Agenda Item 1: How Do I Get Him to Remember That I'm the Girl He Met a Long Time Ago?

One afternoon after school. In the student council room the officers were gathered around a desk reminiscent of a round table as usual, each silently engrossed in their respective tasks.

A crisp, tense atmosphere filled the room, its source, of course, being none other than Himesaki Yurina herself, seated in the president's chair.

The student council president who serves as the leader of the current student council, said to be the strongest in its history.

A foul-play-level perfect superhuman who combines academic excellence, popularity, and character, and on top of that, is an exceptionally beautiful girl with charisma, adored by everyone.

The dignified atmosphere that Student Council President Himesaki exuded influenced people as if she dominated the very space, and this was especially pronounced in the student council room.

Merely moving her pen in silence was enough to make one feel a sense of majesty.

「...Maishima-san, how are the results of the other day's survey coming along?」

Such was the president who, suddenly looking up from her documents, asked this.

「If it's about that, I've already finished compiling it and uploaded the data to the server. I've also created a PDF version, so please feel free to use it as reference material.」

Responding to that was the Vice President, Maishima Anri.

A traditional Japanese beauty with long, lustrous black hair, she is a beautiful girl often compared by students to the moon, in contrast to the sun-like president.

While she has many secret admirers for her gentle, ladylike way of speaking, contrary to her atmosphere, her responses are crisp and clear, and she also possesses outstanding administrative processing abilities.

「I'll gladly make use of it. Hayase-san, how are things with the club budgets?」

「It's already done. Among the sports clubs, the boys' basketball club was being difficult until the end, but I (boku) talked to them directly, so it's fine. The girls' basketball club helped out too.」

Next to answer was the Treasurer, Hayase Kana.

A beautiful girl with short-cut hair and androgynous features, she is a prince-like figure who boasts immense popularity, especially among female students, due to her boyish atmosphere.

As can be understood from her use of "boku" as a first-person pronoun, her own words and actions are also prince-like, making her a significant factor in securing the support of female students for the student council, which is full of beautiful girls.

「That's a help. With this, matters related to club expenses are settled then. By the way, Nanjou-san, can I check the minutes from the previous committee meeting now?」

「They have been prepared. Also, the minutes for the club budget meeting are ready as well, so please look them over when you have time.」

The one who said this, handing over the documents, was the Secretary, Nanjou Nagisa.

The only first-year member of the student council, she is a beautiful girl, somewhat petite, with a cool demeanor.

She possesses an extremely earnest personality and has a very strong sense of propriety. Despite being a first-year, she is also the person who contributes most to the student council's disciplined atmosphere.

These four were the members constituting the current student council.

Everyone is united around the president, efficiently handling their duties.

The high level of their work ability was truly befitting the title of the strongest in history, to the extent that it was understandable why it was said the school's operation itself wouldn't function without the student council.

However, even among them, the current student council president is in a class of her own.

「Thank you, I'll take a look. Ahh, by the way, about the materials for next week's literary exhibition──」

「Ah, my apologies. I was just about to prepare those.」

「That's not it, Maishima-san, I was going to say you don't have to do it because I've already prepared them.」

「Eh, Yurina-san, you already did?」

「Yes, I had a little extra time, so I did it on the side.」

「No, no, the real question is why the president, who should be handling more work than us, has any spare time. Speaking of which, the fact that the guys from the boys' basketball team were strangely cooperative, could it be that the president pulled some strings behind the scenes?」

「I didn't do anything significant. I just had a little chat with the captain of the girls' basketball team.」

「You're unbeatable...」

「As expected. You truly are the president I respect.」

「Thank you, Nanjou-san. By the way, these minutes have a few typos, so please correct them, okay?」

「Eh? Ah, I-I'm very sorry.」

As the president said this with a smile, Nagisa hurriedly took the documents.

Watching the president multitask, signing other documents even as this exchange occurred, Anri and Kana were once again impressed by the formidable nature of Student Council President Himesaki.

While such scenes unfolded, the student council continued to perfectly execute its duties as usual today, but amidst this, the president suddenly spoke, her expression somewhat tense and her tone grave.

「...By the way, I believe this year's student council members are an exceptionally talented group of staff. With all of you, I'm sure we can resolve any problem, don't you think?」

Hearing such words spoken so suddenly in a solemn tone, the members look up in surprise.

