I, the mastermind behind the scenes at Soubu High, refuse to be caught in a bloodbath.

"Well, that's what they say, but of course we need to have a contingency plan. Even if it's pre-arranged, we still need to make it look like we're doing it right."

"So it's a proposed notice? Ah, I see."

Ju forced herself to stay awake, yawning as she picked up the computer and immediately began editing a document.

"Well, then let's leave the first matter here..."

There's no need for any discussion at all. The so-called discussion is just a formality, just like how the student council president is almost predetermined, but a formality is still issued to let the students elect him.

When the meeting was more than halfway through, a girl's anxious voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Wait, wait a minute, please don't push me..." Just as everyone stopped writing and looked curiously at the door, the door was pushed open, and a girl was clearly pushed in. She staggered a few steps before regaining her balance.

Ah, it's Setsuna Ogiso.

Setsuna glanced at the doorway a few times with a complaining expression, then smoothed her hair and bowed into the room, saying, "Sorry for suddenly barging in... Um, I wanted to ask... Haruto-kun, how long until your work is finished? Everyone's waiting for you."

"A group unprotected party? These high school girls these days are really something."

Kasumigaoka asked this question with one hand supporting her chin, quite calmly.

At the same time, everyone in the conference room felt a long black line appear on the back of their heads.

"Eh—? Eh—!!" Yukina seemed to have heard something extraordinary. Her cheeks immediately turned bright red, and she quickly waved her hands, saying, "No, no, we're going to sing karaoke... Everyone was waiting, so Iori pushed me in..."

"Karaoke..." Kasumigaoka glanced at Himekoji, who coughed and said, "It'll be quick, we'll be done soon."

"Yeah! I understand."

Setsuna nodded happily and said goodbye to everyone.

"Then, President, shall we call it a day?"

Shinomiya was eager to participate in club activities. After his school trip, he had bought a lot of local specialties and had to share some with everyone in the GJ club.

"Okay, that's all for today... Ah—, I'm so tired."

He stretched and yawned, watched everyone leave the meeting room one by one before tidying up his things, locking the door, and leaving.

Just as Himeko was wondering why there was no one in the hallway, his phone vibrated; it was an email from Kazusa.

"We're in the second music room, hurry up."

Oh, so that's where it is. Ji Xiaolu knew where it was. The second music classroom was at the other end of this corridor. He said goodbye to his colleagues and went straight in with his key.

Inside the room, Takeya Iizuka, Haruki Kitahara, Iori Mizusawa, Chikashi Hayasaka, Setsuna, and Kazusa were all present. Except for Kazusa, who was playing the piano by herself, everyone else was chatting by the window. When they saw Himekoji walk in, they all greeted him.

"They've finally arrived."

Kazusa still seemed unaccustomed to calling Himekoji by her name in front of everyone, and she asked the question without mentioning Himekoji's name at all.

"Ah... there's so much work to do, there's still a few loose ends left, but I'll leave those for tomorrow."

Stretching again, Ji Xiaolu showed signs of fatigue.

"Haruto-kun, you'd better not overwork yourself."

Setsuna looked at him with concern and kindly reminded him.

"Qing, he's the kind of person who can't relax even if he wants to, so reminding him about this kind of thing is useless."

She had already said Himekoji's name, but immediately swallowed it back. Kazusa seemed to be sulking with her. Himekoji glanced at her, and she turned her head away with a "humph".

"Okay, okay, you all stop for a second. The important thing now is to go to karaoke!"

Hayasaka Chikashi walked up and clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention to him.

"Yes, I'm really looking forward to the honey toast."

The hands that were just playing the piano stopped immediately. Kazusa sat up abruptly from her chair and walked straight toward Himekoji. She naturally extended her hand to him and said, "Here, a specialty snack from Kyoto."

"Yes, yes—" Himekoji took out a small box of Yahashi from his bag and handed it to her. Kazusa smiled at him with satisfaction and said, "I knew you would prepare it."

Chapter 238 Okay then, [Ogiso Setsuna] is just that capricious.

"Eh—, a souvenir from the school trip? I thought Haruto-kun would prepare one for me too."

Yukina stared pitifully at Himekoji and said.

"Phew—, so Setsuna-chan was still looking forward to that. As far as I can tell, President Himekoji probably only brought it for Touma."

Iizuka's guess was quite accurate. He shrugged helplessly and shook his head.

"Hmm? By the way, you should also prepare some for Setsuna and Iori." Kazusa put the small box of sweets into her pocket, crossed her arms, and said, "Of course, there's no need to prepare any for Iizuka or Kitahara."

"Huh—? What... Touma, those words are so hurtful."

Iizuka somehow got hold of a small white flag, slumped his shoulders, and waved it half-dead.

"Alright, alright! Let's go, let's go. Stop talking about snacks and local specialties here. We didn't bring any back for President Himekoji when we went on our school trip last year, so it's the same for us."

"That was because we didn't know each other last year!"

"Ah, there's no need to focus on those details..."

Amidst the commotion, everyone set off. Before leaving, Himekoji sent an email to Reiko, saying that she would be back very late tonight and that she would send her another email later, after deciding on the karaoke location, to ask her to wait there.

