a classic young lady. I could easily imagine her fanning herself and saying, “Oh ho ho.” Unfortunately, as a character in a one-on-one romantic comedy, she was destined to be a supporting character, despite her feelings for the protagonist.

Across from Shirazuka-senpai sat Tachibana Kaho, the second-year treasurer. With her neatly tied black hair and thin-rimmed glasses, she exuded an air of cool intelligence. In the novel, she was described as having blue hair. Perhaps the change to black was for realism? Mizuki’s hair was supposed to be pink in the novel as well, but it was brown.

Tachibana-senpai, reviewing the documents on the table, picked up a notepad and spoke.

“Since our budget is tight, we need to prioritize and submit proposals within our limitations.”

Just as in the novel, she was methodical and logical. Another admirer of the protagonist, destined to be a runner-up in this romantic comedy.

Beside her sat the second-year male student in charge of public relations and planning. I couldn’t recall his name. He wasn’t a significant character in the romantic comedy. His slightly messy, trendy hairstyle and cheerful expression reflected his bright and energetic personality. Perhaps due to the popularity of Korean styles in Japan, he gave off a distinct “K-pop idol” vibe.

“Alright, let’s not be too strict and keep things flexible. Overwhelming the transfer students won’t be helpful,” he said with a cheerful smile.

His lighthearted demeanor eased the atmosphere of the meeting, but his eyes were serious, indicating his commitment to the student council’s high standards.

Just then, the door opened quietly, and a student hurried in.

“Sorry I’m late.”

‘What was his name again?’

The bespectacled student had an air of awkwardness about him, but his neatly pressed uniform and upright posture were noticeable. His slightly overgrown hair, covering his eyebrows, gave him a somewhat nerdy appearance, but he was actually one of the top students in his year, consistently ranking within the top three or four.

It was a given. The top two spots were always occupied by Aya and Mizuki.

“I’m a little late. Preparing the materials took longer than expected,” he explained, scratching his head.

He quickly found a seat and placed his materials on the table. Hiiragi-senpai smiled at him.

“You’re late, which isn’t like you, Fujimoto.”

“Sorry. I’ll be on time next time.” He nodded, organizing his materials.

I glanced at him, a flicker of recognition.

‘Ah, Fujimoto… Right. He was a first-year boy whose name was only mentioned in passing in the novel.’

And then, it happened. Fujimoto’s gaze locked onto mine. As our eyes met, an unreadable expression flickered across his face.

“Ah, you’re Kurosawa Rina.”

Startled by his direct address, I stared back at him. Fujimoto’s lips curled into a slight smile.

“In the entrance exam rankings, I was fourth… and you were third, right?”

‘What…?’

I was speechless. Aya and Mizuki always held the top two spots, so I’d assumed Fujimoto was third. Whether in the novel or from what I’d gathered since arriving in this world, I knew the entrance exam rankings weren’t publicly released.

So… he’d brought it up intentionally?

‘W-Wait a minute…’

My mind raced, puzzle pieces clicking into place. So, I wasn’t just a background character… I was a rather unique background character?

Fujimoto chuckled, seeming to enjoy my silence. “So, third in the entrance exam rankings. Quite impressive for a transfer student, isn’t it?”

His competitive tone caught me completely off guard.