「What's gotten into you all of a sudden, Yurina-san?」

「Yeah, that's quite a formal tone.」

「A problem? Has something happened?」

「Yes, a very big problem has arisen.」

With that single remark, the air grows even more taut.

The members exchanged glances, then immediately nodded to each other with determined expressions and turned back to face the president.

「Please, do tell us about this problem, Yurina-san. Whatever it may be, as a member of the student council, I will tackle it with all my might.」

「Exactly. If the president herself calls us talented, we have no choice but to do our best.」

「I will do my utmost to meet the president's expectations.」

The members show their motivation.

But their expressions quickly changed to surprise at the president's next words.

「Thank you, everyone. Now, about the problem, the truth is, I've received a consultation from a certain female student. And that consultation is... to put it bluntly, it's about love advice...」

「「「Eh?」」」

At the utterly unexpected content, everyone's mouths fall open, dumbfounded.

「What's wrong? Did I not make myself clear?」

「N-No, that's not it. It's just...」

「...Yeah, it was just so unexpected, I was surprised.」

「Me too. I had no idea such a consultation had been submitted. ...It doesn't seem like any such consultation has come to the advice corner either.」

Nagisa tilts her head while looking at her laptop.

Incidentally, the advice corner is something on the blog run by the student council, a platform for receiving consultations from students online.

「Well, that's because she consulted me directly.」

Answering thus while for some reason averting her gaze, the president continues.

「...Kohon. So, you see, a certain female student directly consulted me about a boy she likes, which is fine, but I've been struggling with what kind of answer to give. That's why I wanted to hear everyone's opinions.」

「Is that so? However, relationship advice for the student council is quite unusual, isn't it?」

「More than unusual, I think it might be the first time. At least, as far as I know.」

「That's true. The usual consultations are about school life or studies, so bringing relationship advice to the student council does feel a little strange.」

At Anri's words, the president cleared her throat once more and,

「Certainly, as Maishima-san says, it might be a little off-topic as a consultation for the student council, but it's the student council's creed to stand by students in need, so whatever the content of the consultation, we must consider it seriously.」

She answered with a resolute attitude.

At such conduct, befitting a leader of students, the student council members once again feel respect for the president.

However, at that moment, the president was once again averting her gaze in a completely unrelated direction.

「It is just as Yurina-san says. In that case, let's discuss it together as usual and come up with an answer to the consultation.」

「A consultation for the president is the same as a consultation for the student council, after all.」

「Having been called talented by the president, we cannot betray her expectations.」

To the motivated group, the president, looking somewhat relieved, nods and says, "I'm counting on you".

「By the way, what are the specific details of this relationship consultation?」

「Well. To put it simply──the consultant has a boy she likes, and she wants him to somehow notice her feelings.」

「When it comes to that kind of love advice, I think most things would be solved if she just boldly confessed, but I guess that's not an option?」

「If she could do that, she wouldn't be consulting in the first place.」

「Well, that's true.」

「The consultant truly likes that boy. That's why failure is absolutely not an option. If by some chance she were to be rejected, she absolutely wouldn't be able to bear it.」

「It sounds as if you're talking about yourself. To be able to empathize so earnestly with the consultant's heart, as expected, the president is an amazing person.」

「...Well, she emphasized it to me in such a way, so I really want to help her out somehow.」

As Nagisa's eyes sparkle, the president's cheeks reddens slightly.

「But in that case, it becomes a consultation about wanting the other person to notice her, even though she can't confess, doesn't it?」

「That's right. That's why it's difficult.」

「With things like this, isn't being close in proximity important? How about being with the person regularly, talking to them, and gradually deepening the relationship?」

「Unfortunately, that's difficult, Hayase-san. The consultant and the boy are in different classes, and while it's not like they have no contact at all, they aren't on terms to make small talk.」

「How about joining the same club as the boy?」

「The boy isn't in any club, so that's not possible either.」

"Mmm", the group pondered.

Perhaps because it was the duty of student council officers, or perhaps because the president's fervor had spread to them, everyone seemed to be earnestly racking their brains about the consultation.

「This is difficult. Yurina-san, what kind of girl is this consultant? I feel that without knowing that, we won't be able to come up with an effective solution.」

「That is──considering the consultant's privacy, I can't discuss the details.」

「Privacy is certainly important, but if we lack information, then just as Anri said, it's also true that we can't come up with a solution.」

「I believe Hayase-senpai is correct. While respecting privacy, is there anything you can tell us? For example, what made her fall for him?」

Being told this by everyone, the president paused to think for a moment before speaking.