"With so many people going to karaoke today, there's no need for your family to go through the trouble of delivering them one by one."

Kazusa walked at the back, side by side with Himekoji. Although they were walking side by side, her gaze would dart away whenever Himekoji looked at her.

"Hmm...that's true."

"Can I come to your house tonight? Mom stayed for so long and then suddenly disappeared. It feels so empty now, and a little sad—though, of course, she often disappears without a trace when she's around."

"Kazusa can come whenever she wants."

"If we keep launching surprise attacks, Aunt Daphne will have a lot of headaches too."

"Then stay here permanently."

"No, I won't."

"Naughty." Ji Xiaolu poked her cheek with his fingertip, but Kazusa slapped his hand away, blushing as she scolded, "Idiot, don't touch me."

The people walking ahead would occasionally turn around, and upon seeing this, they would turn back with a sheepish smile.

"There's absolutely no way to get a word in edgewise—!!" *N

About 200 meters from the subway station, we finally arrived at our destination. It seemed that Setsuna had chosen the place; she knew all about good karaoke places like this, since she often came here alone to sing for several hours.

Inside the private room, the atmosphere was exceptionally lively. Because both Setsuna and Kazusa had beautiful voices, they sang with great enthusiasm. Moreover, without Himekoji's knowledge, the two had gradually become very close, and they would occasionally sing a duet together. As a result, Himekoji and the other boys could only watch their performance and seemed to have nothing to do except applaud.

"Speaking of which, you're really amazing, President," Iizuka nudged Himekoji with his elbow and whispered to him, "You spent the night with that Yukinoshita, didn't you? You managed to take on such a difficult character. I admire you."

He gave himself a thumbs up, while Ji Xiaolu waved his hand, both amused and exasperated, saying, "There's nothing like what you're imagining, okay?"

"Hey, we all understand."

Iizuka continued to give Himekoji a knowing look.

"Sigh—I really don't understand what's the point of you guys being so gossipy..."

Ji Xiaolu shrugged dejectedly, looking utterly exhausted.

"Well, someone like President Himekoji, who's at the center of all the gossip, can't really appreciate the fun of gossip."

Iizuka patted Himekoji on the shoulder with a smile, it seemed that he already regarded Himekoji as a good friend, after all, the group of them had stayed at Himekoji's house for a period of time and rehearsed together every day.

"Ah, it's so hot. I'm going out for some fresh air."

Since there was nothing to do while he was just sitting there, and he was constantly being gossiped about, Himekoji was getting a little annoyed. He walked past Iizuka and the others, opened the door and went outside. He stood on the street where the trees were decorated with starlight. There, Reiko was leaning against her car and smoking. The way she crossed her legs and leaned against the front of the car, looking at the night sky while smoking, was really cool.

However, just as Himekoji was about to go up and chat with her, a voice called out to him from behind.

"Haruto-kun."

He could recognize Setsuna's voice without even turning around.

Miss Reiko acted as if she hadn't seen him at all, and lit another cigarette, taking a deep drag.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

“I’m a little tired from singing, so I came out to relax my voice. Here, take this.” Setsuna held two cups of hot milk tea in her hand. She smiled and handed one to Himekoji. Himekoji thanked her and took a sip. At the same time, Setsuna immediately exclaimed “Ah…” and lowered her head shyly, saying, “That’s the one I drank… I gave it to the wrong person. I’m so sorry.”

No wonder it felt wet when I sipped it on the straw.

"Um—, never mind, it's fine. Let's just drink it like this. Wouldn't it be very impolite to give it back to you now?"

Ji Xiaolu didn't take it too seriously. After taking a couple of casual sips, she simply held the milk tea cup in her hand.

"Haruto-kun...you don't mind?"

Yukina quietly raised her head and looked at him shyly.

"I doubt any guy would mind."

"No, Haruto-kun, I'm asking for your opinion."

Yukina gently shook her head and continued to look at him intently.

"My thoughts...? I wouldn't mind."

"Really? That's great..." Yukina seemed relieved, placed her other hand on her chest, and whispered as she slightly twisted her body, "I was a bit upset on the last day of the school festival... I'm so sorry... please don't take it to heart."

“It’s okay. My mother often says, ‘You think girls are willful, but that’s just another way of being cute,’ so I don’t care.”

In fact, girls are too lazy to be willful in front of boys they have no interest in, and Himeko is well aware of this—of course, the kind of deliberate deception doesn't count.

"Ah~, Aunt Daphne is really..."

Yukina covered her lips in surprise, her eyes sparkling with delight.

"But no matter what, Haruto-kun, I apologize to you." Yukina bowed to Himekoji and said very sincerely, "Whether you call it willful or cute, I think I was wrong that day, so please forgive me. I hope that the relationship between the three of us can continue to be like it was during rehearsals."

⑤ The winter solstice is approaching.

Chapter 239 I don't know what [Ogiso Setsuna] is trying to say.

"...Okay, I got it. Now, lift your head up. Otherwise, passersby will think I'm some kind of scumbag who forces girls to apologize."

Himekoji felt frustrated because the people passing by on this road were looking at her with increasingly hostile eyes.

It has absolutely nothing to do with me, okay?! You people, when you see a cute girl, you start having all sorts of wild and bizarre thoughts in your head.