「Right... I can't go into detail, but actually, the consultant and the boy met a long time ago. The consultant fell for the boy because of that encounter, and they happened to meet again in high school.」

「Heeh, so there was a flag in the past. ...Eh? But then, that means the boy also knows the consultant is that girl from back then, right?」

「That's right. In that case, one would expect their reunion to spark a lively conversation.」

「The thing is, the boy hasn't realized it's her.」

「Why is that?」

「That is... I can't go into detail about this either, but it's because the consultant's appearance has changed considerably from how she looked back then.」

At the president's words, everyone's eyes widened in surprise.

「So, you mean she underwent an image change?」

「It's not quite like that... but, well, to put it plainly, yes, that's about it.」

「So that's why he doesn't realize she's the same person.」

「Then, couldn't she just tell him, "I'm the girl from back then"── ...Ah, that's no good, huh. If he just brushes it off like, "So what?", it would be the end of it.」

「Yeah. Besides, her appearance now is so different from back then that there's a high chance he'd be at a loss for how to react.」

「But, won't he eventually realize it?」

「Actually, it's something he has to realize, right? That said, even if she is just BAM! reveal it from her side, like the president said, he might just be bewildered.」

The group hums in thought once more.

But then, Anri, who had been silently deep in thought, spoke.

「So, the consultant's wish is for the boy to notice her feelings, but as a first step towards that, she first needs him to realize that she is the girl from back then, is that correct?」

「Yes... that would be it. Yes, it's just as Maishima-san says.」

「But if that's difficult because her appearance is different from the past, then wouldn't it be fine to try and recreate her past appearance?」

「That is... a bit difficult. You see, her hair color and such are different now.」

「There's no need to do it on such a grand scale, she might be recognized even with something more subtle. Yes, for example... just recreating the outfit.」

「Eh?」

At Anri's remark, the president looks momentarily blank.

「Even small things like clothing or mannerisms, if she can evoke memories of that time, he might realize it.」

「Indeed, memories can be recalled with just a small trigger.」

「If she can make him think, "Huh, come to think of it…", that could lead to a "Could it be...?"」

While Nagisa and Kana also agreed, the president, who had been pondering with a serious expression for a while,

「...I see. If that's the case, then perhaps it really is possible...!」

Eventually looked up, uncharacteristically a little excited.

「Thank you for the wonderful idea, Maishima-san.」

「Not at all. Responding to a student's consultation is only natural for a student council officer.」

「Hayase-san and Nanjou-san, thank you as well. You've been a great help.」

「No need for thanks. Discussing things together is our usual student council style.」

「If I could be of assistance to the president, and by extension, to the consultant, then I am glad.」

「Yes, you've been a tremendous help. "Showing him an outfit that reminds him of that time", huh... I wonder why I didn't think of that before... In any case, I'll convey this to the consultant as the student council's answer.」

As the president declared this with a slightly higher level of excitement than usual, the student council members, looking equally satisfied, applaud.

The student council united as one to seriously consider a consultation received from a student.

Today as well, they tackled it with that same attitude, and a solution was successfully found.

And the "consultant" would promptly put that solution into action──however…

▽

「President!? W-What's with that appearance...!?」

My surprised voice echoed in front of the school gate in the early morning.

Seeing the President, who had just arrived at school, I couldn't help but cry out.

「Oh my, what's wrong, Nanjou-kun?」

The person herself tilts her head quizzically, but there is no "what's wrong" about it.

They were disheveled. Her clothes. Greatly so.

...N-No, "disarray" doesn't even begin to cover it. It's clearly strange.

The front of her blazer was open, her shirt buttons were undone, her ribbon was loose, and her skirt length was blatantly short.

Faced with an outfit that looks like a prime example of how not to dress, my mouth hangs open.

「Um, it seems your attire is rather odd...」

Still, though flustered, I managed to tell her so.

Internally, I was in turmoil, thinking, "She's always so neat and a model for the students, so why...!?", but I somehow remembered my duty and composed myself.

「Eh? Is that so? I can't really tell myself.」

「No, no, no.」

However, her reply stunned me once again.

...I-I'd inadvertently retorted with full force at the President.

「I-It's clearly strange, isn't it? It's completely different from usual. Your chest area is even visible...!」

Having said that much, I hurriedly shut my mouth.

Actually, the exposure of her skin had been noticeable for a while now, but there was no way I could bring myself to say such a thing.

Words like "large" and "huge" were spinning in my head, but please don't ask what they refer to. That's just how it is.

「Y-Your collar is loose. Please button your shirt.」

「Oh my, was it? I'm sorry, I was in a hurry so I didn't notice.」

「In a hurry, why is that?」

「...I was about to be late.」

「No, it's still very much early morning!?」

「I have student council work. That's why I rushed here and didn't have time to pay attention to my appearance. It's what you call force majeure.」

Saying so, the President inexplicably averts her gaze and nods to herself in agreement.

Could being in that much of a hurry really cause one's clothes to become this disheveled...? I wondered, but she stated it with such confidence that I couldn't say anything back.

「A-Anyway, please tidy up your appearance.」

I said again, careful not to look directly at the President.

Even if it's the Student Council President, I have to fulfill my duties as a Disciplinary Committee member.

「............Um?」

「What could it be?」

However, the President showed no sign of moving even after waiting for a while.

「As I was saying, please button your shirt...」

「No, it's still too soon.」

「...What is?」

「I mean, um, I ran here so my body is hot. Look, everyone opens their collars like this on hot days, don't they?」

「That may be so, but...」

「Ahh, it's hot, it's hot.」

The President said this, fanning herself with her hand while pulling at the collar of her shirt.

Then for a moment I thought I saw a black piece of fabric, so I hurriedly averted my eyes.

...Wait, black!? No, no, no, that can't be...!

「I-I understand the circumstances, but please adhere to the dress code.」

I couldn't help but say it, but an unexpected response came back.

「I have a little doubt.」

「A doubt?」

「Certainly, the dress code has a clause stating that clothing should not be disheveled. But it just occurred to me, isn't it unclear what "disheveled attire" specifically refers to?」

「...Haa?」

For a moment, I didn't understand what she was saying, and a completely unfeigned reaction slipped out.

「Emm... What do you mean?」

「I'm saying, the definition is unclear. Even if you say "disheveled attire" in one breath, I think there are various states. Whether I am currently in that state or not, don't you think this requires discussion?」

...No, no, what on earth are you saying?

Wouldn't it be obvious to anyone looking at the President's current state that there's no room for debate about her disheveled attire?

But the President's overwhelmingly confident attitude almost made my own confidence waver for a moment.

「I'm sorry, Nanjou-kun. I'm not trying to trouble you. I was just genuinely wondering. So, I'd like you to specifically point out which part of my clothing is disheveled.」

And amidst that, the Student Council President took a step forward, as if to say, "Look at me more closely".

Naturally, I'm confused by this incomprehensible development.

But calm down. In short, she's just telling me to clarify the standards for disheveled attire.

「...As I said, your shirt buttons are undone.」

「That's why, on hot days and such, everyone sometimes undoes them, don't they? There are also times when people loosen buttons because they feel stuffy.」

「The President's current state is beyond that level.」

「Specifically, how?」

「...Well, there's a risk that things that shouldn't be seen might be seen.」

「Things that shouldn't be seen? More specifically, in detail.」

...What the heck is this exchange?

I tried my best to maintain euphemistic expressions, but faced with the President's barrage of questions, I had no choice but to finally answer like this.

「What I mean is, well, your underwear might be visible....」

「Does that mean my underwear is visible right now!?」

「Why are you latching onto that so eagerly!?」

As the President leans forward sharply, I instinctively back away.

「I-It's fine. I'm not looking.」

「...I see. Then you can't say my clothing is disheveled, can you?」

「No, why does it become that!? It's because there's a possibility of it being seen!」

「Are you really not looking?」

「I'm not looking!」

「By the way, changing the subject, what's Nanjou-kun's favorite color?」

「Why ask such a question all of a sudden!?」

I somehow managed to stop myself from reflexively answering "black".

Seriously, what is this conversation...!

「A-Anyway, please button your shirt quickly. It'll be a disaster if other students see the President like this.」

As this incomprehensible exchange continued, I averted my gaze from the President and said so, half in desperation.

「Eh? ...Ah, if that's the case, then yes. It can't be helped.」

Then, it seemed she finally understood, and the President at last began to button up her collar.

...Fuu, thank goodness. I don't get why she pressed me so hard.

And what's with "it can't be helped"...

As I was sighing, I heard a voice say, "Is this okay?" so I looked over.

Then, her shirt and ribbon were both neat, and I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. ...It was a long road.

However, the disciplinary check isn't over yet.

「...Your collar is fine like that. But there's still, um... there's the skirt problem.」

「That's right. That's the main event, isn't it?」

「What do you mean by main event!?」

Hearing words I'd never expect from someone being reprimanded, I felt a headache coming on. But, I have to carry out my duties regardless.

「Kohon... That skirt is clearly too short, don't you think?」

Pointing that out, I direct my gaze towards the President's skirt.

I don't want you to misunderstand, but there's a proper line in the dress code about skirt length too.

「Good, you noticed properly.」

「Why do you look a little happy!? More importantly, what's the meaning of that?」

The President's skirt that I pointed to was clearly lacking in length.

In fact, even calling it a miniskirt might be an understatement.

A skirt of impossible shortness, like one worn by anime or game characters.

I never thought I'd see one in real life, and the fact that the one wearing it's none other than the Student Council President is beyond unexpected.

While my gaze is almost drawn to her exposed thighs, I somehow suppress my instincts and stare at the President. In many ways, this is completely outrageous.

「Why is your skirt abnormally short like that? You know it's a clear violation of the dress code, don't you?」

「Well, that's because I was in a hurry and about to be late.」

「...Does being in a hurry make skirts shorter?」

「Actually, skirts are adjustable.」

「No, no, no, no...」

Being a guy, I didn't know the circumstances of skirts, so for a moment I almost thought that might be the case, but then I reconsidered that, thinking normally, it probably wasn't.

At the very least, it should be impossible for a normal length skirt to become this short.

「That can't be right, President. Please answer seriously.」

「...Because I was in a hurry, it seems I put on a skirt of a different size.」

The President answers with a nonchalant attitude, but why is she so unrepentant...

「I understand the circumstances of wearing the wrong one, but a violation is a violation.」

「Is that so? Why can you say it's a violation?」

「Why, you ask? Because the dress code state it.」

「I see, "Adhere to the dress code" sounds correct at first glance, but is it really so?」

「Eh? What do you mean?」

Being told something incomprehensible so suddenly, I'm dumbfounded.

「I mean, is that dress code really appropriate?」

「No, it's troubling to be told that so suddenly. If there's a problem with the content of the regulations, then it needs to be changed through proper procedures.」

「Right, we'll bring that up as an agenda item in the student council eventually... But what I want you to understand is that I'm not complaining about the content. It's a question of whether my current state falls under that regulation.」

「...No, no, it clearly does.」

I once again look at the President's skirt.

...No, it's seriously short. It wouldn't be strange if something peeked out with just a little movement──wait, what am I thinking...!

「With that skirt, that's impossible. It's clearly too short.」

「But that's merely Nanjou-kun's subjective opinion, isn't it? You might have judged it as short, but I don't feel that way. In other words, a difference in subjectivity.」

「...Ehhh.」

No, that's surely pushing it.

But are skirts like that? Could it be that even if they're a bit short, one might not feel anything strange?

...Mmm, once again, I don't understand girls' sensibilities, so I can't immediately retort.

「However, objectively speaking, that clearly is...」

「Exactly, what's important is objectivity. In short, it would be good if there were an objective indicator.」

That said, the regulations don't specify the skirt length in centimeters or anything.

「So, you mean you can't accept it because it's not explicitly stated?」

「I'm not fussing about it. Regarding the application of the rules, I'll follow the judgment of Nanjou-kun, who is a disciplinary committee member. I just want to be convinced.」

「Convinced?」

「Yes. If Nanjou-kun says it's short, then it probably is. But I don't think so, so we need to bridge that gap in perception. In other words, if we measure my current skirt length, we can recognize it as a concrete number, can't we?」

「I-I see. ...I see?」

Certainly, what the President was saying is logical, and now that she mentioned it, I thought it might be true, but I'm immediately struck by a vague feeling that something wasn't quite right.

But that vague feeling was blown away by the President's next words.

「So, with that said, could you measure it for me?」

「Eh? Measure, you say? Measure what?」

「I told you, my skirt length.」

「Eh....... You mean, me!?」

At that utterly shocking remark, even I lost my composure.

But the President, remaining perfectly calm, nodded at my words.

「W-Why me…!」

「Isn't it a natural duty for a Disciplinary Committee member?」

「B-But even if you say measure, I don't have any tools!?」

「That's negligence of duty...」

The President looked like she was thinking, "Oh dear, honestly", but even if she says that, if I don't have it, I don't have it, so it can't be helped, can it!?

「But don't worry, Nanjou-kun. I've prepared myself in case something like this were to happen.」

「Why!?」

The President said that and took out a measuring tape, I'm seriously astounded.

What does she mean, "in case something like this were to happen"!?

And if she anticipated it, then isn't her short skirt strange in the first place!?

Ahh, this whole development is so incomprehensible, I don't know where to even start retorting!

「Here, this should be fine. Now, please measure it.」

My mind was in utter chaos, but the President casually handed me the measuring tape as if not caring about that at all.

Of course, I thought about objecting, but an undeniable pressure seemed to emanate from the President's smile but for some reason, and in the end I couldn't say anything and had to obey.

...B-But to measure the Student Council President's skirt...!

「N-No way. I'm a guy, you know?」

「This is the first I've heard of men being unable to use a measuring tape.」

「T-That's not what I mean, I refer to measuring a girl's skirt like this.」

「But that's the duty of a Disciplinary Committee member, isn't it?」

「You wouldn't like it either, President, right? Having a guy measure your skirt length.」

「It's fine. If it's Nanjou-kun, I don't mind at all!」

「Being trusted like that in this situation is just troubling, though!? Besides, can't you measure it yourself, President! You don't have to make me do it!」

「...I don't know how to use a measuring tape.」

「Even if you say it like you've never held anything heavier than chopsticks!? You just extend it, place it, and read the marks, right!?」

「...I can't read the marks.」

「It's just measuring length!」

「...Centimeters, I don't understand them.」

「Are you an advocate of the yard-pound system!?」

「I would have understood "sun" or "shaku" though...」

「Please embrace civilization immediately!」

No way! She's saying it with a somewhat wistful face, but it's clearly impossible!

I tried to raise my voice further, but the President swiftly turned to face me and cut me off with an authority that brooked no argument before I could.

「You're a Disciplinary Committee member, aren't you? Then it should be your job to deal with students disrupting discipline. Measuring skirts is also part of the job. You can't falter just because it's a girl.」

It had a ring to it, as if to rouse me.

That dignified attitude was the very image of the Student Council President everyone respected.

...However, the content of her statement was about whether or not to measure a skirt...

No, what she's saying is absolutely correct and there's no way to refute it, but what is this indescribable, disappointing feeling...

At least, those aren't words the person actually disrupting discipline should be saying, right?

「T-That is certainly true, but…」

「Then, please do the measurement.」

「...Uhh, understood.」

Still, a sound argument is a sound argument, and combined with her unarguable atmosphere, I had no choice but to nod.

...Damn it, now that it's come to this, I have no choice but to brace myself.

「A-Anyway, since here it's not a good place, please come to the individual guidance room.」

「The individual guidance room!? Does that mean... we'll be alone together...!?」

「We're alone together right now, though...?」

Setting aside the President's incomprehensible reaction, we head towards the school building.

...There's no way I could pull off the feat of measuring a skirt length at the school gate.

Besides, it would be absolutely terrible if someone saw the President having such a thing done to her...

Thinking such thoughts, we arrive at the individual guidance room.

「...E-Even if I do something a little bold here...」

The President was muttering something to herself, but I didn't have the leeway to pay attention.

After all, I now had to measure the President's skirt length.

But as the President said, this is part of a disciplinary check. There's nothing strange about it──

I tell myself that as I take out the measuring tape.

Then, kneeling on the spot, I gazed straight at the President's skirt.

Before my eyes are her exposed thighs.

I somehow suppressed the urge to gulp and shook off my wicked thoughts.

...What am I thinking, with the President? This is work...!

Repeating that in my mind, I extend the measuring tape and begin to measure.

Emm, for this kind of thing, you measure between the skirt and the knee...

「...Nanjou-kun, you mustn't look up, okay?」

「I know.」

Hearing the President's voice from above, I naturally nod.

Even without being told, I had decided from the start not to move my gaze at all during the measurement.

If, by some chance── ...um, if I were to see it, I might end up sullying the President's image myself. That alone has to be avoided.

「You mustn't look up, okay? Absolutely not.」

「It's fine. You don't need to worry.」

「Really, you mustn't, okay? Don't look. Absolutely.」

「No, as I was saying.」

「...Come to think of it, there was that "Don't push it, absolutely don't push it" gag, wasn't there?」

「Why bring that up now!?」

The President says coolly that there's no ulterior motive.

She might not have an ulterior motive, but it's extremely inappropriate for this situation!?

「A-Anyway, please rest assured. No matter what, I won't look up.」

「...Does that mean you don't want to see?」

「No, that's not what we were talking about, was it!? I'm saying it's unthinkable to look up in this situation!」

「Mumumu...」

I'm trying to reassure her, so why am I getting that kind of reaction...?

While harboring such doubts, I continue measuring.

Trying to avoid touching the President directly, it's difficult to hold the measuring tape steady in mid-air.

Part of it was because I'd never done this kind of work before, but also the President keeps fidgeting restlessly, which makes it even harder.

「You really mustn't look up, okay? Right now, just shifting your gaze a little could easily make something visible, you know?」

「That's precisely why I won't do such a thing.」

「...This is unrelated, but shouldn't we discuss the theme that just being serious isn't enough to get by in the world, Nanjou-kun?」

「What are you talking about so abruptly!?」

「So, it's not like I have any special intention. It's more like... yes, I thought I'd lighten the mood.」

「I don't think this is a situation that particularly needs lightening!?」

「Ah, that's right, Nanjou-kun. I have a cute dog video, want to see?」

「Why now!? No, thank you!」

「Ah, was Nanjou-kun a cat person? It's alright, I have cat videos too.」

「That's not the issue here!?」

The President keeps bringing up one mysterious topic after another.

Including the content, it was completely out of place for the current situation and truly too mysterious.

But, perhaps the President is also nervous in this situation.

If so, then all the more reason to finish this measurement quickly.

「President, could you please stay still for a bit? It's hard to measure when you move.」

「No, I was looking for a video that might pique Nanjou-kun's interest...」

「Why are you doing that!?」

Apparently, the President was fiddling with her smartphone, and if I listened closely, I could hear the sound of her tapping the screen rather firmly.

Why at a time like this... I thought, but for now, I focused on the measurement.

I just have to get out of this situation quickly──I was thinking, but at that moment, such a voice suddenly came from above my head.

──Good morning, President.

「Eh?」

「Ah!」

It was a familiar voice──or rather, it was unmistakably my own voice, so I ended up reflexively looking up.

Then naturally, I ended up looking up at the President in her super miniskirt from below,

(T-This is bad! I can see──I can't...!)

But what entered my vision was only the skirt and her slender legs extending from it.

I can't see anything else.

I could swear to God on this, but I really saw nothing else.

(...T-That was dangerous. Thank goodness. Barely safe...!)

While panicking about the situation, I let out a sigh of relief.

It was a precarious situation, but my honor and the President's were protected somehow──or so I thought.

「Kyaa!?」

The next moment, the President jumped back suddenly looking surprised.

With that momentum, her skirt flutters up.

It should have been just a slight movement, but her skirt, which was already at its limit, became unable to hide what it should have hidden with just that.

(...B-Black again...!?)

Just as those words flashed through my mind, I thought I heard the President tap her foot on the ground, and then silence fell around us.

It should have been an event that lasted less than a second, but I saw it clearly, as if in slow motion. And it was seared into my eyes.

「............Did you see?」

「...I-I didn't see.」

「Really? You really didn't see?」

「I really, really didn't see.」

「No but, surely you saw a little, didn't you?」

「I told you I didn't see! Why are you pressing me so much!?」

「Because it's extremely important! Mumumu... Then, if you didn't see, at least were you conscious of it!?」

The President, her face suddenly beet red, presses closer while saying such things.

I'm flustered by her proximity, but I don't understand what she is saying, yet the pressure is immense, and I end up completely confused.

In that state, she pressed me further, asking, "Well!?",

「That's, I do was conscious of it!?」

I couldn't help but answer like that.

...But it can't be helped, can it!? It's impossible not to be conscious of the President's presence in a situation like this! I don't know why she's specifically asking such a thing, though!

As I'm in that completely overwhelmed state,

「I-I see. That's good then.」

The President suddenly said that and quickly put some distance between us.

...W-Was I saved? The President looks satisfied, folding her arms, but I have no idea what's going on...?

「F-Fufufu, if I got you to be conscious of me, then it's a success for now...!」

「U-Um, President? What was that whole exchange just now...」

「Eh? W-Well, um, it seems I got a little excited being brought to the individual guidance room.」

「Why would being brought to the individual guidance room make you excited...?」

「A-Anyway, my skirt length measurement is done, so I'll be excusing myself now.」

「Eh? Um, wait a moment?」

The President said that and quickly walked out of the room.

Left alone, my mind couldn't keep up with the rapid succession of developments.

「...The President, it looked like even her ears were bright red...」

Only such unfocused words come out.

Or rather, why was I made to measure her skirt length in the first place...?

I was supposed to be giving the President guidance on her attire, but before I knew it, things had become completely incomprehensible, and my thoughts had completely frozen.

「...What the heck was that, seriously.」

Such a murmur barely escaped my lips, but of course, there is no one to answer.

I stood there stunned for a while longer, but eventually, a message from my kohai in the Disciplinary Committee, saying, "Senpai, why aren't you at the school gate!? Where are you slacking off!", finally brought me back to my senses.

I returned to the school gate after that, but I was awkward all day, and ended up spending the disciplinary check time under the strange gazes of the students who eventually arrived.

☆

That afternoon, after school. As usual in the student council room, the members were gathered and carrying out their duties──

...However, today, things were a little strange.

Anri, Kana, and Nagisa, all have work in front of them, but their hands aren't moving at all.

Instead, they were all staring at one point with puzzled expressions.

At the end of their gazes was,

「~~♪ ~~~~♪」

the Student Council President, doing paperwork in a very good mood.

Moreover, she was even humming softly, and her face wasn't just smiling, but rather looked like she was smirking, in every sense, such an appearance from the President was unprecedented.

「...Um, Yurina-san?」

Eventually, the Vice President, Anri, spoke up as if representing everyone.

「~~♪ Oh my, is something wrong, Maishima-san?」

「Ah, no, um... you seem to be in quite a good mood, did something happen?」

「Is that so? I'm just normal, though.」

「No, no, it's clearly strange. Don't you think so, Nagisa-chan?」

「That's right, Hayase-senpai. I've never seen the President like this before.」

Even before the bewildered group, the President didn't seem to mind, but eventually continued, "Something good happened".

「Actually, the results of that consultation from the other day are out.」

「The one from the other day... could it be about the love consultation?」

「Eh, was there progress? What happened?」

「Well, if we're just talking about results, to put it modestly...... I'd say it was a huge success?」

「Was that so? Congratulations.」

The President answers with a somewhat smug expression, and everyone gasps in surprise.

「So it was successful. That's wonderful.」

「If I recall, the solution we came up with back then was to dress in a way that would remind the other person of the past, right? Did that work out?」

「Yes, there's no doubt it made quite an impact.」

「Does that mean he remembered? That she's the girl he met in the past?」

「And then, perhaps, did they end up going out or something?」

「Ahh, no, it hasn't quite gotten that far yet, though.」

Calming Nagisa and Kana, who are asking questions, the President continues proudly.

「She said there was a definite positive response. Going out and such is still far off, but if things continue like this, it might happen eventually. She also said she could clearly see that vision.」

「Ohh, that's amazing. So confident.」

「It seems to have gone exceptionally well.」

「No, no, it was just a coincidence. A coincidence.」

Being praised, the President shows a bashful reaction as if it were about herself for some reason.

「But it's truly wonderful, isn't it? We were able to come up with a solution that helped the consultant. And the results seem to have been perfect too.」

Nagisa said, summarizing.

But there, the President gives a wry smile for the first time.

「No, it wasn't exactly perfect. There were a few mistakes. I need to reflect on those. ...Or so the consultant also said.」

「Is that so? What kind of mistakes?」

「The intention was to show it subtly, but the fact that nervousness was a cause to falter is a point for reflection. It might have been a bit too loose for the first time.」

「「「Eh?」」」

Loosen...? Anri, Kana, and Nagisa all tilt their heads in unison.

「Not being used to that kind of outfit was also not good. I need to do a little more research on exposure.」

「「「...Exposure?」」」

「But the biggest failure was at the end. My underwear was almost... That I wasn't able to bear the embarrassment there, shows I still lacked the preparedness. That's the biggest point for reflection.」

「「「......Underwear?」」」

Ignoring the President who was passionately talking to herself, countless question marks floated above the three's heads.

They can't understand what the President is saying and can only look at each other.

「Well, in any case, the fact remains that the student council's first love consultation was a success. Let's keep up this momentum and continue to do our best.」

And without them really understanding, the President concluded the conversation like that.

They were told to get back to work, and though a somewhat unsettled feeling remained, they convinced themselves for the time being that the consultation had been resolved as the President said.

And so, the student council, under its creed of standing by the students, succeeded in responding to the troubles of a student in need.

...Although, how that "consultant" truly "resolved" her troubles was something no one knew...